Cypress Seas

[Scuba Susie]

Anybody hear about the mishaps on the Cypress Seas last Sat? Heard there were quite a few rescues going on. Kudos to the Rescue Diver who cut the guys dry suit!

 

[luvspoodles]

Have not heard anything, but I would like to hear about it.

 

[Scuba Susie]

From what I heard it was a trip from hell. One dry suit guy totally freaked out and tried to kill a fellow diver in his panic. She kept her cool and was able to get away from him and his flailings. The Rescue diver on the boat saved the dude after he had to cut him out of his dry suit. Then some other diver had to do an emergency assent from something like 80 ft because she ran out of air. No safety stop or anything. Can we say, "Where is the closest chamber?". Sounds like a bad day of diving huh?

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Have not heard anything, but I would like to hear about it.

About a month ago we were at Monastery and the Cypress pulled up just outside us. During the dive we heard the underwater recall siren. When we surfaced an ambulance came by siren wailing from the direction of Pt Lobos which would be a logical drop off spot. The boat was nowhere to be seen. Never found out what happened.

The more I am around dive boats the more I suspect a lot of people have trouble while on a trip. Anyone know if this sort of info is available? Not knowing is always a lot creepier than the facts.

 

[Dryglove]

From what I heard it was a trip from hell. One dry suit guy totally freaked out and tried to kill a fellow diver in his panic. She kept her cool and was able to get away from him and his flailings. The Rescue diver on the boat saved the dude after he had to cut him out of his dry suit. Then some other diver had to do an emergency assent from something like 80 ft because she ran out of air. No safety stop or anything. Can we say, "Where is the closest chamber?". Sounds like a bad day of diving huh?

Yikes.....definitely sounds like one crazy trip due to some ill prepared drivers.

 

[kramynot2000]

I dive off the Cypress Sea fairly often and have to say I really like the boat and think the crew is top notch. One difference I noted between the boats in Monterey and say a dive boat at a resort location is that on these boats the divers are required to be more responsible since there is no DM going in the water guiding everyone around. The crew does try to identify the general level of expertise on the boat and pick dive spots accordingly and does a good job at doing so, but I guess sometimes things happen.

Nice boat though because they fill nitrox on board and you get three dives.

 

[Brian Gilpin]

I dive off the Cypress Sea fairly often and have to say I really like the boat and think the crew is top notch. One difference I noted between the boats in Monterey and say a dive boat at a resort location is that on these boats the divers are required to be more responsible since there is no DM going in the water guiding everyone around. The crew does try to identify the general level of expertise on the boat and pick dive spots accordingly and does a good job at doing so, but I guess sometimes things happen.

Nice boat though because they fill nitrox on board and you get three dives.

I agree it is a nice boat and Phil,Xcott and crew are among the best. You are right though in that the divers have to be more responsible for themselves underwater. Even if they put someone in the water I dont think there are many DMs that could keep track of a pack of divers the way the do in Cozumel for instance.Viz kelp etc make it tough to keep track of your buddy let alone six other divers.

Still it would be nice to know...

 

[boomx5]

The Cypress Sea is a great boat with a very experienced crew. Unfortunately there are people going out on these boats that shouldn't be there in the first place.

 

[divenut2001]

I have dove from the Cypress Sea many times and can truely say the Capt's and crew are the very best. They really do look at everybody and try to size up their skill level if you haven't dove with them before. They've even took pitty on me a couple of times when my navigation was a bit off...

 

[jumsted65]

I agree with Brian. It would be nice to know. I, for one, tend to learn from not only my own experience, but also the experiences of my fellow divers. A thorough discussion and analysis of incidents increases awareness and the community knowledge base, and hopefully increases everyone's safety.

It's important to remember, though, that unless you were actually there, you may never know the full story. That's obvious enough. There seems to be much conjecture and speculation inolved in these discussions, especially here on the faceless internet. Please remember that whatever happened, happened to a real person whose friends and/or family may be reading this. Try to avoid pointing fingers or jumping to conclusions.

That's not to discount the fact that some people belong nowhere near the water

Also remember that we dive in some rough conditions. Even the most experienced divers have been known to blow it, or have been caught in situations for which they were ill prepared. Please, know your limitations, and never stop learning. It sucks to see friends get hurt.

As for dive boats, I know of no "bad" dive charters in Monterey. They're all excellent. Having experienced firsthand what it's like to be responsible for divers in our waters, I'll attest to how scary that can be, and the intestinal fortitude it takes to assume such responsibility. Don't forget to tip your divemaster. He/she isn't paid squat, and might save your butt one day.

Sorry if this sounds preachy. It touched a nerve

Happy diving!