Hi everyone,

I’m heading out on my first liveaboard this August—the Nautilus Under Sea in the Sea of Cortez. While I know they have dedicated communal camera rinse tanks, I’m debating if I should still bring my own personal container.

I bought a 36-can AO padded cooler to use as a dedicated rinse/protection station, but I’m hesitating because of the weight and bulk.

For those with liveaboard experience:

• Is a personal rinse bag/cooler worth the luggage space, or are communal tanks generally safe enough for a mirrorless rig (OM-1 in an AOI housing)?

• Is there enough deck space for everyone to have their own "tank," or will I just be in the way?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether to pack the AO cooler or switch to a lighter, more collapsible setup.

Thanks!

A padded cooler will not be very useful on a liveaboard. And the boat rinse tank is fine to use. Just remember the tank is for rinsing, not dumping your camera and leaving it in there unattended.

Hmmmm... I'm always super wary of rinse tanks.

Dave is dead right of course - they are for rinsing not leaving gear unattended.

That said, I would not mind a 1p for every time I've seen masks/computers/GoPros lobbed into the Cameras Only rinse tank; big systems dumped in without a second thought, cables tangled blah blah.... And the good few times I've been distracted whillst rinsing my camera system and had to leave it for a few minutes to come back and find gear dumped on top of it.

I now travel with some of my camera gear packed in a CineBags Grouper bag. One we get to the liveaboard, I unpack it and it's then my own personal rinse tank. I can usually find some discrete corner where it sits out of the way and holds my camera - wet or dry.

"Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter the Dreaded Rinse Tank". I think Danté said that.

30 minutes ago, TimG said:

Hmmmm... I'm always super wary of rinse tanks.

Dave is dead right of course - they are for rinsing not leaving gear unattended.

That said, I would not mind a 1p for every time I've seen masks/computers/GoPros lobbed into the Cameras Only rinse tank; big systems dumped in without a second thought, cables tangled blah blah.... And the good few times I've been distracted whillst rinsing my camera system and had to leave it for a few minutes to come back and find gear dumped on top of it.

I now travel with some of my camera gear packed in a CineBags Grouper bag. One we get to the liveaboard, I unpack it and it's then my own personal rinse tank. I can usually find some discrete corner where it sits out of the way and holds my camera - wet or dry.

"Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter the Dreaded Rinse Tank". I think Danté said that.

Although I do understand Dave's point of view, I lean more in your direction. It's too easy for me to get distracted and leave my gear in a big rinse tank. I've done it at dive shops before. I'm probably better off keeping it as close to me as possible.

I looked at the CineBags, but it's not available anymore, is it? The Kraken Rinse Bag looks similar. I went with the AO because it's significantly cheaper and I don't think I need all the pockets, etc. Now, I just need to decide on the logistics, keeping in mind I need to take care of my back while traveling. I might just stuff it full of clothes and then stuff the bag in a suitcase. I already have a spinner carry-on camera bag for the most critical camera gear.

I didn't know the Grouper was no longer available from CineBags. But, yeah, the Kraken seems pretty much the same thing. Filling a soft rinse tank with clothes sounds a good idea.

I don't know AO coolers. The only thing I think to watch out for is the quality of the zips. They need to resist salt and not jam with salt build-up. And not leak of course! The CineBag was good for that although the internal pocket zips need work to prevent them jamming.

Maybe it could be useful for you, I use an Yellow sub Mega tote bag from S&S for local dives. This bag can also be used as a rinsing bucket.

S&S bag

1 hour ago, TimG said:

I didn't know the Grouper was no longer available from CineBags. But, yeah, the Kraken seems pretty much the same thing. Filling a soft rinse tank with clothes sounds a good idea.

I don't know AO coolers. The only thing I think to watch out for is the quality of the zips. They need to resist salt and not jam with salt build-up. And not leak of course! The CineBag was good for that although the internal pocket zips need work to prevent them jamming.

The zippers are an excellent point. I had not thought about that. I think I am going to return the AO Cooler bag and get the Kraken Rinse Bag just for that reason.

5 minutes ago, canislupus said:

Maybe it could be useful for you, I use an Yellow sub Mega tote bag from S&S for local dives. This bag can also be used as a rinsing bucket.

S&S bag

I appreciate that. However, from what I read, that bag will not hold water, and I want it to serve as a rinse tank.

16 minutes ago, Adrian Gresores said:

The zippers are an excellent point. I had not thought about that. I think I am going to return the AO Cooler bag and get the Kraken Rinse Bag just for that reason.

I appreciate that. However, from what I read, that bag will not hold water, and I want it to serve as a rinse tank.

This bag can hold water; in fact, there's a picture of it with water inside on their website.

7 minutes ago, canislupus said:

This bag can hold water; in fact, there's a picture of it with water inside on their website.

Oh, I see that now. I will consider it. Thank you.

If you want a padded cooler, get a super cheap one like the one below from Amazon @ $26. I've used a pair of similar bags for many years for all my local shore diving and car transport. I've taken them on trips, filling them with scuba gear in my suitcase, but I don't find them so useful on a boat. You don't need to move your camera around much and they get in the way on a zodiac/panga and the crew won't like/allow it. If you want a personal rinse, sure that's a useful function. But realistically, you just need to dip your camera after each dive for a few seconds. Do a better, longer, button pressing rinse at the end of the trip or end of the day at most.

I now take a padded cooler bag which is collapsible on my trips, just how feasible it will be really depends on the boat I think and how much space it has, I just bought a cheap one from a K-Mart and it seems to work fine, collapsed down it's the top layer in my dive gear bag.

I used it two ways depending on the trip, when we were on the tender going out to sites I carried the rig in it, no water in it and it provided protection on the tender where there wasn't anywhere good to store it, used an old towel to cover the rig after I got out out from the dive. Coming back to the main boat I used the rinse tank there briefly and transferred to the cooler bag. After the last dive I filled the cooler with water and left the rig to soak and got my gear and myself sorted before coming back to deal with changing batteries etc. You won't be able to carry the cooler bag full of water I don't think and it's unlikely there will be a water supply on any dive tender to fill it.

On another land based trip we went out daily on mid sized boats. There were less rigs so I used the rinse tank there and transferred it to my cooler bag on a shelf again covering the rig with a towel. Used the cooler bag to soak at the end of the day. The one I have is a cheapy so picking it up and moving it full of water is not feasible plus it would weight 30-40kg when full.

Always watch your rig like a hawk and cover the dome with your dome cover to protect it and stop it drying out till you can properly rinse it. I use a damp towel to stop everything drying out completely.

So take the bag with you and sort out how you can get it to fit into the routine on the boats on site.

I think the “personal rinse tank” is many things. As a bag it can serve multiple roles: it’s my travel bag, boat bag, and rinse tank. I always bring it because it covers those three functions. I’ve used both the AO and Cinebags versions.

I am the same. On crowded boats, I avoid the communal rinse tank since people often toss gear in carelessly. Heavy systems can easily damage mine, so I set up my bag in a quiet corner of the ship — away from foot traffic. That way, I can safely soak my camera without worry.

Its main value, though, is as a protective boat bag. It shields my gear from impacts on the boat and keeps essentials organized—prescription dive mask, computer, phone, gloves, food, water, and camera—all in one place. For that alone, I think the soft cooler is worth it.

In practice, I use it about 10% for transport, 80% as a boat bag, and 10% as a rinse tank.

41 minutes ago, Pomacentridae said:

I think the “personal rinse tank” is many things. As a bag it can serve multiple roles: it’s my travel bag, boat bag, and rinse tank. I always bring it because it covers those three functions. I’ve used both the AO and Cinebags versions.

43 minutes ago, Pomacentridae said:

I think the “personal rinse tank” is many things. As a bag it can serve multiple roles: it’s my travel bag, boat bag, and rinse tank. I always bring it because it covers those three functions. I’ve used both the AO and Cinebags versions.

Its main value, though, is as a protective boat bag. It shields my gear from impacts on the boat and keeps essentials organized—prescription dive mask, computer, phone, gloves, food, water, and camera—all in one place. For that alone, I think the soft cooler is worth it.

In practice, I use it about 10% for transport, 80% as a boat bag, and 10% as a rinse tank.

It looks like the Cinebags cooler is no longer available, but the AO cooler is. I can't tell from the photos--does it fold flat?

Thanks!

4 minutes ago, ACHiPo said:

It looks like the Cinebags cooler is no longer available, but the AO cooler is. I can't tell from the photos--does it fold flat?

Thanks!

Correct, Cinebags is no longer available, but the Kraken would be the direct replacement. They are exactly the same in every way (layout and size) but I have been told that the Kraken one is now of better quality. The cinebags one for the price had some hardware durability issues and really could have done some refinement. My gripes with it are:

• Stitching: I had to redo the stitching on the pockets, bungee loops, and handles as the stitching came off.

• Material for eyelets and bungee ties: Eyelets were normal metal and corroded. I had to replace them with stainless steel. Bungee ties frayed and pulled out of the bag, I had to sew them back in.

• Drainage holes: The accessory pockets don’t have a water proof zipper, so sea water is bound to enter the pockets and don’t drain (they start to smell bad). I needed to punch drainage holes for the accessory pockets. I wish they just used the old plastic mesh for this so the pockets don’t hold moisture. I am always having to wipe the inside of the pockets to dry and store at the end of the day.

Everything else about it I love: the layout is well thought out and usable, accessory pockets for everything, base material is super durable and water repellent.

It does fold flat. But is still like 2 or 3 inches thick when folded flat (Lots of material). But it makes it easier to fold flat and store in your dive bag versus an AO cooler.

Ive work on liveaboards so from that point of view, generic advice, deck space is limited. You might get away with 1 person with a personal tank but if more than that have the same idea there really isnt space. Theres also the issue fresh water is a finite resource so constantly refilling/emptying personal rinse tanks isnt great for that. Depends on the boat of course.

Decent boats will have a rinse tank thats clean, fresh and hopefully policed so people arent putting mask soap or god knows what in it (all boats im on camera buckets are separate from the rest of dive gear buckets...and dive gear is only rinsed at the end of the trip).

As a photographer, ive had a camera setup destroyed in a rinse tank. Left it there while i legged it to help untie the mooring line. Came back and a "helpful" entitled teenager with parents had put their dslr setup in the tank on top of mine (a Canon 70D in ikeite housing, 8" dome and 2 DS161 strobes in a black bin isnt hard to see), found resistance to their housing so rammed it as hard as they could. This crushed my at the time ikelite, snapped the dome port off and flooded/destroyed the whole setup.

Rinse tanks are for rinsing not leaving. Swill it, remove it, take it away. If it needs further washing use the shower (if fresh water) when you wash or whatever.

If you bring anything at all, make it a cooler bag type thing and nothing rigid. And be mindful of fresh water usage etc.

20 hours ago, Pomacentridae said:

Correct, Cinebags is no longer available, but the Kraken would be the direct replacement. They are exactly the same in every way (layout and size) but I have been told that the Kraken one is now of better quality. The cinebags one for the price had some hardware durability issues and really could have done some refinement. My gripes with it are:

• Stitching: I had to redo the stitching on the pockets, bungee loops, and handles as the stitching came off.

• Material for eyelets and bungee ties: Eyelets were normal metal and corroded. I had to replace them with stainless steel. Bungee ties frayed and pulled out of the bag, I had to sew them back in.

• Drainage holes: The accessory pockets don’t have a water proof zipper, so sea water is bound to enter the pockets and don’t drain (they start to smell bad). I needed to punch drainage holes for the accessory pockets. I wish they just used the old plastic mesh for this so the pockets don’t hold moisture. I am always having to wipe the inside of the pockets to dry and store at the end of the day.

Everything else about it I love: the layout is well thought out and usable, accessory pockets for everything, base material is super durable and water repellent.

It does fold flat. But is still like 2 or 3 inches thick when folded flat (Lots of material). But it makes it easier to fold flat and store in your dive bag versus an AO cooler.

I just ordered the Kraken. Thanks. Not sure if it will fit in my luggage (or if it'll be delivered before I leave for Roatan), but will good to have regardless. I bought a very nice RTIC, but it's like a Yeti and not collapsable at all so not really an option for travel.

I've been using the AO cooler 36 for 10 years now. I love having it on day trips - the camera goes in there, as well as the spare tupperware box, mask, computer, towel, wet clothes, etc. It's very convenient. It's much easier to carry everything to a boat. It helps dampen vibrations as well on long boat rides.

The zippers have been salted out for a while and don't close anymore. It folds but is quite thick so it takes a fair bit of luggage space.

I have used it as a rinse tank in some hotels/resorts that weren't setup for it, or on 3-dives trip with a longer lunch break.

But I find it rather unnecessary on a liveaboard, usually I don't even bring it. Just use the communal rinse camera tanks, cameras don't need to stay in the water much. It's hard to keep a soft-shell bag as your own rinse tank on the dive deck, it takes space in a usually crammed area, and freshwater is usually limited. And it's not very convenient or respectful to keep it in the bathroom, moving a wet camera back-and-forth across the dry area of the boat.

On 3/13/2026 at 11:57 PM, Dave_Hicks said:

If you want a padded cooler, get a super cheap one like the one below from Amazon @ $26. I've used a pair of similar bags for many years for all my local shore diving and car transport. I've taken them on trips, filling them with scuba gear in my suitcase, but I don't find them so useful on a boat. You don't need to move your camera around much and they get in the way on a zodiac/panga and the crew won't like/allow it. If you want a personal rinse, sure that's a useful function. But realistically, you just need to dip your camera after each dive for a few seconds. Do a better, longer, button pressing rinse at the end of the trip or end of the day at most.

I have exactlythat particular bag. Very tough but despite putting a lot of care into rinsing and lubricating it, the zippercorroded after just one trip. The zipper is plastic but the slider is made of some shitty aluminum alloy.

1 hour ago, Davide DB said:

I have exactlythat particular bag. Very tough but despite putting a lot of care into rinsing and lubricating it, the zippercorroded after just one trip. The zipper is plastic but the slider is made of some shitty aluminum alloy.

I don't have this exact bag, but I never use the zipper. Camera is too tall!

I have a smaller cheap cooler bag that i use for my lenses and ports and camera accessories, etc that is going strong after 5+ years. Zippers are fine.

I have been using the Sam's Club bags, often well under $10. One of them lasted three years including a Red Sea Trip. I left it last trip in Roatan with left over new in package food items, soaps, shampoos my wife had bought and did not use that the room service lady wanted. Got another plus a spare. They will take my Sony NA6400 or my Canon NA-R50 and Inon S220 strobes rigged and zipped and will hold water for a rinse if needed. They are light, fold flat and are inexpensive enough, that they can be just left if need be.

Edited March 28Mar 28 by Nemrod

Thank you for all the feedback. I've decided to go with the AO Cooler 36. I've had to cancel my first liveaboard trip unfortunately. Instead, we are taking a quick trip to Cozumel next month. The dive shop actually recommended I use my own soft-sided cooler bag for camera gear, since their rinse tank is too small. I've also managed to vacuum pack the bag, so it fits in the front pocket of a suitcase.

8 hours ago, Adrian Gresores said:

Thank you for all the feedback. I've decided to go with the AO Cooler 36. I've had to cancel my first liveaboard trip unfortunately. Instead, we are taking a quick trip to Cozumel next month. The dive shop actually recommended I use my own soft-sided cooler bag for camera gear, since their rinse tank is too small. I've also managed to vacuum pack the bag, so it fits in the front pocket of a suitcase.

Brilliant idea vacuum packing! I have a food sealer. Of course I won't be able to vac it on the way home?

A lot of good thoughts. I don’t think there is one right answer, as usually. It depends. Just came from a Emperor liveaboard in the Maldives and it had a big dedicated tank for cameras. Nothing but cameras could go into it. I had no worries leaving my Nauticam rig in it over night. I’ve been on boats that had no good options, mostly day boats, then I have made sure they supply a big enough bucket or fresh water to fill up a cooler bag (brought by me). I don’t like to just ”dunk” the camera and then let it dry with all the salt. Did I say that in 25 years or so I’ve yet never flooded a camera? 🤣 Touch wood. My advice would be to reach out to the organizers, if possible the cruise director, and ask about what amenities and routines the have for guys with big equipment…

Edited March 29Mar 29 by Christian K

Maybe don't leave your camera in a rinse tank overnight. A rinse tank is the highest risk spot on a boat for a camera. Between flooding (lack of water pressure sealing the orings) and damage from other gear and divers, this is a big risk for zero gain.

Edited March 29Mar 29 by Dave_Hicks

The clue is in the name. Rinse. Not soak.

My usual strategy is to train the crew to put my camera straight into the basket beneath my spot on the kitting up bench. That gets it well out of the way from places it could fall from or get sloshed and knocked or otherwise be mistreated by other divers and their kit.

Then once all divers are recovered and I am de-kitted and the general melee is over, I give it a few minutes rinse while twiddling knobs and pushing buttons. I never leave a camera unattended in a rinse tank for any period of time. I have seen many more (other photographer's) cameras leak in the rinse tank than I have seen leak underwater.