Rj1052
Registered
Hello all!
We recently returned from a trip on the Belle Amie from the Nautilus Liveaboard fleet. We went July 8-16 and were scheduled for Socorro, but due to Mexico (and the Navy) not opening Marine parks, we ended up exploring the Sea of Cortez. This trip was probably one of the first Liveaboard trips since the pandemic hit and I wanted to share the experience.
For the week leading up to the trip, we were required to record our temperature twice per day and were given a short exam by a medical professional upon arrival at the dive center. The staff was very good about keeping PPE on at all times and maintaining distance.
Once on board, it was apparent how different this trip would be. They installed touch less hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Staff stayed masked at ALL times. I applaud them for remembering to be masked from the second they exited the water until the guests were asleep. They were also constantly wiping down surfaces or power washing the decks.
Gone are the days of mask buckets, buffets, and getting your own ice. A touch less water dispenser was available to refill your water bottle, but all other drinks were handled by the staff. We were given the option to not have our room cleaned (it was fogged with disinfectant and sealed upon our arrival) if we didn’t want anyone in there, but it was our choice.
As far as masks went, we were asked to wear them anywhere distancing was not possible. So basically anywhere inside. The trip wasn’t full, so even with everyone seated for meals, there was still room between families/individuals and we would remove masks once seated.
We figured out the easiest thing to do was keep a buff around your neck that way we could stay masked even on the skiff, up until it was time to back roll.
In all, diving certainly will be different for some time, but it’s so worth it to be able to get back in the water. Nautilus did an amazing job of making us feel comfortable no matter your views! I commend them on their new policies and procedures and urge you to give them a chance if you can! I live in a hotspot and felt better being “quarantined” on a boat in the Sea of Cortez than I do going to the grocery store in my home town.
Here is a link to the video they did of our trip:
Stay safe and blow bubbles!
We recently returned from a trip on the Belle Amie from the Nautilus Liveaboard fleet. We went July 8-16 and were scheduled for Socorro, but due to Mexico (and the Navy) not opening Marine parks, we ended up exploring the Sea of Cortez. This trip was probably one of the first Liveaboard trips since the pandemic hit and I wanted to share the experience.
For the week leading up to the trip, we were required to record our temperature twice per day and were given a short exam by a medical professional upon arrival at the dive center. The staff was very good about keeping PPE on at all times and maintaining distance.
Once on board, it was apparent how different this trip would be. They installed touch less hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Staff stayed masked at ALL times. I applaud them for remembering to be masked from the second they exited the water until the guests were asleep. They were also constantly wiping down surfaces or power washing the decks.
Gone are the days of mask buckets, buffets, and getting your own ice. A touch less water dispenser was available to refill your water bottle, but all other drinks were handled by the staff. We were given the option to not have our room cleaned (it was fogged with disinfectant and sealed upon our arrival) if we didn’t want anyone in there, but it was our choice.
As far as masks went, we were asked to wear them anywhere distancing was not possible. So basically anywhere inside. The trip wasn’t full, so even with everyone seated for meals, there was still room between families/individuals and we would remove masks once seated.
We figured out the easiest thing to do was keep a buff around your neck that way we could stay masked even on the skiff, up until it was time to back roll.
In all, diving certainly will be different for some time, but it’s so worth it to be able to get back in the water. Nautilus did an amazing job of making us feel comfortable no matter your views! I commend them on their new policies and procedures and urge you to give them a chance if you can! I live in a hotspot and felt better being “quarantined” on a boat in the Sea of Cortez than I do going to the grocery store in my home town.
Here is a link to the video they did of our trip:
Stay safe and blow bubbles!