A method for mechanically lowering a person into and out from a structure having a water level, a deck, and an interior wall includes a waterproof lift and drive assembly, and the steps of connecting the lift to a base housing having an upper surface such that, in a lowered state, a lifting beam is at least partially contained within the base housing and, in a raised state, at least a portion of the lifting beam is above the upper surface at a given height, fixing the base housing to a wall of the structure to place the upper surface below the waterline such that, in the lowered state, the lifting beam and the seat assembly are completely submerged in the water and, in the raised state, the bottom seat surface is above the waterline and deck sufficient to permit a person to sit upon the chair.