Tips for going diving with your RIB

A RIB is ideal for heading out to those locations that cannot be reached without a boat, especially beneficial for wreck hunting or more restrictive sites. These boats offer a convenient and cost-effective dive experience for a smaller number of experienced divers, and are commonly the vessel of choice for local diving clubs. If you’re new to diving, then consider lessons from an experienced scuba school and booking onto a RAID Boat Diving Speciality course before taking your RIB out for your own nautical adventures.

Keep your boat orderly

Being a comparatively smaller boat to those traditionally for diving, space is at a premium, so de-clutter your kit whilst ensuring you still have all the essentials (both in terms of boating as well as diving, to be sure of a safe voyage). Consider investing in cylinder-racks to keep your diving equipment safe from disappearing overboard, as well as keeping the interior of your boat tidy and trip-hazard free. Tie-down all other equipment securely to avoid anything being lost to the sea, damaged, or even causing injury to one of the crew or damage the vessel.

Entry and exit from the water

RIB diving varies from other boats in that you’ll ‘roll backwards’ off the boat’, which can feel strange at first. But it’s important to think about how you’ll get back on board, and it’s worth investing in a ladder to attach onto your boat to make this easier. At the very least you’ll want to ensure you have handholds for an easy exit from the water (without the risk of capsizing your boat!).

Diving Equipment

Important safety features include a VHF radio, flares, and spare kill switch clip (the locations of which it is vital all crew are aware of). Other very useful diving equipment includes a GPS device and Depth Sounder. Carry a ‘Save a Dive’ kit in case of emergencies, as well as a compass and suitable DSMB spool/reel. Learn diving knots and carry a diving knife to free yourself should you become entangled, but be sure to keep the blade away from the tubes and collars of the boat. Where possible, make sure you test your equipment prior to departing for a dive.

Diving Safety

Other important procedures to follow when taking your RIB diving are to always keep your wetsuit/drysuit zipped up in case you fall overboard, and to avoid the propeller when returning to the boat. Keep an eye on fellow divers and work as a team. As with any boat journey, before you depart, be sure to check for up-to-date information on tides, currents, navigation, weather and wreck location, as well as being completely familiar with your RIBs handling.

Looking to upgrade your RIB, but unsure which to opt for? Check out our RIB Buyers Guide to find the perfect boat to suit your needs.

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