Doubles and deco friendly boats in NC?

[Bobby F]

Just thought I would say hi and see what you guys are doing in the Carolina's. I am now living in Charlotte though I go to NFL for most of my dive trips. I have not been doing a lot of wreck or ocean diving for over a year but used to do a lot of it in the early 90's in Jersey. I hope to get some good wrecks in next summer. Are there double's and deco friendly boats that any of you know about?

[Charlie J]

We're doing an "easy" dive in April - see this thread:

NDWD April Wreck Trip (http://www.scubaboard.com/t78881-ncwd_wreck_diving_april_2-3_2005.html)

You might PM DWright - he's a tech diver and could probably point you towards some charters.

Where in North FL? I'm from Jacksonville originally, and would appreciate your input on dives from that area.

[Bobby F]

Where in North FL? I'm from Jacksonville originally, and would appreciate your input on dives from that area.

Mostly High Springs, Fort White, the general cave dive area's and then over towards Crystal River and up towards Jackson Blue when I get the chance.

[Jason B]

Hey Bobby,
welcome to NC. Check out Olympus for deco.
http://www.olympusdiving.com/

Jason

[steve2281]

The "Diver Down" out of Morehead City might be a possibility. I did a trip with them last summer and we had a couple of divers diving doubles. While deco was not mentioned, it was stated that if you were planning on doing extended "safety stops" you should be one of the first divers in the water. Everyone kept it within reason since many of the divers were doing rec profiles. I don't know if Bobby runs any strictly tech trips or not. Hope this helps.

[Bobby F]

Thanks for all the input, I will definately check out the dive operators. I have some friends from upper NY that want to do some trips next year, mix of rec / tec. Sounds like the old days in Jersey with long safety stops ;) .

Bobby

[dwright]

Thanks for all the input, I will definately check out the dive operators. I have some friends from upper NY that want to do some trips next year, mix of rec / tec. Sounds like the old days in Jersey with long safety stops ;) .

Bobby

Bobby,
As stated, Capt. Bobby Cox of Diver Down does allow "extended safety stops" however, does not run "tech" trips. Atlantis runs tech trips..they are the ones I told you about in my PM. I've done the Manuela @ 165fsw and the E.M. Clark at 240fsw with them and they run a good boat.

[Bobby F]

Bobby,
As stated, Capt. Bobby Cox of Diver Down does allow "extended safety stops" however, does not run "tech" trips. Atlantis runs tech trips..they are the ones I told you about in my PM. I've done the Manuela @ 165fsw and the E.M. Clark at 240fsw with them and they run a good boat.

Thanks Dale I checked out thier web site. Do they provide mix or do you know someone that does? Atlantis that is for the deeper dives, I understand about Diver Down and if I go will adhere to the captains and everyone elses comfort level. If so do you know the cost per cu. ft.? No one in my area has it and I may have to get some K bottles together to do my own. I have been spoiled by the ease and prices in NFL ;)

Bobby

[fireflock]

http://seatales.com/ runs tech trips.

Rich

[hex92]

Thanks Dale I checked out thier web site. Do they provide mix or do you know someone that does? Atlantis that is for the deeper dives, I understand about Diver Down and if I go will adhere to the captains and everyone elses comfort level. If so do you know the cost per cu. ft.? No one in my area has it and I may have to get some K bottles together to do my own. I have been spoiled by the ease and prices in NFL ;)

Bobby


Diver Down provides any mix you want.....As long as its 30%

[CapeFear]

I agree with dwright about Atlantis IV, big boat with lots of room and you dive like YOU want. http://www.atlantischarters.net/

Another good charter out of Morehead is Sea Tales. They also allow you to dive YOUR plan. http://www.seatales.com/

Out of Hatteras the Akyla caters to tech and goes to less visited sites. Great op!! http://www.divehatteras.com/

All of these guys let you do your own thing and would make a good fit for your style. A word of warning is since there are few boats that cater to tech they book up WAY in advance on the weekends. If you want to go next year, call and book the charter now!!
I dont know anyone doing mix on the coast but most shops will top you off with nitrox. Olympus used to do mix if you called in advance for them to get the required gas, but they charged a arm and both legs for it!!

I would say stay way from any of the "big boat" operators mentioned in the above posts or in the area of Morehead if you want to do more than a 10 minute stop. I can say I have been "spoke too" a few times for doing 10 - 15 minutes even tho these operators "agreed" to my planned "extended safety stop" before the dive. Other times they were just fine with it. I have found them all to be good operators overall.

Just my 2 cents
Mike

[Bobby F]

Diver Down provides any mix you want.....As long as its 30%

I figured it was a long shot getting trimix up here, looks like I will be getting a few K bottles for the garage.

[Bobby F]

I agree with dwright about Atlantis IV, big boat with lots of room and you dive like YOU want. http://www.atlantischarters.net/

Another good charter out of Morehead is Sea Tales. They also allow you to dive YOUR plan. http://www.seatales.com/

Out of Hatteras the Akyla caters to tech and goes to less visited sites. Great op!! http://www.divehatteras.com/

All of these guys let you do your own thing and would make a good fit for your style. A word of warning is since there are few boats that cater to tech they book up WAY in advance on the weekends. If you want to go next year, call and book the charter now!!
I dont know anyone doing mix on the coast but most shops will top you off with nitrox. Olympus used to do mix if you called in advance for them to get the required gas, but they charged a arm and both legs for it!!

I would say stay way from any of the "big boat" operators mentioned in the above posts or in the area of Morehead if you want to do more than a 10 minute stop. I can say I have been "spoke too" a few times for doing 10 - 15 minutes even tho these operators "agreed" to my planned "extended safety stop" before the dive. Other times they were just fine with it. I have found them all to be good operators overall.

Just my 2 cents
Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the info, I sent your post to my email so I can have the links. I will check out thier web site after lunch. Like I mentioned earlier I will probably put a few K bottles in the garage. If anyone else wants to put in for some HE I am up for splitting up the gas. I would pay about the same when I go to NFL so probably the only place I would use it is for diving here.