Whitsunday Islands Travel Forum

Like the other person, we too had a nightmare of a trip with the Tallarook company operating out of Airlie and are desperately trying to find the relevant complaints authority for the area. The standard of accommodation, catering, dive equipment and supervision was totally substandard and not at all what we expected given that we too did not pay a bargain backpackers rate. Like the other complainee, we too have contacted the company in person and writing and have recived no positive response from their 'customer services. Please, if anyone knows the correct authority governing the standards required for sailing trips in this area, contact me so I can attempt to save others the hassle of being treated in such a way.

post this on scubaboard.com as well to warn other divers

I hope you post a Warning Tip on your Whitsunday page here on VT. That is the best place for this information. Sorry to hear it was a nightmare!

I really know nothing about diving but these are the organisations I found listed for Australia
NASDS- National Association of Scuba Diving Schools
AUSI - Australian Underwater Scuba Instructors.
NAUI - National Association of Underwater Instructors
PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors

One of these might be able to help with what you are looking for.

cannot agree enough with your description of your Tallabrook boat out of Airlie Beach (we booked Mollo with Mollocharters.com ...... their website is pure fiction). I am not prepared to roll over and die as they appear to hope I will. My party had to be taken off the boat at begining of day 2 as two of us were ill with heat exhaustion and sunburn. No shade on deck as promised in advertising. On return to Airlie Beach I complained immediately to Whitsunday Tourist Board (Nicole McGowan who can be contacted at communications@whitsundaytourism.com). She has asked me to forward my complaint to Deb Lewis (deb.lewis@whitsunday.net.au)and assures me that Deb will take up my complaint with Maritime Safety/Office of Fair Trading/Workplace Health and Safety and the Harbour Master. She has also asked me to write to the local newspaper editor, Linda Brady (editor@whitsundaytimes.com.au). Having just returned home I am about to do this ... it would help if you were to complain to these people too. Sorry to hear you had such a bad trip....know exactly what you went through and how angry you are

We just did a sailing trip with Tallarook last week. I can't agree more with the two previous complaints. The boat (Ambition) is a dump and should be condemned. The floor in the kitchen was broken! My wife and I paid extra for a private room ($400 each total), but half the bed was soaked in water. The meals were good I have to admit...thanks to the chef Greg (aka Peggy) who was the only crew member that actually worked hard. There was not even anything to drink at meals...unless you wanted to pay 2.50 for a coke. Tea and coffe are NOT unlimited...they weren't even offered. Our two skippers were foul, rude, offensive, obnoxious, and drunk half the time. They just wanted to party with the 3 other obnoxious backpackers. I too did not feel safe with our skippers drinking while driving the boat. There was no interpretation on any of the sights or islands. We snorkeled twice for 25 minutes each. The free dive was only 12 minutes. I too am writing a letter to Tallarook and am also thinking of contacting the occupation and health board of Airlie Beach. My email is vallance@ualberta.ca. Let me know what you guys found.

Jeff

Hi Jeff, I hope you write this as a warning tip under Whitsundays, so it is there for all to see. It is accessible via the main Whitsunday page, and will be seen by researchers. After all this time one would have thought they'd have been shut down!

You will all be glad to know that today 12 the February 2008, this boat was smashed against rocks and written off at Hook Island. I guess Kharma has come to Tallarook! There were numerous passengers who had to be rescued by helicopter but all were safe. As with all of your complaints, the operator again simply turned his back on those who were victim to the situation and who had lost their belonging in the boat itself. It is a shame that this operator has been allowed to sully the region's reputation for so long but hopefully this will be the final straw that exposes this safety risk for what it really is. I hear that their were only 5 lifejackets available at the time of this emergency occurring which is pretty poor given that 30 tourists had to be rescued. It is just lucky nobody died but if Tallarook ever does open again, stay well away and furthermore, if they re-open as a different company, please post their new details for all to be aware. After all, a leopard doesn't change its spots.
Steve.