FAQ'S

This page provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Benthic Explorer. Just click on a question to see the answer. If you have any other questions, contact us or by fax or e-mail us  Captain@Scubadivecharters.com

1.   Can you tell us about the Pressure Drop?
2.   Where does the Pressure Drop depart?
3.   Does the Pressure Drop operate on weekdays?
4.   What dives are scheduled for weekends?
5.   Is Night Diving available?
6.   What is provided?
7.   What level of diving is done aboard the boat?
8.   Does your Dive Master dive with the divers?
9.   What about crew experience and makeup?
10. What about safety equipment?
11. What should I bring?
12. What is the cost?
13. Should I tip the crew?
14. How do I book space on the boat?
15. What is your cancellation policy?

1. Can you tell us about the Pressure Drop?
   
   The Pressure Drop is a custom Newton 46 which was designed and constructed for a single purpose – Fun and relaxed Fishing and Diving. The vessel is 50 feet long overall with a wide 16.5 foot beam designed for a stable platform and unmatched comfort. Powered by a Caterpillar Turbo diesel, the Pressure Drop cruises at 20 knots. She is the fastest and newest charter vessel in the Carrabelle Florida.. The two air conditioners & two hot showers round out the vessel.
   
   
2. Where does the Pressure Drop depart?
   
   The Pressure Drop departs from the "A" dock at the Moorings marina,  in front of the office store. see our Dock Map. on the Marina page.
   
   
3. Does the Pressure Drop operate on weekdays?
   
   YES, normal  weekday departures are scheduled a minimum of 2 weeks prior, with departure at 7:30 AM and return at around 4:30 PM. .
   
   
4. What dives are scheduled for weekends?
   
   Two (2) day trips are scheduled every Saturday and Sunday, with the morning departure at 7:00 AM and the afternoon departure at 1:30 PM. boarding times are 30 minutes prior to the departure times.Please check out our trip schedule page.
   
   
5. Is Night Diving available?
   
   Night dives are scheduled throughout the year depending on interest. They will normally be posted on the web on our Trip Schedule page. These dives are inexpensive two (2) tank dives. Departures depend on the sunset time, so please call to check boarding and departure times.
   
   
6. What is provided?
   
   All Rods, Reels, Tackle, Bait & Licenses are provided at no extra charge for fishing charters. All Hot and cold beverages are also included in the charter.
   
   
7. What level of diving is done aboard the boat?
   
   The Pressure Drop's normal diving level rarely exceeds "intermediate". Although many of our sites could be considered "intermediate" we will not normally dive an "intermediate" site that has turned "advanced" due to weather or sea conditions. Our emphasis is on "RECREATIONAL" diving. Advanced dives are reserved for specail charters and require proper certification.
   
   
8. Does your Dive Master dive with the divers?
   
   No!
   The Dive Master on most Florida charter boats is primarily the safety swimmer. His/her duties also include briefing the dive procedures and emergencies, keeping track of divers as they enter and exit the vessel, and checking equipment safety and function before the divers enter the water. The DM also enters the water to assist divers who are having difficulty or find themselves unable to return to the vessel due to fatigue or other emergency situations.
   A tour guide can also be made available at an additional charge if you make prior arrangement with Capital City Dive & Fishing Charters.
   
   
9. What about crew experience and makeup?
   
   The Pressure Drop has one of the most qualified crews in Northern Florida. A USCG-qualified crew is onboard on all trips. The typical makeup of the Pressure Drop crew includes a USCG-licensed Master Captain, a senior deck hand (most often a USCG-licensed captain as well), a certified Dive Master or an Instructor. Most of our crew members each have more than 5 years of recreational, commercial, or military diving experience and have worked for Capital City Dive & Fishing Charters since it began operation in December 2000. See our Crew Page for more details.
   
   
10. What about safety equipment?
    
    Besides an extensive first aid kit designed by our Crew, we maintain one "E" size O2 bottle and regulator to treat divers . We also maintain all USCG required safety and survival equipment and have a built-in automatic Halon fire suppression system in the engine compartment. GPS, Emergancy Postion Radio Indicating Beacon (E.P.I.R.B), Radar, VHF Radio, and Sonar are also part of our safety and survival equipment.
    
    
11. What should I bring?
    
    Bring all of your own personal equipment or contact us or a local dive shop to arrange for rental gear. Cameras are always welcome on this boat, We can also arrange to have photo equipment delivered to the boat as well for an additional charge.
    
    We encourage you to bring your gear in a soft bag so that it can be collapsed on board after making ready your BCD and tank, in order to make room to move about the vessel. Hard boxes such as Rubbermaid "Tuff Totes" or similar containers or "roll-around" dive bags cannot be collapsed and continue to occupy large areas even when empty.
    
    Partial suit-up should be done on shore, so arrive early enough to load your personal gear, fill out the paperwork, and partially suit up at the dock. The trip to our most distant sites can be as long as 45 minutes or as short as 15. Dressing on a boat while underway is not recommended, and often your dive can be shortened if you are only just starting to suit up after arriving at the site.
    
    Check with your doctor, but motion sickness medicine should be considered. Trip Tone, Bonine, Dramamine, etc should be taken several hours before boarding the vessel if approved by your doctor. Eat lightly before the trip, and avoid heavy breakfasts loaded with bacon, acidic fruit juices, etc.
    
    For your shoreside stay in Carrabelle dress beach casual,  Carrabelle has many cool mornings where a marine layer (fog, overcast, etc) remains long after the late morning sun has already burned off the layer in inland areas. Temperatures usually range in the low 80's and mid 90's in the summer and fall, and are cooler in the winter and spring.
    
    Other items we recommend you bring are a towel, sunscreen, a pullover or jacket for after-dive, and a container for your eyeglasses if you wear them.
    
    
12. What is the cost?
    
    Please see our Diving page / Fishing Page which ever sport you r interested in.
    
    
13. Should I tip the crew?
    
    Please note that the cost of the trip does not include gratuity for the extra service and help you will receive from the Pressure Drop crew. Tipping is not required, but sincerely appreciated when earned. The crew pride themselves on providing the extra service that really stands out from the others to make your trip with us enjoyable and safe. 15-20% percent is the norm.
    
    
14. How do I book space on the boat?
    
    
    • Through our e-mail @ Captain or  direct by calling (850) 528-1926.

       

    • DIVE SHOPS
      A list of dive shops booking on the Pressure Drop is shown on our Dive Links page.
      We encourage you to use your dive store when booking; it costs you no more. You can make a reservation through many of the dive shops and retailers located in Northern Florida check your local yellow pages or our  page. All of the retailers who have scheduled charters (see our Trip Schedule page) can also book individual spaces on any charter that Capital City Dive & Fishing Charters has going. This sport cannot exist without the dive shops and the investment thay have made in comnpressors, equipment for rentals, repair stations, etc.
    • Directly through the Pressure Drop.
      If unable to use a dive shop, contact us at (850) 528-1926
      
      

15. CANCELLATION POLICY:   We collect the $200 deposit to reserve your date and time slot. This $200 deposit is non-refundable unless the fishing trip is cancelled by the Captain due to bad weather or unforeseen boat problems. This cancellation is made at the dock on the day of the trip, only at the Captain's discretion. All other cancellations forfeit the $200 deposit. Our booking policy is to meet at the boat at the agreed time on the day of the trip. If the fishing trip is cancelled by the Captain due to bad weather, we will try to re-book your fishing trip for a better day if the customer’s schedule allows, otherwise we will cheerfully refund your entire $200 deposit.