RKON Divers (Austin, Texas) has chartered the liveaboard M. V. Spree for 2 days of diving in the Flower Gardens and Stetson Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. This is Hammerhead Season, and the weather/shark gods have been kind to us historically in late March/early April. Many divers have already seen a lot in the last two weeks (hammerheads, tigers, nurse, spinner and reef sharks, eagle rays, mantas, large schools of kingfish, etc.). The charter will be limited to 22 divers plus support/crew.
The Spree will leave the docks at Freeport, Texas around 8 p.m. March 31st, returning around 6 p.m. April 2nd. The boat is a 100', 100-ton converted crew boat designed for the Gulf waters and normally carries up to 34 divers plus crew. Sleeping arrangements are bunk beds with privacy curtains. There are three showers and three heads. A large sun deck shades much of the dive deck. A TV along with DVD, VHS and CD players are provided in the air-conditioned galley. All meals, snacks, lemonade/Gatorade, clean sheets, blanket, pillow, nitrox and air fills are included.
Soft drinks, beer, tshirts, hooded sweatshirts, etc. are available but not included. First beer of the day follows your last dive of the day. 2 captains, galley crew, 2 boat DMs and 2 tech DMs will be aboard; all but the captains work for tips only so please plan accordingly. Camera table and rinse buckets are dedicated to cameras only; a charging station is available inside. To see the boat and layout, go to Gulf Diving
The first day of diving will be on the East Banks of the Flower Gardens, buoy #1. Tech divers can make 2 dives there, rec divers 4. Max depth on the reef is 80', over the wall is 160'. Overnight we'll move over to Stetson Bank for 1 dive by tech divers or 2 by rec divers. Max depths there are 130' to the wall, 180' over the wall. Dives must be made within the limits of your certification (C-cards required).
This is a private charter by RKON Divers. The normal rules of the boat do not apply. You're welcome to bring scooters, doubles, pony bottles, deco bottles, etc. but no rebreathers. DAN insurance is required (Master level for techies) and tech divers must dive with a buddy. A liability release must be signed which states that you are responsible for yourself and your dive profile. Two Dive Safety Officers (DSOs) will be on board to insure diving is done safely and responsibly; they will be in charge of the diving and make judgement calls if needed.
Bring all of your own dive gear. Techies, bring all your diving gas. Air and 32% nitrox fills/topoffs are included; an O2 analyzer will be available. Two chase boats will be provided. Dives will be scheduled in shifts to provide maximum enjoyment with limited numbers in the water at any one time.
The cost is $350, less than the normal price of a 2-day weekday nitrox trip with 34 divers on board. With only 22 divers, there will be more room, fewer divers in the water, a more relaxed pace, and it's a great deal to boot!
A non-refundable payment in full must be made by midnight, Monday, March 22nd; cash or check preferred, PayPal accepted but ask for details first.
If we don't get enough divers to pay for the boat, your payment will be refunded; that decision will be made by 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 23rd.
If weather or mechanical problems keep us on shore, your payment will be refunded; that decision will be made by 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 31st.
If you change your mind before the trip departs, no refund will be forthcoming unless we find a SUITABLE replacement.
You can register for the trip at RKON Divers , click on TRIPS. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know at rkon@ev1.net before registering.
There are only 12 spots left, so don't delay!
Looking forward to diving with you!
Richard Kongable
RKON Divers
Austin, Texas
512-663-3984
SB-TA 3/16
The Spree will leave the docks at Freeport, Texas around 8 p.m. March 31st, returning around 6 p.m. April 2nd. The boat is a 100', 100-ton converted crew boat designed for the Gulf waters and normally carries up to 34 divers plus crew. Sleeping arrangements are bunk beds with privacy curtains. There are three showers and three heads. A large sun deck shades much of the dive deck. A TV along with DVD, VHS and CD players are provided in the air-conditioned galley. All meals, snacks, lemonade/Gatorade, clean sheets, blanket, pillow, nitrox and air fills are included.
Soft drinks, beer, tshirts, hooded sweatshirts, etc. are available but not included. First beer of the day follows your last dive of the day. 2 captains, galley crew, 2 boat DMs and 2 tech DMs will be aboard; all but the captains work for tips only so please plan accordingly. Camera table and rinse buckets are dedicated to cameras only; a charging station is available inside. To see the boat and layout, go to Gulf Diving
The first day of diving will be on the East Banks of the Flower Gardens, buoy #1. Tech divers can make 2 dives there, rec divers 4. Max depth on the reef is 80', over the wall is 160'. Overnight we'll move over to Stetson Bank for 1 dive by tech divers or 2 by rec divers. Max depths there are 130' to the wall, 180' over the wall. Dives must be made within the limits of your certification (C-cards required).
This is a private charter by RKON Divers. The normal rules of the boat do not apply. You're welcome to bring scooters, doubles, pony bottles, deco bottles, etc. but no rebreathers. DAN insurance is required (Master level for techies) and tech divers must dive with a buddy. A liability release must be signed which states that you are responsible for yourself and your dive profile. Two Dive Safety Officers (DSOs) will be on board to insure diving is done safely and responsibly; they will be in charge of the diving and make judgement calls if needed.
Bring all of your own dive gear. Techies, bring all your diving gas. Air and 32% nitrox fills/topoffs are included; an O2 analyzer will be available. Two chase boats will be provided. Dives will be scheduled in shifts to provide maximum enjoyment with limited numbers in the water at any one time.
The cost is $350, less than the normal price of a 2-day weekday nitrox trip with 34 divers on board. With only 22 divers, there will be more room, fewer divers in the water, a more relaxed pace, and it's a great deal to boot!
A non-refundable payment in full must be made by midnight, Monday, March 22nd; cash or check preferred, PayPal accepted but ask for details first.
If we don't get enough divers to pay for the boat, your payment will be refunded; that decision will be made by 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 23rd.
If weather or mechanical problems keep us on shore, your payment will be refunded; that decision will be made by 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 31st.
If you change your mind before the trip departs, no refund will be forthcoming unless we find a SUITABLE replacement.
You can register for the trip at RKON Divers , click on TRIPS. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know at rkon@ev1.net before registering.
There are only 12 spots left, so don't delay!
Looking forward to diving with you!
Richard Kongable
RKON Divers
Austin, Texas
512-663-3984
SB-TA 3/16
