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Built in Canada, the Lammer Law offers lots of space and comfort for nature- and diving cruises in the Galapagos. One of the world's largest trimarans, she was designed by the Muirheads. Fully air-conditioned, she is well equipped for diving and underwater photography (with fresh water rinse tank). Up to 16 passengers are accommodated in eight spacious cabins, each with private facilities with hot showers. Many cabins have full queen beds. Her lounges have comfy sofas, as well as TV, VCR, and stereo equipment. All meals will be served on deck, since the beautiful dining room is located in the stern of the vessel. The sun deck is huge and consists of almost the whole exterior area of the boat.
As pleasant as she is beautiful, the Lammer Law has a courteous crew and informed naturalist guides to make you feel at home while you explore the unknown. Attractive and functional, she is perfect for the dedicated diver as well as the naturalist passenger. The artful combination of stability, grace, and speed make this yacht a perfect partner for your Galapagos tour.
Feel free to contact one of our Destination Specialist to get accurate rates and especial promotions.
All rates and itineraries shown are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without prior notice.
Not included in price: - Air tickets to and from Galapagos - Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100 for foreigners) - Bar consumption onboard - Gratuities & Tips to Crew and Staff - Use of Wetsuits ($30/week) Note: Air tickets and National Park fee can be subject to change without prior notice. ADDITIONAL CHARGES or DISCOUNTS: - Single Supplement: 75% Surcharge (if passenger is not willing to share cabin) - Children under 12 yrs: 30% Discount (not applicable for departures on or between Christmas, New Years and Easter) - Christmas and New Year's weeks hace a surcharge of US$3000 for charters and $250 for FIT's (individual bookings) ** Supplement can be subject to change without prior notice.
Itinerary Lammer Law 8 days/7 nights | |
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You can’t talk about diving in the British Virgin Islands without mentioning the historic RMS Rhone shipwreck, stunning coral gardens, and unique rock formations. And on a trip aboard the Cuan Law , you can create your own sailing and diving experiences, with access to them all.
With a length of 105 feet (32m), the Cuan Law is the world’s largest liveaboard trimaran. It’s a dual-purpose boat, serving as a luxury diving liveaboard as well as a sailboat to charter throughout the 60-plus idyllic islands of the BVI.
Spacious and stable, the Cuan Law can accommodate up to 20 people in 10 cabins. It sets sail year-round out of Tortola, and seven-day trips include a variety of dive sites to satisfy both beginners and advanced divers. Having said that, the Cuan Law follows no set itinerary but rather adjusts it to match the preferences and skill level of the divers on board.
Keep reading as we dive into our review of Cuan Law .
Things we don't like:, diving on the cuan law liveaboard.
The all-inclusive, six-night itinerary departs from and returns to Tortola. Although the Cuan Law has no set itinerary, it always stops at the wreck of the RMS Rhone off Salt Island and offers shore excursions to the Baths on Virgin Gorda .
The RMS Rhone is not only one of the most popular dives sites in the BVI, but also one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. A UK Royal Mail ship from the 19th century, the RMS Rhone carried cargo, mail, and passengers between Southampton, the Caribbean, and Brazil. During a hurricane, however, it wrecked near Salt Island in the British Islands, killing 123 people. Today, divers can view the remains, lying between 20 and 80 feet (6 to 24 m).
Other than that, divers can expect to see the many dive sites beyond the Sir Francis Drake Passage, including Norman Island, Peter Island, Cooper Island, and Ginger Island. Swirling around the BVI’s 100-plus dive sites , there are sharks, rays, turtles, and lobsters.
Generally, however, diving in the BVI means a lot of wreck diving , with each wreck more interesting than the last. Most wrecks lie in shallow waters, making them easily accessible to even beginners, and wreck certification is unnecessary unless you plan to penetrate the ship’s superstructure.
Night diving is also a must in the BVI, with a variety of nocturnal marine creatures coming out to hunt when darkness falls.
The Cuan Law offers three dives a day, including one night dive, for a total of 16 dives .
Visually, the Cuan Law is a stunning boat that looks different from other liveaboards. Big white sails and the trimaran construction make it look more like a private luxury yacht—which isn’t far from the mark.
There are 10 ensuite cabins that can be converted into either two twin beds or one queen bed. The maximum capacity is 20 guests . All cabins have AC, ocean-view windows, and plenty of storage space.
Social areas include an expansive air-conditioned main salon with leather sofas, a small library, board games, and a self-service bar. The open-air sundeck is the perfect place to relax and catch the rays, either on one of the sunbathing mattresses or hammocks.
Coolers in the main salon and near the mast contain beer, wine, and juices. There is also a shaded alfresco deck—used for dive briefings and, at night, as a beautiful oceanfront dining area .
The dive deck is small , but there is enough room to gear up before climbing down the ladder and into the water. Alternatively, some dives are tender dives , which are of course optional if you’re not comfortable with backrolling into the water from the tender.
The Cuan Law also has free non-diving activities for the whole family , including the use of water toys and organized shore excursions. Snorkeling, sport fishing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, and kneeboarding are all available. And, if you want to learn how to sail , there is also a complimentary easy-to-sail Hobie Cat.
Throughout the BVI archipelago, you can also enjoy shore excursions to towns, uninhabited islets, and island resorts where you can indulge in spa treatments for a surcharge.
There is also free, limited WiFi available onboard , giving guests enough internet access to check their emails. Finally, the ship is available for private hire, making it ideal for large family or friend gatherings.
The fine dining of the Cuan Law is one of the highlights of the dive trip. While breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, dinner is a sit-down affair with a broad selection of wines. In-between meals, there are plenty of snacks, including appetizers and chocolate bars.
There is a variety of international dishes —a blend of cosmopolitan and Caribbean cuisine—where flavorful fruits and vegetables are the highlights of the menu.
All the food, snacks, and drinks (including alcohol) onboard the Cuan Law are included in the price.
Table of content:, breadcrumbs.
With a length of 105 feet (32m), the Cuan Law is the world’s largest liveaboard trimaran.
Snorkeling, sport fishing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, and kneeboarding are all available.
There are 10 ensuite cabins that can be converted into either two twin beds or one queen bed.
The British Virgin Islands are one of the world’s premier sailing destinations.
Diving in the BVI means a lot of wreck diving, with each wreck more interesting than the last.
While breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, dinner is a sit-down affair.
Most wrecks lie in shallow waters, making them easily accessible to even beginners.
This dual-purpose boat serves as a luxury diving liveaboard as well as a sailboat to charter throughout the 60-plus idyllic islands of the BVI.
Expect lots of macro life on BVI dive sites.
Small fish go about their day on a busy BVI reef.
Paddle boarding
Everyday Life
Yes, we are giving away the scuba gear we've tested. This 30-second video will explain why:
Call us today 954.734.7111 or 800.327.9600, couldn't even begin to explain to people how awesome the trip was, randy rorabeck, cuan law - bvi dive liveaboard, dive experiences.
Because British Virgin Islands (BVI) dive sites are numerous and within close proximity to one another, the scuba diving liveaboard All Star Cuan Law offers a flexible itinerary. Rather than a set number of daily dives, our guests can log between 14 and 16 dives throughout their trip.
Our scuba diving liveaboard trimaran was designed for the dual purpose of serving the needs of those desiring a luxury dive liveaboard experience and for enjoying a sailing vacation in the BVI. Complementing underwater exploring of reefs and wrecks, we offer eco adventures, shore excursions and gourmet dining.
$3,600.00 per week
The RMS Rhone, one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved shipwrecks, is situated near Salt Island, shown here, which was named for its salt ponds.
Visitors to the island will often take a hike to the cemetery that serves as the final resting place for the sailors who were lost at sea when the RMS Rhone sank during the October 1867 hurricane.
Numerous dive sites can be found in and around the BVI, from Norman Island in the southwest to Virgin Gorda in the northeast.
Your home away from home is the world’s largest liveaboard trimaran at 105-foot long and 44-foot wide. She was designed with dual purposes: a luxury dive liveaboard and as a sailboat in one of the best sailing destinations in the world – the BVIs. In addition to spacious cabins, guests gather on our large sundeck, in our main salon, on our shaded alfresco deck or on the dive deck.
Cuan Law’s staff prides itself in having anticipated the needs of its guests, and making sure those needs are not only met but exceeded. Our captain and crew strive to make your liveaboard dive trip the best ever. This includes your time above and below the surface. Most scuba diving is done from tenders like the one above.
Yes, we offer buoyancy compensators (BC’s) and regulator sets for rent. For rental rates, click here. Please request these items on your Trip Application . Payment is made while on board. All rentals must be arranged prior to departure. Dive lights are available for purchase. We don’t have wetsuits available for rent.
There are two ways to travel to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI):
1. Fly to San Juan, PR (SJU airport code) and then catch a commuter flight to Terrance B. Lettsome Airport in Tortola, BVI (EIS airport code) on Beef Island. You will need to arrive the day before to make the noon boarding on Sunday. We will have our driver at the airport to meet you and take you to your hotel. You can pay the driver in cash, U.S. dollars accepted. This is much easier than a cab and more reliable. If you are staying at a hotel in Road Town , you will be picked up at 11:45am on Sunday (or another time will be assigned to you if necessary). Please list the name of your hotel on your Trip Application so we can confirm your pick up time.
2. Fly to Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, USVI (STT airport code ) and take a ferry to Road Town, Tortola, BVI. You will need to fly to St. Thomas on Saturday and spend the night there. Check the ferry schedule upon arrival (your hotel concierge can assist) to confirm the departure times for Sunday, the next day. You will clear into the BVI at the dock. Have your passport ready! Call or text Kim at 284.499.1999 upon departing the St. Thomas dock so she can send our driver to the ferry terminal in Road Town to pick you up. Let her know your name, number in your party and time the ferry departed.
This is important so she can arrange for the driver to arrive on time and not have to wait in case your ferry is delayed. Cuan Law boards at 12 noon so the driver will take your luggage to the Cuan Law and arrange a time and place to pick you up for boarding if you are earlier. You can eat a late breakfast, shop and explore the Road Town Tortola area for a few hours. The cost is $10.00* USD for luggage delivery and transfer.
We do not recommend plans that involve catching the ferry to Tortola on Saturday because air travel can be tenuous and you may miss the last ferry! That would leave you stranded in St. Thomas with a hotel room in Tortola! Better to stay in St. Thomas and catch the early ferry. The cost of the transfer from the dock directly to Cuan Law is $7.00* USD per person.
If arriving or departing by ferry, port fees, security fees, and departure taxes are generally not included in the cost of your ferry tickets. Port fees are currently $10.00* USD from St. Thomas to Tortola. Fees from Tortola to St. Thomas are $20.00* USD for non-residents. BVI Environmental Fee is $10.00* USD. The ferry operators do not have any control over these fees; they are subject to change by their respective governmental authorities.
* Subject to change.
Our chefs are extremely talented culinary masters and offer a wide variety of cuisines for our guests to enjoy. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style with multiple entre choices. Fresh fruit and vegetables in season are offered as well as tasty desserts! Dinner is served sit down and wine is offered. The culinary experience on the Cuan Law is one of the highlights of the trip!
The All Star Cuan Law boards at 12:00pm on Sunday and departs the dock in Road Town as soon as guests are all on board. The boat spends a very short amount of time at this public dock. Please be sure to contact Kim at 284.499.1999 if you encounter delays on Sunday.
All guests disembark no later than 10:00am on Saturday.
204 Hospital Dr NE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 USA [email protected] U.S. and Canada: 800.327.9600 Worldwide: 954.734.7111
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The magnificent Cuan Law provides the ultimate liveaboard experience in the BVI. The ambiance is both fun and relaxed, with a wide range of activities to suit everyone, as well as ample opportunity for quiet relaxation!
T (284) 499-1999 Email: [email protected]
Trimarine British Virgin Islands
Bvi sailing vacations since 1970.
We run two types of cruises, head boat and whole boat. each of these has different pricing and conditions..
For Individuals, Couples and Small Groups, who will join others on the cruise. Requested single occupancy is plus 50%. Otherwise singles will share with another of the same sex. We allow one free space for every eight booked, i.e. book eight, pay for seven.
For private parties who want the whole boat for themselves. The rates shown are for 6 nights for 20 guests. Please ask us to quote for smaller private groups, longer or shorter trips and for private Family Special sailings.
All payments are non refundable unless space is rebooked, in which case a full refund is paid. There is also an administration fee for cancellations.
Our Insurance covers you against “onboard” risks only . It does not cover you when you are not on board the Cuan Law, for example for illness or accidents during any “in the water” activities, during shore visits or for any changes in flights, and/or hotel reservations. Please make sure you are covered against these risks. DAN - Divers Alert Network provides an excellent option for diving including “Medivac”. Call them at 1-800-446 -2671. For more extensive coverage we suggest you look at personal accident insurance too which would cover you for any part of your vacation as well as trip cancellation. www.travelguard.com is a helpful website in this regard.
#1 In the event of the approach of a Named Storm, guests will not be permitted to remain on board the Cuan Law.
#2 They may fly home or stay ashore and return to complete the charter aboard Cuan Law when conditions permit. Cuan Law - Trimarine Boat Company will not be responsible for any airfares or shore expenses.
#3 Guests must ensure that if the Cuan Law is deemed to be unavailable due to storm conditions, their trip cancellation policy will cover their loss of time on board. Cuan Law will NOT reimburse for this lost time. Cancellation for storm reasons ahead of a trip MUST also be covered by guest insurance.
In addition, Trimarine reserves the right to bring "Cuan Law" and her guests back to the British Virgin Islands during any 'Down Island' trip if the weather makes the anchorages and dive sites unsafe. The Captain would declare this on the approach of Named Storms or Northerly swells (“Ground Seas”) caused by storms in the North Atlantic. The charter would continue in the BVI.
Don't forget, we always have a book 8 places, pay for 7 offer, so you can earn extra savings. call or email us today for a personalized quotation., special: family special, if you have children under 18 that are related to a guest, we refund $1,000 per child. children must not exceed adult numbers (additional child places will be charged at full price). let us know the make up of your party and we will give you a quotation. family special is offered on head boat only and some minimums may apply. free places are at children's rate., guest reviews on tripadvisor.
Catamaran ‘cuan law’ for bvi scuba diving vacations – call 800-478-2029, cuan law dive trimaran | bvi tourism.
Cuan Law Diving Charter
Is your idea of a perfect vacation one where you frolic in the sun, get to dive 3 times day, eat delicious foods and drink tropical libations like the Pain Killer or The Dark and Stormy ?
If you answered yes, then booking a berth on the diving catamaran ‘ Cuan Law ‘ is made for you and 19 of your closet friends. This 105’ Caribbean tri-hulled catamaran is world famous for taking her guests to experience some of the most beautiful diving destinations in all of the British and US Virgin Islands.
One of the interesting aspects of this yacht is that it is available for private charters for groups up to 20 as well as she makes a ‘mixed-charter’ where you will book a cabin and sail with other divers who want a week on the water, too.
All-Inclusive Crewed Catamaran Charters
When you vacation on a fully crewed yacht charter everything is taken care for you including food, drinks, housekeeping, scuba gear, fuel, fees and taxes. The only 2 responsibilities you have will be for you to get to the boat and have a great time while you are on your diving vacation!
In Gaelic, the word ‘Cuan’ means ocean while ‘Law’ means mountain . The Cuan Law , at the length of 105′ and a beam (width) of 44′, is the largest trimaran dive boat in the British Virgin Islands.
Catamaran Sailboat Charters for Dive Vacations
She is so large that as you watch her cruising over open waters her 5,000 sq. ft. of towering white sails create an impression of a snowy mountaintop arising from the ocean. This magnificent boat and her sister ship Lammer Law in the Galapagos Islands are the world’s largest sailing trimarans. Being one of the most luxurious live-aboard trimaran sailboat ever built, this private yacht is a perfect combination of diving convenience, comfort and sailing capability.
Diving Vacations in the Caribbean
Sailing Sunday afternoons from Beef Island , Tortola, British Virgin Islands she returns at noon on the following Saturday giving you up to 20 diving opportunities.
The boat has seven full time crew members two of whom are certified diving instructors. Every evening the Cuan Law sets anchor in picturesque harbors and sails to various dive sites during the day.
There are ten staterooms arranged in a U-shape centering around an open and spacious salon. This gives each cabin an outside view with overhead portholes for fresh air and natural light. The spacious staterooms have either two twins or a double bed, private commodes, a bathroom with shower, closets, drawers and even shelves for storing away personal items. Each stateroom is air conditioned and controlled by its own thermostat.
With ample room for 20 divers and their equipment you will find that the dive deck was designed for efficiency. Each diver is assigned a storage bin for fins, masks and weight belts and racks with hangers to hang their wetsuits.
Teeming With Wildlife
Three dives are planned each day: a morning dive after breakfast, afternoon dive, and a evening dive. Water temperatures in the Virgin Islands are generally 80-85 no matter time of year it is so you’ll worry about getting cold!
Usually, visibility runs 60-100 ft and on spectacular days up to 120′ or more. Diving depths are between 15 and 70 ft and non divers aren’t left out as they can swim, snorkel, go beach-combing, or take out the Hobie Cats and kayaks for above water fun.
BC’s, regulators, resort courses or scuba instruction as well as any crew gratuities are additional charges. For your convenience dive computers, underwater cameras and custom made videos are available for a small cost.
Shrimp & Avocado Salad
The food, levels of personal and attentive service are what you can expect from this fine family run establishment.
The three hulls of a this Caribbean trimaran produces excellent stability creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere and if there’s no wind the powerful twin diesels give the ship all the speed it needs.
If you ever wanted to take a sailing vacation on a catamaran sailboat in the British Virgin Islands where you dive morning, noon and night, where one sunset is more beautiful than the next and every morning dawns with a day of wonder just waiting for you, then the catamaran ‘ Cuan Law’ is the luxury yacht charter vacation for you!
For more information on booking a private yacht vacation in the British Virgin Islands on a fully crewed yacht or catamaran sailboat, contact Andrew Buys at Barrington Hall Yacht Charters on 800-478-2029 or outside the US on 954-720-0475.
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With her towering sails and at 105ft long and 40ft wide, Cuan Law is the largest trimaran in the world! Fully crewed with captain, chef, 2 stewards, engineer and 2 dive masters.
Cuan Law accommodates up to 20 guests in her 10 spacious staterooms. All staterooms can be configured as either two twin beds or one queen bed, and each features a private bathroom and individual air conditioning. The extensive aft deck, top deck with hammocks, and air conditioned saloon offer great space to enjoy the picturesque views, socialize and relax.
Fun for the whole family, island excursions.
Have Questions? Call Us 1-284-499-1999
When it comes to sailing, the type of vessel you choose can make all the...
Hi again. We are often asked about why Cuan Law is a good choice for families and...
So you like gentle Wreck Diving and fun out of the water too? Well BVI Wreck Week...
Volcanic in origin, the Galapagos comprise the tops of still-active volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor 1 ½ miles below. Straddling the equator some nearly 500 miles off the west coast of South America where the cold Humboldt and several other major ocean currents converge, the Galapagos nurtures one of the richest and most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
Lammer law – our boat.
The gateway to the Galapagos is Ecuador (owner of the islands). We flew from Ecuador to the Galapagos and secured our boat, one of the largest trimarans in the world, the Lammer Law.
Lammer is designed and built for diving and sailing. It is 93 feet in length with a 42 foot beam and fitted with compressors, chase pangas and everything an experienced diver would want.
Tim sedmak and perry klein, long time dive buddies.
130 miles north of the main archipelago are the northern-most islands of Darwin and Wolf, which rank among the best dive sites in the world. Their distance from the other islands means they are only visited by advanced live-aboard cruises for diving. Strong currents prevail, bringing in a variety of sea life that provides the food chain attracting the larger animals.
A 14 hour overnight voyage north from the main islands brought us to Wolf Island. Exposed to waves and strong shifting currents, Wolf is for advanced divers only. With its dives close to large animals, this area has topped the list of favorite advanced sites. Due to the unique blend of cold and warmer currents there are many fish found nowhere else. These include unusual species of turtles, rays, dolphins, schools of jacks and invertebrates.
What make these sites truly incredible are the sharks – Galapagos sharks, Silkies, Hammerheads, and occasionally present is the largest fish in the sea, the Whale Shark. This is one of the few places in the world where 12 – 15’ hammerhead sharks actually school in the hundreds, swimming in a never ending parade.
So then the fun began. We got a briefing from the accompanying naturalist and dive leader with a chalkboard warning of strong currents and the necessity of keeping the submerged walls of the island always in view.
In we went, in full heavy wet suits with hoods to insulate us from the cold waters, especially in the thermo-clines.
At first we find fairly typical diving as we pass through 40’ through large schools of yellow-tails, sting rays and a Galapagos sea turtle waving to greet us.
These were definitely not the clear waters of the South Pacific or the Caribbean, so we hadn’t yet gotten the feel for what lies below. We also had to accommodate to the currents, they were stronger than even a good swimmer could compete with and staying close to rock walls was good advice.
Then as we passed along a sandy shelf at about 50′ heading towards a deeper drop-off, we spotted a nice 8 or 9′ Galapagos shark – first blood in the big animal category! Exciting … we were 15 minutes into our first dive.
Just a few minutes later we swam to a drop-off that took us down to about 80’ and then we were really into the action – hammerheads right in our face!
After the initial wave of excitement, we took the time to look around – they were above us, below us and even in our face – for dive after dive over the next several days.
This one was acting a little too personal, but interestingly, by blowing bubbles from your air tank actually scares them away
…. and big.
We never tired of swimming with the sharks at Wolf Island, but we had more adventure ahead of us at Darwin Island, also a remote chunk of rock. Named for the island’s most famous visitor Darwin it is 4 hours north of Wolf. As the furthest north of the islands the Humboldt Current has little effect here and the waters are warmer than in the south as such there are other sea life to meet. Darwin’s fish encounters can be overwhelming. Those returning on board are usually in awe of this magnificent area.
Then there is the treacherous Darwin’s Arch that looks almost adjacent to Darwin Island but it sits just above the surface on an underwater plateau. The steep barnacle covered walls drop off to the deeper ocean. The plateau is loaded with stones and boulders right at the surface, which combined with the strong currents makes for a highly dangerous churn into which no boat must ever venture, the risk being chewed up by the churn against the rocks.
The Arch is a highly reputed dive site for advanced diving with big animals, and so we ventured towards it.
The inflatable boat you see they call a “panga” which are maneuverable boats with an outboard motor and grab lines on the outsides for divers to hold on to.
On the way to the dive site, we spotted floating markers connected to miles of illegal fishing lines (we learned later they were set by poachers on a Chilean fishing vessel who are generally employed by the Japanese to get fish and shark fins wherever they can be found.)
We delayed our dive to scoop up all the line and the connected buoys and radio transmitters. All this collected material has market value to the locals, which was to contribute to a dangerous adventure when we were to be picked up after the dive.
Then our fearless naturalist and dive master, Jonathon, spotted the illegal fishing vessel in the distance – a rather large, rusty looking vessel of some significant tonnage. He actually donned his Ecuadorian park Ranger uniform and set off in a separate tiny panga with great indignance and determination towards the Chilean ship. We learned that the Ecuadorian navy consisted of one gunship that only occasionally patrolled the remote islands of the archipelago.
We didn’t even have radio contact out there so contacting the main islands for help and backup was not an option. We were plenty worried about this big ship full of rough and tumble-looking guys knowing they were fishing illegally in protected waters. For some reason that maybe only the presence of a uniform can explain, they decided to bolt, much to our relief.
Back to our main mission which was diving of course, underwater we went and found more animals.
This time some very playful sea lions, one of whom must have known she was on camera.
For perhaps two minutes this female sea lion cavorted, spun, somersaulted and swam right at my camera producing some very entertaining video.
She seemed never to lose track of what maneuvers she had to do so stay within the field of view of the camera lens.
Then the really big treat came along. It was Brett who took his turn to swim out from the rock wall of the island to get some better visibility into the deep, and did a u-turn back to us with the two signs – “shark” and “big!” We had agreed these would be the signals
that a whale shark had been spotted. So, Brett, the naturalist and I headed straight out perpendicular from the rock wall into the open ocean at about 60’ depth and soon we spotted a huge dark shadow of a mass that became clearer and more spotted as we got closer.
It was a whale shark indeed, probably some 40 – 45’ in length (whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea) and fortunately swimming only about 1 ½ to 2 knots, a pace we could beat with our flippers.
We caught up to him and as you see, we hooked on to his huge dorsal fin for the ride of our lives. For a while all three of us were on for the ride and our fish didn’t so much as flinch!
Eventually he started gliding down deeper and at about 110’ we decided it was time to let go. Sport diving limits are 130’ and even less than that some divers risk nitrogen narcosis. As I let go with my video camera still running, I almost forgot that their tails work by swishing back and forth rather than up and down and I almost got whacked – which is about the only way you can get hurt by a whale shark. They don’t eat people.
This is a stock photo showing what a whale shark looks like from the front.
If that wasn’t enough action, getting back to the boat turned out to be literally a life-threatening experience. Recall all the warnings about the dangers of getting too close to Darwin’s Arch and the rocky “mosh pit” surrounding it? Well, Brett and I surfaced sufficiently far from it; we inflated our 3’ high orange “hot dogs” to alert the panga driver we were on the surface and needed speedy retrieval. He spotted us and motored over.
As is standard practice, one at a time starting with me, we began removing our tanks and buoyancy packs while in the water and waited to hand them into the panga while we hung on to the side ropes. We needed to get the heavy equipment into the boat before we could hoist ourselves into the panga. The boat operator was slow in getting to us, and we couldn’t see what he was doing, but we hung on to the side of the boat with our heads just above water level.
What we didn’t know was that the operator, a local, was engrossed in winding up all the fish line that we’d recovered from the illegal Chilean vessel (worth $$ in the local markets in Ecuador) and he wasn’t paying attention to the rapid drift we were making right towards the rocky thrash surrounding the Arch. The first clue we had that we were in danger was a thrust upward of the boat, with Brett and I hanging on to the outside in the water, and then we were slammed down on a major rock just below the surface. The noise of our tanks slamming on the rock was enough of a wakeup call.
The boat operator immediately kicked into action, yanked my tank into the boat (but the crazy motion we were engulfed in prevented me from hoisting myself in) and before getting to Brett, the driver leaped to the little outboard motor, racing it to maximum forward power in an attempt to get out of the maelstrom we’d drifted into – exactly where we shouldn’t be.
Brett curled his legs to keep them away from the spinning propeller, but conditions got worse – the motor didn’t have enough power to get us out, and there was so much water pressure on the boat, slamming up and down and the rocks, it was all we could do to hang on. It seemed we were very close to being smashed to pieces, just as the divemaster had warned.
I had both hands free to hold on, but Brett had only one hand to hold on to the boat line and with the other he was clinging to his backpack and scuba tank that was half off of him. As I looked back at him I saw his head was submerged by the water pressure with just one arm showing, clinging to the side line, for the longest time. He got his head above water, briefly surveyed the situation, heard me shouting “we’re not making forward progress” and he made the snap decision to jettison his equipment – weight belt, tank , buoyancy pack – and the instant he let go of it, the boat lurched forward towards safety. We assessed later that his gear had essentially been acting as a sea anchor and by letting go; we got a kick forward which was enough to get out of the death grip.
Brett shot out of the water and into the boat, grabbed me and helped me in and off we went back to the mother ship. All that was left of the experience was an incredible memory and a negotiation with the boat owners about who paid for the lost equipment.
That split decision to jettison the equipment, no matter how new and expensive it was, saved our lives.
We’re not done yet – these are wild waters and there was more in store for us. We dove again the next day, and after the dive with our tanks depleted, we were heading back to the main boat when we spotted a totally unusual sight – a pod of 5 Orcas (Killer Whales) frolicking between us and the Lammer Law in the distance. Not much is known about swimming with Orcas in the wild, but our guide said we’d give it a shot, so with no air left in our tanks, we donned just our fins and snorkels and in we went.
Orcas are black and white – and you can see one passing right under us in the photo below – great excitement.
Another 14 hours of sailing back the main Galapagos Islands, we were also bid adieu by a friendly sea lion. All the animals on the Galapagos are friendly, not afraid of man and approachable – a condition we can only hope Ecuador maintains with strict controls against hunting and fishing.
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About Lammer Law. Built in Canada, the Lammer Law offers lots of space and comfort for nature- and diving cruises in the Galapagos. One of the world's largest trimarans, she was designed by the Muirheads. Fully air-conditioned, she is well equipped for diving and underwater photography (with fresh water rinse tank).
With her towering sails and at 105ft long and 40ft wide, Cuan Law is the largest trimaran in the world! Fully crewed with captain, chef, 2 stewards, engineer and 2 dive masters. Cuan Law accommodates up to 20 guests in her 10 spacious staterooms. All staterooms can be configured as either two twin beds or one queen bed, and each features a ...
The demand for this type of diving tourism exploded so Annie and Duncan got together with a charterer, Hal McCarney who built boats. In 1978 they created their first effort, the Lammer Law, designed by Duncan and built by Hal. But Annie needed more beds so in 1988 the second aluminum trimaran, the Cuan Law was built.
At one time, the Lammer Law was the world's largest Trimaran. Don't know if that's the case anymore. It's not a luxury vessel by any means (no dive-focused boat would be), but the accomodations were good, rooms clean and well maintained, food fresh and crew friendly.
Cuan Law is the third in the fleet of trimarans designed and built by the owners, Duncan and Annie Muirhead. Duncan is of Scottish heritage and his family home overlooks the Misty Law mountain range there. Law is Gaelic for mountain. Their first vessel which was more of a collaboration than an original Duncan design was named the Misty Law in ...
The Lammer Law, Galapagos A great trip, but not perfect Dear Fellow Diver: It was New Year's Eve, 1985. Our little group of eight, including captain, mate, and six passengers, had just gotten off the Trespasser, a small trimaran, the baby of Duncan and Annie Muirhead's famous British Vir-gin Islands fleet. Eagerly we boarded a floating mansion
Cuan Law Philosophy. The demand for this type of diving tourism exploded so Annie and Duncan got together with a charterer, Hal McCarney who built boats. In 1978 they created their first effort, the Lammer Law, designed by Duncan and built by Hal. But Annie needed more beds so in 1988 the second aluminum trimaran, the Cuan Law was built.
Trimaran Cuan Law Crew, 105 feet (Crew changes with Guest Count and Seasonal chartering.) This is a massive and well known yacht in the Caribbean waters, chartering mostly out of the BVI for some years. She and Lammer Law, in the Galapagos, are the two largest sailing trimarans in
The Lammer Law, British Virgin Islands Largest Trimaran Afloat She was advertised as "by far the largest trimaran in the world -- taking 18 pampered guests, basking in the luxury of their own private million-dollar yacht, the Lammer Law." And when I stepped aboard the 92x42-foot craft in the
With a length of 105 feet (32m), the Cuan Law is the world's largest liveaboard trimaran. It's a dual-purpose boat, serving as a luxury diving liveaboard as well as a sailboat to charter throughout the 60-plus idyllic islands of the BVI. Spacious and stable, the Cuan Law can accommodate up to 20 people in 10 cabins.
Cuan Law provides the ultimate liveaboard diving experience in the BVI. The ambiance is both fun and relaxed, with a wide range of activities to suit divers of all ages, as well as our non-diving guests too! At 105ft long and 44ft wide, Cuan Law is the largest trimaran in the world! Fully crewed with captain, chef, 2 dive masters, engineer and ...
Ultimate Dive Liveaboard. Our scuba diving liveaboard trimaran was designed for the dual purpose of serving the needs of those desiring a luxury dive liveaboard experience and for enjoying a sailing vacation in the BVI. Complementing underwater exploring of reefs and wrecks, we offer eco adventures, shore excursions and gourmet dining.
Cuan Law is a deluxe professional dive trimaran liveaboard, it offering scuba sailing trips in the BVI all year round, it can accommodate 20 guests.
Lammer Law - Our Boat The gateway to the Galapagos is Ecuador (owner of the islands). We flew from Ecuador to the Galapagos and secured our boat, one of the largest trimarans in the world, the Lammer Law. Lammer is designed and built for diving and sailing. It is 93 feet in length with a 42 foot beam and fitted with compressors, chase pangas and
The Cuan Law is a trimaran sailing vessel specifically designed and built for the ultimate diving experience. Luxury accommodations, delicious food, and a terrific captain and crew make this cruise a top notch dive adventure The sensational diving is complimented by onshore adventures. The perfect combination of relaxing and exciting.
Catamaran 'Cuan Law' for BVI Scuba Diving Vacations - Call 800-478-2029 Cuan Law Dive Trimaran | BVI Tourism Is your idea of a perfect vacation one where you frolic in the sun, get to dive 3 times day, eat delicious foods and drink tropical libations like the Pain Killer or The Dark and Stormy? If…
Welcome to Cuan Law. With her towering sails and at 105ft long and 40ft wide, Cuan Law is the largest trimaran in the world! Fully crewed with captain, chef, 2 stewards, engineer and 2 dive masters. Cuan Law accommodates up to 20 guests in her 10 spacious staterooms. All staterooms can be configured as either two twin beds or one queen bed, and ...
At one time, the Lammer Law was the world's largest Trimaran. Don't know if that's the case anymore. It's not a luxury vessel by any means (no dive-focused boat would be), but the accomodations were good, rooms clean and well maintained, food fresh and crew friendly.
Cuan Law provides the ultimate liveaboard diving experience in the BVI. The ambiance is both fun and relaxed, with a wide range of activities to suit divers of all ages, as well as our non-diving guests too! At 105ft long and 44ft wide, Cuan Law is the largest trimaran in the world! Fully crewed with captain, chef, 2 dive masters, engineer and ...
Lammer Law Galapagos first boats. Built in Canada, Trimaran Lammer Law offers lots of space and comfort for naturalist and diving cruises. One of the world's largest trimarans, she was designed by the Muirheads. Fully air-conditioned, she is fully equipped for diving and underwater photography (with fresh water rinse tank).
Lammer Law - Our Boat. The gateway to the Galapagos is Ecuador (owner of the islands). We flew from Ecuador to the Galapagos and secured our boat, one of the largest trimarans in the world, the Lammer Law. Lammer is designed and built for diving and sailing. It is 93 feet in length with a 42 foot beam and fitted with compressors, chase pangas ...
Lets write about trimarans for a change. CUAN LAW and LAMMER LAW are sisterships. Both were built by the Algan Shipyard in CANADA and are ...
Answer 1 of 5: Planning a trip on the Lammer Law for May 2008. Any reviews? Doing a combo scuba diving/land tour excursion which the Lammer Law is still able to do in 2008 despite changes in licensing for full dive boats. Also, I"m booking...