Ocean Hunter: Palau's Cozy Live-Aboard

Image by Geri Murphy

Extended bonus coverage from the Nov/Dec 2001 issue, pages 76-77. The cozy 60 ft. live-aboard, Ocean Hunter. The Ocean Hunter is very different from most of the popular live-aboards that operate in and around Palau. First, Ocean Hunter is a much smaller vessel with a maximum guest capacity of six divers. It is an ideal choice for experienced divers and underwater photographers who prefer small groups. It is also ideal for families or small group who wish to charter an entire live-aboard for privacy Ocean Hunter is affordable. Second, most of the diving is done directly from the vessel, as it is equipped with a stern dive platform and ladder for easy entry and exit. Third, the owners of Ocean Hunter live in Palau and devote a great deal of personalized service to the guests. It is a hands-on operation where decisions are made quickly, concerning guest’s requests. Fourth, the people who own Ocean Hunter also own and operate Fish ‘N Fins, a land-based dive center. This affords Ocean Hunter with substantial backup in terms of dive equipment, air fills, dive guides and other key services. Vessel Specifications: Type: Motor Sailor Length: 60 feetBeam: 15.5 feetConstruction: SteelDisplacement: 30 tonsDraft: 5.5 feetEngines: Twin 175 hp inboardsSpeed: 7 knots On-board Facilities:Electricity: 110 and 220 volts, 24 hours a dayProtection: All outlets regulated and surge protectedFresh Water: UnlimitedSource: 500 gallon per day water makerFuel: 750 gallonsRange: 1,500 nautical milesElectronics: GPS, SatNav, weather fax, 48-mile radar, depth sounder, fish finderRadios: VHF, HF radio, TV, VCR, CD StereoChase boats: 15 ft inflatable, 21 ft fiberglassDive Compressor: Bauer 5 cfm and Bauer 3.5 cfm, with 12 scuba tanksSafety Equipment: Total compliance with USCG regulations, emergency oxygen kitSun Deck: Sun bathing area on forward deckSun Protection: Covered area & seating in aft section Cabins:There are three separately air-conditioned cabins that can accommodate up to six divers: Cabin 1: Two single, extra wide beds; semi-private bathroom & showerCabin 2: King-size bed and a single bed on top for a couple or two singles. Semi-private bathroom & shower.Cabin 3: Master stateroom, bigger than any other live-aboard. King-size bed and a single bed will sleep a couple or two singles. Private, spacious bathroom and shower. Amenities:Salon & Dining room: Beautifully varnished teak provides a homey atmosphere. Separately air-conditioned from cabins. Equipped with a sophisticated entertainment center.Library: Extensive scientific marine library plus books on Palau, Micronesia & u/w photography.CD Player: Collection of more than 100 music CDs.TV & VCR: Both American and European VCR player systems. Large library of u/w movies, dive destinations and entertainment films.Bar: Full bar on board.Meals: Experienced chief that has been on board since 1994. Gourmet menu designed by owners. Snacks served throughout the day. Pink Anemonefish Diving:Ocean Hunter has an extensive list of diving sites that include the popular and well-known sites, as well as exclusive locations discovered by the owners during years of exploration. Operated by a well-seasoned crew, Ocean Hunter has the advantage of visiting the more popular sites at times when other boats have not yet arrived (early morning) or after the day boats have departed (mid afternoon). In most cases, the Ocean Hunter guests have the dive site to themselves. Palau offers the ultimate in undersea diversity, both in reef profiles and marine life encounters. Here is just a sampling of the better-known sites: Blue Corner – Numerous sharks and large schools of fish.Shark City – Ocean pelagics including sharks, mantas and so on.Ngemelis Wall – Breathtaking soft corals in a riot of colors.German Channel – Giant manta rays gliding past.Blue Holes – Spectacular night dive.Chandelier Cave – Extraordinary cavern dive with stalactites.Rock Islands – Rare and beautiful mandarin fish.Jellyfish Lake – Most unusual marine lake dive in the world.Shipwrecks – Numerous World War II Japanese war ships.Plane Wrecks – Several World War II Japanese fighters & seaplanes. Owners Tova and Navot The Owners:Navot Bornovski and Tova Har-El are two of the friendliest and most devoted hosts in the live-aboard business. They take fierce pride in the organization and operation of their vessel, and are exceptionally dedicated to customer service. Navot graduated from college as a Naval Architect and Mechanical Engineer, and takes loving care of the Ocean Hunter. They began their diving careers in 1983, spending 3 years diving the Red Sea and other exotic locations around the world. They served as dive masters aboard the original Sun Tamarin, Palau’s first live-aboard that operated in the late 1980s. It is during this period that they discovered many new dive sites and fascinating animal encounters. In 1993 the Ocean Hunter was brought to Palau and continued the small-group philosophy that had made the Sun Tamarin such a success. The concept of a small, exclusive live-aboard continues to be the hallmark of their operation. Since 1993, the Ocean Hunter has hosted more than 120 groups of very satisfied divers. Some return year after year to probe the mysteries of Palau’s vast lagoon and ring of outer coral drop-offs. For more information about diving Palau by live-aboard, click on the home page below. For more information about diving Palau from a land-based resort, click on the home page below. For general information about Palau, click on the home page below.

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