Dive Boat Hire

If you're underwater filming, you're going to need a platform to dive from and usually that's a boat. When you're hiring a boat either in your own country or abroad, remember to check:

Check list for your dive boat

• Credentials of the skipper - he'll carry a skipper's ticket, dive operator certificate or similar
• Boat insurance - there'll be a certificate for seaworthiness and insurance
• Public liability insurance - the skipper needs to be insured separately from your production insurance
• Experience of the crew
• Ship to shore communication
• Diving first aid kit - can he provide it or do you need to
• Nearest hyperbaric chamber and method of alerting them
• Local conditions - visibility, water temperature

If he's used to hiring his boat out for filming purposes, he'll be able to give you a string of credits and producers to contact who'll give him a reference.

Clean air supply

Ask if they can provide a clean air supply on board to refill cylinders as necessary - particularly important if you're away from shore for a few days. Get them to show you certificates for providing clean pressurised air -  a dirty supply in your tank could kill a diver.