Live-Aboard--what do I need to take?

[SeaHound]

Save a dive kit! If equipment gets damaged on boat, you are done! My bcd inflater hose got pulled out from my bcd on my dive and I was done diving! Fortunately for me it was the second last dive on that liveaboard so I only lost one dive. Had this happened earlier I would have been on that boat for 4 days with zero dives and zero refunds.

 

[vladimir]

Two people have mentioned towels....I was told not to bring towels because there are plenty on board. So which is it???

we can better guide you if you tell us which boat you'll be on. Do you know? Things like towels, for example, will certainly be supplied on a luxury liveaboard--they'll stick a warm one in your face every time you emerge from the water. I have never been aboard a vessel that didn't supply them.

In my experience--11 liveaboard trips--they have always supplied them. Most of those trips, however, have been on "luxury" liveaboards, like Aggressors. I do occasionally slum it though, and I have still always been supplied with a towel, just not as fluffy. Towels would take up precious luggage space, so I'd leave them at home unless it was clear that they were not provided.

 

[vladimir]

Save a dive kit! If equipment gets damaged on boat, you are done! My bcd inflater hose got pulled out from my bcd on my dive and I was done diving! Fortunately for me it was the second last dive on that liveaboard so I only lost one dive. Had this happened earlier I would have been on that boat for 4 days with zero dives and zero refunds.

What do you have in your save-a-dive kit that would have helped? A zip tie? If all it took was a zip tie to repair, then I am pretty surprised that the boat or another passenger didn't have one to give you. I do agree with you, though, that you should bring your save-a-dive kit--I bring mine to every dive, not just on live-aboard trips. But you have to resist the urge to prepare for every eventuality--there's just not enough space in your luggage.

 

[farsidefan1]

must be the only one that takes prescription meds daily. On trips I bring several more than I need, you never know when you might get stranded. And carry them in your pocket when flying - I don't trust nobody no how that they will safely arrive with me at my destination. Ditto on the towels - won't need them. If you are on the Spoilsport and not in one of those front cabins then it will be amazing and problem free, at least that was my experience. The service, boat and crew were amazing. I didn't hear any complaints about those cabins during our week but then there were only 13 divers so perhaps those cabins were not occupied.

 

[RJP]

Two people have mentioned towels....I was told not to bring towels because there are plenty on board. So which is it???

Leave towels at home on traditional liveaboards. (Aggressor, Hughes, Mike Ball, etc)

There are smaller boats where you can "stay on the boat for a few days" which are not really liveaboards. On some of those you might need towels.

 

[MichiganScott]

Make sure to take pic's and then post em so we all can see.

 

[Codiak]

Ditto on the towels - won't need them.

A board diver / swimming shammy is small enough to not be an issue.

 

[Louie]

Two people have mentioned towels....I was told not to bring towels because there are plenty on board. So which is it???

This brings up the important question of "What will be provided?"

The provisions and services on liveaboards can range from the most luxurious to the adequate to the most down-right spartan. There are liveaboards with heated towells provided by staff after each dive and there are those who provide one towell for the entire trip. Similarly, "extras" such as snacks and beverages may or may not be available. There may be an on-board shop or canteen to purchase small items such as batteries but don't count on it.

The super scuba diving liveaboard | Sea Forever

 

[Chris12day]

You've gotten some good responses, but we can better guide you if you tell us which boat you'll be on. Do you know? Things like towels, for example, will certainly be supplied on a luxury liveaboard--they'll stick a warm one in your face every time you emerge from the water. I have never been aboard a vessel that didn't supply them. On the other hand, I spent a week in Sri Lanka using a t-shirt as a stand-in because it hadn't occurred to my pampered ass that I might need to bring one.

I will be on the Takadive liveaboard. My wife is a non-diver and will be keeping my business/vacation luggage at the hotel. I always dive with my personal dive gear. I travel alot, so I typically do not have to pay surcharges to carry my gear.

Do I need a water proof case computer? Should I purchase and carry a PLB?

Thanks

 

[vladimir]

I will be on the Takadive liveaboard. My wife is a non-diver and will be keeping my business/vacation luggage at the hotel. I always dive with my personal dive gear. I travel alot, so I typically do not have to pay surcharges to carry my gear.

Do I need a water proof case computer? Should I purchase and carry a PLB?

Thanks

I'm sure you've already read Takadive's list:

Pre-departure Information:
What to bring-
Dive Certification Card
Hat, Sunscreen & Sunglasses
a warm jumper
a sense of humor (Smiles)
Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to sea sickness
Extra money for EMC, soft drinks, chocolates etc.
Please notify us of any special dietary requirements you may have.
An environmental management charge applies for all persons who are entering the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area. This charge is to be collected upon completion of the journey.
What is Included-
All linen, including two towels per person.
Transfers to/from the vessel from Cairns City accommodation,
Tanks, weights & Safety Kits (safety sausage with a whistle and cylume stick),
Two night dives with torches, batteries and cylume sticks,
free dive guide subject to instructor availability,
Superb meals- freshly prepared onboard from dinner on the evening of departure to lunch on the last day,
Snacks after every dive,
Complimentary tea, coffee, Milo, water, cordial, biscuits and fresh fruit are available 24 hours a day.

You should definitely bring a dive computer--if you dive tables you may quickly run out of NDL time with the repetitive diving you will be doing, and some boats insist that you have a computer.

I have lugged around a PLB in the past--I have since deemed it excess gear for most recreational diving. They are heavy, expensive, and fairly bulky. I have been left bobbing in the ocean for an hour waiting and worrying about my pickup (which led me to buy the thing), but I still think it is a concern that is more imaginary than real, especially on a well-run boat.