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Leaving your little one’s behind to go on the MV spree.


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7 replies to this topic

#1 twister8

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Posted 18 September 2007 - 10:50 PM

I want to attend the Flower Gardens next August, but I am a full time single Dad and the thought of leaving my little 5yr old girl with Grandma, and being out of any kind of contact really is a BIG SHOW stopper. I have done short trips in the past but I have really never been out of touch for longer than a hour or two at the longest. Does any one know if there is a way around being out of contact while on the MV Spree? Do they have a land line to radio link set up so that if there is some kind of emergency I can be contacted, or some other kind of Sat phone? Any information would be great thanks.

#2 nurseshark

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Posted 18 September 2007 - 11:05 PM

I want to attend the Flower Gardens next August, but I am a full time single Dad and the thought of leaving my little 5yr old girl with Grandma, and being out of any kind of contact really is a BIG SHOW stopper. I have done short trips in the past but I have really never been out of touch for longer than a hour or two at the longest. Does any one know if there is a way around being out of contact while on the MV Spree? Do they have a land line to radio link set up so that if there is some kind of emergency I can be contacted, or some other kind of Sat phone? Any information would be great thanks.



Hi, I understand your concern and want to assure you that even though you are on the boat in the Gulf of Mexico you can be contacted via the boat.
If you have Cingular you mayl even have cell phone coverage, but its expensive. The last trip I was on this past Labor Day weekend, many were calling home, I was surprised to find out that if you have cingualr there is coverage there.
I fyou go their website, spreexpeditions.com , you will see many ways to contact the ship. If you shoot them an email they can reassure you that you are not completely incommunicado. I have called them before to ask them a question and they do answer the phone immediatley when you call.
Hope this helps reassure you and hope to see you on the trip,
Karen

#3 ScubaDrew

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Posted 19 September 2007 - 06:25 AM

I want to attend the Flower Gardens next August, but I am a full time single Dad and the thought of leaving my little 5yr old girl with Grandma, and being out of any kind of contact really is a BIG SHOW stopper. I have done short trips in the past but I have really never been out of touch for longer than a hour or two at the longest. Does any one know if there is a way around being out of contact while on the MV Spree? Do they have a land line to radio link set up so that if there is some kind of emergency I can be contacted, or some other kind of Sat phone? Any information would be great thanks.


You can rent a sat phone for the trip, it won't cost too much unless you go over your minute allowance. Maybe you don't want to use it to talk to much, but if you are needed you have a number you can be reached at...
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#4 Basslet

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Posted 19 September 2007 - 07:10 AM

You have to remember that you are pretty far out there, which is why, if you run out of air even once on a dive, you are locked out of diving again for the rest of the trip. You also have to think long and hard about what constitutes an emergency. I would talk to Capt. Frank (who is a wonderful guy BTW) and ask him under what circumstances he would cancel the trip to return home. I did the Spree and I went to Thailand, leaving my son with my mom since my husband died almost 7 years ago. I knew he was in capable hands and didn't really worry much. Now that he is almost 18, I worry even more when I go away because I know, from experience, he gets into much worse trouble now that he's a teenager than he ever did when he was little. LOL

#5 Latitude Adjustment

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Posted 19 September 2007 - 11:00 AM

From their website; By phone?
Our office phone is (979) 233-4445. Anyone at that office
can reach the boats by either cell or satellite service at most
times of the day. The boats also have VHF and SSB radios
on board.

I'm assuming if she calls using the satellite phone you are going to get billed atleast $3.00 a minute.

Leave a PA with your mother to take care of any medical issues and enjoy the diving.
I, Latitude Adjustment (insert log in name), do hereby swear, (politely), that I shall not hold SingleDivers, (SD), nor any SD poster, (real or imagined), liable, nor shall I seek legal restitution, (real or imagined), for any perceived, (real or imagined), offenses I may incur, (or Incurrrrrrrrrr on talk like a pirate day), that may or may not be posted on this or any SCUBA related board, (real or imagined), by anyone, (real or imagined), anywhere, (real or imagined). Further, I void any right to privacy, (real or imagined), as it may, or may not relate to any posting, (real or imagined), about me, to me, for me, because of me, all about me, my dog, my cat, my bird, my monkey, my family, (real or imagined), my friends, (real or imagined), or my world, (real or imagined).

By all that is wet, I do hereby swear, (politely), and attest, upon pain of never diving again, (real or imagined), that I understand and affirm, that I agree to the above.

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#6 shadragon

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Posted 19 September 2007 - 11:07 AM

I'm assuming if she calls using the satellite phone you are going to get billed at least $3.00 a minute.

Sat. Phone Rentals

Actually it is only $1.65 a minute with free incoming calls. Down side is a $150 a month rental fee plus $1400 (refundable) deposit just in case you do drop it over the side. They do have an office in Houston as well which is a bonus.
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#7 Latitude Adjustment

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Posted 19 September 2007 - 01:31 PM

I'm assuming if she calls using the satellite phone you are going to get billed at least $3.00 a minute.

Sat. Phone Rentals

Actually it is only $1.65 a minute with free incoming calls. Down side is a $150 a month rental fee plus $1400 (refundable) deposit just in case you do drop it over the side. They do have an office in Houston as well which is a bonus.


No rental, I'm thinking if his mother calls the boats satellite phone he will get billed atleast $3.00 a minute, I remember hearing that in a boat briefing somewhere. So much for the connection and so much a minute.
Why rent one when there is already one on the bridge that will get answered while you are underwater, eating, sleeping or in the shower. That's what you are paying them the big bucks for!

Edited by Latitude Adjustment, 19 September 2007 - 01:32 PM.

I, Latitude Adjustment (insert log in name), do hereby swear, (politely), that I shall not hold SingleDivers, (SD), nor any SD poster, (real or imagined), liable, nor shall I seek legal restitution, (real or imagined), for any perceived, (real or imagined), offenses I may incur, (or Incurrrrrrrrrr on talk like a pirate day), that may or may not be posted on this or any SCUBA related board, (real or imagined), by anyone, (real or imagined), anywhere, (real or imagined). Further, I void any right to privacy, (real or imagined), as it may, or may not relate to any posting, (real or imagined), about me, to me, for me, because of me, all about me, my dog, my cat, my bird, my monkey, my family, (real or imagined), my friends, (real or imagined), or my world, (real or imagined).

By all that is wet, I do hereby swear, (politely), and attest, upon pain of never diving again, (real or imagined), that I understand and affirm, that I agree to the above.

_________________________________________(log in name signature)
Signed and Dated

#8 Capn Jack

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Posted 19 September 2007 - 09:46 PM

They also have internet access. While they're 100+ miles out, the area is thick with oil rigs, and thus some pretty good comm coverage - like it was said, call and talk to them to get details and reassure yourself.

btw, the rigs are some of the best dive sites!!!
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