Porthole Dive Charters closing up shop

[spatman]

i'm sad to say that it appears that Mike and Porthole Charters are going out of business.

from their website:

Thank you to all of the Northwest Divers that have come out and supported Porthole Dive Charters over the years. We've had a great time and met a lot of new friends.

Unfortunately, too many set backs with the new boat have forced Porthole Dive Charters to stop operations.

i never did get a chance to make it there to get on the new boat, and i'm bummed about that. i hope Mike bounces back and that things work out for him in the future.

[John Rawlings]

This is extremely sad to hear. I wish them all the best for the future, and if by some chance that future includes a dive charter operation - I'll be there!

- John

[Grateful Diver]

That sux ... I wish Mike all the best in whatever he chooses to pursue ...

... Bob (Grateful DIver)

[Tom Nic]

So sorry to hear that, and good luck!

[ktb]

I'm not sure, but there may still be spots left on the Tacoma Scuba charters this weekend with Porthole--those haven't been scraped. And they are on the Mark V.

I'm bummed, but I'm glad I'm getting to experience them before it's over. I've heard nothing but good things.

[spatman]

I'm not sure, but there may still be spots left on the Tacoma Scuba charters this weekend with Porthole--those haven't been scraped. And they are on the Mark V.

i would definitely try to confirm that. from what Boydski told me, the boat broke down this past weekend. seems like that was the proverbial straw...

[BDub]

Wow. This is sad to hear. They were a class act op. Good luck with your future endeavors.

[ktb]

I'm not sure, but there may still be spots left on the Tacoma Scuba charters this weekend with Porthole--those haven't been scraped. And they are on the Mark V.

i would definitely try to confirm that. from what Boydski told me, the boat broke down this past weekend. seems like that was the proverbial straw...

Will do! I spoke to the guys at TS yesterday, but I'll re-re-confirm. As soon as I hear back from Aaron (Wally), I'll report.

[Dusty2]

So sad, One of northwest best sunk by what should have been the dream boat. We will definitely miss you guys.

[LCF]

It's incredibly sad that someone who really tried to give us a first-class charter opportunity lost even his existing business in the attempt. Best of luck, Mike, whatever you decide to do!

[Mattleycrue76]

I had the pleasure of diving off of the Mark V a few times and they (Porthole Charters) are an awsome bunch of people. This is not the news I wanted to wake up to this morning. You guys will be missed! Good luck with your future endeavors!

[CaptnJack]

Crap, sorry to hear of these final troubles.
The Dash is no more as well?

[boydski]

The Dash is no more as well?

Hi Richard,

I don't really know any details, but the Dash is owned by the business, so will most likely go down with the big boat. This really is a sad day for the local dive industry.

[Sounder]

The Dash is no more as well?

Hi Richard,

I don't really know any details, but the Dash is owned by the business, so will most likely go down with the big boat. This really is a sad day for the local dive industry.

Scott - can you tell us what's going on with the whole thing? Bankruptcy? Selling the assets and closing the doors? It'd be much nicer to get the story from you than from "I heard this and that."

[Tangfish]

Sorry to hear the news. Really, really sad.

[nwscubamom]

This just makes me sick :( SO horrible - this was an awesome boat with an excellent group of captains and crew. We (REEF) depended on them a LOT - they've been consistently taking us out to Neah Bay for our annual survey of the sanctuary, as well as brought other surveyors on many local trips. Mike, Craig, Scott and all - you've all been WONDERFUL and supportive, and this is indeed a very sad event.

- Janna :(

[Joshua Smith]

Geeze- just when I thought maybe they'd worked something out. What a sad story. Best of luck to the Porthole crew.

[Gill Envy]

The Dash is no more as well?

Hi Richard,

I don't really know any details, but the Dash is owned by the business, so will most likely go down with the big boat. This really is a sad day for the local dive industry.

Scott - can you tell us what's going on with the whole thing? Bankruptcy? Selling the assets and closing the doors? It'd be much nicer to get the story from you than from "I heard this and that."

I was diving with them this summer, this is a shame but I was told it was pretty much inevitable then. I've heard from more than one source that it was a combination of things, controversy around the original design of the big boat, multiple repairs presumably associated with it, a crap economy and much higher than expected fuel costs and the boat can not go as fast as it was supposed to be able to go due to the fact it can't plane, presumably because of design flaws. bottom line is, debt to income ratio gradually sunk the operation even though they put on great dives.
sad!

[wallyc72]

Not to start a big fight on the board but... This is not the first dive charter to go under in the Puget Sound. Remember Teal Water Charters? The biggest problem these charterers in the North West face, is the divers themselves. No one is willing to pay the money to go out diving, and they seem to want the boat to pick up at their doorstep and take them to a virgin dive site fifteen minutes away.

For example, just two days ago someone asked me how much it would cost to go out on Saturday the 12th? I told them the price was $100.00 for a three dive trip. The response was.... $100.00 THAT IS WAY TO MUCH!! WHAT IS HE THINKING WITH THAT KIND OF PRICE!! I pointed out that he was thinking "Gee, I'd like to stay in business."

After having been in business for four years, I can verify that it is a pain to fill a boat. Everyone complains about the prices, and about going to the same dive sites. Has anyone looked at the costs of operating a boat lately? With the costs of fuel, moorage, boat insurance, business insurance, and licenses added to the costs for snacks, advertising, air compressors, and paying crew, it's not cheap. I'm surprised it only costs $100. Complaining about the dive sites is a little more legitimate, but just how many places are there to go, if you are only willing to drive to Tacoma? There are a lot of great sites, that rarely get visited, but you can't always pick up in Tacoma. Just how far do you plan on riding the boat? If you want to dive a new site, you are going to have to drive elsewhere to get picked up, and yes that might mean Seattle. The farther you take the boat, the more fuel gets burned, the more fuel gets burned the higher the fuel costs become, The higher fuel costs cause the price of the trip to go up so the price for each diver also goes up, and there we are right back complaining about cost.

As it turns out divers also seem to think the boat captain is responsible for the weather, the tides, and the clarity of the water, but that is a different issue entirely.

Now there is only one charter operating in the South Sound. It looks like he can charge what he wants, and go to any site he wants because you helped put all his competition out of business.

So... When was the last time you were out on a local dive charter?

[don]

I'll probably catch some flack for saying this, but Thank You Wally for saying that. You have a good perspective on the challenges of running a local dive charter. I know Mike, Scott and Craig of the Mark-5 and I know how hard they work. I'm extremely sorry this happened to Porthole and I sincerely wish the best to the Porthole Captains and Crew, Mike especially.
don

[Joshua Smith]

Good post, Wally. I have to agree. I'm also one of those guilty of not doing many charters- of course, I'm getting bored with doing the same shore dives over and over again, and I really need to look at more options. Also- Diver's Dream charters does get a few bucks from me every year for the wreck dives I do with my friends. Of course, they're not based in the South Sound.

But- to be fair- I think that if the whole boondoggle surrounding the construction of the MKV hadn't happened, Porthole would still be around- can't blame the dive community for that particular atrocity.

Not to start a big fight on the board but... This is not the first dive charter to go under in the Puget Sound. Remember Teal Water Charters? The biggest problem these charterers in the North West face, is the divers themselves. No one is willing to pay the money to go out diving, and they seem to want the boat to pick up at their doorstep and take them to a virgin dive site fifteen minutes away.

For example, just two days ago someone asked me how much it would cost to go out on Saturday the 12th? I told them the price was $100.00 for a three dive trip. The response was.... $100.00 THAT IS WAY TO MUCH!! WHAT IS HE THINKING WITH THAT KIND OF PRICE!! I pointed out that he was thinking "Gee, I'd like to stay in business."

After having been in business for four years, I can verify that it is a pain to fill a boat. Everyone complains about the prices, and about going to the same dive sites. Has anyone looked at the costs of operating a boat lately? With the costs of fuel, moorage, boat insurance, business insurance, and licenses added to the costs for snacks, advertising, air compressors, and paying crew, it's not cheap. I'm surprised it only costs $100. Complaining about the dive sites is a little more legitimate, but just how many places are there to go, if you are only willing to drive to Tacoma? There are a lot of great sites, that rarely get visited, but you can't always pick up in Tacoma. Just how far do you plan on riding the boat? If you want to dive a new site, you are going to have to drive elsewhere to get picked up, and yes that might mean Seattle. The farther you take the boat, the more fuel gets burned, the more fuel gets burned the higher the fuel costs become, The higher fuel costs cause the price of the trip to go up so the price for each diver also goes up, and there we are right back complaining about cost.

As it turns out divers also seem to think the boat captain is responsible for the weather, the tides, and the clarity of the water, but that is a different issue entirely.

Now there is only one charter operating in the South Sound. It looks like he can charge what he wants, and go to any site he wants because you helped put all his competition out of business.

So... When was the last time you were out on a local dive charter?

[dwashbur]

To answer Wally's question, the last time I was on a local dive charter was actually Porthole, with Janna and some others doing REEF surveying. This was a month or so ago (help me out here, Janna). It was terrific. My girls and I would love to go again. The problem is the cost. Unlike that bubblehead who called and whined, I have no problem with the price they or any other charter charges; if anything, I suspect they're a little too low. My problem is I can only come up with the scuba units a couple of times a year. Does that mean they need to lower their prices? No, it means I need to find a way to get more scuba units. Sadly, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen before it's too late for this particular charter.

Thanks for laying it all out on the table, Wally. If a fight does start over your post, be assured that I'm on your side.

[Grateful Diver]

Tealwater wasn't the first either ... used to be Soundwave Scuba ... had a great boat called the Misty Fjord. I used to love going out on that boat.

Wally's point is a good one ... with so much great shore diving available, running a charter business in Puget Sound is a tough way to make a living.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[ktb]

I do think we get spoiled around here with all of the "free" shore diving we can do. My mother is a warm-water-only diver and she thinks nothing of spending hundreds of dollars on boat dives when she goes to Hawaii on vacation. When I told her that we spent *maybe* $20 a day (air fills) for shore diving on our vacation in Bonaire, she was amazed.

Thanks for the perspective Wally!

[nwscubamom]

Tealwater wasn't the first either ... used to be Soundwave Scuba ... had a great boat called the Misty Fjord. I used to love going out on that boat.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Oooh, take a trip in the way back machine!

How about the Captain Hook? That was one of Soundwave's boats, right?

Here's me on their boat - back in the wetsuit days when I didn't have gray hair...

Don't forget Puffin Charters out at Neah Bay - they're no longer around either.

- Janna