Acceptable to bring my own HP tanks on a dive charter???

[noj3333]

First, I know I could e-mail the shop I’m booked with, but I’d like ‘real world’ answers before I reach out to them…

I’ve never paid attention, but is it common/ acceptable to bring your own personal tanks on a dive charter? I’m booked with Rainbow Reef (Key Largo) and I’ll be able to bring HP 120’s with me. Is it ok or acceptable to bring your own tanks, I’d like to use the 120’s for diving the deep wrecks, but for ease of weighting and some conformity I’d also use them on the shallow reef dives…

If it’s common, would the DM be hassled by filling my tanks between morning and afternoon trips? Keep in mind these are HP tanks, and not standard 3000psi fills…

 

[Wookie]

I always allowed it, I don't know why RR wouldn't, but call them to be double sure (as you knew).

 

[CuzzA]

I wouldn't bother unless you are going to buddy up with someone that will have an equal sac rate and tank capacity.

IME, they like to put people in groups with a DM and first one to x pressure turns the dive. First one to y pressure ends the dive.

It's just not worth it. I brought my jacked up LP steels down and after diving the Spiegel with RR I surfaced with around 1600 psi. The next day I used their AL 80 on the Duane and surfaced with 700 psi. Group diving is not my style.

 

[Marie13]

Guess it depends on charter/location. Where I dive, you always bring your own!

 

[broncobowsher]

Generally, it is fine. But never assume it will be. Contact them first and ask.

As for fills, does the boat even fill? It might be a compressorless boat that does second dives by switching tanks.
Or you might get a short fill. If the boat is only set up to fill 3000 PSI, that might be all you get.

The only way to know, ask the specific boat you want to go on. General questions will not get specific answers.

 

[Scuba-74]

I never had any issues bringing HP tanks on charters (admittedly, I only brought them to 3 different charter boats so far).

Keep in mind that HP tanks take quite a bit longer to fill, especially in warm weather conditions, and I'm sure shop's own tanks will take priority between the trips.

 

[noj3333]

I wouldn't bother unless you are going to buddy up with someone that will have an equal sac rate and tank capacity.

IME, they like to put people in groups with a DM and first one to x pressure turns the dive. First one to y pressure ends the dive.

It's just not worth it. I brought my jacked up LP steels down and after diving the Spiegel with RR I surfaced with around 1600 psi. The next day I used their AL 80 on the Duane and surfaced with 700 psi. Group diving is not my style.

Errrr.... part of my thinking is, I'm 'that guy'... I don't feel like being the one to cut all the dives short, and since I'm driving it's not a big deal to bring the tanks...

 

[CuzzA]

Guess it depends on charter/location. Where I dive, you always bring your own!

Rainbow Reef's operation is a well oiled machine. They run multiple boats, multiple times a day. Bring or don't bring, they don't care, they'll have tanks at the ready. Key Largo is tourist destination for people all over the world. They take so many people on the water requiring their customers to bring their own tanks just wouldn't work.

 

[CuzzA]

Errrr.... part of my thinking is, I'm 'that guy'... I don't feel like being the one to cut all the dives short, and since I'm driving it's not a big deal to bring the tanks...

Ten4. So, yes. You can bring your own tanks and they will fill them for you. You will not receive a discount on your charter for bringing your own tanks though.

 

[elgoog]

I did a week with Rainbow Reef last year and saw a few divers bring their own tanks. 1 diver was on a rebreather and did one long dive on the Spiegel Grove when everyone else did a double dip. A different day had a buddy pair come with their own tanks. Just let them know ahead of time so they don't load tanks for you on the charter day. RR was one of the most organized dive ops I've dived with which is amazing considering the volume they do and how many last minute changes I saw when I was there.

I think the question would be if they will fill your tanks in the window between the morning and afternoon dives - it was 90 min tops when I was there and I'm not sure what their fill capacity is like. If they do fills, I would not worry about getting an HP fill for the afternoon dives - they are so shallow you would be hard pressed to even get close to breathing down an AL80.