I noticed that in some places a dive flag is required while snorkeling, such as John Pennekamp State Park. Is one required in Bonaire?

No flag required.

No required, but if you are out close to the yellow bouy or past it (if you enjoy deeper snorkeling) you better have one!

It may be an empty ocean when you jump in, but 5 minutes after you get in a dive boat or two might show up.

That, and someone on Bonaire is renting fast boats to dumb people that don't care to drive them safely. You'll see them around.

We returned last week from a 2 1/2 week trip.
We are both freedivers, and I spend A LOT of
my time diving out beyond where the mooring bouys are. I usually wear a yellow swim cap to improve the chances that I'll be seen.

On a dive at 1000 Steps, I came up about 15 feet out past the bouy -- hearing loud prop noises all the way up. I faced south -- expecting to see a boat coming to the bouy -- and there was one -- about a quarter mile out.

Then I turned and looked north. ! ! ! ! Here came another boat headed south -- a Habitat boat -- full throttle -- INSIDE THE BOUY! Jeeeeeeeeeez-suss! ! !
He never slowed down. He passed just to the outside of some snorklers that were poking around in the "snorkler area" on the south end of 1000 Steps.
I've seen that sort of idiocy on other islands -- but not (until now) in 7 years visiting Bonaire.

Marvin

Marvin - We had a similar experience last summer that left us somewhat stunned. A few of us were in the open air dining area at the Black Durgon, right on the water, and also had one person on the dock and another diver about to climb the ladder. Someone uttered something that caught our attention, and we all looked up to see this boat - full throttle - headed straight at us. The pilot suddenly started cranking the wheel hard to the right, and was able to veer away from the dock and the shore with seconds to spare, passed inside the mooring for Small Wall, and kept on heading back to town. Again, he never slowed down. When we got our descriptions together of the boat, it was Captain Don's Habitat!

Al, the Black Durgon owner, went over to the Habitat but was told a female was captain that day, but it was definitely a young male steering. We all wrote up a report for Al, which he was going to file somewhere and follow up on.

The poor guy on the ladder had quite the surge ride! I wonder if this same guy is still working there.....?

Sounds like joy-riding to me. Or a Captain who allows the dive master to drive and doesn't control him/her?? Just because the Captain assigned and/or aboard is female doesn't mean she must be piloting the boat. That behaviour isn't the usual Jack Chalk's staff style. Maybe posting here will help.

Were there divers on these wild boats, or was the driver alone???

Hi Glenn, The boat was full of wide eyed divers who were just as stunned as we were of the almost running aground of the boat. (The reference to the female pilot was simply an effort in identifying who was in charge and who steering the craft). We figured the young guy may have been distracted with the divers (flirting?) and then suddenly realized where he was going. It was something like right out of a movie! Definitely left us all shaken, but not as shaken as the poor couple out on the dock!

I have to add that we are deep water snorkelers and it was on my mind the entire time- I even put neon pink tape around our snorkels! I like the yellow cap idea as well. There should be some sort of "look out" notice given by all people who are renting boats to anyone! Just like the truck/windows down rule at the sights - there should be a "Look out for people in the deep ocean and don't run over them!" rule. Also, I think that towing around some sort of flag or other eye catching device isn't a bad idea at all. The crazy boaters that flaunt the no wake rule should be fined or something - there's no excuse for that at all!

When all is said and done,though, you've really got to fend for yourself just like everything else in the ocean, eh?
Michelle

Bea and Marvin: Would you mind sharing how you trained to become free divers? Sounds Cool. Thanks.

I posted here back in March about crazy boat drivers. No spot is safe. They drive almost as crazily as the drivers coming into Hato from Rincon. Give a man (or woman) a means to go fast without personal exertion and that's what you get.

Get the cylinder-style flag float, its the best.

Here we are again, a few undisciplined, uncontrolled, uncaring, non-thinking people causing all the rest of us to expend effort, time, annoyance and treasure trying to prevent the infrequent events that the few can stop easily. Sounds like trying to stop Bonaire car theft and world-wide terrorism. End of rant.

(Message edited by glenr on May 8, 2004)

Marcus -

We really don't train a lot. But, we are swimmers - now just lap swimmers, but we swim 1,000-1,500 yards a couple of days a week.

Usually a month or so before our trip, we get our fins and weights out and take them to the pool. We are working on breath holding. We swim underwater down to the end of the pool, turn around and come back. We try to kick slow and relax. We time our swims. It just helps you realize you can hold your breath for longer than you think.

Marvin also puts a couple of dive bricks about 15 feet from the ends of the pool. He starts out at the brick, just holding it (it is on the bottom of the pool) and getting relaxed, almost in a meditation mode. Then, he swims to the other end and does the same there. The relaxing time is supposed to be similar to the glide down at the beginning of the dive and the glide up at the end.

HTH - Bea