Professionals not recommending Rainbow Reef FL Keys/

[Kharon]

3 Instructors with students and our group had the worst experience. Following were the issues: 1) in small craft advisory conditions, the boat captain went so fast that seated individuals were flying about in the cabin 2) there was a group of students going down before us, this group was hesitant to descend and had difficulty (not RR problem), however, RR should have delayed others from going in until this group was done. Especially considering the conditions -- as a result, our group spent significant time getting slammed against the boat in rough conditions, waiting for the other group to descend 3) On the second dive, our group had a few individuals vomiting; however, the staff did nothing to ask if they could bring water or assist.

We had another group dive on another boat the same day. With one instructor and two students on that boat, roughly 30%+ of the boat was vomiting. Again, a small craft advisory was in place, but the crew responded, "Oh, we have gone out in much harsher conditions". At no time did the second boat crew offer to assist others.

We ended up not attending our second trip after diving with another shop that a) was attentive, b) adjusted the trip location based on conditions c) drove the boat in a professional manner.

Finally, when trying to convey our sentiments, their response was both to not listen after the first issue and then state "we got it". At no time did we ask for a refund etc. That was not our goal, but to rather inform them of our view of safety concerns.

As a group of instructors whom have decades of combined experience and have traveled the world diving, we would NOT RECOMMEND Rainbow Reef.

Another to avoid - Conch Republic. No mention of current in dive breifing. Same problem with student class delaying descent. I ended up on the surface in very heavy chop from all directions a distance from the boat screaming and blowing my Diver Alert and Storm whistle. Ran 1500 psi from main tank and all of my pony dry and they ignored me till the student class completed theri dive.

 

[The Chairman]

Another to avoid - Conch Republic. No mention of current in dive breifing. Same problem with student class delaying descent. I ended up on the surface in very heavy chop from all directions a distance from the boat screaming and blowing my Diver Alert and Storm whistle. Ran 1500 psi from main tank and all of my pony dry and they ignored me till the student class completed theri dive.

Another one of my favorite ops. Why didn't you surface by the boat? I can't blame them for your lack of navigational skills. A boat should not move until all the other divers are on board. I've had to rescue divers who wigged out because they did not surface by the boat. I swam out, grabbed them and swum them back in because they were panicking that the boat couldn't leave its mooring until all the other divers who had sufficient navigational skills to come up by the boat did so. Apparently, they weren't strong enough to swim against the current either.

As for current, did you dive in the direction of the anchor/mooring? The boat is always pointing into the current. Many times the current at depth can be stronger or lighter than what you detect on the surface. A boat can't tell you what's below: that's up to you.

The ocean is a harsh and often unforgiving mistress. The boat has the job of getting you to and from the dive site as conditions allow. They can't control who gets the best seats on the boat and they can't control how you dive once you're in the water. Once below, your safety and your comfort are all on YOU. That includes reading the current at depth and swimming into it, so you can have it easy on your way back. Sure, go exploring, but remember it's your job to get back to their mooring. Don't blame the boat for following safety protocols.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

I can't blame them for your lack of navigational skills.

Me either.

The boat has the job of getting you to and from the dive site as conditions allow.

The diver has the job of diving safely. Evaluating current IMMEDIATELY after jumping in the water.

Once below, your safety and your comfort are all on YOU. That includes reading the current at depth and swimming into it, so you can have it easy on your way back.

Yea, on you.

And Conch Republic along with Rainbow Reef enjoy a FINE reputation. Go look at Trip Advisor.

 

[The Chairman]

There are indeed some crappy dive-ops out there. They usually have a litany of accidents, incidents, and often go out of business quickly. I've even written about some, although as a professional, I would never name them. Check out What would YOU do if the first mate on your charter was a Gilligan?

Funny thing is, even though I didn't mention the dive-op, many people knew exactly who I was writing about and let them know. I got a rather terse call the next day. He wasn't mad at me, but let me know that he fired Gilligan. Good shops are not that way by accident. However, they can't get better without your feedback. It's important that you, as a consumer or a pro, let the manager or owner know you're not happy and why.

As for Gilligan, he was hired again by the same shop about a month later. Did he learn his lesson? I was back out with that charter about a year after with Gilligan aboard. I was pleased with his improvement, and no, he did not know who I was. We can all improve, but usually not without good feedback.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Another to avoid - Conch Republic. No mention of current in dive breifing. Same problem with student class delaying descent. I ended up on the surface in very heavy chop from all directions a distance from the boat screaming and blowing my Diver Alert and Storm whistle. Ran 1500 psi from main tank and all of my pony dry and they ignored me till the student class completed theri dive.

I'm neutral here, but isn't Florida known for possibly ripping currents? We get some ripping currents here in Washington state, but it seems the Florida sun has fried the brains of all the divers down there, as we don't dive Deception Pass at peak exchange (our brains are waterlogged instead, so it is a slow rot), but they don't hesitate.

I've been on boats with some pretty good chop and people were spewing. Not sure what the crew is supposed to do, as whatever they put down can just come right back up. I have no affiliation with either RR or Conch and hold no opinion of them whatsoever. To me they are just dive centers that do at least a good enough job to remain in business.

I have also been on dive boats where the boat was diverted and people were VERY UNHAPPY. So given that the OP was with a group of instructors, I would give RR the benefit of the doubt that they assumed this group of customers would not want to be diverted.

Once again, Monty Python's Life of Brian can be quoted.

 

[inquis]

The diver has the job of diving safely. Evaluating current IMMEDIATELY after jumping in the water.

+1 or even before splashing if they hook up to a mooring ball or anchor.

 

[NorCalDM]

So looks like the OP put the post out and has not been back since. Obviously not interested in others opinions.

 

[Rilelen]

Reception to OP's post on r/scuba was markedly different - interesting reading through the comments there vs here.

 

[scubadada]

Another to avoid - Conch Republic. No mention of current in dive breifing. Same problem with student class delaying descent. I ended up on the surface in very heavy chop from all directions a distance from the boat screaming and blowing my Diver Alert and Storm whistle. Ran 1500 psi from main tank and all of my pony dry and they ignored me till the student class completed theri dive.

Hi @Kharon

Did you end up using the descent line or not? Was this a wreck dive or a reef? Did you have a buddy or not? Did you descend to to the bottom depth and start your dive? Why could you not get back to the ascent line at the end of the dive?

 

[gordonscuba]

3 Instructors with students and our group had the worst experience. Following were the issues: 1) in small craft advisory conditions, the boat captain went so fast that seated individuals were flying about in the cabin 2) there was a group of students going down before us, this group was hesitant to descend and had difficulty (not RR problem), however, RR should have delayed others from going in until this group was done. Especially considering the conditions -- as a result, our group spent significant time getting slammed against the boat in rough conditions, waiting for the other group to descend 3) On the second dive, our group had a few individuals vomiting; however, the staff did nothing to ask if they could bring water or assist.

We had another group dive on another boat the same day. With one instructor and two students on that boat, roughly 30%+ of the boat was vomiting. Again, a small craft advisory was in place, but the crew responded, "Oh, we have gone out in much harsher conditions". At no time did the second boat crew offer to assist others.

We ended up not attending our second trip after diving with another shop that a) was attentive, b) adjusted the trip location based on conditions c) drove the boat in a professional manner.

Finally, when trying to convey our sentiments, their response was both to not listen after the first issue and then state "we got it". At no time did we ask for a refund etc. That was not our goal, but to rather inform them of our view of safety concerns.

As a group of instructors whom have decades of combined experience and have traveled the world diving, we would NOT RECOMMEND Rainbow Reef.

I didn't know prima donnas were a thing in scuba diving.