Scapa trip (MV Karin)

[zepp]

I got back from Scapa yesterday from a week aboard MV Karin http://www.scapaflow.com/.

I took up 3 Scapa 'virgins' with me, two of whom do most of their diving in warmer waters.

We were met Saturday morning by Skipper John Thornton, and 'Little' John, who works on Karin. Leaving Stromness on Sunday, typical orkney weather, cold, overcast and generally wet, we jumped in for our first dive. The viz wasn't the best I have seen up there with perhaps 5 metres at best, but did improve as the week moved on.

This time we opted for the brunch on board, which proved to be extremley filling, was given out between dives, consisted of baked potatoes, spaggetti bolognase and such-like, although there are alternatives for any veggies out there.

All dives were completed without any incident, twelve in all, and cylinders filled with correct gas each time by John (Nitrox and/or Trimix). I could run through each wreck dived, but as many on this forum have dived there before, I wont bore you all with that!

I have used Karin each time visiting Orkneys and always found her more than capable for up to twelve twinset divers, and never been 'blown out' even when all other boats have stayed in port. Both Johns will do everything possible to get all divers on the wrecks they want to dive, even if it means visiting three wrecks per day as was the case this last week.

I would like to thank all involved in the week.

[JAG]

Nice one gents.
I remember seeing your wagon as we disembarked and was quite envious of your scooter! (I presume it's a scooter?)

[DIVE BUDDHA]

well done jay and glad u had a good set of dives !!! and glad u home safe and well and JAG that is a scooter on the back and its very fast on high speed specialy on the 20 metre shelf at stoney with me driving lol!!!!!

[SilvaFish]

Correction Leigh - it is the one and only AQUAZEPP and that is the LAST TIME I will ever play 'chicken' at 20m at Stoney!!!!!!! Nice driving, BTW......

[flw]

[quote=zepp]I

I have used Karin each time visiting Orkneys and always found her more than capable for up to twelve twinset divers, and never been 'blown out' even when all other boats have stayed in port. Both Johns will do everything possible to get all divers on the wrecks they want to dive, even if it means visiting three wrecks per day as was the case this last week.



I always dive off the Karin as well, we've been blown out of Wick etc, but only once or twice out of the Flow ( and that was November and it took me 5 days to get a ferry home!)
Great dive platform, get any gas I want on request - and when in the Flow I prefer the way he stays out at sea all day, so we can have different divers on different wrecks rather than having to reach a concensus. John's put me on all sorts of wrecks, and very rarely missed any of them.
Just discovered I'm definitely child free in the October holidays, so although I'll have to take the kids to Orkney, they'll only be there 2 days and can fly to their dads - leaving me free for a week's diving

[SoB]

Zepp,

I got back to Caterham on Saturday night (29th) after a week on the Crusader (out of Burray) - Karin was moored against the Quay on the Thursday night and we were all very envious of her.

We were a bit tired and a fairly large group so I didn't take the time to intrude - and we were blown out on the Wednesday.

Next time I'm booking the Karin.

[The Purist]

Hmmm - 2 sides to every story and all that, but Karin has given me some of the worst experiences i've ever had of a liveaboard...

having to re-wire the lighting in the cabins just so they'd turn on
boilers with their fronts hanging off that you have to light with a naked flame every time you want a shower (if the showers were actually working and not covered in a layer of slime)
no seat on the bog
overflowing chemical toilets
boat breaking down twice in a week - fortunately we had someone on board who could help with the repairs

maybe i've just been unlucky - but i aint gonna go back to find out.

[zepp]

Originally Posted by The Purist

Hmmm - 2 sides to every story and all that, but Karin has given me some of the worst experiences i've ever had of a liveaboard...

having to re-wire the lighting in the cabins just so they'd turn on
boilers with their fronts hanging off that you have to light with a naked flame every time you want a shower (if the showers were actually working and not covered in a layer of slime)
no seat on the bog
overflowing chemical toilets
boat breaking down twice in a week - fortunately we had someone on board who could help with the repairs

maybe i've just been unlucky - but i aint gonna go back to find out.

Are you sure you are talking about KARIN as far as I know she has never had chemical toilets

[og1]

zepp it did have chemical toilet and it was at the bottom of the ladders on the way to your cabin and no thier was no seat and yes you were lucky to get a shower and you did go to bed in the dark and the stove only had one ring working but it never broke down on us and as you no it is ok now clean sheets new galley and hot water on tap and a loo seat they have a cleaner as well so it is a lot better

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by The Purist

Hmmm - 2 sides to every story and all that, but Karin has given me some of the worst experiences i've ever had of a liveaboard...


maybe i've just been unlucky - but i aint gonna go back to find out.

I'll second that

Originally Posted by og1

new galley

It needed on the old one down stairs was IMO an accident waiting to happen.