U-853 charters out of Galilee/Snug Harbor area

[sculler1x]

Hi there,

Can anyone supply some suggestions for a good dive operator runs charters to the U-853? If possible, I'd like to find someone who runs from Snug Harbor or Galilee to avoid the long ride from Newport. A boat sized for about a half dozen divers with doubles is what we're looking for. I've found some charters out of Newport, and at least one out of Narragansett with a mixed reputation, but I'd like to hear what others have to say.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[mstudley]

The only one I know of going out of Snug Harbor is the Metro West Dive Club. Check out the link for more info:

http://www.mwdc.org/boatdive_u853.html

In Newport there's 'Newport Diving Center' and in Jamestown 'Ocean State Scuba' so you may want to check them out also. I think it's something like 13 miles out from Snug Harbor, not sure of the distance out of the Newport/Jamestown area.

 

[mstudley]

Whoops, just realized that MWDC is going out with Narragansett Pier Dive Shop. Not sure if that's the one with mixed reviews as I've not had any experience with them. Sorry.

 

[RIOceanographer]

In addition to the shops Matt mentioned in Newport and Jamestown, there is another one up in North Kingstown called Scuba Too that does charters. I haven't done a charter with them so I can't really tell you much about how good they are, but it is worth looking into.

 

[busraider1]

Narragansett Pier Dive Shop, is a perfect fit for any scuba charter needs.. While living in RI i purchased gear, did charters and they are first rate. Charlie the owner, will talk your head off, but he's very informative, and can answer any ?'s... The staff, and instructors are all top notch people. The won't over fill the charter boat either, won't be a cattle boat. Which is nice. Hopefully both engines will be working, as well 8 knots on one engine gives lots of time for sight seeing out to the dive site. Really great people can't say enough about them. With charlie or Ed running the charter you'll have a blast, and be informed...

 

[matt_unique]

Narragansett Pier Dive Shop, is a perfect fit for any scuba charter needs.. While living in RI i purchased gear, did charters and they are first rate. Charlie the owner, will talk your head off, but he's very informative, and can answer any ?'s... The staff, and instructors are all top notch people. The won't over fill the charter boat either, won't be a cattle boat. Which is nice. Hopefully both engines will be working, as well 8 knots on one engine gives lots of time for sight seeing out to the dive site. Really great people can't say enough about them. With charlie or Ed running the charter you'll have a blast, and be informed...

You said it with the engines not working. I went with them 2 years ago and halfway out engine number 2 had quit. If they have the same (home made/modified/with no seats) boat I would be really concerned for safety. The captain of this boat was a Mass Maritime graduate and appeared competant but the boat was in horrible shape. On this dive one instructor also had an AOW student doing one of his checkout dives. I would not consider this good judgement for an instructor. Perhaps this student was very good, etc. but it struck me as a bad decision.

I would definitely not recommend NP Dive shop.

--Matt

 

[Soggy]

Whoops, just realized that MWDC is going out with Narragansett Pier Dive Shop. Not sure if that's the one with mixed reviews as I've not had any experience with them. Sorry.

Just to clarify, Metro West Dive Club is a club based out of MetroWest Boston. For those dives last year, the club was using Narragansett Pier Dive Shop as their charter. MWDC does not own or operate any boats.

 

[matt_unique]

Hi there,

Can anyone supply some suggestions for a good dive operator runs charters to the U-853? If possible, I'd like to find someone who runs from Snug Harbor or Galilee to avoid the long ride from Newport. A boat sized for about a half dozen divers with doubles is what we're looking for. I've found some charters out of Newport, and at least one out of Narragansett with a mixed reputation, but I'd like to hear what others have to say.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Did you get out there?

--Matt

 

[Soggy]

Did you get out there?

--Matt

Once again, my charter was cancelled due to sea state

0 for 6 now.

 

[matt_unique]

Once again, my charter was cancelled due to sea state

0 for 6 now.

Dude - you have sh*t luck with the U. It will be that much sweeter when you finally get there. My first log book entry for the U starts off with "Two years in the making, with 3 charters canceled due to weather, I had arrived at U853". It is really tough to get out there on a charter though. When Fri night arrives if the marine forecast has gone bad for Sat you can't just change to go Sun because the charter is already booked or something.