I was informed by DiviDive that the "Officials" would announce their decision on July 1st for the requirements to dive both the Salt and Town piers. Do we have any further information?? We will be in Bonaire for 12 nights in August and want to dive the Salt Pier (my favorite dive site in Bonaire).

1. Can we arrange a shore dive at Salt Pier with the Harbor master? Or do we need to dive with a Dive Master?
2. Will the new dive requirements cause the dive masters to avoid these two wonderful dives??? What lead time will we need to arrange these dives?

Terrorism affecting Bonaire, such a shame.

Dive shops received the following instructions which a am writing down as I am remembering them:


Diving under and in the vicinity of the piers and port constructions

From July 1st 2004 the Port of Bonaire has to comply with the new UN security code ISPS.

Therefore new regulations will apply from 1. july 2004.

Register of dive instructors/masters

I a. A dive operator has a license to operate as a dive operation, issued by the Island Government.
b. Dive operators shall register all dive instructors and dive masters at the office of the Harbour Master, mentioning name, date of birth and ID.
c. The register of dive instructors and dive masters will be kept up to date under the Harbour Master’s responsibility.

II Diving near and under piers and port constructions will be restricted under the following regulations.

1. Diving in the vicinity of all piers or jetties is prohibited unless the diver(s) is/are accompanied by a certified dive instructor/master who is registered at the office of the Harbour master.
2. Diving is always prohibited when a sea going vessel is moored at a jetty or pier.
3. When diving without a dive instructor/divemaster as mentioned under 1., divers are not allowed to approace the pier, jetty or moored vessel within a distance of 100 meters.

Furthermore diving at the North Pier of Kralendijk will be permitted under the following conditions:

1. At least eight hours before a dive at the North Pieris planned, the dive operator shall apply for a permit at the Harbour Master’s office. The application shall be in writing and may be sent by facsimile. This application shall contain:
a. Name(s) of accompanying dive instructor/master
b. Names and ID of divers
c. Date and time of the dive applied for.
2. The office of the Harbour Master shall reply in writing at least before 4PM at the day of the requested dive.
3. Every 4 (four) divers shall be accompanied by a dive instructor/master.
I don’t know the maximum amount of divers permitted under the pier.
There will be a maximum of 3 (three) dives per night.

I understand that a divemaster is required while diving at the salt pier.

Sooooo,
If you dive Salt Pier without a dive guide at night, they do what? Same penalty as those that are taking "what is yours is mine" during the day?
Just asking...

My guess is you get scolded. However there is the possibility that the Marine Park may take your dive tag, report you to the dive ops, and blackball you so you cannot get air refills on island. There goes the vacation.

At the Town Pier this would be an even riskier proposition. The Harbour Master's office is right there and enforcement is much easier especially when a ship is in port. Here there might even be a chance of detainment or arrest since they also have to worry about cruiseships and container ships from the states.

No worries Linda. We play by the rules. Just a little late night mind games
One more day!