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Policies and Waiver / FAQ Please Read and Fill Out Our Policies and Waiver Please have this printed and filled out when you arrive the morning of your charter for a more timely departure Frequently Asked Questions General FAQs · Fishing FAQs · Spear-fishing FAQs · Diving FAQs General FAQs What do I NEED to bring? Waiver, fishing license, dive certification, food and drinks for the day (If you are diving or spearfishing no alcoholic beverages before going in the water or else you will not be allowed to dive) , sunscreen, weather appropriate attire, diving/spearfishing equipment, motion sickness supplements, and a cooler ( got to have some place to put your catch) When should I arrive at the dock? Plan to arrive at the dock at 6:30am giving you plenty of time to load your gear and meet the crew. The boat leaves at 7am sharp. You should print out and read the directions to the boat before the day of your trip. Otherwise you may miss your trip. If I am not fishing do I still need a waiver? YES! Everyone that is going to be on the boat must fill out a waiver NO EXCEPTIONS. Do I need a fishing license? As of September 1st 2007 any person, whether in state or federal waters, engaging in any kind of fishing must have on their person a Texas state fishing license with a saltwater fishing stamp. If you do not have one you WILL NOT be allowed to fish. This includes spear-fishing. The license must be presented to the captain along with the waiver when boarding the vessel. Click the link below to find locations near you to purchase fishing licenses. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/online_sales/ Can I book an individual spot or do I have to book the whole boat? At the moment, we are booking full charters only. Later in the season that may change. In the meantime, look at our calendar and contact the dive shops who have reserved certain dates to see if they have spots available. Do you provide food and beverages? Everyone aboard needs to bring enough food and plenty of drink for their own comfort and safety during a long, active day in the sun and sea. A reasonable number of coolers are allowed. What is your boat like? The ORION is a 38 foot (overall length) fiberglass fly-bridge sport boat with twin turbo diesel engines. The ORION has a large salon and cabin with berths as well as a bathroom and cool shower. The ORION’s hull is bright red and topsides are white. “ORION” is painted on the fish box on the stern of the boat and on the bow flare. Boat speed: Every year we see several people get hurt on chartered boats going too fast offshore. We caution people not to book a boat based on the published speed. This is an over-stated number by many boats since fuel burn rate prohibits going faster than about 14-18 knots in most comfortably sized boats. It is generally dangerous to pick a boat based on a captain’s willingness to sacrifice safety to go fast. The Orion’s actual cruise speed is determined by sea conditions and load just like any other boat. We do not promise a given rate of travel because this is very misleading and can often lead to injuries. The ORION’s light-load speed is 17-18 knots (about 18-20 mph) but in very rough seas can be as slow as a few knots. Our typical cruise is a comfortable 12-14 knots (faster if fishing without dive equipment). We are just as eager to get there as you are but your safety is more important to us. How do I avoid getting sea sick? The best cure for sea sickness is having fun, relaxing, and spending time at sea. Once you spend some time offshore you will realize that there is less to worry about than you might have imagined and a lot more fun to be had. There are some medications that can be obtained both over the counter and through your doctor. Please remember that certain behaviors will invariable cause sensitivity to motion. These are: consumption of alcohol in the 24 hours before or during the trip, greasy or acidic foods, not getting a full night’s sleep, and/or poor physical condition. Results vary from person to person but we use the less drowsiness formula of Dramamine taken once the night before and once when we wake up. The regular formula of Dramamine and Bomine also have shown good results but may make you drowsy. This is only our experience so please consult your doctor for any medical advice. What about the weather? Trips maybe canceled due to poor weather conditions. If the trip is canceled before leaving the dock you will be entitled to a full refund or we can reschedule your trip. We will post on our homepage by 12 noon the day prior to your trip whether or not you trip has been canceled due to weather. For up to the hour weather information go to one of the sites below. Please do not call us for weather reports. Forecast to 20 nautical miles offshore towards south from port Forecast to 20 nautical miles offshore towards north from port Forecast to 60 nautical miles offshore North buoy with current and historic wind and wave data South buoy with current and historic wind and wave data Will you clean the fish I catch? Our crew is not required to cut and clean any of the fish caught on charter trips. We can make arrangements to drop your fish off to be professionally cleaned at the Fisherman’s Wharf or Woody’s on the way back into harbor at additional cost to the customer. It is our standard procedure to stop there for fuel on our way back to dock. If you wish to clean the fish yourself, you are welcome to bring a filet knife and stop at the cleaning station at the harbor. What are the fishing regulations? All trips take place in either federal or state waters so we generally follow the more restrictive of state or federal regulations. Please be familiar with the regulations. Links are provided below. Link to State Fishing Regulations Link to Federal Fishing Regulations (click “Regulations” on Gulf Council website) Can I collect and fish and coral species on a dive trip? The private collection of ocean resources (i.e. live fish, corals, and other marine life) must be done so by the state and federal regulations. Any person collecting while on either of our vessels must present to the captain any and all required state and federal permits to do so. It also must be approved by our company headquarters well in advance of the trip and you will receive written permission that must be presented to the captain as well. If the trip is cancelled, is my deposit refunded? Cancellation by us: If, before departure, we cancel a trip due to weather, mechanical breakdown, insufficient booking, or any other discretion of the captain, we will issue a full refund. In most cases if a trip in process is cancelled due to mechanical breakdown then a prorated refund will be given considering the amount of time away from the dock. Decision is by Michael Miglini of Out to Sea Adventures. If a trip in process is canceled due to weather, injury, discipline problems, or decision by the captain to abort the trip for reason not directly controlled by us, then no refund is given. We do not guarantee that a person can achieve any certain goal including making all planned dives. Cancellation by passenger: A passenger may cancel their trip at any time before departing for any reason, however, since trip fees are fully earned at time of booking no refunds are given for cancellation by the passenger. Do you allow snorkeling and free-diving? You are welcome to either snorkel or free-dive on any of our trips while the boat is tied off to the rig structure, if there is time between dives or if it is in place of one of your tank dives. Unless it is a privately booked charter to do so, snorkeling and free-diving are not to interrupt the dive schedule for the day. How can I become a member of the crew? You must be a dive professional certified by a nationally recognized recreational SCUBA training agency (NAUI,PADI, SSI, etc.), have current professional liability insurance, will agree to be part of a DOT/USCG approved drug testing program, and can verify in writing sufficient professional experience that would qualify you to lead trips aboard the ORION. Please contact us for more info. How do I contact with more questions? Go to our Contact Us page on this site for our phone, e-mail, and local address Fishing FAQs Do I need a fishing license? As of September 1st 2007 any person, whether in state or federal waters, engaging in any kind of fishing must have on their person a Texas state fishing license with a saltwater fishing stamp. If you do not have one you WILL NOT be allowed to fish. This includes spear-fishing. The license must be presented to the captain along with the waiver when boarding the vessel. Click the link below to find locations near you to purchase fishing licenses. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/online_sales/ What is provided for on fishing trips? We provide bait, tackle, and ice for the fish while aboard our boat on our fishing charters. Also, a captain and a deck hand are included. Spear-fishing FAQs Do I need a fishing license? As of September 1st 2007 any person, whether in state or federal waters, engaging in any kind of fishing must have on their person a Texas state fishing license with a saltwater fishing stamp. If you do not have one you WILL NOT be allowed to fish. This includes spear-fishing. The license must be presented to the captain along with the waiver when boarding the vessel. Click the link below to find locations near you to purchase fishing licenses. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/online_sales/ What do I need to bring to spear-fish? You must bring all of your own equipment and ice for your fish. Please refer to Policies and Understandings for more important information on spear-fishing. Will you teach me to spear-fish? As part of a general trip no instruction is provided. Anyone bringing a spear gun or related equipment should already have full knowledge of how to operate, care for, and store it properly and safely. With advanced notice (while booking your trip) we may be able to arrange a tutorial on spear gun operation and fish identification depending on your skill level and dive experience. Diving FAQs How warm is the water? The water temperature in the summer averages in the low to mid 80’s degree Fahrenheit. http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/view_climplot.php?station=42019&meas=st What is there to see? The platform structures in the Gulf create artificial reef environments that promote coral growth and many species of fish that inhabit coral reefs. Additionally, these structures attract larger pelagic creatures like barracuda and sharks who feed nearby. Look at our photo gallery to see the wealth of marine life you could see on your trip. How deep is it? The oil-rigs are 22-50 nautical miles offshore and range anywhere between 130 and 150 feet deep. The rigs are a vertical reef structure allowing a variety of habitats to form as conditions change with depth. It is not necessary to dive to the bottom in order to have an enjoyable dive. There is something to see at all depths. Our main policy is to encourage divers to stay within their limits and to dive no deeper than you are certified and qualified to. What qualifications do I need to dive? You must be certified by a nationally recognized SCUBA diving certification agency as an open water diver or above and must have your certification card available for inspection upon boarding. If you book a spot on a diving trip and you are not a certified diver or if you forget your certification card you will not be given permission to SCUBA dive. Do you provide diving instruction or supervision? Out to Sea Adventures DOES NOT provide diving instruction or supervision we only provide the divemaster. The divemaster is there to help get group organized but once in the water it is your responsibilities to dive within the limitation of your certification. What if I don't want to dive near spear-fishers, do you have non-spear-fishing trips? We can arrange non-spear-fishing trips. If you charter the whole boat, you can tell us if you want to have spear-fishing or not. If you book us through a dive shop, check with them about their spear-fishing policy. You should receive your non-spear-fishing commitment in writing and in advance as our default is to allow spear-fishing. Do you RENT diving equipment? The only equipment we rent is scuba tanks which must be reserved ahead of time. The will be delivered to the boat on the day of the trip. Is alcohol allowed on dive trips? Divers are allowed to bring alcohol for the trip back to the harbor at THE END of the dive day. If you are seen consuming alcohol before or in between dives the dive-master WILL NOT allow you in the water for the remainder of the day Do you run trips to the Flower Garden Banks? No, we only run day trips. The Flower Gardens are 100+ miles out in the Gulf and only multiday trips can be made. We highly recommend the live aboard dive services of Spree Expeditions or Fling Charters for your Flower Gardens trip, and we look forward to providing your next daytrip to the exciting platforms nearer the shore.
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Policies and Waiver / FAQ

Please Read and Fill Out Our Policies and Waiver

Please have this printed and filled out when you arrive the morning of your charter for a more timely departure

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs · Fishing FAQs · Spear-fishing FAQs · Diving FAQs

General FAQs

What do I NEED to bring?

Waiver, fishing license, dive certification, food and drinks for the day (If you are diving or spearfishing no alcoholic beverages before going in the water or else you will not be allowed to dive) , sunscreen, weather appropriate attire, diving/spearfishing equipment, motion sickness supplements, and a cooler ( got to have some place to put your catch)

When should I arrive at the dock?

Plan to arrive at the dock at 6:30am giving you plenty of time to load your gear and meet the crew. The boat leaves at 7am sharp. You should print out and read the directions to the boat before the day of your trip. Otherwise you may miss your trip.

If I am not fishing do I still need a waiver?

YES! Everyone that is going to be on the boat must fill out a waiver NO EXCEPTIONS.

Do I need a fishing license?

As of September 1st 2007 any person, whether in state or federal waters, engaging in any kind of fishing must have on their person a Texas state fishing license with a saltwater fishing stamp. If you do not have one you WILL NOT be allowed to fish. This includes spear-fishing. The license must be presented to the captain along with the waiver when boarding the vessel. Click the link below to find locations near you to purchase fishing licenses.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/online_sales/

Can I book an individual spot or do I have to book the whole boat?

At the moment, we are booking full charters only. Later in the season that may change. In the meantime, look at our calendar and contact the dive shops who have reserved certain dates to see if they have spots available.

Do you provide food and beverages?

Everyone aboard needs to bring enough food and plenty of drink for their own comfort and safety during a long, active day in the sun and sea. A reasonable number of coolers are allowed.

What is your boat like?

The ORION is a 38 foot (overall length) fiberglass fly-bridge sport boat with twin turbo diesel engines. The ORION has a large salon and cabin with berths as well as a bathroom and cool shower. The ORION’s hull is bright red and topsides are white. “ORION” is painted on the fish box on the stern of the boat and on the bow flare.
Boat speed: Every year we see several people get hurt on chartered boats going too fast offshore. We caution people not to book a boat based on the published speed. This is an over-stated number by many boats since fuel burn rate prohibits going faster than about 14-18 knots in most comfortably sized boats. It is generally dangerous to pick a boat based on a captain’s willingness to sacrifice safety to go fast. The Orion’s actual cruise speed is determined by sea conditions and load just like any other boat. We do not promise a given rate of travel because this is very misleading and can often lead to injuries. The ORION’s light-load speed is 17-18 knots (about 18-20 mph) but in very rough seas can be as slow as a few knots. Our typical cruise is a comfortable 12-14 knots (faster if fishing without dive equipment). We are just as eager to get there as you are but your safety is more important to us.

How do I avoid getting sea sick?

The best cure for sea sickness is having fun, relaxing, and spending time at sea. Once you spend some time offshore you will realize that there is less to worry about than you might have imagined and a lot more fun to be had. There are some medications that can be obtained both over the counter and through your doctor. Please remember that certain behaviors will invariable cause sensitivity to motion. These are: consumption of alcohol in the 24 hours before or during the trip, greasy or acidic foods, not getting a full night’s sleep, and/or poor physical condition. Results vary from person to person but we use the less drowsiness formula of Dramamine taken once the night before and once when we wake up. The regular formula of Dramamine and Bomine also have shown good results but may make you drowsy. This is only our experience so please consult your doctor for any medical advice.

What about the weather?

Trips maybe canceled due to poor weather conditions. If the trip is canceled before leaving the dock you will be entitled to a full refund or we can reschedule your trip. We will post on our homepage by 12 noon the day prior to your trip whether or not you trip has been canceled due to weather.
For up to the hour weather information go to one of the sites below. Please do not call us for weather reports.

Forecast to 20 nautical miles offshore towards south from port
Forecast to 20 nautical miles offshore towards north from port
Forecast to 60 nautical miles offshore
North buoy with current and historic wind and wave data
South buoy with current and historic wind and wave data

Will you clean the fish I catch?

Our crew is not required to cut and clean any of the fish caught on charter trips. We can make arrangements to drop your fish off to be professionally cleaned at the Fisherman’s Wharf or Woody’s on the way back into harbor at additional cost to the customer. It is our standard procedure to stop there for fuel on our way back to dock. If you wish to clean the fish yourself, you are welcome to bring a filet knife and stop at the cleaning station at the harbor.

What are the fishing regulations?

All trips take place in either federal or state waters so we generally follow the more restrictive of state or federal regulations. Please be familiar with the regulations. Links are provided below.

Link to State Fishing Regulations
Link to Federal Fishing Regulations (click “Regulations” on Gulf Council website)

Can I collect and fish and coral species on a dive trip?

The private collection of ocean resources (i.e. live fish, corals, and other marine life) must be done so by the state and federal regulations. Any person collecting while on either of our vessels must present to the captain any and all required state and federal permits to do so. It also must be approved by our company headquarters well in advance of the trip and you will receive written permission that must be presented to the captain as well.

If the trip is cancelled, is my deposit refunded?

Cancellation by us:
If, before departure, we cancel a trip due to weather, mechanical breakdown, insufficient booking, or any other discretion of the captain, we will issue a full refund. In most cases if a trip in process is cancelled due to mechanical breakdown then a prorated refund will be given considering the amount of time away from the dock. Decision is by Michael Miglini of Out to Sea Adventures. If a trip in process is canceled due to weather, injury, discipline problems, or decision by the captain to abort the trip for reason not directly controlled by us, then no refund is given. We do not guarantee that a person can achieve any certain goal including making all planned dives.

Cancellation by passenger:
A passenger may cancel their trip at any time before departing for any reason, however, since trip fees are fully earned at time of booking no refunds are given for cancellation by the passenger.

Do you allow snorkeling and free-diving?

You are welcome to either snorkel or free-dive on any of our trips while the boat is tied off to the rig structure, if there is time between dives or if it is in place of one of your tank dives. Unless it is a privately booked charter to do so, snorkeling and free-diving are not to interrupt the dive schedule for the day.

How can I become a member of the crew?

You must be a dive professional certified by a nationally recognized recreational SCUBA training agency (NAUI,PADI, SSI, etc.), have current professional liability insurance, will agree to be part of a DOT/USCG approved drug testing program, and can verify in writing sufficient professional experience that would qualify you to lead trips aboard the ORION. Please contact us for more info.

How do I contact with more questions?

Go to our Contact Us page on this site for our phone, e-mail, and local address

Fishing FAQs

Do I need a fishing license?

What is provided for on fishing trips?

We provide bait, tackle, and ice for the fish while aboard our boat on our fishing charters. Also, a captain and a deck hand are included.

Spear-fishing FAQs

Do I need a fishing license?

What do I need to bring to spear-fish?

You must bring all of your own equipment and ice for your fish. Please refer to Policies and Understandings for more important information on spear-fishing.

Will you teach me to spear-fish?

As part of a general trip no instruction is provided. Anyone bringing a spear gun or related equipment should already have full knowledge of how to operate, care for, and store it properly and safely. With advanced notice (while booking your trip) we may be able to arrange a tutorial on spear gun operation and fish identification depending on your skill level and dive experience.

Diving FAQs

How warm is the water?

The water temperature in the summer averages in the low to mid 80’s degree Fahrenheit.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/view_climplot.php?station=42019&meas=st

What is there to see?

The platform structures in the Gulf create artificial reef environments that promote coral growth and many species of fish that inhabit coral reefs. Additionally, these structures attract larger pelagic creatures like barracuda and sharks who feed nearby. Look at our photo gallery to see the wealth of marine life you could see on your trip.

How deep is it?

The oil-rigs are 22-50 nautical miles offshore and range anywhere between 130 and 150 feet deep. The rigs are a vertical reef structure allowing a variety of habitats to form as conditions change with depth. It is not necessary to dive to the bottom in order to have an enjoyable dive. There is something to see at all depths. Our main policy is to encourage divers to stay within their limits and to dive no deeper than you are certified and qualified to.

What qualifications do I need to dive?

You must be certified by a nationally recognized SCUBA diving certification agency as an open water diver or above and must have your certification card available for inspection upon boarding. If you book a spot on a diving trip and you are not a certified diver or if you forget your certification card you will not be given permission to SCUBA dive.

Do you provide diving instruction or supervision?

Out to Sea Adventures DOES NOT provide diving instruction or supervision we only provide the divemaster. The divemaster is there to help get group organized but once in the water it is your responsibilities to dive within the limitation of your certification.

What if I don't want to dive near spear-fishers, do you have non-spear-fishing trips?

We can arrange non-spear-fishing trips. If you charter the whole boat, you can tell us if you want to have spear-fishing or not. If you book us through a dive shop, check with them about their spear-fishing policy. You should receive your non-spear-fishing commitment in writing and in advance as our default is to allow spear-fishing.

Do you RENT diving equipment?

The only equipment we rent is scuba tanks which must be reserved ahead of time. The will be delivered to the boat on the day of the trip.

Is alcohol allowed on dive trips?

Divers are allowed to bring alcohol for the trip back to the harbor at THE END of the dive day. If you are seen consuming alcohol before or in between dives the dive-master WILL NOT allow you in the water for the remainder of the day

Do you run trips to the Flower Garden Banks?

No, we only run day trips. The Flower Gardens are 100+ miles out in the Gulf and only multiday trips can be made. We highly recommend the live aboard dive services of Spree Expeditions or Fling Charters for your Flower Gardens trip, and we look forward to providing your next daytrip to the exciting platforms nearer the shore.