Rebreather on Nekton

[Hodge Podge]

Heading to Belize for new years aboard the Nekton Pilot. Would like to take my rebreather along to be at 100 feet at midnight and for photo work. Nekton seems RB friendly but they are not sure about fills as they only blend 29% on board.

Does anyone know about getting fills before the boat leaves, near port? Would like two 50cf tanks filled with 40%. That will get me a few good dives.

Next question is about getting Sorb on an airline in the Bush world or if Sorb is available locally.

 

[divematt]

I dove on the Nekton Rorqual to the Cay Sal Bank from October 20 - 27 and only got 25-26% Nitrox on all 23 dives. VERY disapointing considering it cost us each $195 extra for only 4 or 5 % more oxygen than air.

Matt

 

[Hodge Podge]

This is good to know. I will have to make sure my O2 analyzer is calibrated.
Will have to pay by the percent or get credit on low fills.

 

[Pam_In_Paradise]

Heading to Belize for new years aboard the Nekton Pilot. Would like to take my rebreather along to be at 100 feet at midnight and for photo work. Nekton seems RB friendly but they are not sure about fills as they only blend 29% on board.

Does anyone know about getting fills before the boat leaves, near port? Would like two 50cf tanks filled with 40%. That will get me a few good dives.

Next question is about getting Sorb on an airline in the Bush world or if Sorb is available locally.

I know that there have been guests in the past that made special arrangements through Nekton for special %s for particular needs. Given enough advance notice, their Belizean agent might be able to handle the request. You will have to bring any special supplies and equipment needed for fills, etc. Please know that it will come at a price. Everyone gets a piece of the action but it can be done... At least when I was there...things might be different now.

Can't tell you about Sorb being available locally. I don't know of much tech diving in that part of the world.

Hope this helps and that you have a wonderful time!

 

[DiveMaven]

We were on the Pilot this summer for 2 weeks and got 32-33% very consistently until the membrane went down.

 

[berick]

From the Nekton website (Just saw it for first time):

"Nekton uses reliable RIX Industries brand oil-free compressors to safely pump Nitrox. Yes, this equipment cost us considerably more than a standard oil-lubricated compressor, but it assures that the air fills you get aboard the Nekton's Liveaboards are the cleanest you will find and the safest way to go aboard a live-aboard.

Our system is capable of providing Nitrox for up to 14 divers per week on each vessel. Nekton's standard fill is to 29% with a guarantee of 26%. Nekton has adapted the 29% standard in order to maintain 1.4 PPO considered safe for repetitive, recreational diving to a maximum operating depth of 130 feet. If you receive a fill less than 26%, that tank will be free or your weekly charge will be prorated to reflect the free tank. "

Looks like 29% is their new standard.

 

[Damselfish]

my guess is since they don't have the capacity to do more, they invented a new standard. This is a stretch as it is since they can't provide it to all their customers if they wanted it. (Although their fee probably keeps the number of people that want it down.

 

[DiveMaven]

That's an old policy....they've had that in their literature forever. We went expecting 29% but got 32-33% instead.

 

[Nesher]

That's an old policy....they've had that in their literature forever. We went expecting 29% but got 32-33% instead.

I agree w/Divemaven. I was on the NW Bahamas in Sep 07 and I consistently got 32% when the system was up and running.

There was however a problem the first couple of days and NITROX was not available. However Greg the engineer put something together that made it possible for the rest of the week.

Once it was working, the % was appropriate and they prorated the fee's to compensate for the days w/o NITROX.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[berick]

OK, I guess I should have said "it's the first time I remember seeing the policy". I'm sure I've looked at it a few times before, but, I don't remember the 29% (but, it wan't something I was focusing on previously). I'll be diving nitrox on the Pilot in a couple of weeks for my first liveaboard and first trip to Belize.