Vis is great here in Jacksonville!

[masonlc]

I was out on the 10th as well with the Jax Reef Research Team doing a fish survey at the Coppedge Tug and Culverts. We measured 66' of visibility. It was awesome!

 

[karenls70]

I was just reading all of the posts here. I'm a newbie at diving, but this had got me intrigued about diving Jax rather than scared. LOL. How deep are these areas are you talking about? I just got my open water certification, so I haven't gone that deep yet.

 

[Phreak-Out]

Hi Karen - we went out again this past Sunday and viz still around 40ft. The depth depending on the wreck / reef location are around 70-110 ft. Depending on the dive charter / shop some request you are AOW cert or have a specific number of open water dives in the ocean before going out with them. Definately worth doing!

Hope to see you out there!

 

[karenls70]

Thanks. I definitely plan on getting my AOW cert soon.

 

[Ana]

Sounds (and looks) like another great place to dive in Florida. I was recently there working off Mayport but not long enough to dive, I need better planning.

What's the water temperature at depth these days? I took a quick look at your website which looks very appealing but have a few questions.

All (most anyways) charters required proof of certification/experience but their methods vary greatly. Just like most charters have DMs/deckhands to assist divers but their level of assistance also vary greatly.

I don't know if it is ok to post here, but I wonder if you mind describing the process with a few more details.

Assume a diver calls you ask for 1 spot for Xday , 2 tank around 80 ~120 feet and a shallower for the 2nd dive . Gives you credit card #'s phone #'s (anything else?).
Dive day he shows up, what do you need at that point? I know it sounds silly but I've been ask so many different things depending on the location that I don't know anymore.
-Is an AOW card enough? If you happen to see another card in the wallet will you requite that card?
-If the diver shows up with their own tanks; do you check the mix in tanks, or does a Nitrox card is enough? or is it the responsibility of the diver to use what is in his own tanks?
Do you keep the cards until the end of the day and the diver has to go back to the office to retrieve its cards?

After all paperwork, release and money is completed diver goes on board. Gear is put together, Capt or DM describes rules of the boat, pfd's, fire procedure and then the rules of the dives. What are the typical rules, again sounds silly I know.

I just noticed that for some reason (maybe past accidents) there are charters that have the weirdest "rules", when questioned they claim insurance forces them to do that.
I dove off one boat that you were allowed to go from the ladder to your spot by yourself (without the DM holding your valve) but not from your spot to the ladder. Under same sea state and same clear path. I'm talking about 4 steps maybe 5 for short legged people.

I love having help available when I need it, specially as I get older. But when it comes to "this is the procedure on this boat" I like to know in advance, of course using local charters a diver gets used to certain ways, using private boats also spoils people.

 

[Jud1417]

As residents of Fernandina and owning our own boat we dive offshore just about every weekend in the summer months. There are areas such as KBY that start as close as 6-7 miles and average 45-50 ft. depth. Further out areas such as "HH" which is a 20 mile run averages 70 ft. The vis. in the summer can range from 20-30 ft with "epic days" like we had recently that are 70 ft. plus. Water temps run from the mid 70's to almost 80 degrees or more assuming you don't hit thermos. It's always nice to meet new people to dive with so contact us if you are interested in diving Fernandina.

 

[divejax]

Sounds (and looks) like another great place to dive in Florida. I was recently there working off Mayport but not long enough to dive, I need better planning.

What's the water temperature at depth these days? I took a quick look at your website which looks very appealing but have a few questions.

All (most anyways) charters required proof of certification/experience but their methods vary greatly. Just like most charters have DMs/deckhands to assist divers but their level of assistance also vary greatly.

I don't know if it is ok to post here, but I wonder if you mind describing the process with a few more details.

Assume a diver calls you ask for 1 spot for Xday , 2 tank around 80 ~120 feet and a shallower for the 2nd dive . Gives you credit card #'s phone #'s (anything else?).
Dive day he shows up, what do you need at that point? I know it sounds silly but I've been ask so many different things depending on the location that I don't know anymore.
-Is an AOW card enough? If you happen to see another card in the wallet will you requite that card?
-If the diver shows up with their own tanks; do you check the mix in tanks, or does a Nitrox card is enough? or is it the responsibility of the diver to use what is in his own tanks?
Do you keep the cards until the end of the day and the diver has to go back to the office to retrieve its cards?

After all paperwork, release and money is completed diver goes on board. Gear is put together, Capt or DM describes rules of the boat, pfd's, fire procedure and then the rules of the dives. What are the typical rules, again sounds silly I know.

I just noticed that for some reason (maybe past accidents) there are charters that have the weirdest "rules", when questioned they claim insurance forces them to do that.
I dove off one boat that you were allowed to go from the ladder to your spot by yourself (without the DM holding your valve) but not from your spot to the ladder. Under same sea state and same clear path. I'm talking about 4 steps maybe 5 for short legged people.

I love having help available when I need it, specially as I get older. But when it comes to "this is the procedure on this boat" I like to know in advance, of course using local charters a diver gets used to certain ways, using private boats also spoils people.

Hello Ana!
Our crew are all instructors including the captain so you are in good hands with us as you dive under their watchful eye. The captain will accept log books as proof of experience. Our captain runs the oldest dive charter in Jacksonville and he doesnt micro-manage his boat. However, his safety procedures are pretty typical i.e waivers, breifings, etc as mandated by the insurance company's.
He ties into the wrecks and you go down the descent line sans the tank valve holding and escorted by our DM/instructor. Feel free to call our shop for more details.

Guy's no charters this weekend offshore Jax due to the recent storms stirring things up a bit. We will resume service Sept 10 - 12
Thanks

 

[Ana]

Hello Ana!
Our crew are all instructors including the captain so you are in good hands with us as you dive under their watchful eye. The captain will accept log books as proof of experience. Our captain runs the oldest dive charter in Jacksonville and he doesnt micro-manage his boat. However, his safety procedures are pretty typical i.e waivers, breifings, etc as mandated by the insurance company's.
He ties into the wrecks and you go down the descent line sans the tank valve holding and escorted by our DM/instructor. Feel free to call our shop for more details.

Guy's no charters this weekend offshore Jax due to the recent storms stirring things up a bit. We will resume service Sept 10 - 12
Thanks

Thanks for he reply.

Not sure when will be the next exercises going off Mayport but I'll keep your number to get a few more answers and give it a try.