The Boat

19′ Wellcraft 190 ccF

Our boat is a 19′ Wellcraft that accommodates an operator and two divers, with room for a third diver when conditions allow. We usually launch from Mission Bay, which gives us easy access to Wreck Alley and the Point Loma area.

Boat dives are scheduled through meetup.com. Once you join the club and our Meetup group, you’ll be able to sign up for DASC events and boat dives.

Diving From Our Boat

SAFETY FIRST!

Divers should be comfortable making a back-roll entry from a small boat and must be able to get themselves back aboard unassisted.

There is no divemaster on the boat. This is a club boat, so everyone is expected to pitch in. Members may be asked to help with docking, anchoring and anchor retrieval, gearing up, and assisting other divers entering or exiting the boat.

Always listen to the boat operator and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.

What to Bring

Our boat is small, so less is better:

  • Lightweight mesh bag with your basic dive gear
  • Two full tanks
  • Weights
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
  • A spare towel — keep a second one on shore
  • Cell phone in a dry box or waterproof bag

What Not to Bring

  • Coolers
  • Large gear bags
  • Unnecessary clothing or anything you don’t want getting wet

Space is limited, and just about everything on the boat has a good chance of getting wet.

Before the Dive

Show up early and ask questions!

The boat operator will give a briefing before the trip. Dive sites are chosen based on the certifications, experience, skills, and equipment of everyone aboard.

Most trips are two-tank dives, with the surface interval spent on the boat at the dive site. If you’re prone to seasickness, plan accordingly — it’s a small boat and it can bounce around.

Before launching:

  • Put on your exposure suit at your car. There isn’t enough room to change on the boat.
  • When possible, assemble your BCD and tank before loading them aboard.
  • Put smaller items in your mesh gear bag.
  • Keep anything that needs to stay dry protected and leave unnecessary items on shore.

The Trip Out

Listen to the operator. You may be asked to move around to help keep the boat properly trimmed.

Things can bounce, so keep an eye on your gear and hang on.

Think Sea Hunt type of thoughts.

At the Dive Site

Most divers gear up aboard the boat and make a back-roll entry.

Another option is to put your BCD and tank into the water first. Fully inflate the BCD, clip it to one of the boat’s lines, and carefully lower it into the water before entering.

After the dive, you’ll reboard using the ladder on the transom at the back of the boat.

Heading Home

Before heading back, make sure all loose gear is securely stowed. Things bounce!

Once we’re back at the ramp, everyone pitches in with unloading the boat.

VIEW UPCOMING DIVES