Peace
The dive boat Peace is one of the cornerstones of the Southern California dive fleet. As far as my memory takes me, in my 20 some odd years of diving, there has always been the dive boat Peace.

What those many years of service means to the divers of California is expertise. The owner/operator, Eric Bowman, and crew of the Peace have been diving the channel Islands inside and out and know exactly where to put you for your kind of diving. If the boat is loaded with photographers, you get photo sites. Want game? More important, what kind do you want? A boat full of new students? How about easy no-stress diving? The crew of the Peace knows what they are doing!

At 65-feet long and 22-feet wide, the Peace is one of the largest of the boats in Southern California. It has a comfortable back dive-deck with divided “stations” that has a place for your tank, bench, and a roomy storage directly below the bench and tank for your gear bag. The aisles in and around the benches are roomy, and divers can comfortably pass each other. There are port and starboard exit gates as well as a bow gate for an alternate specialty entry. Circulating mask rinse stations sit at the gates for easy access.

The wide swim step is an easy return to the boat, and there is always a divemaster or deck hand waiting to assist you with your fins, camera equipment and even your tank if need be. Circulating large game tanks and a fresh water camera rinse tank are there for whatever you bring back after the dive.

Tank fills are easy with extra long hoses. Put your tank back in the slot and alert the crew to your need for a fill with a fill tag hung on the tank yoke. Tanks are usually ready and waiting for you after your snack and surface interval. Nitrox is available on board for a fee.

Meals are all inclusive and provide a hearty breakfast and very flavorful lunch. Snacks and an all-you-can-drink soda fountain along with a variety of hot drinks is available all day long. Special meals are provided upon request, and they are extremely thoughtful when providing that meal. On a recent trip I watched as Trish Owens carefully and expertly planned a meal for a lactose intolerant vegan.

The main salon is roomy, and there is a place to charge batteries as well as dry storage shelves for those items you want at your fingertips. TV and VCR is on hand to check out your camera angles or to just relax in the evening after that night dive. For that in-between-dive nap, you can go to the top deck where there is an incredible amount of room to stretch out and relax. For those overnight trips and just a comfortable place to be before and after—the bunks are roomy, well ventilated, with personal lights and privacy curtains.

The Peace is based in Ventura and dives primarily the Northern Channel Islands, but will venture to all the Islands depending on the charter and the weather forecast. The crew is friendly and at your beck and call. They will happily assist you in all your needs and are a wealth of information, whether asking about a dive site or the best way to streamline your gear. The price for midweek and open boat charters are very reasonable, but don’t forget to tip the crew; they are well worth it. For information on the Peace, call 805-650-DIVE or their web site at www.peaceboat.com.

Kim Sheckler is executive editor of California Diving News as well as co-author of the book Southern California's Best Beach Dives. She is also a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame.