The SoCal Diver Dive Boat Information
The SoCal Diver is new to dive trips around Catalina, Palos Verdes, and the Rigs and is available for charters only. The two people responsible for managing the boat operations and scheduling charters are Jeff Reeb and Seamus Callaghan. Jeff has been a long time active diver who has worked on both the Giant Stride and Peace dive boats along with serving as a Divemaster for Ocean Safaris dive shop. Seamus is currently a manufacturing rep for Huish and another longtime diver who has owned and run other dive charters. Jeff is more in charge of the operational side of the boat and Seamus mainly takes care of scheduling and setting up charters.
The Socal Diver is a 46’ ft x 16’ ft Newton dive boat built in Slidell, LA. but it is different than most
Newtons because it has a compressor with an air bank, and depending on the need they can crank
it up to fill high-pressure tanks to 3400 PSI. It’s a fast boat, usually traveling around 17 knots,
weather permitting, compared to many of the other dive boats that travel around 8 knots.
The boat is set up for 24 divers. Inside the front of the enclosed main cabin is a toilet and changing area with plenty of storage for gear bags above and in front of the windshield. There are two long bench seats along the sides. In the center of the cabin is where you will find the hot and cold water dispensers (bring your own beverage containers), coffee machine, microwave, and a variety of light snacks. There is a dry cooler for keeping your personal lunch and beverages cold, but otherwise, no other food is provided. Inside the main cabin is also where you will find the ladder to the upper deck and wheelhouse. The upper deck has a maximum limit of 6 people at onetime.
On the back dive deck, there are 2 bench seats along the sides set up for 9 divers each and one along the back cabin wall setup for 4 divers with each having a plastic crate under the bench to place things like masks, fins, and so on. The crates are a great way to prevent clutter and it’s a good idea to leave any unneeded large roller bags behind. There are also two spots on the deck next to the dive deck box making room for 24 divers. Of course, any boat that is full with the maximum number of divers is crowded and the SoCal Diver is not any different in this respect. This is why all CIDA trips will be limited load with a maximum of 14 divers for regular trips and 12 divers for oil rig trips. This will also give everyone plenty of room for drysuits, extra gear, and cameras.
The air fill station is set up along the back wall of the cabin and there are long whips so there’s no need to move a tank for a fill. For diving the back deck is maybe 1 ft above the water so entries in the water are as easy as they get, plus there are two ladders to make exiting the water just as easy. For cameras, there is a rinse bucket good for small to mid-size cameras and a freshwater spray nozzle for larger rigs.The boat is in a great location, docked just North of the LA Maritime Museum, (84 Foot of 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731). The whole area looks new as it is part of the $100M West Harbor development with walking paths along the waterfront and plenty of paid parking. Parking is $21.50 for most of the day.