12Jul07Atlantis IV
Crew:
Captain Bobby Edwards and his trusted Mate/Captain/Better Half, Renate (pronounced Ri-nah-tee) If you’re lucky, you might also have Paul onboard- a retired middle school principal, or Matt- a scuba instructor from NC State…both fabulous additions to the Atlantis crew.
Specs:
46’ Carolina Sportsfisherman with a bright pink hull
6 passengers
Twin Caterpillar engines with a cruise speed of 16 knots
AC/heat, microwave, fridge, TV/VCR, roomy head, bunks, hot/cold shower
Dive Shop Affiliation: None
Website: www.atlantischarters.net
Atlantis IV is a terrific operation. Bobby has been in the business forever and you’d be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable, entertaining, and talented crew. The boat has several color-related nicknames - The Pink Boat, The Off-White boat (though the most recent paint job all but solidified “The Pink Boat” as its official title.)
The Atlantis IV is a gorgeous and impeccably maintained sportfishing boat. It has a spacious cabin, plenty of room on the stern deck for gear, and is, of course, never crowded. Fridge, microwave, indoor shower and head, couches…all make for a really comfortable and convenient diving experience.
Divers are offered more flexibility with regards to wreck sites, as Atlantis is able to visit smaller and deeper sites not frequented by the larger crew boats. The majority of their customer base is very experienced and they do have several technical groups that dive with them.
Are there any cons to diving with Atlantis IV…? Well for one, everyone loves Bobby and Renate, so their boat is really hard to book. They cater mostly to small groups of six and, certainly a testament to their level of service, their customers return year after year to dive with them. Naturally, you’ll pay more for a spot on their boat, sometimes as much as $40 more, but if this is the type of charter you’re looking for, this is how much it costs. And, if you can afford it, I can tell you that it is definitely worth it.
