Reply from Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving FleetAug 3, 2023
Hi Kevin, we can understand your frustrations with the safety guidelines we shared with you. We want to be clear that we do not discriminate against people living with a disability.
We’re grateful for your many bookings and certainly did not intend to harm our longstanding relationship. However, we do have a duty to address concerns that increase risk to your safety, that of our crew, and other guests, all while adhering to strict guidelines set by our insurance policy. Safety is and always has been our number one priority, followed closely by delivering the best vacation experience for every passenger who joins us. Unfortunately, these goals are sometimes in opposition.
In order to ensure everyone’s best, and safe, experience aboard we clarified these exact requirements with you directly:
1. Submit a recent physician signed RSTC medical statement to the office: This is a standard requirement for any diver who has a condition or conditions that can be contraindicated for diving. The nature of our business is that we are often hours away from medical support. In addition, our crew are trained to respond to first aid incidents but not to provide ongoing medical care, so ensuring divers are medically fit to dive and reside aboard a seagoing vessel is a commonsense step.
2. Travel with a companion who can tend to your needs: The crew provide all services (accommodation, meals, safety, and diving) for to up to 18 guests on 27 dives. While the crew are capable and happy to help with routine tasks like taking gear to and from the entry point for guests who need it, there is a limit to the level of assistance that can be provided without compromising the safety and comfort of all guests aboard. Therefore, travelling with a companion who can help with tasks beyond the scope of the crew is a must.
3. Suitable Cabin Selection: CPAP machines are frequently used onboard by passengers in all bunks. We have no issues with anyone using a CPAP machine aboard the vessel. We also do not guarantee a particular bunk in a two-bedded cabin for anyone who books at a double occupancy rate. As with everyone preferring a certain bunk selection, the options are 1) paying for a private cabin, 2) sharing a cabin with your traveling companion who is willing to take the top bunk 3) taking a chance that a complimentary single cabin upgrade may be available on weeks with fewer guests traveling. As you wanted to book a week with a large discount running, we were unlikely to be able to offer you a complimentary single upgrade on those charters and indicated so.
As mentioned, if you were able to comply with these points, we would have happily welcomed you on board, assured we’d done everything reasonable to ensure your safety and enjoyment and that of the rest of the guests aboard.
If you would like to communicate further on this, please email [email protected]
