Canoe diving

Canoe diving, or the sport of scuba diving from a canoe, is a relatively new territory for paddlers. It involves utilizing a canoe to transport scuba divers and their equipment to offshore diving locations which are beyond practical swimming distances.

Though strikingly similar to kayak diving in which divers use a sit-on-top kayak instead of a canoe, canoe diving allows divers to traverse greater distances at considerably faster speeds. Canoes can hold substantially more weight than a kayak, and they have more room for gear. They also offer paddlers a better view of the area around them.

Due to various economic constraints, canoe diving has recently gained popularity along the Gold Coast of Florida where many dive sites are less than three kilometers from shore. It is appealing to many individuals because it is relatively inexpensive and very adventurous. Traditionally, a charter service is used to access offshore dive sites which can be very costly. While some may enjoy the luxury and safety of a hired charter boat, captain, and crew, others seek the challenge and thrill of navigating a canoe loaded with cumbersome scuba equipment on the open ocean.

Canoe diving is best suited for calm seas and fair weather. Large waves, rough water, and strong winds make canoe diving unfavorable at best and extremely dangerous at worst. Typically, the canoe is launched from a beach or jetty as close as conveniently possible to the intended scuba diving location. Scuba equipment is assembled ready for diving before it is loaded into the canoe. The divers then carefully enter the canoe, and paddle to the dive site. Navigation to the dive site may be facilitated by use of a hand-held global positioning system (GPS), or more traditional coastal navigation methods. Upon reaching the dive site, the divers put on their masks, fins, and weight belts, fill their buoyancy compensators (BC) with air and unload their scuba equipment into the water. Then each diver enters the water to put on their scuba equipment. Once both divers are ready, they descend and proceed with their dive. The canoe may be tethered to the divers via their surface marker buoy system if they are drift diving, or it may be anchored or fastened to a mooring buoy if one is available at the dive site. After the dive, the divers must enter the canoe without capsizing it. Small items of equipment will usually be placed into the canoe while the diver is still in the water, but the scuba set will either be passed up to a person already in the canoe, or loaded after the diver is back on board.

Two canoe divers preparing their scuba equipment and safety devices on a beach.

Four canoe divers at an offshore location preparing to enter the water and proceed with a drift dive.

Safety

Safety equipment required depends on the jurisdiction.

Florida, USA

The following is a summary of regulations found in Chapters 327 and 328 of Florida Statutes which pertain specifically to canoe diving [1]:

1. The size of divers-down flags displayed on vessels must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches, and a stiffener is required to keep the flag unfurled. Dive flags carried on floats must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. Also, divers-down flags on vessels must be displayed above the vessel's highest point so that the flag's visibility is not obstructed in any direction.
2. Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on open waters (all waterways other than rivers, inlets, or navigation channels) and within 100 feet of a flag within rivers, inlets, or navigation channels.
3. When divers are out of the water, a dive flag may not be displayed.
4. The owner and/or operator of a vessel is responsible to carry, store, maintain and use the safety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
5. All vessels are required to have on board a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access.
6. All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a referee's whistle.
7. Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least 3 visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise. Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least 3 daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or 3 combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters.
8. The use of sirens or flashing, occulting or revolving lights is prohibited except where expressly allowed by law.
9. Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements for every description of watercraft.

See also

• Canoeing
• Drift diving
• Kayaking
• Kayak diving
• Scuba diving
• Sea Kayaking