Boat/ Dive

Question
Hi Ron, I am currently looking to move to the Florida Keys to attend a dive school and become an instructor. The school also provides a course to become a "Boat Master". I know salary range for an instructor is 20-40k. Would the Boat master certification as well as the diving certifications help me obtain a little higher salary? What kind of income do boat/ tour guides typically make? It's not that its really about the money for me, I'm just trying to learn all I can. I do intend on eventually opening my own dive shop or similar business. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Ben...Thank you for selecting the undersigned to respond to your question.

Congratulations on your decision!

Simply put, you can't conduct diving instructions and also command a diving vessel at the same time. As a diver in the water, and you encountered a distress situation, who onboard will be qualified to take command of the vessel in your absence?

Having both credentials is an asset from the standpoint, you can do a morning dive with someone else in charge of the boat, then command a vessel for an afternoon dive, but not participate in the dive, for obvious safety considerations. In the event you encountered a physical problem that prohibited you from diving, you would have then have credentials to fall back on for financial support/employment as a ship's captain, which can be very lucrative.

Obtaining a Boat Master's or Captain's certificate would augment your knowledge about weather & conditions when determining whether it is safe enough to go out for a dive. Keep in mind, both a diving instructor and/or a dive master, as well as a person in charge of a vessel, are responsible for the safety and conduct of everyone who is in their realm of command, in or out of the water.

Safe Diving & Boating
Ron