Trip Report Key Largo with Quienscence Divers

[Wookie]

Minor tangent on my part, but somewhat relevant; how common is it for mainstream recreational dive operators in that region to balk at someone showing up with doubles? I'm guessing they may think the doubles are intended to allow really extended dive times and/or deco. diving.

I don't think they're unique in objecting to doubles (I'm not supporting or opposing such a position), but I'd like to hear whether this is common or rare.

Not rare.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

@Trace Malinowski

Couldn't you have known this by talking to them before your trip?

As an example, I always ask if I would be allowed to solo dive with certification and equipment. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes it is no.

We just drove down from cave country on a whim and arrived at night. I worked in Key Largo and dove with most operators for free (space available) on my days off. Should have just gone with Ocean Divers, but I had a good relationship with Paul at Quiescence. So, we called and asked if we were going out. They would go out with two divers at the time. Never had a problem with any operator before.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Rob was Paul’s partner from the beginning.

As far as I know, they never allowed doubles or rebreathers. Neither Paul nor Rob would have allowed that.

I knew them in the late 80’s.

Thanks to Paul, I ended up with a gorgeous Asian physician girlfriend. She came into Divers Direct/World Watersports looking to have a computer battery changed. I told her we didn't service her brand, but I knew who did. I called Paul and he told me to have her stop at West Marine and get the battery there then he would swap out the old one. The girl, Joanna, never had one dive shop call another and work together to make a customer happy. She rewarded me by taking several specialty courses and we ended up a couple.

I never used doubles diving with Quiescence, but I'm sure if Paul was there instead of that woman, he would have been nice about telling me I couldn't. I was cordial. She was a witch.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Minor tangent on my part, but somewhat relevant; how common is it for mainstream recreational dive operators in that region to balk at someone showing up with doubles? I'm guessing they may think the doubles are intended to allow really extended dive times and/or deco. diving.

I don't think they're unique in objecting to doubles (I'm not supporting or opposing such a position), but I'd like to hear whether this is common or rare.

After that experience, I never bothered to use any shop but Silent World and Horizon.

 

[scubadada]

We just drove down from cave country on a whim and arrived at night. I worked in Key Largo and dove with most operators for free (space available) on my days off. Should have just gone with Ocean Divers, but I had a good relationship with Paul at Quiescence. So, we called and asked if we were going out. They would go out with two divers at the time. Never had a problem with any operator before.

Ocean Divers was bought by Rainbow Reef in 2018. I used to go out with Ocean Divers until I moved up to Boynton Beach, West Palm, and Jupiter in 2009.

Things change, you have to keep up. I'm glad you are recovering from your DCS injury, operators change, people forget who you are. Good communication serves us all very well. I hope you continue your recovery and are able to resume diving.

 

[Catito]

What do you mean “Tips at least $20 per diver?”.

Please correct me if I’m wrong but it has always been my understanding that tipping is optional and the amount, if any, is at the discretion of the diver.

I’d only tip $10 per tank if they provided exceptional service or fixed a piece of my gear that failed. If they don’t do so much as load my gear and tanks onboard I’ll typically tip $5 per tank.

Well, people have differing opinions about tipping. The folks I dive with (including myself) believe $10/tank is normal. For extraordinary assistance, more if you wish. It is a hard life being a Cpt or boat hand/DM. Moreover, cost of living in the Keys is outrageous. A cup of coffee in the Keys is $5.00. To me (and the friends I dive with) $10/tank is the base.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Ocean Divers was bought by Rainbow Reef in 2018. I used to go out with Ocean Divers until I moved up to Boynton Beach, West Palm, and Jupiter in 2009.

Things change, you have to keep up. I'm glad you are recovering from your DCS injury, operators change, people forget who you are. Good communication serves us all very well. I hope you continue your recovery and are able to resume diving.

I am not bothering with the (scuba) dive industry any more. So no worries about keeping up. In fact, I'm leaving SB. Edit: I knew RR bought OD. I meant at the time.

 

[gamon]

In fact, I'm leaving SB.

This isn't an airport my friend, there is absolutely no need whatsoever to announce your departure.

 

[Catito]

Have you used other operators in that area, if so what were the biggest differences (positive and negative)?

Did you get to select sites or did you rely on the operator to choose based on conditions?

How easy is getting over the transom, particularly when re-boarding?

Thanks

Yes, I have used Rainbow Reef. I like RR but it can also be less than a great dive if your boat is at max capacity—and people who are not yet ready for the deep dives, despite being AOW, but go anyway.

I have dived with Sailfish (good), and other not so good operators (no names). I was going to dive with Horizon but saw their very crowded pontoon-like boat at a dive site and decided that was not for me. I know others like them. Again, I have not tried them but 38 divers on a reef is not what I enjoy.

With Quienscence you pay so you decide. Of course the dive site must be in the area. We said “Spiegel” and nice reefs not visited by big operators.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

We plan to use them again because it was so nice to have so much room on the boat and to be able to tell the Cpt where you wanted to dive. Next time I may see if Jim Blay wants to join us!

I've always wanted to try diving with them. I'd definitely join your group if I'm free.