New shiny dive tanks & our arty tallent

 25 brand new scuba tanks arrived at the port for us to use on our 2 dive boats.
80 cu ft Luxfer with hi flow Sherwood valves.
Only just got them all in the Land Rover, then off down to James's house to sand and paint them in company colours.

 For a number of reasons, dive companys want to be able to identify the tanks they own, so we went with white crown, as it it verydistinctive, and can be seen very well under water & on land.

 For the finishing touch, we managed to make a pretty accurate stencil of our company logo, many thanks to Mr Andy Gibb for his effort and accuracy with a stanley knife & craft blade.

Along with a steady hand for the eyes ha ha.

 Was a fun weekends work , and we think they look great together, now to fill them off our compressor and place them in their rightfull location on our new dive boats.

We have a few action shots to come of our hard work, and maybe an experimental video upload to enhance our blog and prepare for dive videos later.

 

For more info and news on our company, like us on Facebook for our daily feed

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or follow us on Twitter @piratedivers or google+

 

 

Regards Pirate Divers

+1(345) 324 3271

piratedivers@outlook.com

We have our first working dive boat

All the hard work paid off, shes done, engine on , deck and swim platform repaired, ladder strengthened, clean, shiny and newly waterproofed canopy.
Looking back now its only been a week since buying her but seems to be years ha ha..

Scott's Marine fitted the engine , all new controls and gauge's, plus fuel system so basically, we have a new boat,in an older very trustworthy make of hull so that makes us very happy, hope she will serve us well for many years.

Internal boat layout from bow and stern, full seating at the bow allowing a great deck area.
Then a port and starboard view or engine and swim platform with dive ladder.
She goes it to sea trial today about lunch time, so fingers crossed, and we rename her before we dunk her in,



Sure is Caymans rainy season

OK so 3 days of continuous down pours have meant literally nothing done. Had a chance to strip the dive platform of old scruffy coating and grip tape, so then  ready to anti slip paint.

As you can see cosmetics are not pretty, so a couple of hours hard prep work means she is ready for a nice new skin, so she is safe to dive off, we are going to use full anti slip on the entire deck, making the wet area as safe as we can possibly get it.

 

 

The one other major issue we found, when inspecting her before buying was the mounting was cracked just to the left, and 3 or 4 very poor welding repairs completed. Us being us this was not good enough for the future so like in the Wizard of Ozz, 'were off to find a welder a wonderful welder off ........... Georgetown actually' just not as catchy "Oh well".

 

But the guy ,Mike from CMS did a fantastic job of grinding out the old rubbish, and making a top class seam weld of the entire damaged area, then making a new holding bracket to solve the problem for good, great workmanship and our metal guy from now on.

 

 

Nice to find such good, craftsmen even on our small strip of paradise.

 

Then the bad news, non stop rain since, so that was the end of any progress, luckily today the sun is shining. 

So I am off to Scotts Marine ewith my paint brush in hand to get her ready today, then we can finally mount her power unit early next week.

 

Regards Mac & James

piratedivers@outlook.com

 

+1 (345) 324 3271

 

#scuba #grandcayman #piratedivers #padi

Busy weekend on new West side boat

Such a good start to the weekend, might be a bit odd to be happy about work on a Saturday morning to most but seeing progress makes me feel good.

So some before the work is done, along with  some action shots of James getting to it with the pressure washer.

 So as you can see, great condition and layout, just needed a real good clean, she has been out of the water for over a year and just wanted a couple of hours work to add her sparkle back, thanks to Jayne at Scott's marine for letting me and James invade the boat yard and kidnap the jet wash.

Now shes clean, an I installed the batteries and switch systems also, she is just waiting for Scott's to hang the engine and wire her up then we will splash her with an appropriate beverage and rename her, before taking her over to West Bay for a new home and future.

 Getting the hull spotless ready for her signage. And we also detailed the inside of her ready for the deck and cockpit carpet to go back down.

Nice nonslip surface that will protect the deck from tanks and weights, plus looks very sleek and hides all the hatches and so on.

 

Good day all round, bring on Sunday ready for the next push on to the finish line, which is getting a little closer each day.

 

For more information and news follow the link below and like our Facebook page please.

  https://www.facebook.com/piratediversgrandcayman

Regards Mac & James

piratedivers@outlook.com
+1(345) 324 3271


#scubadiving #scuba #padi #piratedivers #grandcayman

Retail store ready for stock

Finally, a chance to get retail pictures blogged.Stock is ordered, be a few days till the clothing& merchandise racks look full but at least its all been finished and looks nice I think.

Counter ready for prices and offers, plus a computer booking and sales system installed along with cabinets and school desks.

Taken up more time than i thought, but sourcing some stuff on island is harder than expected but,everyone who has taken a look says a nice layout and good use of space so happy enough .

 

The place is nice and welcoming, clean lines and neutral at the moment, but I think the stores personality will come with time and grow as the company and space learn to live with each other.

 

On another good note, the second boat for the West/South could just be a few days away. Had a good break on a very nice looking hull and friends have sourced engine units for me finally looking to put them together as one over the next few days fingers crossed, should know for sure by AM Friday.

 

For more information and regular updates, like our Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/piratediversgrandcayman

or follow us on twitter

 

Regards Mac

piratedivers@outlook.com

 

+1(345)3243271

 

#piratedivers #grandcayman #scubadiving #diving #padi

New week and much to do

Got the chance to dive for the first time since being back on island, over the weekend decided I needed a break so full day off Sunday, and 2 great dives of shore, Sunset house then Eden Rock.

Nice to get back under water after all the business stuff and then Sunday lunch at Fidel Murphy's, so nice to round of a chill day.

So Monday has started off with the news I was waiting for, just how much TLC does the Aquasport need, turns out to only need the bow reinforced by the windlass and I knew about that from the deck being soft around the point, so I'm going to blow the budget anyway, Ive got a unit of custom tank racking and seating being made and were going to do the rear hatches and floor and get rid of the captains chairs, so extra work needed to strengthen, rear deck plates now we decided on doing that, but 'hey it will make her stunning to dive off.

Also get the bottom paint and new zincs all round as its not going to need much desperately, might as well spend it on prevention and improving her, rather than cocktails at the bar ha ha.

Second boat still no nearer to being lined up, had a couple of serious looks and made offers but alas no takers, might have to pick up a hull and build a boat around that, found 2 nice engines and a really good hull so getting costs on sticking the 2 together and a top quality boat popping out the other end, just waiting on financial quote for the work needs doing to make the 2 bits one.

Still lots to do today so a quick update and I need to head off to finish today's job list.

Also remember more info if you like us on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/piratediversgrandcayman

or on twitter we are on as Pirate Divers also.

Regards Mac
piratedivers@outlook.com
+1 (345) 3243271



#piratedivers .Boat is out of the water for her refurb, before work Tuesday

We are very happy to finally get the Aquasport out and down to the boat yard to complete her transformation into our first custom dive boat.
She came out at 3.30 from Vista Del Mar Marina down to BME for her spa treatment and then fitting out as a full dive /charter boat.
Shes in much better condition below the water line than I thought so very good news, a few spots on the deck a little soft for our liking so they will be done, new dive platform and ladder then tank racks and seating all round , were going to design these as we go so the best fit for the boat is achieved. So a few pictures of before to compare once all the work is done.

For the full story of the pics go to out facebook site and like our page for almost daily updates in addition to our blogs follow this link https://www.facebook.com/piratediversgrandcayman or cut and paste it into your browser, any likes will be greatly appreciated.
Regards Mac
piratedivers@outlook.com
+1(345)3243271
#piratedivers #grandcayman #diving #scuba

Finalised the dock for North side boat

Happy with getting our slip for the North boat finalised, C1 at barcadere marina, were putting the Aquasport (still not named boats yet) here to live for the next 3 years all being well.  Such a beautifull place, just been completely rebuild and redesigned.
This is one of our fave bars/restaurants on the island to just sit and chill.
A great big ocean side area by the marina to just have a realy good meal and watch the boats pass by.

 We are going to run out of here for all north side dives AM weather and seas permitting, then in the afternoon this is the place we will bring you to , for our taxi service across the north sound to Kaibo, and Rum Point.

Cant wait to get the boat in the slip way now so another job all completed
Regards Mac
piratedivers@outlook.com
+1(345)3243271
#piratedivers #grandcayman #scuba #diving

 

Weather holding things up a little

Another very successful 2 days,retail store and display complete, classroom 70% sorted and final prep and service then store all the specialist equipment for courses, like lift bags and flashlights.

The weather has been poor, very heavy rain , over cast and stormy,lots of squalls coming through so still had no chance to get nice pics to accompany the words but I promise as soon as we get a little sun and decent light ill be on it. Also means with having an open trailer I've not been able to move the file and storage cabinets, yep finally found some , and all the soft furnishings like sofa and chill out area stuff as by the time its got from A to B it would be soaking.

Art work to be completed on our add cards today so will be able to start the marketing and awareness push to local businesses, bars and hotel concierge on island ready for opening, we also have a opening day offer on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/piratediversgrandcayman so please anyone liking the blog please like the page, then take advantage of the opening day extra bonus offer , its valid for a year so if your coming take the bonus early.

Weather has also held back the west boat choices , not been able to sea trial the second and third choice boats I'm looking at so hopefully take care of this over the weekend. Be good to get Louis on island our trainee Divemaster Intern so can finish all the 2 man jobs, and be good just to have a second pair of hands for stuff.

Hopefully a turn in the weather will give me chance to get the Aquasport onto the trailer down to the boat yard for a polish and full detail, then get the logos and such on her then she is ready to work, will take her from the canal she has lived in for the last 2 years, get work done then put her back in at her new home in the Barcaderre marina. That will feel good i think , kind of make it feel like she is ours finally rather than a boat she will then become our first boat, seems sentimental a little but things like that are to us as a new born ha ha. So come on weather help me out a little, I even need a thunder buddy this morning is been loud.
Regards Mac
piratedivers@outlook.com
+1 (345) 324 3271

#diving #scuba #piratedivers #grand cayman




Another bunch of jobs complete

Finally the list seems to be getting smaller, yay, first thing yesterday was at the mercy of the vehicle licencing system so didn't expect much to be done other than that, but out of West Bay test centre by 9 am , and the mini bus is all legal by 10.30 even had time for breakfast in between, must be some kind of record i think. So minibus is all legal and has a nice new sparkly set of Cayman number plates .

So plenty of time left to move the shop refit along, and now think a couple of days will be complete and ready to concentrate on outdoor stuff rather than being trapped indoors ha ha. Final lumber shopping session today at hardware store, just a few things needed to finish of sales counter, then my fave job doing the retail display and storage racking making the place finally look like a store and not a building site.

 

2pm is west side boat decision time had a couple  of days viewing and getting head around options so I'm thinking lunch for a final evaluation of all options and then make the move, but first tough choice needs to be dealt with and might as well go spend and hour and really think things through rather than taking the heart over head option.

 

One last thought before getting on, how hard is it to find filling cabinets on a Caribbean island of all the things I thought well that might be tough, company office stuff wasn't one of them ppfftt. Well back to the day at hand, maybe finished retail pics last thing but think I'm hoping a little just to much to still finish off.

Regards Mac

 

+1(345) 324 3271

piratedivers@outlook.com

 

#piratedivers #grandcayman#diving #scuba

 

 

 

 

So last thing of the day good news on possibly,2 boats to choose from for the west, next couple of days need to be doing lots of math , make sure one of them is the right choice - price and suitability wise, first really big decision and financial headache . So now the real work starts. Good night . Regards Mac

Shop signs being done

Ok so this is how the outside looks right now, got all the artwork taken down  to sign maker in Georgetown just waiting on a price for the work. Interior is now a mess so I think once complete will be next pics , but might get time to do midways tomorrow while landlord puts wifi and Internet in. Time to chase web designer on www. And try get the website  launched in time for end of month opening I think 

What a day and much done

Well, what a stunning day yesterday turned out to be, had a feeling it was going to take 2 - 3 days to get organised ,everything out of the container and build the trailer for gear transport.

My good buddy Denny came out to help with trailer, we got straight in and even though the sun was high in the sky and it was hot early, 10 am felt like midday, we get the job finished in 4 hours, a little pink on the back and sun sore though which I don't normally get so sun was brutal even for Cayman.

Managed to get all dive gear in the store, and 50% on hangers and organised just the smaller stuff, weights, dive flashlight's, course materials that kind of think to find a home.

O2 safety kit for the boat is in at Pure Air for test so will have all safety equipment in perfect condition by Friday, then get Port Authority inspection to say were safe and up to code ready for opening, so that will be the Aquasport North boat legal and ready to work (no name yet ppfftt).

So onward today main job building the service counter in the retail store. And finish checking and storing dive gear, then I'm having an afternoon off, whoo hoo , like that will happen ha ha , but I'm going to try its in the plan, and the plan always works A team style :)

Regards Mac

+1 (345) 324 3271

piratedivers@outlook.com

So its a Friday, and I'm told customs will be on the case today and get all my container inspected so I can free out gear,'do I sound sceptical ha ha'.

Shopping for retail furniture, and desks/chairs for classroom today, and need to pick up a big flat screen TV for teaching courses, should make the retail shell feel a little more like a living home for us.

Then hardware store to get materials to finish of storage hangers,wood for cabinets to make a service counter for front of house. Also lots of small irritating jobs I keep putting off so going to make the supreme Friday effort so its a clear mind over the weekend.

Part of me thinking I should of got at least one staff here early to help with all of this, Oh well live and learn once more.

Have a great Friday,Mac
+1(345)324 3271
piratedivers@outlook.com


#diving #scuba #piratedivers #grandcayman

In the store yay

Well no customs staff to inspect the container today so got myself in gear and build the gear racks in the shop , hot but feel good to achieve ready for gear to come pm tomorrow I've been promised , much looking forward to now, going to be very cool