There are many different types of Koh Tao dive boats and I’ve spent the last couple of days trying to find out why Thai fishing boats and some of the more traditional dive boats have curved hulls, but google said no. I even asked a few of the Big Blue local staff, but it was too difficult to get the point across. I’ll keep trying, but in the meantime I realised that anyone who’s never been diving before will have no idea what to expect on a dive boat… apart from diving of course.
Waverunner- one of the Koh Tao dive boats.
A dive boat is usually laid out to maximise the amount of people that can dive from it at any one time, so on climbing aboard, the first thing you’ll notice on the main deck is the row of diving cylinders on either side, sitting in grooves so they don’t fall over in rolling waves. There should also be enough space in the middle of the deck to put all that dive gear- usually in bags. But space is always at a premium. Dive boats on Koh Tao can be anything from 10 metres to 45 metres long; Big Blue has the biggest boat- MV Waverunner. This means more space and therefore more comfort.
Also on the main deck you’ll notice a bit of noise, as the boat will usually have one or more compressors to fill the dive cylinders in between dives. But once you’ve set your equipment up, unless you’re going straight into the water, there’s no reason to hang around downstairs. In fact you’ll just be in everyone else’s way, so get the hell upstairs! It’ll be quieter, more spacious, and should hopefully have some sort of furniture to sit on and a canopy to get out of the fierce midday Sun or occassional rain shower. This is where you’ll be briefed and de-briefed on your dives, and relax. It’s also probably where the hot and cold water, tea, coffee, fruit and biscuits will reside. If a dive boat doesn’t have a toilet, or “head”, to use the correct naval parlence, then you were lured in by a dodgy company who’s diving prices were way below every other company’s, and now you see why! A few things not to do on any Thai boat- Don’t go into the captain’s cabin- it’s his house and this is where he sleeps, and you weren’t invited. Don’t do a titanic at the front of the boat. It will usually have ribbons and that’s where the spirit of the boat lives; you will offend the captain. Likewise don’t wear flip flops- or jandals depending on whether you’re antipodean, as this also offends the captain. Regarding your safety, don’t get into the water until you’re told it’s safe to do so by your instructor or divemaster, and don’t smoke anywhere near the compressor intake- you’ll be told where that is. Apart from that, enjoy yourself, and either congratulate yourself on choosing to dive with Big Blue, or flagellate yourself as to why you’re on a decrepit cramped boat going to the least appealing dive sites. But hey, you saved yourself 200 baht for the open water course… apart from those hidden extras of course.
