Meet the Crew of the Down Under




The Vessel:  The Down Under


The “DOWN UNDER” is a 46’ Newton Dive Special. This custom dive boat has every amenity a diver needs, and then some. Powered by twin 375 hp turbo diesel engines, speed is not a problem. This dive boat can truly make your diving more enjoyable, with two large dive ladders, plenty of gear stowage, upper deck seating, fresh water showers, waterline platform, two camera tables, roomy dive deck, and 72 tank racks.


Captain:  Bert Valle (Aka: The Crazy Cuban)


Captain Bert has been a part of the Down Under Team since the early 90s.
His background with diving spans nearly 30 years he has trained hundreds of divers along the gulf coast and has owned two dive centers.  Bert is an avid travel guide and is an experienced dive boat Captain.  If you've missed him the past few years, it's because he left Down Under for a time to take over as Head Captain for the Belize Dancer, a 135' live aboard yacht.  I can only think of a handful of local captain's with that kind of experience.

Divemaster/Mate: Jason "JT" Thomas

JT started diving with Down Under Dive Shop nearly ten years ago.  JT is a very experienced Gulf Diver with over 200 logged Gulf Dives.  JT is also an Emergency Medical Responder as his background as a Firefighter would require.


Divemaster/Deckhand: Eric Waller

Eric is new to diving but it is rare to find someone so dedicated.  In this year alone he logged nearly 100 dives and obtained the Master Diver Certification and the PADI Divemaster rating.  Eric is also an Emergency Medical Responder as he worked as very well known EMT in his previous life.  Eric is in culinary school training to be a master chef and currently enrolled in Down Under's IDC.  His dream is to crew a dive luxury yacht as dive team or chef.

Instructor: Marcie May


Marcie is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Full Cave Diver, Cavern Instructor, boat captain and best of all a massage therapist. She loves spearfishing and training divers. During the summer this is pretty much all she does. During the winter she and her husband, Steve, enjoy dive travel to exotic locations such as Belize and Honduras.

For more info on our dive charters click here.

Popular posts from this blog

Scuba Cylinders and Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations

Image
Here are the hard and fast regulations that we must follow as gas blenders and safe divers.   No cylinders will be overfilled more than 10% period. Here are the facts. FICTION: Fill Station Operators do not have to be trained FACT:  The truth is that the US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, requires "Function Specific" training for all employees.  If they fill cylinders they need Fill Station Operator training. In Canada the rules are even more specific.  Transport Canada regulation CSA-B340 requires that persons filling containers be trained although it does not specify the exact nature of that training. FICTION: The Code of Federal Regulations is not law . FACT:  While technically true, 44 USC 1507 (public law) requires that the Federal Register be “judicially noticed”, that is, recognized by the courts as law.  All aspects of the CFR have been first printed in the Federal Register and the CFR is prima facie evidence of the text
Read more

PADI Sidemount Diver

Image
 Sidemount diving enables a unique way of buoyancy control resulting in a more streamlined profile that reduces drag making finning and moving through the water easier and more efficient. Offers a greater comfort level as sidemount equipment and harness can be custom fit to each individual, accommodating divers of all shapes and sizes. Great for divers with any disabilities, as you carry the cylinder(s) separate from your harness to the water. Whilst within the water you would then attach your cylinders and weights, making the entries and exits to dive sites much easier. Safer option in terms of air management as you have an easier access to your cylinder valve(s), first stage(s) and alternate regulator should a problem arise. One harness and BCD does it all. This statement is now true as the same sidemount equipment you use, can be used for more advanced types of diving i.e wreck, technical and cave diving." Price: $500 (Sidemount Rental Included) Sample Schedule Day
Read more

Dive The Historical Whiskey Wreck with Down Under Dive Shop

Image
  The Whiskey Wreck is a shore dive from Gulf Shores located roughly 150 yards due south of the beach and Bahama Bob’s Café. It lays just beyond a sandbar offshore, and that sandbar provides a useful landmark and staging area. The wreck is a 200-foot rum runner boat in less than 20 feet of water. That depth is shallow enough for snorkelers, non-divers on a Discover Scuba Dive, and Open Water divers alike to enjoy the wreck.
Read more