Boats & Diver lifts

[tom]

Originally Posted by Skipper

MR Tompkins

Nice to see somebody showing a bit of respect in the way they address their customers!

[Angus]

Originally Posted by Skipper

hmmmmm, not sure I like you tone MR Tompkins

We will be having words on Wednesday, expect to stay behind in detention

Howard,

Try the telephone directory down the back of the trousers mate!!

[Jetsam]

A boat is useless without the right skipper.

Who cares if a rubbish one has a lift.

[Mary]

The skipper is what counts however if I can chose between one with a lift and one with a crap ladder then lift everytime!


(as a girl with short legs!)

[Mr T.]

Never used a boat with lift. It's either ladder or back-enrty-trawler-crawl

[MATTBIN]

As MattS and most others. Decent skipper, a lift is nice but not essential. Having said that some ladders are rubbish and it does spoil the dive a bit, wouldnt stop me going again if the skipper was ok though. So any decent skippers on here - looks like you can save your money guys.

Matt

[Andy Phillips]

On a serious note, it matters. Twin 15's, 2 x 10L stages and I can not get up a ladder. In fact I can barely stand at all. Now I am on the breather it matters less but it is still part of the equation when booking dives.

Andrew

[Janos]

Voted no as it's not the main reason by a long way, but if there are two boats, both with decent skippers, doing the wrecks that I want to do etc etc, then the one with the lift would get my vote.

Laters,
Janos

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by imported_andyp

On a serious note, it matters. Twin 15's, 2 x 10L stages and I can not get up a ladder. In fact I can barely stand at all. Now I am on the breather it matters less but it is still part of the equation when booking dives.

Andrew

Very good point. With no lift you need that good skipper again - pass up those stages before using the ladder

regards

[MattS]

On a serious note, it matters. Twin 15's, 2 x 10L stages and I can not get up a ladder. In fact I can barely stand at all.

If you are doing the sort of diving that needs that sort of rig and you don't have a support diver, then yes a lift is sensible. Whether it is sensible to do that sort of diving without a support diver is an entirely different question.

I have done some mix diving off RHIBs before, so I am not trying to preach here. I have also dived off hard boats without a ladder, which means dekitting in the water and hauling it aboard. Even with a lift you should have a plan in case the lift breaks. I guess what I am saying is that where there is a will there is a way.

The thing with the current Diver Lift Cold War, is that skippers are feeling compelled to fit lifts when really the vast majority of us should not need them. They cost money to fit and maintain, and fuel to carry. Either the skipper makes less margin or the customer pays more. If I knew a rich UK charter skipper I might think differently.