- Sent out 6/11/2020 by Beachhopper II Dive Charters - Monterey Ca
Dear Beachhopper II SCUBA Divers,
Thank you for keeping in touch during this very different period of time for all of us. With outside recreation being re-opened once again, with some restrictions, it is time to get back in the water. We have had the chance to review recommendations from other Day Dive Charter Boats and Divers Alert Network, D.A.N. with regard to contagious diseases with a focus on COVID-19. We are passing along our procedures/protocols/precautions to adjust for our cold water diving environment and the dive charter vessel Beachhopper II.
Though no Dive Boat can guarantee zero risk, we are implementing policies to help manage and reduce the threat of spreading COVID-19. The final note in the COVID-19 chapter is with a vaccine which is sometime in the future. Between now and then let’s all please help and be kind to one another through this time period and work to together to flatten the curve
Our loading times and departure times will remain the same as on the online calendar. Parking permits are only accessible from the Parking Ticket Machines located in the waterfront parking lot.
To help everyone there will be no cancellation fees levied at this time on short notice notifications. If you don’t feel quite right, please do not come, no questions asked.
Please follow these very important proactive procedures:
· Do not go diving if you have or may have been exposed to any infectious diseases or are experiencing any symptoms. Please self-isolate until healthy and have been cleared to dive according to your health care professional. If your temperature is 100.4F or above you are required to cancel and will be turned away from boarding the vessel. Do not go diving if you are in an high risk group.
Please come down to the boat to load with your FACE MASK on, if you do not, your actions signal to us you are not taking “our” requirements regarding COVID-19 seriously.
Fully suit up in your wet or dry suit before coming on board.
Bring and wear your face covering that covers your mouth and nose to the Beachhopper II and it is to be worn when not on SCUBA, hydrating, or snacking.
We will be practicing social distancing by creating spaces between each diver. We are certified to run with 11 divers and 3 crew however, at this time we will be operating with maximum 8 divers and 2 crew. You along with your personal gear will be instructed when loading where you will be located. Please keep your personal items confined to this area. Sanitize/wash your hands often. A hand sanitizer is provided on the vessel.
Any materials not needed for the dive operations or for safety reasons should not be taken on board.
Consider protecting masks, snorkels and second stages/mouthpieces by securing them in such a way as to limit contact/exposure.
Boarding procedures will be organized to respect social distancing.
Pre-dive mask rinse buckets are no longer provided. Anti-fog should be used, and spitting in masks is disallowed on the vessel
Avoid touching anything unnecessarily and to avoid touching your face.
Divers are not to share equipment.
Maintain social distancing while divers enter the water, and ensure that divers do not crowd together on the surface without a compelling reason to do so.
We encourage you to maintain at least 6 feet of distance when clearing their nose, sinuses or throat at the surface or after a dive.
Divers are responsible for assembling and handling their own equipment.
Dive safety is a responsibility shared by divers and dive operators. It assumes that healthy divers protect themselves, ill divers do not dive, and divers who were in close contact with COVID-19 patients stay self-quarantined for 14 days.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time for not following these and other diving important safety protocols.
The Beachhopper II crew is looking forward to seeing you all once again, we have missed staying in “touch”.
Sincerely,
Captain MaryJo Nelson