Catalina Explorer - San Pedro, California

Christopher S.

I was on a dive trip to the backside of Catalina Island. On the third dive, I noticed that my tank, which had been filled by the boat, tasted like oil. There were a handful of other divers that had experienced the same taste. One man was throwing up over the side of the boat for quite a while, another woman had a headache. I ended up with a migraine. I told the crew that the tank was bad, and the dive master admitted that they had a clogged filter. No apology, just very matter of fact.

I called the boat owner on Saturday, September 12 to inform him on the incident. The dive boat owner informed me that it was impossible for the filters to clog, they get their air tested, and that there was no way that I or anyone else on the boat could have had those symptoms. He went as far as to call me a liar. The complete denial of the owner, without investigating the incident, is very alarming. This leads me to believe that there will be no corrective action on their part to correct this impossible occurrence.

I have since called DAN (Divers Alert Network) to report the incident. The representative told me that the symptoms I described were likely to be carbon monoxide poisoning. This is not an event that should be taken lightly. Carbon monoxide poisoning could have resulted in the death or injury of a diver. I was also informed that there is no real agency that would be able to investigate this event. The representative from DAN also confirmed that filters to the air compressor can and do get clogged or wet, leading to particles and substances that should not be in our compressed air tanks.

Although I know I am at fault for diving on a tank that tasted funny, I find the response from the owner unacceptable. He should take action to find out what happened, and ensure it doesn't repeat itself. Eco Dive Centers, who handle the booking, has been made aware of the issue and the response of the owner.

Shawn C.

Would give zero stars if I could. Booked through Eco Dive Center for a trip out to the oil rigs. I arrived at 6:15am for a 7am departure. Filled out the paperwork, got my gear on board, and setup the gear. Per their instructions I told the deckhand that I was going to park my car. I go and park my car, and walk back, as I turned the corner to the dock and see the boat just leaving the dock, the time was 6:59am. I yell and wave my hands to get the attention of the crew, and some of the passengers point out to the crew, but the deck hand makes no attempt to notify the captain.

Finally after the first dive they noticed that my gear was on the boat but I was gone and called me. The next call I get was that I could come collect my gear. When I get to the boat, the DM was acting like that be did me a favor by calling Eco Dive Center to give me a credit for missing the boat because I was late. Until I pointed out that I got there at 6:15, and that I followed their instructions by notifying the deck hand that I was going to park my car and that I was back before the scheduled departure time. And that the only reason that they didn't notice I was missing is that they didn't do a proper pre-departure roll call that is normal for the industry. The DM's attitude changed but at no time did anyone attempt apologize even a fake one. To Eco Dive Center's credit when I called they refunded me, when asked but a refund doesn't give me my vacation day back that I missed due to the crew's incompetence.

Jason K.

Amazing crew, amazing boat! They run a tight ship. Food is great. Best boat in Southern California by FAR

Flaka T.

Because you can't see a little

Jose N.

Mike P.