Flower Garden Trip Report

[Cudabait]

The shops had to call the individual divers to cancel. However, it was the Seasearcher operation itself that canceled........on pretty short notice which did put some of the shops in a switch with their divers.

Regards,

 

[rigdiver]

The shops had to call the individual divers to cancel. However, it was the Seasearcher operation itself that canceled........on pretty short notice which did put some of the shops in a switch with their divers.

Regards,

Cudabait, et.al;
For the record the Seasearcher II did not cancel any trips. The shops may have told their customers that was the case, but it did not happen. As you know all fuel prices went up significantly this year. In the spring of this year it cost about $1,100 for the boat to run a weekend trip to the Flower Gardens. Now, it is in the $2,500 range. The Seasearcher ate several price increases and even LOST $$$ on a couple of trips. The boat went up $1,300 per trip which was almost $100 per paying passenger. The stores refused to tack this on to the price. Some shops did not have full boats at the earlier price. This, per the contract, gave them an easy out.
The SS II has taken some undeserved hits on this board. With regard to RITA: who made the right choice in retrospect? He who predicts Hurricanes is foolish. What boat(and only boat) has dove the brine seep, Geyer, Bright Banks?????
Regards;
Bill Childers NAUI 5709L C.D./IANTD 1982
as in Lead/Sr. DM on SSII

 

[ReefHound]

Cudabait, et.al;
For the record the Seasearcher II did not cancel any trips. The shops may have told their customers that was the case, but it did not happen. As you know all fuel prices went up significantly this year. In the spring of this year it cost about $1,100 for the boat to run a weekend trip to the Flower Gardens. Now, it is in the $2,500 range.

For the record, fuel prices haven't doubled this year.

 

[rigdiver]

For the record, fuel prices haven't doubled this year.

What did you pay for gasoline in the spring vs what you have to pay now??? Yes, what the boats pay has also doubled.
Bill

 

[ReefHound]

What did you pay for gasoline in the spring vs what you have to pay now??? Yes, what the boats pay has also doubled.
Bill

Official Dept. of Energy data
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/dslpriwk.txt

On-highway diesel prices, by week and PADD

10/17/05 3.17
09/26/05 2.75 (just before Katrina)
07/18/05 2.33
03/21/05 2.18 (is it spring in March?)

3.17 - 2.18 = 0.99 cents higher

3.17 / 2.18 = 1.45 (45% increase)

Your claim on operating costs
$2500 now / $1100 spring = 2.27 (127% increase)

If it was just about the fuel, then
$1100 * 1.45 (gas increase) = $1595

So what's up with the extra $1000?

 

[MichaelBaranows]

So how are they going to make any money right now if they are not booking trips. Does anyone know if they closing the operation and selling the "Sea Searcher II"

 

[LaCuda]

I enjoyed the Spree trip.......was really pumped to do the trip on the SeaSeacher

LaCuda

 

[rigdiver]

Official Dept. of Energy data
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/dslpriwk.txt

On-highway diesel prices, by week and PADD

10/17/05 3.17
09/26/05 2.75 (just before Katrina)
07/18/05 2.33
03/21/05 2.18 (is it spring in March?)

3.17 - 2.18 = 0.99 cents higher

3.17 / 2.18 = 1.45 (45% increase)

Your claim on operating costs
$2500 now / $1100 spring = 2.27 (127% increase)

If it was just about the fuel, then
$1100 * 1.45 (gas increase) = $1595

So what's up with the extra $1000?

First it's not Highway fuel. And, to be more specific the boat was absorbing increases in fuel last year also.
The boat did lose money on a couple of trips this year because the customers had been with us for a long time.

 

[ReefHound]

First it's not Highway fuel. And, to be more specific the boat was absorbing increases in fuel last year also.
The boat did lose money on a couple of trips this year because the customers had been with us for a long time.

It's the relative change in the fuel cost that is the point, not the actual unit cost.

None of us wants to see anybody lose money or cease operating. But since fuel costs are highly unlikely to recede to levels of 2 years ago, what are you telling us? Seems there are only 3 options: raise trip price and operate profitably (if it will sell), maintain trip price and operate at a loss, cease to operate.

 

[rigdiver]

It's the relative change in the fuel cost that is the point, not the actual unit cost.

None of us wants to see anybody lose money or cease operating. But since fuel costs are highly unlikely to recede to levels of 2 years ago, what are you telling us? Seems there are only 3 options: raise trip price and operate profitably (if it will sell), maintain trip price and operate at a loss, cease to operate.

PM SENT