At anchor, the tender is the gateway to reefs, springs and beaches. A few habits are enough for every outing to go well.
Before leaving the boat
- Tell someone aboard or ashore your expected return time.
- Fuel, kill cord attached to the driver, oars and pump in the tender.
- Handheld VHF, water, sunscreen and a dry bag.
- A small tender anchor and a long enough line.
At the dive or swim site
Anchor the tender on sand, never on coral. The diver-down flag is visible, a surface marker buoy goes with divers, and nobody goes alone. Engine off when approaching swimmers.
Staying within your limits
Scuba diving requires proper training and certification. Outside that framework, mask and snorkel already offer a lot, as long as you watch current and weather.
Looking after the tender
Fresh-water rinse, tube pressure, outboard condition: the tender has its own due dates, just like the boat.
In the logbook. Outboard hours and service, tube repairs, dive outings with the buddy and the conditions observed.