Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula

teksimple · 26th November 2008, 18:00

RebreatherNut's Malpelo article in Advanced Diver Magazine may be out shortly. Curt has been busy. However, I have decided to preempt the article by posting just a few comments with some photos.

The bastard little step-child of Cocos and the Galapagos.

More hammerheads than you can shake a stick at.

Whale shark season.

“Bad hair” in Spanish.

Location of the last dive of more than one missing diver.

It is with thoughts like these that I packed up my (enormous amount of) gear with which I would fly to Panama.

The tropical eastern Pacific is my kind of diving. No shortage of currents and associated big animals, and a place where the advantages of closed circuit just shine. Having dived the Galapagos in 2005 with my Mk 15.5, I was itching to go back to this kind of territory. Except the Sky Dancer no longer allows closed circuit divers. When RebreatherNut (Peter) posted about a dedicated closed circuit trip to Malpelo on the vessel the Inula, I jumped at the chance.

I have to point out that Arvid, the owner/operator/captain of the Inula ran a very tight and safe operation. With that in mind, I am thankful that he allowed me some extended 2-3 hours dives in a specific location, called La Nevera (the refrigerator). Most of the following photos were taken there.

**Mixaddict** · 26th November 2008, 19:36

Very cool pics. Thanks for sharing! How did you find the boat? Aside from allowing CCRs, is it up to the same standards as an Aggressor or a Peter Hughes type boat. Good food? Were they happy to have CCRs aboard?

DWill · 26th November 2008, 20:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict)

Very cool pics. Thanks for sharing! How did you find the boat? Aside from allowing CCRs, is it up to the same standards as an Aggressor or a Peter Hughes type boat. Good food? Were they happy to have CCRs aboard?

Randy, do I sense wheels turning?

RebreatherNut · 27th November 2008, 01:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple)

I have to point out that Arvid, the owner/operator/captain of the Inula ran a very tight and safe operation. With that in mind, I am thankful that he allowed me some extended 2-3 hours dives in a specific location, called La Nevera (the refrigerator). Most of the following photos were taken there.

I agree with teksimple 110%. Arvid runs a great dive operation aboard the Inula. He is very open to Advanced and Rebreather divers, and he tries to accomodate the divers wishes as best as possible. Of course, number one priority is SAFETY! Capt. Arvid is a CCR diver himself, this tripples the fun if the guide dives a CCR as well. We were able to do some kick a** extended CCR dives at La Nevera.

Can't wait to go back!! :D

cheers,

RBN

teksimple · 27th November 2008, 03:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict)

Aside from allowing CCRs, is it up to the same standards as an Aggressor or a Peter Hughes type boat. Good food? Were they happy to have CCRs aboard?

No. It is more the style of a Channel Islands, California liveaboard, or perhaps an East Coast wreck diving boat. Pretty good food, and everything you need to spend some serious time in the water. No stuff like chocolates on the pillow ala Peter Hughes. The trip we went on was a dedicated CCR itinerary with a token open circuit diver onboard. The captain dived an IDA-59.

**Mixaddict** · 27th November 2008, 04:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by DWill)

Randy, do I sense wheels turning?

Always! ;)

silent running · 27th November 2008, 06:10

Hi ts, thanks for the great pictures, looks like the viz was superior, glad the trip went well.

Did you find the Inula seaworthy enough to stand a rough crossing? I'd worry a bit about a cat in big seas. I spoke with somebody who went on her with their CCR and he said he was a little unsure about the boat's ability to handle the crossing in big seas, but also liked the boat/operation.

Have you been to Cocos and if so, how did it compare? The same guy I spoke with has done both and said that he thought Malpelo had the better diving.

Does the boat have a booster?

Was there any tmix diving? I've heard that the giant sand tiger sharks are normally spotted very deep, did you see any? Thanks, -Andy

teksimple · 28th November 2008, 06:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Hi ts, thanks for the great pictures, looks like the viz was superior, glad the trip went well.

Did you find the Inula seaworthy enough to stand a rough crossing? I'd worry a bit about a cat in big seas. I spoke with somebody who went on her with their CCR and he said he was a little unsure about the boat's ability to handle the crossing in big seas, but also liked the boat/operation.

Have you been to Cocos and if so, how did it compare? The same guy I spoke with has done both and said that he thought Malpelo had the better diving.

Does the boat have a booster?

Was there any tmix diving? I've heard that the giant sand tiger sharks are normally spotted very deep, did you see any? Thanks, -Andy

All good questions, Andy.

I have worked on boats for more than 20 years. Having witnessed a (power) catamaran break apart on a rough channel crossing in Hawaii, I am acutely aware of the tremendous forces that a cat endures in heavy seas. Which is why I was impressed with the sturdiness of the Inula that Arvid pointed out when I asked about it. Arvid and his father built the Inula themselves in Germany, and they used giant crossbeams that were many times larger and stronger than needed. Everything on the hull is reinforced. So I am wondering what circumstances your friend had that made him question the Inula's seaworthiness? Perhaps it was the noise of the seas slamming underneath the foredeck between the hulls that disconcerted him?

I have not been to Cocos, so I can't say that one is better. However, Malpelo has less illegal fishing visitors, and Columbia allows only one dive boat at a time there, which may say something.

The Inula has a Russian manually operated booster, and way more full oxygen cylinders than we could ever possibly need. I think the extra were in case someone had a DCS hit. I brought my Jetsam baby booster and used that. Arvid does have helium so can provide trimix, which I did not need. The sand tiger sharks do not start collecting around Malpelo until late in the winter. I do want to go back to specifically photograph them, although there is an official depth limit that Columbia has set for safety purposes owing to distance to the nearest chamber. My deepest dive there was 58 meters, which is in excess of that.

silent running · 28th November 2008, 22:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple)

All good questions, Andy.

I have worked on boats for more than 20 years. Having witnessed a (power) catamaran break apart on a rough channel crossing in Hawaii, I am acutely aware of the tremendous forces that a cat endures in heavy seas. Which is why I was impressed with the sturdiness of the Inula that Arvid pointed out when I asked about it. Arvid and his father built the Inula themselves in Germany, and they used giant crossbeams that were many times larger and stronger than needed. Everything on the hull is reinforced. So I am wondering what circumstances your friend had that made him question the Inula's seaworthiness? Perhaps it was the noise of the seas slamming underneath the foredeck between the hulls that disconcerted him?

I have not been to Cocos, so I can't say that one is better. However, Malpelo has less illegal fishing visitors, and Columbia allows only one dive boat at a time there, which may say something.

The Inula has a Russian manually operated booster, and way more full oxygen cylinders than we could ever possibly need. I think the extra were in case someone had a DCS hit. I brought my Jetsam baby booster and used that. Arvid does have helium so can provide trimix, which I did not need. The sand tiger sharks do not start collecting around Malpelo until late in the winter. I do want to go back to specifically photograph them, although there is an official depth limit that Columbia has set for safety purposes owing to distance to the nearest chamber. My deepest dive there was 58 meters, which is in excess of that.

Hi ts, thanks for all the details. Glad to hear that Inula is built so heavy and that Arvid has a booster and is a CCR diver, they make the best Capts. for a CCR liveaboard. The guy who I talked to didn't give me any specifics about the boat performance, just that he was worried about making a crossing in heavy seas, he probably didn't know about those overbuilt cross members.

Let me know when you plan on going back, sounds like I will become a customer sooner or later... -Andy

teksimple · 29th November 2008, 03:24

I guess there is a shorter time limit on editing posts?

26th November 2008, 18:00	#1 (permalink)
teksimple RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 589	Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula RebreatherNut's Malpelo article in Advanced Diver Magazine may be out shortly. Curt has been busy. However, I have decided to preempt the article by posting just a few comments with some photos. The bastard little step-child of Cocos and the Galapagos. More hammerheads than you can shake a stick at. Whale shark season. “Bad hair” in Spanish. Location of the last dive of more than one missing diver. It is with thoughts like these that I packed up my (enormous amount of) gear with which I would fly to Panama. The tropical eastern Pacific is my kind of diving. No shortage of currents and associated big animals, and a place where the advantages of closed circuit just shine. Having dived the Galapagos in 2005 with my Mk 15.5, I was itching to go back to this kind of territory. Except the Sky Dancer no longer allows closed circuit divers. When RebreatherNut (Peter) posted about a dedicated closed circuit trip to Malpelo on the vessel the Inula, I jumped at the chance. I have to point out that Arvid, the owner/operator/captain of the Inula ran a very tight and safe operation. With that in mind, I am thankful that he allowed me some extended 2-3 hours dives in a specific location, called La Nevera (the refrigerator). Most of the following photos were taken there. Last edited by teksimple : 26th November 2008 at 18:29.
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26th November 2008, 19:36	#2 (permalink)
Mixaddict Randy Thornton Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Optima Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah / Ft. White, Florida Posts: 637	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Very cool pics. Thanks for sharing! How did you find the boat? Aside from allowing CCRs, is it up to the same standards as an Aggressor or a Peter Hughes type boat. Good food? Were they happy to have CCRs aboard? __________________ Randy Thornton Hammerhead, Sentinel, Inspiration, Evolution, & Optima Trimix CCR Instructor www.diveaddicts.com www.cavecountrylodging.com
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26th November 2008, 20:28	#3 (permalink)
DWill Doug Williams Current Rebreather/s: Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CA & ID Posts: 397	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict) Very cool pics. Thanks for sharing! How did you find the boat? Aside from allowing CCRs, is it up to the same standards as an Aggressor or a Peter Hughes type boat. Good food? Were they happy to have CCRs aboard? Randy, do I sense wheels turning?
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27th November 2008, 01:19	#4 (permalink)
RebreatherNut Casual Sport Kiss Pilot Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Ray Other Rebreather/s: Ray Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 862	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple) I have to point out that Arvid, the owner/operator/captain of the Inula ran a very tight and safe operation. With that in mind, I am thankful that he allowed me some extended 2-3 hours dives in a specific location, called La Nevera (the refrigerator). Most of the following photos were taken there. I agree with teksimple 110%. Arvid runs a great dive operation aboard the Inula. He is very open to Advanced and Rebreather divers, and he tries to accomodate the divers wishes as best as possible. Of course, number one priority is SAFETY! Capt. Arvid is a CCR diver himself, this tripples the fun if the guide dives a CCR as well. We were able to do some kick a** extended CCR dives at La Nevera. Can't wait to go back!! :D cheers, RBN
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27th November 2008, 03:28	#5 (permalink)
teksimple RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 589	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict) Aside from allowing CCRs, is it up to the same standards as an Aggressor or a Peter Hughes type boat. Good food? Were they happy to have CCRs aboard? No. It is more the style of a Channel Islands, California liveaboard, or perhaps an East Coast wreck diving boat. Pretty good food, and everything you need to spend some serious time in the water. No stuff like chocolates on the pillow ala Peter Hughes. The trip we went on was a dedicated CCR itinerary with a token open circuit diver onboard. The captain dived an IDA-59.
(Online)

27th November 2008, 04:41	#6 (permalink)
Mixaddict Randy Thornton Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Optima Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah / Ft. White, Florida Posts: 637	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Quote: (Originally Posted by DWill) Randy, do I sense wheels turning? Always! ;) __________________ Randy Thornton Hammerhead, Sentinel, Inspiration, Evolution, & Optima Trimix CCR Instructor www.diveaddicts.com www.cavecountrylodging.com
(Offline)

27th November 2008, 06:10	#7 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,928	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Hi ts, thanks for the great pictures, looks like the viz was superior, glad the trip went well. Did you find the Inula seaworthy enough to stand a rough crossing? I'd worry a bit about a cat in big seas. I spoke with somebody who went on her with their CCR and he said he was a little unsure about the boat's ability to handle the crossing in big seas, but also liked the boat/operation. Have you been to Cocos and if so, how did it compare? The same guy I spoke with has done both and said that he thought Malpelo had the better diving. Does the boat have a booster? Was there any tmix diving? I've heard that the giant sand tiger sharks are normally spotted very deep, did you see any? Thanks, -Andy
(Offline)

28th November 2008, 06:12	#8 (permalink)
teksimple RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 589	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Hi ts, thanks for the great pictures, looks like the viz was superior, glad the trip went well. Did you find the Inula seaworthy enough to stand a rough crossing? I'd worry a bit about a cat in big seas. I spoke with somebody who went on her with their CCR and he said he was a little unsure about the boat's ability to handle the crossing in big seas, but also liked the boat/operation. Have you been to Cocos and if so, how did it compare? The same guy I spoke with has done both and said that he thought Malpelo had the better diving. Does the boat have a booster? Was there any tmix diving? I've heard that the giant sand tiger sharks are normally spotted very deep, did you see any? Thanks, -Andy All good questions, Andy. I have worked on boats for more than 20 years. Having witnessed a (power) catamaran break apart on a rough channel crossing in Hawaii, I am acutely aware of the tremendous forces that a cat endures in heavy seas. Which is why I was impressed with the sturdiness of the Inula that Arvid pointed out when I asked about it. Arvid and his father built the Inula themselves in Germany, and they used giant crossbeams that were many times larger and stronger than needed. Everything on the hull is reinforced. So I am wondering what circumstances your friend had that made him question the Inula's seaworthiness? Perhaps it was the noise of the seas slamming underneath the foredeck between the hulls that disconcerted him? I have not been to Cocos, so I can't say that one is better. However, Malpelo has less illegal fishing visitors, and Columbia allows only one dive boat at a time there, which may say something. The Inula has a Russian manually operated booster, and way more full oxygen cylinders than we could ever possibly need. I think the extra were in case someone had a DCS hit. I brought my Jetsam baby booster and used that. Arvid does have helium so can provide trimix, which I did not need. The sand tiger sharks do not start collecting around Malpelo until late in the winter. I do want to go back to specifically photograph them, although there is an official depth limit that Columbia has set for safety purposes owing to distance to the nearest chamber. My deepest dive there was 58 meters, which is in excess of that.
(Online)

28th November 2008, 22:24	#9 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,928	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula Quote: (Originally Posted by teksimple) All good questions, Andy. I have worked on boats for more than 20 years. Having witnessed a (power) catamaran break apart on a rough channel crossing in Hawaii, I am acutely aware of the tremendous forces that a cat endures in heavy seas. Which is why I was impressed with the sturdiness of the Inula that Arvid pointed out when I asked about it. Arvid and his father built the Inula themselves in Germany, and they used giant crossbeams that were many times larger and stronger than needed. Everything on the hull is reinforced. So I am wondering what circumstances your friend had that made him question the Inula's seaworthiness? Perhaps it was the noise of the seas slamming underneath the foredeck between the hulls that disconcerted him? I have not been to Cocos, so I can't say that one is better. However, Malpelo has less illegal fishing visitors, and Columbia allows only one dive boat at a time there, which may say something. The Inula has a Russian manually operated booster, and way more full oxygen cylinders than we could ever possibly need. I think the extra were in case someone had a DCS hit. I brought my Jetsam baby booster and used that. Arvid does have helium so can provide trimix, which I did not need. The sand tiger sharks do not start collecting around Malpelo until late in the winter. I do want to go back to specifically photograph them, although there is an official depth limit that Columbia has set for safety purposes owing to distance to the nearest chamber. My deepest dive there was 58 meters, which is in excess of that. Hi ts, thanks for all the details. Glad to hear that Inula is built so heavy and that Arvid has a booster and is a CCR diver, they make the best Capts. for a CCR liveaboard. The guy who I talked to didn't give me any specifics about the boat performance, just that he was worried about making a crossing in heavy seas, he probably didn't know about those overbuilt cross members. Let me know when you plan on going back, sounds like I will become a customer sooner or later... -Andy
(Offline)

29th November 2008, 03:24	#10 (permalink)
teksimple RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 589	Re: Malpelo CCR trip on the sailing catamaran Inula I guess there is a shorter time limit on editing posts?
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