Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly?

Tienuts · 22nd January 2008, 21:27

Myself and a few other Rebreather divers will be heading over to Nassau via cruise line. We planned on bringing our units with us.

Anyone have any experience with CCR diving in Nassau?

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 23rd January 2008, 03:13

Not directly on that island, but Brian Kakuk of Bahamas Underground is your man. When are you going, how much is the trip, and are you looking for other uninvited guests?

OceanOpportunity · 23rd January 2008, 11:59

I concur, Brian is the man of the Bahamas if you want the ins on where to go, and wil see things that most will never. I've worked with Brian since '98!

as for on your own...be prepared to enter the 3rd world island nation that is the Bahamas. I love the country, but they arent really up to snuff with technology..that carries over to diving. I havent visited Nassau, but shops elsewhere are VERY limited (you're lucky to get nitrox!).

Tienuts · 23rd January 2008, 12:32

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

are you looking for other uninvited guests?

There is a group of us going over in May on a Carnival Cruise. It leaves out of Miami. It just so happens we have 4 Rebreather divers, myself included, in our group.

The itenerary includes Nassau for 1 whole day (almost 24 hours.) The 4 of us were debating bringing our units over and doing 2 or 4 rec dives.

I called Stuart Cove - the guy there was rather snippy the second I mentioned CCR, however they allow them - they just offer no support. On previous cruises, I have brought my supplies (EAC and and filled cylinders) with me, although it was a pain.

We are debating if we should go through the trouble for half a day of diving.

Anyone is welcome if they want to go - the more the merrier, however you must be prepared to have full cylinders and sorb in Miami to bring on the boat.

**sfldiver** · 23rd January 2008, 16:56

A few years ago, I dove with Suarts Cove while visiting Nassau for the day on a cruise ship; however, at the time, I had yet to venture into the world of cc, so we dove oc.

Stuarts Cove picked us up at the dock and shuutled us to their dive shop. If I remember, it was a pretty good distance to get there and back. We opted to go out and do their shark dive, which consisted of two dives on the same spot. On the first dive, we ventures around a bit and saw the reef, and lots of wandering sharks, of course. The second dive is where the fun started. As if on cue, the sharks were all waiting underneath the boat and new the drill. The divers entered the water and proceded to a sandy area, where we all kneeled a semi-circle; however, the sharks ignored us, b/c they were all underneath the boat waintin for the feeder with the food. Once all the divers were in position, the feeder with the box of food entered the water, surrounded by approx 20+ good size Gray Reef Sharks. They stuck with him, until he positioned himself within the semi-circle and stated feeding them. He wore a steel mesh full body suit and a hockey helmet, because the sharks were all fighting to get at the food he would pull out of the box. He controlled them be never pulling out enough food to let things get out of hand.

The dives, especially the second one, were an awesome experience, b/c we were so close to the feeder that the sharks were all over us as well.

I don't see any reason why taking a rebreather would be a problem, especially if it's just for a couple of dives. Also, I remember the staff at stuarts cove to be very nice.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 23rd January 2008, 17:09

Sounds like a lot of work for a little diving.

I also have dived with Stuart Cove. I dived on the airplane wreck, which is the plane that they used for Into the Blue, the movie with Jessica Alba.

**sfldiver** · 23rd January 2008, 18:04

You're probably right - If I were going on a cruise, but I was only planning on diving one day and there were no cc tanks available there, I too would probably leave the rebreather at home and just do the oc thing. Plus, even if you did take a rebreather, unless you had fish to feed them, I suspect the sharks at Stuarts Cove would still ignore you.

JCdesign97 · 23rd January 2008, 18:59

Eons ago in my early OC days I dove with Stuart Cove's during a trip to Nassau, as well. It wasn't specifically a dive trip, but of course I made arrangements to dive while I was there. We dove one day with one of the local operators on the Cable Beach/Atlantis side of the island and it was terrible - reefs mostly dead, etc. Someone let us know that the south ocean side where Cove's is was worlds better; and they were right. We dove the rest of the time with them, but it is pretty much on the exact opposite end of the island from Cable Beach and the cruise ship terminal. There is a bus/taxi that will take you over there and Cove's ran a shuttle at the time, as well. Their operation is great - after one of the days with them we ended up missing the shuttle back to Cable Beach, mainly because we were chatting with Stuart and company. We were more than happy to call for a taxi, but Stuart had one of his employees drive us back to our hotel in his personal Jeep - definitely good people.

As far as CCRs go it's not entirely surprising that their reception isn't the warmest. As great as their operation is, their model is based on loading herd upon herd of OC tourist-type divers on and off their boats. Anything that doesn't fit that model is just a PITA to them. Just like everyone else, though, as they see the % of CCR divers increase and get more calls like Tony's, they'll have to decide if they want to adapt and grow with the times.

Good luck with the trip, however it shakes out.

lakelanddiver1978 · 24th January 2008, 00:31

I just dove (open circuit) with Stuart Cove's this past Friday (1/18). Iwas on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. I booked the excursion through the Cruise ship (125 with my own gear). Stuart Cove was supposed to pick us up from the dock, however, they never showed up and advised us to either take a taxi or get a refund from Royal Caribbean. As I had one of my newly minted open water students on the cruise wtih me, we decided to take the taxi. The taxi ride was about 35 minutes and cost $60 US. Thankfully Stuart Cove fully reinbursed us for the taxi fare. When we got there we signed the waivers and boarded the the dive boat. The boat was a 34 foot dive boat which was in great shape and was well crewed. And, as there was only three of us on the boat, we had lots of space. I spoke with the dive master and he said that Stuart Cove welcomed rebreathers and could supply pure O2 fills upto about 2800 psi. However, they provide no other rebreather support and no trimix fills. The ride out was a short one (5 minutes) and we dove a reef and the plane (which is now pretty tore up) and a nice little fishing boat wreck.

As a dive operation Stuart Cove is first rate, however, I doubt I would dive with my rebreather there. Most of the dives they are willing to run are shallow (100 feet or less) and getting just my open circuit gear through Ft. Lauderdale customs/security was a nightmare.

They took the dive bag to the side for inspection and examined every hose, o-ring bag, regulator and BC pocket. They even made me turn on the VR3 to demonstrate that it worked?!? And don't forget to take out dive knife!!! All in all, it took about 40 minutes to inspect my and my student's dive bag.

I doubt that they would allow any filled/valved cylinders on the boat. Also, I had a tube (I use paintball hopper tubes to store my topping off sorb) of sorb from a previous trip and they questioned me about what it was and would not allow it on the ship.

My 2 cents, Stuart Cove is a great dive, but it real hassel to dive CC off of a cruise ship there.

Tienuts · 24th January 2008, 01:19

Thanks for the replies fellas. My past experience in taking a full bottles on a cruise ship wasn't too bad. See my trip report here if you haven't read it already. Honestly, it was quite easy for me - I set up the unit, ready to dive. I carried that, and, a wetsuit, mask and fins in a stormcase right on the boat. The worst part was just lugging a 60 lb stormcase up the stairs to my hotel room.

OC is not an option. If we don't bring the CCR's we will be snorkeling, or getting drunk somewhere. Ricky will be going with me - and he is gung-ho about taking them over. He suggested breaking all the units down into our suitcases, and putting all cylinders and sorb in one stormcase.

We will keep everyone advised.

22nd January 2008, 21:27	#1 (permalink)
Tienuts Chief Prankster Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 205	Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? Myself and a few other Rebreather divers will be heading over to Nassau via cruise line. We planned on bringing our units with us. Anyone have any experience with CCR diving in Nassau?
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23rd January 2008, 03:13	#2 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,138	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? Not directly on that island, but Brian Kakuk of Bahamas Underground is your man. When are you going, how much is the trip, and are you looking for other uninvited guests? __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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23rd January 2008, 11:59	#3 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 543	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? I concur, Brian is the man of the Bahamas if you want the ins on where to go, and wil see things that most will never. I've worked with Brian since '98! as for on your own...be prepared to enter the 3rd world island nation that is the Bahamas. I love the country, but they arent really up to snuff with technology..that carries over to diving. I havent visited Nassau, but shops elsewhere are VERY limited (you're lucky to get nitrox!). __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
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23rd January 2008, 12:32	#4 (permalink)
Tienuts Chief Prankster Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 205	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) are you looking for other uninvited guests? There is a group of us going over in May on a Carnival Cruise. It leaves out of Miami. It just so happens we have 4 Rebreather divers, myself included, in our group. The itenerary includes Nassau for 1 whole day (almost 24 hours.) The 4 of us were debating bringing our units over and doing 2 or 4 rec dives. I called Stuart Cove - the guy there was rather snippy the second I mentioned CCR, however they allow them - they just offer no support. On previous cruises, I have brought my supplies (EAC and and filled cylinders) with me, although it was a pain. We are debating if we should go through the trouble for half a day of diving. Anyone is welcome if they want to go - the more the merrier, however you must be prepared to have full cylinders and sorb in Miami to bring on the boat.
(Online)

23rd January 2008, 16:56	#5 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 784	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? A few years ago, I dove with Suarts Cove while visiting Nassau for the day on a cruise ship; however, at the time, I had yet to venture into the world of cc, so we dove oc. Stuarts Cove picked us up at the dock and shuutled us to their dive shop. If I remember, it was a pretty good distance to get there and back. We opted to go out and do their shark dive, which consisted of two dives on the same spot. On the first dive, we ventures around a bit and saw the reef, and lots of wandering sharks, of course. The second dive is where the fun started. As if on cue, the sharks were all waiting underneath the boat and new the drill. The divers entered the water and proceded to a sandy area, where we all kneeled a semi-circle; however, the sharks ignored us, b/c they were all underneath the boat waintin for the feeder with the food. Once all the divers were in position, the feeder with the box of food entered the water, surrounded by approx 20+ good size Gray Reef Sharks. They stuck with him, until he positioned himself within the semi-circle and stated feeding them. He wore a steel mesh full body suit and a hockey helmet, because the sharks were all fighting to get at the food he would pull out of the box. He controlled them be never pulling out enough food to let things get out of hand. The dives, especially the second one, were an awesome experience, b/c we were so close to the feeder that the sharks were all over us as well. I don't see any reason why taking a rebreather would be a problem, especially if it's just for a couple of dives. Also, I remember the staff at stuarts cove to be very nice. __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
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23rd January 2008, 17:09	#6 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,138	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? Sounds like a lot of work for a little diving. I also have dived with Stuart Cove. I dived on the airplane wreck, which is the plane that they used for Into the Blue, the movie with Jessica Alba. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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23rd January 2008, 18:04	#7 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 784	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? You're probably right - If I were going on a cruise, but I was only planning on diving one day and there were no cc tanks available there, I too would probably leave the rebreather at home and just do the oc thing. Plus, even if you did take a rebreather, unless you had fish to feed them, I suspect the sharks at Stuarts Cove would still ignore you. __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Offline)

23rd January 2008, 18:59	#8 (permalink)
JCdesign97 My unit can beat up yours Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 383	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? Eons ago in my early OC days I dove with Stuart Cove's during a trip to Nassau, as well. It wasn't specifically a dive trip, but of course I made arrangements to dive while I was there. We dove one day with one of the local operators on the Cable Beach/Atlantis side of the island and it was terrible - reefs mostly dead, etc. Someone let us know that the south ocean side where Cove's is was worlds better; and they were right. We dove the rest of the time with them, but it is pretty much on the exact opposite end of the island from Cable Beach and the cruise ship terminal. There is a bus/taxi that will take you over there and Cove's ran a shuttle at the time, as well. Their operation is great - after one of the days with them we ended up missing the shuttle back to Cable Beach, mainly because we were chatting with Stuart and company. We were more than happy to call for a taxi, but Stuart had one of his employees drive us back to our hotel in his personal Jeep - definitely good people. As far as CCRs go it's not entirely surprising that their reception isn't the warmest. As great as their operation is, their model is based on loading herd upon herd of OC tourist-type divers on and off their boats. Anything that doesn't fit that model is just a PITA to them. Just like everyone else, though, as they see the % of CCR divers increase and get more calls like Tony's, they'll have to decide if they want to adapt and grow with the times. Good luck with the trip, however it shakes out. __________________ Cheers, John Cogan
(Online)

24th January 2008, 00:31	#9 (permalink)
lakelanddiver1978 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 26	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? I just dove (open circuit) with Stuart Cove's this past Friday (1/18). Iwas on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. I booked the excursion through the Cruise ship (125 with my own gear). Stuart Cove was supposed to pick us up from the dock, however, they never showed up and advised us to either take a taxi or get a refund from Royal Caribbean. As I had one of my newly minted open water students on the cruise wtih me, we decided to take the taxi. *The taxi ride was about 35 minutes and cost $60 US.* Thankfully Stuart Cove fully reinbursed us for the taxi fare. When we got there we signed the waivers and boarded the the dive boat. The boat was a 34 foot dive boat which was in great shape and was well crewed. And, as there was only three of us on the boat, we had lots of space. I spoke with the dive master and he said that Stuart Cove welcomed rebreathers and could supply pure O2 fills upto about 2800 psi. However, they provide no other rebreather support and no trimix fills. The ride out was a short one (5 minutes) and we dove a reef and the plane (which is now pretty tore up) and a nice little fishing boat wreck. As a dive operation Stuart Cove is first rate, however, I doubt I would dive with my rebreather there. Most of the dives they are willing to run are shallow (100 feet or less) and getting just my open circuit gear through Ft. Lauderdale customs/security was a nightmare. They took the dive bag to the side for inspection and examined every hose, o-ring bag, regulator and BC pocket. They even made me turn on the VR3 to demonstrate that it worked?!? And don't forget to take out dive knife!!! All in all, it took about 40 minutes to inspect my and my student's dive bag. I doubt that they would allow any filled/valved cylinders on the boat. Also, I had a tube (I use paintball hopper tubes to store my topping off sorb) of sorb from a previous trip and they questioned me about what it was and would not allow it on the ship. My 2 cents, Stuart Cove is a great dive, but it real hassel to dive CC off of a cruise ship there.
(Offline)

24th January 2008, 01:19	#10 (permalink)
Tienuts Chief Prankster Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 205	Re: Nassau / New Providence Island, rebreather friendly? Thanks for the replies fellas. My past experience in taking a full bottles on a cruise ship wasn't too bad. See my trip report here if you haven't read it already. Honestly, it was quite easy for me - I set up the unit, ready to dive. I carried that, and, a wetsuit, mask and fins in a stormcase right on the boat. The worst part was just lugging a 60 lb stormcase up the stairs to my hotel room. OC is not an option. If we don't bring the CCR's we will be snorkeling, or getting drunk somewhere. Ricky will be going with me - and he is gung-ho about taking them over. He suggested breaking all the units down into our suitcases, and putting all cylinders and sorb in one stormcase. We will keep everyone advised.
(Online)

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