Dive Centres in Tenerife - tenerife dive centres

Important Information about
Dive Centre Law and YOU the Customer

In 2006 the Spanish authorities introduced legislation that was designed to regulate and monitor the growing number of Dive Centres operating in Spain and the Canary Islands. The aim and motivation of the legislation is to ensure that when you go diving in Spanish territorial waters you do so as safely and as responsibly as possible.

Put simply, any Dive Centre that does not comply with the terms of the Dive Centre legislation is not operating responsibly, ethically or legally and thereby taking a chance with YOUR safety and well being.

Spanish and Canarian Dive Centre authorisation supersedes any authorisations granted by the various scuba diving training organisations, without exception.

We are proud to report that we are one of only 9 dive centres in Tenerife approved by the Canarian Government for the activity of recreational diving and training.

The highlights and what this means to you........

Dive Boats - The legislation states that dive centres must own, or have contractually assured access to a boat that is skippered by the holder of a Spanish Commercial Captains Licence - 'Patron Portuario' is the minimum licence available to cover this requirement

Dive Centre equipment, premises and facilities - The legislation states that all dive operations must keep a record of all equipment that they use. In addition dive operations must maintain these records to clearly show when technical equipment such as regulators and cylinders have been inspected and serviced. A dive operation must operate from premises that have been officially licenced with the local area council as being suitably designed and maintained for dive centre activities. If a dive operator operates from premises that have not been officially licenced (licencia de apertura) or trades from a home address, using a van or a boat in order to co-ordinate diving activities, they are operating illegally.

Hyperbaric Chamber Contract - In order to become officially registered, a dive operation must have a contract with a hyperbaric chamber in their area.

Hospital Contract - In order to become officially registered, a dive operation must have a contract with a hospital in their local area.

Liability Insurance - In order to become officially registered, a dive operation must have a liability insurance policy in place that covers the dive operation, staff and visitors to the centre.

Dive Insurance - the Spanish and Canarian Dive Centre legislation clearly states that ALL people diving in Spanish territorial waters must be fully covered by their own dive insurance. Unfortunately there is a commonly held misconception that the professional insurance held by dive professionals is enough to provide the appropriate insurance cover for certified divers under their supervision. This is NOT the case. You will however be covered by your Instructors professional insurance whilst undertaking a recognised diving course.

A complete list of government licensed dive centres can be found by following this link.... Gobierno de Canarias

Dive Tenerife
Calle Consuelo Alfonso Diaz 12
Edificio El Majuelo, 38631 Las Galletas, Arona, Tenerife

Tel: (0034) 922 785 910 Email: info@divetenerife.com