OCDinNC
Guest
Now that's hilarious!
Resolved: VERY negative experience with Cristal Clear Char ters- Key Largo
- Thread starter HilaryRN71
- Start date
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When diving with the former Aqua-Nuts, they meticulously used the Dan DIDS to track divers in and out of the water (I think this was required as part of a legal settlement). I was surprised last year when diving on Cristal Clear's boat out of Tavernier (which used to be Aqua-Nuts' boat) that they were not using the DAN system. I would think that this system would likely have prevented the situation which began this thread.
How would they detach? They are supposed to be tied onto the regular yolk.
Even if they sometimes detach, still, its a one more way to make sure divers don't get left in the ocean. I guess the alternative is to leave a pair of lawyers out on the reef overnight and see what that costs the dive op. (Oh yeah, I think that already happened......).
Even if they sometimes detach, still, its a one more way to make sure divers don't get left in the ocean. I guess the alternative is to leave a pair of lawyers out on the reef overnight and see what that costs the dive op. (Oh yeah, I think that already happened......).
Socko
New
Hi there Hillay, this is Mikey from the Aquaventure SCUBA group. I was on the Cristal Clear Charter's boat with you. I've been diving with this boat and this crew since I was certified in '99, back when they were with Aquanuts at Kelly's on the Bay. They've always taken good care of me and the rest of the Aquaventure folks... so much so that we're pretty much exclusive to them.
Now I pay pretty close attention to things on the boat... especially when we have students aboard. I don't recall any finger pointing, harsh words or subsequent tears after you fessed up to missing roll-call. And you know what... neither can anyone else who was aboard. And I would think that if there were such an embarrassing and public display made of the whole thing, someone would have noticed. But This is what I do recall.
You arranged a room and some diving trough Aquaventure SCUBA and then bailed the week of, leaving our group holding the bag for your hotel reservations and your diving fees, with no intention to pay. Cristal Clear Charters was kind enough to work with us to cancel the room and get OUR money back, even though it was way past their cancellation deadline. Then, on our second day of diving, here comes Sally-Come-Lately wanting her room. What a mess!
And what's so hard to understand about filling out a waiver? Almost everywhere I dive I have to sign one, every day of diving. What's more, I like it that way because I know the boat is squared away and paying attention to detail.
You've got 200 dives under your belt? Then you should know the drill. You get on the boat, you stay on the boat. But rather, you're bopping around hopping on and off the boat, buying t-shirts and causing a trip hazard for the rest of us. There were about 16 people on that boat, do you really expect the captain to be able to see all of them at all times? He'd have to have several sets of eyes in the back of his head.
Oh, and the captain didn't move off to another reef after the first Molasses dive because conditions were horrible.... everywhere. He moved to the other side of Molasses so our students could have some shelter to finish their certs in.
The captain had every right to pull you out of the water. If something had happened to you on the Spiegel, you wouldn't have been on the roll-call... you'd be hanging on a buoy waiting for the next boat to tie in. And just how long were you on the wreck... if memory serves me, you exceeded the maximum time limit set by the divemaster on the way in. Do I see a pattern of disregarding the rules of the boat?
Bottom line - Cristal Clear's boat, Cristal Clear's rules. Don't try and rationalize your missteps by blaming the boat's procedures and crew. Cristal Clear and Aquaventure run tight ships; your obviously don't. So I invite you to sail with another one next time.
Now I pay pretty close attention to things on the boat... especially when we have students aboard. I don't recall any finger pointing, harsh words or subsequent tears after you fessed up to missing roll-call. And you know what... neither can anyone else who was aboard. And I would think that if there were such an embarrassing and public display made of the whole thing, someone would have noticed. But This is what I do recall.
You arranged a room and some diving trough Aquaventure SCUBA and then bailed the week of, leaving our group holding the bag for your hotel reservations and your diving fees, with no intention to pay. Cristal Clear Charters was kind enough to work with us to cancel the room and get OUR money back, even though it was way past their cancellation deadline. Then, on our second day of diving, here comes Sally-Come-Lately wanting her room. What a mess!
And what's so hard to understand about filling out a waiver? Almost everywhere I dive I have to sign one, every day of diving. What's more, I like it that way because I know the boat is squared away and paying attention to detail.
You've got 200 dives under your belt? Then you should know the drill. You get on the boat, you stay on the boat. But rather, you're bopping around hopping on and off the boat, buying t-shirts and causing a trip hazard for the rest of us. There were about 16 people on that boat, do you really expect the captain to be able to see all of them at all times? He'd have to have several sets of eyes in the back of his head.
Oh, and the captain didn't move off to another reef after the first Molasses dive because conditions were horrible.... everywhere. He moved to the other side of Molasses so our students could have some shelter to finish their certs in.
The captain had every right to pull you out of the water. If something had happened to you on the Spiegel, you wouldn't have been on the roll-call... you'd be hanging on a buoy waiting for the next boat to tie in. And just how long were you on the wreck... if memory serves me, you exceeded the maximum time limit set by the divemaster on the way in. Do I see a pattern of disregarding the rules of the boat?
Bottom line - Cristal Clear's boat, Cristal Clear's rules. Don't try and rationalize your missteps by blaming the boat's procedures and crew. Cristal Clear and Aquaventure run tight ships; your obviously don't. So I invite you to sail with another one next time.
seemybubbles
Guest
Hi, I'm Sarah and brand new to ScubaBoard. This is the first forum that I came into and I was unable to leave. This is an amazing situation that ended with great results for the Scuba community! Hilary, I am sorry for your experience but I want to commend Dawn and CCC for taking such public action and drastic measures to ensure the good name of their business and the satisfaction of this forum. I just wanted to say that even though I am a relatively new diver (cert. for 2 yrs w/ only 25 dives) I am still very concientious of knowing the procedures on each dive boat I get on. Most of my dive buddy's are all divemasters or instructors and I have noticed that they often only bend half an ear to the on board instruction and introduction. Probably they have become immune to hearing the same spiel in a different voice BUT, I still listen because at the end of the day, no one can make an *ss of myself but me. So, maybe it was a bad experience all the way around but it was a learning experience for all of us who have read along as it has unfolded.
CAAP
New
My wife and I have been diving through CCC and Dive In for the past 2 years (60+ dives) and I have to say that everyone has always been very professional. We have always been treated as first-timers on their boats, assuming nothing. That's to say, they don't assume you know everything. We get a full briefing and roll call on every dive. Best of all, with all of the attention to detail, they still have a fun and friendly atmosphere. Joe and Dawn have always treated us very well. As for the crew, Cap'em Pete, Jill, George and the rest of the crew, we wouldn't dive with anyone else. Your the best, thanks. Hope to see you in Sept.
Socko:
Your comments about what happened on the boat are interesting but given your obvious hard feelings with her about the reservations and cancellations I'm not sure what credibility they have. I think they reveal more about yourself than the events of that day.
Bottom line - Cristal Clear's boat, Cristal Clear's issue - and *they* have investigated and determined that Hilary was treated wrongly, and have invited her to come back and sail with them again.
ReefHound:
Perhaps CCC felt this was simply the best way to resolve the damage that was already done?? I still haven't seen one other post with negative comments about CCC. Not one!
And why would Socko have hard feelings remaining since CCC took care of him too?? He's not out any money nor is anyone in the group he brought down to the Keys.
It sure seems like CCC has gone above and beyond the "call of duty" to make it right regardless of what really happened.
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