Anyone have feedback on diving Bonne Terre Mines...

[sbdivers]

Hello! My husband and I have been wanting to dive the mines ever since we took the walking tour last year. However, I've since read one positive review and one negative...(http://www.overheadtimes.com/article_disp.asp?Article_ID=119). Now I am a bit freaked out about going. This would only be our 9th & 10th dives and the review made it sound like it was not for novices and possibly unsafe across the board. Would love more feedback - also concerned about the incredible viz - heard that even experienced divers have trouble with it if they have any fear of heights. We still want to do it but want to make sure it is safe - espcially for newbies!

Thanks!!

 

[cummings66]

Read the following thread.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=117011&highlight=terre+mine

 

[nagel]

I haven't dove it, but have heard several stories from local divers.

1) Nice viz, very unique.

2) Expensive, not worth the cost.

3) Have to go through a checkout.

4) I don't know how true this is, but have heard that you are scheduled for a weekend and have to pay up front. If something happens, they reschedule you and if you can't make it - too bad, your out your money.

5) Many commented that you are not treated like a customer. They are rude because they can be.

Take what I say with a grain of salt, since I haven't experienced it for myself. Just thought I would pass along what I've heard from local divers in Missouri.

S. Nagel

 

[plot]

Most people I know that have done it, have said it was worth it once, but they wouldn't do it again... mainly becuase the price is steep and there's a 2 dive minimum.

And I havn't heard anything good about the owner/employee's...

 

[JEScholz]

I dove it a few years ago. It is deffinately something you would want to do some time. The key to diveing it is boyance control! I would recomend you wait another year and put a few more dives under your belt. The mine is not going anywhere and it will be the same next year.

 

[rrostie]

I am interested in diving at Bonne Terre also and talked to some people about it last weekend. One comment was that while there are a number of cool trails, you probably won't get a chance to dive the later trails unless you are with a big group for several days. They don't take out groups on the more advanced trails unless there are a certain number of divers wanting to do it.
It sure would suck to go there for 2 days and have to dive the same trails both days.

 

[crpntr133]

You dive trail one then two and so on. You will not go from one to three no matter how good you are. All that Nagel posted is true or at least my experience. There are a TON of threads here about Bonne Terre. Use the search function and be prepared.

 

[cummings66]

I have heard lots of second hand info about this place, and for the most part the guy who runs it is very very rich due to it.

He's very non likable and has even been shot at before while driving down for the weekend. He basically doesn't care a whit about what you think, if you get screwed out of the dive or anything. As in you do the dive, your buddy has a problem 5 minutes into it and the group has to return. That's one dive.

Happens. I won't dive there myself.

 

[crpntr133]

I have heard lots of second hand info about this place, and for the most part the guy who runs it is very very rich due to it.

He's very non likable and has even been shot at before while driving down for the weekend. He basically doesn't care a whit about what you think, if you get screwed out of the dive or anything. As in you do the dive, your buddy has a problem 5 minutes into it and the group has to return. That's one dive.

Happens. I won't dive there myself.

We had a diver return to suface and not continue and the group went on. We didn't use the buddy system either.

 

[cummings66]

That's a good deal then, it doesn't always happen though.

They may have changed policies which would be good.