going on a liveaboard

[on my way wanda]

I am going on a liveaboard in British Columbia shortly does any of the ontario fresh water freaks have any advice for me since this my first time on a liveaboard and being in B.C. ;)

[diverlady]

I went on a liveaboard in 2002 out of Vancouver. It was my first liveaboard as well as a first for a few others in my group.
Firstly, on the LA, they assumed people had been on them before and knew what the routine was. We hadn't, so we didn't. The actual dives were not as organized as we were used to. It was more like a free-for-all getting in the water. We were not expecting to do free ascents but instead, navigate back to the anchor line. This is how we did it but other divers (they happened to be American) were getting ticked at having to underwater navigate. They wanted to surface whereever and be picked up so we eventually did it that way.
Secondly, we were not familiar with diving from a secondary boat. This being the case, we were not completely suited up for the ride out to the divesite and as a result we got soaked since our drysuits were not done up. There were several crew on this little boat that could have at least mentioned what the ride was going to be like. We were used to getting a 10 min warning for the location and then gearing up.
Take earplugs if there's a chance your cabin is next to the engine.

Hmmm... That's all I can think of right now.

Diverlady

[simcoediver]

Is the Browning Wall out from Vancouver?Is that where you are going? I envy you!

[mcrae]

Hi Wanda, sounds awesome. BC is a the top of my list to dive, every picture I have seen makes me jealous.

Hope every thing goes well, and I think you have a dry suit which will be a definate plus out there.

Have Fun
Gary

[Doppler]

on my way wanda once bubbled...
I am going on a liveaboard in British Columbia shortly does any of the ontario fresh water freaks have any advice for me since this my first time on a liveaboard and being in B.C. ;)

Take twice as much film or video tape as you originally planned.

Be ready for current.

Don't eat greasy food! :)

Pray for a roomie who doesn't snore.

British Columbia offers some of the best critter diving anywhere in north america... including the Islands. Have fun. You'll love it, and remember to rinse your gear!


Steve L

[on my way wanda]

Hi everyone
I am very excited but abit nervous since I don't know who I rooming with I hope they don't snore!!!
I well let everyone know what I saw and how it went. Thanks for the advice I well definetly keep in mind. :)

[Kaos]

Hi Wanda

Which live-aboard are you going on? The Sea Venturer in Port Hardy, Vancouver Island? I was on it last month, had a great time, you can check out some of the pics at http://www.securenet.net/members/jlangloi/vcr_island

For tips on this particular area on that particular boat:

1. Water temp was 45 F last month; viz approx 25-30 feet
2. Most dives are wall dives at slack tide; descent and ascent lines are of the natural kind (kelp) :)
3. All dives are taken from the "skiff", an outboard motor high speed boat that took us to and from the dive sites. The main boat only took us from one island to another daily.
4. Area is very damp and not very sunny, so bring lots of extra clothes. Thankfully the Sea Venturer had a dryer on board.
5. We went on whale watching trips, so bring plenty of film for your camera (or a huge flash card).
6. Diving isn't very restricted in terms of time and depth. You get a briefing before each dive and then go on your own with your buddy.

Another live-aboard in the Port Hardy area, the Clavella I believe it's called, operates the same way. I loved diving in British Columbia, and of all the dive trips I took, it's the only one I'm sure I'll repeat again someday. Let us know how it goes.

[on my way wanda]

Kaos once bubbled...
Hi Wanda

Which live-aboard are you going on? The Sea Venturer in Port Hardy, Vancouver Island? I was on it last month, had a great time, you can check out some of the pics at http://www.securenet.net/members/jlangloi/vcr_island

For tips on this particular area on that particular boat:

1. Water temp was 45 F last month; viz approx 25-30 feet
2. Most dives are wall dives at slack tide; descent and ascent lines are of the natural kind (kelp) :)
3. All dives are taken from the "skiff", an outboard motor high speed boat that took us to and from the dive sites. The main boat only took us from one island to another daily.
4. Area is very damp and not very sunny, so bring lots of extra clothes. Thankfully the Sea Venturer had a dryer on board.
5. We went on whale watching trips, so bring plenty of film for your camera (or a huge flash card).
6. Diving isn't very restricted in terms of time and depth. You get a briefing before each dive and then go on your own with your buddy.

Another live-aboard in the Port Hardy area, the Clavella I believe it's called, operates the same way. I loved diving in British Columbia, and of all the dive trips I took, it's the only one I'm sure I'll repeat again someday. Let us know how it goes.

The live-aboard is called nautilous explorer in Port Hardy. It looks like a fair size and I am told it is a nice one to be on, we well see I guess. I did some snorkling in Alaska and did alot of swimming through kelp but never used it as a descent and ascent this well interesting. I guess I well be packing alot of warm cloths????
Thanks for the advice definitely I well take all into account.
:)

[diverlady]

That's the one I was on. The Nautilus Explorer. It's definitely a nice boat!!

Diverlady

[on my way wanda]

diverlady once bubbled...
That's the one I was on. The Nautilus Explorer. It's definitely a nice boat!!

Diverlady
Diverlady from your previous comments about your experience on a live-aboard are you sure this is a nice boat it sounds abit unorganized to me and what is the boat like eg food facility etc.???? :eek:

[diverlady]

The food was fine. I was just glad not to be the one having to cook it so I wasn't about to be picky. They usually had salad with everything and a couple of different meat items. I didn't find it hard to find something especially since I don't eat red meat. There was plenty for everyone. If you have some allergy or require a special diet, you should contact them ahead so they can adjust for it.

My cabin was next to the engine room so the first night I didn't sleep at all! After that, I was fine. The cabin I was in was quite nice. It had it's own shower, toilet and sink. One bed was a double, the other a single and there's space beneath it for your luggage. I think most of the cabins were like this except for the ones on the top deck. They had queen or king beds. There was also a more general quarters area that slept about 4-6 people in bunks. I didn't have a chance to see that room as it was accessed from a different door than my cabin. There is a dryer on board if you get wet as well as a gear shower. The Indy (skiff) works well. There is a space below each seat for you to stow your fins, mask etc. but make sure your stuff is well secured or it could blow off during the high speed ride out. And make sure your drysuit is done up completely or you'll get wet on the ride!! You leave everything on the skiff between dives (except for you suit) and they load the skiff onto the back of the NExp.

My club is highly organized so I'm used to going into the water in a specific order. Those not going in first, help those that are get ready. That wasn't the case here. Basically, they get to the site and say "okay, we're here. Be back in an hour". So everyone is scrambling to get in. They were pretty strict on when you should be coming back as well as when the "Indy" was departing the NExp. as they are working around the tides.

Diverlady

[on my way wanda]

[QUOTE]diverlady once bubbled...
[B]The food was fine. I was just glad not to be the one having to cook it so I wasn't about to be picky. They usually had salad with everything and a couple of different meat items. I didn't find it hard to find something especially since I don't eat red meat. There was plenty for everyone. If you have some allergy or require a special diet, you should contact them ahead so they can adjust for it.

My cabin was next to the engine room so the first night I didn't sleep at all! After that, I was fine. The cabin I was in was quite nice. It had it's own shower, toilet and sink. One bed was a double, the other a single and there's space beneath it for your luggage. I think most of the cabins were like this except for the ones on the top deck. They had queen or king beds. There was also a more general quarters area that slept about 4-6 people in bunks. I didn't have a chance to see that room as it was accessed from a different door than my cabin. There is a dryer on board if you get wet as well as a gear shower. The Indy (skiff) works well. There is a space below each seat for you to stow your fins, mask etc. but make sure your stuff is well secured or it could blow off during the high speed ride out. And make sure your drysuit is done up completely or you'll get wet on the ride!! You leave everything on the skiff between dives (except for you suit) and they load the skiff onto the back of the NExp.

My club is highly organized so I'm used to going into the water in a specific order. Those not going in first, help those that are get ready. That wasn't the case here. Basically, they get to the site and say "okay, we're here. Be back in an hour". So everyone is scrambling to get in. They were pretty strict on when you should be coming back as well as when the "Indy" was departing the NExp. as they are working around the tides.

Hi diverlady
When did you go? The people I dive with are the same we help each other out when getting into water so I hope no surprices, but I am going with a group there well be about 6 of us so I think we all well some how manage and assist each other since some of the group I already dove with before.

:)

[diverlady]

I went in May 2002. There were 7 of us from my club but we were spread out on the skiff so there was no way to get to each other to help out as there's not much room to move around. Most of the time my buddy and I sat back and let the others fight their way in then we went in when the rush was over. An hour was generally more than enough time for us.

If you have a chance after the liveaboard, take the ferry over to Nanaimo and dive the Cape Breton and Saskatchewan (charter required). They were great. I could go back again just to dive those wrecks!

Diverlady

PS I did make it onto their webpage under the historical captain's logs for May11, 2002. Second pic down - far left. :)

[on my way wanda]

Hey to all who gave me some advice on the B.C. Liveaboard, thanks for all your wisdom on the topic which was well used.
I loved B.C. diving it was great, mostly wall dives and done during slack tide and you got to love that kelp for safety stops.
Did some diving with seals, they are alot of fun and interesting to watch under water. Saw king crabs, huge sea cucumbers some octopus tones of fish eg rock fish, up to 4ft in length. Did some wrecks, one of which was called the capilano, top deck started about 120ft, penetrable for the experienced diver.
I am hooked on diving on the west coast. The boat I was on was fab!!!!!! food was great, the boat was large enough so if you wanted to be alone you could fine a spot to be alone, I hear you don't always get that on some liveaboards eg blackbeards this is what I was told by a diver who has been on at least 20 times on a blackbeard trip, he paid the same price for a B.C. liveaboard as he did for the blackbeard.
I am planning on going again either earily spring or mid Aug. to end of Sept. I hear is the best time for vis and marine life.
Hopefully some of you ontario fresh water freaks could join me???
Later!!!!!!!!!:thumb: :jump: