30Jun07The NC Dive Boat
Dive boats in North Carolina are their own animal. Fittingly, they are somewhat of a hybrid between the rough and tough boats off the northeast coast and the happy–go-lucky boats in the Caribbean. What do I mean by that? Well, it’s helpful to look at how these boats came to be.
North Carolina diving started in the 1970s when the introduction of Loran C (the predecessor to GPS) made it possible for boat captains to relocate shipwrecks (even then, however, it wasn’t uncommon to troll around for hours just “looking” for the wreck). Recreational diving at this time was still in its infancy, and most of the divers coming to North Carolina were hardcore wreck hunters from the northeast wanting a break from the cold water and low visibility they had back home. Boats of that era cruised at a maximum speed of about10 knots so, with most sites located 25 miles off shore, it was 3-4 hours before divers even entered the water. The distance from shore to most wrecks warranted vessels of a certain size as well as experienced captains, many coming from the fishing or commercial marine industries. So, in essence, North Carolina diving was founded on the shoulders of…we’ll call them “salty” boat captains, and their (meant in the nicest way) “hardened” clientele.
Now, all that being said, the boats today are much friendlier and more laid back than they once were…though they are still a far cry from the Caribbean skiff. Many of the captains have been in the NC dive business for 20 years or more, and are without question some of the most experienced and talented in the industry. Their mates (note that they are referred to as “mates”, rather than “divemasters”) are responsible for “tying in” (the process whereby said mate literally rides the anchor down to the bottom and secures it to the wreck), “untying” (self-explanatory), logging divers in and out of the water, handling lines, and providing assistance when needed.
All mates are trained in First Aid/CPR and O2 procedures, all are professional divers, and strong swimmers. What they are not, however, are sherpas, chefs, or dive guides. Regardless of which operation you use, customers are expected to carry and set up their own gear, bring their own food, and plan their own dives. The mates and captains are certainly available to assist when needed, but all in all, you are to be self-sufficient.
Fear not, there are plenty of advantages to the NC dive boat. With few exceptions, these boats are bigger and have many more amenities than any skiff could ever dream of offering. Therefore, in addition to being able to handle rough seas, you’ll find boats equipped with heated or air-conditioned cabins, fins-on ladders, hot water showers, plenty of places to sit, working marine heads, microwaves, and TVs.
Each boat varies with respect to what it offers, as well as to how many people are typically onboard. There are “6-pack” boats that carry — you guessed it — up to 6 passengers and there are “crew boats” which carry anywhere from 8 to 27, depending on the boat and how full it is. Like anything else, you get what you pay for and there are positives and negatives to each.
Put simply, bigger boats have more amenities…and more people. Smaller boats have fewer people…and either fewer luxuries or a higher pricetag. The nicer the vessel, the more you’ll pay and vice-versa.
All in all, though, the bottom line is this: While you do have to plan your own dive, and you won’t be handed a warm towel or a fresh baked brownie, there are few places on the Atlantic Ocean where you’d be as safe or as comfortable as you are onboard most North Carolina dive boats. I'll be posting about my recommendations for specific boats in future entries.
