Diving from a boat is more comfortable than diving from shore. The moment you are in the water, you can descend to start your dive without a need for swimming any (long) distances. Nothing much changes for the dive itself. Depending on the type of boat used, there can be rather a few important aspects that can be of a theoretical or a practical nature. This all depends on the type of boat and who is in charge. If it is a boat commercially offering exploration dives, then you will be guided through all the required steps. Safety precautions are taking care of by the staff. However – if your plan is to take your own boat out for diving, there will be a lot more to learn!
There is no “standardised” theoretical part for boat diving. The practical part can also vary widely. Address yourself to a SCUBA C&P instructor and explain your plans. The training will then be prepared to your specific situation.
The minimum age for participating is 10. There is only 1 dive in open water required. The course concentrates on the procedures before and after a dive.
Your instructor will want a completed medical statement from you. In some regions a medical statement with only “no” answers will be sufficient for participation in the course. In other regions a medical signed and stamped by a medical doctor will be required and must unconditionally say that you are fit for diving.