hermosadive:
Come on Melvin. I hope there's a little humor implied in your post since your statement is not really true. ...
Actually, I see nothing incorrect or hostile in my statement. There is not any hidden agenda and quite frankly I do not see what in my post has given offense. If I have offended, I apologize.
My statement was, as I see it, a simple statement of fact. I did not say or imply that dives to 130 were the normal dive plan. I simply stated that dives to 130 feet are on the menu of potential dives if you book a seat. That is not an indictment and can be either good or bad depending upon the individual diver and their individual preferences as to what they are looking to do.
To elaborate, on what I meant to say: The Island Diver Dive Vet trips are well run operations at an affordable price. The Divevet and Island Diver caters to the divers and will go where the divers elect to go that morning based upon that mornings conditions and the group on board that day. The boat dives the local coast line and your planning should include the possibility that the dive on that day may include a dive up to 130 feet of water if that is where the group wants to go. If you prefer not do deep dives, then you might want to either a) consider another venue or b) make further inquires as to what the plan is for that particular date. Conversely, if you are looking to dive a little deeper, then this trip may be what you are looking for.
Yes, 130 feet is within the recreational limits. Yes, the Palawan was a pleasant dive and one I will make again on day, if I get another seat on the boat. Yes, my partner (Chris A, who had dove the Palawan several times and was an excellent dive buddy) and I discussed the dive before hand. We made a plan and set our depth limit at 110 feet which we executed flawlessly. Yes, I was back on the boat after a perfect dive with 1800 psi in the tank (thanks to a short fill of only 2800psi).
No, mention of any unsafe acts was made or implied by me. I agree the operation is well run. Yes, I recognized there were divers there with a specific agenda. Yes, I was asked if the Palawan was all right with me. Yes I agreed to dive the Palawan, albeit weakly with I would rather not, but its ok. Yes I could have said an empathic no. Yes I could have sat out the Palawan dive if I chose to do so. I could have just done the second dive and been very happy, and thought it still a good deal at the price we pay. No, I was not aware of that agenda before I arrived at the boat.
hermosadive:
Anyone who wants to sign-up for any Island Diver trip with Divevets can ask for a trip that will not include the Palawan, but it should be done in advance. Even the Avalon sits in the 70' range, so keep in mind these trips are not going to be for everyone.....
I believe that was the underlying message in my post.