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Ecuador Galapagos The Nortada Diving Cruise
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Nortada: A New Generation of Galapagos Diving

The M/V Nortada is one of the latest additions to the liveaboard fleet in the Galapagos archipelago, and it’s quickly raking up positive reviews. Built in France by naval builder Guy Couach, Nortada was completely rebuilt and refitted as a private liveaboard charter boat for small groups of up to eight (8) divers.

 

The ship offers an 8-day/7-night Galapagos diving itinerary that includes the world famous Wolf and Darwin island diving sites. In addition to up to 20 dives, this voyage includes a total of three (3) land visits and Galapagos trekking excursions. Some of the specialized features offered by the Nortada include a full re-breather and technical support, photo and video oriented departures, citizen science programs maintained in partnership with leading research institutions, and private celebrity expeditions. On occasion, there are fun departures of groups of friends and families. Whatever the reason, it’s definitely an exceptional choice when looking to charter a diving cruise in Galapagos.

 

Nortada offers four lower-deck fully air-conditioned cabins, each with two single lower berths, private bathrooms, safety deposit boxes, lockers and drawers. The boat also features an extended occupancy option for up to 10 people (the additional guests can be accommodated in the four full-size upper berths available in every one of the four cabins). The scuba platform has ample benches, outside showers, camera tables and re-breather rinsing facilities. On the upper deck, the sundeck is next to the fly bridge, while two 15-foot inflatable tenders with 25HP outboard engines take fully equipped divers to and from the dive site. Public areas consist of a main deck with a bridge, the galley, an air-conditioned dining room and a lounge.

 

For optimum experience, all divers are provided with a Nautilus Lifeline bi-directional VHF/DSC marine radio with GPS, dive alert and DSMB. The 20 Nitrox compatible aluminum 80 cu. ft./12-liter cylinders are filled by one of the twin Nuvair LP/HP Compressors. Two Nuvair nitrox analyzers are available on board, as are redundant re-breathers available upon request, and oxygen-clean Haskell Sport Boosters, one Tri Hunter 3000 gas mixing stick for Trimix blending, several nitrox compatible 40 cu. ft. / 6-liter aluminum stage cylinders, several 19 cu. ft. / 2-liter steel re-breather cylinders with various valves, and one Analytical Industries Trimix Analyzer.

 

The crew to guest ratio is 1:1! This ensures the most personalized service possible. With all this, there’s no wonder the Nortada is a top pick among the best diving ships in the Galapagos Islands. The 8-member crew consists of the captain, a multilingual guide, engineer, international cook, and two sailors on all full departures, and one PADI dive instructor who assists as the dive leader. As for the yacht itself, despite its rather young age, it possesses some of the most skilled and knowledgeable professions in the region.

 

Already feel like taking a deep plunge into the alluring underwater sea world? Then let’s talk! We’re not inviting you to a conventional scuba tour, but to a diving safari in the Galapagos Islands!

Ecuador Galapagos The Nortada Diving Cruise
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Deck plans

Boat specifications

Technical Specifications:

  • Decks: 3
  • No. of passengers: 8 to 10
  • No. of cabins: 4
  • En-suite: 4
  • Ship Length: 25.9 m / 84.5 ft.
  • Draft: 1.52 m / 5 ft.
  • Cruise Speed: 10 knots
  • Hull: Fiberglass
  • Areas and accommodation:
  • Upper deck: Emergency helm, sun deck
  • Main Deck: Bridge, Galley, Air Conditioned Dining Room and Lounge. Dive platform with ample benches, outside showers, camera tables and re-breather rinsing facilities.
  • Lower Deck: (4) fully air conditioned cabins with two single lower berths and one single upper berth. Each cabin has: private bathroom, lockers and drawers.
  • Crew: The crew to guest ratio is 1:1, which ensures the most personalized service possible. The 8-member crew consists of the captain, a multilingual guide, engineer, international cook, two sailors on all full departures, and one PADI dive instructor who assists as the dive leader.
  • Main Mechanic Features: Twin CUMMINS 6CTA8.3-M 255 HP main engines. Twin 40 KW John Deere/Onan (M) electric generators. Water Separator, Marine Sanitation Device sewage treatment system, Reverse Osmosis desalination system.
  • Safety and Communications equipment on board: 24 mile range Furuno Navnet Radar/Chart Plotter, Furuno-FCV620 Eco sounder, GPS, Furuno NX300 Navtex, Furuno HF-MF/DSC Radio, VHF/DSC Icom radios, ACR Epirb, ACR Sart, ACR VHF bi directional rescue radio, Ritchie Magnetic Compass, hydraulic helm, barometer, clock, thermometer, helm indicator, searchlight, horn, fire & smoke detector system. (2) DSB inflatable life rafts for 16 passengers each, (16) life jackets, 17 feet Nautica Inflatable boat with 50 HP four stroke outboard engine for 10 divers. All safety equipment complies with International Coast Guard regulations.

 

Accommodations:

  • Nortada offers four (4) fully air-conditioned lower-deck cabins, each with two single lower berths, private baths (toilet, hot shower, washbasin and vanity), safety box, lockers and drawers. (The boat also features an extended occupancy option of up to 12 people. The additional guests can be accommodated in the four full size upper Pullman-style berths available in each of the four cabins. The extended occupancy option makes her a very flexible ship for small groups.)

 

Facilities:

  • Public areas: The yacht features wide sun-decks, galley, a bar, an air-conditioned dining room and a lounge. The scuba diving platform has ample benches, outside showers, camera tables and re-breather rinsing facilities. In the upper deck a sun deck is next to the fly bridge. Nautilus Lifelines, dive alerts and SMBs are provided.
  • Re-breathers: Yes
  • Nitrox: Yes
  • Trimix: Yes
  • Technical Diving: Yes

 

Dive Equipment and Facilities:

  • Gas Filling: Twin Nuvair HP compressors, one electric one Diesel; Nitrox / Trimix LP system features compressor, membrane and Helium intake. Redundant Oxygen Clean Haskell Sport Boosters. Portable Tri Hunter 3000 Gas mixing stick.
  • Cylinders: 30 aluminum 80 cu ft. / 12 liter cylinders, 15 for air and 15 for Nitrox; 15 aluminum 100 cu ft. / 15 liter cylinders. All cylinders fitted with XS Scuba PRO DIN Insert valves. 10 nitrox compatible 40 cu ft. / 6 liter aluminum bailout cylinders rigged as stage / sidemount. 20 steel 19 cu ft / 2 liter re-breather cylinders fitted with various valves.
  • Gas Analysis: 02 Nuvair Nitrox analyzers. 01 Analytical Industries Trimix Analyzer.
  • Diver safety: 10 Nautilus Lifeline bi-directional VHF/DSC marine radio with GPS; 10 Dive Alerts; 10 Reef hooks; 10 emergency strobes; 10 DSMB’s.
  • Miscellaneous: Complete toolkit and a selection of solid lead weights and trim soft pouches.
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