Catalina Express Checking Weight of Luggage

[FrankPro1]

Island Packers which services the Northern Channel Islands also has such a provision. They do not have a dimension limitation but individual items may not weigh more then 45 pounds. Their weight limitation is logical though because items are placed and removed below deck via a fire man line in which the whole crew and passengers participate in. For divers visiting the island they allow some leeway though and I recommend the use of Stanley boxes because they are stored above deck and usually only handled by the owner.

Outside of the mono hull vessels, Catalina Expresses policy is unwarranted because the only danger due to heavy weight would fall onto the owner of such items. Right?

 

[SoBay Jim]

I just got a nice email back from Elaine Vaughn, VP of Marketing & Sales at Catalina Express and to paraphrase:

. . .we really do appreciate our Dive passengers. You have been a strong part of our business since the beginning. The dive community has our attention, we are reading the blogs with interest. Please know that we are moving quickly to address the concerns. . .
Right now, we are in the process of measuring each vessel (8) to see what further accommodations we can make to give you the travel access that you need.​

 

[Teamcasa]

Just an update:
My wife and boarded this morning with our Stanley boxes, no issue whatsoever.

 

[drbill]

Good to see the Express responding as they are to these concerns. As I've said, I think their policy makes perfect sense on the monohull boats (where crew does handle baggage) but not on the catamarans (where they almost never do). I still think the impetus for many divers to get these large Stanley and Pelican boxes was in part due to the DHS federal regulations about only being able to make a single trip to board. Of course I've always preferred my two wheel hand cart because the much larger tubed tires make it far easier to transport my SCUBA gear.

 

[Tunaman68]

We went through the trouble to split the weight between our drag bags, and a backpack so we were under 50 per bag and one trip with tank. Never even looked at us, and we saw some giant Akona bags, and Stanley boxes. Make of it what you will. Also, I have to say that the crew was really sweet and helpful. My daughter was dragging her tank on the way home, she was tired and a steel 100 is heavy for her. One crew member took it down on to the dock for her, she started up the gangway and had set it down to rest her hand, and a younger gal grabbed it and brought it all the way into the terminal!!! I was grateful, and it certainly didn't show any disdain for heavy dive gear!

 

[on_two_wheels]

Sent my email to everyone. There are LOTS of options here to meet in the middle. Limit divers to catamaran vessels. Have divers sign an agreement at the ticket counter stating they must handle their own bags and stow it as instructed by crew. The thing that REALLY irks me is that contractors with massive tool boxes haven't been subjected to the same scrutiny. Hope Catalina Express recognizes the potential damage they're causing for them and the island's businesses.

 

[drbill]

The thing that REALLY irks me is that contractors with massive tool boxes haven't been subjected to the same scrutiny. Hope Catalina Express recognizes the potential damage they're causing for them and the island's businesses.

I agree that selective enforcement is not a fair approach. I do think that Catalina Express is recognizing the situation their changed enforcement has created and is responding to it.

 

[Teamcasa]

I went to the dive park last Saturday and the crew was excellent. (Too bad the diving sucked.) No issue loading, weight checks or any issues whatsoever.

Here's where I see it standing.
Catalina Express has a problem with the campers, carrying huge (coffin coolers) to the isthmus, primarily on the mono hull boats. They have had several injuries to the crew loading these large coolers onto the conveyor system they use for baggage. We divers have fallen into the unintended consequence class when Catalina Express started to enforce their existing weight and baggage rules.

I've proposed to Catalina Express these exceptions.
Divers must be able to get all of their gear on board, unaided by a crew member in one trip, unless given specific permission by a uniformed crew member. No individual bag weight restriction. The gear must be able to be secured on deck by friction, no three or four wheeled boxes, crates or trolleys. A single Scuba tank may be secured on the two wheeled box or easily removed for storage in the on-board tank rack. Twin-sets must be able to be securely packed or tied down. Scooters and batteries are to be treated the same as twin-sets. Two wheeled dollies (hand trucks) are acceptable if they can securely contain the divers gear.

The bottom line is the diver is responsible for his or her own gear. Catalina Express crews should not assist divers expect in an emergency.

After speaking to Catalina Express on several occasions, I am confident in their willingness to keep divers happy and their crews (and other passengers) safe.

 

[blue steal]

Thanks Dave for the update. How was the water temp and VIS?
You say there are tank racks onboard. That's good to know. I am going to just wear my BP/W and tank aboard, then store it in one of the racks, assuming there are enough to go around.

 

[Teamcasa]

Thanks Dave for the update. How was the water temp and VIS?
You say there are tank racks onboard. That's good to know. I am going to just wear my BP/W and tank aboard, then store it in one of the racks, assuming there are enough to go around.

There are plenty of racks on board so no worries.
Water temp surface was around 66 and 56 at 85. Vis varied between crap and 15-20..