What is your definition of a Cattle Boat

[FreeFlyFreak]

So I have read the term "Cattle Boat" a number of times.
I get the idea, but don't really know how I would define it.
I suppose it like the porn thing, "you know it when you see it"

Anyway I was just wondering how you personally would define a Cattle Boat, what characteristics do they have?

Thx

 

[CuzzA]

A charter taking more than six divers on a single day trip.

 

[In2theabyss]

Bigger boat, filled to the max life jacket count with divers

 

[Doctorfish]

Too many divers for the size of the boat. Divers being rushed to do their dives on a tight schedule. Lack of flexibility by DMs to let the clients do their own dives and profiles. Being herded underwater in a follow the leader fashion.

On Grand Cayman, I dive with an op that takes only 10 divers max on a wide beamed 38 ft boat. Provided they know you to be competent, you are allowed your own buddy team independent dive. I don't think the 6 diver rule applies to boat with this much space. I think the max diver number should vary with the boat. Small boat, small group.

There is another operator we see on the moorings with a slightly bigger boat who seems to cram 20 + divers on board. I've seen them arrive after us and leave before us. The divers are led on their dives with a DM front and back. That would be a cattle boat.

 

[ofg-1]

 

[Wookie]

Or...

 

[Damselfish]

I think "You know it when you see it" is a good description, also "Too many divers for the size of the boat".

Everyone won't have the same definition. I don't think a large boat is necessarily bad, often it is nice. I definitely don't think more than 6 - or any specific number - is automatically a problem. If you go with a group of people you know and fill a boat - is that a cattleboat, or fun with your friends?

I think the way divers are treated is as important as size/numbers - the whole tight schedule/time limits/lack of flexibility/herding type stuff.

 

[FreeFlyFreak]

I think "You know it when you see it" is a good description, also "Too many divers for the size of the boat".

Everyone won't have the same definition. I don't think a large boat is necessarily bad, often it is nice. I definitely don't think more than 6 - or any specific number - is automatically a problem. If you go with a group of people you know and fill a boat - is that a cattleboat, or fun with your friends?

I think the way divers are treated is as important as size/numbers - the whole tight schedule/time limits/lack of flexibility/herding type stuff.

That's kind of the way I was thinking, I realise there will be various opinions and that's why I threw it out there.

I went on a boat, that when I got there and we saw how full it was, my first impression was, this must be that "cattle boat" I have read about.
However we were never rushed or herded in anyway, the food and equipment were good also, the dives and DM's were good.
The experience changed my initial impression from cattle boat, to a final impression of, well run full/crowded boat.

 

[CuzzA]

That's kind of the way I was thinking, I realise there will be various opinions and that's why I threw it out there.

I went on a boat, that when I got there and we saw how full it was, my first impression was, this must be that "cattle boat" I have read about.
However we were never rushed or herded in anyway, the food and equipment were good also, the dives and DM's were good.
The experience changed my initial impression from cattle boat, to a final impression of, well run full/crowded boat.

With more diving in various ways you'll better understand it. A cattle boat may not be a negative to some people. I'll rarely turn down an opportunity to dive, nevertheless, when you get accustomed to going out with a few of your buddies and covering 60+ miles doing 6-8 dives in a day, choosing where you want to go and diving however you want, you kinda get that "meh" feeling with the prospect of doing a two tank dive limited to 45 minutes each with 30 other people of various experience.

 

[AdivingBel]

IMHO it's pretty subjective. What I consider a "cattle boat" might be exactly what another diver prefers. For me a "cattle boat" is any scenario that makes me feel crowded or cramped above or below the water. It could be a boat with too many divers for the amount of physical space above water or an insistence by the dive op for dive groups to stay in too close proximity below the water (not talking about buddies). I avoid both, as much as possible, by pre-trip research. If I find myself in that situation in spite of my efforts, I'll vote with my fins ASAP, but until I can make my escape I always adhere to the dive ops rules. Their boat, their rules. I actually enjoy diving the large Corinthians in the Keys etc. as long as they are not over crowded and I'm given the freedom to dive my dive within reason. All IMHO, YMMV.