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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sally Irene Spencer on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 12:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Quite a few divers seem to be stepping on the coral lately and it is so maddning to see them do it. Maybe the sign should be more from the coral's perspective and say "OUCH-You are killing me." Maybe those ignorant divers who step on the coral think that the sign is there to keep them from hurting themselves. So, they must figure, if they are careful, they can continue to step on the coral. This is really bothering me and I want to see divers respect the living coral and give it a chance to grow.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ida Christie on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 12:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wish they would go back to dive school. Padi preaches not to touch the coral.

It's very sad. While I diving I try to be very careful. I watch divers all the time breaking off coral. They really act like they have no idea.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ida Christie on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 12:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well I can't type or spell. LOL. It should read While I'm Diving -

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Marchese on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

hmmm...
Text description

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By clint harsch on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 1:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That's if you take a Diving instruction course where there is coral. I think that very often it gets passed over on inland courses. Things like what to do if you get caught in the strong river current or what to do if you get tangled in debris are taught alot more. I really think that the dive boat operators should make a bigger deal of it to their divers since it effects their livelyhood in the long run.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pat Relich on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 2:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well folks I think we are all in agreement. I noticed when I was in Bonaire it wasn’t just the new divers. Divers of all experience levels were standing, knelling and swimming on or through the coral. We had a family of divers on one dive with Toucan that were so oblivious to their body position relative to the coral that the mother made a comment that she “doesn’t know how she gets all cut up.” Quote “the coral just comes up and grabs me.” About half of the boat complained to the dive master and Toucan management. Not sure what happened. Well I don’t imply that it was the majority of divers. Most were very careful of their body and fin positions. I should not generalize. Most divers new and old were simply wonderful and extremely careful. But the family story is true

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bluetang on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 2:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

here is bluebeard and a boat...
cam.jpg
cam.jpg

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill Ganderton on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I suspect that ignorance is a big part of this....otherwise, why would anyone who has gone to the trouble of learning to dive so they can see all the wonders of the seas not be horribly troubled to get cut even once, thereby damaging the reef.

I wonder whether it would help if the Divemasters on the boats made it a policy to announce each and every time in their pre-dive briefing that touching the coral will kill it, and how long it takes to regrow (if it even does). It's a sobering piece of information and I'm sure that there are many who just don't realize how they are hurting the reef. I know I would not mind hearing that each time if it helped protect the coral.

We were very lucky in our PADI courses that our instructors repeatedly told us to never touch anything, and it's stuck with us. We are a diving family (not the one mentioned earlier I hasten to add!) and have always made a point to keep an eye on each other's positioning when we dive, so that we don't touch anything.

Another thought would be to give out a small note with the marine park tag to educate divers, a "Did you know that...." kind of thing that was brief and to the point.

Well, enough spouting! Here are some pics from this morning.
Have a great day all!
Jill
webcam1
webcam3
webcam2 webcam4

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill Ganderton on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I suspect that ignorance is a big part of this....otherwise, why would anyone who has gone to the trouble of learning to dive so they can see all the wonders of the seas not be horribly troubled to get cut even once, thereby damaging the reef.

I wonder whether it would help if the Divemasters on the boats made it a policy to announce each and every time in their pre-dive briefing that touching the coral will kill it, and how long it takes to regrow (if it even does). It's a sobering piece of information and I'm sure that there are many who just don't realize how they are hurting the reef. I know I would not mind hearing that each time if it helped protect the coral.

We were very lucky in our PADI courses that our instructors repeatedly told us to never touch anything, and it's stuck with us. We are a diving family (not the one mentioned earlier I hasten to add!) and have always made a point to keep an eye on each other's positioning when we dive, so that we don't touch anything.

Another thought would be to give out a small note with the marine park tag to educate divers, a "Did you know that...." kind of thing that was brief and to the point.

Well, enough spouting! Here are some pics from this morning.
Have a great day all!
Jill
webcam1
webcam3
webcam2

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill Ganderton on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oops! Sorry! Technical error! I thought I'd deleted the first one....Now I've "spouted" twice!
Jill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marisa Thompson on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great to see that the weather is good there today! It is soooo cold here today, (Dallas,TX wise 30 degrees ) I am sure there are a lot of you guys out there where it is 10 times worse. URGH I can't wait 5 more months! But I guess I will have to. I take it the idiots that left the sign down there a couple days ago never got found! Hey quick question? I am the one that said I was hesitant on the night dives but I am casually changing my perspective. What all will I see in the night that I wont see in the day?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bluetang on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

well, let's see...

spawning coral (at the right time of the year)
coral cups opening up
tangs in their jammies
sgt majors in their jammies
lobster
sleeping parrotfish
octopus (see them in the day though ocasionally)

anyone else want to help out?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Lott on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 4:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Colors!!! Lots and lots of beautiful colors not as evident during the day because you have your flashlight - lots of bright reds and oranges and yellows and purples.... ahhhhhh it's just incredible, you will regret it if you don't do it. Someone had pictures from maybe a trip report (I don't remember) of night diving. Does anyone recall?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By clint harsch on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 4:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Check out Marcs pictures http://www.crystalvisions.tk/

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Mac on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 4:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Crinoids, very cool
Basket Stars, also very cool
Phosphorescent Plankton, way to cool
Eels like to roam. also way cool

Does this help for the night dive?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By penny lewis on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 5:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

night diving in bonaire is the easiest. No current to get you lost. Diving from Lions dive or Buddy dive where the shore lights are is great. Get a few of your friends together for a nite dive, upon going back go to shore turn off your lights, get in a circle and wave your hands and feet to see the plankton burst off of your finger tips just like sparks. It's great. especially when there is a full moon. The divemaster I had, Jim, told us if we heard a "whoosh" beside our head it was just the tarpon feeding. Glad he told us, therefore when this happened to me I was not afraid. The colors are MAGNIFICENT. Go, do, see, enjoy. You will be glad you did. The best night diving experience I've ever had.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bluetang on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 6:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

marisa, check out these night dive pics of small wall (where the cam is)...
bonaire night dive

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By clint harsch on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 7:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I just got a glimpse of the 18:58 sunset picture as I logged off can someone post it?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 7:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

P

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Annette Bursey on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 7:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I got this one. Annie B.

anythinganything

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Annette Bursey on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 7:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Goodnight Folks. anything

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill something or other on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 10:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Greetings all!! Seeing as it is a little dark for pics, thought I'd introduce myself - and let you in on the nefarious plan. I'm Bill, and one of the Superturtles. Toronto Super Turtles Dive Club that is. And the Plan - 8 of us will invade Bonaire the last 2 weeks in March!!

I've really enjoyed your conversation, your photo postings (have to learn how) and your assorted smily faces (again - have to learn how)

Jake? Did someone step on the thermometer?? Seems to have got stuck on 78.4 F for quite a while. Anyway, I'll be checking in more frequently, and I'll get up the nerve to post more often as well.

BTW - Toronto forecast - overnight Clear, -26* C, with wind chill to -30 or more!!!

Only reason I feel warm is PBE
Pre Bonaire Excitement!! - (our 3rd visit)

Sleep well all!!

Bill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill Ganderton on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Bill, we're just up in King City, just as cold here too! Do you Turtles dive together a lot?
Lucky you, going soon!
Jill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill something or other on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Jill!! Know where you are from watching previous posts and the weather reports lol.

Super Turtles used to number in the hundreds....now down to about a dozen core divers. Yes, we start up in May and try to get two Club dives in per month - Parry Sound area, Niagara River, Toby (too cold for me!!), Penetanguishene, Brockville and Kingston. And, of course one down south excursion. With these temps, I can hardly wait!!!

Bill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 3:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I figured 78.4 was a better temp than 34 (which is what the actual device currently reads - Dan's cobbling a replacement UW temp gauge together presently).

The good news is that the weather station is back on Bonaire - hope to re-install it this weekend.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill Ganderton on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 4:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lucky you Bill! We had such a great time in Bonaire this Christmas that we're already planning to do the same for Christmas 2003!

This time we'll maybe get to meet Jake too....Jake, we visited the street cam a couple of times (so we know where you are!) but unfortunately were not able to take you up on your very kind invitation to the New Yr's party... our 14 yr old decided on that particular time to feel a bit under the weather. Hope you got our note and bits and pieces! My packing for next Christmas will be done with more experience, so maybe the Brador for Linda will fit this time! (Gosh, way too long to wait for beer though, really!)
Thanks again for all you do to keep us connected to your lovely island...those beach shots are keeping many of us sane through this cold spell, I reckon! Thanks!
Jill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 4:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Jill,

Yes we did indeed! Greatly appreciated! We'll have to wait until next time to meet you in person, though :-(

Thanks!

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill Ganderton on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 7:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We'll look forward to it! Cheers!

 


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