Brac Reef and InDepth

[knotical]

This got lost during the great crash. Re-posting in the hope that it might help someone, sometime.

Dived with both operations this trip (23-30 June, 2007).

I have nothing especially negative to say about either. Both offer “valet” diving, setting up your equipment and carrying it to you at the stern for easy entry.

While trying to get information on the two operations, I first filled out the “Contact Us” form on Brac Reef’s web page, but got no response - ever. Then I sent an email and got no response - ever. Finally I made some phone calls and got the information I needed, although some of it turned out to be incorrect. By contrast, Craig of InDepth responded quickly and accurately to my email requests for info.

Brac Reef has larger crowds and is more regimented. Example: No one could enter the water for dive 2 until everyone on board had a 45-minute surface interval.

InDepth is the new guy in town, and are more expensive, but in my opinion, well worth it.

The InDepth crew have excellent attitudes. They tend to dive the less-frequently-dived sites, have the less crowded boat (making the dive sites less crowded), and with the same number of crew on board, can provide more personalized service. I enjoyed the freedom of no one expecting me to cut my dive short because they had to get back in time for lunch.

We spend a lot on equipment, airfare, food, and lodging, while the dive operation gets the smallest slice of the budget. Yet the dive operation has the biggest potential impact on the quality of diving for a particular location. So to me, paying $150 vs. $85 for a better two-tank made sense.

Finally, Craig, the InDepth owner, and his crew, care. They donated all scuba services for the wounded warrior trip to Cayman Brac in April. See:
http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000136/013637.htm

 

[-hh]

This got lost during the great crash. Re-posting in the hope that it might help someone, sometime.

Dived with both operations this trip (23-30 June, 2007).

While trying to get information on the two operations, I first filled out the “Contact Us” form on Brac Reef’s web page, but got no response - ever. Then I sent an email and got no response - ever. Finally I made some phone calls...

I've had problems with communications to the Brac for years, not just BRBR. Much of the problem is that their local power is quite "dirty", which fries electronics pretty easily. It is particularly rough on modems, due to power spikes through the telephone system, so it is fortunate that most of the real businesses now have other ...and affordable... communication options available to them.

Craig of InDepth responded quickly and accurately to my email requests for info.

I'm in discussion with Craig for a trip I have coming up this fall. I've known him for probably 10 years - - he's previously worked at both Reef Divers and at Divi - - and is now running his own operation.

Brac Reef has larger crowds and is more regimented. Example: No one could enter the water for dive 2 until everyone on board had a 45-minute surface interval.

I've not seen that particular rule at Reef Divers, but I do know that the degree of regimentation can vary week to week, depending on the "lowest common denominator" onboard the boat, which includes if everyone's a repeat customer who is known and trusted. Unfortunately, they get a lot of novices and they tend to be conservative as a result.

InDepth is the new guy in town, and are more expensive, but in my opinion, well worth it.

I've not yet gone out with Craig on his current boat. One question I would have is your assessment as to its level of maintenance and overall mechanical reliability. The reason for my question is that I've been looking at getting together a group to charter the boat for the run out to Pickles Bank, but considering that PB is 50 miles offshore, I don't want to do it on a boat of questionable mechanical reliability.

The InDepth crew have excellent attitudes. They tend to dive the less-frequently-dived sites, have the less crowded boat (making the dive sites less crowded), and with the same number of crew on board, can provide more personalized service. I enjoyed the freedom of no one expecting me to cut my dive short because they had to get back in time for lunch.

In other words, they won't hassle solo photographers

I'm looking forward to going out with Craig to hit some "fresh" dive sites on the Brac, as well as on the Eastern end of Little Cayman...maybe even get out and find "Hobbit", which was a shallow reef off the Brac's SW (W of Tarpon) which was last moored in 1988 (pre-Gilbert).


-hh (Divi Tiara timeshare victim ^H^H^H er, owner )