Rhode Island Live-Aboard Boat

[Spearo Dave]

Hey Folks,

Just a heads-up that we will be running RI's first liveaboard dive boat based out of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge starting in early spring. EXPLORER is a 42 foot Grand Banks Trawler, fitted out for parties of 6 maximum, to be treated in a style not often seen in the Northeast. Comfy salon, huge topside deck, hot water showers, prepared hot food, cold drinks, always-hot coffee pot, comfortable bunks, etc. We will do day trips to the U-Boat, overnight trips to the US Sub Bass, day or overnight trips to Block Island, shark-cage trips, or anything else your heart desires. We will cater to spearfishers, with a RIB boat to chase spearos and bring them back to EXPLORER. Rebreather and tech divers will find that we have loads of expertise in those areas as well. I'll be running the boat myself and will have a couple of other experienced captains to assist, and our mates will be both good divers and good cooks. Our expectation is to have this be a superb high-quality, low-volume operation. Charters will be booked thru Pier Dive in Narragansett, and interested parties should either contact them directly or email me. We're interested in hearing from you what sort of things you would like on your ultimate dive boat, as we aim to please. EXPLORER is a yacht that we take diving, not an industrial dive boat, and we are going to be the best there is.

Hope to see you aboard,

Dave Sutton, Master: Trawler EXPLORER

 

[PeaceDog]

IT'S ABOUT EFFING TIME.

I'm psyched about this. Particularly because it means just because I don't see the sharks on one day I won't see them the following morning.

Count me in. How about a website, homeslice?

And when can we start making plans?

 

[ScubaSarus]

Will you have things squared away with the shop owner as to exact details of the trips. Last time I booked thru him he said it was a 2 dive trip only to find it was a one dive trip when we left port. There is occasionally a slight communication breakdown out of that shop.

 

[Spearo Dave]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one excited about this. EXPLORER is my home as well as my boat, and I'm pleased to share her with you.

(1): *I* am going to be running the show here, no matter who I have steering the boat on any given day. This isn't a new activity for me: I crewed aboard SEA LION in New Jersey starting in 1974, have crewed aboard SEEKER when she was in NJ, and for a living I am a corporate pilot flying a $30Mil gold-plated toilet business jet, so I know how to keep divers safe and how to take care of people. This boat will be the marine equal of a business jet, and we're going to take care of the people aboard. Due to my flying schedule I may or may not be aboard personally on any particular trip, but you can bet your butt that anyone who crews aboard will do it my way.

(2): Due to the "non cattle-car" nature of the boat, trip details will be worked out in advance by the charter leader and we'll do whatever it is that you want to do. Each trip will be custom configured to meet the needs of the group. If you want to stay for 5 dives instead of two then we'll bring more food, more crew so we can stand RADAR watch at night, and you'll pay more. Pretty simple, eh? ;-)

(3): I'm working on website right now. Boat is undergoing the modifications needed to make her into a good dive boat right now: Tank racks, wide swim platform, and installation of a heavy-duty ladder. I'd like to wait until those things are done before we publish the site. I also want to underpromise and overdeliver, so will run a limited schedule this season while we get our crew up to speed and work the boat over. You guys & gals got the notice first, so I invite you to participate in our first activities. I think you'll really enjoy this new view of how divers ought to be treated. I'm going to run a plank-owners charter (the first charter) this spring, so if anyone wants to be a part of it, let me know.


Regards,


Dave Sutton, Master: Trawler EXPLORER

 

[Spearo Dave]

Shark dives: Here's my idea of a perfect shark dive:

Leave Harbor of Refuge about 10:00PM, run out at night (ya'll can eat cheese and play bridge in the salon or up on the upper deck until you get tired) and we'll make the shark grounds at about 1:00AM. Crew will put chum overboard and hang lights, and by sunrise we ought to have sharks. You can eat your pancakes and then go diving. We'll stay on site until noon-ish or whenever you get tired of toothy critters, and then we'll head for Block Island. Either dive (something like the Lightburne), or head into harbor so you can stretch your legs, eat lunch, and walk a bit, then late afternoon run back to Point Judith and drop you off.

Sound good? We an also do the normal dawn departure sunset return trips, but I think the overnight trips will be more relaxed and that way we can chum while the sharks are most active and you can sleep thru the long trip out.


Dave Sutton, Master: Trawler EXPLORER

 

[lord1234]

will the boat be DIR friendly? Any idea on pricing?

 

[Capt. Michael Jensen]

IT'S ABOUT EFFING TIME.

I'm psyched about this. Particularly because it means just because I don't see the sharks on one day I won't see them the following morning.

Count me in. How about a website, homeslice?

And when can we start making plans?

We've been going there all year. Overnights, hot food, O2-clean compressor, 15 divers (and bunks for all!), A/C, hot showers, DIR friendly, etc.

Congrats Capt. Dave, we look forward to seeing you out there! Any pics of the boat?

Capt. Michael Jensen
SEEKER
Undersea Exploration, Inc.
PO Box 3813
Newport, Rhode Island
02840
401-258-2958
www.underseaexploration.com

 

[Spearo Dave]

The boat will be friendly to all friendly divers. Techniques are a divers choice, don't be foolish with them and we'll make sure you're safe and have fun. Egos will be left at the dock. Diving is not competition, that's unsafe. We're interested in SAFE SERIOUS FUN (in that order).

Mike, I can tell you a thing or two about scraping and painting SEEKER. Been there, done that. Worked with Dan for many years and rode the old boat offshore more times than I can count (and did so before Dan had her, with Bill Nagel years ago). I remember when SEEKER was an incomplete hull laying in Harkers Island on the slipway. I bought fiberglass as a result of my experience painting the old girl........ ;-)

Photos as soon as we get her ladder done. Interested parties should contact me directly.


Dave Sutton, Master: Trawler EXPLORER

 

[Rafael]

Can't wait to go!!!, Congratulations Captain and good luck, i will try to book as soon as you are ready.

Question? in my family i'm the only diver, would you be open to take single divers i your boat or will be just for private parties?

 

[yak]

Shark dives: Here's my idea of a perfect shark dive:

Leave Harbor of Refuge about 10:00PM, run out at night (ya'll can eat cheese and play bridge in the salon or up on the upper deck until you get tired) and we'll make the shark grounds at about 1:00AM. Crew will put chum overboard and hang lights, and by sunrise we ought to have sharks. You can eat your pancakes and then go diving. We'll stay on site until noon-ish or whenever you get tired of toothy critters, and then we'll head for Block Island. Either dive (something like the Lightburne), or head into harbor so you can stretch your legs, eat lunch, and walk a bit, then late afternoon run back to Point Judith and drop you off.

Sound good? We an also do the normal dawn departure sunset return trips, but I think the overnight trips will be more relaxed and that way we can chum while the sharks are most active and you can sleep thru the long trip out.


Dave Sutton, Master: Trawler EXPLORER

What - no dead seals?

Sounds awesome!