1. The first time I chartered with this shop they never asked me for my certs either, on the phone or in person. When I showed up and asked them, they still did told me there was no need. And asking other divers, they weren’t asked for their certs either. Every other reputable shop asks you on each dive.
2. The communication between the shop and the charter wasn’t there. Ultimately, it’s the diver’s responsibility to test his/her tanks but again, a reputable shop will have the FO2/MOD on the tank and a clip board for the diver to sign off on his tanks. No instructions were given at the shop to test the tanks out back before heading to the boat. Bad communication.
4. There was a senior PADI Instructor who told the captain and the DM that since the wreck was a historical artifact, we were not to tie lines to it or retrieve anything from it.....they did anyway. Yes, I’ve been on boats where they fiddle their thumbs while you get back on board — if you can’t lift yourself out of water and aren’t a special needs diver, you shouldn’t be going out anyway.