How to Boat, and boat well!

Let's boat.

Ask any diver and they will tell you the same thing, the very best diving is done from a boat. Big boat, little boat, rubber boat, hard boat or rib. Boats get you to places you can't access under your own steam and let you see wrecks, reefs or marine life you simply would not get to gaze at otherwise.

But to make sure you enjoy your day to the maximum there are some basic things to take on board (see what we did there!). 

The first (like great comedy) is timing...

Time (and Tide).

Many dives are tidal.This means they can only be dived at a certain time in the tidal cycle, To dive at the wrong time means you'll see nothing and be in a punishingly strong current. So the first rule of boat diving is to find out what time the boat leaves (known as 'ropes off') and to make sure you, your kit and your buddy are on it and ready to go at the right time!

I usually turn up an hour ahead. This means I can load my kit, put it together, check it, rush back to the car to get the stuff I forgot and then get changed, have a coffee, plan my dive and relax!

Turn up late and you will be flustered from the off. Not only is playing catch-up not much fun it also leads to things being left behind and sometimes dives being compromised.

Unlike shore diving once you leave the quayside if you haven't got it with you you're going to have to go without. So the next rule is to work out what you need to take with you.

What to pack and what not to pack.

Some might think this a bit obvious but you are going to need your dive kit! But what you don't want to do is bring the kitchen sink. Dive boats aren't massive places, even the big ones! Take up more than your allocated space and you won't be popular. A small bag that can be stowed under the seat is perfect but come on board with your kit in the bag you would use to go on holiday with – not so good. Check out the variety of dry bags here.  Make sure you have a full cylinder – check it before you leave. You won't be the first person to have less than you thought you had in the thing.

Make certain you have everything you are going to need for the dive and do not rely on your buddy! The big stuff is easy, but the smaller things can get left behind. Weights, mask, hood, gloves, compass, reel and DSMB and so on, and some basic spares (more about spares in a minute).

Apart from obvious diving things you may want extra clothing as boats can be cold places even on a hot day. After a dive you may find a windproof jacket and a hat useful. Bring sunscreen, even on a dull day and even in the winter you can get badly burnt at sea. You may also want to bring something to eat and drink; diving is always a great excuse for extra calories, after all we did heave all that heavy kit around didn't we?!

Bring back-up kit and spares but you really don't need 3 drysuits, 2 twinsets and a couple of sets of regs 'just in case' for a single dive. 

Spares and Back-ups.

This really covers 2 separate things. Spare bits of equipment but also spares that are used to repair or fix of errant bits equipment. A proper dive spares and tool kit is an awesome thing, but it's also too big for a boat (separate blog some other time!)

For a boat dive you may need a spare mask, spare reel and spare DSMB - all great things to have with you.  If the viz is going to be low or dark then having 2 torches is a must. 

In addition, have a box of O rings (that fit your regs, do check as they aren't all the same)), a spare mask strap and fin strap, some cable ties and a small tool set) or scuba-tool. And that really is all you need for a single boat dive.

A great starter tool kit is the IST Divers Tool kit (I have 1 in my spares box and another one in my car!)Just click here where you'll also find things like scuba-tools and other useful bits.

If you have a computer that runbs on AA or AAA batteries - take a couple with you.  It's inevitable your com puter will deide to go on holiday the moment you get to the dive site!

Boat manners

Like anything else there are codes of conduct on a boat.The primary one is to do what the skipper tells you to do! Always.

Listen to the boat briefing.Don't chat amongst yourselves keeping half an ear on the brief.It will contain important information that you may need to know in an emergency or just to make your dive more fun.I speak from experience having once not listened to the briefing and ending up having a good half mile swim back – with a very red face!

Do keep to your allocated dive time and communicate with the boat when you are on the surface. Put up a DSMB when asked to do so and never get off the boat before you are told to. Boats are big and not all that manoeuvrable. You are small, slow moving and not easy to see! The boat will win!

Do all that and the skipper will be your friend and you will have a great dive benefitting from the knowledge of someone who will know more about the site than you do!

How we can help

Well obviously we have a boat and we go diving! To book on to a dive just head for the website and start here!

If you aren't sure about how to put up a DSMB properly have a chat with the centre – there's a course, of course! 

Tel: 01626 773965 or email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.