10/05/2012
Hello everyone, it is no longer rumour. Today officially marked the completion of PROTEUS Diving. Family obligations, a rapidly expanding business and work commitments have conspired to convince me that I needed to make a choice; at the same time the right offer came along and, like the perfect storm, I decided to sell off PROTEUS in its entirety.
No regrets, I can say with my hand on my heart I have enjoyed this experience to its fullest. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight my entire time as an operator and, in particular, the last two years of operation. Two years with a great crew, some very interesting contracts, and the gifts of friends made, new clients, returning customers and, of course, the competition.
I would like to thank my outstanding crew, Captain Ken Lucas, Engineer Mike Hill and Engineer Matt Siddell and the others who have filled in periodically. You guys were always there, willing and able, forward thinking, courteous, competent, professional and friendly. Always ready to help out, quick with a joke, ready to assume risk, unafraid to take responsibility for your actions and prepared to shoulder consequences; you have no idea how refreshing that was to me or how much I appreciated it. Working with each of you was as easy as breathing; it was almost effortless and natural and, when you guys were operating without me, I never once had any concern with the safety of our passengers or PROTEUS. It has been a sincere pleasure working with each of you and I am a more enriched mariner because of it.
To our customers I think we have seen it all, we have had some supreme calm days on the water to some wild roller-coaster's that I'm sure topped the most ardent adrenaline junkies' lists. We have seen the needy, the neat and the new, we have seen the compromising, the cool and the crazy. From clear and unencumbered deck space to the piled high yard sales, newbie-novice and expert tech, young and less-young, hard core, soft core, funny and friendly we have enjoyed, I have enjoyed, sharing the passion of the sport with each and every one of you and, for some, that bond will always be there. I have appreciated and enjoyed your patronage and friendship; it has been a pleasure to serve you these past six years.
To the other operators; we came on to the lake unannounced, unexpectedly and with a significant chunk of ship. By some we were accepted by some we were avoided. I can say with conviction that the atmosphere on the lake amongst all operators is currently one of friendly cooperation; sharing contacts, sharing services, helping each other and POW in the preservation of our treasured dive sites and the collective promotion of the sport. I feel truly blessed to have played a part during that transformation and I am truly fortunate to have worked with and learned from such expert operators. I wish each of you the best of luck and success it the future seasons.
Do not fret, PROTEUS, in all her glory will continue to serve the diving community for years to come. PROTEUS is now in the caring, friendly and competent hands of Tobermory's Diver's Den. Larry and Lynn have taken possession of her and will sail her to her new home in the spring. I feel relieved that PROTEUS will become a part of such a distinguished and established organization and I encourage all PROTEUS fans to follow her there and continue to enjoy a great platform and great service.
In conclusion, it has been an honour and a privilege to have met, dove with, worked with and served all of you.
Stay Safe, bubbles-up, fair winds and a following sea.
