boat lifts

Alby scubakitmarket · 2nd February 2006, 11:21

hi all posted this on yd and received some great feedback just thought Rebreather world would like to share their comments as well

just like to know everyones thoughts on boat lifts,

my opinion is that with all the extra kit we now carry twins, side slungs etc and the knowledge that after a dive (especially a long deco dive) the most strenuous part of the dive is climbing a ladder especially when sea conditions are a bit choppy, i would say that all charter boats wherever possible should have a lift fitted considering the cost of charters these days is this not a fair request.

i dive regulary of 3 boats around anglesea and only one has a lift (quest diving) the other two to be fair are now in the stages of fitting lifts to their boats (esp marine services and julianne charters)

lifts make diving a lot easier and are better for retrieval of divers in difficulty

your comments please without this turning into a big fat rant

alby

www.scubakitmarket.co.uk

deepnark · 2nd February 2006, 11:49

hi
i completely agree ,i do alot of diving from the the east anglian coast and there is not a single lift to be seen .where as on the south coast it is a standard bit of kit for almost all dive boats.It aids the dive to a point where it could be considered almost safety equipment.

cheers
Ray

Nad · 2nd February 2006, 11:56

Absolutly agree.
Always same problem we evolved with new and extra kits but boats have always the same systems.
I usually dive from small boat and there the problem is also worst!

A custom of mine, at the marina, did build (well a specialized company did it really) a lift on the back of the boat because his wife had some motion problems. It wasn't the most beautiful piece of naval architecture but it did work fine, and it was easy to use.

He sold boat and everything a couple of years ago, if I find a picture I will post here.

However we don't need really a lift for diver and gears. Eventually just a winch could be enough to lift the gears, then everything it would be easier.

Nad

RobPot · 2nd February 2006, 15:01

I haven't dived here in the UK from a boat without a lift since 2003 - although in 2004 the lift broke on the boat we were using, no ladder, had to be recovered into a passing Rhib - won't be diving with him again either.
Similarly I don't use boats without wide bench seating - any fool can be uncomfortable (and break kit)!

Robert

VTR · 2nd February 2006, 16:49

I've used both systems, & personally, I prefer a good, stable ladder.
One small point Alby, you mention twins. This is a rebreather forum, we don't wear twins

Cheers

Giles

***caveseeker7*** · 2nd February 2006, 17:37

Sure we do, usually 2 ltr or 3 ltr twins with a Rebreather in between.

Janos · 2nd February 2006, 21:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alby scubakitmarket)

my opinion is that with all the extra kit we now carry twins, side slungs etc and the knowledge that after a dive (especially a long deco dive) the most strenuous part of the dive is climbing a ladder especially when sea conditions are a bit choppy, i would say that all charter boats wherever possible should have a lift fitted considering the cost of charters these days is this not a fair request.

Just to put in perspective, we all wear twins, sideslungs, rebreathers, even scooters, but the vast majority of divers don't. The internet is a self-selecting sample.

A lift is nice but I'm ok on a decent ladder. A poor ladder is horrible.

Janos

JasonF · 2nd February 2006, 21:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alby scubakitmarket)

lifts make diving a lot easier and are better for retrieval of divers in difficulty

This is a very interesting concept. The first time I ever used a kit like this was in The St. Lawrence Seaway Brockville, Canada. I thought it made getting back on the vessel much easier.

The Seaway is very calm compared to the Ocean, gennerally the only thing we have to deal with is the flow (current), very rarley do we experience wave activity!

Can you tell us what your experiences are in rough open ocean with a rig like this is?

What is the genneral protocol for getting divers out of the water?

Do diver's use an equipment line to clip their stage/sidemount bottles too prior to getting on the lift kit?

How many diver's at a time?

One thing that concerns me with a rig like this in Open Ocean is the speed in which you can get divers out of the water, stability and the wear and tear on the the lift kit.

Thank you

jknights · 2nd February 2006, 21:32

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alby scubakitmarket)

hi all posted this on yd and received some great feedback just thought Rebreather world would like to share their comments as well

just like to know everyones thoughts on boat lifts,

my opinion is that with all the extra kit we now carry twins, side slungs etc and the knowledge that after a dive (especially a long deco dive) the most strenuous part of the dive is climbing a ladder especially when sea conditions are a bit choppy, i would say that all charter boats wherever possible should have a lift fitted considering the cost of charters these days is this not a fair request.

i dive regulary of 3 boats around anglesea and only one has a lift (quest diving) the other two to be fair are now in the stages of fitting lifts to their boats (esp marine services and julianne charters)

lifts make diving a lot easier and are better for retrieval of divers in difficulty

your comments please without this turning into a big fat rant

alby

www.scubakitmarket.co.uk

Absolutely agree.
If a boat doesn't have a motorised ladder or lift then it really needs to be something special for me to consider it.

I was diving OC recently in Tobago in 1-2m swells.
I didn't have a problem as I tend to just get rid of my fins and stand on the ladder and allow the swell to do the work of taking me up the ladder and into the boat.
But sitting for 10-15mins in these swellls while I waited for less experience divers to get on board boat is no fun.
A motorised lift would have allolwed a much more speedy recovery of all divers.

Alby scubakitmarket · 6th April 2006, 09:12

Just an update on this thread as stated in one of my posts keith of esp marine services based on the menai anglesea, as now fitted and tested his new lift and is ready to go for the season, we are out with keith on the 22/04/06 (sorry boat full) i will keep you informed of its performance, it should be okay its based on scott watermans lift of quest dive charters anglesea,

Keith still as some dates left to fill for 2006 if you go to this site you can get his details
www.espmarineservices.co.uk

alby

Lidt pic 1.jpg

lift pic 2.jpg

2nd February 2006, 11:21	#1 (permalink)
Alby scubakitmarket New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Liverpool UK Posts: 38	boat lifts hi all posted this on yd and received some great feedback just thought Rebreather world would like to share their comments as well just like to know everyones thoughts on boat lifts, my opinion is that with all the extra kit we now carry twins, side slungs etc and the knowledge that after a dive (especially a long deco dive) the most strenuous part of the dive is climbing a ladder especially when sea conditions are a bit choppy, i would say that all charter boats wherever possible should have a lift fitted considering the cost of charters these days is this not a fair request. i dive regulary of 3 boats around anglesea and only one has a lift (quest diving) the other two to be fair are now in the stages of fitting lifts to their boats (esp marine services and julianne charters) lifts make diving a lot easier and are better for retrieval of divers in difficulty your comments please without this turning into a big fat rant alby www.scubakitmarket.co.uk
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 11:49	#2 (permalink)
deepnark Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: norfolk uk Posts: 173	Re: boat lifts hi i completely agree ,i do alot of diving from the the east anglian coast and there is not a single lift to be seen .where as on the south coast it is a standard bit of kit for almost all dive boats.It aids the dive to a point where it could be considered almost safety equipment. cheers Ray
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 11:56	#3 (permalink)
Nad Rebel to the Bone Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 941	Re: boat lifts Absolutly agree. Always same problem we evolved with new and extra kits but boats have always the same systems. I usually dive from small boat and there the problem is also worst! A custom of mine, at the marina, did build (well a specialized company did it really) a lift on the back of the boat because his wife had some motion problems. It wasn't the most beautiful piece of naval architecture but it did work fine, and it was easy to use. He sold boat and everything a couple of years ago, if I find a picture I will post here. However we don't need really a lift for diver and gears. Eventually just a winch could be enough to lift the gears, then everything it would be easier. Nad __________________ The Impossible is often the Untried
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 15:01	#4 (permalink)
RobPot Rebreather World Writer Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Portishead - Gateway to the South West Posts: 175	Re: boat lifts I haven't dived here in the UK from a boat without a lift since 2003 - although in 2004 the lift broke on the boat we were using, no ladder, had to be recovered into a passing Rhib - won't be diving with him again either. Similarly I don't use boats without wide bench seating - any fool can be uncomfortable (and break kit)! Robert
(Online)

2nd February 2006, 16:49	#5 (permalink)
VTR New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 39	Re: boat lifts I've used both systems, & personally, I prefer a good, stable ladder. One small point Alby, you mention twins. This is a rebreather forum, we don't wear twins Cheers Giles
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 17:37	#6 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,325	Re: boat lifts Sure we do, usually 2 ltr or 3 ltr twins with a Rebreather in between. __________________ Cheers Stefan "It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass! Su amigo Roberto!" Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 21:12	#7 (permalink)
Janos "Two Sheds" Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: East Surrey Posts: 581	Re: boat lifts Quote: (Originally Posted by Alby scubakitmarket) my opinion is that with all the extra kit we now carry twins, side slungs etc and the knowledge that after a dive (especially a long deco dive) the most strenuous part of the dive is climbing a ladder especially when sea conditions are a bit choppy, i would say that all charter boats wherever possible should have a lift fitted considering the cost of charters these days is this not a fair request. Just to put in perspective, we all wear twins, sideslungs, rebreathers, even scooters, but the vast majority of divers don't. The internet is a self-selecting sample. A lift is nice but I'm ok on a decent ladder. A poor ladder is horrible. Janos __________________ You can lead a horse to water but you can't climb a ladder with a large bell in both hands - Vic Reeves www.hellfins.com/shed
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 21:18	#8 (permalink)
JasonF New Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NORTHEAST USA Posts: 27	Re: boat lifts Quote: (Originally Posted by Alby scubakitmarket) lifts make diving a lot easier and are better for retrieval of divers in difficulty This is a very interesting concept. The first time I ever used a kit like this was in The St. Lawrence Seaway Brockville, Canada. I thought it made getting back on the vessel much easier. The Seaway is very calm compared to the Ocean, gennerally the only thing we have to deal with is the flow (current), very rarley do we experience wave activity! Can you tell us what your experiences are in rough open ocean with a rig like this is? What is the genneral protocol for getting divers out of the water? Do diver's use an equipment line to clip their stage/sidemount bottles too prior to getting on the lift kit? How many diver's at a time? One thing that concerns me with a rig like this in Open Ocean is the speed in which you can get divers out of the water, stability and the wear and tear on the the lift kit. Thank you __________________ Jason R. Fisch Training Director The SCUBA Connection Instructor Development and Diver Training Division jasonf@tscscuba.com
(Offline)

2nd February 2006, 21:32	#9 (permalink)
jknights New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oliva, Valencia, Spain. Posts: 121	Re: boat lifts Quote: (Originally Posted by Alby scubakitmarket) hi all posted this on yd and received some great feedback just thought Rebreather world would like to share their comments as well just like to know everyones thoughts on boat lifts, my opinion is that with all the extra kit we now carry twins, side slungs etc and the knowledge that after a dive (especially a long deco dive) the most strenuous part of the dive is climbing a ladder especially when sea conditions are a bit choppy, i would say that all charter boats wherever possible should have a lift fitted considering the cost of charters these days is this not a fair request. i dive regulary of 3 boats around anglesea and only one has a lift (quest diving) the other two to be fair are now in the stages of fitting lifts to their boats (esp marine services and julianne charters) lifts make diving a lot easier and are better for retrieval of divers in difficulty your comments please without this turning into a big fat rant alby www.scubakitmarket.co.uk Absolutely agree. If a boat doesn't have a motorised ladder or lift then it really needs to be something special for me to consider it. I was diving OC recently in Tobago in 1-2m swells. I didn't have a problem as I tend to just get rid of my fins and stand on the ladder and allow the swell to do the work of taking me up the ladder and into the boat. But sitting for 10-15mins in these swellls while I waited for less experience divers to get on board boat is no fun. A motorised lift would have allolwed a much more speedy recovery of all divers.
(Offline)

6th April 2006, 09:12	#10 (permalink)
Alby scubakitmarket New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Liverpool UK Posts: 38	Re: boat lifts Just an update on this thread as stated in one of my posts keith of esp marine services based on the menai anglesea, as now fitted and tested his new lift and is ready to go for the season, we are out with keith on the 22/04/06 (sorry boat full) i will keep you informed of its performance, it should be okay its based on scott watermans lift of quest dive charters anglesea, Keith still as some dates left to fill for 2006 if you go to this site you can get his details www.espmarineservices.co.uk alby Lidt pic 1.jpg lift pic 2.jpg
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode