French Polynesian Master ran aground

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

eedive

Registered
Messages
15
Reaction score
5
Location
California
# of dives
500 - 999
Unfortunately, our trip on the French Polynesian Master was ruined when it ran aground a few days into the trip that began January 8. The boat was stuck on a reef after the captain steered it on the wrong side of the channel marker during calm seas with a full moon. I understand they are going to tell the press there was a strong current, but I would like to see proof of that.

They evacuated the boat the following day, taking us to a “pension” on an atoll forty-five minutes away by skiff. The ride was fairly bumpy and I held on to the rope for dear life. Remember, we were not wearing scuba gear or BCD’s. There were no life jackets in the skiff during this trip, constituting, I believe, terrible judgement. Thank goodness there was no disaster.

We were put in uncomfortable circumstances for 3 days before they had a chartered flight bring us to Papeete. My husband and I had a room with no bathroom. The toilet around the corner only had a lock on the outside and no light! The outdoor shower we were expected to use was open, so no privacy. Our room had no curtains, so no privacy to change. Super hot and no a/c plus few fans.

The Master’s communication has been poor regarding several aspects, but especially about what they plan to do to compensate us, the passengers, for their gross negligence. We all want the full cost of the trip back. They stated they are too busy to deal with that now, in part because they have to deal with the press.

By the way, to be fair, the boat apparently dislodged from the reef last night due to tide and winds.
 
Something similar happened in the Solomon's to us. Boat ran aground and was stuck. After trying unsuccessfully to dislodge itself with the engines they called Honiara for a tug to pull it off the sand bar. Would have been a 8-10 hour wait for it to get there. While waiting the tide and other powers that be dislodged us. We were very fortunate that we were only stuck for a few hours and I think we missed one dive. I don`t believe the captain of that boat is with then anymore.

In your situation, I hope you used credit cards for the initial booking and any subsequent charges. I would contact them to see what your options are. Sounds like you got royally screwed. I would try my best to return the favor. Good luck!
 
Aren't Master and Siren practically the same company?
 
Something similar happened in the Solomon's to us. Boat ran aground and was stuck. After trying unsuccessfully to dislodge itself with the engines they called Honiara for a tug to pull it off the sand bar. Would have been a 8-10 hour wait for it to get there. While waiting the tide and other powers that be dislodged us. We were very fortunate that we were only stuck for a few hours and I think we missed one dive. I don`t believe the captain of that boat is with then anymore.

In your situation, I hope you used credit cards for the initial booking and any subsequent charges. I would contact them to see what your options are. Sounds like you got royally screwed. I would try my best to return the favor. Good luck!
Thank you for your suggestion. If they don’t agree to a fair compensation for losing our trip, we will dispute the charges with the credit card company.
 
I've lost count of how many accidents this company has had.
 
Thank you for your suggestion. If they don’t agree to a fair compensation for losing our trip, we will dispute the charges with the credit card company.

Can you actually dispute the charges for "deficiency of service" resulting from what can be termed as an "accident" ? I mean would the card company buy it as a valid reason?

P
 
Unfortunately, our trip on the French Polynesian Master was ruined when it ran aground a few days into the trip that began January 8. The boat was stuck on a reef after the captain steered it on the wrong side of the channel marker during calm seas with a full moon. I understand they are going to tell the press there was a strong current, but I would like to see proof of that.

They evacuated the boat the following day, taking us to a “pension” on an atoll forty-five minutes away by skiff. The ride was fairly bumpy and I held on to the rope for dear life. Remember, we were not wearing scuba gear or BCD’s. There were no life jackets in the skiff during this trip, constituting, I believe, terrible judgement. Thank goodness there was no disaster.

We were put in uncomfortable circumstances for 3 days before they had a chartered flight bring us to Papeete. My husband and I had a room with no bathroom. The toilet around the corner only had a lock on the outside and no light! The outdoor shower we were expected to use was open, so no privacy. Our room had no curtains, so no privacy to change. Super hot and no a/c plus few fans.

The Master’s communication has been poor regarding several aspects, but especially about what they plan to do to compensate us, the passengers, for their gross negligence. We all want the full cost of the trip back. They stated they are too busy to deal with that now, in part because they have to deal with the press.

By the way, to be fair, the boat apparently dislodged from the reef last night due to tide and winds.

Sounds like a hellish trip!
 
Bummer to hear of your experience. Especially that they have not been as helpful as one would expect. The Siren Fleet has had a series of unfortunate incidents over the past 10 years or so. However, to my knowledge the company has made people whole in those incidents. (Which has not been the case with the Dancer/Aggressor Fleet).

FYI Worldwide Dive and Sail Fleet (WWDAS) encompasses the Siren Fleet, Master Liveaboards, blue o two, The Junk & The Phinisi.
 
I am saddened to hear of this incident. We were on the French Polynesian Master last August and had a wonderful trip on the safest, best equipped liveaboad that I have ever been on. I do speak with some experience: I am an instructor with 6000+ dives on 30+ liveaboards actively diving since 1965. We were given a tour of the wheelhouse, their electronic equipment is state of the art and redundant. As a boat owner I was very envious, their navigation electronics probably, no does, cost more than my 35ft powerboat!

The currents in the Tuamotus (the part of French Polynesia that the FPM operates) are strong and very unpredictable. I am also a long time sailor and have seen sandbars shift with storms and currents. They also have AIS that will precisely show the path of the of the vessel. So let's wait until the French Polynesian Authorities do their investigation before rushing to judgement.

I've run many trips with the Siren/Master Fleet & they have always been fair. Give them time.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

Back
Top Bottom