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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.
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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.