Hi everybody, it was already covered by Mark but I'd like to respond to Vizcya's post and reiterate that Capt Bill's/NESS Rebreather policy has always been the same and NOT recently changed. As a mate on the boat and part time employee of NESS I can say we welcome any qualified diver to dive off of our boat, and I have had the pleasure of diving with many rebreather divers on the Tuna Seazure over the past couple years.
I believe where the contention comes from is the key word "qualified". This is the hardest to define and usually requires a reference of some sort if we do not know you or you have not been previously dove off our boat. What this means is that if you call up wanting to dive the Varanger (150fsw) and we do not have verifiable evidence that you are in fact qualified for the dive you will probably get turned down whether you are diving OC or CC, and I think most safe dive vessels have similar policies so this should really not be a big shocker. However, many "experienced" divers often take offense to questioning their credentials and feel the need to spout off about how such and such boat doesnt allow (insert what type of diver you are) on their boat.
Also as one of the crew on Friday I also am concerned as to the origins of "major problems putting the fear of CCR back into the Capt came from"?? As to the report, I wrote that and yes Mark nothing but love towards your unit
Dive safe everyone,
Brandon (future CCR diver)