Operating Proceedures
This section defines how Serenity is to be operated.
Responsibilities of the Skipper
The skipper is ultimately resposible for the safety of the boat and anyone aboard. Responsibilities include:
- Checking that sea conditions are safe for the plan.
- Creating a voyage plan and checking that it is safe.
- Checking that the boat is insured.
- Giving a safety brief.
- Appointing/approving the dive manager. This may be the skipper.
- Checking the boat is safe to take to sea.
- Navigating to the dive site, deploying and recovering the shot and navigating back.
- Deploying and Recovering divers from the water.
- Securing the boat after the dive.
- Filling in Log Books.
- if an accident happens, calling for help, recovering the victim and using any safety equipment on the boat as required.
Responsibilities of the Dive Manager
The Dive Manager is ultimately responsible for the safety of divers in the water. Responsibilities include:
- Appointing an assistant if required.
- Checking divers are fit to dive.
- Assigning Buddy Pairs.
- Approving dive plans and logging them.
- Recording dive times and depths.
- If an accident occurs, providing whatever first aid is needed.
- Recording details of the incident and treatment.
CE Certification
Serenity is CE certified for recreational use within the following limits
- Class D – Inshore use
- Up to Force 6
- Up to 2 meter waves
- Up to 14 people on-board
- 1650Kg maximum load including kit
Please note that although Serenity is certified for force 6 and 2 metre waves, these conditions are beyong the safe limit to deploy and recover divers.
CDA Boating Initiative
Serenity must be under direct control of a BSAC dive cox when on a dive trip. The dive cox may enter the water for a dive. In that case, Serenity may be managed by an approved boat handler for the duration of the dive. It should be noted that Serenity isn’t an easy boat to manoeuvre and doesn’t always go where expected.
Recreational Craft Directive
Serenity may not be used for commercial purposes. The only recoverable costs are a proportion of the direct running costs for the trip. I understand this to be fuel costs.