Guest Survey Results for June 2009

Each month we are independently surveyed by the research team at James Cook University. Here are our latest results from JCU for our customer surveys;

Here is what our guests had to say about the trip:
Reef exceeded expectations: 78.3% said yes
Trip exceeded expectations: 73.9% said yes
Received value for money: 100% said yes
Would recommend the trip: 100% said yes
Average satisfaction score: 8.83 /10

Our passengers in the month of June comprised of the following groups:
39% North American, 26% Australian,
39.1% 30-39 years old, 26% 50-59 year olds,
48% professionals and 13% students,
35% travelling with their family, 30.4% travelling with their partner.

Thanks to all our passengers for making our jobs one of the best in the world! And again to our conscientious and diligent crew - Thank You!.

Customer Satisfaction Results for May 2009

The May customer satisfaction scores have been returned from JCU:
Here is what our guests had to say about the trip.
The Reef met expectations: 85.3% said very much
(15% said yes)
The Trip met expectations: 75.0% said very much
(25% said yes)
Received value for money: 100% said yes
Would recommend the trip: 100% said yes
Mean satisfaction score: 9.20 / 10

Our passenger in the month of May comprised of the following groups:

• 35% European, 30% Australian,
• 35% 20-29 year olds and 23.3% 30-39 years old,
• 33.3% professionals, 50% travelling with their partner

Thanks Again to our passengers for sailing with us and our great crew for their hard work!

Book Before You Travel - Travel Tip

Just a little heads up to the people trying to get some last minute bargains while traveling. We are getting a stream of people who arrive in town and trying to book a last minute trip to the reef on our boats. While we realize it is tempting to wait to see if there are standby or discount rates available this is a risky business. Typically our boats are sold out weeks or even months in advance during the peak season. So it is best to book ahead of time. We understand what a horrible experience it must be to get to one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world only to find that the trip of your choice is unavailable and you have to settle for something else. Remember the difference in price is a often difference in quality. So to make your trip a lot less stressful and relaxing; research and call operators ahead of time to find peak times. Last minute deals are available but a little research ahead of time will save a lot of disappointment later. To secure your trip book ahead and make sure you get the best experience you can. We hope to see you shortly on the Great Barrier Reef!

10 Things to Check Before Your Next Dive Trip

Here are the Top Ten Things to Ask Your Dive Company Before You Book Your Trip with Them. Remember the difference in price is often the difference in quality.
1. Is your dive equipment serviced by trained and certified technicians?
This may seem obvious, but worth checking. Make sure the servicing is performed as per the manufacturers’ recommendations. Common mistakes include reusing consumable items, trying to service the equipment without the proper training and leaving it too long between servicing.
2. Are they a member of a reputable and recognized training organization?
There are too many too mention here but the most common ones are SSI, PADI, CMAS, BSAC, TDI/SDI. This is important too ensure that they are kept up to date with the latest in training and procedures in case anything does go wrong.
3. How Many People are Diving at Once?
To truly enjoy your dive experience it is best to keep the numbers in the group as small as your can. This also reduces any impact that you may have on the environment, such as scaring away fish and stirring up the bottom.
4. What is the Ratio from Instructor to Student or Guide to Diver?
There are regulations covering the first point so numbers will vary under that amount, but it is best to ask before you go so you are not shocked. If you want a smaller group you may have to pay for it. Smaller amount of divers per guide allows for a much smoother and personal dive, allowing the dive to be tailored for what you expect to see on the dive.
5. Are they a member of a relevant local dive organization?
Like point 2 above this ensures that you have a operator that is involved and up to date with the latest guidelines or safety procedures for that region.
6. Do they support local or global efforts in conservation or research?
This gives you a great indication on the attitude of the dive company and makes sure you get great dive karma. Sustaining the marine environment shows the company is interested in the longevity of the local or global ecosystem and is doing their bit to contribute.
7. Do you have travel or dive insurance that gives you the coverage you need?
This will include all sorts of things that may happen that can throw your dive trip into disarray. These may include an illness, illness of a relative, travel agent or operator going bankrupt, weather related cancellations, flight cancellations.
8. What is the cancellation policy of the dive company?
Do they give full refunds for weather or other cancellations? Do they have an immediate no refund policy for cancellations or are they flexible?
9. Are the owners or managers going on their own trips?
Quality control to make sure that you have a great experience is often done with management teams that have a more hands on approach. By taking the time to experience the trip and meet the guests shows that they are going the extra mile to make sure you have the best experience possible.
10. How far is the boat/resort really away from the hotel?
Often people follow the old "we're just 10 minutes away" story. Use Google Maps or other technologies to get a true picture of where you are in relation to the boat. Better still see if they can arrange transport for you to arrive at the boat on time and not have to lug dive gear around.

What a Great Year on the Great Barrier Reef

This year continues to be a fantastic year on the Great Barrier Reef with fantastic weather and great spectacles on show for the world to see on a regular basis. Lighter winds and calm seas for the most part this year have made diving and snorkeling on the outer reef defy the imagination with awesome visibility and active marine life.
Our guests on the extended private yacht charters earlier in the year got to enjoy some of the reefs that are rarely visited and some of the small uninhabited islands that dot the Great Barrier Reef. Dolphins seem to have adopted the bows of our yachts as a playground to surf the waves.
The reef surveys again were carried out by Reefcheck Australia, and continue to show the health and resilience of the reef with positive growth being shown across our dive sites.
We were privileged in June and July with regular Minke Whale visits around the reefs and now the humpback whales are continuing the show. The whales head north for the warm sun and calm seas of the tropics. These Humpback Whales are often seen enjoying their annual winter break from the cold water of the southern states. Whales playfully basking and breaching make a common and spectacular sight sailing to and from the reef.
All the while many of the seabirds that form an important part of the ecosystems are seen continually scann the water surface and then diving from great heights to secure their meals.
Our regular cast of characters such as Wally the Maori Wrasse, "nemo" (clownfish), turtles and many other beautiful fish and reef formations continue to keep us entertained and in awe of the wonder that is Great Barrier Reef. What a privilege to work and live around one the true natural wonders of the world.

Sea Cucumber - Species of the Reef

Like the vaccum cleaners of the sea, the sea cucumber scavages it's food along the sea floor, where it eats decaying matter and plankton. It is has and endoskeleton which means it's bone structure is just below it's leather and tough skin. The sea cucmber shoots out a sticky goo that it uses as a self defence mechanism to entangle any would be predators out there.

The sea cucumber is able to strengthen and loosen the outside of their body at will allowing them to squeeze through tight crevaces and then harden the outside of it's body again when it is in more exposed areas. Because ten percent of the sea cucumbers blood is vanadium and not hemoglobin their blood is not red but yellow.
Some of the earliest form of trade between Asia and indigenous Australia was the trade of sea cucumbers, which are highly regarding in some forms of eastern medicine and as a food dish.