Should there be an O2 set on Dive Charter Boats?

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by yellow butty box

on a different note there is a new trend starting to rear its head regarding 02.
its called a free snort.
usually follows "had a fast ascent skip i'd better go on 02"
"no problem its ready to go help yourself ", keeping a close eye on things
2 hours later and 1 empty 02 cylinder "whats the next wreck called skip?"
errmm yeah right
ring any bells?

Sorry - no bells rung here - one rule which I will never bend
"IF A DIVER GOES ON O2 THEN I INFORM THE COASTGUARD"
So basically I would never be in the situation you describe.

regards

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by Andy the Commie 2

And the CoP's & after ME getting advise fro the MCA say . Crewman must be over the age of 16, be able to launch the liferaft, be able to give a safety briefing and hold a ML 5 ( Seamans medical )

That means paying someone and passing the cost onto the Divers.

Sorry to disagree Andy - Code 2 60 miles clearly states that the crew must be deemed to be competant by the skipper

Code 1 is as you describe with the addition of a yatchmaster cert

either way if you need to crew the boat then you need to pay them

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by RubberBoy

Hi Skipper,
the last thing I want is more legislation and don't believe it should be compulsory because, like you, it seems we both believe that this wouldn't be the only thing that would be made law.
I understand the water taxi argument although HSE have tried on various occasions to try and argue that this is not the case (without success as far as I am aware till now) in regard to some incidents.
I would have thought that for any trip out taking divers you would need to (and I know a lot of it is bullshit and is mostly the same recycled garbage) fill out a risk assessment for that day out which for diving would include likely risks?
This is common practice when I am out on boats working.
I just would have thought that dive taxi or not the HSE would be unhappy at an incident that O2 would/could have helped.
I know the MCA is the regulatory body but HSE investigates accidents involving commercial vessels and divers AFAIK?
My work insists on ENG1's rather than ML5's too.
Incidentally if someone even suspects they have a bend and need O2 the C/G is called in my opinion.

Hi Bruce thanks for your comments and PM

Couple of points

In the latest round of discussions the HSA were ademant the dive charters were not going to be made responsible and were just taxis

The MCA and the HSE have both accepted my generic risk assessment which exclude any assessment of the divers activities whilst not on the boat

I have a ENG1 but will be going the ML5 route as I no longer need it and the ML5 is still valid for 5 years thus reducing my costs

I agree with calling the CG in any case where O2 is given

Incidentally, I think we are agreeing but from what you have said you may be looking at a different kettle of fish. its a bit like the club situation I wouldnt be a DO for all the tea in china because they are actually responsible for in water activity..........no lets not go there again

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by Janos

I doubt you'll get reds. I hope not anyway.

I'm quite happy with skippers acting as water taxis and it should stay that way.

Janos

cheers

[John N]

I understand the 'water taxi' theory, but in practice as was suggested, a buddy pair booking alone are unlikely to be bringing their own emergency oxygen.

Dive charter boats often provide diver specific equipment and services such as ladders/lifts and locating wrecks/dropping shots etc so why not emergency oxygen?

Rather than getting into the legal side of things, I would prefer to see charters carry O2 as a positive marketing strategy.

From the poll results, I think that advertising O2 on board would be helpful in generating business.

I think though that anyone using this emergency resource should be charged for it's replacement.

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by John Nortcliff

I understand the 'water taxi' theory, but in practice as was suggested, a buddy pair booking alone are unlikely to be bringing their own emergency oxygen.

agreed, but this does take away their responsibility to dive safely

Originally Posted by John Nortcliff

Dive charter boats often provide diver specific equipment and services such as ladders/lifts and locating wrecks/dropping shots etc so why not emergency oxygen?

Taxis provide a means of entry and egress as well as locating destinations, providing local knowledge and directions.

Originally Posted by John Nortcliff

Rather than getting into the legal side of things, I would prefer to see charters carry O2 as a positive marketing strategy.

Agreed,

Originally Posted by John Nortcliff

From the poll results, I think that advertising O2 on board would be helpful in generating business.

I dont actually know one that does not carry O2, the thread wold serve mor purpose if we established which commercial boats "did not" carry the O2 (I think the list would be quite small)

Originally Posted by John Nortcliff

I think though that anyone using this emergency resource should be charged for it's replacement.

No, people will refuse to use it - however if people offer after the event...............

cheers

[Angleseyskipper]

thats a view which i don't share skipper.
if a diver surfaces with the slightess hint of DCS symptoms then off they go for a free helicopter ride not negotiable.
what you're telling me is that ever "incident "you get your 02 out on ,ends in a helicopter ride?

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by yellow butty box

thats a view which i don't share skipper.
if a diver surfaces with the slightess hint of DCS symptoms then off they go for a free helicopter ride not negotiable.
what you're telling me is that ever "incident "you get your 02 out on ,ends in a helicopter ride?

No - what I am saying is that in every incident that a diver uses o2 on my boat for theraputic reasons I will inform the coastguard - the Hyperbaric Doctor makes the decision not me or any of the divers - we are not qualified. This does not always mean a helo ride.

You might want to give your local hyperbaric doc a call and see what he says.... or your lawyer