Expedition Trawler “Explorer” is a 42 foot fiberglass Grand Banks trawler specially outfitted for diving and adventure cruising. Home-Ported in Wakefield RI, Explorer offers yacht ambience combined with trawler utility. With a combination of features only rarely seen in charter boats, she provides the sea-keeping advantages of a miniature ship with the intimacy of a private yacht. Grand Banks trawlers are famous worldwide for their excellent quality, extreme safety, and seaworthiness. Normally vessels of this size carry 20 or more passengers. Explorer - being a private expedition yacht and not a high volume party boat - offers a luxury alternative for the discriminating party of not more than six. Take a tour and see why we feel that Explorer is the finest diving and adventure cruising vessel available for charter in Rhode Island.

Stepping aboard, one is greeted by warm teak decks, with solid bulwarks and rails providing security to passengers and crew moving about. Stepping forward to enter her cabin, the finished teak, brass, and mahogany interior invites you to relax in her air-conditioned salon, the center of all activities aboard. A large teak table provides a comfortable place to dine, sit, and gather for whatever activities are desired. A full galley is here, with two refrigerators, icemaker, gas stove, microwave, coffee maker, and sink with hot and cold water. The main navigation and steering station is here as well, which is provided with state of the art GPS navigation equipment, RADAR, and sophisticated bottom sounder for shipwreck location. Lighting is provided with electric lamps, or for a more intimate feeling while quietly anchored after a day of exploring original hanging kerosene lamps may be lit which gives the warm wood of the cabin a cheerful glow. Large windows provide a view all around, and may be opened to enjoy the breezes when afloat.

Located forward and aft of the main salon, one can step down either forward or aft one level into one of her two private passenger cabins. Both passenger cabins are furnished with private head and shower as well as independent air conditioning systems. The forward cabin is found with two spacious V-berths, while the aft cabin is furnished with a queen size berth as well as a second single berth. The aft cabin has a private hatch leading to the aft deck, and the forward cabin has a large opening hatch in the ceiling to allow ventilation as well as a view of the stars while sleeping.

Stepping again on deck, a short ladder on her port side leads to the spacious flying bridge, with a sizable teak table found under a canvas top providing shade from the sun. This area seats 8, and provides a pleasant place to relax between dives, or for a good view of the surrounding area while underway. A propane grill is found here, which allows dinner to be grilled under open air while recounting the day’s activities. This area is generally the center of evening activities in good weather, as a beautiful view may be found here as well as a comfortable seating area. Here also is the open air navigation station, where again is found a complete set of modern marine electronics including forward sweeping SONAR for shipwreck location.

A half-deck down, aft of the flying bridge, is found the boat-deck. Here, when the inflatable boat is not stowed aboard, we find a place for stowage of diving gear, or just sunbathing or sitting. Just aft of the boat deck is the stern deck, from which diving operations are conducted. This area is provided with tank racks, under-deck stowage area, and access to the swim platform. The swim platform was custom made for divers, being a full three feet deep and 14 feet wide. A heavy diver’s ladder allows fully laden divers to climb aboard with ease, even in rough seas.

Back aboard, walk forward to the bow where a comfortable sitting area can be found in the eyes of the ship. This area is a great place to sit while underway in good conditions, and is a quiet place to sit and enjoy the day while at anchor.

Explorer carries aboard an Avon RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) which we use for ship to beach shuttle service, gaining access to the beautiful and uninhabited islands along the bay, for carrying spear-fishermen to their hunting locations, as a safety boat while conducting offshore diving operations, and for just plain post-dive fun. In addition, Explorer carries the latest in safety equipment including far more than the USCG required equipment.

Explorer is available for charter, with destinations and itinerary flexible to suit passenger desires. Her trips may range from one day charters for SCUBA diving on any of the excellent local shipwrecks, to full day or overnight shark-cage dives, multiple-day trips to destinations such as Block Island, Montauk, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, for family camping and kayaking trips into the upper areas of Narragansett Bay, or to destinations such as Old Mystic Seaport. For the most adventurous we can arrange multiple day offshore diving trips for technical divers and with a comfortable 400 mile cruising radius can easily visit offshore sites such as the wreck of the Andrea Doria. She is crewed by experienced USCG licensed Captains and qualified SCUBA Instructors, as well as experienced Mates. Don’t forget that her Mates also know how to cook! Naturally, high quality hot food is one of the keys to a happy ship, and we spare no expense to ensure that passengers’ desires are met. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and hot and cold snacks are always available. From freshly caught local Lobster and Striped Bass to steaks and hamburgers on the grill, the menu is never disappointing.

We hope you’ve enjoyed looking over this fine and happy ship. Please feel free to contact her captain, Dave Sutton, for additional information or contact Narragansett Pier Dive, located just a short drive from her home port, for charter information.

We’ll look forward to seeing you aboard!
The Captain and Crew of Explorer