DIVING WHAT
TO BRING For your convenience and to speed your
trip with us, please download the following forms: CHECKLIST
& PADI MEDICAL FORM
When packing for your trip to Isle Royale,
please remember storage is limited. Bring only items you expect to use and bring
all items listed below. Scuba Equipment
required Diving suit capable of keeping you comfortable
in 40 degree Fahrenheit water. I would recommend a drysuit (with proper training
and experience). If you choose to go wet, I strongly recommend three finger mitts
and a hooded vest in addition to your 6-7 mill wetsuit. Adequate
regulators for cold water. Your regulator system must have an alternate air as
well as a primary second stage. You may also consider a pony or bail out system.
Submersible tank pressure gauge and depth Gauge (a dive computer
is not required, but highly recommended). Mask, fins, snorkel,
dive light(s), knife, weights and weight belt and spare parts kit, (remember limited
space). Tanks, 1 or 2 , tanks must be current in hydro and have
a current VIP sticker or they will not be permitted on the boat. Watch
or bottom timer, again a dive computer is highly recommended. Buoyancy
compensator with a power inflator, whistle and compass. No dives
will be permitted without the proper equipment — Make arrangements to buy , rent
or borrow. If you bring a fully weight integrated bcd or very
heavy gear, be prepared to have your buddy(s) help lift and lower gear to transom.
Air Fills, Nitrox & Argon On board compressor provides
air fills to 3000 psi. Nitrox must be arranged prior to trip. Nitrox certification
required. Nitrox cost is $100.00 per trip PREPAID ONLY. Argon fills available
on boat $50.00/trip (with 6 cu. ‘tank, reg. & gauge).Certifications and
Diver Safety All divers must be certified. We recommend
advanced certification and require sufficient experience for the profiles you
wish to dive. Certifications will be checked before departure and each diver must
sign the a liability waiver, PADI Statement of Understanding, and fill out the
medical portion or the PADI medical Statement. Please note: if any of the listed
medical conditions apply to you, we require you to consult a physician before
participating in diving activities supervised by onboard instructors of which
we all are. Recompression Chambers – Emergency Evacuation Isle
Royale is a wilderness area. There are no medical facilities on the island. Emergency
evacuation by helicopter can be arranged through the National Park Service or
the Coast Guard via marine radio. The nearest chambers are located in Marquette,
MI and Minneapolis, MN. Due to the isolation of Isle Royale, transport can be
delayed. Purchase of D.A.N. is highly recommended as some medical policies do
not cover. DAN’S toll free membership number is 1-800-446-2671. Wrecks and
Depth Ranges Five day trips can possibly dive The America
(2-80’), Cox (40-100’), Cumberland/Chisolm wreckage (30-90),Chisolm engine (120-155‘),
Five finger Tug (10-20’), Emporer bow (25-100’), Emporer stern (100-155’), Congdon
bow (70-110’), Congdon stern (20-200’), Monarch (20-70’) and the Glenlyon (10-50’).
All dives are conducted with buddy teams. Visibility
Vis is seldom less than 25’ and often exceeds 50’. Colder water is generally clearer
water. National Park Service Regulations Isle Royale
is under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. All activity within the
park must comply with the NPS guidelines. The rules state in part: No
souvenirs may be taken or disturbed. Each diver must provide
operator with name, address and type of diving certification. Each
diver must register at Windigo. Clothes Bring the
clothing and towels you think you will use, remember space is limited. The lake
keeps things cool, so bring warm clothing and a jacket. Please bring soft soled
shoes like tennis shoes to wear on the boat. Please do not bring heavy hiking
boots to wear on the boat. Suitcases Please do
not bring hard suitcases or rigid framed backpacks. They are impossible to stow.
Bring your personal gear in a small duffel or similar soft container. Two small
containers are better than one large one. Excessive weight may need to be eliminated.
Sleeping Gear Bring your own bag and pillow. Lodging You
may lodge on the boat the night before departure, but would probably prefer the
Grand Portage Lodge (218-475-2401) located within a few miles of the marina. Make
your reservations early. Grand Morais also has lodging only 35 minutes South.
Parking You should be able to park in the area
close to boat or in lot. There could be a small fee, but I don’t anticipate that.
Electrical Power There are two 110 VAC generators
on board providing intermittent AC power through out the day. There are three
12 volt DC plug-ins. Extra battery packs are recommended. Food and Beverages All
meals are prepared daily by your crew. We do not supply alcohol and have a limited
supply of soda pop. Feel free to bring your own in aluminum or plastic containers.
Please, no glass bottles ! Alcohol consumption is expected to be kept to reasonable
levels. No alcohol consumption is allowed before or between dives. COOLERS take
up valuable floor space. In the early season (cool water) put beverages in plastic
bags to lower in bilge. In latter season coolers will go on roof and cycle into
refrigerator as room allows.
Isle Royale Mint Brownies! Always
a crowd pleaser. Click here for recipe
DRUGS NONE.
Any illegal drugs found to be on board will terminate the charter immediately.
The authorities will be contacted. Tobacco Outside
only and keep a reasonable time period before and after dives. Weather There
will be no refunds unless we would happen to get weathered out completely, (can’t
leave the dock.), and in that case a compensating trip will be offered at a later
date. Departure and Return Plan to arrive at the
boat at about 8:00 am CDT the morning of departure. Allow 1 1/2 hours for loading,
pre-departure briefing, signing of liability releases and other paperwork. We
will try to leave dockage at approximately 9:30 CDT. The crossing to Isle Royale
will take approximately 2 & 1/2 hours. We will return to Grand Portage’s marina
approximately 1-3:00 PM on the last day of your charter. What to expect
While at Isle Royale You will eat and sleep aboard the
boat, remaining in the park for the duration of your cruise. During the day we
will moor over one or more shipwrecks where you can dive subject to weather, National
Park Service regulations, accepted safe diving practices and specific policies
of Royale Diver. In the evening anchor in a secluded bay or dock at a lakeside
campground. Do not feed animals and follow Parks quiet rules. We will possibly
spend 1 night at Rock Harbor or Windigo which offers showers for a fee ($6.00)
and a small convenience store. Bring the spending monies you might want. Souvenirs
will be available at Rock Harbor, Windigo and/or on the boat. Gratuities Live-aboard
dive boat gratuities typically run between 10-15% of your charter cost. Gratuities
are not included in your cost. Please show your appreciation. Gratuities may be
offered individually or pooled and offered by the group leader.<back
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