Small Boat Diving

Objectives• Identify the following areas of the boat:

– Bow, stern, starboard side, port side• List the minimum safety gear required by the

USCG.• Describe Procedures for launching and

recovering a small boat from a beach.• Outline concerns and procedures for anchoring.• Discuss techniques for entries and exits from a

small boat.• Describe techniques for diving in current.

Main Topic Areas• Positives and negatives of small boat diving• Terminology• Safety Gear• Loading• Launching• Anchoring• Diving• Beach Landings• Emergency Procedures

The Positives of Small Boat Diving

• Small boats are excellent dive platforms – Allow us to reach sites otherwise not easily

accessible. – Relatively economical.– Easily transported

• Successful small boat operation and diving requires: – Planning– Boating skills– Teamwork

The Negatives of Small Boat Diving

• Crowded space• Possible sea sickness• Time consuming• Boat Issues

Terminology

• Bow– Front of the boat

• Stern– Back of the boat

• Port side– Left side of the boat as you face forward

• Starboard– Right side of the boat as you face forward

Safety Gear

• Determined by the size of the boat• USCG requirements

– USCG approved PFD for each passenger– “Throwable” PFD– Visual distress signals– Fire Extinguisher– Sound making device– Registration and hull numbers

Safety Gear

• Nice to have– First aid kit– Tools– Radio or other communication equipment

Loading

• Capacity Plate– Maximum number of passengers– Maximum total weight– Maximum size motor

• Keep all cargo organized– Individual soft/mesh bags for divers

• Keep the boat balanced

Beach Launching

• Position the boat with the bow toward the water

• Locate the boat as close to the water as possible

• Time the sets to enter on the calm period– Follow the last wave and let the water do the

work– Get through the surf zone as quickly as

possible

Beach Launching

• Hold the bow toward the waves– It may be necessary to paddle the boat away

from the beach• Once in deep enough water

– Lower the motor– Start the motor

Anchoring• Ground tackle

– Anchor Line• Typically nylon for strength and flexibility

– Chain at the bottom• Protects against chafing• Acts as a shock absorber

• Anchor Type– Select the correct anchor for the bottom type

• Rock Anchor• Lightweight “Danforth” style

• Scope– Ration of Length of Anchor line deployed to depth of water

• 3:1 minimum• 5:1 preferred

Anchoring

• Anchoring Drill– Allow plenty of room for swing– Make a test run.– Always lower the anchor. Never throw it.– Make sure the anchor is attached, but can

be slipped quickly.– Leave the engine running until you are sure

the anchor will hold.– Pull back on the anchor to set it.

Anchoring

• Anchor bearings– Ranges to landmarks on the beach to

establish position– Compass bearing to landmarks on the beach

to establish position• Checking the anchor

– Upon descent check the anchor to make sure it is set.

– Prior to ascent, check the anchor to make sure it is clear to hoist.

Anchoring

• Hoisting anchor– Motor slowly up to the anchor.– Hoist being careful of your back.

Diving Procedures• Entry into the water

– Make sure the entry area is clear– Technique

• Backwards roll• Sit and slide

– Timing• Keep the boat balanced• Simultaneous entries from opposite sides• Alternate entries from opposite sides

– Equipment management• Avoid entanglement• Gear up completely in the boat• Don your gear in the water

Diving Procedures

• Exit from the water into the boat– Technique

• Ladder• Over the side

– It may be necessary to enter over the stern of the boat» May be lower or more stable

– Equipment Management• Do not remove any equipment until you are in contact with

the boat.• Attach equipment to gear lines or have another diver hold

onto the gear• Properly stow the gear as soon as you are in the boat.

Diving Procedures

• Current– Begin dive into any current– Deploy a current line for diver retrieval– Allow for the effects of current on air

consumption– Use the anchor line for safety stops

Diving Procedures

• Liveboating– Is vessel maneuverable enough?– Is prop a hazard.– Most boats drift bow down.– Entering the water

• Divers should exit the boat on the windward side– Pick up

• Windward vs. Leeward side

Beach Landings

• Stop in deep water as close to the surf zone as possible.

• Raise the motor• Time the exit to follow the last wave of the set

– Divers are in the water ready to drag the boat up the beach

• Boat orientation– Bow toward the beach– Stern toward the beach

Emergency Procedures

• Recall Procedures– Recall Signal

• Racing motor• Banging metal together underwater

– Diver Response• Make a safe ascent• Look to boat for signals

Emergency Procedures• Radio protocols

– VHF Channel 16 is the emergency channel– Levels of emergency

• MAYDAY– Vessel is in imminent danger

• PAN (pronounced PAHN)– Potentially life threatening situation

» Overdue or missing divers» Man overboard» DCS or AGE

• SECURITE (pronounced SAY-CUR-EE-TAY)– Hazards

» Safety» Navigation» Weather

Emergency Procedures

– Info to transmit• Location• Boat identification• Type of emergency

Emergency Procedures

• Rescues– Strip gear prior to entering the boat– Enter at the most stable part of the boat

• May be over the stern of the boat– Inflatable Boats

• May have to partially deflate a pontoon

Main Topic Areas• Positives and negatives of small boat diving• Terminology• Safety Gear• Loading• Launching• Anchoring• Diving• Beach Landings• Emergency Procedures

Objectives• Identify the following areas of the boat:

– Bow, stern, starboard side, port side• List the minimum safety gear required by the

USCG.• Describe Procedures for launching and

recovering a small boat from a beach.• Outline concerns and procedures for anchoring.• Discuss techniques for entries and exits from a

small boat.• Describe techniques for diving in current.

Summary

• Proper utilization of small boats will significantly extend the range of your diving operations.

• Successful small boat diving operations calls for proper planning, boating and diving skills and teamwork.