Blackbeards "Working" Trip

[mkall]

Has anyone ever done one of the "working" trips on Blackbeards? I've taken two of their regular cruises, and am scheduled to take my third trip this January. I just learned that they're offering a $200 discount the week I'm going for those people who go on the "working" boat.

According to the e-mail and the folks I spoke to at Blackbeards, the boat will be going to sites (old and new) to install or repair mooring pins. Divers aren't required to do anything special, but the selection of dive sites may be limited and they may stay at a particular site longer if necessary to complete the repair.

I know the price is already damn cheap, but it's an even *better* deal for $200 less. I'm just curious if anyone's ever done one of those trips with them and what their thoughts are. Thanks!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

We did the Cat Pplau a couple of weeks ago and had a fantastic time. I'm not sure which Blackbeard boat you're aboard but they range from agressor style to camping style.

Save money and still get to dive?

Id be all over it.

 

[archman]

Heck, I'd pay MORE to do a trip like that. I prefer sticking around at the same site, and performing useful tasks.

How do you find out about these offerings?

 

[mkall]

On their website, I signed up to receive promotional emails. Blackbeards (or Aqua Cat) often have $100 off deals, last-minute specials, or working trips where they do sea urchin relocations...

Just trying to see if anyone's done one and how much of the 'variety' I'd be sacrificing...

 

[rsdancey]

>bump<

Hoping someone has done a "working trip" before and could report the experience.

Ryan

 

[vertaqua]

I doubt they actually let custumers do any of the actual repairs. There's probably an insurance/ liability issue there. The reason there dropping the price is they'll need to go to whereever repairs are needed. Although that may mean your in a very nice spot for an extended time, the opposite could also be true . You could be stuck at a really crappy site for an extended time. Its kind of a gamble but I'm sure it would still be a good time, go and find out and post a trip report.

 

[theskull]

. . . You could be stuck at a really crappy site for an extended time. Its kind of a gamble but I'm sure it would still be a good time, go and find out and post a trip report.

Why would they be installing or maintaining mooring pins on crappy sites? Sounds like a GREAT deal to me. If I didn't already have some existing dive trips lined up for this year I'd go with ya, fer sure fer sure.

theskull

 

[vertaqua]

Why would they be installing or maintaining mooring pins on crappy sites?
theskull

Maybe crappy sites is too strong a word but you've never been on a liveaboard and dived a site that was just ok and not really worth a second dive. Now normally you'd politely ask the captain or trip leader if he/ she could move the boat too a new site. The captain may or may not do that but would be much less inclined to do so if there's more work to be done on the mooring. All I'm saying is that your on there schedule and it might not juxtapose well with where the really good diving is.

 

[clem]

I will be on the January 28 Mooring Repair trip. As with all dive trips.."you pays your moneyand takes your chance..." A bad day diving beats a good day at work!

 

[vertaqua]

A bad day diving beats a good day at work!

That is absolutely true, make sure you post a trip report after.