The Fling cancels all(most) June trips to Flower Gardens

[MOWI]

Good for them, having competent divers (who understand this isn't just an "oil you can see on the surface" and "oil coming to shore" problem) working on this disaster is goodness.

 

[redacted]

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.

 

[MOWI]

Well, last time I was on the Fling, we had 9' seas and it gave the word "Fling" a real tough meaning. (MV Hurl, anyone?) Let's just say we used up almost all of their vast supply of kitchen-size garbage bags.

I was just about to get ready to go back... let's hope they can resume business soon. Meanwhile, though, I'm glad someone with a dive perspective is on the Oil Spill case.

 

[carrielsal]

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.

If they're having a tough year(s) and contracting out for a few months helps them financially, good for them. All of us have had to make tough decisions with the economic downturn.

 

[Wookie]

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.

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.

 

[mike_s]

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 .....

are they paying well? or are they just saying they would pay well.

I don't know that most of the "local contracted boats" have actually been paid by BP as promised.

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.
.

I agree with you completely that the last years have been devastating to the liveaboard boats.... But in the case of the Nekton and Gulf Stream Eagle, both of them "shot themselves in the foot".

Nekton had the 'most loyal' customers out there. but their lack of properly maintaining their boats cause so many cancellations due to mechanical issues that all they were doing was "giving away free trips". In the end the folded. Gulf Stream Eagle just pissed off what little amount of customers it had in the first place.... They folded also and sold off their boat. To me, both of their failures was mostly self inflicted, even if they blamed it on the economy.

 

[rakpix]

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!

 

[rakpix]

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.

oh btw, i'm also on the june 20th dive with y'all. gonna hit the vandy! see you soon!

 

[Wookie]

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!

I am not involved in any way whatsoever with the operation or management of the Fling. I am still on friendly terms with the owners. I can tell you that the folks that hired them tried to hire me also, and it was put like this: "The contract will be for 30 days, but I expect it to go as long as 6 months". I have no idea what conversation took place between the owners of the Fling and the contractor.

When I used to charter to the GOMF, it was a relatively informal affair, based on a handshake or a non-binding agreement.

 

[mike_s]

When I used to charter to the GOMF, it was a relatively informal affair, .

Wasn't sure what GOMF was.... put it in Google and the first hit was rather surprising...

but I think it's the Gulf of Mexico Foundation after a little further research...