fleet catalog

A g g r e s s o r F l e e t®

the Ultimate in live-aboards ®

Inside:

25 Years of Exploring the World

Night Diving through the Eyes of a Child

From Rock Star to Yacht Captain

Lady GoDivers Keep on Going

A Word from Legend Stan Waterman

Lionfish in the Caribbean?

w w w . a g g r e s s o r . c o m

Cruise NewsCruise News

The Aggressor Advantage• All diving is included.• Private air-conditioned staterooms with head and shower.• Delicious meals and beverages.• Gear breaks? No problem with our FREE onboard Loaner Program.• Entertainment between dives.

Hassle-Free Diving • No long “cattle boat” rides; you’re just a giant stride from the dive site.

• No lugging heavy gear; the crew handles everything, including setting up your equipment for the next dive.

• No traveling to restaurants for each meal; the dining room is only steps away from your stateroom.

• No rental car or taxi needed; the yacht has everything you need.

• No photography processing downtime; you can download your digital images to the yacht’s Pc.

• Never out of touch. onboard e-mail service and satellite phones keep you in touch with your family or business.

World-wide Adventures Since 1984

· belize, Central ameriCa · · Cayman islands ·

· CoCos island, Costa riCa ·· Fiji islands ·

· GalapaGos, eCUador ·· Kona, hawaii ·

· maldives · · palaU, miCronesia ·

· tUrKs & CaiCos · · Utila, hondUras ·

Cover photo: “Keenan’s” dive site in the Fiji Namena Marine Reserve by Scott Johnson. Model: Lauren Johnson.

The Aggressor Advantage• All diving is included.• Private air-conditioned staterooms with head and shower.• Delicious meals and beverages.• Gear breaks? No problem with our FREE onboard Loaner Program.• Entertainment between dives.

25 Years! A remarkable achievement for any corporation but especially so considering twenty five years ago a live-aboard dive business was uncharted waters for a successful business plan. The luxury live-aboard dive business brings its own unique set of challenges everyday to ensure our guests are satisfied and return again and again. At Aggressor Fleet, everyone from the reservation office to yacht crew members, are up to this challenge and bask in the glory of delivering this intensity of unparalleled service every day, every guest, every yacht, and every dive. While I could boast unrestrained, I am only reflecting the feedback we get from our extensive guest survey process, guest interactions and direct phone calls and emails. Although I am elated for our staff with each and every praise that we hear about them, I know there are times that we have not met your expectations. Personally, those are the comments I am most interested in so we can take immediate corrective action and continue to raise the bar that the tag line “Ultimate in Live-Aboards” portrays. There are many new service upgrades, ideas, yacht designs, interior designs, dive sites, and destinations that we have on our “to do” list. This keeps us smiling, knowing we will never run out of ways to exceed your last Aggressor Fleet vacation! From all of us around the world, thank you for your 25-year support of Aggressor Fleet!

Wayne B. Brown, Aggressor Fleet Chairman & CEO

800-348-2628 · [email protected] · www.aggressor.com

Diving in the Shadow

most yachts safely moor over

the dive site, so you get maximum

bottom time!

come dive with the owners of

aggressor Fleet wayne B. Brown,

chairman & ceo and

wayne Hasson, President.

Dive with the Owners Charter maldives aggressor: august 23-30, 2009

Phot

o by

Mik

e H

aber

1

A World of Adventure Inside:Big and Bold Fiji 2The Lion of West Caicos 4Stan Waterman 6Dominican Republic 7Cocos Island 8 Night Diving in Belize 11Photo Contest Winners 12Galapagos 14Diving “Green” 16Utila, Honduras 18Digital Photo Courses 20Palau 22Cayman, Where it Began 24Live-Aboard Travel Agency 27Money-Saving Specials 28Rock-n- Roll Captain 31Kona, Hawaii 32Family Weeks 34Lady GoDivers 35Maldives 36Vacation Package Rates 38-44StormCheck Guarantee 44

Terms and Conditions 46

BIG BOLD

Ancient Fijian Warrior’s Club

Fiji’s rich culture is one of the most well-preserved in the Pacific. Set aside some additional time to tour the islands

and seaside resort towns, like Sigatoka.

After five full, exciting days of diving aboard the Fiji Aggressor II, few of us could believe that the best was yet to come. But, the shark dive in Nagali Pass, our second-to-last dive of the week, lived up to its billing and more. Barracuda, Sea Bass and Grey Reef Sharks glided through the channel, and then as described in the dive briefing, our guides positioned each diver behind a waist high, natural rock wall at 65 feet. I eagerly peered through my viewfinder as sharks began to swarm. Just as a shark came within range, someone or something

suddenly blocked the front of my lens. I looked above the camera to find a 250 lb. Malabar Grouper staring at me from mere inches away. Shock turned to frustration as the massive grouper’s new resting spot prevented me from photographing the nearby sharks. A fairly strong current and my proximity to the other divers made relocation impractical. The grouper’s personality was evidently greater than its size and kept me captivated for the remainder of the dive. Literal face-to-face encounters with a large marine creature should never be taken for granted, even if it requires a change of plans or perspective.

Ply through colorful Bligh Waters

and the Koro Sea aboard the

18-passenger catamaran, Fiji Aggressor II.

A Fresh Perspectiveby Scott Johnson

Scot

t Joh

nson

2

FIJI

Day 1 Arrival and BoardingGuests are met at the Suva Airport and transferred to the Tradewinds Hotel in Suva, where the crew will take care of your luggage as you board and meet the Captain. The yacht sets a course for Wakaya soon after boarding. Guests are treated to a delicious dinner followed by a safety briefing.Day 2 Diving Begins The crew prepares everyone for a fabulous week of diving, starting at Manta Rock in search of those huge Manta Rays, which use this reef as a cleaning station. Excellent snorkeling is available for non-diving passengers. Night dives are offered throughout the week.Days 3, 4, 5 Island HoppingDiving continues with stops at dive sites like Black Forest, Namena Reef, Kansas, and North Save-a-Tack Passage.“Meke” at Local VillageAfter a day of diving, the local chief invites the guests on a tour of Gau or Makogai Village. The vil-lagers celebrate the event with native dances and a traditional kava ceremony. Bring your camera and get ready for a night of Fijian culture.

Days 6 & 7 Gau Island and Farewell PartyThursday features wonderful dives at Jim’s Alley and Gau Wall. The yacht returns to port at approximately 3:00 p.m. Friday after one morning dive. The Captain and crew host an evening cocktail party. The crew will arrange transportation to a local restaurant for dinner. Day 8 CheckoutThe bus to the Suva Airport departs at approximately 7:30 a.m. Saturday. If you are extending your stay in Suva, arrangements can be made for transportation to your local hotel.Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.


Fi j i Itiner ary · saturday-to -saturday

BIG BOLDand

Nadi Suva

viti levUwaKaya

namenae-6

Pacific Ocean

The Fiji Aggressor II route is Suva - Wakaya - Makogai - Namena - Makogai - Gau - Suva.

beqa

ovalaU

GaU

maKoGai

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Where did it come from? How did it get here?

Photo by Mike Mesgleski.

The Lion of West Caicos

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He, or she, is the islands’ biggest celebrity since famed Jo Jo the Dolphin. This colorful little guy

is the star attraction at Brandywine, one of the Turks & Caicos

Aggressor II’s many secret spots.

The elegant master suite exemplifies the 18-passenger Turks & Caicos Aggressor II’s

fine accommodations.

Was he freed from an aquarium? Did he travel in the bilge of a ship? Did he navigate his way through the Panama Canal? This photo was not taken in Palau or Fiji. It was snapped on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. How this Pacific denizen got here is a mystery to every diver who watches the Lionfish cruise past the Pillar Coral and Orange Elephant Ear Sponges of West Caicos. While his origin is unknown, this little for-eigner has adapted quite well to his new home. The local Snapper, Scorpionfish, Horse-eye Jacks, Nurse Sharks and Reef Sharks are not harassing the stranger, he does have an effective defense system. The other fish are a little jealous; the new guy is getting all of the attention from photographers!

Sheer walls, excellent visibility, sharks and massive Orange-Elephant Ear Sponges.


Day 2 Northwest Point At dawn Sunday, the yacht departs for the first dive site. Dive briefing! Guests may enjoy up to five dives each day. All dives are conveniently made from the mothership. Excellent snorkel-ing is available for non-diving passengers. While you are diving, the chef prepares delicious snacks and scrumptious meals, served on schedule. Night dives are offered throughout the week.

Days 3, 4, 5 and 6 Wall-to-Wall ThrillsDiving continues Monday through Thursday at remote sites like The Anchor, Elephant Ear Canyon, Rock-N-Roll and Rock Garden Interlude. If you are on a special Grand Turk-Providenciales charter, you will also explore sites near Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay.

Day 7 Dockside FunAfter diving, the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II re-turns to port at approximately 1:00 p.m. Friday. Guests may use this opportunity to shop or visit the local conch farm. The Captain and crew host an evening cocktail party at 6:00 p.m. After the cocktail party, you may choose from one of the many fine restaurants near the marina for dinner.

Day 8 CheckoutCheckout time is 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Guests are transferred to the airport or a local hotel.

Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.

Day 1 Champagne ReceptionSaturday afternoon arrivals are met at the airport in Providenciales and transferred to the Turks & Ca-icos Aggressor II. Guests may board at 3:00 p.m. The chef serves a delicious dinner at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, the Captain gives a detailed safetybriefing, followed by a champagne reception.

Provo

Atlantic Ocean

West Caicos

French CayW. Sand Spit

Grand Turk

Salt CayAmbergis

NW Point

Aggressor vacations explore NW Point, West Caicos, French Cay and West Sand Spit. Special charters depart from

Grand Turk, diving Grand Turk, Salt Cay and Ambergis.

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Stan Waterman here. It has been so many years ago that I have forgotten the year that I joined the Aggressor Fleet on their very first live-aboard dive boat. I recall it was

the first live-aboard specially designed for div-ers. It was the very first really diver-friendly boat with the requisite amenities that we take for granted now. It was the genesis, the bench-mark ship, of an expanding fleet that has, in my many years of diving with Aggressor, taken me on lit-erally scores of my finest adventures. They are set forth in my book, “Sea Salt,” now in its third printing. On all of the tours that I host, I do a mini-film festival for the guests, present-

ing one of my videos each evening after dinner. The repertoire reaches from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to Tahiti, Indonesia, Fiji, Hawaii, the Galapagos, and of course, our home ground, the Caribbean. I love sharing those wide-ranging Aggressor adven-tures. Being an aging hedonist, I am also addicted to the wonderful comfort and ambiance of the Aggressor way. If I can help my guests with their video shooting and editing, I am especially pleased.

[Value-Added Aggressor Vacations*]

2009 stan waterman Charters

Turks & Caicos AggressorJune 6-13, 2009

Kona Aggressor IIJuly 11-18, 2009

*There is no additional fee for Stan’s charters.

Stan Waterman Reflects on the Past 25 Years

Has it really been 25 years? congratulations to all the dedicated staff on board and on shore who make each aggressor trip better than the one before! one of our favorite trips blends surface activity and underwater beauty on the Fiji aggressor II. Here, the interaction with the beautiful local people on makogai Island is only surpassed by the incredible sites underwater. we have collected memories to last a lifetime on every single aggressor trip we have taken, beginning with our first Belize aggressor trip during its first year as a destination. Thank you!

“

” - carole and archie HaugenDesert Divers supply, Las Vegas, NV

President Gloria Arroyo at the Presidential Palace in Manila

presenting Stan the “Peter Benchley Shark Conservation Award.”

Stan was given diving’s “Pioneer Award.’

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My favorite live-aboard trip ever was on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor in 1995 when we went to the Silver Bank in February and saw the Humpback Whale mating season. Never in my life have I ever been so close to those huge majestic creatures, and there were thousands of them. In 45 years of diving I have never had a more unique experience with creatures of the sea. Everyone must do this trip.

- Capt. spenCer slate, atlantis dive Center, Key larGo, Florida

February through mid-April, the Dominican Republic’s Silver Bank is abuzz with migrating Humpback Whale activity. During Turks & Caicos Aggres-sor II whale excursions, guests board custom-built skiffs searching for whales. Once the Whales are located, guests slip into the water to snorkel face-to-face with these graceful giants. Photographers will delight in awesome, close-up topside photo opportunities. These are snorkeling only encounters, as scuba is not permitted in the whale sanctuary.

Photo by Kike Calvo, www.KIKECALVO.com

“”

Whale Tales

After following my `blue´ dreams around the planet, with 65 countries on my passport, I have to admit that swimming with the Humpbacks of the Silver Bank is among my top favorite. “

”

After following my `blue´ dreams around the planet, with 65 countries on my passport, I have to admit that swimming with the Humpbacks of the Silver Bank is among my top favorite.

This picture of a mother and calf escorted by a male Whale was awarded first prize in the underwater category of the 2008 International Conservation Awards founded by Art Wolfe. It is the knowledge and insights of great professionals who make my job possible. I would like to express my gratitude to Captain Piers van der Walt for sharing his excellent knowledge on Whales and photography, and to the entire Aggressor family for making me feel at home during my expeditions. Gracias Aggressor. - professional photographer, Kike Calvo

This picture of a mother and calf escorted by a male Whale was awarded first prize in the underwater category of the 2008 International Conservation Awards founded by Art Wolfe. It is the knowledge and insights of great professionals who make my job possible. I would like to express my gratitude to Captain Piers van der Walt for sharing his excellent knowledge on Whales and photography, and to the entire Aggressor family for making me feel at home during my expeditions. Gracias Aggressor. - professional photographer, Kike Calvo

7

Cocos Island, Where Breath-taking Diving AwaitsBy Onditz Calparsoro, Okeanos Crew

The Okeanos Aggressor offers two exciting itineraries. Both depart from the western coast port town of Puntarenas. Eight-day charters are Saturday to Sunday with five days of diving. Ten-day trips are Tuesday to Friday with seven days of diving.

Arrival and BoardingAn overnight stay is required in San Jose prior to the charter. Transfers are provided from the Alta Hotel and Marriott Courtyard in San Jose on the day of departure. To view the hotel pick-up time sched-ule, visit www.aggressor.com/subpage10.php. The scenic two-hour, air-conditioned bus ride to Puntarenas showcases some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful views.

Voyage to AdventureOnce aboard, the 300-mile journey to Cocos begins. Dolphins and whales often escort the Aggressor on the voyage, which takes approximately 30 hours. The trip gives divers plenty of time to prepare their gear and their hearts for the magnificent creatures awaiting their arrival!

High-Voltage DivingOnce you back roll into the water from the roomy dive tender, get ready for an adrenaline rush!

Schools of Tuna, swarms of sharks, Eagle Rays, and turtles have earned Cocos the title of the “world’s premier big-animal destination,” and after just a few dives, you will agree. Cocos diving is drift diving. The island’s premier sites like Alcyone, Dirty Rock and Dos Amigos are world-renown for their prolific Hammerhead activity. Silverado even boasts a shark cleaning station. Don’t miss the night dive at Manuelita, where you will witness dozens of White-tip Sharks patrolling the dark ocean floor.

A Cool Shower If conditions permit, guests are shuttled to the island for a land hike and swim in one of the lush island’s many waterfalls. Keep an eye out for treasure—Cocos was once a stop-over for pirates.

CheckoutCheckout time is 7:30 a.m. on the morning of depar-ture. After arriving back on the mainland, the crew will transfer you and your luggage with the group to one of the host hotels in San Jose or to the airport. Okeanos Aggressor guests will arrive in San Jose late morning; therefore, departing flights should be scheduled after 12:30 p.m.Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.

cocos Isl and Itiner ary · e ight- day or Ten- day excurs ions

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Cocos Island, located 300 miles off of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a unique place on earth, currently a nominee for one of the seven natural wonders on earth. But what makes Cocos Island so special? It’s the exuberant life that exists on the island and on its surrounding waters. The island has 235 known species of flowering plants, of which 70 are endemic. The island’s waters boasts rich coral reef, volcanic tunnels and caves. In addition, Cocos hosts more than 30 species of coral, 60 species of crustaceans, 600 species of mollusks and over 300 species of fishes. When it comes to what we love to do—diving—Cocos Island is a place where thousands of Hammerheads gather

and where Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Silky Sharks, as well as hundred of other species, call home. In 2008, we had a new visitor to Cocos Island—Tiger Sharks. Until recently, it was very rare to see Tigers in this remote island, but this year, there have been more and more encounters with these amazing creatures. On one of the August charters, our guests had the opportunity to dive with five Tiger Sharks near Manuelita Island. They were at a depth of 25 feet depth against the wall of the island. The sharks remained calm and stayed there for a long time, which gave the opportunity for all of our guests to enjoy these magnificent creatures and a perfect opportunity to take video and pictures.

This amazing dive, which many of our guests described as the most exhilarating of their lives, ranks at the top of the crew’s list as well. That is, until the next unforgettable event happens at Cocos!

Make your Okeanos Aggressor reservations at www.aggressor.com.

CO

CO

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ND, C

OST

A RIC

A

Pacific Ocean

CoCos island

Dos Amigos

Lone StoneSubmerged

Rock

Alcyone

Silverado

Manuelita

Dirty Rock


Wayne B. Brown, Chairman & CEO and Wayne Hasson, President with the Okeanos Aggressor crew.

Tiger Shark by Mauricio Marin

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Caribbean Sea

tUrneFFeWest Pt.

belize City

BlueHole

Elbow

SayonaraBlack

BeautyDos Cocos

Cathedral

Quebrada

liGhthoUsereeF

Half MoonCay Wall

Long Cay Wall

Aggressor Splits

Painted WallGrandBouge

Day 1 ArrivalSaturday afternoon arrivals are met at the Belize City air-port (BZE) and transferred to the Belize Aggressor III for the 2:00 p.m. boarding. At 6:00 p.m., the yacht departs for its first anchorage while the chef serves a delicious

dinner. Afterwards, the Captain gives a detailed safety briefing followed by a welcome party.

Day 2 Diving Begins Beginning Sunday morn-ing, guests may enjoy up to five dives each day. All dives are conveniently made from the mother-ship. Excellent snorkeling is available for non-diving passengers. While you are diving, the chef prepares delicious snacks and scrumptious meals, served on schedule. Night dives are offered every night.

Monday through Thursday Diving continues along pristine walls like The Elbow, Quebrada, Long Caye Ridge, Painted Wall, Elk Horn Forest, The Blue Hole and Cathedral.

Half Moon CayMid-week, the crew will shuttle guests to Half Moon Cay for a walk on the beach and a tour of the bird sanctuary. Here you can observe Red-footed Booby

and Frigate Birds. There is even a lighthouse built in 1848.

Day 7 Cave Tubing, Mayan Tours and MoreDiving ends Friday morn-ing. At approximately 1:00 p.m., the yacht returns to Belize City. Exciting tours such as Cave Tubing, the Belize Zoo or Mayan Ruin explorations can be arranged by our international air travel department. At 6:00 p.m., the Captain and crew will host a cocktail party. The crew will assist you with dinner at a local Belize City restaurant.

Day 8 CheckoutCheckout is 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Guests are transferred to the Belize City airport (BZE) or a local hotel. Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.

Belize aggressor I I I Itiner ary · saturday-to -saturday excurs ions

Belize aggressor guests descend into the mystical Blue Hole, a 1,000-foot wide, 600-foot deep, collapsed freshwater cave system.

Mike Mesgleski

John Kreider


B e l i z e

10

My name is Diana Riddle and

this is my account of my first night dive on the Belize

Aggressor iii Family Week charter. We jumped

in and the strobes from under the boat

were shining bright in our faces. My buddy,

Captain Piers, and i gave each other the

signal and we slowly made our descent. When we got

down to the bottom we were surrounded by sea urchins. They were everywhere! We started

swimming away from the boat, and it wasn’t long before we came across an Octopus. As we

were intently staring at the Octopus, we saw the iridescent colors that could belong to none

other than a Squid out of the corner of our eyes. We swam away from the Octopus and towards

the Squid. There were four of them. i turned off my flashlight and Captain Piers wiggled his

fingers in front of his and the family of Squid swam closer and

closer. As we were leaving, my brother and his friend Bryce

came along to look at them, too. We swam under the boat

and saw a huge Tarpon enjoying a dinner of Silversides and

small Squirrelfish. We swam farther downward and saw a few

Tiger-tailed Sea Cucumbers slowly inching their way across the

bottom. We decided that we had seen all that we had aimed

to see and made a slow ascent to the surface and climbed

back aboard the boat where hot chocolate was waiting for us.

BE

LI

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a child’s Perspective:

cool caribbean Nightsby Diana riddle

Mike Haber

Mike MesgleskiMichel Gilbert11

Advanced

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and the Winners are...Jim church classic Uw Photo contest

1st Place: Dave TrinkaTaken aboard cayman aggressor IV

winning photo receivesaggressor Trip of choice

2nd Place: Todd BretlTaken aboard Palau aggressor II

winning photo receives50% off any aggressor Trip

3rd Place: michael madelungTaken aboard cayman aggressor IV


See more

winning photos at

www.aggressor.com

Kelly Byler michael madelung

Todd Bretl

Beginner

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1st Place Beginner: Holly FranzTaken aboard cgalapagos aggressor I

winning photo receives aggressor Trip of choice

2nd Place Beginner: Milton AlmeidaTaken aboard Kona aggressor II


3rd Place Beginner: Forest RothchildTaken aboard galapagos aggressor I


Dave TrinkaYeang chng

Holly Franz

and the Winners are...

The 2009 contest is now open! E-mail your entry to [email protected].

Only underwater photos taken on Aggressor trips Jan. 1, 2009 -Dec. 31, 2009

are eligible. You may win a FREE Aggressor Fleet live-aboard vacation!

The 2009 contest is now open! E-mail your entry to [email protected].

Only underwater photos taken on Aggressor trips Jan. 1, 2009 -Dec. 31, 2009

are eligible. You may win a FREE Aggressor Fleet live-aboard vacation!

An Overnight hotel stay in Guayaquil is required.The Galapagos Aggressors I & II are sisterships with identical layouts and superb personal amenities.

Day 1 Entering a New WorldUpon arrival Thursday morning in San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, everyone actually disinfects their shoes before leaving the airport to protect the delicate ecosystems of the Galapagos.Aggressor guests are met at the San Cristo-bal airport and transferred to the yacht, which is docked only a ten-minute drive from the airport.

Checkout Dive before Heading NorthYour luggage is taken aboard by the crew. Boarding time is 1:00 p.m. The Captain welcomes you aboard and then gives a detailed safety brief-ing. One dive is offered, allowing guests to get acclimated to the local conditions, which include water temperatures that range from 60º-82ºF.

Day 2 Mosquera, A Taste of What is to ComeAfter a hearty breakfast, divers board the tenders at Mosquera. Sea Lions, schools of Razor Surgeonfish, Diamond Stingrays, thousands of Garden Eels and Hammer-head Sharks greet divers at this first site, giving a taste of the abundant life Galapagos offers.

Walk with Blue-Footed Boobies and IguanasUp to three guided land tours are offered through-out the week. During the land tours, guests may witness the mating dances of Blue-Footed Booby

birds, photograph Frigate birds and see one of the islands’ most famous reptiles, marine iguanas. You are accompanied at all times by trained multi-lingual naturalist guides

who will explain and interpret the unusual sights you will see.

Days 3,4,5 and 6 Diving the Central IslandsThe journey to Wolf and Darwin Islands begins with stops along the way at Seymour, Bartolome, and Santiago. At these islands you may encounter Red-Lipped Batfish, Golden Cow Rays, Mobula Rays, Seahorses, Eagle Rays, Trevally, Scorpion fish and of course, a variety of shark species.

Wolf Island and Darwin’s ArchDarwin’s Arch, in the northernmost region of the Galapagos archi-pelago, is considered one of the best places in the world to swim face-to-face with a Whale Shark. These islands are also home to schools of Scalloped Hammer-head Sharks, Galapagos Sharks and Silky Sharks.

Day 7 Touring at Puerto Ayora Diving ends mid-morning Wednesday. The yacht arrives at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. A visit to the Turtle Breeding Center Fausto LLerena is included in the charter. Shopping is available in Puerto Ayora. The Captain hosts a cocktail party on board at 6:00 p.m. Guests are shuttled ashore for dinner at a local restaurant. The Galapagos Aggressors depart for San Cristobal at 11:00 p.m.

Day 8 CheckoutAfter a full breakfast, guests check out at 9:00 a.m. Thursday and are transferred to the local airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador.


g al apagos Itiner ary · Thursday-to -Thursday


isabella

Darwin

Wolf

Seymour/Mosquera

Bartolome Cousins

Cabo Marshall

Pt. Ayora

Baltra Plazas

san Cristobal

santiaGo

The enchanted land of Plenty

Squadrons of Mobula Rays. Families of Seahorses. Schools of Hammerheads. The cool Humbolt Current creates a marine paradise that allows

countless species to flourish in prolific numbers.

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15Sea Lion and Bait Ball by Mike Haber.

The Galapagos are a UNESCO natural world heritage site.

every week, The Galapagos

Aggressor i & ii yachts travel

far north to the Arch of

Darwin and Wolf island.

Through generous contributions by Aggressor Fleet CEO Wayne Brown and President Wayne Hasson during a DEMA fund-raising auction, 50 green sea turtles raised at the Cayman Turtle Farm are being released into the wild. Ashley Brown released a one-year old turtle, “Sweetie,” into the wild during her family vacation.

Farm-Raised Turtles Released by Guests

More and More MooringsAggressor Fleet established the first mooring program with the introduction of the Cayman Aggressor in 1984. As Chairman of the Cayman islands Watersports Operators Association Moorings Team, Capt. Wayne Hasson literally drilled and cemented in 105 moorings in three months. in every Aggressor

destination, crew members, like the Kona divemaster, pictured above and the Turks & Caicos crew pictured right, place strong, secure moorings that preserve the reefs for future divers.

Dive green

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Pirates at Heart The original skull and cross bones image, known as the “Jolly Roger,” was used by the Knights Templar and early pirates dating back to the Crusades. It has conveyed many messages related to the oceans. The image has been used to warn about hazardous materials or locations, and the flag was flown to induce pirates’ victims to surrender readily. Since the supposed decline of piracy, various military units have used the Jolly Roger as a unit identification insignia or a victory flag to ascribe to themselves

the proverbial ferocity and toughness of pirates. At first sight, it might seem a bad idea to forewarn your quarry by flying the Jolly Roger. I came across my very first human skull on a 100-foot dive and it gave me the chills. In my bent creative mind, I imagined a jelly skull and fish bones. This work has been custom designed for the Aggressor Fleet. It was painted dot by dot with acrylic paint and sand from the dive site. So go live on the edge and be a pirate. OR Back OFF to the Bottom and Back! You may purchase items with this artwork at www.aggressor.com/shop.

–Message froM the artist, rogest

The International Year of the Reef 2008 is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them. All individuals, corporations, schools, governments, and organizations are welcome and actively encouraged to participate in IYOR 2008. The Aggressor Fleet and the art of Rogest produced 20,000 post cards, which drew attention to the IYOR website, www.iyor.org, and its message. The artwork was created especially for the IYOR by Rogest. Postcards are available on board every Aggressor yacht and at www.aggressor.com/shop.

2008 is the International Year of the Reef2008 is the International Year of the Reef

Learn more about the artist at

www.rogest.com

17

Mike Haber

Southern Stargazer... a Face only a

Diver Could Love!

Mike

Hab

er

Sandy Haven for the South Shore Seahorses The shallow reef on the south side of Utila slopes down from the shore to 120 feet. It is dotted with beautiful, brightly colored coral heads, inhabited by Turtles, Eagle Rays and schools of juveniles. But it is in the large intermittent sandy patches where all the action happens. These sloping sandy patches are a haven for well-camouflaged critters, like the Longsnout Seahorse. We have seen them in a variety of colors including red, orange, brown black & white. Occasionally, we get a glimpse of the very beautiful Yellow-Lined Seahorse. It’s a perfect opportunity to get that perfect picture. Regularly, we find a pregnant seahorse, and of course, a few weeks later http://i.yimg.jp/images/kids/pokemon_dp/news_images/pokemon04_02.jpg come the tiny juveniles that are less than half-an-inch long! The

seahorses share their home with several other intriguing creatures. The unusual Shortnose and Red-Lipped Batfish are regularly spotted walking across the sand in their comical gait. Look close and you will see Southern Stargazers poking their eyes out of the sand. You might even spy some well-camouflaged Lesser Elec-tric Rays. Several months a year, a wonderful dive site called “Stables” is inundated with huge schools of mating squid laying their eggs in the sand. On nearly every dive, you may find a few of the other members to the seahorse, family such as the Diamond and White-Nose Pipefish and the rare Pipehorse. Some of our other locals include Giant Hermit Crabs, Upside Down Jellyfish, Pike Blennies, Sailfin Blennies and File Clams. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged for this dive!

18

Mike

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ki

Day 1 Arrival and BoardingGuests arriving on the Saturday after-noon charter flight from San Pedro Sula

(SAP) are greeted at the Utila Airport at 3:30 p.m. and transferred to the yacht. Saturday evening, after a delicious dinner, the Captain gives a briefing, which outlines safety procedures and the week’s exciting schedule. Later, the crew hosts a welcome- aboard champagne party.

Day 2 Diving Begins After a home-cooked breakfast, the week starts with fabulous diving near Blackish Point and Old House. All dives are conveniently made from the spacious swim platform of the mothership. Most guests enjoy up to five dives each day, only stopping for one of the many scrumptious meals or between-dive snacks. Night dives are offered every night.

Days 3 & 4 Remote Sea Mounts and Sheer WallsThe journey continues north with a stop at the remote Coco’s Sea Mounts, where the ocean floor rises from hundreds of feet to only 40 feet from the surface. These sea mounts are far from Utila and Roatan; therefore, they are rarely visited by day boat div-ers. This is an excellent place to encounter pe-lagics likes Eagle

Rays, Turtles, Jacks, Reef Sharks, and if you are lucky, a whale shark. After exploring Coco’s Sea Mounts, Utila Aggressor divers sample Roatan’s spectacular walls.

Days 5 & 6 The Best of RoatanAfter diving Roatan’s Taviana, Dolphin Caves and Aguila Wreck, the Aggressor heads west to Utila.

Day 7 Cannery Bank and Farewell PartyThe final dives of the week are Friday morning at Cannery Bank. After lunch on the Aggressor, it is time to rinse and pack dive gear and download photos. Later that evening, the crew hosts a 5:30 p.m. cocktail party. The crew will assist you with dinner at a local Utila restaurant.

Day 8 CheckoutAt 8:00 a.m. Saturday, guests are transferred to the Utila Airport for the charter flight to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.Guests fly into San Pedro Sula, Honduras then board a

charter flight for a scenic 30-minute flight to Utila.


mysterious Dolphin cavestext and photo by Sasha eyre

situated in the middle of the north side of roatan is Dolphin caves, an intriguing new site on the Utila aggressor schedule. several years ago, a pod of about 13 dolphin became trapped within the caves.

Dolphin skulls and bones can still be seen today which add to the magic and the mystery of the site. The yacht moors on the edge of a gently sloping wall, where the top reef is around 40 feet. Here you can find spotted sea Hares, Lettuce sea slugs and scorpionfish. as you swim along the sand channel toward the shallows, you arrive at the opening of a three-chamber cave network. Inside the cave, you’ll find schooling silversides, green moray eels, glass sweepers, Lobsters and channel crabs. It is an unforgettable underwater experience.

Util a Itiner ary · Sat urday-to -Sat urday Excurs ionsUtil a Itiner ary · Sat urday-to -Sat urday Excurs ions

UT

ILA, H

ON

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RA

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Cannery BankhondUras

Dolphin Caves Aquila Odyssey TavianaCaribbean Sea roatan

Duppy Waters CJ’s Drop Off Old HouseRagged Cay Utila

Valley of the Kings Mary’s PlaceConnie’s Dream

Jack Neil

Coco’s SeaMounts

HalliburtonHawksbill

19

Mike

Mes

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Photo by Mike Mesgleski

A Click is Worth a Million Words

20

Underwater, a picture is worth a million words. How else could you conjure up an adequate description of the pastel color on a pink-tipped anemone, or the vibrant orange of an Elephant Ear Sponge, or the graceful plume of poisonous spines on a Lionfish? For someone who has never seen such marvels of the sea, a photograph or video may be the only way for them to truly appreciate our underwater world. Aggressor Fleet is well aware of this. For the past 25 years, they have been fueling the passion of thousands of underwater photographers and videographers,and not just by offering great diving in some of the most picturesque dive sites around the world. Aggressor Fleet has supported photographers from day one on all of their yachts, offering photo equipment rentals, E-6 processing in the days of film, computer stations for today’s digital files, and UW Photo courses on board. The Jim Church School of UW Photography has been conducting classes aboard the Aggressor Fleet for the past 20 years. From our first class in 1988, Jim knew the Aggressor Fleet would prove to be the best base for his photo courses. He was abso-

lutely correct! When your hotel, restaurant, dive shop, photo center and classroom are all connected to your dive site via the mooring line, it just doesn’t get any better, or easier, than that. Aggressor Fleet sets the standard of ex-cellence. You can be assured that when you step aboard, you will be treated to the same excellent service no matter which location. Congratulations on 25 great years. Here’s to many more years and locations!

2009 - 2011 Jim Church School of Digital Underwater Photography CoursesAll course instruction applies to both Beginner and Advanced photographers.

**Denotes Advanced Photo Course. ***Haber only.

Belize Aggressor III June 20-27, 2009July 10-17, 2010July 9-16, 2011**July 7-14, 2012

Cayman Aggressor IV July 18-25, 2009** May 15-22, 2010May 14-21, 2011May 5-12, 2012Fiji Aggressor II

March 6-13, 2010

Galapagos AggressorsAug. 6-13, 2009*** Aug. 19-26, 2010

Okeanos AggressorAug. 7- 11, 2011

July 28-August 5, 2012Palau Aggressor IIMarch 11-18, 2012

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II May 16-23, 2009** June 5-12, 2010** June 9-16, 2011**

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II (cont.)

June 9-16, 2012Utila Aggressor Oct 3-10, 2009 Oct. 2-9, 2010** Oct. 8-5, 2011**

October 13-20, 2012

Sample Lecture Itinerary:Day 1: assemble camera equipment, course IntroductionDay 2: Buoyancy for Photographers – Photo Basics – Digital BasicsDay 3: metering – Intro to Digital workflowDay 4: adding strobes – Balancing sunlight & strobe exposures.Day 5: composition & Lens selection.Day 6: Digital workflow & Presenting Your work.Day 7: graduation! students select 8 – 10 of their best photos from the week for the graduation show*Lectures between 1st and 2nd dives and one-on-one help throughout the day.


Masterpieces Made Simple with

Mike Mesgleski and Mike Haber

21

I just returned from visiting my old friend, the Palau Aggressor II. At the famous

Blue Corner, the huge Napoleon Wrasse, their number increased, were still there

with the Gray Reef Sharks pausing to be cleaned right in front of our cameras. As always,

the cuisine was four-star and the crew knocked themselves out. Captain Mike and

Amanda run a happy ship. - Underwater FilmmaKer, stan waterman

palaU

Peleliu

German Channel

Iro Maru Wreck

Jellyfish Lake

Siaes Tunnel

Ulong Channel

Blue Holes

Blue Corner

Big Drop-off

Ngedebus

“

remembering Jim in micronesia

This past March, the Jim Church School of UW Photography led a very special photo expedition. it was special because we were bringing our friend Jim Church to his favorite dive site in Truk lagoon for the last time. Jim lead many workshops aboard the (old) Truk Aggressor and Palau Aggressor yachts. Jim, who passed away in December 2002, told us many years earlier that he wanted his ashes spread between the

Fujikawa Maru and the Shinkoku Maru. A group of his close friends and students assembled to carry out that charge and to see Jim off in style. Throughout the trip, we shared “Jim” stories, photos and videos, that brought smiles to us all. So, here’s to you, Jim. Thanks for all you shared with us.

- Mike Mesgleski & Mike Haber

”

Mike Mesgleski

Chandelier Caves

Read the latest Dive Reports

from Blue Corner and German

Channel on the Captain’s Log at

www.aggressor.com

Pacific Ocean

22

PA

LA

UBig Thrills on a Beautiful Backdrop

Day 1 Touch down in MicronesiaAt 5:00 p.m. Sunday, the crew will pick up anyone staying at a local hotel and transfer them to the yacht. Guests arriving on the Sunday evening flight are greeted at the airport and transferred to the Palau Aggressor II.

Days 2 & 3 Diving through HistoryBreakfast in the Rock Islands! Diving begins at thrilling sites like German Channel, where you may encounter mantas with 10-foot wide wingspans, and giant Tridacna Clams. You will also step back in time as you examine the beautiful WWII shipwreck, Iro Maru.

Peleliu The Palau Aggressor II journeys south to Peleliu, the site of one of the fiercest battles in the Pacific dur-ing WWII, “Bloody Nose Ridge.” A knowledgeable, local guide offers an informative island tour.

Day 4, 5 and 6 Hook in and Enjoy the ShowDiving continues at Ulong Channel, Blue Holes and Micronesia’s most famous shark dive, Blue Corner!After cruising along a lush wall, the divemaster gives the signal to “hook in.” Divers use a rope and hook to safely attach their BCs to the wall’s outer ledge. Countless species of fishes and sharks rise up from the deep, swimming over the ledge, passing within feet of the Aggressor divers.

Day 7 Jellies and GemsSaturday begins with snorkeling at Jellyfish Lake. Thousands of stingless Mastigias Jellyfish follow the sun, migrating from one side of the freshwater lake to the other. Palauans call the lake “Ongeim’l Tketau.” Later, everyone explores the glistening

chambers of Chandelier Caves, whose walls glisten like precious jewels. It is a shallow dive, but it deliv-ers big sights. This three-room cave offers the perfect ending to a great week.

Exploring PalauSaturday afternoon, the Palau Aggressor II returns to port to provision and fuel for the following week. After lunch, you may shop, sight-see, and visit the museum. The Captain and crew host an evening cocktail party. The crew will arrange transportation to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day 8 CheckoutCheckout time is 8:00 a.m. Sunday. The crew will transfer you to a local hotel or the Palau airport.Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.

Pal au Itiner ary · sunday-to -sunday excurs ions


Pal au Itiner ary · sunday-to -sunday excurs ions

Tightly woven green Lettuce Leaf Coral at Ulong Channel provide the backdrop as

Reef Sharks swiftly cruise by you. Crimson Gorgonians adorn the walls of Big Drop

that are patrolled by huge mantas and clouds of orange Anthias. Palau offers visitors a

rare mixture of big attractions and colorful soft corals.

23

Left, the first cayman aggressor crew in 1984. right, today’s crew aboard the fourth generation cayman aggressor.

Then... and Now

sure, hairstyles and scuba gear have changed since the first charter in1984,

but service from an attentive crew remains an aggressor staple. Divers still receive a

warm deck towel and hot chocolate after night dives, and Thursday dinner

aboard the cayman aggressor IV is still“Turkey Night.” and, at the end of every dive, guests are greeted with a smile and

“How was your dive?”

Mik

e M

esgl

eski

25it All Started in the Cayman islands!

[ 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 0 9 ]

24

CA

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AN

IS

LA

ND

S


if there is a Diving Nirvana, it would include an Aggressor Fleet

ship. On a father-son trip aboard Cayman Aggressor iV, my dad—who

learned to SCUBA dive at age 72—started with two dives in his log

book. He finished with 14 and the experience of a lifetime. To this day,

he brags about the relaxed, fun and easy diving (especially Stingray City), his first night and deep

dives, and all the spectacular marine life so new and richly different. All this was possible thanks

to the Cayman Aggressor iV crew. Setting the standard for service, quality and care, they have

fully earned the reputation for The Ultimate in live-Aboards. - John ellerbrock, President, Gates Housings

Day 1 Arrival and BoardingGuests may board the yacht after 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Afternoon arrivals are met at the airport and trans-ferred to the Cayman Aggressor IV. At 6:00 p.m., dinner is served, followed by the Captain’s briefing and welcome party.

Day 2 Time to Get Wet!Beginning Sunday morning, guests may enjoy up to five dives each day. All dives are conveniently made from the mother-

ship. Excellent snorkeling is available for non-diving passengers. While you are diving, the chef prepares delicious snacks and scrumptious meals, served on schedule. Night diving is offered every night.

Days 3, 4 and 5 The North Wall Diving continues at Grand Cayman’s north, south and/or east end walls before the Aggressor makes an overnight, 90-mile journey to Little Cayman, weath-er permitting. Here, guests dive famous Bloody Bay Wall, a glorious coral Eden starting at only 16 feet! After several days at Little Cayman, the yacht cruises to Cayman Brac to explore the Capt. Keith Tibbetts, a 300-foot Russian destroyer.

Day 6 Stingray CityThe week culminates with a stop at world-famous Stingray City.

Day 7 Shopping in George TownAfter diving, the yacht returns to George Town at approximately 1:00 p.m. Friday. Guests may shop or sightsee in town. The Captain and crew host an evening cocktail party at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner in town.

Day 8 CheckoutCheckout is 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Guests are trans-ferred to the airport.


read the latest cayman dive reports on the “captain’s Log” at www.aggressor.com.

You may also make your vacation reservations online.

c aym an Itiner ary · saturday-to -saturday

“Diving Nirvana

”

Grand Cayman

Caribbean Sea

little Cayman

Cayman braC

Russian Destroyer

Nancy’s Cup of Tea 3 Fathom Wall Randy’s Gazebo Lea Lea’s Lookout

Tarpon AlleyStingray City

Babylon Fish Tank

George Town

Bonnie’s Arch

Spanish Anchor

Oro VerdeBalboa

Eagle Ray Rock Bat Caves

Pedro’s Pt.IronshoreGarden

25

26

Oceans for Youth Foundation is funded through grants, donations and fund-raising events. The foundation does not have an organizational overhead; therefore, all accom-plishments have been completed by board members, volunteers, directors and small committees. Free educational materials and instruction guides are produced and distribut-ed to teachers and volunteers world wide. We also continue to work on a new high-defini-tion video that supports volunteer efforts and marine science teachers at high school levels.

How Can I Help? You can help by becoming a volunteer. E-mail [email protected] for a free DVD that you may use for presentations. The presenter’s guide is available online at www.oceansforyouth.org. Other volunteers are needed to provide resources for the pro-duction of additional educational materials and/or assistance in fund raising.

Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.oceansforyouth.org

Dream about your next dive adventure, or recall fond memories of past vacations

while you sip your morning java. This mug, which is on sale for only $7.99, can be

found along with other customized Aggressor Fleet destination jackets, polos, hats, hoodies, patches, and more, online at:

www.aggressor.com/shop.

oCeans For yoUth FoUndation

Share your Passion with the

Next Generation

25th Anniversary Mug on Sale

Are you “In the Know”? If you are receiving aggressor Fleet’s Hot News monthly e-newsletter, then you are “in the know.” You are hearing about specials, events and News before anyone else. If you are not get-ting the Hot News delivered to your desktop, please sign up today at www.aggressor.com

Exotic Island Dancers. Ancient Mayan Ruins. Thrilling Cable Zipping Rides. White-Water Rafting. Aggressor destinations offer an incredible variety of topside activities

that you don’t want to miss. Our new travel department makes planning and reservations a snap! Our travel agents boasts over 30 years of extensive knowledge and training in airline ticketing and offers clients personalized itinerary options and competitive pricing. Our international airline specialist knows all aspects of air travel and the extensive needs of international and group travelers. Aggressor Fleet’s European cli-ents will appreciate our agents’ fluency in the German and Croatian languages. If you would like assistance with tours, hotels and airline travel for you and/or your group, please email [email protected] or by phone at 800-348-2628 or +1-985-385-2628. Extend your stay before or after your Aggressor vacation.

Here are just a few extended stay and land tours options:

800-348-2628 · [email protected] · www.aggressor.com27

live-aboard vaCations travel department

Get More Out of Your Vacation!

Belize• Jungle Survival Trek & Rainforest ATV• Aerial Trek & Jungle Cave Tubing• Lamanai Maya Site & The New River• Caracol Maya Site

peru• City Tour of Lima and Museum• Half-Day Tour of Colonial and Modern Lima• Larco Herrera Museum Tour• Culinary Tour with Lunch

ecuador• Cable Car up Pichincha Volcano• Chiva Express Cotopaxi National Park• Quito and Equatorial Monument• Tour of Otavalo Indian Market• Colonial Tour• Archaeological Tour• Quito City Tour

palau-yap, Micronesia• Yap Island add-on, diving, native culture tours

As an ongoing commitment to safety, Aggressor crews complete STCW training. STCW is a worldwide mandated training level for vessel crews. The week-long training includes first aid, water survival/abandon ship skills, two days of intense shipboard fire fighting and a course

in personal safety and social responsibility. Recently, two members of the Cayman Aggressor iV crew, Cassie Prideaux and Samantha Summers, attended STCW training.

safety, always the Priority

Yap, Micronesia

Costa Rica

Bring a Friend

Single Travelers, Couples are

Always Welcomeevery month, Aggressor Fleet

dedicates at least two charters for singles, couples and small groups.

No dive buddy? No problem, the Captain will buddy you up with another diver. if you are a single traveler, remember that

live-aboards are the safest, most hassle-free way to dive. The

reservation agent will assign you to a stateroom with a diver of the same gender, or you may choose to have a private room with our

single-supplement package.

$$

$

$

$

$$$

$

$

$ $

$

$

MONEY-SAVING SPECIALS• $100 discount for Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and EMS Personnel. (active & retired). (ID required at time of reservation for discount)

• $100 discount for active Airline Pilots and Flight Attendants. (ID required at time of reservation for discount)

• $100 discount for guests 65 and over. (Senior Discount)

• $200 discount for non-divers.

• $200 discount for consecutive charters.

• Military Personnel receive a 10% discount. (ID required at time of reservation for discount)

• Family Weeks – Kids ages 5-10 receive a 25% discount.

• Save $100 on your second trip within 12 months and $200 off your third trip within 12 months for Dive the World Club Members. *On Family Weeks, children ages 5-10 must stay in a cabin with a parent. On regular charters, the minimum age is 10 years. No discount applies. Money-saving specials cannot be used in conjunction with discounted charters. When multiple discounts apply, only the most generous will be applied to the charter rate. Please notify the agent of any discounts or vouchers at the time of booking. Notification after final payment will result in forfeiture of discount.

After your first charter, you are automatically enrolled in our

Dive the World Club. Benefits include:•

“Bring A Friend Weeks.” Your buddy dives for 50% off the charter rate or

singles can take 25% off the charter rate.•

10% off onboard services; boutique items, rental gear and more.

•Discounts on multiple charters taken

within the same year. Save $100 on your second trip within 12 months and $200 off

your third trip within 12 months.•

entry into our annual free-trip drawing.

Dive the world clubBring a Friend Weeks

*more weeks listed at www.aggressor.com

Belize Aggressor III: Nov. 7-14, 2009

Cayman Aggressor IV: Aug. 29-Sept 5, 2009

Fiji Aggressor II: Sept. 5-12, 2009

Galapagos Aggressor II: Feb. 11-18, 2010

Kona Aggressor III: Sept. 19-26, 2009

Maldives Aggressor: Oct. 18-25, 2009

Palau Aggressor II: Sept. 6-13, 2009.

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II: Aug. 29-Sept. 5, 2009

Utila Aggressor: Aug. 15-22, 2009

* No discounts apply to Bring a Friend Week charters.* Dates are subject to change.

28

Bring a Friend Twenty-five years ago I got a call from Paul Tzimoulis, then editor of Skin Diver Magazine.

He was excited, like a little kid with a new toy, because he had just come home from a trip on the newly launched Cayman Aggres-sor. He told me I needed to get my butt down to Grand Cayman to try this kind of diving— live-aboard diving. He told me that it was the best way an underwater photographer could travel, offering multiple dives per day, extended range of dive sites, and ultimate convenience. I took his advice and sampled what was then the ultimate live-aboard, hosted by Wayne and Anne Hasson. Times have changed and the Aggres-sor Fleet has expanded and flourished. As for me, I have been diving with Aggres-sor Fleet ever since. Beyond the Cayman

Aggressor (and every upgrade of Cay-man Aggressor ever since), I have also run whole boat charters aboard the North Sulawesi Aggressor, Tahiti Aggressor, Kona Aggressor, Antilles Aggressor, Red Sea Aggressor, Belize Aggressor, Turks and Caicos Aggressor, Palau Aggressor, Bay Islands Aggressor, and the Okeanos Aggressor. I go way back with Aggressor Fleet, but my favorite trip isn’t necessarily the one I’ve booked, but the one I’ve yet to experience. The Maldives Aggressor may be the next one, but wherever, whenever, I am comforted to know I’ll be served by a gracious and professional crew on a state-of-the-art live-aboard in a world-class dive destination. Congratulations to the Aggressor Fleet on the occasion of your 25th Anniversary. You’ve worked hard for your success. Thanks for the photo-ops.

—stephen frink, key Largo


Okeanos Crew offers Aid to Fellow Divers Many years ago, while traveling on another boat, I led a group of divers to Cocos Island. Unfortunately, one of our divers was injured and needed to be evacuated from this remote place. The boat’s Captain did not offer any help, was not worried about the diver and instead more worried about his economic interest than the health of the people. Under such circumstances, at midnight, we requested help from the

crew of the Okeanos Aggressor, who luckily were arriving in Cocos that same day. Imme-diately, they worked with us and gave invaluable assistance to our sick diver. It was at that moment that I decided my future expeditions to Cocos would be on the Okeanos Aggressor. Since then, I have guided nearly 40 groups on board different Aggressor yachts and as always, I return feeling as though I was at home among professionals and friends. If you have to count on the best crew during crucial moments, the Aggressor is in first place. Thank you for all these years of professional teamwork.

—ivan saLazar, Mare nostruM expediciones, Mexico

The Mare Nostrum Groups always have a good time!

Professional Photographer Stephen Frink Reflects on 25 Years of Live-aboard Diving

29


How I Became an Aggressor Addict!

[37 Charters and Counting]by guest Paul Gacek

Back in 1984, I got the urge to do a return trip to Grand Cayman, having been there the previous

year aboard the Cayman Diver, one of the early live-aboards. When I called See & Sea Travel in San Francisco, I learned that the Cayman Diver was no longer in operation but that a new live-aboard was beginning operations in September. Although I was somewhat reluctant to book a trip aboard a boat which was not yet running, I decided that the last week of November was probably safe – it gave them three months to get things smoothed out! The periodic phone calls to learn the status of the boat were nerve wracking as fall approached. Finally, in November, I got the good news— the boat had arrived! I landed in Grand Cayman on November 24, 1984, in time for the second charter on the new Cayman Aggressor! Due to conditions on Seven Mile Beach the boat was docked in Spotts Bay on the southwest corner of the island. At first glance it was obvious the Cayman Aggressor was way above the league of the live-aboards I was used to – Tropic Bird, Isla Mia, Cayman Diver and Don Jose. Spacious, well-designed and comfortable were my first impressions. And those impressions were substantiated as we spent the week cruising a variety of the best dive sites that Cayman has to offer. Over the years I have kept coming back to Aggressor. I am about to depart on my thirty-seventh Aggressor trip shortly, my fourteenth trip to Grand Cayman aboard the newest of the four Aggressors that have plied those waters. Trip number 38 is already booked for next April aboard the Utila Aggressor. I guess I’m hooked!

Artichoke-Cheese Dip by “Diver Barb,” Barb Jones

A delicious treat your friends can really dive into!

• (1) 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, chopped (not marinated)• (1) cup Parmesan cheese• (1/2) cup mayonnaise• (1/2) cup sour cream with a dash of garlic salt• 8 oz. cream cheese

Pour into greased pie plate. Bake at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes.“Guaranteed to bring in the fish!”

30

Then...From Drummer to your Dive Buddy

Do you Know Me? Perry Boyer, AKA Punky Peru in the rock and roll world, was born and raised in Southern California. in 1981, at age 19 he went on his first tour as a rock drummer. ironically, the first stop of the tour was Kona, Hawaii. Punky spent most of the 80’s drumming for his heavy metal band, Witch. He released two albums and toured with bands like Poison, Slayer, Megadeath and Great White. He even received Gold and Platinum Albums for his writing contributions with lita Ford. in the 1990’s, when the Metal music scene had taken a back seat to the new Grunge scene, Punky had trouble staying employed. Punky became Perry again and started teaching scuba diving. He spent the 90’s managing dive shops in Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey and running his own dive travel business. He also became a Captain, a PADi Course Director and honed his skills as an underwater videographer. in 2002, he went to work as a Sales Consultant for PADi America and now works aboard the Kona Aggressor ii.

I remember my first Aggressor trip back in 1984. I enjoyed it so much that I made 19 additional trips with the fleet. My husband often accompanied me. The most memorable trip was when I celebrated a birthday on board the Cayman Aggressor. Unfortunately, my husband could not be with me on that trip, but he didn’t forget my birthday. During a dive on my birthday, one of the crew motioned me over and I thought he had spotted a good photo opportunity. It was even a better surprise. I discovered a birthday card sealed in plastic from my thoughtful husband tucked in the reef at eighty feet under. Thanks, Aggressor, for many happy memories.

A Birthday Surpriseby guest Barb Jones

Bob Clark, actor Leslie Nielsen, and Wayne Hasson at the DEMA Show

“

25 A great big Congratulations on

your 25th Anniversary. –leslie & Barbaree Nielsen

Aggressor Fleet live-aboards have truly earned their excellent

reputation as a premier diving service. For 25 years, they have set the standard for

live-aboards and outstanding service.–Bob Clark, Founder, Scuba Schools international

Then...

31

”

“ ”

Day 1 Big Island ReceptionGuests arriving at Keahole Airport Saturday after-noon are transferred to the yacht. Passengers may board after 6:00 p.m. Once everyone is aboard, the yacht departs for its first anchorage while the chef serves a scrumptious dinner. Afterwards, the Captain gives a safety briefing, followed by a welcome party.

Day 2 Time to Get Wet!With lava flows in the background, divers suit up for the first dive, which begins Sunday morning. Guests may enjoy up to five dives each day. Excellent snor-keling is available for non-diving passengers. While you are diving, the chef prepares delicious snacks and scrumptious meals, served on schedule. Night dives are offered throughout the week.

Days 3, 4, 5 and 6 The North Wall Diving continues Monday through Thursday along the Big Island’s western coast at favorites like Paradise Pinnacle, Tubestria Tunnel, The Hive, Turtle Pinnacle and Rob’s Reef. The yacht ventures far from the reach of day operators to beautiful South Point, the southernmost tip of Hawaii and the United States, weather permitting. Here you may encounter the rare Longnose Hawkfish, which hides among the Black Coral.

Close EncountersIf you are looking for wild nights, then you’ll love Hawaii’s nightlife! Soaring mantas glide within feet of divers’ masks during one of Aggressor’s signature dives. The yacht’s lights attract swarms of plankton and hungry mantas are not far behind.

Day 7 Shopping in KonaAfter diving, the Kona Aggressor II returns to Kailua-Kona at approximately 1:00 p.m. The Captain andcrew host an evening cocktail party at 5:00 p.m. The crew will assist you with dinner at a local Kona restaurant.

Day 8 CheckoutCheckout is 8:00 a.m. Saturday. Guests are trans-ferred to the Kailua-Kona airport. Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.

Kona Itiner ary · saturday-to -saturday

Immerse Yourself in

the Aloha Spirit

32

From Drummer to your Dive Buddy

Do you Know Me? Former Heavy Metal drummer “Punky Peru” is now Captain Perry Boyer. He is one of the Captains and Video Pro aboard the Kona Aggressor ii. in his spare time, he still plays drums and writes music. He enjoys working for the Aggressor Fleet.

Kona Aggressor II Capt. Perry (right) shares a few video tips with an Aggressor guest.

KO

NA, H

AW

AII

and Now.


Kailua-Kona

Volcano Nat. Park

Only Kona Aggressor II

guests explore the uninhabited

southernmost point of

the Big Island!

hawaii

Underwater volcanic craters and lava tubes

create a playground for Turtles, Dolphin,

Frogfish, Sharks and an endless list of endemic

fish, included several species of Butterfly Fish.

and Now.

Rainbow Reef

Au Au CraterThe Hive

Wall’s Wall

Okeo Bay

Kalokos ArchesAquarium

Garden Eel Cove

AmphitheaterMeadows

Manuka Bay

Rob’s Reef

33

Our commitment to family diving vacations began in 1998. The family scuba and snorkeling program has since expanded to many destinations around the world. Some fami-lies have spent several summer

vacations at sea and parents have watched their children grow up on Aggressor yachts. Here is a sample of some of the fun things you and your kids will do together: • Snorkeling and Scuba diving (youth 10 and over) • Fish and coral I.D. • Beachcombing and seashore creature I.D. • Small boat handling and fishing • Plankton sampling with a microscope • Underwater photography and video • Water safety and water-oriented games • Local culture and customs • Scavenger hunts

Diving Buddies:

anne and her daughter

caroline explore the

russian Destroyer wreck

in cayman Brac.

2009-2010 Family WeeksUtila AggressorJune 20-27, 2009 *

July 31-augut 7, 2010**

Turks & Caicos Aggressor IIJuly 11-18, 2009*

July 17-24, 2010**

Belize AggressorJuly 11-18, 2009**June 19-26, 2010**

Cayman AggressorJuly 25 - august 1, 2009**

July 3-10, 2010**

Dates are subject to change.*camp counselor Piers van der walt

**camp counselor wayne Hasson

Family Weeks: Share the Joy of Diving Together

A full line of customized Aggressor Fleet destination jackets, polos, hats,

hoodies, rash guards, t-shirts, and much more, are now available on the web at: www.aggressor.com/shop.

You can even choose your destination logo!

New Aggressor Fleet Online Boutique

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Ladies Bring Down the Boat!

by guest Patty Seery

The third time was a charm on the Utila Aggressor! The Lady GoDivers just completed their third trip aboard an Aggressor yacht with all the usual pampering we’ve come to expect from the Aggressor Fleet! The week started with dolphins playing in the wake of the boat. The early week night dives were only part of the excitement as a meteorite shower graced the night sky for the first few nights. That was a view you just can’t get from most land-based operations! The spectacular diving at a variety of dive sites graced our days. We added our own fun with birthday celebrations and tribal dancing (oh, yea!). And, as with any group, we had our own inside stories and jokes which were bound to “bring down the boat” with laughter. Antics both above and below the water give us stories to take home and memories to carry us through the mundane life on the surface once we returned to our respective homes. The Lady GoDivers is an all-women dive club bringing together women from a variety of career backgrounds, geographic locations, ages, and dive experience levels into the ultimate girlfriend getaway! The group is comprised of office workers, health care providers, business owners, military personnel (when they can join us), teachers, and students, as well as other career fields. Some women have come in as complete strangers and left as best of friends. And we have had several mother-daughter pairs join us on our excursions. Dive experience levels go from novice to Scuba Master Instructor. It has proven to be a great initiation into the underwater world for members of the group who are still getting their gills wet and the Aggressor crews are masters at easing fears and polishing skills. The Aggressor experiences are the best among our adventures together and we so look forward to each opportunity to enjoy and indulge in another Aggressor dive pampering experience!

Tempe Yuke • 3 Cups Tofu• 3 Cups Tempe (a cultured soybean cake originating from Indonesia)• 3 Cups Cashews • 5 Finger length Red Chillies• 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil • 3 Tablespoon Sweet Soy SauceIn a wok, deep fry the tofu, tempe, and cashews in half of the olive oil and set aside. Chop the fingerlength chillies and set aside. Heat the rest of the oil in the wok and add the tofu, tempe and cashews, then add the sweet soy sauce and chillies. Serve Hot.

Makes enough for 6 guests as a side dish. This dish is the easiest to prepare and is the most asked-for tofu dish that we do each week. For best results, serve as hot as possible.

by Alan Lawlor, Chef, North Sulawesi Aggressor

800-348-2628 · [email protected] · www.aggressor.com35

A New Horizon

M A l D i V e S

The new maldives aggressor offers guests the finest live-aboard amenities in the Indian ocean.

Our quest to bring you the world’s best diving continues in our newest

destination. The Maldives offers three distinctly different types of diving,

which includes inside the atolls, outside the atolls and inside the channels

or passes, where the currents are strongest and you’ll find the greatest

concentration of fish life. The Maldives’ larger inhabitants include

Napoleon Wrasses, Manta Rays, eagle Rays, and several shark species,

even Whale Sharks.

scattered across the equator in the middle of the Indian ocean, southwest of India, the gem-like islands of the maldives depict the rare vision of a tropical paradise.

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MA

LD

IV

ESItinerary I: North Malé, South Malé and

Felidoo Atolls

Day 1 Welcome AboardBoarding 5:00 p.m. Sunday, followed by dinner and a welcome briefing.

Days 2 and 3 Kuda Giri WreckDiving begins at the Kuda Giri Wreck. Some of the week’s earlier dive sites include Kandooma Thila, Guraidhoo Corner, Cocoa Corner and Medhu Faru.

Day 4 Coral Ceilings and Sizzling Shark ActionGuraidhoo Corner, Miyaru Kandu and Fotteyo, one of the week’s highlights, are on tap. Fotteyo, a photographer’s paradise, has overhangs and cave ceilings that are covered in soft corals. You may encounter sharks, Titan Triggerfish and schools of Sweetlips.

Days 5 and 6 Ambara Thila’s Amazing AnemonesDiving continues Thursday at Fotteyo, Rakeed-hoo Kandu, and Vattaru Kandu, where Leopard Sharks and Manta Rays are often seen. Mulaku Kandu, Rakeedhoo Kandu, Ambara Thila, which is home to hundreds of anemones, and Kudiboli Kandu are Friday’s scheduled dives.

Day 7 Farewell Dives with MantasThe week culminates with stops at Guraidhoo Corner, Embudhoo Express, Victory Wreck and Manta Point, a Manta Ray cleaning station. Afternoon activities include snorkeling and a visit to Malé.

Day 8 CheckoutCheck out is 8:00 a.m. Sunday. Day rooms in Malé are available for up to 12 hours.

Itinerary II: Ari Atoll

Day 1 Welcome AboardBoarding 5:00 p.m. Sunday, followed by dinner and a welcome briefing.

Day 2 High-Adrenaline Diving!The week kicks off Monday at Rasdhoo-Madivaru, one of the most spectacular reef formations in the Ari Atoll, with residents like Hammerhead Sharks, Manta Rays, Trevally and much more.

Days 3 though 6 Blue Caves and PanettoneThe crew escorts you to fabulous sites like Madivaru-Hammerheads, Ukulhas Thila, Miyaruga Thila and Panettone. One of the week’s many unique sites is Maalhoss Thila, also called “Blue Caves,” where the cave ceilings are covered in white and blue soft corals.

Day 7 Back to MaléDiving wraps up Saturday morning at Maamigili Faru and Kudarah Thila. Snorkeling and touring in Malé are offered Saturday afternoon.

Day 8 CheckoutCheck out is 8:00 a.m. Sunday. Day rooms in Malé are available for up to 12 hours.


Malé

malé atoll

soUth malé atoll

Felidhe atoll

mUlaKU atoll

KolhUmadUlU atoll

north nilandhoo

atoll

soUth nilandhoo

atoll

ari atoll

rasdhoo atoll

FaadhippolhU atollIndian

Ocean

Two e xciting m aldives Itiner aries · sunday-to -sunday*The i t inerar ies are weather dependent and at the d iscret ion of the capta in

Photos by Steve Frink

Itineraries may vary due to weather conditions and yacht location.

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Vacation Packages, rates and DetailsPrices USD.

Belize Aggressor III , Belize City· Length: 100 feet, Beam: 22 feet· Passengers: 18, Crew: 6· 1 Master stateroom (double bed)· 7 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)· 1 Deluxe stateroom (2 singles)

Jan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010: master $2,795; deluxe $2,595Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011: master $2,895; deluxe $2,695Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 5 1/2 days of unlimited diving.Group rates: 16 paying gets 2 free, or 8 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Saturday.Transfer provided from Belize City (BZE) International Airport to and from the yacht on the day of the charter. Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees: $95 Port Fee collected on board, $35 airport departure tax.· Airlines: American Airlines, Continental, Delta, US Airways and Taca.· Recommended Hotels in Belize City: Radisson Ft. George (walking distance to yacht).· Additional activities in Belize: Cave tubing, Belize Zoo tour, Lamanai Ruins and Canopy tour. Diving environment· Dolphin, Tarpon, Sharks, Eagle Rays, Walls and Reefs with abundant marine life and macro critters.· All dives from mothership.· Water temperature: 78° - 82°F, 25° - 28°C,· 3mm wetsuit recommended.

Cayman Aggressor IV, George Town, Grand Cayman· Length: 110 feet, Beam: 22 feet· Passengers: 18, Crew: 6· 1 Master stateroom (queen bed)· 6 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)· 2 Twin staterooms (2 singles), shared bathroomJan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010 master $2,795; deluxe $2,595; twin $2,395Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011 master $2,895; deluxe $2,695; twin $2,495Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 5 1/2 days of unlimited diving.Group rates: 16 paying gets 2 free, or 8 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Saturday.Guests are greeted at Grand Cayman (GCM) International Airport on the afternoon of charter. Local law does not allow crew to transport guests to the boat, however, you are reimbursed for taxi fare. Transfer provided to Grand Cayman (GCM) International Airport from boat at the end of charter. getting There, Hotels and Tours· Airlines: American Airlines, Air Jamaica, British Air, Cayman Airways, Continental, Delta, US Airways, Northwest and Spirit.· Recommended Hotels: Sunset House and Comfort Suites.· Additional activities in George Town: Turtle Farm Tour, and duty-free shopping. Diving environment· Sharks, Turtles, Stingrays, Eagle Rays, Wrecks, Lobster, Walls and Reefs with abundant marine life and macro critters.· All dives from mothership· Water temperature: 78° - 82°F, 25° - 28°C,· 3mm wetsuit recommended.

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Fiji Aggressor II, Suva, Fiji · Length: 106 feet, Beam: 30 feet· Passengers: 18, Crew: 8· 9 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)

Jan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010: deluxe $2,795; double $2,595Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011: deluxe $2,895; double $2,695Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 5 1/2 days of unlimited diving.Group rates: 16 paying gets 2 free, or 8 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 1:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 7:30 a.m. SaturdayTransfer provided to boat from Suva (SUV) Airport on the day of charter at 10:30 a.m. The boat docks at the Tradewinds Hotel. Transfer provided to Suva (SUV) Airport at 7:30 a.m. at the end of charter. Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees: $150 VAT, $15 Kabulau’s Namena Barrier Reef Park Fee and 17.5% VAT tax on onboard purchases (paid by cash or credit card).· Airlines: Air Pacific and Air New Zealand.· Fiji’s rich island culture is one of the most well-preserved in the Pacific.· Recommended Hotels: Raffles Gateway in Nadi and the Tradewinds in Suva. Diving environment· Brilliantly colored soft corals, Anemones, Blue-ribbon eels, Mantas, Sharks and pelagics.· Dives from skiff and mothership.· Water temperature: 75°- 84°F, 24°- 29°C (May-November is peak season, 78°F average water temperature). · 3mm-5mm wetsuit recommended.

Galapagos Aggressors I & II, San Cristobal, Galapagos · Length: 100 feet, Beam: 22 feet· Passengers: 14, Crew: 9· 3 Master staterooms (2 singles or 1 queen upon request)· 4 Deluxe staterooms (2 singles)Jan. 1, 2009 - Jan. 7, 2010: master suite $4,295; deluxe $4,095Jan. 7, 2010 - Jan. 6, 2011: master suite $4,695; deluxe $4,495

Charter length: Thursday to Thursday with 5 1/2 days of diving (3-4 dives per day, plus an average of 4 guided land tours per week).Group rates: 13 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 1:00 p.m. Thursday. Check out: 9:00 a.m. Thursday.Transfer provided to boat from San Cristobal (SCY) airport on the day of charter. Transfer provided to San Cristobal (SCY) airport from boat at the end of charter. (Airport is ten minutes away.) Fees, getting There and Tours · Taxes & Fees: All paid in cash: $100 Park fee, $10 Galapagos Visitor’s Visa Card. Departure tax: $26 Guayaquil or $41 Quito.· Airlines: American Airlines, Continental and Delta; AeroGal into San Cristobal.· Recommended Hotels: an overnight stay is required and recommended in Guayaquil prior to the trip. Hilton, Unipark in Guayaquil.· Additional activities: Quito city tour, Otavalo Market. Diving environment· Known for Schooling Hammerhead Sharks, Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Marine Iguanas, Blue-footed Booby Birds, Galapagos Sharks, White-tip Sharks, Seahorses and giant Tortoises.· All dives from skiffs.· Water temperature: 70° - 82°F, 21° - 28°C (December - May) 60° - 75°F, 16° - 24°C (June - November) cooler thermoclines. · 5mm-7mm wetsuit recommended.

Vacation Packages, rates and Details (continued)

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Kona Aggressor II , Kailua-Kona, Hawaii· Length: 80 feet, Beam: 28 feet· Passengers: 14, Crew: 6· 5 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)· 1 Quad (1 double, 3 singles)Jan. 2, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010 deluxe $2,435; quad $2,235

Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011 deluxe $2,635; quad $2,435Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 5 1/2 days of unlimited diving.Group rates: 13 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Saturday.Transfer provided to boat from Kona (KOA) airport on the day of charter. Transfer provided to Kona (KOA) from boat at the end of charter. getting There, Hotels and Tours · Airlines: Hawaiian Air, Delta and United fly into Kona (Continental, United and several other major airlines fly into Honolulu)· Recommended Hotels: Royal Kona Resort, Castle Reef Resort and King Kamehameha.· Additional activities on Hawaii: Helicopter Volcano Tour, Golfing, Mountain Biking, and Deep-sea Fishing. Diving environment· More than 20% of Hawaiian reef fishes are found nowhere else in the world, including countless Butterfly Fish and Angelfish. Other marine species include: Hawaiian Lionfish, Dolphin, Turtles, Mantas, Frogfish, Scorpion Fish and Eels. Humpback Whales migrate through Hawaii November through February.· All dives from mothership· Water temperature: 72° - 80°F, 22° - 26°C, · 3mm-5mm wetsuit recommended.

Maldives Aggressor, Male, Maldives· Length: 115 feet, Beam: 26 feet· Passengers: 20, Crew: 10· 6 Deluxe staterooms (One Double, one single)· 4 Deluxe staterooms (two singles)Jan. 4, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2011: deluxe $2,635; twin $2,435Charter length: Sunday to Sunday with 5 1/2 days of diving.Group rates: 18 paying gets 2 free, or 9 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Sunday.Transfer provided to yacht from Male (MLE) International Airport on the day of charter. Transfer provided to Male (MLE) International Airport from boat at the end of charter. Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees: $8 per day bed tax.· Airlines: Singapore Air, Emirates Airline, Sri Lanka and Delta.· Recommended Hotels: Bandos Island Resort. Day room recommended on the day of departure at the Hulhule Island Hotel.· Additional activities: Hiking at Bundala National Park, tours of Anuradhapura Ancient Ruins and local tea plantations, all in Sri Lanka. Diving environment· Incredibly healthy reefs are home to brightly colored Anthias, Leafish, soft corals and Napoleon Wrasses. Big animals include Manta Rays, Hawksbill Turtles, Whale Sharks and schooling Gray Reef Sharks.· All dives from skiff.· Water temperature: 80° - 86°F, 27° - 30°C. · 3mm wetsuit recommended.

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Okeanos Aggressor, Puntarenas, Costa Rica· Length: 110 feet, Beam: 24 feet· Passengers: 22, Crew: 8· 9 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)· 1 Quad stateroom (2 doubles with 2 singles)

Eight-day charters: Jan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 11, 2010: deluxe $3,335; quad $2,935Jan. 11, 2010 - Jan. 11, 2011: deluxe $3,835; quad $3,435Eight-day charters are Saturday to Sunday with 5 days of diving (3-4 dives per day).Ten-day charters: Jan. 13, 2009 - Dec. 25, 2009: deluxe $3,735; quad $3,335Dec. 25, 2009 - Jan. 7, 2011: deluxe $4,235; quad $3,835Ten-day charters are Tuesday to Friday with 7 days of diving (3-4 dives per day).Group rates: 20 paying gets 2 free, 10 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: Dependent upon tide schedule. Check out: 7:30 a.m. the morning of departure.Transfer provided to boat from the host hotels (Alta Hotel and Marriott Courtyard) in San Jose on the day of the charter. Please visit the Okeanos Aggressor web page, www.aggressor.com/subpage10.php, for a departure schedule. Transfer provided to the host hotels (Alta Hotel and Marriott Courtyard) or San Jose (SJO) airport from boat at the end of charter Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees: $175 Park fee for 8 day trip, $245 Park fee for10 day trip, $26 airport departure tax (All fees and taxes must be paid in cash)· Airlines: American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Lacsa and US Airways· Recommended Hotels: Alta Hotel and Marriott Courtyard in San Jose. An overnight stay in San Jose is required prior to the trip. · Additional activities in Costa Rica: White-water rafting, Arenal Volcano, Coter Rain Forest tour, Irazu Volcano National Park and Miramar Canopy tour. Diving environment, okeanos aggressor· Known as one of the world’s best big animal destinations. Pelagics include Schooling Hammerhead Sharks, White-tip sharks, Whale Sharks, Tuna, Manta Rays and Turtles. Giant Frogfish are also a favorite. · All dives from skiffs· Water temperature: 72° - 82°F, 22° - 28°C with cooler thermoclines. · 3mm wetsuit recommended.

Palau Aggressor II, Koror, Palau· Length: 106 feet, Beam: 30 feet· Passengers: 18, Crew: 6· 8 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)· 1 Double stateroom on deck (two doubles)Jan. 4, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010 deluxe $3,035; double $2,835Jan. 3, 2010 - Jan. 2, 2011 deluxe $3,135; double $2,935Charter length: Sunday to Sunday with 5 1/2 days of diving.Group rates: 16 paying gets 2 free, or 8 paying gets1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Sunday.Transfer provided to boat from Koror (ROR) International Airport, or hotel, on the day of charter. Transfer provided to Koror (ROR) International Airport, or hotel, from boat at the end of charter. Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees: USD$35 Weekly Cabin Tax, USD$55 Dive Tax, USD$20 Airport departure fee· Airline: Continental Micronesia· Recommended Hotels: Palau Pacific Resort and Palau Royal.· Additional activities in Palau: Kayaking, crocodile farm tour and WWII tours.

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Palau Aggressor II (cont.) Diving environment· Known for Grey Reef Sharks, White-tipped Sharks, Manta Rays, Cuttlefish, Mandarin Fish, WWII wrecks, and Stingless Jellyfish at Jellyfish Lake. · All dives from skiff.· Water temperature: 80° - 82°F, 27° - 28°C. 3mm wetsuit recommended.

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II, Providenciales (April- Dec.)· Length: 120 feet, Beam: 22 feet· Passengers: 18, Crew: 6· 1 Master (queen)· 6 Deluxe (double with single)· 2 Twin (2 singles with shared bathroom) Jan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010 master $2,895; deluxe $2,595; twin $2,395 Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011 master $2,995; deluxe $2,695; twin $2,495Scuba Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 5 1/2 days of unlimited diving.Group rates: 16 paying gets 2 free, or 9 paying gets 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Saturday.Transfer provided to boat from Providenciales (PLS) International Airport on the day of charter. Transfer provided to Providenciales (PLS) International Airport from boat at the end of charter. Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees Scuba Charter: USD$45 bed tax· Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, Spirit and US Airways fly into Providenciales. · Recommended Hotels: Comfort Suites in Provo.· Additional activities: Golfing, Iguana Farm, Conch Farm, Bone Fishing, and shopping in Provo. Diving environment· Known for sheer walls with healthy corals including huge Orange Elephant Ear Sponges. Marine species include Gray Reef Sharks, Angelfish, Eagle Rays, Horse-eye Jacks, Lobster, Snapper, Garden Eels and Nurse Sharks. · All dives from mothership.· Water temperature: 78° - 84°F, 25° - 29°C. · 3mm wetsuit recommended.

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II, Snorkeling Only Humpback Whale Expeditions, Puerto Plata, D.R. (Feb. - April)February - April 2010 - 2011 master $3,295; deluxe $2,995; twin $2,795Humpback Whale Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 4 1/2 days of whale encounters.Group rates: 16 paying gets 2 free, or 9 paying gets 1 free.

Boarding and Transfers*The first Whale charter begins in Grand Turk and ends in Puerto Plata. The last charter begins in Puerto Plata and ends in Grand Turk. All charters in between operate from Puerto Plata.Boarding: 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Saturday.Transfers Humpback Whale Charters: Transfer provided to boat from Puerto Plata (POP) International Airport on the day of charter. Transfer provided to Puerto Plata (POP) International Airport from boat at the end of charter.

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Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours· Taxes & Fees Whale Charter: USD$150 Whale Sanctuary fee and port fee in Grand Turk and Puerto Plata. Professional photographers and videographers must pay an additional fee.· Airlines: American Airlines and Continental fly into Puerto Plata. Sky King flies into Grand Turk and offers other inter-island flights. · Recommended Hotels: Sun Village Resort in Puerto Plata, D.R. and Salt Raker Inn in Grand Turk. snorkeling environment· Guests may swim with Humpback Whales. Guides are with guests at all times. Fantastic topside photo opportunities are available from skiffs and mothership.· All snorkeling from skiffs.· Water temperature: 78° - 84°F, 25° - 29°C. · 3mm wetsuit recommended.

Utila Aggressor II, Utila, Honduras· Length: 100 feet, Beam: 22 feet· Passengers: 14, Crew: 6· 5 Deluxe staterooms (double with single)· 1 Quad stateroom (4 singles)Jan. 3, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010: deluxe $2,495; quad $2,195Jan. 2, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011: deluxe $2,595; quad $2,295Charter length: Saturday to Saturday with 5 1/2 days of diving.Group rates: 13 paying gets, 1 free. Boarding and TransfersBoarding: 3:00 p.m. Saturday. Check out: 8:00 a.m. Saturday.Transfer provided to boat from the Utila airport on the day of charter. Transfer provided to the Utila airport from boat at the end of charter. Fees, getting There, Hotels and Tours, Utila aggressor (cont.)· Taxes & Fees: USD$33 Airport departure fee, USD$95 Port Fee collected on board.· Airlines: Continental, American Airlines, Delta, Spirit, US Airways and Taca into San Pedro Sula (SAP). Utila Aggressor Charter Flight: Charter flight from San Pedro Sula to Utila is at 3:00 pm. At the end of the week, the return flight from Utila to San Pedro Sula is at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $150 and paid on board.· Additional activities: Copan Mayan ruins and zipline tours on mainland.· Recommended Hotels: Crown Plaza in San Pedro Sula and Laguna Beach Resort on Utila. Diving environment· Whale Sharks (February-March and August-September), Dolphin, Eagle Rays, Sharks, Seahorses, Horse-eye Jacks, Stargazer and Frogfish are a few of the marine creatures you will encounter. Utila and Roatan are also known for their sheer walls, which have huge Barrel Sponges and giant Gorgonians.· All dives from mothership.· Water temperature: 78° - 82°F, 25° - 28°C. · 3mm wetsuit recommended.



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CHARTERS INCLUDE:

• Accommodations aboard the yacht • Diving • Compressed air tanks, weights & weight belts •

• Airport and/or Hotel transfers on day of charter •

• All meals and snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, local beer and wine •

(We are happy to accommodate most special dietary requests) •

CHARTERS DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Airfare (international and domestic) • Insurance • Equipment rentals •

• Nitrox fills • Certification or specialty courses •

• Hotel stays/day rooms • Dinner on final evening • Crew gratuity •

• Port/park fees and/or taxes (when applicable and subject to change without notice) •

Aggressor Fleet expects pas-sengers to have a safe and fun dive vacation as they leave their

worries at home. We understand that our guests take their vacation time seriously. A named meteorologi-cal disturbance can make the seas rough everywhere, adversely affecting valuable dive time. This is why Aggressor Fleet has developed a “StormCheck” poli-cy. This policy will compensate guests who lose days of diving on Aggressor Fleet charters as a result of a named meteorological disturbance. Any guest whose diving is interrupted as a result of a named storm will receive a credit voucher based on the number of days of diving missed in the form of a “StormCheck”. If the entire charter week is cancelled in advance due to a storm’s predicted path and land-fall as forecasted, guests will automatically receive a “StormCheck” voucher for the total amount of their Aggressor Charter. “StormCheck” vouchers allow guests to return to that destination within one year of the interrupted trip. The “StormCheck” applies to passengers who do not receive compensation from their trip insurance carrier. “StormCheck” vouchers are not issued when the guest is unable to get to the destination due to transportation issues, whether a re-sult of the storm or any other conditions and the yacht is not affected for the entire charter.

All Aggressor Fleet franchises have comprehensive storm plans. Before the start of the storm season, Ag-gressor Fleet franchisees are reminded to train and test all crewmembers’ skill and knowledge of storm procedures using mock demonstrations to prepare them for the real thing. Aggressor Fleet franchisees are required to monitor the NOAA website (www.noaa.gov) daily and to keep appraised of information on local weather broadcasts and government infor-mation services. If weather forecasts or conditions appear threatening to the safety of the passengers and crew, the captain will make necessary arrangements to evacuate guests. The captain will order and arrange for guests to be removed from the vessel, accompa-nied by a crew member and taken to an inland resort/hotel or government approved shelter. The vessel will be moved to a sheltered harbor away from the storm’s predicted path, prepared and secured by the remain-ing crew. Aggressor Fleet has been exploring the world since 1984 and to date can boast that less than a handful of times has a storm procedure been necessary. Ag-gressor Fleet has established these storm plans and procedures for the safety and comfort of Aggressor Fleet guests.

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Our Vacation Guarantee!

introduction to scuBa $150Non-divers discover the beauty of scuba diving, all under the guidance of a personal dive instructor. Includes all equipment and two open-water dives.

open water certification $300Get your scuba certification in one week. Learn all aspects of scuba needed for safe and fun diving activities with your private instructor including, lectures, confined water, entries, exits, ascents, descents, navigation, emergency procedures and buoyancy control. All final check-out dives, written and practical tests and equipment included.

open water cHeck-out dives $150Complete pool and classroom work at home, bring a referral from your instructor, and you can complete your training with our professional onboard instructors.

Master diver $300 This certification is the highest skill level a recreational diver can achieve. The Master Scuba Diver indicates you have a significant amount of training and experience in a variety of dive environments. Prior to the course, you must have com-pleted the following: Advanced Open Water, First Aid, CPR and three specialty courses. The Master Diver certification includes two additional specialty courses of your choice. Registration/card fee and books not included in any course price.

specialty courses $150 eacHAdvanced Open Water: This continuing education course includes three specialty dives of your choice such as deep diver, navigation, underwater naturalist, etc.

U/W Photographer or Videographer: This is an introduc-tion to basic underwater photography using a digital or video camera. You’ll learn about the different lenses, cameras, strobes and techniques. This course gives students an over-view of digital still and/or digital video cameras, housings, lighting, exposure, storage and computer editing. Equipment is not included.

Night Diver: Learn how to plan a night dive using the proper signals and navigation. Discover marine life found only at night.

Deep Diver: Learn emergency decompression procedures, and how to plan deeper, safer dives, while understanding the risks involved in deep diving.

Environmental Diver: Learn about critters, fish, living coral and their behavior patterns. Discover where to find them and how to study them in their environment, what they eat and how they breathe.

certification courses & rental gear

nitrox divingNitrox Certification Course $150Includes all necessary equipment (tanks, use of oxygen analyzer, use of course materials, in-structor, and check out dives). Student may continue to dive Nitrox using the student fill rate the entire week once they have completed the course.

Nitrox Student Fills $80Includes all nitrox tank fills at 32% beyond the certifica-tion level and only available to those who take the course on board.

Nitrox Unlimited Fills $100Includes all Nitrox fills at 32% for certified Nitrox Divers. Proof of certification required.

dive equipMent rental

BC/Regulator $120 (combo/per charter); $60 (separately/per charter)Dive Computer $125 (per charter)Night Light $8 (per night)

u/w pHotograpHy

Digital U/W Photo Package: Includes digital camera, U/W housing, and strobe. We rec-ommend bringing 6-12 AA bat-teries and blank CDs. Batteries

are good for about two dives. AA batteries are included on the initial set-up. $100 per week / $25 per day

SLR and Aquatica Housing Package: Includes an Aquatica housing for the Nikon D80, which is 10.5 megs. $250 per week with photo specialty course $200

Blank CD Rom. $5 each

Souvenir DVD of your Aggressor vacation. $65To assure availability of courses, equipment, videos and programs, please reserve in advance.

†Equipment may vary between yachts. ††Due to remote locations, equipment availability is subject to change.

If any of your dive equipment fails while onboard, the crew will loan equipment to you, free of charge.

Subject to availability.

45 800-348-2628 · [email protected] · www.aggressor.com

Terms & conditionspayMent policy

Individuals : 40% of the charter rate is due within 14 days of the reservation. Final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure date.Groups (half yacht or more): A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $1,500 accompanied by a signed contract is required within 14 days of the reservation. Nine (9) months prior to departure date, an additional non-refundable, non-trans-ferable deposit of $3,500 deposit is due. Six (6) months prior to departure, 40% of the charter funds are due. Final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure date.Complimentary Spaces: Whole yacht charters that accommodate 14 passengers or less and are filled to capacity earn one free space. Whole yacht charters that accommodate 18 passengers or more and are filled to capacity, earn two free spaces. Half yacht charters on yachts that accommodate 18 passengers or more earn one free space. Free spaces are always consid-ered to be the lesser priced berth and must be designated prior to the charter. *There are NO half yacht free spaces offers on the Galapagos Aggressors and Utila Aggessor.

CANCELLATION POLICYIndividuals: If a cancellation is made: 1. 121 days or more prior to departure, 20% of the charter rate is forfeited. 2. 120 - 91 days prior to departure, 40% of the charter rate is forfeited. 3. 90 days or less prior to departure, 100% of the charter rate is forfeited and no refund is available.Groups (half yacht or more): If a charter is cancelled: 1. More than nine (9) months prior to departure, the $1,500 deposit is forfeited. 2. Nine (9) months to 181 days prior to departure, the $5,000 deposit is forfeited. 3. 180 - 91 days prior to departure, 40% of the group charter rate is forfeited. 4. 90 days or less prior to departure, 100% of the charter rate is forfeited and no refund is available.Groups (half yacht or more): If the number of passengers is reduced from original reservation: 1. More than nine (9) months prior to departure, the reservation may be reduced down to one paying passenger which will result in loss of complimentary space (s). 2. Nine (9) months to 181 days or more prior to departure, 20% of the charter rate per passenger cancelled is forfeited, and there is a reduction/loss of free space(s). 3. 180 - 91 days prior to departure, 40% of the charter rate per passenger cancelled is forfeited and there is a reduction/loss of free space(s). 4. 90 days or less prior to departure, 100% of the charter rate per person is forfeited and there is a reduction/loss of free space(s).

PAYMENTSWhen making payments, they should include confirmation number, yacht and charter date. Checks shall be made payable to Aggressor Fleet. There is a service charge of USD$30 per wire transfer. Each wire transfer is to include this additional amount. Reservations made ninety (90) days prior to departure date will require full payment made by credit card or certified USD funds (no personal checks) within 2 days of the reservation. • Aggressor Fleet accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Agent commissions will be reduced by 3% for the entire reservation when paying with a credit card. • Taxes and fees apply to all passengers. • Any revisions to a reservation must be in writing. • Prices subject to change without notice.

CRUISE APPLICATION/WAIVER POLICYThe Cruise Application/Waiver, found under Downloads, must be fully completed, signed (digitally or manually) and re-ceived by the Reservations Center (90) days prior to departure date. Passengers who fail to comply will be canceled and denied boarding. For those passengers traveling on back-to-back charters, a Cruise Application/Waiver must be completed and signed for each trip. If a reservation is made ninety (90) days or less prior to the charter date, completed and signed Cruise Application/Waiver must accompany full payment in accordance with the payment policies to confirm reservation.

INSURANCEEvery effort is made to ensure you have a safe trip but, we highly recommend purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance and accident, medical, and baggage insurance.FULL-CAPACITY CHARTER: A full-capacity charter is defined as the maximum number of passengers the yacht can carry.SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement rate is 1½ times the charter rate. 5/7/09

aggressor fLeet

800-348-2628 or +1-985-385-2628 · Fax: [email protected] · www.aggressor.com

46

Make your vacation reservations online at www.aggressor.com

Sunset photo by Jon Kreider

aGGressor Fleet partners

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