The HSE and Dive Clubs

[Cheaperhols]

Hi ALL

Does any one know if there are any HSE regulations that apply to dive clubs, when chartering boats ect. After speaking to the Hse i can find no Rules that cover dive clubs. It may be i was speaking to the wroing person, any help would be appreaciated

Kevin
must get a spell checker

[Tim Ingmire]

AIUI HSE has no control over dive clubs like BSAC branches but if you are chartering a boat then they can exert some control via the skipper who, if legit, must comply with all HSE regs.

[Hickdive]

If by dive club you mean a not-for-profit private members club such as a BSAC, SAA or SSAC branch then there are no HSE rules that apply to them.

HSE rules cover schools and those who work for them.

That's not to say their guidelines aren't useful for clubs but they are not enforceable.

[Chardy]

What if the club makes money ?

For example, two boats is £300 per boat per day and the club charges £36 and puts 11 divers on for 2 days and makes £120 per boat ? Would that be different

Paul

It depends on what you mean by make money. Covering replacement and maintenance costs by charging more than fuel costs only is perfectly legitimate as long as it can reasonably be proved that the amounts charged are within reason.
This is for club members only, others cannot be charged extra money or it is a charter for profit.
No-one should be making money other than covering expenses and the club should not operate the boat at a profit.
It does cost a lot in maintenance to run a boat and depending on the amount of use and type of boat £120 over and above direct expenses could be either excessive or not.

[Chardy]

Rubber Boy,

Thanks for the reply but I'm talking about the club chartering two hard boats for a weekend and making £240 profit and taking non members and charging the same amount.

Paul

It sounds to me that the club ran the trip as a commercial venture then and I would say, although someone else will know for sure, that they would need to declare the income to the taxman (assuming there is not a getout being a club/non-profit making organisation etc) and comply with insurance etc.
Risk assessments etc etc would all need to be filled in and filed plus probably a pile of stuff I haven't even thought of.
The non members are the sticky point in all this I think, they are paying for a charter...

[PeteM]

Originally Posted by Chardy

Thanks for the reply but I'm talking about the club chartering two hard boats for a weekend and making £240 profit and taking non members and charging the same amount.

If you are making a profit then it is a business, if it is a business then HSE can get involved. Note that a small amount extra to cover over heads will not count as a profit.

[Chardy]

The club makes profit on every club trip and then purchases kit which it hires out, it is a reasonably cash rich club, thanks for the info

[Cheaperhols]

Thanks Guys

So there are no HSE rules covering dive clubs, no code of practice regarding dive boats. only the Skippers are Covered under HSE regulations.

If the club charges more for non members than members on the same boat trip does that make it a charter for Profit or are you allowed to over charge by Say £100 to cover club expenses ect.

So there are no HSE RULES that say Dive marshalls must go in last ect

Kevin