Sabah diving (borneo)

"Dan Bracuk" <NOTbracuk@pathcom.com> wrote in message
news:mjas215mrneqrbjslvsstnvjiov0q214qf@4ax.com...

> We might be on different wavelengths here. I am assuming that the
> knowlege of a substandard dive site is gleaned after arriving at it -
> possibly during the first dive.

I would suggest it is a bad captain that doesn't know the locale enough to
project what a site might be like based upon the weather he is supposedly
monitoring (as well as radio contact with other dive boats, fishing boats,
merchant boats and sometimes personal boats. There are some sites that are
quite difficult to project...Roca Redonda comes to mind, as does Mergui...
so I realize there are exceptions. But in general they should be somewhat
aware of the possibility. They should throw it to the passengers the day
before what the possibilities are, and if the passengers decide to visit and
it is crap, he has done all he could for the given situation.

As unpredictable as the ocean is...dives sites are often very predictable in
the very short term, if water conditions and weather are monitored and
considered in conjunction with local knowledge. I think everybody here at
one time or another has had a Captain make that offer sites, over supper.

> This being the case,

It shouldn't be the case in most circumstances.

> there is another factor to consider - time. The
> captain has to try to determine whether the passengers would prefer to
> do another dive or go for a boat ride. Tough call because the boat
> ride does not guarantee an improvement.

As I said above...I think it a bad situation when the Captain gives the
passengers the choice at the last moment upon arriving at the planned site.
Sometimes it is unavoidable, but generally not.

> My own observations, based on 18 or so liveaboard trips are:
> 1. The captain monitors the weather and adjusts his planned
> intinerary accordingly.
>
> 2. Available sites are often limited. Depending on location, the
> limitation might be mooring lines, or what is available on the lee
> side of the island.

I wouldn't argue that point. If you hit the Brothers and it is crappy, or
there are 9 boats chain-moored, there isn't really any place close enough to
make dives that day. But places like this are mostly the exception, rather
than the rule. In the more usual cases, if the Captain is on his toes and
has the willingness to cruise, he can offer the guests choices before
arriving at the site, and leave it in their hands whether or not to continue
on or deviate from the planned itinerary.

The only thing pertinent to my comment is that most boats are unwilling to
make that 2nd choice the best it could be, while some fewer boats are
willing to work hard and long enough to offer a truly next best site.

> I have never had a captain knowingly take us to a bad dive site.

I doubt that is accurate, though I don't doubt you believe it to be true.

Dan, if you are happy that the sites and selections the basic itinerary on
your 18 trips is the best you could have visited, that is great. In the case
of your experience all that matters is if they made you happy with the
diving sites they dropped you on.

I wouldn't argue your satisfaction with the boats you have been on.

My experience in somewhat more liveaboard trips is that compromises are made
by most boats on most itineraries because visiting only the best sites, in
many cases, burns a lot of fuel and works the crew very hard on the
nighttime crossings. So they set up an itinerary that 1) produces the least
night sailing distances and 2) offers nearby alternates when the planned
site is bad or supposed bad. And that is a far cry from offering the better
dive sites a locale can provide.

Celebes Explorer is one of the boats I have found very willing to work hard
enough that the best sites are the ones they get the boat to. And when the
weather is not productive and they know their planned site will be poor,
they are equally efficient and willing to move to the next best site,
regardless of the distance they may put in during the night, rather than
move a little to the next anchorage or mooring line. And that was the gist
of my comment in that original post.