Hull Cleaning Diver Interview Questions You Need To Be Asking in 2026

For SF Bay Area Sailboat + Powerboat Owners

Experience & Training

• How long have you been doing underwater hull cleaning professionally?

• Are you insured and commercially certified?

• Do you specialize in sailboats, powerboats, or both?

• Which Bay Area marinas do you service regularly?

  
  

Hull Cleaning Process

• What’s your cleaning schedule recommendation for my marina and slip?

• What tools do you use for cleaning (scrapers, pads, brushes)?

• Do you know the differences between ablative and hard bottom paint?

• How do you avoid damaging fresh bottom paint?

• Will you clean propellers, rudders, intakes, thru-hulls, and trim tabs each visit?

  
  

Zincs / Anodes

• Do you inspect zincs every cleaning cycle?

• What’s your threshold for replacement (50% rule)?

• Can you source and replace zincs during the dive?

• Do you document zinc condition in writing or video?

  
  

Communication & Response Time

• How quickly do you respond to messages?

• What’s your turnaround time for emergency service or sudden performance issues?

• How do you notify me if you find a problem underwater?

• Do you text, email, or call? Which is fastest?

Speed matters—electrolysis and rapid fouling can become expensive fast in Bay slips.

Proof of Work

• Do you provide before-and-after photos or underwater video every service?

• Can you show prior customer videos so I know what to expect?

• Do you note paint condition, corrosion signs, and hardware issues in each report?

No proof = no accountability. Before/after video is the new standard.

Reliability

• What’s your normal schedule?

• Do you cancel because of weather or visibility—and if so, how do you reschedule?

• What’s your backup plan if you’re unavailable?

• How far out is your calendar booked?

  
  

Pricing & Transparency

• What’s included in your standard cleaning price?

• Are zinc changes included or priced separately?

• Is there a fuel or travel fee for my marina?

• Do you offer a monthly pricing program?

  
  

Damage Prevention

• Have you ever damaged bottom paint? If so, what changed in your process?

• How do you avoid scratching new paint?

• How often do you replace your scraper blades or pads?

  
  

Performance Monitoring

• Will you notify me if you see barnacle attachment early?

• Can you tell if performance or fuel efficiency is being impacted?

• Will you track how quickly my zincs are depleting?

  
  

Questions that show you’re a serious owner

Use these—pros will respect you immediately:

• Are you bonded and insured?

• Do you guarantee underwater video each visit?

• Do you track zinc life cycle over time?

• How fast do you respond when corrosion issues are spotted?

  
  

Red Flags

• No video

• Slow communication

• “We replace zincs when they’re gone”

• No inspection notes

• No insurance

• Unclear pricing

  
  

Choosing Bay City Dive means choosing reliability, accountability, and true underwater professionalism. Unlike “scrape-and-go” divers, Bay City Dive operates as your long-term hull-health partner—showing underwater before-and-after video proof every visit, communicating quickly, and proactively flagging issues before they become expensive repairs. They understand Bay Area marinas, zinc consumption patterns, and the unique electrolysis risks of our slips—and they don’t just clean, they monitor. With fast response times, consistent scheduling, and transparent reporting, Bay City Dive gives owners peace of mind that the work was done right, every time. If you want a dive service that values your boat as much as you do—and protects your hull investment instead of merely maintaining it—Bay City Dive is the gold-standard choice.