. On Thu, 9 Jan 2003 13:46:29 -0500 Alfred Kirkland wrote:

> Brad,
>
> <<<I got tangled up with an operater that I would like to warn everyone about. Never dive with Tavernier Dive Center, (on Tavernier Key).  They are ladder-banging, 45 minute cattle boat monkeys, with a first mate who is hostile, and a captain who couldn't care less. I heard they were about to go belly-up,  which is good news, I just wish I could be there to see them sink.>>>
>
> Tavernier Dive Center used to be one of the premier op's in the Keys. At that time it was owned by a "Highschool Classmate" of mine, , , John Riddick. He sold the business a couple of years ago and I've (frankly) not dived with them since. Too bad they've turned into what you've described, , , Taviernier was a good one!!

I agree it was a very good operation late '80s & early '90s when they were part
of Tropic Vista Motel.
Once they split and John moved TDC to his house next door things became somewhat
less so. I think the fact that TDC became less visible from the Highway and
Tropic Vista also opened their own dive operation (Upper Keys Dive Center) times
became somewhat tougher for TDC and it affected their service.

My Google search shows that Alan Armbruster likely worked at Upper Keys Dive
Center 2000/ 2001, I know he used Tropic Vista etc: for his group trips in the
early nineties so that may have evolved into a FL job.
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22Alan+Armbruster%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&newwindow=1&selm=MmG27.27164%24rh.534542%40news6.giganews.com&rnum=1

He is a real person, shown sitting on the left of Steve Corbin at
http://www.technicalscuba.net/main%20pages/Friends%20Pics.htm

Brad implies above that TDC may be in financial difficulties... I can understand
that if John got anything near the price he was asking for it in the early
nineties (he was trying to sell it before the split from Tropic Vista)...
especially if the building was also part of the purchase!

--
Michael