Palm Beach Dive Thread

[MrChen]

Seems like business as usual. If @DandyDon hasn't posted about it then it's not newsworthy.

Even that screenshot doesn't point out a serious problem. So what a minor incident led to one or more failed inspection items and they didn't have an official employee drug alcohol policy in place. "Uncredentialed Mariners". How many boats have crew performing operations they aren't officially trained for. Sounds like a bunch of BS propagated by an authority having a slow day that will blow over rather quickly.

How do you know a minor incident occurred? From a good source, I heard someone was severely hurt this past weekend. Besides, who wants to go on a dive boat that is not credentialed? What if the captain didn't have a license or it didn't have all the safety equipment it was supposed to have? This is a big problem in Florida where many yahoos think that because they have a boat, they can run a charter.

 

[CosbySweater]

While it may be a shame, given the way they chose to run their business, it's also not a shame. Taking an unsafe operator off the market is good for all of us. Hopefully they will sell the boat to new, ethical owners who will once again run a safe dive operation.

As to where was this posted, it was posted on Facebook. The fact that their website remains up and they remain happy to take money for charters they cannot currently run speaks further to their lack of ethics.

100%.

There are several other legitimate and safe operators to choose from at the same marina, yet alone near by. To my knowledge none of those have been accused of the same allegations. Why would someone knowingly choose to dive with an operator who has been accused of operating an illegitimate dive boat, when there are many others in the area who have not? I’m glad they got caught. Not glad someone had to get hurt for it to happen though.

I’ve never dove with them and never will.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

... no body else was running due to marginal conditions, as stated.

That should have told you something. Being the only boat willing to run, and it doesn't raise questions in your mind?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

What does that have to do with another member here disparaging a dive charter and accusing them of all sorts of illegal things with no proof other than a questionable social media post?

See here's a perfect example of a lemming that read something someone else wrote about something someone else wrote and they will no longer patronize that business. Based on nothing but hearsay.

Everything on Facebook isn't true, but nor is it false. It is simply a medium. I have very little doubt the facts are legit. You seem to be getting all bent out of shape defending them. You have a vested interest perhaps? Care to share evidence that they have NOT been shut down by the USCG?

 

[MrChen]

According to you there was a change in ownership some time after my experience. But so what?

Because your complaints aren't relevant to the current news. You're rehashing something that has nothing to do with the reason they were cited. It's not even the same people, it's just the same boat.

 

[PBcatfish]

I don't know any of those operators well, since I normally dive from private boats. The one I do know a little bit is Narcosis, since that boat picked me out of the water one time after an equipment failure several years ago & brought me back to my boat. If I ever need to use a cattle boat, that WILL be the one. I owe them.

As for the boat now in question, I would be interested to hear more personal accounts from those who have used the boat themselves.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Absolutely it raised questions I figured the conditions would be rough, but as we had traveled quite the distance to get there it was worth a try. And as I think I stated, the conditions were not a concern.

But as pointed out by @MrChen my complaints/observations about my experience is irrelevant, the operation is under new ownership the past 4-6 months and I dived with them in 3-2023.

Meanwhile still nothing in the news, if @DandyDon hasn't started a thread about it then it didn't happen.

Dandy Don posts primarily about fatalities. Thankfully this was not that. Dive accidents occur ALL THE TIME and do not make the news.

Rule of thumb for you in the future. If EVERY charter except one is not running, you don't want to be out there!

 

[johndiver999]

So did someone get bit by a shark? Is that the buzz?

 

[MrChen]

So did someone get bit by a shark? Is that the buzz?

I don't think so.

One person said this:

I tried to warn people after I quit working for PBS after the new owners took over. I quit because of their attempts to get me to go along with illegal or unethical practices.
I feel some saw it as I was being bitter and/or out to get them.
No, I was truly concerned for the safety of other scuba divers. That is why I’m in this profession.
Unfortunately the injury occurred to a person that worked for and associated with PBS. He knew the kind of operation they were running. I personally warned him. I don’t wish any ill will towards that person and hope he recovers.
Fortunately it didn’t involve a customer. I thank god for that.
Safety had to be put before money!!

 

[johndiver999]

I don't think so.

Well that’s good I guess.

Dive report yesterday: 60 ft vis below 50 ft, maybe 35 ft vis above 50 feet ; in 90-130, slightly cool, strong current. Few lobsters again