Tubbataha & Palau LOB

[bttmdwllr]

Just wanted to remind everyone that we do have PHILIPPINE LOCAL RESIDENT RATES for

our Live Aboards in Palau and Tubbataha.

For Holy Week April 10-17 Our one week Palau Live Aboard is $1999 usd INCLUSIVE of RT airfare from MANILA to PALAU.

Tubbataha rates start fro Php 43,500 per pax .

Our Website Home - Liveaboard Scuba Diving in the Philippines and Palau contains schedules/availability/prices

Call 892-3477 and ask fro Raymond or Amy
or email info@expeditionfleet.com

 

[Gen San Chris]

I hope that the weather will be kinder at Tubataha than it was last year!

 

[World Wide Diver]

Tell us about it!!! Think that more than 50% trips were bad last year. Can remember being rescued by Stella Maris, Scubaworld from the Vasco.

The French girl (young) boat manager refused us any of their food while others eat their fill and left plenty as spoils. If fact, the first thing that their French boat manager told us on arriving was that they had no room/food for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We (Jane and I) offered to pay whatever for all food for us and all refugees from the Vasco out of our own pocket - regardless of cost - for all to be fed.

The kitchen crew told us that Scubaworld company policy would not allow them to feed refugees any food. Indeed, they seemed frightened. We could tell that they wanted to help, but their livelihoods onboard seemed to be threatened if they fed us. This goes against the hospitality in the Philippines - especially when you are rescued from a stricken ship.

We can also vividly remember the crew of the Scubaworld vessel throwing around 20 sacks of trash (rubbish) in black bin liners off the back of their boat on leaving Tubbataha. 11 of us witnessed this. This was in the boundary of the Tubbataha Marine Park. We confronted the French boat manager about this who was almost in tears. Our Filipino friends overheard the crew saying that 'they ought to have done this 'bit by bit' so people did not notice them doing this".

Kind of pleased that this thread has been posted now as we can tell the full story to others if they are interested to know about this incident. There were a few celebreties on the Vasco with us when this happened.

In fairness, the Captain of their boat was very good - including the seamen (we have found seamen to be good people anywhere in the World).

We just wonder how much of our disgraceful treatment can be put down to the inexperienced manager or to Scubaworld policies. We feel that the Manager employed was amateur and useless and gave Scubaworld a very bad image.

Yvette - can you please comment on this. We can name the manager and dates if this is of use to you.

Thanks

Jane and Andrew

 

[chip104]

That's dispicable what Scubaworld did to you guys. But then again, I'm not surprised at that kind of a$$holishness from them.

 

[World Wide Diver]

We are veterans of many liveaboards from the Red Sea to Turkey to SE Asia.

We also have a dire (amusing) tale to tell from Palau if people are interested. This was onboard the Scubaworld Pacific Explorer.

Again, most probably down to the inexperienced boat manager employed.

Say if you want to know.

 

[Mike Veitch]

say...

 

[chip104]

hear hear!... I think we should have a thread dedicated to stories like this... (so not to hijack this thread)

 

[World Wide Diver]

hear hear!... I think we should have a thread dedicated to stories like this...

(so not to hijack this thread)

People really find out how things really are when the s**t hits the fan.

Suggestion for a name for a new thread welcome. Bear in mind that our Palau experience might not belong here on the PPD thread.

We put our atrocious treatment down to the French boat manager who, under difficult circumstances, could not cope with taking refugees and cited she was following SW strict policies and would not budge one inch.

As human beings, we would have done everything possible to care for 'castaways' under the same circumstances.

Again, credit to the captain of the Stella Maris who took us onboard regardless of SW policies - he was a good guy.

 

[clgsamson]

Law of the sea I guess, the captain taking you onboard. His license would be at stake if help was denied. But as far as the manager was concerned or "lack of concern" for you refugees, it was a business decision. Maybe a bad one.

I'd still like to hear SW out though, two sides to a story.

ps - on an ship, who's the highest authority? the captain or a company manager on board?

 

[pakman]

blame the French... Surprised the boat manager didn't just surrender? just kiddin!!

WWD, pls do start another thread, we'd love to hear the stories