Perhaps what attracts so many divers to the Peace over and over again is the boat’s versatility. They do so many things so well. Casual divers love them. Sightseers and photographers adore them. Tech divers find them quite useful. And hunters are nearly religious about this boat.

Photo groups such as Optiquatics charter the boat on a regular basis and provide E-6 film processing on board during their popular limited load trips. There is plenty of room to spread out with cameras, both in the main salon and on deck. And the crew is always helpful in getting that especially monstrous camera rig either down to you or out of the water.

Nitrox fills were added to the Peace’s inventory of amenities a couple of years ago. Divers with a “tech” leaning will appreciate the membrane Nitrox air fill system by Undersea Breathing Systems which can provide Nitrox fills of up to 3500 p.s.i. and in ranges of 32 to 40 percent oxygen. Nitrox fills are available on all trips, including open boats. Custom charters are, however, available for Nitrox divers exclusively. There is an additional charge for the Nitrox fills, but a package can be purchased for multi-day trips. Nitrox divers are welcome to bring their own tanks or Nitrox tanks are available for rent from an independent dive store dockside from the Peace.

Perhaps no other group appreciates the Peace than the underwater hunters. The Peace is famous for knowing where the lobster, halibut, and other seafood is located and their ability to put you right on top of it. Guaranteed, the Peace will do well this lobster season opener. It always does.

But it’s not just for the underwater hunter. The crew of the Peace is able to put you on just about anything you request at the Channel Islands, be it specific kind of nudibranch, some odd-ball fish, or just a wonderful romp in the kelp. The owners and operators of the Peace are as fanatical about diving the Channel Islands as any and know its underwater environs well. Captain Eric Bowman worked on the boat as deckhand, divemaster and skipper for four years before taking over ownership of the boat in 1998. But his Channel Islands diving experience goes back to 1984 as a diver and working on other area dive boats.

Captain Fidel Luna has been diving the Channel Islands for nearly a quarter of a century, nine of those years as part of the crew of the Peace. His smile and enthusiasm is truly contagious and warms everybody on board to even the coldest Northern Channel Islands winter dive. “Big Bugs! Big Bugs!” is his cheer during the fall lobster season opener. It is the crew that makes this boat truly special—their love of the ocean and the bonding it creates with fellow divers.

In addition to a wonderful crew, the Peace is a great vehicle for exploring the islands. At 65-feet long and 22-feet wide, she is one of the larger dive boats along our coast. But what makes her especially comfy is her efficient layout. On the back dive benches are arranged with tank storage behind and gear storage below. More tanks can be stored around the center house which doubles as an excellent gear staging area, perfect for cameras and the like. Gear bags can also bestored along the side rails.

Water entry is possible by way of three gates: one starboard, one port, and a bow gate to put you right at the anchor line. Each entry gate has a small circulating water rinse mask tank. Exits are via the large comfortably angled swimstep on the stern and two large ladders. In the water, on standby, is an inflatable chase boat.

After a cold dive you definitely want to take a dip into the Peace’s now famous hot tub. While it is no longer the only dive boat hot tub in California, it was the first. You can then take in hot freshwater showers, either on deck or in either of the two private heads. Well ventilated bunks below are equipped with pillows, blankets, privacy curtains and reading lights.

Well rested you can now head to the galley for chow or sundeck for a tan. The sundeck is spacious and a good place to watch the diving activity below. In the galley, don’t expect to lose weight—you’ll have to do that diving. Breakfasts are made to order, as much as you’d like. Lunches and dinners are plentiful and filling and there are snacks in between. The galley is equipped with a charging station, color TV and a VCR.

The Peace does a lot of multi-day trips but is equally efficient at single-day trips. Very popular is their mid-week single day open boat trips. On Wednesdays they run trips to the outer islands, geared more toward the intermediate to experienced diver. Their Thursday “Open Boat Special” trips are more low-keyed, visiting nearby Anacapa Island, departing at 7 a.m. and returning late afternoon. I like the casual, laid-back atmosphere of these trips that have a relaxed pace and allows me to sit on the bottom with my camera for over an hour per dive if I like.

For more information or reservations on the dive boat Peace, call 805-984-2025 or visit their website at www.peaceboat.com.

Dale Sheckler is Editor and Publisher of California Diving News, Producer of the annual SCUBA Show expo (each June in Long Beach, CA), and co-author of the book newly released A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives, 3rd Edition.