Bonaire first time

[Bubbletrubble]

I have written to STINAPA Bonaire (Bonaire National Marine Park asking them if gloves may be used or not. I've also asked for a link or an electronic copy of the document allowing, if that is the case. I'll post the results when I get them. This should end all speculation.

@Waterskier1: I hope that in your inquiry you asked specifically whether wearing gloves during a rocky shore entry and then removing them prior to diving is allowed. Asking "if gloves may be used or not" will almost certainly receive a response of "No."

Thanks for looking into this...

 

[Papa_Bear]

Well it is from the park guide and it say stow your gloves! No other way to get there unless you have them in the first place to go down the mooring line or shore entry? I felt it was self evident, but I will find the reg!

 

[Papa_Bear]

Here is the one with the park rules: Bonaire / Diving

 

[diversteve]

Your link points to information posted on geographia.com - a website based in MA.

whereas Item 6 on the STINAPA - Bonaire National Marine Park - RULES AND REGULATIONS website - the official entity responsible for park management - seems to define it clearly:

6. Gloves: the use of gloves is prohibited in the BNMP. Divers who must wear gloves due to medical conditions will need to bring a doctor’s declaration, not older than 30 days, to the headquarters of the Bonaire National Marine Park at Barcadera to get a permit allowing them to use gloves.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

whereas Item 6 on the STINAPA - Bonaire National Marine Park - RULES AND REGULATIONS website:
STINAPA - Bonaire National Marine Park
which is the official entity responsible for park management - seems to define it clearly:

6. Gloves: the use of gloves is prohibited in the BNMP. Divers who must wear gloves due to medical conditions will need to bring a doctor’s declaration, not older than 30 days, to the headquarters of the Bonaire National Marine Park at Barcadera to get a permit allowing them to use gloves.

@diversteve: Yeah, I found those rules on the website, too. Still, I'd be surprised if STINAPA took a hard line stance and prohibited divers from using gloves during rocky shore entries. I've witnessed people fall and cut up their hands on the ironshore. It probably happens quite frequently. So long as the gloves are not being worn underwater while actively diving along the reef, I would think that the spirit of the rule is still being upheld. I think we can all agree that the no glove rule is in place to prevent divers from handling corals and other reef critters. I'm curious to hear what the official word is.

 

[gypsyjim]

Not my personal experience, but I have been told of dive gloves being seized at customs. Not sure if this is true, but.....

When I did my entry for Wreck it was in the Hilma Hooker on Bonaire, and we were warned we could not use gloves, even for that. Does make one more aware of where your hands are in such a situation! Some nasty sharp stuff in a wreck, if you are not careful.

 

[gypsyjim]

@diversteve: Yeah, I found those rules on the website, too. Still, I'd be surprised if STINAPA took a hard line stance and prohibited divers from using gloves during rocky shore entries. I've witnessed people fall and cut up their hands on the ironshore. It probably happens quite frequently. So long as the gloves are not being worn underwater while actively diving along the reef, I would think that the spirit of the rule is still being upheld. I think we can all agree that the no glove rule is in place to prevent divers from handling corals and other reef critters. I'm curious to hear what the official word is.

I wonder if the "gloves" ban would apply to normal gardeners gloves? For an entry over sharp coral they would work, and could be stowed away till the exit. They are certainly not dive gloves, and would have little practical application under water, although I can see where they could be just as illegal, as they could be used to "harvest", which is a big reason for the original banning I believe?!

Now that I think back on what I have read, though, I don't think they are being allowed, even during STINAPA"S attempts to capture and remove the invading Lionfish?

I do not know the answer to this, just thinking out loud, so to speak. With these hands, and my profession, a few cuts are just part of a normal day's work, so have never been terrible worried about a cut or two on the entries, which really seldom happens anyway.

Good boots on the other hand......HIGHLY recommended!

 

[BDSC]

Just wondered if anyone is headed for Bonaire the 1st week of March. Our first time and looking for dive buddies to show us the ropes.

Me and a buddy will be there from Saturday February 27th until Saturday March 6th and we will be staying at Buddy's. It will be our 7th, 8th, or 9th trip. I've lost count really. We pretty much just shore dive while there and have found the sites to the north of town to have the better vis on the last few trips we have been on. I'm sure we could arrange a few dives together.

 

[Waterskier1]

@Waterskier1: I hope that in your inquiry you asked specifically whether wearing gloves during a rocky shore entry and then removing them prior to diving is allowed. Asking "if gloves may be used or not" will almost certainly receive a response of "No."

Thanks for looking into this...

Here is the content of my email. If this does not meet your desires, maybe you could write, phrasing the question any way you want. I think it is clear enough for a reasonable person, with no agenda, to ascertain the intent of the law.


We are having a discussion regarding the use of Gloves in your park. Everything I have read states no gloves are allowed. But, I have had several people tell me it is okay to use them entering and exiting from the shore. Also while diving wrecks and descending and acceding on a mooring line. Can you provide the answer to this question?

It would be preferable if you could point to a link on the web site, or provide an electronic copy of the Rule and Regulation that allows use of gloves, if such is the case.
Thank you,

I didn't specifically state "rocky" shore entry. Nor did I specifically state they would be removed "prior to diving". In all honesty, I consider everything from putting my kit on at the truck, walking to the shore, entering the water, surface swimming out to the buoy and the return part of "diving". I think most people would. Granted you may not be underwater, breathing off your scuba. I guess if you wanted to try that as an argument in court (in the USA), you could. Remember in Netherlands, along with most European countries, the "Innocent until proven guilty" does not apply. You must prove your innocence. My intent was to find out if gloves were allowed in any phase of "diving".

 

[Waterskier1]

Could you post your reference for the above? I've searched, and the only thing I can find is from the Bonaire Marine Park website. Article 6 of the RULES AND REGULATIONS copied below:

6. Gloves: the use of gloves is prohibited in the BNMP. Divers who must wear gloves due to medical conditions will need to bring a doctor’s declaration, not older than 30 days, to the headquarters of the Bonaire National Marine Park at Barcadera to get a permit allowing them to use gloves.

I wonder if the "gloves" ban would apply to normal gardeners gloves? For an entry over sharp coral they would work, and could be stowed away till the exit. They are certainly not dive gloves, and would have little practical application under water, although I can see where they could be just as illegal, as they could be used to "harvest", which is a big reason for the original banning I believe?!

Now that I think back on what I have read, though, I don't think they are being allowed, even during STINAPA"S attempts to capture and remove the invading Lionfish?

I do not know the answer to this, just thinking out loud, so to speak. With these hands, and my profession, a few cuts are just part of a normal day's work, so have never been terrible worried about a cut or two on the entries, which really seldom happens anyway.

Good boots on the other hand......HIGHLY recommended!

Gloves are gloves are gloves. The regs don't state "dive gloves" or "underwater gloves", just "gloves". Next someone will be asking about mittens