Turks & Caicos Explorer II

The Diving

Located 575 miles southeast of Miami, the idyllic islands of the Turks & Caicos sit surrounded by turquoise waters containing over 1,000 square miles of living coral reef. A Mecca for divers from all over the world, the Turks & Caicos Islands are known for their expansive underwater visibility, high-voltage wall dives, and the profusion of marine life of all sizes located within their boundaries. Low annual rainfall and reliable ocean currents contribute to the remarkable visibility, as well as provide nutrients for the many large pelagics common in these waters.

Caribbean reef sharks are common, as are spotted eagle rays, jacks, grouper, and turtles. Also spotted on a frequent basis are blacktips, tiger sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays. Famous for its spectacular walls filled with huge gorgonian fans, barrell sponges, hard-coral arches and macro life, the Turks & Caicos Islands truly often a dive experience for everyone.

Technical Specifications:

Vessel:M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II,

Registry: Belize , C.A. , Boatmaker: Swiftships, 1975/1995 -

Recommissioned: 2005 Construction: All aluminum, L.O.A.: 124 ft, L.W.L.: 115 ft, Beam: 22 ft

Draft: 8.0 ft maximum, Displacement: 238 tons, Maximum Speed: 14 knots, Maximum Range: 2500 nautical miles, Engines: 2 GM 12 V 71 diesel main engines, 450 hp. each

Generators: 1 GM 671 Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 125 KW capacity; 1 GM 671 Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 75 KW capacity

Fuel Capacity: 5,600 gallons, Freshwater Supply: 2 Reverse Osmosis watermakers, 5,000 gallon per day total, 4,500 gallon storage

Air Systems: 2 Bauer K-14 9 cfm compressors, electric, with cascade-type storage banks, located in lazarette

Nitrox System: Nitrox Technologies membrane system, producing 32% nitrox, ocated in lazarette

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

On the Bridge: 48-mile Simrad radar with proximity alarms, 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 telephone system

Heads: Eight: 6 lower deck, 1 dive deck, 5 main deck, 3 boat deck

Accommodations: 20 passengers in 10 staterooms, all w/private ensuite bathrooms and showers. Up to 10 staff in crews` quarters.

Safety Equipment: Life rafts (2), life rings/strobes, life vests/strobes, emergency position locator, flares, oxygen and first aid equipment

Other Equipment: Full service all electric galley and refrigeration, Scotsman Ice Flakers (2), 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

Tenders: Rigid hull inflatables, used for passenger transport and diver pickup