For fans of Bonaire, of Buddy Dive on Bonaire, I have a few things to share:
First, there is a bit of damage to the dock area from yesterday's storm, but nothing major. I'm sure the repairs will be swift, as the damages were relatively minor.
There was damage elsewhere, including some heavy hard coral damage from dragged anchors from sailboats docked along the waterfront at Yellow Sub/Dive Friends. I'm sure the damages were widespread, as we saw debris at other dive sites today.
Another bit Oneof damage I witnessed:
One step, @ 1/2 way up the ladder at Oil Slick was swept away, or broken during the storm yesterday. It was there on Monday, do we were quite surprised when we discovered to our dismay upon exiting our first dive this morning that our climb out was going to be far more difficult than anticipated.
Second, the old heavy hemp guide rope that ran from the dock straight down to well below 60' feet, to mark the return point for night dives, has been replaced by a 1/4" yellow nylon rope system that runs straight along the top edge of the reef, and then a second 1/4" nylon line replacing the old hemp line, which
runs from the dock, down to 58 feet.
There are currently white plastic "cave arrow type markers (no pics), labeled with markers, to help. Heaven knows how long the plastic markers will remain legible if they are not cleaned routinely....
traditional.
NOTE:
Another BIG change, that we were not aware of before we arrived on Bonaire last Saturday, was that the old plastic STINAPA "tags" have been eliminated, and now you must fill out a registration online, and pay your STINAPA park fee online, and NOT at your dive operator, and you need to print out, and carry your paper receipt (leave in in your vehicle, as it has no intrinsic value.
If anyone wishes to add tags or share, feel free to do so.
First, there is a bit of damage to the dock area from yesterday's storm, but nothing major. I'm sure the repairs will be swift, as the damages were relatively minor.
There was damage elsewhere, including some heavy hard coral damage from dragged anchors from sailboats docked along the waterfront at Yellow Sub/Dive Friends. I'm sure the damages were widespread, as we saw debris at other dive sites today.
Another bit Oneof damage I witnessed:
One step, @ 1/2 way up the ladder at Oil Slick was swept away, or broken during the storm yesterday. It was there on Monday, do we were quite surprised when we discovered to our dismay upon exiting our first dive this morning that our climb out was going to be far more difficult than anticipated.
Second, the old heavy hemp guide rope that ran from the dock straight down to well below 60' feet, to mark the return point for night dives, has been replaced by a 1/4" yellow nylon rope system that runs straight along the top edge of the reef, and then a second 1/4" nylon line replacing the old hemp line, which
runs from the dock, down to 58 feet.
There are currently white plastic "cave arrow type markers (no pics), labeled with markers, to help. Heaven knows how long the plastic markers will remain legible if they are not cleaned routinely....
traditional.
NOTE:
Another BIG change, that we were not aware of before we arrived on Bonaire last Saturday, was that the old plastic STINAPA "tags" have been eliminated, and now you must fill out a registration online, and pay your STINAPA park fee online, and NOT at your dive operator, and you need to print out, and carry your paper receipt (leave in in your vehicle, as it has no intrinsic value.
If anyone wishes to add tags or share, feel free to do so.