Crew videos for anchoring

Fill/check any water: buckets, bottles, water tank. We carry 50 gallons of water. The head uses fresh water to flush, so if we run out, that becomes everyone's problem! It never hurts to doublecheck or top off the water tank in the morning.

Prep the cooler with water so Bob can add ice to it. The white bucket is filled with water last so that Bob can get ice with it. We provide water for all on board.

Pull the anchor back to the cockpit. Inventory anchoring equipment: balloons, lift bag.

Take lines off the bow (if windy or expecting lots of boat traffic, wait to remove lines until we leave the dock).

Do not allow passengers to enter the cabin until Bob is out of the engine room. Crew may carefully move about in the cabin but be very careful to not drop anything into or trip into the open hatch.

Ask divers to wipe feet/rinse deck as needed without wetting anyone. Do not spray water at the shore power connection area.

Be available to help with diver gear and tanks. Be alert to the few divers who we know can use assistance with tanks and gear. Do allow divers to focus on loading activities.

Do not speculate with the passengers about if we will be going out on any particular day. Most everyone looks at the weather and has some opinion about it, but Bob and the group leader have the final say in those decisions. Bob has access to information from other boat captains who are already out to sea and can give real-time information. It is best to divert any 'are we going out today' questions to Bob, or delay them until that conversation can happen.

Be available to help with paperwork, O2 analyzer. Do check the releases for completion: including all initials and the correct date with signature. Do tactfully assess the experience of any new-to-us divers, with assistance from the group leader and/or Bobby/Renate.

Do turn on 'Dive TV' in the cabin.

Unplug shore power after the generator is started and switched over. Only attempt to start the generator and switch over if trained & with Bob's permission. Bobby usually does this. Make sure the shore power cover is closed when unplugged.

Do plug the shore power back in and if trained & with Bob's permission, switch interior power back over and shut down the generator. Also turn the battery charger switch back on.

If necessary, assist with parking. Sometimes there are many vehicles and some will need to be organized in the grass area.

Make sure all passengers and crew are onboard before leaving the slip.

In the morning and throughout the day: make sure the intake grill on both the upstairs and downstairs A/C are not blocked by gear bags, pillows or blankets. If a pillow falls between the port bench and the back of the fridge/bar, remove it. There is an air vent down there that should not be blocked.

Always check the tank bungees and secure any that need attention. This continues throughout the day. Do not tighten bungees too much or in such a way that they can't be easily removed. Do not allow fingers to curl around the top bar of the tank bench to prevent potential tank impact from the other side of the bench. Do expect to earn random 'boat bruises' from simply moving about during the day. Do make all efforts to move deliberately and carefully at all times to avoid injury, jammed fingers/hands, stubbed toes and minor cuts/scrapes. If anyone has minor bleeding, do provide a bandage for them or yourself.

Stow the gunnel handle in the trailer before leaving.

After engines are started, untie the stbd red/black line.

Untie the stbd spring line. Tuck that line into the silver piling handle and continue to hold that handle so that the boat remains snug to the finger pier. Make eye contact with Bob before letting go and motoring forward. Do not let go and allow the boat to float freely in the slip. Do not untie the final spring line until Bobby is almost ready to move forward.

DEPARTURE

If anyone is new to the Atlantis, conduct a boat/dive briefing. Do finish the briefing before leaving the port no-wake zone. Do not continue a briefing in the inlet. Included in the briefing is that only toilet paper goes into the marine head. No paper towels or any other products may go into the head.

Cover the highlights of the briefing information. Do not expect divers to retain all that is said and do expect to reinforce the key points of entry, descent, ascent and exit from the water as they gear up.

Do allow divers to relax, nap, read or stare off towards the water during the boat ride.

ANCHORING

If setting the hook, do allow ample time to gear up before arriving at the dive site.

Do not walk up to the bow along the gunnel while full speed underway. If absolutely necessary, make sure Bob knows you are going to do that.

Bow-line crew:
Do consider using knee pads for safety and comfort. Lines can be easier to manage with gloves on. When handling lines on the bow, move the anchor line from inside the port side cleat as you go to the bow. Also unwrap it from the forward cleats. Pay attention for when the mate goes overboard. Watch the mate descent and pay attention that they continue descending. Hold the line in your hands as the mate ties the hook in to help assess how much line to give or retrieve. Do keep an eye on the mate's bubbles and the anchor line angle. Indicate to Bobby with your arm where the anchor line is and where the bubbles are. Do look for the mate's originating bubbles and be aware that a current may move the smaller bubbles while rising in the water column. Sunglasses can help see the bubbles originating area under the surface of the water. Observe for visibility clues and potential current.

Do not tie the anchor line off until it is time to do so. Do not allow fingers to get under the anchor line on the cleat. When the boat is pulling tight on the anchor line, it will pull very hard and fast- anticipate that! Do wrap it around the cleat before cinching it down so that it can be removed with minimal effort. Do not begin to tie it off with cinches or it will be impossible to loosen.

If setting the hook:
Make every effort to get to the preferred tie-in spots. If unable to do so, utilize critical thinking and wreck knowledge to find an alternate spot. Beware of tunnel vision!
Do try to look up and see the boat's location on the surface if visibility allows. Bob usually hovers very close to the mark, but unexpected current can change the landing point. Do physically maneuver the anchor to where you want it. This process will not be glamorous! We just get it done. Do remain vigilant about your own safety practices at all times. Do not be 'downwind' of the anchor and do not allow fingers to get into pinch-points or under the chain.
Set the tines properly and use the tie-chain to secure the anchor in place. Make efforts to wrap the tie chain so that the pelican hook is accessible and removable for the person who releases the anchor.
Do remain and do a dive after the hook is set. Do be back on the boat before the divers complete their dive. Do not allow a dive to have a decompression obligation.

After the green balloon is released and the boat drifts back, reassess the hook. If it looks wonky, send up a red and adjust the hook as needed when the boat pulls forward again. Then send up another green and assess the hook again.
Occasionally we will need to put down a wreck reel guide line for the divers. Do begin the reel near, but not on the anchor. Do make the line placement simple so that it can be reeled in easily by the person releasing the hook. Most of our divers carry their own reels and will use their own if necessary.
Do evaluate the visibility. Vertical vis is usually better than horizontal.

DIVERS GEARING UP/DIVING

Do look for obvious safety concerns or incomplete gear configurations while divers gear up. Do not critique or advise them on technique or trim. Do answer questions as needed. Do assist if they are obviously floundering or physically in need of assistance.

Do assist if needed when they move to the transom door. When moving about, one hand should always be on a solid surface, especially when geared up.
Do look at to check their gear connections, check their air and make sure fins and mask are on. Do not turn a tank valve more than 1/2 turn without letting them know and/or getting another crew to doublecheck. Do attempt to learn each passenger's habits. Some will need more help than others, some do not want assistance.

Do remind newer divers to use the lines and not swim freely on descent or ascent.
Do let them know when the line is clear for them to get in.
Do hand them cameras or spearguns if needed.
Do remain and watch their initial descent in case they lose gear or need more weight, or any assistance.

Do note the time that divers enter the water.

Do continue to monitor the surface around the boat and down-current while divers are in the water. Do be aware that a problem could arise at any point while divers are in the water and/or on the boat. Do alert Bob of any problems and handle them accordingly.

When divers are in the water, do not get distracted, do not stay in the cabin at length and do keep track of their time in. When crew are in the cabin, do continue to watch for divers through the cabin windows.

Should a diver surface away from the boat, Bobby will coordinate the steps to take next. If a crew member goes into the water after a passenger, someone on board must be assigned to watch the diver and another person must be assigned to watch the crew member. Do not take eyes off either person in the water until all are back on board. Passengers can and should be involved in scanning the surface for a late diver and/or keeping eyes on someone spotted on the surface. Binoculars are available on the bridge when needed.

DIVERS RETURNING

Do watch for bubbles- from our divers as well as the divers from other boats. Do frequent headcounts- divers on the boat as well as on the hang lines or anchor line.

Do stay vigilant for divers to return to the boat: at the stern and/or around the boat. Do be available to take cameras/spearguns/etc. from them at the surface. Do expect spearguns/poles to be handed up butt-first and unloaded.

Do remind divers about the upper rungs on the ladder. Do not hold the handles that they may need to reach for. Do not let them grab the fish box lid handle instead of the fixed handle. Do ask if they would like a pony bottle unclipped. Do not assist them if they do not desire any assistance.

Do observe their status on returning to the boat. Let them know if there is any blood in their mask. Do ask them to wipe off any gross boogers from their face.

Be alert to any dive computer beeping as if a safety stop was missed. Do ask the diver why it is beeping, and get Bob involved if necessary.

Do observe if anyone seems overly tired, complaining of symptoms (or otherwise) at any point throughout the day. Do not try to diagnose or downplay any medical concern. Get Bob involved and treat as necessary. Do document any significant medical concerns or assistance.

Do be aware that divers from other boats may ascend on our anchor line, and vice-versa. Encourage them to remain buoyant at the surface (or on our boat) until arrangements are made with their boat to get them back. Do ask about their dive to ascertain if their dive was a standard profile. Do offer them water if needed.

Do stay available to retrieve items for our divers from the dry cabin.

SURFACE INTERVAL AND 2nd DIVE

Do anticipate a 90 minute surface interval. Do expect Bobby to encourage divers to move more rapidly if bad weather is approaching.

Do wait until divers are back onboard to do a personal dive if time permits. Do coordinate this with Bobby every time. Do not do decompression dives. Do not lose sight of the repetitive dive profiles that we do and take all steps to enhance your personal safety.

AFTER THE DIVES ARE COMPLETE

If releasing the hook:
do coordinate the timing with Bobby each time, taking weather/sea state into consideration. Always take 2 red balloons when releasing, no exceptions. Do keep fingers safe and away from fast-moving chain. Do keep yourself upwind of the anchor. If the chain/hook does not want to release, send a red balloon up to receive slack in the line. Once released, make efforts to keep the anchor from re-hooking until clear of the wreck. Do clip the tie-chain back to the anchor chain so the anchor hangs normally. A tine of the anchor fits easily into the thimble if needed, but do try to remove it before ascending if at all possible. There may be occasion to foul the anchor using the tie-chain, consider that if necessary. The anchor chain can still be corrected after it is pulled up. Make all efforts to not leave the tie chain unattached to the anchor chain, this is more difficult (but not impossible) to fix after it is pulled up.
Do unhook the bow weight from the anchor line on ascent from untying. Do expect the bow weight to be brought to the stern and pulled up (watch that it does not hit you). Do your safety stop as needed after untying. In wind conditions, Bob will bring the line over to the ladder for an easier ascent. When situated on the ladder, do remove that line from the ladder rung if needed.

If pulling in the anchor line:
Do consider kneepads for safety and comfort. The gunnels and bow surfaces are painted with nonskid that can be harsh on bare skin. Lines can be easier to manage with gloves on.
Watch the bubbles of the mate who is releasing the anchor. As they drift off the wreck and ascend the anchor line, watch for them to unhook the weight from the anchor line. At that time, the anchor line can be pulled up and the down lines brought to the stern.
Start the anchor line on the winch by wrapping it clockwise two times. Step on the winch button and pile the line up as it comes in. When the chain comes up on the pulpit, stop the winch and pull the rest by hand. Clip the anchor chain off. Stow the line in the anchor locker. Wrap the chain around the cleat and stow the remaining chain in the anchor locker, then close the lid. Close the lid of the winch button.

The down lines are brought back to the stern. If the boat is drifting such that the lines are under the boat, bring the line to the very stern and pull up from there to avoid getting wrapped around the props/rudders. Pull all but the stern vertical line up (if the mate is still hanging). Bring the line over to the ladder for the mate to use when ascending to the surface. When the mate is on board, pull the remaining lines up and stow in the line box. Using the boat hook, pull up the ladder and secure it with the line on the stern handle. Unclip the bungee and close the transom door. Stow the boat hook

Do make sure Bob is ok on the bridge if he is up there alone. Do make sure he has a nap at some point during the day. He fills tanks after each dive trip and that makes for a long day.

ON RETURN TO INLET

On return to the inlet, end-of-trip activities can begin.

Divers who will return the next day may leave their gear bags on the floor outside of the head. Do not allow passenger gear to remain in the cabin because Bobby needs it clear to access the engine room comfortably. The occasional charging scooter or pony bottles may be an exception. Crew gear may remain in the cabin in tubs.

Cleaning the head, stowing gear, hanging wetsuits can be done before arriving at the slip. Additional toilet paper, paper towels and linens are in the head cabinets. Use cleaning wipes to sanitize door handles, door edges, handles and rails in and around the head. Consider surfaces that are touched frequently throughout the day. Also clean the lid, ring and bowl rim of the head itself. Blue stuff should be added to the holding tank if/when it gets smelly.
Cabin windows should be cleaned when needed, but only with a non-ammonia window cleaner.

Consolidate trash and take out as needed. Empty and crush the inevitable water bottles left lying around. Do not take out the big trash bag too early, passengers often use it again.

When backing in the slip, crew must be stationed at least at the stbd stern corner to retrieve the spring line (first) and red/black line (second) to secure the boat.

BACK IN THE SLIP

Do plug the shore power back in and if trained & with Bob's permission, switch interior power back over and shut down the generator. Also turn the battery charger switch back on.

Tanks needing fills must be unloaded to the dock and rinsed off. Then loaded onto the trailer with valves pointing to the drivers side and secured.

The water tank must be refilled each afternoon. Rinse buckets and bottles may be refreshed or refilled. Leave the white bucket empty in order to get ice the next morning. Rinse debris off the cockpit floor.

If salt water splashed onto the boat, the exterior windows/curtains will be rinsed off and squeeged. The outside bridge curtains can be reached to squeege by reaching out from inside the bridge. Areas that cannot be reached will air-dry. Do not aim for perfection. We will occasionally also rinse the inside bridge curtains.

The bow lines will be put on per Bob's direction.

Before leaving, the inside lights and all A/C will be turned off. The exterior lights will be set to blue.

On final departure from the boat, the red/black line will be lengthened and the dock lines attached per Bob's direction.

THEN WE ALL GO HOME!

Tips and tricks: Napping is encouraged to offset the energy used to simply stand up on the boat, not to mention when diving for consecutive days. Do not underestimate the power of a nap and early bedtime.

Crew dives are working dives. Safety is the most important aspect of what we do. Dive profiles and timing must be in consideration of the overall goal: to keep all divers safe and oversight of all activities intact. With few exceptions, crew must not do decompression dives. With few exceptions, crew must not retrieve large underwater items while untying. Bobby must be aware of and coordinate crew dives within the flow of passenger dives.

If the toaster oven sets off a smoke detector, fan air onto it until it stops.

The forward hatch can be used as an emergency exit. Be familiar with how that hatch opens and how to climb out if necessary.

Do drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Do always take steps to keep yourself safe, healthy, and to avoid injury.

In the event of an engine/mechanical problem, our first priority is to assist Bob in dealing/managing it. Ensure the safety of the passengers by considering life jackets if the situation requires. Otherwise, standby for direction from Bob should he need assistance. Allow Bob to discern the issue without excessive comments or questions.

If we are in rough seas or take a hard wave, do consider checking on the passengers to make sure all are ok. Check the cockpit area for equipment positioning. If we see rough seas ahead, consider advising passengers in the bow bunks to move aft. Anyone can fall overboard: when in side-rolly seas, move about and observe the cockpit area more carefully, especially during/after any particularly large sideways movements.

The stern of the boat needs regular cleaning with a soft brush and simple green. Do not allow soot to build up on the stern for too many days. This is easier to do while anchored with the ladder down. If necessary, it can be done at the dock after the passengers have cleared out.

There are many nuances of weather, sea conditions and crewing that involve learning to read the conditions using a combination of factors. Assessing conditions can involve considering wind speed/direction/duration, wave height, swell direction, and approaching weather to name a few. Weather can change suddenly, even unexpectedly and we do our best to be ready for anything.
Reading the sea and the weather can be more art than science.

Terminology:

Scope: the angle of the anchor line as it goes into the water and down to where tied in. We aim to pull in as much line as possible after anchoring so there is not much scope (line is almost straight up/down) However, with wind conditions and/or on shallower wrecks, we will need more scope to allow some stretch in the line. This puts less stress on the line and chain.

Current: the flow of water, underwater. Different from waves and swell. Current can happen at any depth underwater. Current can be present or absent at the bottom, mid-water or near the surface. Current can be absent, mild, moderate, strong or un-divable. We expect our divers to physically hold the down lines and remain in contact with the lines all the way down to the wreck and all the way back up from the wreck. Letting go and free-swimming can cause a diver to miss the wreck entirely, and/or be moved away from the lines/wreck and be forced to do a free-ascent away from the boat. A free-ascent in current is problematic because the crew must either swim a line out to retrieve them, or if too far away from the boat, the diver must wait until all other divers are back on board, the boat is released and gets underway to start looking for them down-current.

Underway, making way

Anchored/unable to maneuver

Running lights, anchor light, spreader lights, spotlight, cockpit lights, cabin lights.

Safety equipment: life ring, life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, O2, O2 masks, first aid kit, AED

Pulpit/roller

Cleats

Winch

Anchor line, hang line, down line, weights, "Jade line"

Anchor, anchor chain, tie chain, pelican hook, thimble, fouled anchor.

Lift bag, wreck reel

Visibility, clear blue, sparkling, green, dark, murky, whale snot, rusticles, baitfish, thermocline, stingy things

Port/Starboard, Forward/Aft

Bow/Stern

Gunnels

Bridge/Cockpit/Cabin/Galley/Head/Bunks/Foward bunks

Marine head/holding tank

Hatches

Fish box

Transom/Transom door/scupper

Platform/Ladder

Boat hook/Gaff

Shore power cord

Dock lines/spring lines/bow lines/stern lines

Windows (glass) Curtains (on the bridge, plastic)

Prop/Rudder/Zincs

Intake/strainer/exhaust/water-cooled

WRECK TERMINOLOGY

Bow/Stern

Boilers/Engine

Anchor/s

Prop/shaft/rudder/strut

Shaft tunnel

Rudder quadrant/rudder post

Winch/gunmount/

Popsicle stick

Masts

Bridge

Break

Swim-through

Penetration

Deck

Debris field

Atlantis Charters
Boat Location: 508 Atlantic Beach Causeway
Mailing address: 145 Intracoastal Drive
Beaufort, NC 28516
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