38 replies to this topic

[ScubaFred]

O.K. Keys Trippers! Here we go. I have volunteered to work on the list of sites that we will be diving and report back to all the important poeple. so far there are many good suggestions but we can't possibly dive them all in 5 days. I thought it would be good to hear of the ones that you just can't do without so I can try to make it happen your way.
I heard from pmarie's vote for Thunderbolt, Harley Guy 33458 likes the S. Grove, the Duane and Bib, as well as some MIami sites. Scuba Shafer likes the Duane, too (me too BTW). Fishwatcher says "I'd just as soon spend more time South of Key Largo and try a drift dive or two." Hambergler chimes in withPost #22 " I really want to dive the wreck of the "Piso Mojado"."
If you plan to go on the trip or you know of something that's a "must-do" please speak up.
I plan to go to the Keys and do a "Recon" mission to attempt to do a good job. (somebody's got to do it ) If you know of an operator that I should talk to on my journey let me know that too. What sites need a visit to insure a good briefing? etc...
And of course I do NOT WANT TO DIVE BUDDYLESS so if you will be in the area around April come-on-down!!!
Enough for now, missionn volunteer guy, Zach

The Spiegel Grove is a must-dive for me. I've done the Thunderbolt twice and wouldn't mind it again if the group wants to.

[divzac]

Thanks Scuba Fred. Will do.

[pmarie]

Zack!! I am planning to be down there doing some diving on April 18. I'm not sure yet if I can dive on the 19th. I was contemplating the Thunderbolt....all of the ops in Marathon tend to be a little strict when it comes to the T-Bolt from the info I gathered recently.

OK, what do I need to be aware of? Hope to dive with you. It's been too long!

2 out of 3 log your start and end pressures, 2 of 3 DM guides the dive, 1 out of 3 DM is in the water with a bailout, but not a guided dive. No double dips. There was some other stuff but those were the ones that stuck out most in my mind.

[divzac]

Zack!! I am planning to be down there doing some diving on April 18. I'm not sure yet if I can dive on the 19th. I was contemplating the Thunderbolt....all of the ops in Marathon tend to be a little strict when it comes to the T-Bolt from the info I gathered recently.

OK, what do I need to be aware of? Hope to dive with you. It's been too long!

2 out of 3 log your start and end pressures, 2 of 3 DM guides the dive, 1 out of 3 DM is in the water with a bailout, but not a guided dive. No double dips. There was some other stuff but those were the ones that stuck out most in my mind.

Maybe i'm not seeing something. I don't see anything that I would object to except no double dips which is a mute point since we are in charge.. Are you saying that it is a difficult and advanced dive or do you not like dive ops in your buisness? Sorry please clarify.
Have others had a good or bad experience?

[pmarie]

Zack!! I am planning to be down there doing some diving on April 18. I'm not sure yet if I can dive on the 19th. I was contemplating the Thunderbolt....all of the ops in Marathon tend to be a little strict when it comes to the T-Bolt from the info I gathered recently.

OK, what do I need to be aware of? Hope to dive with you. It's been too long!

2 out of 3 log your start and end pressures, 2 of 3 DM guides the dive, 1 out of 3 DM is in the water with a bailout, but not a guided dive. No double dips. There was some other stuff but those were the ones that stuck out most in my mind.

Maybe i'm not seeing something. I don't see anything that I would object to except no double dips which is a mute point since we are in charge.. Are you saying that it is a difficult and advanced dive or do you not like dive ops in your buisness? Sorry please clarify.
Have others had a good or bad experience?

Maybe I'm just being difficult, I have only been subjected to telling my dive start pressure and dive end pressure in Marathon. When I am in the caverns I have no problems at all with this. It is situational for me. I can understand why they want this info when it is their tanks, I just find it intrusive I guess is the word that they will log my beginning and ending pressures when it is my own tank. I am perfectly happy if the Capt wants to pull my computer or check something if he believes that I have "violated" it during the dive. I also am not too proud to call my own dive/s. I've done it before and will most likely do it again.

I don't mind a guided dive 95% of the time, the ratio is 1 to 6 with the DM. I can enjoy a short or shorter dive but I really would like to avoid the limitations that most likely will occur as Marathon is heavy on the "vacation" diver. That was the term that the ops used, and I saw this when I watched the traffic in and out of the shop for about an hour. Then again I may be the "short" person next time.

Please don't misunderstand, I have not had a bad experience, I'm just used to having a bit more flexibility. I think is is great that the dive ops in Marathon are all on the same page with how they want their customers treated/prepared and to feel safe.

As I do not have first hand experience, I can only relay what others have told me about the T-Bolt as a dive. I have had 2 people tell me it is very much like the Eagle. I have been to the Keys an average of once a month over the last three years and been on the Duane, Grove, and Eagle so much I should know those wrecks better than I do. I manage to get caught up in looking at stuff, and just remember where the exit is, and watch out for the current that can change at a moments lack of notice.

[divzac]

Zack!! I am planning to be down there doing some diving on April 18. I'm not sure yet if I can dive on the 19th. I was contemplating the Thunderbolt....all of the ops in Marathon tend to be a little strict when it comes to the T-Bolt from the info I gathered recently.

OK, what do I need to be aware of? Hope to dive with you. It's been too long!

2 out of 3 log your start and end pressures, 2 of 3 DM guides the dive, 1 out of 3 DM is in the water with a bailout, but not a guided dive. No double dips. There was some other stuff but those were the ones that stuck out most in my mind.

Maybe i'm not seeing something. I don't see anything that I would object to except no double dips which is a mute point since we are in charge.. Are you saying that it is a difficult and advanced dive or do you not like dive ops in your buisness? Sorry please clarify.
Have others had a good or bad experience?

Maybe I'm just being difficult, I have only been subjected to telling my dive start pressure and dive end pressure in Marathon. When I am in the caverns I have no problems at all with this. It is situational for me. I can understand why they want this info when it is their tanks, I just find it intrusive I guess is the word that they will log my beginning and ending pressures when it is my own tank. I am perfectly happy if the Capt wants to pull my computer or check something if he believes that I have "violated" it during the dive. I also am not too proud to call my own dive/s. I've done it before and will most likely do it again.

I don't mind a guided dive 95% of the time, the ratio is 1 to 6 with the DM. I can enjoy a short or shorter dive but I really would like to avoid the limitations that most likely will occur as Marathon is heavy on the "vacation" diver. That was the term that the ops used, and I saw this when I watched the traffic in and out of the shop for about an hour. Then again I may be the "short" person next time.

Please don't misunderstand, I have not had a bad experience, I'm just used to having a bit more flexibility. I think is is great that the dive ops in Marathon are all on the same page with how they want their customers treated/prepared and to feel safe.

As I do not have first hand experience, I can only relay what others have told me about the T-Bolt as a dive. I have had 2 people tell me it is very much like the Eagle. I have been to the Keys an average of once a month over the last three years and been on the Duane, Grove, and Eagle so much I should know those wrecks better than I do. I manage to get caught up in looking at stuff, and just remember where the exit is, and watch out for the current that can change at a moments lack of notice.

I understand. Don't forget we will be on our own boat and flexability will be an option for us all. We sure could use your experience and input on the dives that you are familiar with BTW. You may be interested in knowing that Spree has an awesome system of keeping track of thier divers. Since most of the dives will be "flexable" there needs to be a way of keeping track of different sets of divers, etc. They do check-in and out of the water and keep track of information that would be good to have in case of a computer failure or the likes. This would include time in and out, tank pressure and etc. After a couple of dives on the Spree last summer I felt happy to participate and decided that for me it was a good thing. Just my 2psi.
Gotta go drive the boat for a while, later zzz

[pmarie]

[/quote]
I understand. Don't forget we will be on our own boat and flexability will be an option for us all. We sure could use your experience and input on the dives that you are familiar with BTW. You may be interested in knowing that Spree has an awesome system of keeping track of thier divers. Since most of the dives will be "flexable" there needs to be a way of keeping track of different sets of divers, etc. They do check-in and out of the water and keep track of information that would be good to have in case of a computer failure or the likes. This would include time in and out, tank pressure and etc. After a couple of dives on the Spree last summer I felt happy to participate and decided that for me it was a good thing. Just my 2psi.
Gotta go drive the boat for a while, later zzz
[/quote]

Thanks Zack, I wasn't taking the Spree into those considerations, just the local ops in Marathon. I have every belief that the boat would take measures to make sure that all divers are accounted for whether in the water or out. I think that is very important in any setting.

[divzac]

Thanks Zack, I wasn't taking the Spree into those considerations, just the local ops in Marathon. I have every belief that the boat would take measures to make sure that all divers are accounted for whether in the water or out. I think that is very important in any setting.
[/quote]

Frankly some of the local ops' diver accounting systems scare the heck outta me. Counting heads.... not for me!

[lady of the sea]

In preparation for the finishing touches being put on our Fl Keys Liveaboard trip here, please list your favorite Florida Keys dive destinations from Key West to Miami!

It can be reefs or wrecks but a name and description would be AWESOME and will help us set the diving itinerary for this upcoming trip!

HI.....Still trying to remember how to reply..........Hopefully, you have received my payment in full. Wondering if divers are using 3, 5, or 7 mil suits. What other info do I need to give you?
Thanks