Sunset Divers Setup

[Deac in the Wake]

The dive operation that "makes" me give them ANY of my gear is a dive op that isn't getting ANY of my money. I've been out with ops on all three Cayman islands and while those with on-site accommodations will offer to take your gear to the boat- as part of full valet service- they don't make it mandatory. To each his own but no one touches my family's gear but me and they had better never touch it once it's been rigged up. At least talk to me first.

You only need to have one overzealous, eager-to-please, neophyte dive master with her pretty blond hair in a ponytail to come behind you and switch your rig to an empty tank not realizing you've already yolked into a full one and figure this out as you're getting ready to splash to know no one will care for your gear like you will. Not that it's ever happened to me
.:nuke:

And I'll tell you this: there are more than a couple dive ops which will and HAVE left divers for being late. I tip extra for captains that cast off leaving late-comers behind. One, because they're out possible tip money those late-comers would've given but two, because they're letting me know that they care more about divers who have the courtesy and respect for fellow divers and boat crew to show the hell up on time.

/rant

 

[billinwilliamston]

I've dived with Sunset House several times and never really saw how they did things as a big issue, but it is kind of inconvenient.

As I recall, they send out multiple boats from the same dock and they try to do it as quickly and safely as possible. The step from the dock to the boat is somewhat treacherous and having the crew shlep the gear makes things a lot easier and safer for the customers. Same holds true for waiting until the boat has left the dock before setting up. If you're not seated when the boat is leaving the dock, the chances of you catching a rope in the face, or falling down, go up dramatically.

 

[Scubamike16]

I understand their reasoning to a point but not being able to setup at the dock and finding an issue when you are enroute to a dive site can be disappointing if a piece of your gear fails or your forgot something and the dock is 25 min away. Also the boats were pretty level to the dock, no different then Divetech. I have dove with them and they were great, let you board the boat after the DM entered and setup your great I just thought sunset divers protocol was different and was wondering if other GC dive ops do this. Also Sunset has you hold your weights for the entire trip with them as they didnt have much extra weight on board.

Positive note the shore diving there was amazing along with the mermaid

 

[releck97]

Actually, No. They are renting 80s at last. They do have 63s too; don't know about 100s.

When did they switch from the 70's? They were still using them in February.

 

[BubbleBlocker]

We dive with Ocean Frontiers all the time and after you check in at the office and find out which boat you're on, you're welcome to board once it's time (15 minutes prior to the scheduled time). You find your already set up gear at your spot on the boat, and make any additional preparations prior to leaving the dock.

 

[t-mac]

I found their protocol odd, but not really that big a deal. I didn't ask about it, but I'm sure the rationale is safety and accounting for people and gear -- probably had something happen at some point. A lot of rules get implemented in response to a specific issue on the (often mistaken) belief that the problem will re-occur. They also make everyone sit while docking and departing, which is quite understandable, but also IMO probably not really needed under most conditions. The origin of the rule was probably someone getting knocked down when docking in a heaving sea.

As for putting gear on the boat, this is not mandatory valet service as one poster suggested. It is merely putting the gear on and off the boat while they help you board. Again, I'm sure safety-oriented (some uncoordinated person falling in the drink while boarding and holding a bunch of gear?). I also do not like people messing with my gear and I can tell you the SD DMs had no problem with that. (And that does not mean I didn't tip them well because I found all of them to be excellent.)

All in all, I found it less than a minor inconvenience. I thought they were very professional and very safety-oriented; more so than pretty much any other dive op I've gone out with. I'm sure their protocol is just a reflection of their safety orientation.

 

[Alex777]

When did they switch from the 70's? They were still using them in February.

Recently, I guess. I rented an 80 there a couple of weeks ago. I think the 72s were generating some negative publicity for them without any corresponding advantage to them. My understanding is that 80s and 72s bought in bulk are about the same price.