Caribbean Explorer I: Bahamas live aboard scuba diving

Click here to view photos from a trip aboard the Caribbean Explorer I, Bahamas...

Boat Layout

The upper deck features a large sunning area with comfortable lounge chairs and chairs, as well as a covered open-air salon with entertainment center, seating area and wet bar. Forward of the entertainment area are located 4 air-conditioned double staterooms. The forward staterooms each have a window and private bathroom, as well as a full-size double bed. The aft staterooms each have a window and private bathroom and full-size double bed, as well as a single upper berth. Storage is available on shelves, hangers and underneath the bed.

The aft half of the main deck is where diving operations take place. The dive deck is equipped with individual gear lockers, camera table with low-pressure air hose, recharging stations, air and Nitrox filling station, tank racks and separate freshwater rinse baths for dive equipment and cameras. It also has a wetsuit hanging area, freshwater showers, and a bathroom. A large central stairway leads down to the dive platform itself, where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water.

Forward of the dive deck is the air-conditioned main salon and galley, where breakfasts and dinners are served. The salon also contains an entertainment center with TV, VCR and stereo, as well as the boutique display and access both to the pilothouse forward and the remaining passenger cabins and engine room below decks. The lower deck is home to 5 remaining cabins.

Technical Specifications:

Vessel: M/V Caribbean Explorer I

Registry: Belize, C.A., Boatmaker: Swiftships, 1972 Recommissioned: 2003

Construction: All aluminum, L.O.A.: 106 ft, L.W.L.: 88 ft, Beam: 21 ft Draft: 7.5 ft maximum, Displacement: 124 tons, Maximum Speed: 14 knots, Maximum Range: 1600 nautical miles, Engines: 2 GM 12 V 71 diesel main engines, 400 hp. each Generators: 1 GM 471 Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 55 KW capacity; 1 Cummins Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 75 KW capacity

Fuel Capacity: 2,500 gallons, Freshwater Supply: 2 Reverse Osmosis water makers, 3,000 gallon per day total, 2,000 gallon storage

Air Systems: 2 Bauer K-14 9.7 cfm compressors, electric, with cascade-type storage banks, located in engine room

Nitrox System: Nitrox Technologies membrane system, producing 32% Nitrox, located in engine room

Electricity: 220 V and 110 V AC power (110 V AC 3 prong grounded outlets in all cabins and heads)

On the Bridge: 48 and 36 mile Furuno radars with proximity alarms, Furuno Autopilot, Global Positioning System (GPS) with location alarm, Digital Depth sounder with alarm, Digital bottom recorder, computerized chart system with GPS link, Satellite phone with data link, Cellular telephone, SSB Radiotelephone and VHF radios, Engine and bilge alarms, Internal PA and intercom system

Heads: Eight: 2 lower deck, 1 dive deck, 4 upper deck, I crew`s quarters

Accommodations: 18 passengers in 9 cabins, all w/private sinks/vanities; upstairs rooms have private bathrooms. Up to 8 staff in forward crews` quarters.

Safety Equipment: Life rafts (4), life rings/strobes (4), life vests/strobes (25), emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment

Other Equipment: Full service all electric galley and refrigeration, Scotsman Ice Flaker, Boatwide stereo audio system, full-service E-6 color film processing lab, recharging station for strobes, batteries, etc. Extensive array of professional audio/visual editing, dubbing and special effects systems

Tender: 14-foot rigid hull inflatable (25 hp. engine) used for passenger transport

Accessories: Photo Equipment, Diving Equipment

Sample Itineraries:

Days aboard Caribbean Explorer I generally involve breakfast from 7 am to 8 am (cold breakfasts are available for late risers), followed by two morning dives, lunch at 12:30 pm, two afternoon dives, dinner at 6:30 pm, and a night dive. Island shore excursions will be arranged when possible for those interested.

Please note also that this itinerary is an example only, and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain`s discretion. In particular, it is not always possible to reach San Salvador in certain weather conditions.

Saturday:

• 1500 Guests board the Caribbean Explorer I at the Exuma Services Marina, George Town
• 1830 Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
• 2000 Captain`s Briefing, documents, etc.
• 2100 Shore leave or simply relax aboard.

Sunday: George Town to Long Island

• 0500 Depart George Town for 2 1/2 hour transit to Long Island; breakfast on arrival
• 0900 Begin scuba diving schedule; 4 dives, possibly 5 depending on tide conditions and logistics.

Monday: Long Island to Conception

• 0600 Depart Long Island early morning for 1 1/2 hour transit to Conception Island; breakfast on arrival.
• 0830 Begin scuba diving schedule; 5 dives

Tuesday: Conception to San Salvador

• 0400 Depart early morning for 3 1/2 hour transit to San Salvador; breakfast on arrival. 5 dives offered.

Wednesday: San Salvador

• 5 dives offered. Optional 2-hour island tour.

Thursday: San Salvador to Conception Island to Long Island

• 2 dives at San Salvador, followed by transit at lunchtime to Conception Island. 3 dives offered at Conception. Evening crossing to Long Island after dinner and night dive.

Friday:

• Dawn dive and morning dive, with departure for the trip back to George Town scheduled for lunchtime. Afternoon at leisure; dinner ashore, with night spent aboard vessel at dock.

Saturday:

• 0700/0830 Continental breakfast
• 0900 Depart the Caribbean Explorer I. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, feel free to leave your luggage on the dock alongside the vessel until you depart; we will watch over it.
• Due to the necessity of readying the vessel for our next cruise, we must strictly enforce the 9 am departure.

The Caribbean Explorer I is your best choice for Scuba Diving Live aboards in the Bahamas!