Hi gang,
Once again, Mike here for NYC. I have been diving with Rainbow Reef before, and I'll admit I have been friends with the owner for over 10 years. So let me just say this as objectively as possible and set the record straight as a few of the reponses on here have incorrect information.
1. My friend would be the first to say that both Conch Republic and Key Dives (the old bud and mary's) are fine operations and you can dive with them if you choose.
2. One of the Rainbow Reef boats in Islamorada is a 6 pack, and other one holds 10 divers, if this qualifies as a cattle boat, then you better dive with someone who goes out on a jet-ski. The poster was refering to Rainbow Reef's Key Largo boats, of which one is a 40 foot vessel that holds 24 divers, and the other is an Island Hopper and it carries 12.
3. The smoking policy Rainbow Reef has is as follows: They ask you not to smoke, however if you must, they ask that you do it in a discreet manner so as to not affect any other customers. They reserve the right to ask you to extinguish the cigarette if it becomes a problem.
4. All the Rainbow Reef vessels are run by diesel fuel, with the exception of the 6 pack. While I agree that gas fumes are the only fuel (choosing between gasoline and diesel) that has the possibility to ignite, I have yet to hear about any boaters, many who are fisherman and smoke a carton a day, spontaneously exploding out on the water in their gas powered vessels.
5. If you truly want to dive Islamorada, Key Dives, Rainbow Reef, Holiday Isle and Ocean Quest are the only "all Islamorada" operators that currently exist.
Hope this was helpful, but it's probably too late judging by the date of your post.