We are divers and island lovers bringing a medium sized catamaran(47-52')when we emigrate to Bonaire-any suggestions for safe dockage/marinas where we can be aboard most of the time-is there a liveaboard community or newsgroup site? Thanks in advance..

Dennis,

A recent issue of the Bonaire Reporter lists 62 liveaboards at Bonaire; in 'high' (hurricane) season the number sometimes exceeds 100.

There is only one marina mooring area, the Harbour Village Marina; more boats are tied at permanent moorings in the area between town and the marina. The liveaboards are quite active as a group. Also, I know that the cruisers there are active on the Caribbean yacht radio net so maybe you could contact others that way. They must have web presence too, in today's world.

George and Laura Desalvo, the publishers of the BR, are at least temporarily land-based cruisers; you might want to email them at the address on the BR online edition home page at http://www.bonairereporter.com/ for leads to the community there. And comments on the liveaboard scene. Like so many, they stopped in Bonaire on their way to somewhere and are still there.

You may want to email also one of the regular yachtees on bonaire that moor part of the season. Try emailing Mike and patti at svsealboat@yahoo.com. Tell them Becky that dives with Phototours and did the REEF fish count with them in July and April said that u may also help out with info.

They are ina group of yachtees that dive and moor for long period at a time thorughout the Caribbean.