The wheelhouse is equipped with auto pilot, GPS plotter, sonar, HF and VHF Radio, and eight tonnes of fresh water and a desalinator ensures an ample supply of fresh water. Three Bauer compressors are coupled to an airbank system, and a tub is provided for rinsing equipment and camera gear. The coolest contraption we found was a custom-built barbeque pit perched on the railing on the dive deck, which prevents the smoke from entering the interior. Rodney, one of the pioneers of PNG sport diving, has been diving its waters for over 30 years. Assisted by a divemaster and cook, Rod takes turn with the divemaster in leading some of the dives, and dive briefings are de rigeur.
Divers are basically free to dive their own profiles.
The boat drops them directly at the dive site, and picks them up wherever they surface. Entry is a giant stride from the platform, and after each dive, a well designed wooden ladder provides an effortless climb up. The beauty of it all is that in these waters, it is basically you, your buddies, the marine life and the big blue sea, and you rarely, if ever, have to contend with another group of divers. Our Australian friends were not exaggerating when they told us about Lae and the Barbarian.