Bikini Atoll, how to save ops?

nskdrs · 29th May 2008, 08:24

Mind you, I have no financial interests in this,
its just I would love to see it back on the map also for people who don't own a megayacht and enough pocketmoney to pay for fuel.

Sad news:

Bikini Dive/Tourism Information

I think it may make sense if those of you who have been there give an honest an constructive feedback to Jack Niedenthal via PM or in this thread,
just to give better scale for possible further evaluation.

I've been there twice now, left me deeply impressed,
I believe this diveops should re-open in 2009,
maybe it needs new input and reevaluation of the infrastructure, nature of dive-ops, etc...also better focus on wealthy Tech-customers.

I firmly believe there would be customers to pay more then the present rates,
just needs some adjustments IMHO.

Lately I think, diveops were stuck in some kind of paradoxon,
some of my fellow divebuddies felt like being on a militarybase,
but,
I also was impressed by the high safetymargins established there to prevent accidents and DCI-hits,
I think it was the best one could get when diving with air two times a day to 50m on this remote atoll.

Diving sure needs organisation there, so waht could be done better from your perspective.

Best,
Hoffi

windymiller · 29th May 2008, 12:29

SH1T!!! I was going next year.....time to look for another holiday!

steveharriss · 29th May 2008, 13:04

From what I've read it appears that the issue isn't the dive operation per se, but the logistics of getting the divers there with a less than satisfactory air service.

Higher prices for the diving won't resolve this and I imagine there is little enthusiasm in the Marshall Islands on spending money they don't have to support divers from far richer Countries getting out to Bikini to dive some bent metal.

It's sad as it was on my list of must do diving.

netmage · 29th May 2008, 14:58

The problems stem from Air Marshall....

Short of Continental taking over or staging viable puddle jumper service for weekly charters or finding a viable cruise offering to get you there and back from someplace Continental has stable service, I think we're out of luck...

**fireman** · 29th May 2008, 16:14

Think big--
We charter a plane from Honalulu or some other place we can get a bunch of people to.

We could take our Rebreather, tanks of He, perhaps O2--that might be harder. We would have to make a deal with the dive op to let us dive our own profiles, perhaps rent one of those portable chambers.

Does anyone know the largest plan that can land on Bikini? How long is the runway and is there fuel there.

What is the closest easyest major airport that we could get to to get a resonable number of people there.

Perhaps have a live aboard meet us there...

It could certainly bring some money in to the island.

Perhaps get some sort of natioal geo co sponsorship and a tv episode as well...

Yes I have too much time on my hands.

mempilot · 29th May 2008, 19:39

That's a 4.5 to 5.0 hour flight from Honolulu in a B737-800. We fly through Majuro quite a bit on our way west to Guam and Japan. It takes an ETOPS qualified aircraft if chartered from a commercial air carrier. If privately chartered from a standard charter operator you have a few more options on aircraft, but none would be cheap or economical.

That being said, you are looking at very big corporate jets, or at least an ETOPS B737NG to get you there. At many thousands of dollars an hour, you'd have to put quite a few wealthy divers on board to make a private charter work for you. It can be done, and our company can and has done it.

Private charter, whether from an airline or other operater, ain't cheap!

BTW, the only way to BII is via Majuro. Any plane small enough to land at Bikini is too small to get there from anywhere else than Majuro.

Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman)

Think big--
We charter a plane from Honalulu or some other place we can get a bunch of people to.

We could take our Rebreather, tanks of He, perhaps O2--that might be harder. We would have to make a deal with the dive op to let us dive our own profiles, perhaps rent one of those portable chambers.

Does anyone know the largest plan that can land on Bikini? How long is the runway and is there fuel there.

What is the closest easyest major airport that we could get to to get a resonable number of people there.

Perhaps have a live aboard meet us there...

It could certainly bring some money in to the island.

Perhaps get some sort of natioal geo co sponsorship and a tv episode as well...

Yes I have too much time on my hands.

jkaterenchuk · 29th May 2008, 20:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman)

Think big--
We charter a plane from Honalulu or some other place we can get a bunch of people to.

We could take our Rebreather, tanks of He, perhaps O2--that might be harder. We would have to make a deal with the dive op to let us dive our own profiles, perhaps rent one of those portable chambers.

Does anyone know the largest plan that can land on Bikini? How long is the runway and is there fuel there.

What is the closest easyest major airport that we could get to to get a resonable number of people there.

Perhaps have a live aboard meet us there...

It could certainly bring some money in to the island.

Perhaps get some sort of natioal geo co sponsorship and a tv episode as well...

Yes I have too much time on my hands.

Maybe you should start training to do rebreather assisted parachute jumps from 35000 ft.

Then you do not have to worry about the runway length.

John

**kybrt** · 30th May 2008, 01:01

i wonder how far it is by boat from maujaro?? <sp>

lolwhat · 30th May 2008, 01:31

Quote: (Originally Posted by kybrt)

i wonder how far it is by boat from maujaro?? <sp>

Looks like 600 miles or so.

Image:Marshall islands-map.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**fireman** · 30th May 2008, 02:12

Well I have jumped out of a helocopter from about 15ft with OC gear, at night in the winter in chicago. So for a chance to dive Bikini, I would try from 35000...

29th May 2008, 08:24	#1 (permalink)
nskdrs RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Not Bought Yet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: germany Posts: 102	Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? Mind you, I have no financial interests in this, its just I would love to see it back on the map also for people who don't own a megayacht and enough pocketmoney to pay for fuel. Sad news: Bikini Dive/Tourism Information I think it may make sense if those of you who have been there give an honest an constructive feedback to Jack Niedenthal via PM or in this thread, just to give better scale for possible further evaluation. I've been there twice now, left me deeply impressed, I believe this diveops should re-open in 2009, maybe it needs new input and reevaluation of the infrastructure, nature of dive-ops, etc...also better focus on wealthy Tech-customers. I firmly believe there would be customers to pay more then the present rates, just needs some adjustments IMHO. Lately I think, diveops were stuck in some kind of paradoxon, some of my fellow divebuddies felt like being on a militarybase, but, I also was impressed by the high safetymargins established there to prevent accidents and DCI-hits, I think it was the best one could get when diving with air two times a day to 50m on this remote atoll. Diving sure needs organisation there, so waht could be done better from your perspective. Best, Hoffi Last edited by nskdrs : 29th May 2008 at 08:26.
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29th May 2008, 12:29	#2 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 294	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? SH1T!!! I was going next year.....time to look for another holiday!
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29th May 2008, 13:04	#3 (permalink)
steveharriss Bubble free by choice Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 174	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? From what I've read it appears that the issue isn't the dive operation per se, but the logistics of getting the divers there with a less than satisfactory air service. Higher prices for the diving won't resolve this and I imagine there is little enthusiasm in the Marshall Islands on spending money they don't have to support divers from far richer Countries getting out to Bikini to dive some bent metal. It's sad as it was on my list of must do diving.
(Online)

29th May 2008, 14:58	#4 (permalink)
netmage Tim Owens Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 700	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? The problems stem from Air Marshall.... Short of Continental taking over or staging viable puddle jumper service for weekly charters or finding a viable cruise offering to get you there and back from someplace Continental has stable service, I think we're out of luck...
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29th May 2008, 16:14	#5 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 549	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? Think big-- We charter a plane from Honalulu or some other place we can get a bunch of people to. We could take our Rebreather, tanks of He, perhaps O2--that might be harder. We would have to make a deal with the dive op to let us dive our own profiles, perhaps rent one of those portable chambers. Does anyone know the largest plan that can land on Bikini? How long is the runway and is there fuel there. What is the closest easyest major airport that we could get to to get a resonable number of people there. Perhaps have a live aboard meet us there... It could certainly bring some money in to the island. Perhaps get some sort of natioal geo co sponsorship and a tv episode as well... Yes I have too much time on my hands. __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
(Online)

29th May 2008, 19:39	#6 (permalink)
mempilot Eric Stadtmueller Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,708	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? That's a 4.5 to 5.0 hour flight from Honolulu in a B737-800. We fly through Majuro quite a bit on our way west to Guam and Japan. It takes an ETOPS qualified aircraft if chartered from a commercial air carrier. If privately chartered from a standard charter operator you have a few more options on aircraft, but none would be cheap or economical. That being said, you are looking at very big corporate jets, or at least an ETOPS B737NG to get you there. At many thousands of dollars an hour, you'd have to put quite a few wealthy divers on board to make a private charter work for you. It can be done, and our company can and has done it. Private charter, whether from an airline or other operater, ain't cheap! BTW, the only way to BII is via Majuro. Any plane small enough to land at Bikini is too small to get there from anywhere else than Majuro. Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman) Think big-- We charter a plane from Honalulu or some other place we can get a bunch of people to. We could take our Rebreather, tanks of He, perhaps O2--that might be harder. We would have to make a deal with the dive op to let us dive our own profiles, perhaps rent one of those portable chambers. Does anyone know the largest plan that can land on Bikini? How long is the runway and is there fuel there. What is the closest easyest major airport that we could get to to get a resonable number of people there. Perhaps have a live aboard meet us there... It could certainly bring some money in to the island. Perhaps get some sort of natioal geo co sponsorship and a tv episode as well... Yes I have too much time on my hands. __________________ Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot" Last edited by mempilot : 29th May 2008 at 19:48.
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29th May 2008, 20:44	#7 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 1,084	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman) Think big-- We charter a plane from Honalulu or some other place we can get a bunch of people to. We could take our Rebreather, tanks of He, perhaps O2--that might be harder. We would have to make a deal with the dive op to let us dive our own profiles, perhaps rent one of those portable chambers. Does anyone know the largest plan that can land on Bikini? How long is the runway and is there fuel there. What is the closest easyest major airport that we could get to to get a resonable number of people there. Perhaps have a live aboard meet us there... It could certainly bring some money in to the island. Perhaps get some sort of natioal geo co sponsorship and a tv episode as well... Yes I have too much time on my hands. Maybe you should start training to do rebreather assisted parachute jumps from 35000 ft. Then you do not have to worry about the runway length. John
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30th May 2008, 01:01	#8 (permalink)
kybrt too legit to quit Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Neuw Yawk Posts: 384	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? i wonder how far it is by boat from maujaro?? <sp> __________________ Marv Fidelis Ad Mortem www.diveboatkaren.com
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30th May 2008, 01:31	#9 (permalink)
lolwhat New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 28	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? Quote: (Originally Posted by kybrt) i wonder how far it is by boat from maujaro?? <sp> Looks like 600 miles or so. Image:Marshall islands-map.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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30th May 2008, 02:12	#10 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 549	Re: Bikini Atoll, how to save ops? Well I have jumped out of a helocopter from about 15ft with OC gear, at night in the winter in chicago. So for a chance to dive Bikini, I would try from 35000... __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
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