WOW
this report is a Ninja-like assassination of this Captain/Owner from a seeming vendetta by the writer/author during a brief stay aboard. His report indicates an outreach for descriptive extremes in most all encounters. Other guests aboard were annoyed at his posturings after an event he pushed to the limit. He seemed intolerant of island life and the challenges of operating a complex ship in these waters under locally enforced manning requirements. We tried explaining certain details that were immediately termed as lies or untruths. T
This person was bent toward exaggerations and his report bears this out. Our clientele is based on approx. 25% repeating guests pleasantly satisfied enough to return as many as 4-5 times while exhibiting much more pleasantries than his slanderous phrases.
We do not make excuses for recent boat engine failures, but tried explaining some of the causes and challenges being encountered with our complex 4 stroke Yamaha F150 units. Any experienced operators having worked with these motors will add to this aspect.
They are great and efficient units when operating near a dealership with the bells and whistles to step aboard, electronically diagnose faults and change parts as necessary.
But this open ocean site is far removed from such service, leaving only our best learning curves to rely on. New or used units under constant rough weather conditions as experienced for nearly 4 months early this year appear to suffer from a buildup of salt contaminants in their main fuel tanks and electronics, causing recent problems. Top quality Racor filtration is ahead of each unit, but recent weather extremes dealt a heavy hand. Only an electronic diagnostic unit as used for modern cars can quickly see faults within, permitting quick
replacements from spares aboard. Each of our 6 motors run close to USD $20,000 delivered, and are not replaced for each minor hiccup unless encountering serious internal disorders. Surely this writer doesnt purchase a new car with each flat tire encountered. Our motors average 2-3 years of service, and the unit with most recent problems has been less than one year in service.
Warned at purchase time to beware employing hi-tech motors out at island wilds, we felt capable of living with it to gain the credits of their superior operation, and hopeful abilities of servicing with capable onboard staff. We have been sadly proven wrong as recent intensive storms and high winds pouring seawater and spray over them brought on problems now encountered.
Through most of the storms our close attentions maintained the units at full power, but recent woes illustrated the need for high level diagnostic tools. For years Yamaha has refused to supply them to fleet operators like ourselves until recently a Guam operator with 12 units acting similar to our 6 units was ready to throw them aside as others at Truk had previously done. When our boats first arrived from Australia there were 14 hi-tech units in local service, but we alone have kept ours running with a clever staff working our hearts to do so
(far from descriptions of lazy attentions given by this writer).
But problems developed beyond our ready ability, and after threatening their abandonment, were finally permitted to purchase a USD $3,000 diagnostic system to conduct internal electronic fault read-outs with fast replacements as necessary.
They are fine motors tuned to modern environmental concerns with minimal exhaust emissions burning half the fuel of comparably sized 2 stroke smokers,
. but with many more complexities in doing so.
We seriously acknowledge these problems and do not take them lightly as the report describes. Only a fool would do so and we may just
be a few decibels above that rating after successfully operating at this isolated shipwreck paradise for well over 30 years. Weve seen others rise and fall, and our courses have been perilous at times, but we continue delivering safest diving to the largest variety of Truks attractions that has attracted and kept past clients coming back for more.
Were far from perfect (whatever it means in Ninja words ) and do not wish to be defensive about conceived flaws in our long running operation. We encourage and accept constructive criticisms, to use, improve, and better serve future clients, but have difficulty swallowing his personal insults as delivered.
Our main claim after 32 years of safely diving these waters is offering to compare our dive safety records with any others wishing to challenge our lead in this respect.
No delivered credits for free Internet with a bandwidth of 70 MB, that few other vessels come close to supplying. The line plug he so kindly refers to was never pulled, but the Inmarsat system often requires re-booting if not in constant use, and were always quick to do so on request, much like many IT locations. Certainly was not some ill-conceived plot as he reports.
Our advanced designed and costly launches are the only dive units with installed VHF radios at Truk as many now rely solely on mobile phones to communicate. Our radios can suffer occasional wiring faults but we keep in contact (even more so after Ninja clamorings) to ensure all is well at nearby dive sites. If a launch is more than 15-20 minutes delayed, we call to ensure all is going well.
A rescue launch was dispatched upon notice from the described passing craft, of which over 1,500 ply this lagoons waters, and no matter what may occur, a simple arms wave or light flash quickly attracts generously given assistance. Long anchor lines on our dive craft ensure ability to moor at any point in this moderate depth lagoon when required. Safety oxygen breathing kits and primary first aid supplies are regularly checked by dive leaders. There are few modern medications of any kind ashore, and generous leavings of prior medical guests has enabled us to maintain a reasonably well-stocked First Aid kit possessing many treatments otherwise unavailable out here. If some are aged we leave it to individual choices on accepting what we cannot possibly directly replace.
Ive been known for years to run a moderately tight ship, that may involve light disciplinary treatment to create incentives of providing good services to valued onboard clients. Alcohol and some substance abuses are not permitted in this regard to maintain higher protocols
. However, when the crew serve well they get well praised, but when an incident occurs the blame goes straight to the captain, as well it should. This does not always endear love for a Captain, but certainly not hatred as vividly described by this writer. I really enjoy the fine fellowship of our carefully hand-picked crew, and they always illustrate respect for fair treatments issued to everyone aboard.
There may be short issues over how to moor a boat line or keeping a ship tidy and clean, but what more can be expected when bringing untrained people off isolated islands to hopefully serve incredibly different demands of a modern outside world far from most of their knowledge or contact.
I readily and willingly admit to my personal faults as they may appear to some highly bred intellectuals from distant civilizations that shows my swing to becoming a part Island Gypsy after all this time. However, I truly respect the culture here and the lives we lead in isolation from modern big cities. You certainly will not find this gypsy looking for a ballerina to mate with. Shed bore me to tears.
Ive always been at sea but in this semi-retired period of custom live-aboard diving usually enjoy all aspects of clients choosing to dive with us, with a noted exception of this recent character assassin.
Sincerely,
Lance Higgs
SS THORFINN
