As Revised 3/2006

DIVERDORS DIVE CLUB BOAT RULES

 I INTRODUCTION

 Purpose: To clearly define the responsibilities, liabilities and the proper usage of the Diverdors Dive Club, Inc boat(s).

II DEFINITIONS

 A) BOAT: The word boat in all these rules is meant to include the club's boat, motor, trailer and all other boat related equipment belonging to the club. 

 B) BOAT OPERATOR: A Boat Operator is the sole commander in charge of how, when and where the boat is to be used on a given day. A list of Boat Operators will be chosen by the Board of Directors. A majority vote of all Board members is required to appoint or remove an individual from the Boat Operators list. The Board of Directors can amend the list at any time of their choosing.

 C) DIVEMASTER: A diver in charge of all aspects of the diving portion of the clubs activity, Where use of the boat is concerned, the Boat Operator is the Divemaster or he may appoint another diver to act as Divemaster. The term “Divemaster”, in this context, is a term of ranking internal to the Diverdors Dive Club and is not to be misconstrued as a level of diving certification from any recognized diver certification agency or organization.

 D) BOAT OFFICER: A person appointed by the Board of Directors to supervise the storage, maintenance and scheduling of the Boat.

III RESPONSIBILITIES 

All members must fill out and sign a liability release annually prior to using the club boat. Said release shall be filed with the club secretary
 

A) BOAT OPERATOR : Must abide by and be familiar with the BOAT RULES and Coast Guard Navigational Rules. At no time will BOAT RULES supersede Coast Guard Rules.

1) The registration numbers for the boat are to be displayed as prescribed by the Coast Guard. It is the Boat Operator's responsibility to display the numbers.

2) The Boat Operator has the responsibility to have the following onboard and in working order:

a) HORN

b) DIVE FLAG

c) REGISTRATION

d) LINE & ANCHOR

e) l THROW P.F.D.

f) ADEQUATE FUEL

g) PADDLE

h) FIRSTAID KIT

i) FIRE EXTINGUISHER

j) FIXED COMPASS

k) NAVIGATION LIGHTS

I) NAVIGATION CHARTS

m) FLARE KIT

n) TOOL KIT

o) LOCK

p) GREASE GUN

q) BOAT COVER if applicable

3) To collect all fees and/or pay expenses for boat use, damages or loss thereof to the best of his ability, for the period of time the boat is under his supervision. If a person refuses to pay this expense the Boat Operator concerned will not be under any obligation to pay this expense.

4) Care and maintenance of the boat during those days’ activities include:

a) Cleaning of boat by passengers

b) Replacement of fuel used during that day's activities

c) Storing away of boat in a proper manner

d) Report loss or damage incurred that day to Boat Officer or Boat Operators as soon as possible.

e) Fill out log to document the day’s activities.

5) To limit the number of passengers onboard and has the authority to determine who will or will not be allowed onboard.

a) Passenger list will comprise of the first persons on that day’s list

b) Maximum load and passengers will be defined according to boat specifications.

6) To cancel any activity in regards to the use of the boat for any reason.

7) To supervise the loading and unloading of objects and gear in the boat.

8) Are required to put in 4 hours of operating time a year. Failure to do so may result in loss of Boat Operator's privileges. 4 hours of supervised time and a majority vote of the Board of Directors are required for reinstatement.

9) To return the boat to its club appointed storage location immediately following the day’s usage, or as soon as practicable.  

B) BOAT OFFICER;

1) To keep an accurate record of the boat’s use and maintenance.

2) Report any damage, misuse or grievances by Boat Operators to the Club President

3) Boat Officer is to be elected annually or as needed.         

C) DIVEMASTER;

1) To supervise that all diving is done in a safe and orderly fashion with appropriate equipment.

2) Adhere to the final judgement of the Boat Operator as to the use of the boat.

D) PASSENGERS;

1) Adhere to the final judgment of the Boat Operator as to the use of the boat.

2) An individual’s diving equipment except tank and backpack shall be kept in a gear bag. All sharp objects must have a sheath or guard covering points and sharp edges.

3) Permission of the Boat Operator must be obtained before loading equipment in the boat.

4) Must assist in the cleaning of the boat after day’s use.

5) Must supply their own Coast Guard approved PFD while on the boat.

E) DIVERDORS DIVE CLUB;

1) Properly register the boat and trailer.

2) For all normal maintenance, meaning maintenance not due to misuse or neglect by Boat Operators or passengers

3) The Club will initially purchase and replace as is necessary through the normal use those items in Article Ill, section A, Paragraph 2.

4) When assigned by the President, or at their own choosing, the Boat Operators, as a group, will review the BOAT RULES and present their amendments or supplements to the general membership for voting on to add these BOAT RULES.

IV LlABILITIES

A) BOAT OPERATORS:

1) Any liability not covered by insurance due to gross neglect or misconduct will be paid totally to the Club by the Boat Operator. Arrangement for the payment is to be made within 14 days of the incident. Not conforming to the BOAT RULES will constitute gross neglect or misconduct.

2) The amount of any other liabilities may be determined by a Court of Law.

B) PASSENGERS;

1) To pay for their own expenses incurred for boat damage due to misuse or negligence. Any person who for any reason refuses their own expenses is barred from any future club activities until all delinquent payments are made or until an agreeable rate of payment has been reached between the person involved and the club.

C) DIVERDORS DIVE CLUB;

1) To pay for deductible portion of an insurance policy due to accident while towing the boat unless the driver is found to be negligent.

V GENERAL RULES

1)      The boat will never be left unattended while being used on the open water. The person left attending the boat must know how to operate it properly

2)      When there is more than one Boat Operator onboard they will determine among themselves prior to departing to any destination, which one of them is in charge for that day. While the Boat Operator is diving he will relinquish his responsibilities to another Boat Operator or club member onboard.

3)      No line fishing of any kind out of the inflatable boat.

4)      Do not engage prop or motor while directly over submerged divers or when divers are within 25 ft. of Boat

5)      No cleaning of fish on the inflatable boat.

6)      Make sure trailer lights are working properly before moving.

7)      Lock trailer when left unattended.

8)      A Boat Operator will always accompany the boat on an activity.

9)      No smoking onboard the boat. The majority of persons riding in the club vehicle will decide if smoking in the Club vehicle is allowed.

10)   3 consecutive raps on a tank or other metal object repeated for 1 minute warns divers to abort the dive.

11)   Maximum speed for towing the boat is the legal speed limit.

12)   There will be no taking of lobsters by persons without a valid license. All lobsters should be gauged in the water or immediately upon exiting the water. Remember we can lose the boat and gear for breaking the rules.

13)   No alcoholic beverages will be allowed to be consumed on the boat

14)   No person shall dive while intoxicated. 2 or more members present shall decide intoxication.

15)   Members must supply their own Coast Guard approved PFD while on the boat. No member will be allowed aboard without a PFD.

16)   Fishing will be allowed from the hard hull boat. Fishing trips can be arranged, but diving will take precedence.

17)   The boat is to be cleaned and securely covered (if a cover is available) upon return from the day’s outing.

18)   A Divers Down flag is to be flown at anytime there is a diver in the water.

VI BOAT FEES

1)      There is a $30 fee to use the boat for the purposes of diving, whether that activity takes place or not.

2)      There is a $10 fee for transport (shuttling to and from a specific location) of those persons (non-divers) that do not dive.

3)      Aborted dives will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

4)      There is no fee for a non-diving third person aboard the boat; the sole purpose of whose presence is only to ensure adequate manning of the boat so that diving may take place.

5)      Primarily, the boat is for the exclusive use of club members. However, under special circumstances, a guest that is a certified diver may be carried aboard the club boat for the purpose of diving with club members. Said guest may participate in diving activities upon unanimous consent of those members aboard the boat that day and at the discretion of the Boat Operator. Said guest must fill out and sign a liability release prior to being allowed on the club boat. The club cannot charge a fee for the carrying of said guest, however, the member inviting the guest is responsible for the guest’s share of the expenses, which is $30.

6)      All boat fees and receipts for goods and services (fuel and launch/parking fees) are to be turned in at the next club meeting following the day that the boat is used.

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF BOAT PRIVILEGES OR TERMINATION FROM THE CLUB

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