Diving Wolf and Darwin Island with Knee Injury

[LRobbins]

That's the actual point of concern, for sure~ not the currents.

Does the liveaboard's website show the "panga" ? (or RIB, Zodiac or ...?)

Very few liveaboard websites have such images. Many lesser grade liveabaords will vary widely (during the week) using different smaller boats as they appear on a contractual basis- but this is not typical in the Galapagos.

As far as website imagery- even fewer show the intricacy of the fantail deck, the flat surface that you stand on in the back of the liveaboard to make such transfers.

I go into this because many times when people are faced with similar concerns, occasionally the answers can be found with a detailed examination of the vessel's website or sometimes even trip report photo galleries.

Always accept the firm grip of an out-stretched hand, and be sure to offer one as well. Many divers on liveaboards seem to avoid such contact (notably the males), but it is commonplace on working vessels, military or commercial.

Good advice, I'll check their website and see what I can find out. I'm going with Agressor and the customer service guy confirmed they use pangas. Thanks.

 

[LRobbins]

Do they actually allow divers to wear their gear while transferring? Yikes.

I have never been on a liveaboard where they didn't place it in the little boats for me. All I had to do was climb aboard in my wetsuit and gear up.

I dove with Agressor in the Cocos last year and we suited up, then made the jump to the pangas there as well. I'll definitely be letting them know that I'll be putting on my BC in the panga, I'm concerned about the jump as it is, let alone doing it with equipment and weights in potentially large swells. Sorry to hear about the guy on your trip, ouch, that's gotta hurt. My swimming with fins is OK (I've been practising). Thanks for sharing your story.