Here is a list of some questions we have been asked about Great Lakes Expeditions, Dive Trips, and the Double Jameson:
Do you have a current US Coast Guard Captain license and for which classes of vessels? Yes…my brother and I both have Master 50 Ton Captains Licenses with Great Lakes endorsement.
How is your vessel classified by the USCG? If you operate an uninspected passenger vessel, do you have it regularly inspected by the USCG regardless? We have an uninspected vessel, and yes we have had it inspected by the Coast Guard. The applicable certification stickers are displayed on the boat.
Are you required to carry an EPIRB? Do you carry one even if not required? No we are not required to carry an EPIRB since we are an Uninspected Vessel status. However, we do have a handheld portable emergency radio with GPS location and emergency transmission.
How many passengers (not including crew) is your vessel rated to carry and how many divers can comfortably be aboard? We can take 10 people comfortably. We only wish to take up to 6 divers at a time.
Do you have a regular first mate and/or dive master(s)? What qualifications do they have (e.g. dive master from a certification agency, USCG captain’s license, etc.) What dive agency qualifications do you have in addition to USCG licensing? My brother Adam and I are both Licensed Master 50 Ton Captains. We will both be going out on the dive charters so one shall act as Captain and one shall act as 1st mate. We both have our Great Lakes endorsement as well as Assisted Towing license. We are both CPR and First Aid certified, Marine Radio Operator certified. I have my Advanced Open Water Diver through PADI, Wreck Diver, Nitrox, and Safety Diver. We do not provide Dive Masters for our dives.
Do you give a briefing on the location of all safety and first aid equipment, diver recall procedures, and dealing with contingencies (e.g. not coming up the line)? Yes…. We go through a safety briefing about the boat while still at the dock. Then once we reach the dive site I will give a briefing on in and out procedures and all related safety procedures.
Are you willing to quickly educate one of our organizers or members on the operation of your vessel including radios, EPIRBS, etc. in the event you are indisposed (dealing with an emergency)? These safety briefings are always gone over with all of our guests while at the dock. We also have clearly labeled and displayed emergency procedures and operations of safety equipment in the event the crew is unavailable. In addition, we would be happy to go through radio operations and basic control operations with a designated group leader.
What extra dive safety equipment does your vessel offer? E.g. DAN oxygen kit, rescue sling, O2 hang tanks, expanded first aid kit, AED, etc. Are you and your crew trained in the use of these safety devices? We have a DAN full medical kit, DAN O2 kit, and we intend to add an AED sometime this season. As far as in water safety equipment… we have a safety drop line off the back swim platform as well as a safety line running the length of the boat to the anchor or mooring lines from the dive sites. Electronically….we have a GPS map plotter and navigation system, Radar and Sonar. My brother and I are trained on all the equipment we have onboard.
Does the boat have deck space sufficient for two to three people to attend to an unresponsive diver? There is plenty of room on the dive deck for this type of a situation.
Do you have a current comprehensive liability insurance policy? Are you required to carry such a policy by a state, city, or port authority? We are fully licensed and insured following the stated regulations from the city, state and DNR with regards to operating a Commercial Dive Vessel.
Under what conditions (weather, lake conditions, boat safety, diver safety, diver comfort) do you cancel a charter? In what weather conditions do you allow the clients to make the decision to go or not? We will cancel a Dive Charter when we feel the conditions are dangerous due to high winds or storms. If the waves are greater than 4-5 ft…. we shall cancel a dive trip as well. Regarding a self-terminated dive trip from the clients…. We will always ask our clients if they are comfortable. However, it is still our right as the Captains of the boat to make the final call for overall boat and personnel safety due to weather.
What additional “diver comfort” equipment and services do you supply (e.g. camera bucket, table, dry area, snacks, water)? We do provide several services and comforts….. While onboard we have digital TV reception, XM Siruis Radio with brand new sound system, spacious front deck for sunning and roomy below decks cabin. Regarding Food and Beverages….. all of our clients have the option to have us provide this service. We will arrange to have custom lunches made from local Chicago Restaurants (such as Carmichaels, Greek Island, and Phoenix) . As for beverages…we will have water and sodas for all of our guests when we are providing the food and beverage service. Clients are also welcome to bring any food or beverages they wish onboard as well. We will be happy to provide coolers for these. Other OFF BOAT services we do for our clients…. We can set up LIMO service to pick them up and drop them off from their dive trip. We also offer the use of the Diversey Yacht Club facilities for our guests after their trip. They can shower and change, have a meal, or enjoy the Bar and outdoor patio facilities.
