29 replies to this topic

[bluedolphin]

Any West Palm diver out there? I heard my favorite dive boat The Rampage sunk in Francis (I think) but have not been able to get any information, Capt Bob has not returned the email I sent. '

Does anyone know anything? Barring the fact he will not be getting a new boat to replace the Awsome Rampage any suggestions for boats. I have dove with 2 other operators there, and really loved the Rampage and would not use either of the other two operators again and am open for suggestions. I did dive a boat Starfish Enterprise out of Boyton Beach and was quite pleased with him.

Mostly I am looking for information on the Rampage and other comperable operators.

Thanks.

Linda

(Note: Moved this post from I'm Headed Your Way to here so she could get replies and she was not specifially heading to WPB yet. -ww)

Edited by WreckWench, 25 October 2004 - 05:36 PM.

[idive2]

Any West Palm diver out there? I heard my favorite dive boat The Rampage sunk in Francis (I think) but have not been able to get any information

Linda, I've been up as far as boynton but not dove the palm beach areas,
but I would like to check it out sometime, please post if you dive with
anyone up there.....

Kevin

[bluedolphin]

Kevin,

The boat I used in West Palm sunk, and I found out today Bob threw in the towel. I got the name of the boat who took over his business looks like a wonderful boat, if you are interested PM me and I will send you the link. Not sure when I will get down there again, but do like the diving there.

Linda

[Walter]

The Rampage did sink.

Try the Narcosis out of Riveria Beach

[bluedolphin]

Walter

Thanks, actually that is the information I did get and checked out the web site. I could not imagine Bob turning his business over to anyone who wasn't first rate.

I must say I am bummed, Bob is terrific, The Rampage was terrific. I do hope he had the insurance to cover the accident. I would imagine under normal circumstances it would have not been an issue but I don't know much about hurricane insurance or how it works.

Linda

[Daniel]

Was this Bob Abernathy that threw in the towel??

Dan

[bluedolphin]

Dan,

No it was Bob Johnson I believe and it is very sad. His boat sank in one of the hurricanes (Francis, I think). He had an awsome boat, large, comfortable, lots of room to move around. He was in the Marina off 13th, Rivera Marina I think.

I read someplace that Abernathy had some boat issues, but I don't know what they were, only dove with him once then found The Rampage. Narcosis is taking over his business (divers I guess), so next trip there I will try him.

Linda

[Walter]

I heard a rumor, unconfirmed, that one of Abernathy's boats fell on another. I only dived with them once and did not like the operation. OK, so maybe it was just the captain.

Linda, I wasn't aware the Narcosis was taking over business from the Rampage. I've used Narcosis and was recommending them based on my experience.

[bluedolphin]

Walter,

Yes indeed Narcosis is taking over Bob's business. I actually called Bob's number and Ray of the Narcosis answered and said Bob had turned his business over to him. Ray also indicated he has asked Bob to Captain for him, but he was still in mourning abut losing his boat. It really is a shame.

Also I dove with Abernathy once, I the first time I dove in West Palm I came down with a dive group from one of the shops (the shop as since closed, did so overnight and took people's money with them). Anyway the boat was okay, but more of a cattle boat, the type many dive shops book from out of town. I was not impressed. I did however like West Palm and found out about the Rampage and fell in love with the operation.

Thanks for the info Walter.

Linda

[nextariel]

Jim Abernathy had 3 boats last year. Two were damaged prior to the hurricanes when a boat lifter from the marina tipped over. As far as I know he still has one boat, Deep Obsession running. I've been out with them many times, but not this year. There is also Diving Solutions. I have only done a TGIF with them which consists of 3 tanks fruit when you come up from the first dive, and lasagna, salad and garlic bread after the second dive and cheesecake after the third. They are done on Friday's only on the weekender boat which goes to the Bahamas.

[bluedolphin]

Sounds like fun I will look them up. If they do weekend trips I bet they have a compressor on board. Gosh I miss having a compresson on the boat, I hate having to change my tank out between dives. How spoiled am I? I am getting accostomed to doing that though.

Linda

[idive2]

I have only done a TGIF with them which consists of 3 tanks fruit when you come up from the first dive, and lasagna, salad and garlic bread after the second dive and cheesecake after the third.

hook me up on this one....NOW !

[bluedolphin]

I checked out the web site

http://www.divingsolutions.com/

Now I just have to figure out how to get down to Florida cheaply (travel and accommodations ya know)

[Walter]

It's a day's drive from Raleigh.

[bluedolphin]

Yes and a very long dive when driving alone, I know that because I have done it!!! Then there is the hotel expense!! Oh well.