DEFIANT - out of Littlehampton

[Juz]

We all know there has been some booking irregularities recently and I've just seen on another thread that Defiant has been sold.

Does anyone have any more info?

Is Paul replacing her?
What's Paul doing now?
Who bought her?
Will she still be a dive boat?

Etc Etc Etc


Juz

[The Purist]

AIUI

Paul's cutting back to just running one boat, so will be running Voyager himself from now on.

Defiant is off to Norway to ferry boxes of herring round the fjords or something - not going to be a dive boat.

[wreckweasel]

Shit. It must've been a bad year. Thats a bloody shame, defiant was a lovely boat.

[Bogwoppit]

Originally Posted by wreckweasel

Shit. It must've been a bad year. Thats a bloody shame, defiant was a lovely boat.

Pants.. Loved that boat.. didn't make me puke either.. Hopefully they will clean up the Voyager as it stun of Fish last time I saw it.

[andy_chesney]

Been told today by text from Paul that Defiant has been sold. The trip I had booked Monday and Tuesday has been cancelled, good job I checked as, as far as I was aware after checking with the shop and not getting any response from earlier e-mails I would have driven 200 mile for nothing.

[Lou]

What was the general opinion of this outfit before this occurence - and what is it now? I am very suprised at the lack of a slating, given that no-one appears to have been told that the trips they have booked for are now cancelled from under them, or given to other groups.

Quite frankly, I think it is appalling behaviour and no way to keep any customers. I have never used either of thiese boats but the impression that has now been given to me is that this is an outfit that doesn't really give a damn - not people I would care to give my "hard-earned" too.

Interested to hear how you guys who have lost out, or who use Defiant or Voyager regularily feel?

Lou

[andy_chesney]

Originally Posted by Lou

What was the general opinion of this outfit before this occurence - and what is it now? I am very suprised at the lack of a slating, given that no-one appears to have been told that the trips they have booked for are now cancelled from under them, or given to other groups.

Quite frankly, I think it is appalling behaviour and no way to keep any customers. I have never used either of thiese boats but the impression that has now been given to me is that this is an outfit that doesn't really give a damn - not people I would care to give my "hard-earned" too.

Interested to hear how you guys who have lost out, or who use Defiant or Voyager regularily feel?

Lou

The way I feel at the minute I would never use him again. The word cowboys comes to mind.

I used him a couple of times last year to do the moldavia and the basil and never had a problem with him, but on this occassion I have sent e-mail after e-mail trying to get in touch and not having any response. I even signed up to the website to try and find some info but couldn't get anywhere. This was so out of date. Last week I rang Dive69 and they said it was on and people where booked on it, so If it wasn't for the fact I tried several numbers today with still no joy and then sending a texted and eventually getting a response I would have travelled near on 400+ miles round trip for no joy.

I even booked the accomodation thinking it was on, only to mak myself look a complete prat and phone back later to cancel it. Luckily they never charged me.

I am now trying to find somewhere else to dive next monday and tuesday. It wouldn't be so bad but I could of got on another trip which is now full.

[Juz]

I have always found them very good, but this does leave somewhat of a sour taste, even if I wasn't directly affected.

Juz

[Janos]

Yes it is bizarre. I know that Voyager was refitted as a fishing boat over the winters (when I and a few YDs dived of Defiant in November?) but I didn't realise they were struggling.

Previously I would have said that Dive 69 were pretty competant and new their arses from their elbows so I must confess to being pretty surprised by this thread

Janos

[tom]

Apparently one of the main reasons for Defiant going was the rising cost of fuel - big engines so big running costs. Voyager costs less to run but makes the same money.