For many new divers, participating in a charter boat trip can be an overwhelming experience.  Suddenly, the dive isn’t the only thing on your mind.  There are logistics to be considered;  accommodation, transportation, moving your gear and kitting up.  All these things to do and you still haven’t eaten!

This FAQ will hopefully help prepare you for your charter trip adventure so that things will run smoothly and you can get the most fun out of your trip

Preparation

Book early!  This can’t be stressed enough.  These trips fill up fast and you don’t want to be left out.  Ensure you sign up on the Sign-Up Sheet and pay for the trip at Colt Creek Diving.  Check the website often up to the event to see if any changes have been made.  Remember that Colt Creek Tank Jockeys get first pick on the sign-up sheets

Book accommodations early!  Ours is not the only dive club visiting these sites and hotels book up fast.  Make sure to reserve your room, campground or cabin early.  The website will include links to local accommodations.  There is generally one “main” accommodation chosen by the club.  It is preferable to book at or near this place so you can enjoy the social atmosphere plus get  first hand information about the dives.

Let us know ahead of time how many are coming.  Families and pets are welcome but it helps us to know what the total count will be, especially when food is involved.  Just mention it when you book your trip at the shop.  Remember to check for pet friendly accommodations if you plan to bring a furry friend.

Closer to the date check the weather.  Being near the water makes for cooler evenings after very hot days.  Pack light but make sure you have suitable clothes for the climate.  It’s easy to forget a light jacket when packing the car on a sunny afternoon or to forget a raincoat when wet weather is forecast the second day of the trip.

Pack any food required, particularly if you have a hotel/motel with a kitchen.  Buy a small case of bottled water to stay hydrated.  There will be bottled water on the boat but good hydration takes more than a drink on the ride to the dive site.  A case of 12 bottles of water costs less than buying 3 bottles individually.

Some dives actually occur on the United States side of the boarder.  You may be required to bring your passport in order to dive these sites.  Make sure it is current and that you have water resistant protection for your document.  You will be told by the club if your passport is necessary for a given trip.

Gear

Ensure your gear maintenance is up to date well before the trip date (particularly the earlier trips of the season).  The dive shop gets very busy around trip times.  It’s a good time to make sure your toolbox is complete and your save-a-dive kit is stocked up.  Don’t rely on someone else to fix your kit.

Make sure to rent any required gear well ahead of the trip date.  Get your tanks filled if you have your own or pick up your rentals early.  Call in advance if you will require Nitrox fills

Consult the PADI Diver Equipment Checklist to ensure you have everything you require

There is VERY limited space on the boat for each diver.  Bring only a single mesh gear bag on the boat.  Make sure it’s large enough for your kit (except the BC).  Additionally, the boat will be wet.  It may seem dry at first but once the diving starts that’ll change.  Things on board tend to get soaked so bring along a dry-bag for those items you wish to keep dry.  Pack it rolled up in your mesh gear bag.

So now you’re here

Generally folks start arriving mid-afternoon on the Friday of the long weekend trips.  Get unpacked.  If you aren’t booked at the chosen “main” accommodation you might want to head over there to find out the plan for the weekend.  While the trips are planned out in advance, often last minute details arise.  You may also be given waivers to sign, however, this may be done at the boat.

Check your gear!  Lay it out, look at it, stroke it if you have to, just check to ensure it’s all there and all in working order.  Confirm your gas blend is correct if you’re diving Nitrox.  Get your dive bag together and packed.  Have it all ready to grab and throw in the car at a moment’s notice.  Remember to include your passport if you will be diving US sites.

Once the crowd arrives there is generally a dinner or pizza run but it’s good to have backup plan, especially if you want to eat early or get the kids fed.

Feel free to pump some cash into the local economies of the cities you’re visiting.   There are generally a wide variety of shopping opportunities as well as local dive shops that would be happy to sell you any gear you may have forgotten or may suddenly require .  We are often near the Canada / US boarder.  Bring a passport if you plan to shop in The States.

While there are cookies and water served on most dive boats, lunch doesn’t usually happen.  It’s a good idea to pack a small, healthy lunch so you can keep your strength up during a day of physical exercise.  Remember to start getting well hydrated BEFORE getting to the boat launch site.

Dive Day

Things move very fast the day of the dive.  Get up early and eat!  Don’t eat too heavy but eat healthy.  Drink lots of water!

If you’re at the “main” accommodation you’ll see folks gathering, packing their cars and firming up trip details.  Watching their progress is a good gauge as to how ready to go you should be.  Load your car up early.  It’s easy because you had your gear prepared from last night!

When you arrive at the boat launch site it will seem like well controlled chaos.  You will most likely park in a loading/unloading area.  It is generally preferable to assemble your kit quickly at the car (BCD / Tank / Regulators) then carry it and your gear bag to the boat.  It’s easiest to carry the tank on your back wearing the BCD, however, there are often carts available.

Be courteous and considerate on the boat.  Watch for other diver’s gear when putting yours down.  Take up as little space as possible.  Don’t touch any gear other than your own!

Unpack quickly then park your car.  Take what you need as chances are you won’t see it again until the end of the day.  Remember to lock it up!

Find out if you should put on your exposure suit while on shore and do so if necessary.  You might also want to make that last trip to the restroom.

You may be asked to fill out waivers at this point.  Do so quickly and make room for the next diver.  You will then be given a briefing by the boat’s Captain.  His is the last word of authority on the boat.  Follow his orders should he give them to you.  Most likely, though, he will coordinate mainly with the Divemaster.  You will be given locations and instructions specific to the boat.  Remember, stay off the Captains Bridge / Wheel House unless he specifically orders you there.

You will be briefed by the Divemaster on the way to the dive site.  Follow the pace of the other experienced divers when it comes to gearing up so you don’t overheat or fall behind kitting up.  Remember to keep drinking water.

After your dive have that light lunch you brought during your surface interval.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask the Divemaster or staff any questions

The End of the Day

After a great day’s diving, returning to the pier doesn’t mean the end of the day.  As with the loading you’ll have to bring your car back to the packing area and get your gear stowed away quickly.  Break down your kit (remembering to put the cap on the first stage), pack up the car, then move along so the next diver can do it.  You’ll see that it works quite well if everyone moves quickly.

The cold, fresh water means that washing your gear isn’t a must.  You might, however, want to rinse and hang your exposure suits.  Wet suits are never fun to don when they are actually wet.  Hang the suit inside out as soon as you get back to the hotel and it should be dry by the time it’s time to dive again.  Dry suit divers, remember to flush out your overboard discharge systems if necessary.

Afterwards divers meet back at their hotels, review the day, have dinner together then have an early evening so they are well rested for the next days dives.

Last but not least - HAVE FUN!  While charter trips may seem overwhelming at first, you’ll find that after one or two you fall into the groove easily. 

Just Go Places, Meet People and Do Things - UNDERWATER