Dive Review of AquaCat in
Bahamas/Exumas

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AquaCat, May, 2007, by David Steinberg, OR, USA ( Reviewer 4 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 3369.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was our second live aboard trip in 14 years of diving and was a real treat. The Aqua Cat is a 102' catamaran with a 35' beam and 6' draft. Commissioned in May, 2001, it was built in Australia while Captain Mark Bailey was on hand during the boat's finishing and was trained on all the systems and the entire layout. There are 11 cabins for up to 30 passengers, each cabin having its own shower and head, A/C- climate controls and mini-refrigerator. The boat has been cared for with extraordinary efforts. No rust or mold was present anywhere and the entire boat had a feeling of daily polishing. With helpful assistance from Jesse, the house mouse, linens were changed as requested and fresh towels available as needed. Three reverse osmosis de-salinators keep an ample supply of fresh water, including the two hot water shower stalls on the dive deck. The dive deck has 24 very roomy dive slots and 50/63/80/100 aluminum tanks available for any diver. Nitrox (32% only) was an additional $100 for the five diving days. Tanks are filled after each dive while nested in your assigned slot- just remove the first stage. There are 4 points for entering the water. Two gates are directly on the dive deck allowing for a giant stride into the water from either the port or starboard side. The other two points of entry are located on the aft water level pontoons. Exit the water via these same lower platforms on diver friendly ladder and crew assist. You even get fresh water hosing down right there. The dive crew, Janine, Max, Kat and Mike are all instructors, (as is Captain Mark, first mate Desmond and chief engineer Pete). Our dive trip was in conjunction with a REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) field survey and as such most of the divers were experienced and well-trained in fish identification. We also had the pleasure of Ned and Anna Deloach, world renowned underwater photo/video researchers and Aqua Cat owner, Bruce Purdy. Bruce was very concerned with the invasion of lionfish in the Bahamas and Exumas waters and actively hunted them on most dives for topside research. We were treated to a couple of the Deloach's slide shows at night. The food was exceptional, prepared by Chef Kirk Bell and his able assistant, souschef Kelly. Breakfast always included something hot off the grill, pancakes or eggs, with bacon or sausage, and variety of fruits, yogurt, oatmeal and bread. Hot chocolate was a favorite and the entire case was depleted on the 6th day. Lunch was also something hot including a couple of fancy Mexican dishes. Dinner was always superb- beef dishes, pork loin, fish and always with a soup and salad. You did not go hungry on this boat. The dive spots were spectacular and included the Exumas Land and Sea Park along with other notables such as Amberjack Reef, Shroud Wall, and Hammerhead Gulch. The corals all appeared healthy with an abundance of fish including various species and sizes of the signature Nassau grouper. There were up to five dives per day including a night or dusk dive and two drift dives that were well timed. The feature dive was the shark dive where all participants had to sign an additional waiver. What a show that was as the bait ball disappeared after about 20 minutes. Overall, the Aqua Cat provided superior service, the staff was very qualified, able and friendly and the diving was outstanding.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Puget Sound, Vancouver Island, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Cozumel, Palau, Belize, Hawaii, Florida
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy, dry	Seas	calm, currents
Water Temp	78-82°F / 26-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	25-200 Ft/ 8-61 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Return to boat with 500 psi
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	>2
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	The dive deck had 2 separate fresh water tanks for cameras and a dry table for equipment maintenance. There was ample power for battery chargers both on the dive deck and in the salon. Additionally, the AquaCat had a film processing station on board too.

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Dive Review of AquaCat in Bahamas/Exumas

AquaCat, May, 2007,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of AquaCat in
Bahamas/Exumas