Chertan

Boat

The Chertan is a 18 Metre (60ft) dive yacht, built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. She is twin diesel-powered and has 110/240 volt power on board.

The Chertan has recently undergone a major refit to the cabins, their access and the dive deck.

The Chertan sleeps up to 10 guests in privacy and comfort.

The main deck has a nice air conditioned salon with a TV, a stereo player and a bar. The dining area and the galley are adjacent to the salon. The two main bathrooms are accessible from the deck. The upper deck is partially shaded has chairs and tables.

The dive deck is well equipped with personal gear boxes and an in-place fill station. Two camera tables and a closet are conveniently located for your camera.

The aft of the dive deck is equipped with exit ladders, fin storage and freshwater showers.

Cabin

The Chertan lower deck has 5 comfortable staterooms.

• Stateroom (no 5): Queensize bed and single bed, private head with shower, AC, porthole.

• Stateroom (no 3 & 4): Two bunk-style single beds, private head. Shower on the main deck, porthole.

• Stateroom (no 1 & 2): Two bunk-style single beds, head and shower on the main deck, porthole.

Diving

• Unlimited dives per day including night dive.

• Weights, weight belts and 12l aluminium tanks with standard yoke valves are included.

• All dives are from the mother ship.

Other information

• Nitrox available: 50 PKG /day.
• Rental Dive Equipment available： Consisting of BCD and regulator, rate on request and must be booked in advance.
• Dive Insurance： Mandatory.
• Travel Insurance : Strongly advised.
• Wi-Fi Internet Available： No.
• Payment on board： By cash only: AUD and local currency PGK (Papua New Guinean Kina).
• Crew gratuities : Not included, an average is 5 to 10% of your cruise price depending upon your satisfaction.
• Other: Kayak.

The Best of Milne Bay
Depending on seasons, creatures come and go in Milne Bay. Here are some of the outstanding dives site visited by Chertan on a regular basis.

Tania's Reef
A large coral mount coming from 140 ft to just 8 ft from the surface. Divers are able to dive around the full circumference of the reef with a single tank. The South side of the reef is littered with soft corals of all descriptions. Large schools of fish feed off this face. The reef also plays host to giant clams and turtles.

Cobb's Cliff
Steep drop off on one side down to 150+' rising to just 20' below the surface and dropping back in the center to a sandy lagoon to 60'. This site is frequently visited by large pelagics such as Manta Rays and Hammerhead Sharks. The reef also hosts a variety of macro subjects such as leaf scorpion fish, Rhinopious, Blue Ribbon Eels, Elegant Fire Gobys, and so much more.

Wahoo Point
A small point located on the North side of the mainland with a shelf from 15' to 50' in depth and dropping with a sheer wall down to 200+'. This site is frequently visited by Hammerheads, Manta Rays, occasionally Whale Sharks, Minki Whales and on two occasions, Orcas. The site also hosts a variety of anenomies, a school of Barracuda and very large Elephant ear sponges. A great place for wide angle photography.

Cherie's Reef
This is a beautiful drift dive along a slope that's covered with large Gorgonians and littered with large schools of fish. Particular Gorgonians host the infamous Pigmy Sea Horse.

Observation Point
A true rubble dive. Sand slopes going down 100' host snake eels, Star Gazers, Pipe fish, Flamboyant cuttle fish, Mimic Octopus, Spanish Dancers, Cuttle fish, Fire urchins with Coleman shrimp and the Bugs Bunny Scorpion fish.

Sponge Heaven
A sheer wall starting at 2' below the surface dropping to 200+' Honey combed with small caves. Huge variety of sponges and home to a variety of Nudibranchs, including the large Spanish Dancer.

Jason's Reef
A small coral mound located in 150 feet of water. This mound has large schools of Banner fish and Fusiliers as well as many pelagics. Also on this mound is the sought after Rhinopious or Weedy Scorpion fish.

Little China
A coral mound coming out of 150 feet of water. Typical of over 30 dive sites in close proximity. Large schools of fish over the front face, soft coral gardens where both macro and wide angle photographers can be more than satisfied.

Michelle's Reef
Located on the North Coast, this dive site provides both macro and wide angle. A shallow wall dropping off to 25 feet. Beautiful swim-through with gorgonians growing off the wall and sea bed. Able to shoot up into the jungle canopy from 20 feet of water. Also ideal for macro, a large variety of nudibranchs, Pegasus fish and on occasions Mimic octopus.

Crinoid City
Coral mound coming up from 120 feet of water. As it's name suggests, it plays host to a variety of crinoids. The front slope of this reef is covered with a variety of black coral trees. Off the slope, huge schools of fusiliers, anthias and jacks circle. Excellent for wide angle.

Pelagic Point
This dive site has relatively strong current and because of this there are large quantities of fish patrolling a steep wall dropping off to 130 feet. Sharks are often sighted on this site. The top of the reef which is approximately 215 feet, has a large number of bommies hosting a magnificent variety of sea life, ie: crabs, rays, rays not to mention all the fish.