Camera facilities at FI

[lionfish-eater]

Heading to FI next week. Glad to read the recent reports of improved conditions. Can anyone tell me about the conditions for cameras, ie rinse tanks, tables or secure areas on boats, etc. Also, can someone tell me about the dive shop in terms of how well stocked and reasonably priced it is for accessories. I am really looking forward to a week of recompression therapy. Anyone else going from 12-16 to 12-23? Let's go for a pre-dawn dive before sunup. Thanks to all at Scubaboard for all the info.

 

[Sloeber]

Hi,

Maybe you didn't know, but Roatan is bug infested, has corupt leadership, and the food isn't the safest. You may wish to consider letting some ex-pats go in your place.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Can anyone tell me about the conditions for cameras, ie rinse tanks, tables or secure areas on boats, etc. Also, can someone tell me about the dive shop in terms of how well stocked and reasonably priced it is for accessories.

The boats are equiped with a rinse tank for mask etc and another rinse tank for cameras only, since you go back to dock between each dive no tables, etc. like a liveaboard just rinse tank.
The dive shop I am lead to understand is currently undergoing major renovations, so I am not sure just how the retail outlet is being handled, however while not in the past stocked and equiped like a major LDS in the states, you can find a fairly good selection of those "oops I forgot to pack" items and prices are what you would normally find at your LDS.

 

[Doc]

If you have a major malfunction, just across the channel at CoCoView is where most everyone island-wide takes their cameras if they flood or get cranky. Ask for Tim at Dockside Dive Center. Photo & Video Services - Dockside Dive Center It has a full service photo operation- they still even develop E6 Ektachrome- but the majority of their effort is in digital rentals, coaching, batteries, and repairs.

In re the rinse tanks for cameras on the aforementioned FI boats... rinse the cameras, but before you leave them in the water, observe if those rubbermaid tubs are secured- lest they slide off the deck and head for Davey Jones. They have had this occur previously and more than once.

Here are some pix

.... no tables, etc. like a liveaboard just rinse tank....

A few day-dive boats, even some on Roatan, have a dedicated cameras only tables and built-in, no-slosh camera tanks. It will be interesting to see how and where FI installs upgrades around the resort in the coming months.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Good info from Roatanman: In additon here is a picture of the dive shop retail sales area prior to the ongoing renovations so you can get some idea....also here is a picture of a dive boat with typical set up during diving operations not after clean up. One tub for camera and one tub for mask, etc...in addition to the 200+ lbs. of weight when filled with water, you can see that they do lash them to the boat with rope.....good idea to check before you start out to make sure that is done,

 

[lionfish-eater]

Thanks for the info. If a picture is worth a thousand words, well you can do the math. I am sooooo looking foward to Roatan as we are expecting a foot of snow on saturday and a high temperature of minus 3 farenheit on monday. I hope they have enough deicer at the airport for our departure. Thanks and Merry/Happy to all.

 

[lionfish-eater]

Hi Henry

I didn't mean to insult the bay islands in my other post. I was just trying to make a point about being grateful for what you have, in the spirit of "There's no place like home". Sorry if you took offense, none was intended.

 

[ronski101]

FI saved my bacon when I found out my dive light batteries were dead the afternoon of our night dive and all their dive lights had already been spoken for. They had the 8 batteries I needed. I just wonder how my light mysteriously got turned on during our trip there since it has a lock. Can you say TSA idiots?

 

[Doc]

.... I just wonder how my light mysteriously got turned on during our trip there since it has a lock. Can you say TSA idiots?

Whoa.

All dive lights should be incapacitated before you travel. Do this by taping over battery terminal contacts before you close up the dive light.

TSA tends to open any hermetically sealed container... dive lights, Pelican cases, etc. Their chemical sniffing gear would be defeated otherwise.

It is all too common a sight to see burned clothing and gear inside bags being offloaded at dive resorts. I have even seen one smoldering. Tape your lights.

 

[DandyDon]

FI saved my bacon when I found out my dive light batteries were dead the afternoon of our night dive and all their dive lights had already been spoken for. They had the 8 batteries I needed. I just wonder how my light mysteriously got turned on during our trip there since it has a lock. Can you say TSA idiots?

You left the batteries in the light? Lucky you did not lose the light that way. Sure they'd turn it on to see if it's really a light; well, maybe - or confiscate it for possible bomb examination. Whatever, you're less likely to damage the light if you remove the batteries, along with other possible problems. Glad yours didn't start a fire in the hold.