What Is a Diver Check?
An underwater inspection and clean carried out while the boat is afloat - the eyes between haul-outs, and the remedy for mid-season performance loss.
A diver check is where a diver inspects the hull, propeller, shaft, anodes and outlet fittings in situ while the boat is afloat, and cleans them if needed. Haul-outs happen once a year; the sea works every day. In mid-season, the most common cause of lost speed and increased fuel burn is a fouled hull and propeller.
The diver fills the knowledge gap between haul-outs: a photo and video report documents the underwater condition, providing data for both performance and the next haul-out plan.
Scope and rule
Propeller fouling: even a few millimetres of growth can noticeably increase fuel consumption; it is the first place to look when the boat feels “heavy”.
Reported cleaning: without images, a “cleaned it” update leaves no record of the condition; asking for a photo report should be standard.
Gentle method: cleaning with the wrong tools can strip off antifouling as well; the pad and brush used should be matched to the paint system.
Göcek practice: in the busy season, check the propeller and hull every 6-8 weeks, and carry out a spot dive after any storm or if you suspect a line is caught. While the diver is underwater, do not run the engine or generator, and leave a note on the key. A photo-recorded year of the underwater condition takes the guesswork out of haul-out decisions.