GoorglinGeorge
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Diving Operations
Diving is conducted from two metal dinghies. Each dinghy has two 40 HP engines and is manned by a driver and assistant. When the boat is full, like this trip, the guests are divided into three groups for the purpose of getting them to the dive site. Suiting up for diving is done at the dive area at the bow of the boat. Those people who are comfortable with the process then don their tanks and walk to the ladder on the starboard side of the boat from which they can board the dinghy.
Extraordinarily care is required at all times when boarding and exiting the dinghies especially if there is any sea state. Boat crew provides assistance. The landing area is located near the engine exhausts and when the boat engine is operating then divers are literally sitting in a cloud of carbon monoxide smoke. This is both nauseating and dangerous.
There is also a tendency to bring two dinghies side by side when divers are boarding. If you are so careless as to put your fingers on the side of the dinghy then you could have them crushed by another dinghy. This could be prevented by not bringing more than one dinghy to the boarding area at a time.
Many times upon returning from a dive there would already be a dinghy tied up at the landing. The crew would then asked you to climb from dinghy to dinghy which is of course dangerous. This was not supposed to happen but they are just lazy. Upon insisting the dinghy at the ladder would be moved. This happened repeatedly.
Dive entry is a back roll and re-entry to the dinghy is via a ladder. There is no time limit on dives to include night dives and no requirement to dive with a buddy or to stay with a group.
Some Other Nuggets
19 August 2007
Upon arrival at Bima the first "hiccup" became apparent. Eleven (11) bags were not loaded on the aircraft. This is apparently standard Merpati procedure. They load what will fit and then leave the rest. Fortunately both of my bags were loaded. However, due to a missing passenger and the bags that were missing we are now going to the night at Bima Harbor. This means that we will have fewer dives tomorrow and that we will remain in the Bima area which has very poor diving.
20 August 2007
After the first dive the boat has returned to Bima Harbor to wait for the rest of the luggage and another passenger. Some passengers are going on a land tour. There is no second morning dive. As of 1400 the plane had not arrived and the boat is still at anchor in Bima Harbor. At 1700 there was another dive at the same place for a third time. They are offering a night dive at this spot. So far this trip is a bust. Note that the Dive Managers did not provide any information throughout the day as to why the boat still at Bima Harbor.
24 August 2007
Today there is walk on Komodo Island starting at the main Ranger Station. The walk begins at 0730. One of the Dive Managers said that fewer Komodo Dragons are being seen along the trail since villagers have increasingly been going into the islands interior to cut down trees to obtain firewood.
Due to the preference of the group all of the diving today was done at the rather mediocre Red Beach site on Komodo. The guests decided that they would prefer easier diving and slightly warmer temperatures rather than diving at Three Sisters. I wonder what they are going to say when we get to Horsehoe Bay.
25 August 2007
Upon returning from the night dive there was no hot water. By this I mean no water even coming from the shower tap.
26 August 2007
In fact I have not had any hot water all day. This is a common complaint by everyone on the boat. The Dive Managers are silent on the subject.
Today the Dive Managers had the crew place food on the beach. This was done to attract Komodo Dragons and was very successful. Guests were then ferried to the beach where several were chased by dragons. The boats cook, Steven, was chased and hurt his feet stumbling on rocks and running into the water to escape. Another guest fell, luckily for him in the sand, also running from dragons. It is nice to see that the boat managers allow the guests the flexibility to expose themselves to serious injury. It is refreshing!
27 August 2007
In addition to the standard briefing there was an additional set of comments on "Manta etiquette". This included subjects such as not planting yourself on top of the cleaning station and not charging the Mantas. As expected several divers did not follow the guidance. The start of the first dive was slow with Mantas cruising by on the top of the reef and at depths of 80+ feet.
Due to strong currents, at least that is what they say, the transit time was very long. This resulted in a change in the program to put the night dive after dinner. Also, since two guests have apparently not seen a Komodo Dragon, the boat is going to stay overnight so that these guests can go ashore for an excursion in the morning. This will also mean that tomorrows program will begin at 0700 with either a dive or a land excursion.
28 August 2007
The boat has not moved as was the original plan. Instead all but two guests are going for a walk to see dragons at 0700. Note. The reason for now moving to a better dive site was to enable a guest that chose not to go on the walk on Komodo to do so at Rinca.
29 August 2007
Hergen during his "leaving the boat" briefing suggested that small items be washed in your cabin so that your fellow divers would not accidentally or not accidentally take them. This is the first time I have ever had a Dive Manager suggest that your fellow guests would steal your gear. Refreshing once again.
Diving is conducted from two metal dinghies. Each dinghy has two 40 HP engines and is manned by a driver and assistant. When the boat is full, like this trip, the guests are divided into three groups for the purpose of getting them to the dive site. Suiting up for diving is done at the dive area at the bow of the boat. Those people who are comfortable with the process then don their tanks and walk to the ladder on the starboard side of the boat from which they can board the dinghy.
Extraordinarily care is required at all times when boarding and exiting the dinghies especially if there is any sea state. Boat crew provides assistance. The landing area is located near the engine exhausts and when the boat engine is operating then divers are literally sitting in a cloud of carbon monoxide smoke. This is both nauseating and dangerous.
There is also a tendency to bring two dinghies side by side when divers are boarding. If you are so careless as to put your fingers on the side of the dinghy then you could have them crushed by another dinghy. This could be prevented by not bringing more than one dinghy to the boarding area at a time.
Many times upon returning from a dive there would already be a dinghy tied up at the landing. The crew would then asked you to climb from dinghy to dinghy which is of course dangerous. This was not supposed to happen but they are just lazy. Upon insisting the dinghy at the ladder would be moved. This happened repeatedly.
Dive entry is a back roll and re-entry to the dinghy is via a ladder. There is no time limit on dives to include night dives and no requirement to dive with a buddy or to stay with a group.
Some Other Nuggets
19 August 2007
Upon arrival at Bima the first "hiccup" became apparent. Eleven (11) bags were not loaded on the aircraft. This is apparently standard Merpati procedure. They load what will fit and then leave the rest. Fortunately both of my bags were loaded. However, due to a missing passenger and the bags that were missing we are now going to the night at Bima Harbor. This means that we will have fewer dives tomorrow and that we will remain in the Bima area which has very poor diving.
20 August 2007
After the first dive the boat has returned to Bima Harbor to wait for the rest of the luggage and another passenger. Some passengers are going on a land tour. There is no second morning dive. As of 1400 the plane had not arrived and the boat is still at anchor in Bima Harbor. At 1700 there was another dive at the same place for a third time. They are offering a night dive at this spot. So far this trip is a bust. Note that the Dive Managers did not provide any information throughout the day as to why the boat still at Bima Harbor.
24 August 2007
Today there is walk on Komodo Island starting at the main Ranger Station. The walk begins at 0730. One of the Dive Managers said that fewer Komodo Dragons are being seen along the trail since villagers have increasingly been going into the islands interior to cut down trees to obtain firewood.
Due to the preference of the group all of the diving today was done at the rather mediocre Red Beach site on Komodo. The guests decided that they would prefer easier diving and slightly warmer temperatures rather than diving at Three Sisters. I wonder what they are going to say when we get to Horsehoe Bay.
25 August 2007
Upon returning from the night dive there was no hot water. By this I mean no water even coming from the shower tap.
26 August 2007
In fact I have not had any hot water all day. This is a common complaint by everyone on the boat. The Dive Managers are silent on the subject.
Today the Dive Managers had the crew place food on the beach. This was done to attract Komodo Dragons and was very successful. Guests were then ferried to the beach where several were chased by dragons. The boats cook, Steven, was chased and hurt his feet stumbling on rocks and running into the water to escape. Another guest fell, luckily for him in the sand, also running from dragons. It is nice to see that the boat managers allow the guests the flexibility to expose themselves to serious injury. It is refreshing!
27 August 2007
In addition to the standard briefing there was an additional set of comments on "Manta etiquette". This included subjects such as not planting yourself on top of the cleaning station and not charging the Mantas. As expected several divers did not follow the guidance. The start of the first dive was slow with Mantas cruising by on the top of the reef and at depths of 80+ feet.
Due to strong currents, at least that is what they say, the transit time was very long. This resulted in a change in the program to put the night dive after dinner. Also, since two guests have apparently not seen a Komodo Dragon, the boat is going to stay overnight so that these guests can go ashore for an excursion in the morning. This will also mean that tomorrows program will begin at 0700 with either a dive or a land excursion.
28 August 2007
The boat has not moved as was the original plan. Instead all but two guests are going for a walk to see dragons at 0700. Note. The reason for now moving to a better dive site was to enable a guest that chose not to go on the walk on Komodo to do so at Rinca.
29 August 2007
Hergen during his "leaving the boat" briefing suggested that small items be washed in your cabin so that your fellow divers would not accidentally or not accidentally take them. This is the first time I have ever had a Dive Manager suggest that your fellow guests would steal your gear. Refreshing once again.
