A mate of mine e:mailed me this
Anglers more clued up?
My husband runs a licensed charter vessel and takes parties of up to 10 sea anglers and divers out around Oban and the Sound of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland. Some angling clubs make it clear that they will not book with us unless we can satisfy them that we are correctly licensed and that they will be covered by adequate insurance.
They also seem to be on the ball about where to check such details. In our experience, the anglers also understand that what is included in the charter cost reflects the required standards of safety.
Dive clubs more often than not do not appear to be as informed or to care about licence standards with guaranteed insurance and safety certificates. Nor do most understand what constitutes a charter - how many divers realise that it is illegal for anyone with a boat without a licence to accept payment, even a few quid for fuel, to carry passengers?
The British Sub-Aqua Club was part of the committee that drafted current licence charter conditions, so I am surprised that some divers appear to be less clued up than anglers!
Elaine Lauder, Benderloch, Oban
made me chuckle