Updated Operating Procedures: Keeping You Safe During The Period Of Covid-19
At Lahaina Divers, taking care of our guests and team members is of paramount importance to us. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to elevate our standards to an even higher level with new protocols for the current circumstances.
Note: Please check HERE for current safe travel rules.
While closed to the public during Maui’s quarantine period, we completely stripped the retail, check in and shop area, removing all material to storage. All areas were deeply cleaned, including the bathrooms and light fixtures. We painted the walls and recoated the floors. Some display cases and benches were removed to make social distancing easier. Materials were disinfected before being brought back into the store. Staff have been trained on enhanced hygiene practices.
Enhanced Regulations
In addition to state and county rules, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) has provided strict requirements for charter operations under COVID-19. These policies are subject to change as we move through the pandemic recovery. We know this may present some momentary challenges and appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during this period.
Here is a summary of our revised operating policies to comply with these new rules, including regulations affecting guests.
Carrying Capacity
We have voluntarily reduced the number of passengers on each charter to allow plenty of room to social distance. We are continuing to limit our dive groups for a more comfortable charter experience.
Stringent Cleaning
In addition to the completed deep cleaning, we’ve increased the frequency of disinfecting surfaces and high traffic areas at our facility and on vessels.
We disinfect all dive and snorkel gear before each use using CDC recommended products. Mouthpieces, including snorkels, regulators and oral inflation valves, receive a 3-step sanitation procedure before use. Passengers are responsible for sanitation of their own private gear. However, a sanitizing mouthwash spray is available for all mouthpieces, and a fresh water rinse station is available at the facility to remove salt water.
Enhanced Health and Safety Measures for All Staff and Guests
Cleanliness and hygiene. All persons are asked to wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer stations are available at the front and back entrance of our facility and on both vessels. You are welcome and encouraged to carry your own hand sanitizer.
Social distancing. Practice current social distancing recommendations (min of 6ft) at our facility, and to the extent possible, onboard the vessels for safe boating operations. This includes while waiting in line for check-in and inside the store or rental equipment area. On the boat we have created space between seats, and ask that you continue to social distance to the extent possible. Passengers and crew from the same household are not required to social distance from each other.
Cover. A face mask is no longer required outdoors, including on Lahaina Divers vessels. However, a mask covering mouth and nose is required inside Lahaina Divers facilities.
We ask that you please comply with these mask requirements, as we are compelled by Federal mandate to enforce them.
If you do not have a mask, or forget yours (hey, it happens!) contact us in advance. We have masks for sale at Lahaina Divers store.
Avoid sharing. Guests and staff will avoid sharing materials whenever possible, except among members of the same household.
Requirements of our guests
If you are not feeling well, please stay home. Any guest exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 may not enter Lahaina Divers facilities or vessels. If you are not feeling well, please call us 48 hours in advance to reschedule with no penalty. If you arrive for a charter and are determined to not be well enough to dive, you will not be eligible to dive. If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms, we will work directly with you to cancel or reschedule your tour.
Online Waivers
To further protect the wellness of guests and staff, and to move you through the check-in process smoothly, we have installed online waivers. A link to your waiver(s) is included in your confirmation email, or for those that booked prior to 10/30/20, this will be in your reminder email, sent 36 hours before your charter.
Please click the “sign waiver” link on the reminder email. The email can be forwarded to each person in your party – all passengers must sign their own waiver(s). The great thing is – no paperwork to fill out on arrival!
Most charters have one general liability waiver to complete with a new COVID-19 section. By signing this, you certify you are not knowingly ill and not subject to quarantine. Even if you recently signed a waiver, you must complete this version that has the COVID-19 section. It will only take a couple of moments.
If you are going to Molokini, there is an additional waiver to sign, as this is a marine preserve.
If anyone in your party is doing a Discover Scuba Dive or Certification Completion, they must sign a medical waiver. This waiver is not available online. It is in the footer of our website, lahainadivers.com. Here is the direct link: https://lahainadivers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NEW_Diver_Medical_Participant_Questionnaire_English_2020-06-22.pdf. You can email the completed medial waiver to info@lahainadivers.com.
New QR Code Check-in
We have installed a QR code system for touchless check in. From your reminder email, Click the “Go to your ticket” link. Your ticket will now show a QR code (a square box with different shaped black lines). You can print this ticket and bring to your dive check-in, or have this email showing your QR code ready at check-in time. We can scan the QR code right from your phone.
We ask that you try your best to have everyone in your party complete their waivers and access their QR code prior to check in. However, if you have any issues, we can assist you at check in.
Food and Beverages
Since buffets are now prohibited, among other restrictions, we are not able to provide food service on board at this time, other than ample clean drinking water and an individually wrapped granola or power type bar after dives. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own snacks, lunch and refillable water bottle. Please note when you pack your lunch, we are unable to provide a shared cooler, so nonperishable items or a small insulated bag with a reusable ice pack is recommended. No glass or alcohol allowed.
Call Ahead For Purchases
Know you need something for your dive from our store? Save time at check-in by calling us ahead of time at 808-667-7496 Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm. We can set any purchased items aside for you and even take payment over the phone. This may include a safety sausage for drift diving, a light for Lanai Cathedrals, Dramamine, or sunscreen
What to Expect at Check-in
We attempt to call all booked parties the day before the charter as a courtesy reminder.
When arriving at the facility, please line up outside the front entrance. You will need to put on a mask when entering the facility. The entrance will be locked until check-in time.
We strongly recommend conducting at-home health and temperature checks in the days leading up your dive charter, and if you think you could possibly have COVID-19 or another transmittable illness, please call us to reschedule or cancel your trip at least 48 hours in advance. Due to risk of infection, passengers in the same party as a person with a fever will also not be allowed on the charter, even if not presenting with a fever.
Upon entering, crew will check in all passenger in your booking group by scanning your QR code on the confirmation or reminder email, either on your cell phone or printed confirmation. If all members of your party are present, we can check them all in at once by scanning the QR code of the person that booked the charter.
If you have not completed your waiver(s), you can complete it on your cell phone using the link in their confirmation or reminder email. Please ask a crew member for assistance if you need help.
Once you have completed the check-in process, those needing equipment should proceed directly to the back of the store, and wait your turn to be fitted with gear. There are lines on the floor to assist you with social distancing.
Other customers needing to make purchases can find your items and line up in front of the front counter cash register (these purchases can also be made in advance). There is limited time during the morning check-in to buy items you need for your dives, but you are welcome to come back after the charter for t-shirts and other items.
Once you have gotten your gear and purchases, or if you are all checked-in and you do not need rental gear or anything from the retail store, you are welcome to head to the slip and wait until instructed to board by the captain. You will no longer need to wear your mask on the way to the harbor, at the slip or on the boat.
How We Handle Dive Gear
Disinfecting gear. We disinfect all dive & snorkel gear before each using CDC recommended products. That includes BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, snorkel vest, fins, wet suit, weights and tanks.
Snorkels and regulators undergo a three-step sanitation process, concluding with a final spritz with disinfecting mouthwash to avoid any adverse taste and to provide further sanitation.
Personal Dive Gear. While we have a thorough sanitation process in place for all of our rental equipment, we ask that passengers with private gear be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing their own equipment. However, we do offer a sanitizing mouthwash spray on the charter for all mouthpieces (snorkel, regulators, oral inflator) for all passengers, including for those with private gear. Also, we will keep all personal gear separate from rental gear.
We will transport your gear to the boat if requested but it must be contained in your personal gear bag. You are also welcome to keep your gear with you on the short walk from our shop to the boat. Upon return, there is a freshwater rinse available at our shop to remove salt water.
Boarding the Boat and Underway
Pre-boarding. The captain will call out to you when it is time to board. You are also welcome to use hand sanitizer available on the boat.
Social distancing. We have reduced the capacity of divers and snorkelers per charter to provide more social distancing space. Please allow 6′ of distance between parties to the extent possible.
Personal Storage on Vessel
Your diving gear will fit under your assigned seat. For personal items there is storage on a shelf forward in the main cabin on the starboard side or on the shelf under the center table. There are small net hammocks for things like hats or sunglasses above the center table.
Please keep in mind that there are no dividers between your bag and another. You may want to consider a closeable waterproof or water resistant bag that can be wiped down with a sanitizing wipe after your charter.
Mahalo for Joining Us!
We are so pleased to be welcoming you back on board and share the pleasure of diving!