Serious question, how do you handle a dive boat captain who won't listen?

Last week in Mobile Bay, I was on a job to check a pipeline. I told the captain three times the current was too strong at our spot. He just said 'we're fine' and dropped us. We got pushed 50 feet off the mark in two minutes. Had to call the whole thing off and waste half a day. What's your move when the guy on deck won't hear you?

3 comments

3 Comments

jake_sullivan21d ago

Man, that's not just a dive problem, that's a safety problem. You told him three times. At that point, you don't get in the water. My rule is, if the guy running the boat ignores a direct safety call, the job stops right there on deck. You arguing with the current for two minutes proves you were right. Next time, just say the dive is scrubbed until you can get on station. It's your neck in the water, not his.

abby_murphy21d ago

Wait, you argued for two whole minutes?

ross.felix21d ago

Honestly used to think you had to push through that kind of stuff to get the job done. But a buddy of mine had a close call over a stupid argument about rigging, and it totally flipped my view. Now if someone ignores a clear safety thing twice, we're done talking and the work stops, no question.