Earth Lodge
Rebuilt from a 52-metre (171ft) steel-hulled merchant vessel, MV Solitude One is almost a complete makeover from her original form to set new standards in hospitality and professionalism. With our clients in mind, the vessel was purpose-built to incorporate smart design, functionality and comforts close to home. The vessel operates in Palau from Nov-Apr and then transitions to the Philippines.
The vessel is large, spacious and more than sufficient room for the maximum of 22 guests and/or Scuba divers and 16-20 dive staff and crew. It is an impressive sight as it weaves it’s way around the islands of Palau. Solitude One is spread over 3 decks with an additional ‘vessel island’ for sunbathing. There are 10 cabins in total. Every cabin has it’s own en-suite shower and toilet facilities. The cabins are split as follows:
• 2 x Staterooms (King-Sharing)
• 7 x Deluxe Cabins (4 x Twin or Double sharing, 2 x Double Sharing, 1 x Twin Bunk)
• 1 x Standard Family/Quad Cabin
In addition to toilet and shower facilities, each cabin has as standard it’s own air-conditioning system, safety deposit box, bath robes and towels, hair dryer, bedding, storage space and flat screen TV with USB media player platform.
On the very top of this vessel is a comfortable sun-deck for those needing a dose of vitamin D and a breath of sea air. At the end of the day there is also a hot tub to relax in with a drink of your choice. What impresses most about the Solitude One is that it’s clearly geared for divers. If you’re an underwater photographer there is even a digital ‘dark room’ where you can spend time privately assessing the day’s shots, or simply dipping into the library onboard.
The feeling that this offering is really geared towards Scuba divers is underlined by the impressive dive deck. There is space for 30 divers. There are tank racks, storage boxes, camera basins and stowage for the most discerning diver. Equipment rental may also be arranged should you wish to travel light. The only non-rental item being an underwater camera.
Paying close attention to detail, the cabins were conceptualised from experience, common sense, feedback from guests, incorporating essential elements from the hospitality world and being very aware of what discerning divers need and want, and then designing them with taste and practicality.
TECHNICAL DATA
GENERAL
Type and Year Built: Steel Mono-Hull 2013 – Rebuilt (Originally Built in 1979)
Port of Registry/Flagged: Cebu, Philippines
Cruising Itinerary Routes: Palau and the Philippines
Engine & Propulsion: Main 2698HP (2013kW) with Auxiliary Propulsion Engine
Length: 52m (171 ft) • Beam: 8.6m (28ft) • Draft :5m (16.4ft)
Cruising Speed: 10 Knots (Top Speed 14 Knots)
Diesel Capacity: 150,000L (39,473US Gal.)
Cruising Range: ± 9000nM (16,668KM)
Electricity: 1x 250kVa, 2 x 125kVa and 1 x 15kVa (Total 4 Units) providing24 Hours 200V to 240V-50Hz
Navigation: Local Navigation Maps with Furuno GPS Chart Plotter, Radar (Long/Short), Weather Plotter and Depth-Sounder
Communication System: VHF/SB Radios, VSAT Satellite Phone & Internet, Inmarsat-C
Ship Safety System: GMDSS with EPIRB, AIS, Life Rafts, Emergency Survival Packs, Semi-Automated Fire Suppression Sprinkler System
Fresh Water Capacity: 50,000L (Storage) with On-board Water-Maker capable of producing 2000USG/7600Lfresh water per Day
CAMERAS & GADGETS
Large Camera Rinsing Tank: 2 Very Large Rinse Tanks and Towels just for Cameras
Pressurized Air for Drying: Available
DIVING
Air Compressors: 3 x Bauer HP Compressor IK120 with Bauer B-Kool680-s Air Cooler Filtered by P41 Centralized System
Nitrox Membrane System: LP450 Nitrox Membrane
Enriched Air Nitrox Diving**: EANx28 to 30% Only (This is to provide a more suitable M.O.D for sites in Palau)
Scuba Cylinders: Aluminium 100cuft (19 units), 80cuft (80 units), 63cuft (4units), 40cuft (12 units) & 19cuft (4 units) with DIN Valves (Yoke/A-Clamp Adapters available) – Twin Tanks Not Available.
Solo Diving not allowed (even if certified)
Rebreather Support**: Only on Full Charters with Rebreather Divers. Scrubbers can be organised with advanced notice (preferably 60 days or more) but no guarantee or your can order and send it to us. N.B. Oxygen supply in Palau is limited as well and expensive
Dive Equipment Rental: Available (including Dive Computers but excluding U/W Cameras)
Nautilus Lifeline GPS: Provided complimentary if you do not own one and accept the replacement liability if lost or damaged.
Dive Skiffs: 2 x 11.5m (37ft) Fiberglass Purpose-Built Boats (one with Twin 200HP and the other Twin 150HP) 4-stroke Outboard Engines
Support Skiff: 1 x 8.3m (27ft) Fiberglass Monohull with single 60HP 4-Stroke Engine
Dive Guides: Ratio 1 to 6 Divers (Private Guide Service available**150USD per Diving Day)
Surface Marker Buoy(SMB), Lead Weights & Belt: Complimentary
Available for purchase on-board (Advance Order is recommended): Surface Marker Buoy (OPV,SOLAS Reflector),Nautilus Lifeline GPS/VHF Radio(with Pouch),Spools, Dive Pointers, Drift Hooks, O-rings, Hoses and other common replaceable spares.
Medical Oxygen and comprehensive First Aid Kits are Available
All guests participating in SCUBA activities MUST be equipped with a Dive Computer as well as an Audible and Visual Signalling Device (e.g. Whistle and SMB)
HOSPITALITY
Reading Library: Loan & Exchange Program
Entertainment: In-Room and lounge play-on-demand Audio-Video system with Entertainment Library, Card and Board Games.
Type of Coffee available: Fully Automatic (self-service) pressed coffee machine, local and instant coffee.
Type of Tea available: Ceylon, Chamomile, Green and Chinese
Drinking Water: Free Flow from Reverse Osmosis Water Dispenser
Alcoholic Beverages**: Beer, Red/White/Rose Wine, popular liquors (BYO Policy: no corkage charge)
Non-Alcohol Beverages: Popular selections including light and zero options (if type is available)
Self-Serve Snacks & Munchies: Available24 hours
Ice Maker: Available
Special Dietary Requests: We can accommodate vegetarian and selective non-meat diets. Vegans will require advanced notice with a specific list of allowable ingredients for their meal preparation.
Solitude Souvenirs & Apparels**: Solitude One apparels are still in progress however, local souvenirs can be purchased when we take you to the local shopping mall.
On-Board Guests Services**: Satellite Internet and Laundry
Sample 7 night trips ( there is also a 10 night trip available)
Day 1 - Embarkation begins from 1800Hrs
Embarkation and airport or hotel pick-up transfers will begin from 1800hrs. If you are arriving after midnight on day 1, do not worry, you will be met by our crew at the airport on your arrival and be transferred to Solitude One. The distance from the airport to the embarkation point is no more than 30 minutes. If you are staying at a hotel in Koror or Malakal, our crew will communicate with your hotel/resort front desk to inform you of your pick-up time. Embarkation transfers will stop at 1000hrs on Day 2 as Solitude One will get underway leaving Malakal Harbour.
Upon boarding Solitude One, a welcome from the rest of our crew awaits you. Orientation and registration (remember your C-Cards and/or Log Books!) will begin once you are welcomed. You are encouraged to complete your registration and general liability release forms prior to arriving in Palau; this way you will save yourself some time with the orientation and can use this towards getting yourself settled in and rested! If you have not, there is nothing to worry about as you can complete them after the orientation to hand to your cruise directors. During the registration, the Koror and Peleliu Permit Fees & taxes (total of US $160) will be collected (cash only) as well. Jellyfish Lake Permit fees of US $50 (optional trip) will also be collected.
Day 2 - 2 or 3 dives
Choice of Sites: Helmet Wreck/Chandelier Cave/Jake Seaplane/Teshio Maru
Leave Malakal Lagoon Anchorage for Ulong Island.
Day 3 - 3 or 4 dives
Choice of Sites: Iro Wreck/Ulong Channel/Sandy Paradise/Siaes Corner
Day 4 - 3 or 4 dives
Choice of Sites: Siaes Tunnel/Siaes Corner/Ulong Channel/Sandy Paradise/German Channel/New Drop-Off
Leave Ulong Anchorage for German Channel Anchorage via Whale Island
Day 5 & 6 - 3 or 4 dives a day
Choice of Sites: Peleliu (Wall/Cut/Express/Corner)/Orange Beach/German Channel/Blue Corner/Blue Holes)/Turtle Cove/Big Drop-Off
Day 7 - 3 dives, your last dive has to conform to our 18 hours no-fly/no-altitude policy
Choice of Sites: German Channel/Blue Corner/New Drop-Off/Big Drop-Off /Ngedbus Corner. Return to Malakal Lagoon Anchorage in the late evening.
Day 8 - No Diving
After a big breakfast, you have optional complimentary tours (you will only need to pay for the entry permit fees) of Jellyfish Lake & Milky Way by speed boat. After the tour, you will return to Solitude One and prepare for check out before a late lunch. You will also be briefed on your check-out bills for you to prepare for payment.
