Unfortunate Loss - hopefully temporary - to area divers

[wreckedinri]

Unfortunately it appears that a respected Rhode Island based charter operation has run into some financial dificulties.

Copied from a post on TDS:

To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: Andrea Doria Charters
Date sent: Sun, 4 Jun 2006 11:29 -0400
Send reply to: "Michael Jensen" <mike@underseaexploration.com>
Organization: Undersea Exploration, Inc.

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I write this letter.

We will be unable to fulfill our charter obligations for the unforeseeable future. Due to the legal troubles and subsequent freezing of assets incurred by my sole investor, we will not have the necessary operating capital required to run an operation such as ours. If a solution isn't immediately forthcoming the boat will be listed with a broker and all fees will be refunded at the time of the vessel's sale.

I understand that you will all be disappointed and probably even angry with the realization that this letter brings. One thing that I would ask of you is to ponder the fact that nobody involved could possibly be more disappointed than I am. I have literally put everything I had into the acquisition and subsequent refitting of this vessel. To have the foundation and financial support I built this business on removed so abruptly has been a staggering endeavor to come to terms with.

I will thank you in advance for the patience that I hope you will afford me in the near future.

Sincerely,

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

Capt.Jensen; Ray, et al.

I am sure that I echo the sentiments of countless divers and others concerned with this sport when I say good luck and our best wishes are with the Captain and crew in this difficult period. I certainly hope that we soon see the Seeker - under your command - plying our local waters again very soon.

Best Regards,
Capt. Dennis St Germain

 

[RIOceanographer]

That's terrible news. I am really sorry to hear that. I hope Capt Mike can find a way to stay afloat. I have never been out with the Seeker, but I had hoped to some day.

Good luck Mike and Ray

And Ray, if you need to go catch some quahogs to blow off steam I am there!

 

[JimJam]

Capt Mike, Ray, Kingsley:

THIS SUCKS!!!!!

If it helps, I got a couple extra kidneys I can sell...

In all seriousness, I had some great times diving with you guys and a few of the best dives I've done. I wish you the best of luck and sincerely hope that you can at the very least personally recover from this. Please keep the diving community abreast of your progress and new endevours so we can fully support any future ventures.

Best of Luck,
Jim

 

[dbg40]

Fair winds and following seas Capt. Mike. Thanks for some great times, I bet we see you back again before it's all over. Fiew men can say they were Captain of the Seeker.
we all wait for news.

Dave.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Well that explains why I haven't received any replies to my emails asking to set up some dives when I visit down there.

 

[Rafael]

Captain Mike, Ray, this are terrible news, i was really looking forward to dive with you guys, i been dreaming about the day i will be able to dive with you, that was one of my goals this year, is really sad to find out you won't be there for it, but i'm sure you will do just fine, is not many people out there who can tell i was the Captain or crew of the seeker one of the best diving vessel ever in the world.

My best wishes for all of you,

-Rafael

P.S.

Is anything the diving community can do to help you to save the operation?

 

[sean22]

Unfortunately it appears that a respected Rhode Island based charter operation has run into some financial dificulties.

That is unfortunate. As you know, it is very hard to make a go of Dive Charters here in New England. Weather and a short season work against it. Heck, even dive shops come and go on a regular basis.

 

[christine1223]

Hey all! Just got the sad news today about the unfortunate circumstances involving the Seeker. I am thankful that I had my chance to dive off such a historically significant charter in the Northeast dive community. I made it out to the 853 with John and Richie on the Seeker a few weeks ago and was thrilled with the first class operation that Capt. Mike Jensen and his crew provided. My fiance and I were really looking forward to booking another day out. I wish Capt. Jensen and his crew all the best and a huge thank you for the wonderful day of diving that we had on the 853 which was nothing short of perfect.
Safe diving.

 

[pgdive]

I know this is a old post and maybe it's already been discussed latetly. But has anyone heard any updated information on the status of the Seeker. The reason I ask is that I still get calls from time to time from people that paid for a U-853 charter this summer, right beofore they went our of business.

Paul

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

And Ray, if you need to go catch some quahogs to blow off steam I am there!

me too.