Hello,

I'm traveling solo and want to dive Town Pier. Is there any place in particular you have to go to sign up or can any dive shop run a group dive there? Thanks.

Eric

Hi Eric, welcome to Bonaire Talk. Both the Town Pier and Salt Pier are not divable currently. They are not issuing permits to dive the piers since Omar

AAAARRRGH!!!

Oh well, it's not like there aren't enough sites on the island.

Thank you Barry, Glen, et. al. for not spell checking my "divable" lol!

Eric, I was bummed as well last January when Salt Pier was closed

That's a pity I am leaving this friday and hopefully we can try the rock@night instead of the Salt Pier & Town Pier , would be nice as well!!

Just out of curiosity, what is stopping someone from getting in near the salt pier and swimming over to explore? (provided there is no ship docked there)

I am not advocating this or condoning the breaking of laws. I am simply curious. I know there near Town Pier but I have never seen anyone near Salt Pier.

It would be just as illegal as entering right at the pier and diving it without a permit. The permit is not for entering at the pier...the permit is for diving under the pier.

The reason that they do not give Salt Pier permit is because of risk of parts falling off. I'd not recommend going until the harbor master clears it.

Thanks Bas. I understand it is illegal and I understand the reasons for denying permits at the moment.

I am just asking if there is anyone enforcing the restriction? Could one (theoretically) enter at Salt City and swim over unnoticed?

I'm wondering the same thing. Suppose my navigation was off just a bit...

With all due respect but I do not think that is a question that should be asked. If you know that it is illegal and for a good reason then just don't do it. Good people stick to the rules not just because they are enforced.

No one is advocating breaking the rules. We're just trying to understand how strictly they are being enforced and what the consequences might be out of curiosity.

The consequences might be your death? What if the pilings they are worried about tumble...on you...

Why do you want to know how it is enforced if you do not want to break the rules? I don't see the point in that. I am not planning on breaking into your house but just out of curiosity can you tell us all how you have secured your house? Doesn't make sense, does it.

After the sarcastic comment I will also react seriously. The consequences are at minimum that your dive gear will be impounded by the Rangers. Then you have a process of about 2 days involving going to the Police and to Court to get a ruling on your fine (which could be several hundreds of dollars each). Then you have to go to the 'Eilandsontvanger' to actually pay the fine in full. After that with their receipt you go to Stinapa to get your gear back. 1-2 days of your vacation ruined. Gear will not be rinsed by Stinapa. That is the minimum. The maximum is the same fine but also expulsion from the island immediately. They do have the authority to do that.

Bas is right on

and so is the OP

"it's not like there aren't enough sites on the island."

Just enjoy a dive somewhere else this trip and take another trip to Bonaire when the piers are "Divable" (wink at tink).

then everyone can be all smiles and sunshine

Just an FYI - STINAPA is out checking tags at the divesites... I was at Salt City on Thursday and we got checked by two fine young STINAPA rangers.

I think by being "off" on your navigation skills, you could risk the harbormaster and Cargill recinding dive permits permanently. Personally, I'd like the chance to dive it in the future and I'd be a bit put out if someone ruined it for me in this way.

I'm just sayin'...

Let's back up for a minute please.

Bas, I'm not sure what sarcastic comment you meant or if it was from me. I certainly did not intend to ruffle any feathers. I understand that you are concerned about Bonaire and the marine environment and ecology. I support your commitment to those ideals.

I am NOT planning on diving these places illegally nor am I suggesting anyone else do so. I want that to be perfectly clear. That being said, I do not agree with your assertion that asking about rules and their enforcement is an assumed precursor to breaking them.

People inquire about things all the time for innocent and completely benign reasons. Please keep this in mind.

i know i'm being cynical about this but i have the feeling that both the salt and town piers will remain closed, using the excuse of questionable structural stability, until people just quit asking about diving there. sometimes i doubt if either will ever open to diving again...but that's just my cynical side....i hope i'm wrong

Pat - I got the same impression when I was there last week. At our orientation at Buddy's they said both piers are permanently closed to diving or very similar wording. It really left no wiggle room for the possibility of getting permits any time soon.

Pat, Becky, I agree. I think it was probably a PITA for the harbor master to issue permits, take passport numbers, etc. That's me being cynical...

It'll be interesting to see if they reopen Town Pier to divers when the cruise ships are gone.