Undersea Explorer is no more - trading ceases immediately

Our thoughts are with Louise and Grant, the owners of one of our favourite liveaboards in the world. The below release is from the GAZETTE, today 5 February:

UNDERSEA Explorer, widely recognised as one of the world’s best liveaboard dive boats, has closed its doors after more than ten years. Owner Louise Bernstein told the Gazette economic conditions had forced her to shut the company down. “Due to the current economic climate, Undersea is ceasing operations effective immediately,” she told the Gazette on Wednesday.

The company was previously owned by Victorian-based developer Rino Grollo, who sold it to Ms Bernstein three years ago. “I would like to thank all of our staff, guests, researchers, interns and agents for their support over the years,” Ms Bernstein said.

The staff were informed of Ms Bernstein’s decision on Tuesday afternoon. “We’re all very sad to see it go,” one staff member told the Gazette.

“The crew were all very committed and very passionate. “It’s not just any old boat.” Undersea Explorer has consistently won awards in diving magazines for its extended dive trips, which combine research with pleasure diving. Two seats on the boat were often dedicated to researchers studying sharks, minke whales and nautilus, deep-sea creatures related to octopus and squid.

Ms Bernstein said she has not yet decided what to do with the company.

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2009-02-04