Liveaboards: Ensuring Peace of Mind in the New Normal

By: Rowan Pringle

The global travel industry is starting to awaken from its 18-month Covid-19 hibernation. As more and more countries open their doors to international travellers, liveaboard trips are once more at the top of many SCUBA divers’ to-do lists.

The small number of guests aboard most of these vessels means that tourists are not exposed to as many different people as they would be in a busy dive centre. At the same time, the open ocean is the perfect place to escape the crowds.

Liveaboards are a fantastic dive experience, even in the new normal

However, the nature of the dive industry necessitates close contact with the crew and other passengers at times. Because of this, liveaboard guests must be able to place their trust in the regulations and safety precautions in place during their trip.

Here we look at the measures leading liveaboard operators are putting in place to ensure peace of mind for their guests; as the dive industry adapts to the ‘New Normal.’

Pre-Trip Screening and Testing

Pre-travel questionnaires supplied by fleet operators like Master Liveaboards give guests confidence in their travel plans. In addition, operators will help plan every step of your trip to ensure that you can make the most of your liveaboard experience.

However, be aware that the situation could change at any time. So, be sure that you’re covered financially in the event of having to cancel your trip for any reason.

If you usually rely on a dive insurance policy for all your travel insurance needs, check what additional coverage it offers. Unfortunately, coverage for Covid-19-related health issues, quarantine or self-isolation costs, as well as trip cancellations are not yet standard.

Escape the crowds at busy dive centres by choosing a liveaboard - Photo credit: Laya Clode via Unsplash

As part of the ‘new normal,’ even vaccinated travellers may be required to present negative Covid-19 tests for certain activities. This makes sense when you consider that people can still carry and transmit the virus even when vaccinated.

While some operators require their staff to be vaccinated, most only encourage vaccination for staff and guests. Pre-trip tests, frequent onboard temperature checks, and symptom monitoring are all likely additions to your next liveaboard trip.

Most liveaboard operators are asking all divers to present recent negative test results. While timings vary, you may be asked for a test no older than 72 hours to 7 days. Some operators are even sourcing their own testing kits or providing complimentary pre-boarding testing clinics to maximise staff and customers' safety.

Some operators, such as All Star Liveaboards, are also helping their guests to get tests done quickly and efficiently before their return flight home.

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Altered Operational Policies on Liveaboards

The pandemic has pushed various industries to review their policies, and the dive industry is no different. Aggressor Adventures, for example, has launched the “Clean, Refresh, Sanitize" programme throughout its fleet, which operates all over the world, from the Caribbean to Indonesia.

To facilitate physical distancing, many operators are running at reduced capacities. Staggered mealtimes, briefings, and dive activities help minimise contact. Meanwhile, water dispensers have been highlighted as potential 'super spreaders' and may be replaced with bottled water.

Open-air dining and social distancing minimises onboard transmission risk

Vessels also promote open windows and doors in shared facilities rather than air-conditioners, which can circulate airborne particles. In addition to pre-trip testing and daily temperature checks, liveaboard operators advise wearing a face mask at all times while onboard. Some have even made masks compulsory in communal areas.

You may be explicitly asked to use single-use surgical masks, so make sure that you bring enough to cover the entire duration of your trip. To estimate how many to get, keep in mind that experts advise changing your mask every three to four hours.

Since disposable face masks contain plastic that can harm marine life, proper disposal is crucial. First, check whether your operator offers a centralised collection of used masks and that they responsibly throw away face masks. Otherwise, you can bring a separate sealable bag to pack your used masks until your return to land.

Spacious socialization areas reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread

Operators like King Snefro Fleet's vessels in Egypt require passengers to consent to the use of chlorine to disinfect bags and other possessions before they are allowed on board. Crews are also tasked with much stricter cleaning regimes, regularly wiping down railings, door handles, and other surfaces.

Some operators have even adopted hospital-grade disinfectant applied by fogging machines, with a hold time of seven days. Liveaboard crew members all over the world are also being given extra sanitation and cleaning training.

As ocean custodians, we recommend checking whether fleet operators are using environmentally-friendly and reef-friendly products for cleaning.

Updated Protocols for Dive Equipment Cleaning and Care

Your gear is possibly one of the most significant risks for divers passing on or contracting the virus, particularly when it comes to rental equipment. Sharing dive masks and regulators with other divers is a definite no-no in the times of Covid-19

Rinse tank protocols are being continuously reviewed and updated to minimise the chances of cross-contamination. Regulator mouthpiece disinfection is essential, especially if you're doing a course where you're learning to use another diver's alternate air source.

It’s essential to disinfect alternate air sources shared with other divers - Photo Credit: Peter Treadwell via Unsplash

As a result of these updates, some liveaboard operators, including Explorer Ventures, have removed communal mask rinse tanks. Here, the potential transfer of the virus is higher than in most other areas. So instead, they are relying on running water rinsing.

In addition, sanitised rental gear supplied for the duration of the voyage is now the norm, and operators may even vacuum-seal the sanitised gear before handing it out to guests.

DAN Europe has a helpful list of precautions you can take for disinfecting your dive gear. We also advise bringing your own towel to use on deck and after dives, as operators now request that cabin towels remain in your cabin.

Protocols for Dealing With Suspected COVID-19 Cases Onboard

Because liveaboards often travel far from shore, it is vital to have procedures to deal with a potential case of Covid-19. Most operators have now created onshore medical support teams to offer advice. They also ask staff and guests to self-monitor for symptoms and provide self-isolation facilities onboard.

Liveaboard operations need to be ready to react quickly to possible diving emergencies, so they usually have plans for evacuating patients in need of medical attention. This will stand most vessels in good stead when it comes to dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases onboard.

However, evacuation can be very expensive, so remember to double-check your insurance coverage!

Ready to dive back in? Liveaboards are now operational!

Before You Go

If you're planning to get vaccinated before your trip, keep in mind that you’ll need to wait a week after each shot to dive. DAN Europe and other medical organisations advise that you wait at least 7 days after each vaccination dose before doing any form of SCUBA or breath-hold diving.

With that in mind, if you've decided that you're ready to take the plunge with a liveaboard diving holiday, have fun! Just be sure that you are up-to-date with the relevant information and requirements for your travel destination, fleet operator, and liveaboard vessel leading up to your trip.

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