Caribbean Explorer II

Scuba Diving live abaord visiting Saba, St. Eustatia (Statia), and St. Kitts

Boat Layout

The M/V Caribbean Explorer II comfortably accommodates 18 passengers in 9 double staterooms, all of which have private bathroom facilities and most of which have queen-sized beds. The semi-enclosed, air-conditioned salon on the upper deck includes dining tables, TV, VCR, CD/DVD, video library, light table and lounge area; a large sundeck with lounge chairs is aft of the main salon. The vessel’s boutique is located on the main deck, and the photo/video lab is below decks. The dive deck is equipped with a bathroom, individual gear lockers, camera table with low pressure air hose, recharging station, air and Nitrox filling stations, tank racks, and a separate fresh water rinse for both scuba and underwater camera equipment. There are two sets of stairs accessing the dive platform, where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water. The Caribbean Explorer II is also equipped with a satellite telephone for outgoing calls worldwide.

SCUBA DIVING FROM THE VESSEL: The weather in the Eastern Caribbean is remarkably consistent year-round. The temperatures range from the 70’s (F) or higher in the winter months to the low 90`s during the summer, with nearly constant sea breezes. Water temperatures range from a low of about 76 degrees F in winter to a high of about 85 degrees F in summer. There is normally little appreciable current at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 50 and 150 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 3mm wetsuit in summer, and up to a 5 mm wetsuit in winter.

Your dives will be done from the vessel itself, taking advantage of the easy-access dive platform and other on board amenities. Entries are usually made from the side exit gates into the water, a drop of 4 feet or so.

St. Maarten Departures

***(St. Kitts departure sample itinerary listed below)

If meeting the vessel in St. Maarten, look for our driver upon exiting the baggage claim area; if no one is present, simply catch a cab to BobbyÕs Marina in Philipsburg; the vessel will be located near the end of the dock.

Saturday: St. Maarten

• 1500: Guests board the Caribbean Explorer II
• 1830: Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
• 2000: Captain`s Briefing, documents, etc.
• 2200: Depart for Saba (2 1/2 hours; departure may be delayed for late arrivals)

Sunday - Tuesday:

• Saba , 5 dives daily; optional island tour on Monday. Nights spent at mooring; Tuesday night crossing to Statia (2 hours).

Wednesday:

• Statia, 5 dives daily; optional island tour. Night crossing to St. Kitts (2 1/2 hours).

Thursday:

• St. Kitts, 5 dives. Night at mooring.

Friday:

• St. Kitts, 2 dives and lunch; return to Port Zante. Afternoon island tour and dinner ashore, with night spent aboard vessel at dock.

Saturday: St. Kitts

• 0700-0830: Continental breakfast
• 0900: Depart the Caribbean Explorer II. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, feel free to leave your luggage on the Caribbean Explorer II (or on the dock alongside) until you depart.

St.Kitts Departures

Saturday: St. Kitts

• 1500: Guests board the Caribbean Explorer II
• 1830: Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
• 2000: Captain`s Briefing, documents, etc. Night spent at dock.

Sunday - Monday: St. Kitts

• 5 dives daily; optional island tour on Monday. Nights spent at mooring; Monday night crossing to Statia (1 hour).

Tuesday: Statia

• 5 dives; optional island tour. Night crossing to Saba (2 hours).

Wednesday - Thursday: Saba

• 5 dives daily; optional island tour on Thursday. Nights spent at mooring.

Friday: Saba - St. Maarten

• 2 dives at Saba before lunch; early afternoon crossing to St. Maarten. Afternoon at leisure and dinner ashore, with night spent aboard vessel at dock.

Saturday: St. Maarten

• 0700-0830: Continental breakfast
• 0900 : Guests depart the Caribbean Explorer II. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, please feel free to leave your luggage on the Caribbean Explorer II (or on the dock alongside) until you depart.

Technical Specifications:

Vessel: M/V Caribbean Explorer II

Boatmaker: Camcraft, 1978 Re-commissioned:1999

Construction: All aluminum, L.O.A.: 115 ft, L.W.L.: 101 ft, Beam: 25 ft

Draft: 7.5 ft maximum

Displacement: 173 gross tons / 66 net tonsMaximum Speed: 12 knotsMaximum Range: 1,000 nautical milesEngines: 2 GM 12 V 71 diesel main engines, 450 hp. each

Generators: 1 GM 671 Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 75 KW capacity; 1 GM 371 Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 45 KW capacity

Fuel Capacity: 2,500 gallons

Freshwater Supply: 2 reverse osmosis watermakers, 1,200 gallons per day, 1,500 gallon storage.

Air Systems: 2 Bauer K-14 9.7 cfm compressors, electric, with cascade-type storage banks, located in engine room. Nitrox membrane, producing 32% nitrox, bank storage

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

On the Bridge: Furuno radar, 36 mile range with proximity alarm, Global Positioning System (GPS) with location alarm, digital depth sounder/bottom recorder with alarm, satellite telephone with data link, cellular telephone, SSB Radiotelephone and VHF radios, engine and bilge alarms, internal PA and intercom system

Public Heads: One on dive deck; private facilities in each stateroom

Other Equipment: Full service all electric galley and refrigeration, Ice machine,Stereo audio system, upper deck: CD, DVD, VHS, 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: 16-foot rigid hull inflatable (25 hp. engine) used for passenger transport

Accessories: Photo Equipment, Diving Equip