39. Boats - Approaching Buoys & Divers
| Key Points |
Safety first, safe speed, watch divers and propeller,
approach divers in neutral, careful of other surface traffic, avoid
damage to propeller, keep passengers informed about changes in
speed and direction etc. Always be aware of current, wind and location
of divers. |
Attaching to buoy
- Approach buoy from downwind/down tide (note - wind will probably
have more influence).
- At slow speed, drive boat toward buoy.
- Leave buoy slightly to one side and you come along side and reduce
revs as required.
- If too far to one side, once past, turn bows slightly across wind
to allow the boat to drift down onto buoy.
Dropping divers
- Arriving at dive site, assess conditions i.e. wind, current, rocks,
other obstacles
- Plan exit route to minimise risk to divers, propeller, hull.
- At entry point, point boat into wind.
- Keep into wind as divers kit up - avoid going broadside to waves/swell
and avoid divers inhalation of exhaust fumes. Once divers are ready
position boat as required.
- Give divers depth/other briefing information as required.
- GO INTO NEUTRAL.
- Allow pairs on opposite side to enter water.
- Once divers in the water give OK signal.
- Do not allow other divers into water until water behind them is clear.
- If space allows, let boat drift off divers, otherwise, once divers
are well clear of the boat engage gear and move away slowly.
- Stay near site in case divers require further assistance.
- Check time and record on slate.
- Display ‘A’ Flag
Picking up divers
- Keep a good look out at all times. Divers surfacing at unexpected
times are more likely to be having difficulties.
- Once divers are spotted give OK signal. Do not wait for acknowledgement
before approaching.
- Assess conditions near divers i.e. wind, current, rocks, other obstacles.
- Plan exit route.
- Approach divers from down-wind if possible.
- If dive pair splits steer slowly between the two at low revs.
- Be ready to go into neutral.
- Once between divers GO INTO NEUTRAL.
- If divers are some distance apart keep the boat steady into wind
as they approach, but make sure boat is in neutral as they come to
the boat.
- If one diver/divers stay together, approach into wind.
- Once level/slightly past divers, turn bows slightly across wind go
into neutral and allow boat to drift down onto divers.
- On completion take down ‘A’ Flag
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