Bonne Terre Strategie?

[Schwob]

We (2 or three of us, still TBD) likely break down this winter and treck the 6 hours to Bonne Terre Mine to dive for a weekend.
Having read reviews and whatnot, I have to say, some of the not so good reviews kept me away so far, then I thought we maybe could go with an LDS to not fall between the "cracks" of their service, get put on a later dive instead of the one needed to make the next etc... - but did not find one for the one weekend my daughter is back from college and not already booked. So we'll book ourselves. Strategy questions thereto (first timers there)

1.) If we plan to to do 3 dives on Saturday what is the right strategy as to how to book that / arrange that so that we get the early dive and then 2 more reasonably spaced out and not end up with a late start despite being there on time or getting bounced of dive #2 and having a conflict with getting all three dives in then that day?

2.) Similar Sunday, we would want to do two dives. Specifically the first one in the morning and the next one after a 1 to 2 hour durface interval ... (not 3 hours+), so as to have time for the frive back... how to book to assure that?

Asking both those because I read reviews where customers thought they had it all arranged right but then it turned out otherwise... Would like to do what I can to avoid that...

3.) We may still be stupid enough to lug our own weights down there... asides of that what to bring for the surface interval, what to gorget about. We, well at least one of us, probably all, will be diving wet...

4.) Ordering the bigger tank for me, which at 92 cuft ??? is not big enough yet..., but is the only option for now... how to make sure that happens and that tank is there each dive... and not an Al80?

5.) Even with that tank I will run out of air before my compatriotes do. Well it is a guided group dive, how do I do this so my compatriot can go on with the group? Do I have to pretend to not know my daughter or son?

5.) Other tips to enjoy the dive and avoid "manhsndling by guides" experiences or "misunderstandings"?

Thanks.

 

[Sam Miller III]

I would be interested in your findings

Many years ago, about 30 or maybe more , my wife and I were on a Caribbean warn water vacation trip when we met a couple from Missouri - They had made several mud puddle dives for certification then became guides at Bonne Terre Mine.

They were good divers comfortable the water but had never been in open oceans and salt water, After meeting them and a few dives observing them in the water we buddied up and became their guides to their introduction to salt water open ocean diving.

It was a memorable week of diving that we will never forget - new friends who were exceptionally good I the water

We had never heard of Bonne Terre mine diving - they invited us for a personally escorted tour but just never "got around to it " ...Maybe some day..

Look forward to your future post on Bonne Terre diving

SDM

 

[TASCPA]

Looks like interesting dives. Hope to hear from people that have done the dives there.

 

[Marktan]

Give Chris a call at Dive Right In Scuba in Plainfield, IL. He knows the people down there pretty well and might be able to provide some insight. I also know my buddy @Pflair (Paul) has gone down there regularly over the last couple years. Perhaps he will chime in as well.

 

[wheeledgoat]

We dove there 2 years ago. Make no mistake: the owner is there to make money, and his decisions revolve solely around that. You're not going to penny-pinch your way through this trip. I think going down with an instructor or group is the way to go if you're worried about scheduling.

Even though it costs extra, the walk down (and back up!) is a long-ish one. I personally think it worth it to just use the weights that are down there. That's not to say that if you're young and strapping you CAN'T lug your own - it's do-able. Your call.

I went with someone not affiliated with DRIS (it was before Dive Right In Scuba was my LDS), but I wholeheartedly +1 Marktan's advice above to contact them, they won't steer you wrong.

 

[Scuba J7]

Hopefully I can provide some insight. Bonne Terre Mine is owned by a STL dive shop West End Diving. The only way to dive it is with their Instructors or Divemasters.

1 The only way to have your own schedule is to have your own personal guide, otherwise you will be placed in a group with two pros and other divers. When I went, we were lucky and had only our group there so with the blessing of our dive guide we did shorter surface intervals and did three dives before it got dark (Winter)

2 Same as one pretty much, perhaps call West End and see if you can get your own guide. On that note, the guides do not get paid and depend on your tips as pay. What you pay to dive all goes to the shop. and you'll probably pay more for a private guide.

3 I took my own weights. You put on exposure protection top side and then walk down wearing your BCD with the weights in it, the hike up does suck. For your surface interval you usually go back top side and the have heated buildings you can hang out in till your next dive. I would bring your own snacks and lunch. if you want short surface intervals you won't have time to go offsite. Diving wet you'll want dry stuff to keep warm in, you'll be a popsicle by the end of the day.

4 I don't remember if they have larger tanks or not, their standard tanks are neutral 80s. I saw some tech divers with their own tanks down there but I wouldn't want to haul them back up.

5 I'm pretty sure it's worked as group dive, but a lot of it you can stay shallower than the rest to preserve air. All the divers I went with were good on air so I don't know their procedures for that.

6 I didn't have any issue with our guides, they were actually very good and accommodating but we did have just a group of 5 very experienced divers.

Have fun, I enjoyed my dives there and glad I did them even though it's expensive. However, I'm in no rush to go back. If presented with a discount or BOGO dives I would dive it again.

We (2 or three of us, still TBD) likely break down this winter and treck the 6 hours to Bonne Terre Mine to dive for a weekend.
Having read reviews and whatnot, I have to say, some of the not so good reviews kept me away so far, then I thought we maybe could go with an LDS to not fall between the "cracks" of their service, get put on a later dive instead of the one needed to make the next etc... - but did not find one for the one weekend my daughter is back from college and not already booked. So we'll book ourselves. Strategy questions thereto (first timers there)

1.) If we plan to to do 3 dives on Saturday what is the right strategy as to how to book that / arrange that so that we get the early dive and then 2 more reasonably spaced out and not end up with a late start despite being there on time or getting bounced of dive #2 and having a conflict with getting all three dives in then that day?

2.) Similar Sunday, we would want to do two dives. Specifically the first one in the morning and the next one after a 1 to 2 hour durface interval ... (not 3 hours+), so as to have time for the frive back... how to book to assure that?

Asking both those because I read reviews where customers thought they had it all arranged right but then it turned out otherwise... Would like to do what I can to avoid that...

3.) We may still be stupid enough to lug our own weights down there... asides of that what to bring for the surface interval, what to gorget about. We, well at least one of us, probably all, will be diving wet...

4.) Ordering the bigger tank for me, which at 92 cuft ??? is not big enough yet..., but is the only option for now... how to make sure that happens and that tank is there each dive... and not an Al80?

5.) Even with that tank I will run out of air before my compatriotes do. Well it is a guided group dive, how do I do this so my compatriot can go on with the group? Do I have to pretend to not know my daughter or son?

5.) Other tips to enjoy the dive and avoid "manhsndling by guides" experiences or "misunderstandings"?

Thanks.

 

[wheeledgoat]

Hopefully I can provide some insight. Bonne Terre Mine is owned by a STL dive shop West End Diving. The only way to dive it is with their Instructors or Divemasters.

We dove it with an instructor that wasn't "theirs" - but he knows the owner well enough that he can do his thing there with his students. Unsure how many of these exceptions exist, though.

 

[Schwob]

@Sam Miller III
Yep, if we make it indeed (shooting for early January), I will report how it went.

@Marktan
Hey, I know this guy. Thanks. Yep, will ask Chris when opportunity arises, which should be soon.

@wheeledgoat
I hear you! That's sort of what I got out of the reviews. Slight (or big, no idea) chance of getting railroaded by groups on scheduling unless part of one... No plans on penny pinching, just wanting to plan and book this right so we get what's agreed on...

@Scuba J7
Thanks for the detail...
Yeah $80 per dive with their regular groups is enough I think ... hope ... Hoping not to need to hire our own private DM.
Will call and ask them straight out in time.

I was not aware that the surface intervall needs to be spent topside. For some reason I thought I had picked up that it could be spend "down there". Weights and gear hopefully can stay down so - or?

 

[gcarter]

It is not clear to me re tanks reading this post, are you required to use their tanks or can you bring your own?

 

[Scuba J7]

You may be able to spend the SI underground, but the restrooms are up top! You can leave all your gear on the dock so no need to haul that up for a SI.

[QUOTE="Schwob, post: 8138497, member: 469159]
I was not aware that the surface intervall needs to be spent topside. For some reason I thought I had picked up that it could be spend "down there". Weights and gear hopefully can stay down so - or?[/QUOTE]