BIKINI ATOLL

"LUST for RUST"

CCR EXPEDITION 2010

This unique trip has been 4 years in the making. Specialising in rebreather support diving operations we are fully equipped to cater for the rebreather diver. Here are some of the distinct advantages in coming on one of our trips.

GEAR SUPPORT

DIVING SUPPORT

Being a rebreather diver myself, I understand how frustrating it is to spend a lot of time and money getting to a diving destination only to find out that the dive operators have no idea what your diving needs are. 45 minute dives, limited to depth and time restraints and heaven forbid if one of the group runs low on air then everyone has to come up! NOT MY CUP OF TEA!!! And I am sure being a rebreather diver yourself you feel the same way? These trips are designed with you in mind.

The ship we will be chartering is the Spirit of Enderby, a 70m Russian ship cruising at 10 knots. It has 4 5.5m Niads that we will be using to ferry divers out to various sites. The "Mother ship" will be permenantly moored over the Saratoga! It comfortably sleeps up to 50 people. We will be catering for 30 divers and 10 crew.

We will be fully equipped with rebreather tanks (3l fabre steel) - 40 sets of them. 80 Deco tank set ups. Everything you will need to have the best time of your lives!!!

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this trip. PLEASE do not hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions.

Q : 1 What CCR certification and experience do we need to come to BIKINI ATOL with you?

A : MIN tech training level will be CCR mod 2 or higher. That is a full NORMOXIC TRIMIX DECOMPRESSION diving level on the CCR that you are currently going to be using for this trip.This is the intermediate level certification course for divers wishing to utilize a Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) for mixed gas diving. utilizing a mixed gas diluent containing sixteen (16%) percent or greater oxygen, to a maximum of two hundred (200) fsw / sixty (60) msw..

You will also be required to show proof of a minimum of 50 hours experience on the unit that you will be diving to diving to depths of 50m on a normoxic trimix mix qualification.

You will also be required to send us details of your certifying instructor who took you through your MOD 2 course. (or higher)

It is not our intention to put up unnecessary obstacles but this is not a pitter patter trip. There is no room for inexperience here, We are 430 nautical miles from ANYWHERE which is 43 hours to any full medical attention. Yes we have a chamber on board and a highly experienced hyperbaric physician on board BUT this does not give us all a "get out of jail free card" The magnitude of this trip must be fully understood. So we are taking every possible step to ensure that everyone that comes on this trip has the suitable qualifications and experience. I apologise in advance for the invonvienience but I am sure you will understand why we are doing this. If you get put on a boat with a total Muppet and he or she puts your life at risk, I am sure you wont want that to happen!!!!

Also you will need to produce an up to date diving medical within 6 months signed by a diving physician.

Q: 2 Do you only take people on rebreathers on your trips?

A: Unfortunately at this stage we will only be taking rebreather divers. The gas logistics would be even worse if we had open circuit divers too. So this trip is only open to CCR divers only.

Q: 3 What do we get for the $$ and what are the options?

A: Yeah always a good question.!! What DO you get for your $$$$$$?

Prices start at us$12,500.00 depeding on what cabin style you would like.

ALL costing is EX MAJURO which is in the Marshall Islands.

It is a 14 day trip. Majuro is 430 knm away from Bikini so it will take 43 hours approx to get to Bikini. we will be having Presentations about Bikini, its history, the wrecks and other interesting topics to keep you ocupied during the travel leg of the trip. We will also be making sure that your gear is put together and all functioning all good. that way it will prevent any unnecessary delays.

10 FULL DAYS DIVING (2dives a day) With extended bottom times we will need to ensure that we are taking it easy.

YOU PLAN YOUR RUNTIMES!

ALL DIVE GROUPS GUIDED ( max 6) will have a dive guide

ALL AIR FILLS

TENDER DIVES ( when you are rostered to dive off the one of 4 tenders all these costs are covered)

ALL MEALS onboard for the 14 days. We have 2 Chefs so you wont be eating slop I promise you that!!!!

ACCOMODATION ( this is all covered please have a look at the accomodation options for you)

WEIGHT BELTS AND LEAD ( not that you will be needing that much but they will be there for you.)

4: What is the cost of the additional extras?

Oxygen is us$4.50 per cubic foot which works out to us$0.16 a litre there is a haskel booster so you get 200 bar fills !!!!

Helium is us$6.50 per cubic foot which works out to us$0.23 a litre

·Rebreather cylinder hire – us$20/day for 2 cylinders (ESSENTIAL that these are booked in advance they are mostly 3l fabre steel inspiration tanks all with DIN fittings) we will really try and accomodate everyones tank needs.

Deco Tank hire – us$20/day for 2 cylinders (All the tanks are 11.6litre Ali tanks.

Sorb – us$15/kg this is the 797 grade 1-2mm grade Sofnolime. If you book far enough ahead of time we can sort out shipping of specific sorb for your needs like the extendair cartridges for example. EAC's will have to be prepaid for unfortunately.

We have really tried to make your lives as easy as possible for the rebreather and technical diver and if you cant be bothered by bringing your own tanks, and sorb we have taken all the hassle out of the equasion for you. But you are welcome to bring all your own gear if you prefer this.

Gratuities - this is up to you.

5: What about bringing money and paying for things while we are there?

There will be limited things that you can spend your money on whilst on board. We have a fully liscenced bar onboard but please bear in mind that alcohol intak

6: Do I need Medical and Diving Insurance?

YES YES YES!!!!! unfortunately one of the disadvantages of such great diving is the sheer remoteness of the area! Don't be fooled you will be staying in comfortable accommodation and have great diving but the medical facilities are SPARCE at the best of times - we are on a ship 2 days away from ANY help!!!!!!. It is mandatory for you to have DAN premium insurance. We will have a chamber on the ship for any emergencies but of course we would prefer not to use it at all - That means that if everyone dives conservatively and doesnt push it, hydrates appropriatly, then problems will be minimised. This is why DAN insurance is mandatory. Also please ensure that you have the appropriate insurance policy for the type of diving you will be doing, if you dive deeper than your training and policy limits - you might not get coverage.

For this reason we have taken steps to ensure the safety and well being of others. We will have one of the worlds leading Hyperbaric Physicians on board, a ships surgery ( we cant perform open heart surgery - just the basic emergency kit).Obviously we prefer to prevent accidents rather than treat them, but we always like to be prepared for most eventuation's. But also bear in mind that there is only so much we can carry and offer. If you would like us to arrange your travel insurance please let us know. We are happy to do this for you.

You will also be required to undergo a diving medical from a diving phycician no more than 6 months before sailing date. We realise that some people might think that this is a bit extreme. Please understand that YOUR safety comes FIRST. Also we want to prevent problems from happening by ensuring that everyone is physically fit to dive. Would you like your trip to be cut short because we have to sail back because we had some overweight, heartattach waiting to happen, with medical problems???? I didnt think so!!! Thanks for your patience here!!!!

7: What type of electric power is on board? 240v and 110v with OZZI or KIWI plug fittings.
More on this when you sign up. But there will be MORE than enough electricity for charging batteries, lights, cameras etc etc

8: Is there anything else to do in between dives?

Well you are on a boat!! Its big and spacey. I am sure that most of your time will be spent processing all your pictures or video footage and planning the next dive. Or a good library to sink yourself into a good book - OR NOT!!!!

9: How important is it to do some research on the wrecks before you come?

Personally I think that by doing some research on the wrecks before your trip will give you more enjoyment knowing what you are diving. All the sites wre fully briefed before you dive them..

10: Are the tanks DIN or Yoke?

All the breather tanks AND Deco tanks are DIN convertable fittings. So you can have both if you want!~!!

11: What is the food like?

Well we have two chefs onboard and they are amazing. let me put it this way. You will certainly not go hungry!!!

If there are any othere questions you have that havent been addressed here then PLEASE let me know I will be happy to answer them for you.

Pete mesley

© DIVE T.E.C.Email: info@petemesley.com