Vessel Assist San Diego

Vessel Assist San Diego Removes Cement Vessel From a Busy Huntington Beach.

Robert Butler — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:31:21 +0000

Salvaging a sunken vessel in the open ocean is extremely challenging. A vessel sunk in the surf line even more difficult; salvaging a cement vessel in breaking surf makes for one of the toughest salvage situations. When the 32’ Ferro Cement Vessel grounded on the beach in Huntington Beach Vessel Assist Long Beach made a valiant effort to pull the stricken vessel into deep water. The 11 ton full of water by the time a tow line was attached made the boat too heavy to budge with the twin diesel tow boat. Cement vessels are very stable heavy water vessels. But, with the massive weight for its size it has absolute zero bouncy. It was apparent that the fate of the grounded and sunk vessel was sealed. Vessel Assist San Diego was contracted to bring in its experienced beach extraction crew and heavy equipment to drag the vessel out of the water and chop up the vessel placing it in several dumpsters. After the Orange County permit to operate on the beach was delivered, Vessel Assist San Diego Shot into action. With an early morning start the Vessel Assist Crew Rigged a bridle of Plasma Tow line. The bridle was rigged and the heavy tow hawser was attached and positioned for the 6d Bulldozer to attempt to pull the grounded vessel out of the surf. The first objective was to get the vessel to the shoreline so additional bridles could be attached and the environmental hazards identified. The biggest problem with a cement vessel in pounding surf is, it buries itself with every breaking wave. With the boat filled up with sand from 5 days of torture the already heavy vessel was now three times its normal weight and buried in a hole. The powerful bulldozer’s motor was maxed out as the stricken vessel was pulled out of its self-made grave. Slowly but surely the bulldozer pulled and re positioned and pulled again until the vessel was out of the surf and on the shore line. After securing the fuel tank to insure it would not leak fuel the bulldozer was assisted by a Caterpillar C325 trek excavator. The skilled machinery operators worked the heavy vessel up a 10’ hill where the tideline ends on the heavily populated beach. The Vessel Assist San Diego salvage team had to re position the bridle several times to optimize the angle of pull to get the boat up the hill. Once on flat beach the two tanks like tractors dragged the vessel almost ½ mile to a staging area to final destruction. Soon after the fuel tank was drained and removed the giant excavator tore into the hull and placed it piece by piece into 4- 40 yard trash bins. The beach was sifted for the smallest of debris and the beach was cleared for the busy Labor Day weekend traffic of beachgoers.

Vessel Assist San Diego Salvages Helicopter after it Crashes in San Diego Bay

Robert Butler — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:58:03 +0000

As the busy Sunday for Vessel Assist San Diego was winding down, Captain Reggie Curry was tying the Vessel Assist Boat “San Diego” to the Vessel Assist San Diego Headquarters Pier, when he heard the call come in for a helicopter that had just crashed. As he got underway he located the crash site just a couple hundred yards from the pier. San Diego Harbor Police arrived on scene just seconds before Captain Reggie. The Harbor Police Diver reacted flawlessly, dawning a wet suit and mask, jumping in the cool water of San Diego Bay, swimming to the cabin area to see if there were any other victims. Once confirmed that the pilot was the only person on board, he quickly rescued the shaken and confused Pilot, assisting him aboard the Harbor Police vessel. As the Police boat zoomed off to get the Pilot to the Hospital, Captain Reggie hooked a line to the stricken Helicopter as it started to drift quickly under the Coronado Bay Bridge. Once in tow Captain Eric Lamb on Vessel Assist ” Shelter Island” , who had just finished securing a Vessel Assist/Boat US member near Harbor Island, took over the tow because the helicopter would have to be positioned near a crane barge at Vessel Assist’s San Diego headquarters.
The powerful and maneuverable “Shelter Island” with Captain Christina Lamb aboard assisting with line handling, maneuvered the wrecked upside down helicopter close to the pier. With fuel spilling into the Bay, Captain Tony Olson and Captain Reggie Curry deployed containment boom and set up a containment Zone. Salvage Diver Captain Shane Thompson carefully attached lifting straps to first turn the helicopter over then attached more lifting straps to lift the Helicopter out of the water and onto a barge.
The crane lift was slow but deliberate as the helicopter looked like it was going to crumble at any moment. Once on the barge fuel continued to spill out of the ruptured fuel tank and out of the carburation area of the small but powerful engine. Captain Robert Butler inspected the Engine compartment and found one of the fuel tanks had a tear in the tank. A containment pan was placed under the area where fuel was spilling. With fuel spilling and the electrical system damages by salt water sparks caused by an electrical short became a huge issue. Captain Robert Butler and Captain Tony Olson, both boat mechanics started looking for a way to disconnect the battery system. Even with the electrical system disabled the risk of life was great with the highly volatile fuel pouring out of the craft.
San Diego Harbor Police deployed a fire hose from the Harbor Police boat Sweetwater and readied it within striking distance of the helicopter. After the fuel drained and was removed from under the craft the Harbor Police secured and returned to their normal patrol.

Thousands of Dead Fish Found in Harbor South of San Diego

Robert Butler — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:10:28 +0000

Thousands of fish suddenly died and are floated to the surface in Puerto Salinas. Just 40 miles south of San Diego Harbor a tragic finding of literally thousands of fish. Mackerel, Halibut, Sardines, Spotted Bass, and White Sea Bass were all found floating and rotting in the little harbor. There are no answers to why this happened. Sources in the harbor reported catching mackerel the night before and storing them in their boats bait tank for a future fishing trip. The next morning all the fish in the tank were dead, upon further observation they found the horrific finding. Reports that water samples and dead fish taken by the Mexican Government,But, the stench and the bird droppings from thousands of birds are making the little harbor uninhabitable. Efforts by locals to remove the fish, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow, and burying them in a shallow grave is what appears to be the only solution to removing the fish. People in the harbor think the stench may last for a long time, even if the rotting fish are buried in a shallow hole. No answer or assumptions have been made to why this happened. Some say it could be a spill in the water, others say it is just a freak of Mother Nature. Either way, it will take time for the small harbor to get back to normal.

Vessel Assist San Diego Upgrades Fleet

Robert Butler — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:21:31 +0000

Over the last two years Vessel Assist Has added a new boat to the fleet each year. In 2008 Vessel Assist Chula Vista was built. The new 28′ rigid hull inflatable capable of 45 knots was thrown into action as the Primary Rescue 21 test vessel. Used only part time as a tow boat Vessel Assist Chula Vista performed as a backup vessel during the busy season while not running all over the ocean testing. Vessel Assist Chula Vista has a full complement of electronics with a redundant back up. The primary system is the Garmin 4212 and 5212 units with Duo Depth and radar. Powered by twin 200 hip. E-Tech evenrudes Installed by Sunset Marine, Vessel Assist Chula Vista is the fastest Commercial towing vessel in San Diego. In 2009 Vessel Assist Lajolla was replaced with a 25′ Monarch. This all aluminum Vessel was purchased at auction, completely stripped down to the bare hull Sand blasted and painted then a 200hp Cummins diesel with a Mecrusers 3 duo prop outdrive was installed. Add to the vessel was a complement of electronics including a C 90 Raytheon system with depth sounder and radar. This year Vessel Assist San Diego will be performing major overhauls to the rest of its fleet. Vessel Assist Harbor Island will receive a new look, the Integrated T-top with tow post will be sandblasted and re painted along with new tubes for the 24′ Aquascan. The older 200hp Optimax outboards will be replaced with twin 200hp E-tech Evenrudes. Electronics will include the Raytheon C 90 system with Depth sounder and radar along with other electronics. The projected launch date for Vessel Assist Harbor Island is July 1st 2010. Vessel Assist Shelter Island (our Flagship) just received a full repaint from stem to stern. Pacific Yacht Refitters, operating out of Marine Group Boat Works, sanded the Shelter Island down to bare glass, primed and painted the vessel to yacht quality. Running twin 450hp Cummins diesels, scheduled to be rebuilt in November, the 32′ Willard is the most powerful Commercial Assist Vessel in San Diego if not all of Southern California. Vessel Assist Shelter Island is capable of running at 29 knots VASI has a cruise range of 300nm with its extra tanks. Known as our GOTO boat, Vessel Assist Shelter Island has landing skegs to allow it to touch bottom during salvage and un-grounding operations. Electronics include a Raytheon E120 system with Sonar and Radar along with other electronics. Vessel Assist Shelter Island is truly the model towboat for this area. Vessel Assist Mission Bay is in the process of being transformed into a new vessel. The hull has been stripped down to the stringers. Pacific Pilothouse is building a custom fit wheelhouse complete with intergraded dash and military rear door. Electronics will include a Raytheon E 120 System with Sonar and Radar along with other electronics. New 225 gallon fuel tanks fill the space where the old diesel was and a 2010 315hp Yanmar Diesel with a ZT350 Yanmar drive will be installed. The Mission bay’s top speed should go from 27 knots well into the mid 30 knot range with the new configuration. Expected finish date will be August 1st 2010. The final project and the largest will be the transformation of the Vessel Assist San Diego A 38′ military hull has been purchased and has been stripped to the stringers. Pacific Pilothouse is building a custom fit house complete with integrated dash and military grade doors. A 450hp Cummins will install with a Twin Disc 2 to 1 gear. Top speed should be in the low 20 knot range. multiple fuel tanks are being built holding close to 600 gallons Vessel Assist San Diego will continue as the long Range tow vessel. So look for the new Vessel Assist boats this summer.

Vessel Assist Answers Question About Towing in Mexico

Robert Butler — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 02:24:22 +0000

A 40′ Sailboat with two crew on board became disabled 130 nautical miles south of San Diego on their way home from Mexico. Vessel Assist Shelter Island, with a two man crew, ran down to the little cove behind Punta Colnett that gave the disabled 40′ sailboat some reprieve from the rough weather. Once in tow Vessel Assist Shelter Island with Captain Reggie Curry and crew aboard towed the disabled sailboat in moderate to rough water back to San Diego. After a typical wait at the Customs Dock the disabled Sailboat was towed to Pearson Fuel Dock for repairs. Within Minutes of securing the marathon 30 hour tow, Captain Tony Olson jumped aboard Vessel Assist Shelter Island and with the Engines still warm from the previous run headed to the Rock Pile, about 25 miles south of Point Loma, again in Mexican waters. The 25 mile tow is much more normal than the monster tow completed just hours before. Captain Tony Olson hooked up to the disabled Skipjack and headed back to the Shelter Island Launch Ramp via the Customs dock. This helps answer the question. “Am I covered in Mexico with my towing membership?“ With Vessel Assist/ Boat US you will receive the same great service by a VESSEL ASSIST tow vessel as you have in past years. Other companies may rely on a Mexican Towing company to assist you while in Mexican waters, then hand you off to them once in American waters. Vessel Assist/ Boat US has a strict policy that only properly insured vessels with properly licensed captains tow our members. Some have said American tow boats do not have the right to tow vessels out of Mexico. This is un- true. March 10th 1936 the United States and Mexico Signed a treaty giving vessels of each nationality the right to enter territorial waters to render assistance to vessels of their respected Nationalities.

Here is the exact wording of the treaty

The High Contracting Parties agree that vessels and rescue apparatus, public or private, of either country, may aid or assist vessels of their own nationality, including the passengers and crews thereof, which may be disabled or in distress on the shores or within the territorial waters of the other country within a radius of seven hundred and twenty nautical miles of the intersection of the International Boundary Line and the coast of the Pacific Ocean, or within a radius of two hundred nautical miles of the intersection of the International Boundary Line and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

SO, for the record Vessel Assist San Diego WILL continue to assist vessels in Mexican waters. We are insured to travel 150 Nautical Miles south of San Diego without an additional binder. We have gone and will go as far south as Turtle Bay (350 nautical miles south) to tow a vessel back to San Diego.

Other Articles state it cost $300.00 per hour to be towed as a non member by a towboat. Vessel Assist Charges $200.00/hour for non members, tows in excess of $1500.00, we will give you a Captains card membership after service.

In closing, Buy a Vessel Assist/Boat US membership Unlimited Captains Card or Gold Card, this is the only way to guarantee that an American Vessel Assist Tow Boat will assist you if you are in Mexican waters.

Just click on the Join Now Icon on the right of the page to get started.

Vessel Assist San Diego to donate 10% of gross revenues to the “Relay for Life” in San Marcos.

Robert Butler — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:33:16 +0000

Vessel Assist San Diego has stepped up to the plate at this year’s “Relay for Life” in San Marcos California. Relay teams must stay out on the track for the entire 24 hour event to raise money for the fight against Cancer. Robert has taken the challenge one step further by attempting to walk the entire time solo. He has also Dedicated 10% of gross revenues from Vessel Assist San Diego during the event. In addition, Vessel Assist San Diego is a Gold Sponsor giving $2500.00 and providing the 70kw generator for the event . Robert and his Family has recently lost four family members to cancer. “I will be walking in honor of Frank Henderson “Pictured in slideshow” (my step father) Ramona Fulton (My Mother-In law) Robert Fulton (My step father in law) and Janette DaLuca (My Aunt).” All four were diagnosed with cancer and all four passed within months of being diagnosed. If you would like to Donate to our team please copy and paste the link http://main.acsevents.org/goto/CaptainROB and fill out the form. If you can get out to San Marcos to walk please join our team. The Defending Circle 2 still has room left.

Vessel Assist San Diego Continues Service Into Mexican Waters

Robert Butler — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:26:25 +0000

Recently we at Vessel Assist San Diego have heard people saying that we don’t cover Mexican waters, nothing is further from the truth. Vessel Assist San Diego will go 100 miles south of San Diego and tow a Gold card member in for free.
This poses the bigger question “what do I get with my Boat U.S. /Vessel Assist membership?”
The answer is simple “A lot!”
I have decided to breakdown how the membership works in San Diego. Be advised that other parts of the country may have different limits.
Let’s start with the Basic Membership
For $24.00 a year you get.
A Voice in Government. This is the hidden giant that Boat US is. The goal of Boat US is to be the eyes, ears, and when needed, the Voice of the boater. Boat US is constantly monitoring rule changes and laws in the private boating sector. Boat US has fought government and won on unfair Boating taxes for pleasure boaters. Just two examples are, the federal diesel fuel tax and the FCC radio license fees. Boat US fought and won on both of these issues saving boaters money.
Consumer Advocate. Boat US is a watchdog for consumers and has a history of pressuring the manufactures to build boats that are safe and reliable.
Discounts at West Marine Stores. Not only do you get a discount at any West Marine Store, you get cash back coupons to use for future purchases.
These are just three of dozens of services Boat US provides. With over half a million members and over 40 years, Boat US is the oldest and largest association of boaters for boaters.
There is really no limit to what Boat US offers their members, and you get a really cool magazine.
Boat US has a 24 hour VHF Radio dispatch with radios that rival the Coast Guard to monitoring channel 16 for your call, aside from the telephone dispatch number of 619-235-8273 (local) or 800-391-4869 (national)
Your Boat US membership gives you $50.00 off the total price of an assist/tow at the rate Vessel Assist San Diego chargers Boat US to service members. Here is how just $24 can save you money.

A Non Member breaks down under the Coronado Bay Bridge and needs to be towed to Shelter Island Launch Ramp. This job takes 1.5 hours @225/hr for a total of $337.50
Now same case with a basic membership 1.5 hours @ $160.00 = $240.00 Minus $50.00= $190.00
Right off the bat you save $147.50. Add your benefits you have through the Association and this is a great deal.

Perhaps you need more towing for your boat? High Option Towing:

High Option Towing has 3 levels $150.00, Unlimited Captains, and Unlimited Gold.

$150 option gives you $150.00 of towing per incident. This is fine if you boat only within San Diego or Mission Bay in a small boat, basically you get one hour of service.
this cost only $42.00 $24 + $18

Unlimited Captains Card. This where the real value of High Option Towing comes into play. You get free soft un-groundings and assistance/towing up to 40 miles offshore. Let’s say you are 20 miles south of Point Loma, based on the Vessel Assist Boat running at 17 knots and towing at 6 knots including a 1 hour customs stop and towing your boat to a slip or placing it on a trailer in Shelter Island.
This job takes about 6 hours.
Non Member 6 hours at $225.00/hr= $1350.00 Cash or Credit Card at time of service.
Unlimited Captains Card “FREE” one tow from 20 miles off shore and you paid for your membership for 9 years.
Let’s say your 30′ boat is soft aground in South Bay near Chula Vista, your boat is overheating and you need to be towed back to Shelter Island.
This job will take 4 hours plus un-grounding fee to pull you off the shoal and tow you to your slip.
Non Member 4hours at $225.00 = $900.00 plus $15.00/foot un grounding fee times 30′ =$450.00 for a total of $1350.00 Cash or Credit Card at time of service.
Unlimited Captains Card “FREE”
You also get 50% off your Dock to Dock towing. Tow to a boat yard
All this for $149.00 $24 + 125 high option towing

Finally we have the Unlimited Gold Card. This card gives you the same benefits as the Captains Card, but, out to 100 miles and free Dock to Dock towing anywhere in San Diego or Mission Bay.
So let’s say your 80 miles south of Point Loma. based off my Vessel Assist Boat running at 15 knots and towing at 6 knots including a 1 hour stop at customs and then putting you on a trailer or towing you to a slip in shelter island. This job would take 20 hours.
Non Member 20 hours @ $265.00/hr (add $40/hr for second Captain) $5300.00 Cash or Credit Card at time of service.
Unlimited Gold Card “FREE”
All this for only $181.00/year $24 + $157

With this information it is amazing that 30% of the towing Vessel Assist San Diego conducts is Non Member.
more amazing is how many Non-Members sign up as they are paying for their first tow.

With any of these memberships you are covered for free service within the limits of the card you hold on any boat you Own, Borrow, or Charter. Borrow meaning the owner of the vessel is not on board. If the Owner is on board he/she must have their own membership.

I have added a Basic chart of the San Diego area and where each unlimited card covers
The Blue is Captains Card and Red is Gold Card.

How do you sign up? Easy just click on the sign up button on this the right side of this page, it only takes a few minutes. you will be covered from 11:59 the night you sign up. for Dock to dock benefits you must me a member for 30 days.

You can also call 619-235-8273 to sign up over the phone or if you have any question.

Once a member I urge you to get an insurance quote from Boat US Insurance. They have good rates and some of the best coverage available today. more importantly they have a 24hour claims service capable of making decisions on the spot in most cases. This is virtually unheard of in the marine industry.

So whatever type of boating you do in make sure you join Boat US/Vessel Assist before you go out on the water.

Vessel Assist San Diego Raises Sunken Boat just Days After It is Launched

Robert Butler — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:17:19 +0000

What turned out to be the beginning of a fun filled year of boating turned into a nightmare for one boat owner on Friday. Just days after a new motor was installed and the boat launched and placed in a slip for use in San Diego Bay, The boat suddenly and with no obvious reason sank in its slip. The owner had driven the boat the day before on a shakedown cruise then tied it up in its new slip at the Chula Vista Marina. Reports were that boat was floating at 5 am that morning and sank around 9 am. Vessel Assist San Diego arrived with a salvage team of Captains Rob Butler, Tony Olson, and Travis Basom. Captain Rob Butler and Captain Travis Basom arrived on Vessel Assist Harbor Island while Captain Tony Olson delivered salvage gear by land. Captain Travis Basom, the salvage diver for the operation, strategically placed 2000lb float bags on the stern of the vessel. Once the float bags were inflated, a gas powered pump was used to pump most of the water out. A 12 volt pump, pumped the rest of the water out as Captain Rob Butler towed the now floating vessel and placed it on the owners trailer. The cause of the sinking is under investigation by the insurance company.
So what do you do if your boat sinks in its slip? Well first thing is the marina usually knows your boat is sunk before you do, or at least they better. But the first thing you want to do is report the sinking to the US Coast Guard and the Department of Fish and Game. Both of these parties will be interested in the pollution part of the incident, as well as, how and when you intend to remove the boat from the water as you are required to by law. A call to the Harbor Police should be secondary especially if you suspect foul play. Then Call your Insurance Company and File a claim. Ask to talk to an adjuster immediately. Boat US insurance has a great Claims center, they have adjusters on call to assist you and in most cases can authorize the salvage, wreck removal, mechanical, and emergency haul out. Some other companies have good claims centers some will take your name and number and send it to an adjuster, this could take days, which brings us to the next step. You must act as if you have no insurance. This means you need to hire the salvage company, arrange for an emergency haul out and a mechanic to try and pickle the equipment out to preserve it. Most boat owners have their favorite mechanics and boat yards. Just be aware, if you do not have any preferences the salvage company will take it to whatever yard they can get the quickest service from. If you have a wooden boat of a cement boat, be aware that boat yards are very reluctant to accept them in a post sunken state. Boat yards may require a deposit in order to haul the boat out. Between the salvage company, the boat yard and the mechanics. you will be looking at several thousand dollars, so it is important to have an insurance company that has a claims center that can respond 24 hours a day with a real adjuster that can make decisions. Also, Check your policy make sure you have the proper coverage that will cover you in case you have an accident. You want coverage that will pay for the removal of your boat as well as the emergency haul our and any other cost incurred. A good insurance company will know the importance of getting a mechanic to pickle your motor(s) and equipment even on a holiday or weekend.
The best way to deal with a sunken boat is to prevent it from sinking. Make a weekly check of your bilges and pumps. Run your motor(s) often especially in winter. Check on your boat before and after a major storm. Make sure the marina has the latest and most current data on you including your insurance information. Have a secondary emergency contact on file with the marina. You may feel free to have Vessel Assist San Diego as your emergency contact if your boat is in San Diego. our 24 hour number is 619-235-8273.
Vessels Assist San Diego Provides a service for any boater free of charge. the service includes a listing in our data base of your emergency contacts, you specific instructions on where to take your boat in case of an emergency, your current insurance information. Also included is a free check on your boat while you are out of town, on vacation, or if your unable to get to your boat to check on it yourself. For More information call 619-235-8273

Vessel Assist San Diego Tows Big Boats To Safety After Tsunami Destroys Pier

Robert Butler — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:36:36 +0000

Vessel Assist San Diego Pulls Big Boats off each other During Tsunami Waves.

Too many movies show a towering 1000 foot tsunami wave hitting big cities, giving us a false impression of what a tsunami even 2-3 feet can do. The reality is even a 2 to 3 foot tidal wave can wreak havoc on marinas, boats and low lying shoreline. There was very little damage done to the Big commercial boats in Americas cup harbor but the pier they were attached to was destroyed. It was truly amazing to see the power this tsunami as the waves sucked the water out of the bay, during low tide, slamming the deep draft boats on the bottom, as the waves rushed back in, it push the boats under the pier breaking the pier apart. The pylons that the boats were tied to were broken as well. Captain Travis Basom and Captain Eric Lamb moved the 100 plus ton vessels to a safe dock, not damaged, near downtown. Other Damage included the Bally High Dock which was ripped apart by the waves. To the best of Vessel Assist San Diego’s knowledge at the time this story was written no major damage occurred in the other San Diego Bay or Mission Bay marinas. This could have been much worse, maybe even catastrophic. When the Tsunami hit the tide was at an extreme low which allowed the rising water to float the connected docks (99 percent of the marinas have connected floating docks) without risk of floating them over the top of the pylons that holds them into place. However, earlier that day San Diego had a extreme high tide of 6.4′. Throw in a tsunami of just a few feet higher, say 4-6 feet, now certain devastation would occur if the docks floated over the pylons holding them in place. This exact scenario happened in a Galveston Texas Harbor, when the storm surge from Hurricane IKE lifted the entire marina off its pylons a few years ago. There is not much anyone can do to prepare for a Tsunami, even though you know it is coming. Another amazing fact is how fast a tsunami moves, they move so fast you rarely have time to do anything except get to high ground. This tsunami came from almost 5000 miles away and arrived in around 12 hours that’s about 420 knots. this means if a tsunami started in Santa Barbra there would be about 10-15 minutes to evacuate. If there is a tsunami Warning in your area act on the advice of the local authorities. Do not go to the beach to see the waves. Follow the local evacuation signs away from low lying beaches to high ground.

Vessel Assist San Diego Puts Waterproof Cameras To The Test

Robert Butler — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:33:43 +0000

When it comes to cameras, Vessel Assist San Diego has gone through dozens. In recent years some companies have stepped up to the plate and developed a digital camera that is not only water proof but shock resistant. As owner of one of the busiest commercial towing and salvage companies in the nation, I hit a nerve last year when my camera fell about 2 feet onto soft sand and the viewing screen shattered. So, off I went to get yet another digital camera. I found two cameras the first being an Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 for about $350.00 and the Canon Power Shot D10 for about $310.00. I decided to buy them both and give them a run for their money.
The Olympus looks like any other digital camera, silver in color and pretty much nothing at all that makes it look tough, but upon closer inspection the ports of the XD card and the plug in adapters are water tight and sealed. It is waterproof to 33′, has a drop rating of 6′6″, and a crush rating of at least 275lbs (since I have already accidentally stepped on it.) The 12 MP camera takes very good pictures, in fact most of the pictures on this web site are from the Olympus. The underwater pictures are borderline professional grade. The battery life is comparable to any digital camera. We have had this camera in the surf, under water, and in the rain. It has never failed. We did have water intrusion once after a salvage diver accidentally opened the battery door under water. It was sent to Olympus and repaired under warranty with no hassles. I have had this camera in the desert while jeeping and riding quad runners and it has been dropped in the sand hundreds of times.
The Canon Power Shot D10 looks kind of cheap from a distance with a silver body with half of the front face blue, but again closer inspection reveals that it is just as well built as the Olympus. It too is waterproof to 33′ and drop proof to 4′ although I’m not sure if it would take the abuse of me stepping on it. This has proven to be a very durable camera with an excellent picture quality both under water and above. The battery life is similar to the Olympus but you must remove the battery to fit into a wall charger while the Olympus has a plug in charger.
My opinion is solely base on my own use of these products and they are only my opinion from the way I use these cameras.
Right out of the hole the Olympus looks tougher with a rectangle shape giving it 6 flat sides and 8 impact corners. The Canon is almost twice as thick and has a lens protruding from the front giving it more impact angles for breakage. Point to Olympus.
The Olympus has a retractable lenses cover the Canon does not. In the physically abusive world of the marine environment score two points for the Olympus.
The Canon has a removable strap insert so you can place the strap in any of the four corners. The Olympus has a place on the side of the camera to attach the strap. I would think the R&D department for Canon would have taken the energy they spent on this little gadget, that I have misplaced twice already, and place it into their lens cover, none the less, point to Canon.
The Canon has a better zoom range and Olympus has a slightly better wide angle .
The Olympus has a system called a body touch meaning you just have to tap the camera in a few different places and you access different functions quickly. This was tough to learn at first but once you get used to it, it is great. Point to Olympus
The flat design makes stuffing it in a pocket very easy on the Olympus where the Canon is bulky and thicker. Point to Olympus.
In closing both of these cameras work well in the marine environment. The Olympus costs a bit more but it is well worth the extra money. The nice part about both of these cameras is that they don’t require any special housings to work under water.