Jim Abernethy's Liveaboard

Would you not use the same dome port just with a different extension for these different lenses?

My multi-purpose dome is acrylic, but my specific domes are glass, and a lot smaller.

Tim

... Eric Cheng, looking like he's about to be enveloped by sharks, original and after WB correction...

That's some image!

Tim

Great topic as I am just about to book a trip or maybe charter the SW for my 40th.

I have read for the previous few years all of the great experiences that you guys and girls have had with Jim, and I was also concerned about space onboard. Having said that I have done my homework and reviewed the alternatives to the SW and I have also PM'd guys that have been on the SW for their advice regarding the pros and the cons of choosing the SW. Most replies I had back were very positive regarding one thing, and that is the attidude and safety whilst diving with Jim. I dont know Jim yet but from what I have been told is that he is a great guy who is there to give you a once in a life time experience. Myself personally, I will sacrifice being a bit cramped for safety. I am under no illusions as to the size of the boat and I do not think that I am going to some 5 star spa. What you see is what you get. I dont think it would be my wifes cup of tea, even if I chartered it and we knew all the other divers. I am not knocking the OP as what suits some might not suit others. A bit like Marmite. But if she had looked at the layout of the SW on Jims site she would have been able to see how big, or rather how small the boat was.

What am I expecting from the SW

1. safety

2. great encounters with large sharks

3. great photos

4. a good time

5. If I dont charter it, to make new friends

Stew

Watch out for the cockroaches on that boat. For some reason they are much larger than the ones I've seen on other boats.

I have to credit either Dave or Dee for this shot. Can't remember who sent it to me.

Watch out for the cockroaches on that boat. For some reason they are much larger than the ones I've seen on other boats.

 

 

I have to credit either Dave or Dee for this shot. Can't remember who sent it to me.

Welcome to Floreeda!

Well, I'm ****ed...

... Jim has just pulled the plug on my trip, and I can't rebook leave until next year, and I don't know if there will be spaces then...

... where can I go, no more than 12 flying hours from England, with three weeks' notice?

Tim

Well, I'm ****ed...

Tim

Can you reschedule to go on the Backscatter Shearwater trip? June 16 -22nd? I think they still have an opening.

By the way what was the reason given for cancelling the trip?

Steve

... where can I go, no more than 12 flying hours from England, with three weeks' notice?

That sucks. Such short notice too.

Hours of travel proximity

less than than 12 : Maldives, Seychelles, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Thailand

15 : Indonesia, , PI, Mafia, Pemba, Comorros

17 : PNG

That's just off the top of my head. If you must have shark dives, South Africa is your best bet. then you have the sardines.

I have a suggestion if you want to stay in the Caribbean vicinity - Jardin de la Reina, Cuba. No big sharks, but lots of Silkies.

Seems like trip cancellations are becoming more of a problem, have to consider cancellation insurance from now on, I guess.

I have a suggestion if you want to stay in the Caribbean vicinity - Jardin de la Reina, Cuba. No big sharks, but lots of Silkies.

And caribbean reefs sharks.

That's some image!

 

Tim

 

Yeah from the looks of it I wouldn't have had to worry about whizzing off the stern or space on the boat for that matter. Once I took the wetsuit off it would've created its own buffer zone.

Tim

Can you reschedule to go on the Backscatter Shearwater trip? June 16 -22nd? I think they still have an opening.

 

By the way what was the reason given for cancelling the trip?

 

Steve

Nah, I have to arrange cover for holidays about a year in advance, not a month! Pity...

Apparently there were only three spaces taken, so the trip was uneconomic.

Tim

What a bummer Tim.

Sign of the times ?

Must admit it is the first time I have heard of a JASA trip cancelled ( though it may well have happened previously ).

So have you lost the flights and everything ?

Paul C

Swanage !! well maybe not.

Azores, not far from the Uk. If you already have the flights and cant get a refund, the Keys. Although I have no idea of conditions this time of year. You could always wait and see what Backhurst has deal wise. He has some cracking last minute offers on at the moment.

Stew

Well, I'm ****ed...

 

... Jim has just pulled the plug on my trip, and I can't rebook leave until next year, and I don't know if there will be spaces then...

 

... where can I go, no more than 12 flying hours from England, with three weeks' notice?

 

Tim

 

What are your exact dates???

What are your exact dates???

Not to worry, unless it's cancelled too, I have a last-minute spot on the Belize Aggressor... thanks to Rachel at Dive Quest who pulled that together within about half an hour of me asking for anything in the Caribbean area during the week in question!

Now, is anyone planning a Shearwater trip for next year?

Tim

Tim - there will be at least two Wetpixel trips for next year. Alex is planning on leading one in July, and I will probably lead one in September. Stay tuned...

Alex's advice is (as usual) about as spot on as I can imagine. I wish I'd said all that!

 

The only other thing I'd mention (at the risk of being obvious) is to shoot RAW. You're very likely to want to tweak WB after the fact on many of your photos from this trip. Getting WB right (or your camera correctly doing so) in shallow water can be a challenge, and I found that many of my photos looked far better after I "fixed" the WB in the RAW converter.

 

Here is a good example. This is our fearless leader, Eric Cheng, looking like he's about to be enveloped by sharks, original and after WB correction. BTW, it was shot with a 24mm on a full frame camera.

Curious as to how the Shearwater deals with the often opposing needs of photographers vs videographers. As a videographer there is nothing more destructive to footage than a bunch of flashes going off.

Steve

Curious as to how the Shearwater deals with the often opposing needs of photographers vs videographers.

Hey Steve,

Start with there are only 8 or 9 divers on the boat. Jim splits them up into two groups and they are a little spread out in time. He normally has multiple "stations" set up so it's not hard to feel like you're all alone down there. The reefs we dove on had a lot of structure which could be used to block out shooting areas. The best thing I could tell you is to let Jim know of your concern and they will try to accomodate you.

Cheers,

Steve

Mr. Douglas -

On the Shear Water, we try to separate videographers from still photographers with groups. Ideally, we can split down the middle (half video/half stills) and then there are no issues. We do our best to insure that everyone has the opportunity to return with great images, and I think that our track record indicates that we do a good job satisfying the needs of our various guests onboard. If you have any other questions, I'm sure that our office staff can answer them.

Brian Cripe

Captain, MV Shear Water

www.scuba-adventures.com