The Gentleman's Underwater Bubble Blower Thread

[Michael Maes]

The problem I face with insuring my gear is that I don't get any response from US insurers. The few whom responded declined.
So... because I live in Grand Cayman I'm considered a pirate?
So I am my own insurer....
Got a quote out of Europe: $11K yearly for a $140K cover (flooding included).... outrageous!
Anyone any experience with DEPP? Sent them 4 mails... non got replied!

 

[James Killion]

by Andy Brandy Casagrande IV.

http://youtu.be/CeLLrsByDRc

J-

Thanks John, Great stuff Andy!!!

 

[Greg F]

The problem I face with insuring my gear is that I don't get any response from US insurers. The few whom responded declined.
So... because I live in Grand Cayman I'm considered a pirate?
So I am my own insurer....
Got a quote out of Europe: $11K yearly for a $140K cover (flooding included).... outrageous!
Anyone any experience with DEPP? Sent them 4 mails... non got replied!

I think you could do alot with 11k a year... Thats just insane

 

[Frazier Nivens]

I found what I think is good insurance coverage, you guys want to know about it I can post it here or start a UW Insurance coverage thread elsewhere. Don't want to clog this up anymore if you guys don't want to hear it.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

by Andy Brandy Casagrande IV.

http://youtu.be/CeLLrsByDRc

J-

Nice footage from Andy, thans for posting, John.
I liked the shots of white shark and the hammerheads.

 

[Jon Shaw]

I'm pretty sure my policy is underwritten by Chubb, $1.1K for $60k or gear, specifically covers flood and provides reaplcement hire costs for prebooked jobs

 

[Johnny Friday]

Well, had a call with Michael at Heffernan and my concerns are eased. I am grateful that this was brought up though.....good catch Tom. For now, I'm sticking with Heffernan. The old policy was with Firmans fund as of end of 2010 i believe and now they insure with One Beacon....For my part, i made clear of what i was doing and have a copy of insurance that says flooding covered on Heffernan's Paperwork....it is as pointed out by Tom on page 46 an "exclusion"

Now, that said, the folks at Heffernan were actually quick to reply to me by email and also very forthcoming since Tom had already been in email contact with them....At any rate, it was explained to me via email AND by phone conversation that in fact I AM COVERED and WE ARE COVERED via their own "Error's & Omissions" policy that they carry themselves. That said, they have been made aware that many of us do not feel adequetly covered when the policy actually says it's it not covered---Well, i can't disagree with this. The end result is that they are going out to look for another carrier to match with us...but as we can expect, it will be more risk which = more cost. BUT, i am 100% assured by the folks at Heffernan that I am in fact insured as are others.....

What does this mean? Well, i'm going to stick with them since they have a very good policy when it comes to my actual MAIN concern which is theft in just about any country, on airlines, in post and while on a job.....I don't have to phone them up to notify them of the next job in a new country etc....wich i think is ridiculous with some agencies....I think there are a number of other more important factors that expose us to real Risk which again is usually theft, loss or damage while in transit....I've worked on enough jobs to see it numerous times and have had it happen 3x by the airlines.....

Underwater coverage---Yes, important for sure and we should have a policy that does not exclude this and have the broker write us to tell us we are in fact covered.....

So, i'm all ears to hear of any new agencies, but i would expect if you phone or email Heffernan, you'll be satisfied that you will be covered. Would i renew my policy this moment with them if i was in Frazier's position? Well, i think i would write them a respectable email and keep it polite and to the point and tell them your concerns and ask what they can do for you and then look at your options....Michael at Heffernan even emailed me alternative agencies to check with....although i have not done that. I will certainly email them again and tell them i am looking forward to a NEW policy quote by an underwriter that does not exclude underwater accidents.

 

[Greg F]

Thanks for the info Johnny

 

[Frazier Nivens]

Deductible on my new policy

Deductible on my new policy

Well, had a call with Michael at Heffernan and my concerns are eased. I am grateful that this was brought up though.....good catch Tom. For now, I'm sticking with Heffernan. The old policy was with Firmans fund as of end of 2010 i believe and now they insure with One Beacon....For my part, i made clear of what i was doing and have a copy of insurance that says flooding covered on Heffernan's Paperwork....it is as pointed out by Tom on page 46 an "exclusion"

Now, that said, the folks at Heffernan were actually quick to reply to me by email and also very forthcoming since Tom had already been in email contact with them....At any rate, it was explained to me via email AND by phone conversation that in fact I AM COVERED and WE ARE COVERED via their own "Error's & Omissions" policy that they carry themselves. That said, they have been made aware that many of us do not feel adequetly covered when the policy actually says it's it not covered---Well, i can't disagree with this. The end result is that they are going out to look for another carrier to match with us...but as we can expect, it will be more risk which = more cost. BUT, i am 100% assured by the folks at Heffernan that I am in fact insured as are others.....

What does this mean? Well, i'm going to stick with them since they have a very good policy when it comes to my actual MAIN concern which is theft in just about any country, on airlines, in post and while on a job.....I don't have to phone them up to notify them of the next job in a new country etc....wich i think is ridiculous with some agencies....I think there are a number of other more important factors that expose us to real Risk which again is usually theft, loss or damage while in transit....I've worked on enough jobs to see it numerous times and have had it happen 3x by the airlines.....

Underwater coverage---Yes, important for sure and we should have a policy that does not exclude this and have the broker write us to tell us we are in fact covered.....

So, i'm all ears to hear of any new agencies, but i would expect if you phone or email Heffernan, you'll be satisfied that you will be covered. Would i renew my policy this moment with them if i was in Frazier's position? Well, i think i would write them a respectable email and keep it polite and to the point and tell them your concerns and ask what they can do for you and then look at your options....Michael at Heffernan even emailed me alternative agencies to check with....although i have not done that. I will certainly email them again and tell them i am looking forward to a NEW policy quote by an underwriter that does not exclude underwater accidents.

Johnny, email me, you should at least take a look at this new company and the actual policy I have. States in the policy that underwater, in or on water all covered in writing. Same policy, deductibles that you can choose from $250, $500, $1,000 or $2,000 for additional discounts on your premium. I'd be happy to email you my actual documents if you care to look them over. My policy with Heffernan was $750 deductable. This policy covers everything Heffernans did. And price for the same policy is NO higher in price.

I did try to call Heffernans office on Thursday and they told me I could NOT speak with a agent and had to email them to discuss my policy. So they actually called you! That's good. They stated on their website that they were no longer able to take phone calls at their office to discuss your policy.

I switched already to Kat Wong at Athos Insurance yesterday, as I said same policy as Heffernan but with choice of deductible, same price with only $250 deductable as last years policy w Heffernan. And I spent over 3 hrs on the phone on and off discussing my policy yesterday. I had my documents same day.

If anyone would like to see my docs I don't mind showing you. Pm me your address or contact me from my website.

 

[Frazier Nivens]

Deductible on my new policy

Deductible on my new policy

Well, had a call with Michael at Heffernan and my concerns are eased. I am grateful that this was brought up though.....good catch Tom. For now, I'm sticking with Heffernan. The old policy was with Firmans fund as of end of 2010 i believe and now they insure with One Beacon....For my part, i made clear of what i was doing and have a copy of insurance that says flooding covered on Heffernan's Paperwork....it is as pointed out by Tom on page 46 an "exclusion"

Now, that said, the folks at Heffernan were actually quick to reply to me by email and also very forthcoming since Tom had already been in email contact with them....At any rate, it was explained to me via email AND by phone conversation that in fact I AM COVERED and WE ARE COVERED via their own "Error's & Omissions" policy that they carry themselves. That said, they have been made aware that many of us do not feel adequetly covered when the policy actually says it's it not covered---Well, i can't disagree with this. The end result is that they are going out to look for another carrier to match with us...but as we can expect, it will be more risk which = more cost. BUT, i am 100% assured by the folks at Heffernan that I am in fact insured as are others.....

What does this mean? Well, i'm going to stick with them since they have a very good policy when it comes to my actual MAIN concern which is theft in just about any country, on airlines, in post and while on a job.....I don't have to phone them up to notify them of the next job in a new country etc....wich i think is ridiculous with some agencies....I think there are a number of other more important factors that expose us to real Risk which again is usually theft, loss or damage while in transit....I've worked on enough jobs to see it numerous times and have had it happen 3x by the airlines.....

Underwater coverage---Yes, important for sure and we should have a policy that does not exclude this and have the broker write us to tell us we are in fact covered.....

So, i'm all ears to hear of any new agencies, but i would expect if you phone or email Heffernan, you'll be satisfied that you will be covered. Would i renew my policy this moment with them if i was in Frazier's position? Well, i think i would write them a respectable email and keep it polite and to the point and tell them your concerns and ask what they can do for you and then look at your options....Michael at Heffernan even emailed me alternative agencies to check with....although i have not done that. I will certainly email them again and tell them i am looking forward to a NEW policy quote by an underwriter that does not exclude underwater accidents.

Johnny, email me, you should at least take a look at this new company and the actual policy I have. States in the policy that underwater, in or on water all covered in writing. Same policy, deductibles that you can choose from $250, $500, $1,000 or $2,000 for additional discounts on your premium. I'd be happy to email you my actual documents if you care to look them over. My policy with Heffernan was $750 deductable. This policy covers everything Heffernans did. And price for the same policy is NO higher in price.

I did try to call Heffernans office on Thursday and they told me I could NOT speak with a agent and had to email them to discuss my policy. They said I'd have to email them and that I couldn't speak w anyone anymore. So they actually called you! That's good. They stated on their website that they were no longer able to take phone calls at their office to discuss your policy.

I switched already to Kat Wong at Athos Insurance yesterday, as I said same policy as Heffernan but with choice of deductible, same price as last years policy w Heffernan. And I spent over 3 hrs on the phone on and off discussing my policy yesterday. I had my documents same day.

Heffernan underwriter is now Atlantic Specialty. One Beacon did cover underwater in the past on my policy with them.

If anyone would like to see my docs I don't mind showing you. Pm me your address or contact me from my website.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Frazier,

Their Mexico limit is $25,000, that's where Johnny lives, not sure that would work for him.

 

[Frazier Nivens]

Frazier,

Their Mexico limit is $25,000, that's where Johnny lives, not sure that would work for him.

Yes, I saw that.

Not sure why that's so. For us it can be dealt with on a per trip basis which is a pain but one of life's little pleasures.

Frazier

 

[John J Ellerbrock]

Emerging Pro Competition

Emerging Pro Competition

Hammerheads are a damn good 'engrossing motion experience'.

http://www.hdvideopro.com/7th-annual-emerging-pro.html

J-

 

[Greg F]

Hammerheads are a damn good 'engrossing motion experience'.

http://www.hdvideopro.com/7th-annual-emerging-pro.html

J-

I think I am going to have to do something for that John

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Underwater Filming Job
--------------------------

I'm looking for an underwater DOP based in LA or Mexico for a filming job in Mexico.

The customer is well-known and highly respected cinematographer.

Please contact me ASAP if interested in the job.

PS. The customer specifically requested DeepX.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

If the shoot is remote Pawel, my aircraft is available for gear/crew transport, pm me for details if interested.

Cheers

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Thought to share this one just published in C+T (Content+Technology):

http://www.content-technology.com/asiapacificnews/?p=4470&utm_source=C%2BT-Mail+AsiaPacific-28-03-13&utm_campaign=C%2BTmail+28-03-13&utm_medium=email

If the shoot is remote Pawel, my aircraft is available for gear/crew transport, pm me for details if interested.

Cheers

Thanks Tom for your kind offer. I don't think the shoot is in remote area.
They have specifically asked for an owner/operator with a DeepX.

 

[Tim Bradley]

Well done Pawel! I hope you win!

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Thanks Tim, greatly appreciated. I'm very proud to be among very respectable finalists.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to make the last and finall call for the July/August Tonga trip. We are finalising the bookings now. The reason this trip is special is because it is a private charter with only up to 4 guests, maximising the time in the water with the whales. Also, we will be filming for a giant screen production, Sea of Love, 3D.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Amphibico/Aquatica Rouge latest news

Amphibico/Aquatica Rouge latest news

Spent a very productive day at the Amphibico/Aquatica facility in Montreal yesterday getting an HD-SDI bulkhead connector installed for an upcoming pool shoot. Super nice folks all of them, a pleasure to do business with, very professional, efficient and friendly. They even bought me lunch :beer:

Saw the prototype of the new 7" HDMI External Monitor, pic attached, as soon as they are accepting orders, end of April is the estimate, I intend to place mine. The connector will also accept an HDMI cable for surface feed, should a DP prefer that over HD-SDI, although there are cable length limitations to the HDMI signal.

Spoke at length about their new seal check unit to be introduced shortly, control electronics are integrated into the moisture detection PCB, and will continuously monitor vacuum inside the housing throughout the dive. Seal compromise alert is via flashing lights in the viewfinder window. As a note of interest, they placed a human hair (drew straws for that one) across the O-rings, sealed the housing, and drew vacuum. A vacuum monitor was attached; the leak was very small -- took over twenty minutes to register-- but was there nonetheless, and detected by the seal check unit. That is very important-to-know information, in my opinion.

For those considering a purchase, the housing ships with a cable that allows you to remotely connect the camera to the housing electronics (see pic). This makes it very easy not only to do common tasks quickly; calibrate lens gear motors for example, but customize the housing, using camera presets and key mapping functions so that each control does exactly what you want it to do, with the camera right in front of you.

Very thoughtful feature.

More as I get it, warm regards to all.

Tom