Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters has been the staple for scuba diving charters for almost 30 years, all in the same location in Clearwater, Florida (in the Bay area). What started in 1996, with Ben and Susan Dauterman, has now grown with Captain TJ Shea and his crew at 2 Shea Charters.
Through the years, and minimal change in ownership, one thing stands true to Ben and Susans’ original vision; to run safe and fun scuba diving trips for all levels of experience. Captain TJ and his crew are excited to not only continue but expand on being the most reputable dive boat on the entire West Coast of Florida.
Our captains have extensive boating and diving experience in the Tampa/Clearwater area and our dive instructors and guides just love to be in the water. In joining with 2 Shea Charters, we now have a full-service dive shop and are able to offer full scuba certifications.
Feel free to scroll down to read the history of Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters or click to book your next dive trip or certification.
Capt TJ and crew
Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters
History
Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charter was founded in February 1996 by Ben and Sue Dauterman. The first CAN-TANK-EROUS was only a 6 passenger wooden dive boat, however Ben and Sue quickly piloted her to the #1 dive boat in the bay area. With their success they upgraded to the current CAN-TANK-EROUS, a Coast Guard certified dive vessel rated for 14 divers. Ben and Sue were behind the helm for 12 years growing the business each year bringing the underwater world to thousands upon thousands of vacationers and bay area locals.
When it came time to retire they kept Tanks-A-Lot “In the family” selling to Mike Miller, Ben’s #1 dive master and right hand man in 2008. Mike and his wife Heidi took Tanks-A-Lot to a new stratosphere of respect and demand. “The Tank” as she is affectionally known, was fully booked weeks out and only bad weather stood in the way of eager divers with big smiles after a great day on the water.
In 2012 Mike and Heidi reached a point where travel, to dive and take amazing underwater pictures, took priority and the business changed hands again to Capt Ryan Nelson and Capt TJ Shea. The business stayed true to its beginnings providing safe and fun dive trips off the coast of Clearwater Beach. Capt Ryan with Capt Seth by his side ran CAN-TANK-EROUS 5 days a week with the demand high as ever to giant stride off her swim platform. Underwater photographers would travel from far and wide to try and get shots of elusive frog fish, rare nudibranch’s and other creatures that Seth and Ryan had a skillful eye for.
The fall of 2019 has again seen a slight change as Capt Ryan decided to focus on new career that will keep him land based and now Capt Tj and his team will be in charge of continuing this deep tradition of being the go to dive boat on the West Coast of Florida. We look forward to seeing you come dive with us to see all the wonderful life the Gulf has to offer.
