Expeditions are not easy. I’ve planned two or three expeditions at this point and I initially had a really hard time finding documentation on what to think about when planning an expedition. Here’s my checklist for what I think of when I plan my expeditions.
Travel
How much travel is required? How many vehicles are required for personnel and gear? Are we hauling vessels? Do we need more than one vessel? This may seem relatively simple, but if you are hauling vessels this can be a trouble point. Take care to secure loads, make sure that everything that needs to be kept dry is stowed properly, and check on the towed vessel and trailer periodically.
Lodging
I try to stay out of the large hotel chains and find accommodations for the whole team at one location. Most small towns love it when a bunch of people come in for an expedition. Have fun and spread the love of diving!
Diving
What is the emergency evacuation plan and is everyone aware of it? How can the dive site be accessed? Are we working with our vessels or with local fishing boats? Is there a ladder on the boat? Does the ladder actually work for diving?
How many dives are you planning on doing? Can they be done on air? Have you contacted the local fire department to ask if they can fill tanks? Have the divers worked together before? Are they comfortable working together? Does everyone understand their roles and responsibilities? Do you have time to run a simulated dive or a dry dive?
This gets easier with time. You can haul in all the gear you need, but sometimes that does not always work. Local fire departments will generally fill tanks if you ask and are respectful to them. Consider making a donation as a thank you. Call the local harbour authority to see if they know anyone who can take you out if need be or if they know where a boat launch is. Check that the boat launch or wharf is a public one before using it.
Paying for Stuff
Expeditions are expensive I like to overestimate the costs and let people know what they will be paying well in advance. I’m fortunate enough to be able to book most of the expensive stuff on my credit card and pay it off without overextending myself. Do not overextend yourself to pay for others if you cannot afford it.
Conclusion
Try to break everything down into manageable chunks. Think about every block that needs to be accounted for and do what needs to be done. People and safety matter the most. A scrubbed dive isn’t the worst thing and if you put people in the water make damn sure you can recover them. Once that’s covered take twice the photos and video that’s required. Always have a team photo and enjoy every bit of the experience.
Nova Scotia Shipwreck Mapping Project 