1. Small Boat Diving

2. 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.

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

4. 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

5. The Negatives of Small Boat Diving
Crowded space
Possible sea sickness
Time consuming
Boat Issues

6. Terminology Bow Stern Port side Starboard Front of the boat
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

7. 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

8. Safety Gear Nice to have First aid kit Tools
Radio or other communication equipment

9. Loading Capacity Plate Keep all cargo organized Keep the boat balanced
Maximum number of passengers
Maximum total weight
Maximum size motor
Keep all cargo organized
Individual soft/mesh bags for divers
Keep the boat balanced

10. 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

11. 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

12. Anchoring Ground tackle Anchor Type Scope 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

13. 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.

14. Anchoring Anchor bearings Checking the anchor
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.

15. Anchoring Hoisting anchor Motor slowly up to the anchor.
Hoist being careful of your back.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Emergency Procedures Recall Procedures Recall Signal Diver Response
Racing motor
Banging metal together underwater
Diver Response
Make a safe ascent
Look to boat for signals

22. 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

23. Emergency Procedures Info to transmit Location Boat identification
Type of emergency

24. 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

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

26. 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.

27. 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.