Private boats & Spain

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Paul - 24 Nov 2004 09:14 GMT

Has anybody taken their own boat to Spain?

Specifically Estartit, I know diving the Islands may be difficult but there
are other sites available up and down the coast and just use a hard boat for
the Islands.

If it is possible does anybody know of special licence or Insurance
required?

Cheers

Paul

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TAW - 25 Nov 2004 01:25 GMT

> Has anybody taken their own boat to Spain?
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Paul

Not really an answer to your Q but I was at Estartit in September (by fluke
rather than choice) and then planned to get some dives in with a
dive centre.

1) There are loads of dive centres in Estartit - I spotted five in one drive
thru the town.
2) Apparently they are limited in trips to the islands - one dive per
centre per day
3) All the dive centes slag each other off big style ("Look at those tosser
overs there , they don't do proper training ")
4) There is a massive current running between the islands, you get in it and
you are heading for Italy. We did, they had to send the rescue boat for us.

So , probably not worth taking your own boat, as there as so many local dive
centres - but watch for 'just enough knowledge' if you take a trip with
them.
(Because I was late for my dive, they kitted me out and let me dive without
checking that I had ANY experience - didn't ask for my cards - just gave me
my gear and let me dive.)

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Paul - 25 Nov 2004 08:45 GMT

> Not really an answer to your Q but I was at Estartit in September (by fluke
> rather than choice) and then planned to get some dives in with a
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> checking that I had ANY experience - didn't ask for my cards - just gave me
> my gear and let me dive.)

Thanks for the reply.

I have been to Estartit a number of times over the years with various
differant operators, but was after a change by having to organise some of
the diving ourselves. I never intended to dive the Islands ourselves as I
believe it is nearly imposible (unless you are Spanish that is) to do it.
The only rib I have seen around the Islands was one from the Island
commission or what ever they are called. If you dive Estartit at peak times
even though you book as a group you can end up on your boat with another
large party. If you have dived an Estartit fishing/converted dive boat with
two groups on it you will know what I mean!

Sometimes because the operators do fill spaces with extra divers sometimes
the fillers in are not over qualified so trips to the wrecks and deeper
parts/caves of the Island can be out, which is a shame when we make an
effort to make sure our divers are up for it. We have found differant
operators but they all have their moments!

Paul

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Matthias Voss - 25 Nov 2004 12:46 GMT

> So , probably not worth taking your own boat, as there as so many local dive
> centres - but watch for 'just enough knowledge' if you take a trip with
> them.

What's more, with your own boat you are not allowed access to the same
mooring buoys the local centers are.

Matthias

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