Bad news from Galapagos, Aggressor 1 Liveaboard is out of service 06/13

[Selachi]

Thanks for posting this and I'm very glad that you were not more badly hurt, although a broken kneecap is nothing to laugh about. Our honeymoon on the Agressor 1 in Galapegos included fabulous diving but there were some unfortunate memories of crew stealing, lying and we also had our trip cut short, due to a passenger with DCS. We did complain to the captain and the Agressor president but we were offered nothing, only an apology. With the stories coming out this spring and our own experiences, I know that we will find a different dive company to take future dive trips with.

I was a guest on Deep Blue when this incident happened. Both my wife and I were awoken in the middle of the night by what we thought sounded like a crew party going on outside our cabin. We tried to ignore it but couldn't get back to sleep. So without my spectacles and bleary-eyed I stumbled out of our cabin to investigate. I was completely confused by the number of people I found. When I asked what was going on, someone replied, "we have just got off our sinking boat". I was acutely embarrassed by my now evaporating irritation. Later, when I was more myself, I chatted with some of the Aggressor guests and joked that I was concerned that Deep Blue was running out of food. We had been having lots of problems during our trip. My joke was actually more serious than I made it seem. The next day (after the Aggressor guests had left) we ran out of drinking water! That, together with a long list of other major problems (some relating to safety), means I am unable to recommend Deep Blue should you return to Galapagos. At least the Aggressor guests had the benefit of a safety briefing and possibly even a drill. We had neither.

---------- Post added June 23rd, 2013 at 05:08 PM ----------

Homi Adajania, welcome to the board and thanks for the first had account. If you contact a moderator they might allow you to post your pictures as I think this incident would be the exception to the std. rule of needing 25 posts. What I find most interesting is no GPS + rudder issues + traveling at night == sunk ship. But even more so what was the issue with the life raft? There should not be any difficulty in deploying a lift raft.

The issue of not being able to quickly release a life raft is something that has concerned me on almost every boat I have been on. My late father was a naval architect with a particular interest in passenger safety. He would be horrified if he saw the way the rafts are usually secured on the boats I have used. The rafts are supposed to be free to float away without human intervention. I have yet to see a boat where this would be sure to happen. Deep Blue, which I was on when she picked up the Aggressor guests, has rafts fitted with automatic releases but one of the rafts was roped down. I can't comment on Aggressor I because I haven't been on board. It may have been the boat's list that caused the problem. Hopefully the rafts would have floated free had she actually gone down. Perhaps more of us should look at the rafts and let boat crews know of any concerns. A life raft that goes down with the boat isn't fit for purpose! Some years ago I complained to the owner of a Red Sea liveaboard that her life rafts were strapped to their cradles. He was unconcerned, explaining that if they weren't secured like that then the rafts might rock out of their cradles in a heavy sea and that it didn't take long to unstrap them. Less than a year later this boat hit the reef in the early hours and sank too quickly for anyone to release the rafts. Some divers who I knew, were on board and they told me that they barely had time to get out of their cabin. One of them said that the water on the lower deck was up to his chest before he had even reached the stairs.

 

[Wookie]

The issue of not being able to quickly release a life raft is something that has concerned me on almost every boat I have been on. My late father was a naval architect with a particular interest in passenger safety. He would be horrified if he saw the way the rafts are usually secured on the boats I have used. The rafts are supposed to be free to float away without human intervention. I have yet to see a boat where this would be sure to happen. Deep Blue, which I was on when she picked up the Aggressor guests, has rafts fitted with automatic releases but one of the rafts was roped down. I can't comment on Aggressor I because I haven't been on board. It may have been the boat's list that caused the problem. Hopefully the rafts would have floated free had she actually gone down. Perhaps more of us should look at the rafts and let boat crews know of any concerns. A life raft that goes down with the boat isn't fit for purpose! Some years ago I complained to the owner of a Red Sea liveaboard that her life rafts were strapped to their cradles. He was unconcerned, explaining that if they weren't secured like that then the rafts might rock out of their cradles in a heavy sea and that it didn't take long to unstrap them. Less than a year later this boat hit the reef in the early hours and sank too quickly for anyone to release the rafts. Some divers who I knew, were on board and they told me that they barely had time to get out of their cabin. One of them said that the water on the lower deck was up to his chest before he had even reached the stairs.

As a liveaboard owner and passenger, I too have brought up my concerns regarding safety briefings, mandatory lifejacket drills, the condition of safety equipment, and the ability of the crew to communicate in their guests most used language. [sarchasm]I have always been well assured by customers and other denizens of this board that price is the only consideration when booking a liveaboard. They trust in the crew to ensure that everything goes right in an emergency, and that silly things like working hydrostatic releases and lifejackets with working water lights and drills are not important as long as the price is right./[sarchasm]

Your mileage may, of course, vary

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Sarchasm - 1. (n.) The abyss between the creator of witticisms and the intended recipient who does not find the humor in it.

Origins: The combination of sarcasm and chasm. While originally coined as a "sniglet" by comedian, Rich Hall, this term has become so widely used in American language almost as to be common place here in the States.

Source: sarchasm Definition - The Unword Dictionary

 

[Wookie]

Sarchasm - 1. (n.) The abyss between the creator of witticisms and the intended recipient who does not find the humor in it.

Origins: The combination of sarcasm and chasm. While originally coined as a "sniglet" by comedian, Rich Hall, this term has become so widely used in American language almost as to be common place here in the States.

Source: sarchasm Definition - The Unword Dictionary

I expect a lot of people here will not find humor in what I had to say. I expect more than a few PM's. It's OK, my crew drills, our hydrostatic releases work, and we hold safety briefings and lifejacket drills. It's the law, and it's the right thing to do.

 

[full fin]

Wow. I took my first liveaboard trip on the Humboldt Explorer in Galapagos a couple weeks ago and passed by the wrecked Aggressor. I am frankly stunned reading the comments on lack of a safety briefing/drill, thieving crew, running out of water/food.

I have no skin in the game, but let me say that these accounts are opposite to what I saw on the Humboldt. We had a safety briefing, following by a random drill (alarm and all). The crew did this before we Aggressor sunk, so it must be routine. I don't know how well stored or easily retrieved the life rafts where, but they showed them to us. Also the crew was wonderful, I never could imagine any stealing. If anyone is gonna go back, sounds like the Humboldt is the way to go. And the cheapest - go figure.

 

[Selachi]

As a liveaboard owner and passenger, I too have brought up my concerns regarding safety briefings, mandatory lifejacket drills, the condition of safety equipment, and the ability of the crew to communicate in their guests most used language. [sarchasm]I have always been well assured by customers and other denizens of this board that price is the only consideration when booking a liveaboard. They trust in the crew to ensure that everything goes right in an emergency, and that silly things like working hydrostatic releases and lifejackets with working water lights and drills are not important as long as the price is right./[sarchasm] Your mileage may, of course, vary

I always look at the life rafts and I don't remember the last time that I liked what I saw. As a kid in the 1950s I went round the world by sea and saw some terrible weather particularly in the Southern Ocean. I don't want to die on some unsafe boat but I am a passionate diver so take some risk. I always plan my own safety strategies but ultimately you're in the hands of those running the boat.

 

[lostcajun]

We are scheduled to go on the Belize Aggressor III in July.


I have read a lot of great reports about Aggressor/Dancer fleet. The vast majority are glowing reviews about great service, great diving, quality food, and an overall great experience.


I have read a few reviews in which people didn't like various aspects of their experience. To evaluate what I read I usually filter out the best reviews and the worst reviews. What I find is a consistently reliable and quality operation. I have even read the report about the Belize Dancer that was caught in the hurricane in the early 2000s and I now have read the recent comments about the Galapagos incident.


The bad experiences are most unfortunate. I don't doubt that people have had less than perfect experiences with liveaboards. I would love it if all reviews were of a perfect experience for everyone at all times, but that is not the real world. Based on the majority of reviews, I say that I am still looking forward to our first trip on an Aggressor. I'm looking forward to being on a boat for 7 days watching sunrises and sunsets, and learning more about the scuba experience with each dive along with others who have their own experiences and lessons to share.


I expect an excellent experience, not because everyone is perfect, but because the majority of divers on Belize Aggressor III report that they have had a positive experience. I expect an excellent experience because the Belize Aggressor III has been able to keep the same crew for years. I expect an excellent experience because I believe our attitude has the most to do with making the best of things.


Does this mean I am in denial of the shortcomings of a business. No, I want businesses to provide everything they promise and a little more. I want them to make things right if and when things go wrong. But I don’t expect them to eliminate every mistake of which humans are capable. I'll be glad to offer an honest report when we return.

 

[Wookie]

We are scheduled to go on the Belize Aggressor III in July.


I have read a lot of great reports about Aggressor/Dancer fleet. The vast majority are glowing reviews about great service, great diving, quality food, and an overall great experience.


I have read a few reviews in which people didn't like various aspects of their experience. To evaluate what I read I usually filter out the best reviews and the worst reviews. What I find is a consistently reliable and quality operation. I have even read the report about the Belize Dancer that was caught in the hurricane in the early 2000s and I now have read the recent comments about the Galapagos incident.


The bad experiences are most unfortunate. I don't doubt that people have had less than perfect experiences with liveaboards. I would love it if all reviews were of a perfect experience for everyone at all times, but that is not the real world. Based on the majority of reviews, I say that I am still looking forward to our first trip on an Aggressor. I'm looking forward to being on a boat for 7 days watching sunrises and sunsets, and learning more about the scuba experience with each dive along with others who have their own experiences and lessons to share.


I expect an excellent experience, not because everyone is perfect, but because the majority of divers on Belize Aggressor III report that they have had a positive experience. I expect an excellent experience because the Belize Aggressor III has been able to keep the same crew for years. I expect an excellent experience because I believe our attitude has the most to do with making the best of things.


Does this mean I am in denial of the shortcomings of a business. No, I want businesses to provide everything they promise and a little more. I want them to make things right if and when things go wrong. But I don’t expect them to eliminate every mistake of which humans are capable. I'll be glad to offer an honest report when we return.

What happened on the Galapagos boat was truly unfortunate, but I'd expect that the Belize and Cayman boats are top notch yachts. You should have a great time.

 

[Selachi]

Wow. I took my first liveaboard trip on the Humboldt Explorer in Galapagos a couple weeks ago and passed by the wrecked Aggressor. I am frankly stunned reading the comments on lack of a safety briefing/drill, thieving crew, running out of water/food. I have no skin in the game, but let me say that these accounts are opposite to what I saw on the Humboldt. We had a safety briefing, following by a random drill (alarm and all). The crew did this before we Aggressor sunk, so it must be routine. I don't know how well stored or easily retrieved the life rafts where, but they showed them to us. Also the crew was wonderful, I never could imagine any stealing. If anyone is gonna go back, sounds like the Humboldt is the way to go. And the cheapest - go figure.

A friend from Italy was on the Humboldt in February and wanted us to go with him. I wish we had. Unfortunately we were in the extreme south of the Maldives at that time and already booked on Deep Blue for this month. As there are a few people who have made recent trips to Galapagos, although it isn't directly connected to this thread, I wondered if any of you had any bad experiences flying out of Ecuador? I was subjected to the most awful drugs search that lasted for an hour and my Italian friend had a similar experience.

 

[Robby]

I just came back from Galapagos last week. I was with Buddy Dive aboard the Darwin.
I must say it was the best dive vacations that i have ever taken. The boat was clean and well maintained. From what i have been told their boats run a lot faster then the other liveaboards. This cuts the travel time down and gives the crew more time to rest.They were not up all night while the boat traveled.The crew was awesome. The food was good and plenty of it.They had us perform a safety drill within the first hour of being on board. The diving was great. I would travel with them again. There were 16 people in my group and i did not hear 1 negative comment from the entire group.