scbaNE2179
Contributor
Perhaps most don't carry enough for everyone and are afraid if they advertised it they wouldn't have enough to meet the demand? This way the people that really need/request them can get them? I generally request these for my husband when making reservations (big guy & photographer - I think the photography part is more the issue for him.) I seem to recall running into a couple boats that didn't actually have them but would make a point of getting them on board if requested in advance.
It would be good if all liveaboards had a couple big tanks squirreled away for the heavy breathers that didn't know or think to ask in advance, which would help with situations like the one that started this thread. Though maybe still not enough, in this case.
Not sure if it's a demand thing as it is not a common request that most divers make. Most of the livaboard boats I've been on have at least 2-4 AL100 tanks but again, I have yet to see any info about larger capacity tanks as written on their website, brochures, etc. Some boats offers these tanks for free, others may charge you for it so it never hurts to ask if they are available and if so, if there's a charge to use them.