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I understand this is upsetting to many, but in Ken's and Sharon's defense, they have no idea what the rest of the season will look like. The bank doesn't understand when when you can't make payments just because there is no sport diving/divers available to fill the boat. The last 3 years were devestating to the liveaboard diving community. Ask the owners of the Nekton boats or the Gulf Stream Eagle. Heck, ask any liveaboard owner.
Melanie and I made a different decision, but I can't find fault with the management of the Fling for theirs.
I understand this is upsetting to many, but in Ken's and Sharon's defense, they have no idea what the rest of the season will look like. The bank doesn't understand when when you can't make payments just because there is no sport diving/divers available to fill the boat. The last 3 years were devestating to the liveaboard diving community. Ask the owners of the Nekton boats or the Gulf Stream Eagle. Heck, ask any liveaboard owner.
Melanie and I made a different decision, but I can't find fault with the management of the Fling for theirs.
That really is quite bad news. June, July, and August are the peak of the dive season at the FGB. If those 3 months are not quite profitable, then the business is probably not sustainable.
But I do wonder how abandoning the FGB customers this year will effect future business. I'm sure the government and BP are paying well but .....
The last 3 years were devestating to the liveaboard diving community. Ask the owners of the Nekton boats or the Gulf Stream Eagle. Heck, ask any liveaboard owner.
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Gary, those three months must put enough in the coffers to support the boat all year. Considering the cancellation rate for Spring and Fall, and three months off to do maintenance and you just can't schedule trips in November, December, and January, You're right. And actually, peak weather at the FGB is July, August, and September. September is no longer viable because of school starting early, June is not viable because of weather (I always said that nothing could be counted on until July 4th weekend. And it usually blew out), so enough profit must be made in July and August to keep things static year round. The divers just aren't there to support the destination, which is sad, because the Flower Gardens are superb diving.
Dive shops never made enough profit on FGB trips to really push them, and lotsa divers won't go without their dive shop. If it weren't for the research I'm doing, I'd be in big trouble too.
Gary, those three months must put enough in the coffers to support the boat all year. Considering the cancellation rate for Spring and Fall, and three months off to do maintenance and you just can't schedule trips in November, December, and January, You're right. And actually, peak weather at the FGB is July, August, and September. September is no longer viable because of school starting early, June is not viable because of weather (I always said that nothing could be counted on until July 4th weekend. And it usually blew out), so enough profit must be made in July and August to keep things static year round. The divers just aren't there to support the destination, which is sad, because the Flower Gardens are superb diving.
Dive shops never made enough profit on FGB trips to really push them, and lotsa divers won't go without their dive shop. If it weren't for the research I'm doing, I'd be in big trouble too.
I'm on that July 10 dive trip. What are the chances this contract will 'spill over' to include that weekend? As best i understand it, the Gulf of Mexico Foundation has already bought out the entire boat!
When I used to charter to the GOMF, it was a relatively informal affair, .