djanni
Contributor
We’re interested in your opinion. Would you expect compensation from Explorer Ventures, operator of the Turks & Caicos Caribbean Explorer II if you and 7 other divers entered a sick boat, got sick yourselves and missed half or more of the available dives? The illness was not just a runny nose and/or a cough but one that caused fever and sent people to their rooms because they were too sick to stay out of bed.
Here’s the situation:
This trip cost us $4,050 counting tip and related fees and excluding air fare and subsequent medical costs.
The crew knew there had been a lot of illness aboard the boat, yet took no extra measures to prevent its spread. We thought that under the circumstances we were due some form of compensation. We entered an admitted sick boat, got sick ourselves and missed a significant number of dives. A total of 8 people got sick and 5 of those were all on the main deck.
The owner of Explorer Ventures, Clay McCardell, with whom 6 of us have written to communicate our feelings and request compensation, has been quite cavalier and offers no compensation of any form. In essence, his position is: “The crew followed procedure… have a nice day.”
We’re wondering if you think some compensation would have been appropriate. Due to the fact we entered a sick boat resulting in 44% of the divers getting sick, should Explorer Ventures have taken some responsibility for the conditions aboard the boat and offered some form of compensation?
EDIT: Thinking some form of compensation is in order would be a "YES."
Thinking it's due but that you're not likely to get it -- is not a "NO."
Here’s the situation:
- On arrival Saturday, January 26th and during the group welcome, the coughing/sniffling purser apologized to the 18 divers for being ill and went on to say that two weeks prior a guest brought a virus aboard which spread through the crew the following week.
- The next morning the same sick crew member participated in breakfast preparations as well as serving and cleanup.
- The cook was absent that week and the boat captain, who reportedly had also been sick the prior week, did all the cooking.
- By Tuesday, the first two divers were sick; by Wednesday, 5 were sick; by Thursday, 6 were sick; and by Friday 7, were sick.
- Five of the sick divers were on the main level of the boat, which is where the sick purser slept the prior week. She slept in the same room that the diver, who was probably sickest of all, was assigned.
- During the week, another crew member got sick yet still helped with galley duties.
- The duvet and matching pillow covers were not sanitized upon our departure, leaving them for the next group of guests. Yuk! This leaves us to assume they were not sanitized before our arrival.
- During the week, guests requested the front and rear doors be opened to allow fresh air in as otherwise we were breathing germ-infested recycled air. They were opened but only twice and for short periods of time.
- During the week the crew said they were sterilizing surfaces but were observed using Windex on the coffee table, glass doors and table tops only.
- Friday evening while at dock in Provo, one of the sick divers went to see a doctor. The following Monday, my wife went to the doctor.
This trip cost us $4,050 counting tip and related fees and excluding air fare and subsequent medical costs.
The crew knew there had been a lot of illness aboard the boat, yet took no extra measures to prevent its spread. We thought that under the circumstances we were due some form of compensation. We entered an admitted sick boat, got sick ourselves and missed a significant number of dives. A total of 8 people got sick and 5 of those were all on the main deck.
The owner of Explorer Ventures, Clay McCardell, with whom 6 of us have written to communicate our feelings and request compensation, has been quite cavalier and offers no compensation of any form. In essence, his position is: “The crew followed procedure… have a nice day.”
We’re wondering if you think some compensation would have been appropriate. Due to the fact we entered a sick boat resulting in 44% of the divers getting sick, should Explorer Ventures have taken some responsibility for the conditions aboard the boat and offered some form of compensation?
EDIT: Thinking some form of compensation is in order would be a "YES."
Thinking it's due but that you're not likely to get it -- is not a "NO."