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Dive Review of CHERTAN in
Papua New Guinea/MILNE BAY

CHERTAN, Nov, 2006,

by David McKowen, AL, United States . Report 2755.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Best macro boat diving in the world!I have spent over six months on the Chertan in nine years and have never been disappointed,I photographed over one hundred different Nudibranchs this trip.The crew is well trained, friendly,and knowledgeable.Rob VanDerLoos,the owner/captain,loves to dive as much as his guests;his enthusiasm adds to everyones enjoyment of the charter.
Diving is usually off the back of the boat,sometimes by dinghy.Macro dives are usuall muck dives but seamounts with pelagics and crystal clear water are also visited.Manta Ray station combines Mantas with oustanding Macro-I shot photos of Coleman's pygmy seahorse here several years ago.There are no restrictions placed on diving,but safety is not compromised,a watch is kept day or night(even for 2am solo divers),with a dinghy always available.Each tank rack has a tank unless someone is diving-a simple,foolproof method to insure all divers are aboard.Tanks are filled to 2900-3000 via a huge bank with 2 compressors,no waiting for refills.There are 2 rinse tanks for cameras and the crew is well trained.
The boat is clean with excellent food but the cabins are small with showers and heads on the main deck.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving KBR, Bali, Fiji, Tahiti, Phillipines, Roatan, Utila, Caymans, Bahamas, Florida, Louisiana, Wakatobi, Turks and Cacos, Cocos Island,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas calm, noCurrents
Water Temp 80-86°F / 27-30°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 100-20 Ft/ 30-6 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions None,divers are treated as responsible adults,if the boat was not moving"the pool was open."
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales 1 or 2
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Rob(thecaptain)is an avid videographer/photographer,the boat has a large camera table,trained crew,and multiple charging stations(220 and 110).Rob and Mellita have astounding "eyes",they will dive with you or allow completely unrestricted diving,solo divings is allowed.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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