“Zodiac” is a trade name for the small boats made by the original manufacturer, Zodiac Nautic, but it has become a generic reference for inflatable boats of this type.  Ocean Victory has a corral of twenty such boats (from Zodiac-Milpro, the military/professional division of the company).

The management of passengers onto and off of these crafts is no small matter.  We were given detailed training instructions on how to step into and off of them from the “mudroom” deck only a few feet above sea level.  We were taught the “seaman’s grasp”, a double handlock with the crewperson assisting us on and off the Zodiac.  There were strict rules about how and where to sit on the rubber pontoons.  No standing without permission.