Catalina is on fire!

[paradicio]

I am sure the fire will have a deep impact on the island and it's residents. Catalina is and hopefully always will be a premier dive location. Once the smoke clears (pun intended) I am sure there will be a need to help those on the island get back to normal. Tourism will be down for a while. There may be a need to reseed and prevent runoff (if it ever rains again) from fouling some of our best dive sites. Maybe we, the diving community, can be proactive and start now looking at ways to help them. Maybe an extra $10 per diver on dive charters? Maybe a group dive (at a cost) at Casino with the fee going to a fund? What do you all think?

I'm all for this. I'm a new diver and the Catalina dive park is one of the few places I really feel comfortable going w/o a guide or instructor. I'm thinking a group dive at Casino would be a fantastic idea. Count me in!

 

[Missdirected]

Hats off to the federal, state and municipal fire fighters that will most likely be center stage throughout this summer helping to keep us safe. Their hard work and sacrifice is greatly appreciated.

Christian

:wave-smil

The smoke is thick here in Tampa today. We are advised not to go out. Cars are covered in soot. Cheers to the firefighters.

Thanks all for the updates.

 

[D_B]

CMI on a ScubaBoard Catalina Group Dive

... Miss, you in too

 

[tc]

Karl got a message out to Mark via sat phone. They have lost power at the USC campus and chamber and estimates are running from several days to a couple weeks before power is back on.

The Chamber can still do at least one treatment if needed using generator power and banked air. They will have to use local crew because the Express has cancelled the runs today to Two Harbors.

For those not familiar with the Island the chamber is in no danger- It's on the other end of the Island from the fire.

 

[headhunter]

Wishing the best for Dr. Bill and the other residents of the island.

A couple buddies and I were planning on heading to Casino Point this Saturday. I called Catalina Express and they said to call back later today to see if they are even making the trip. Looks like we will have to remain local this weekend and let the island work on more important items.

You can always some to the Wrinkles Dive and BBQ in La Jolla this Saturday!

Christian

 

[Teamcasa]

I am sure the fire will have a deep impact on the island and it's residents. Catalina is and hopefully always will be a premier dive location. Once the smoke clears (pun intended) I am sure there will be a need to help those on the island get back to normal. Tourism will be down for a while. There may be a need to reseed and prevent runoff (if it ever rains again) from fouling some of our best dive sites. Maybe we, the diving community, can be proactive and start now looking at ways to help them. Maybe an extra $10 per diver on dive charters? Maybe a group dive (at a cost) at Casino with the fee going to a fund? What do you all think?

Good idea Mike and I think having an organized dive trip to help Catalina would be great. However, I think the local merchants (all of them) would like it better if we all just planed to frequent the island very soon and contribute by using them and their services.

Maybe a dive trip that included a Saturday boat dive with ScubaLuv, spend the night at a local hotel, dive with Catalina Diver Supply on Sunday Morning then come home.

Divers could choose both days or just one. I sure the merchants would like this better than a simple contribution.

PS: Lets plan this for the weekend of May 19-20. I have purely selfish reasons for this date. It will be my last opportunity before my early June trip to Kona! This could also be the FIRST ANNUAL DORK DIVERS CATALINA TRIP!

Dave
DDHV

 

[Codyjp]

instead of smoke jumpers we would be smoke divers.

plus, avalon can't burn down. it is my birthday and that would ruin it.

 

[merxlin]

Good idea Mike and I think having an organized dive trip to help Catalina would be great. However, I think the local merchants (all of them) would like it better if we all just planed to frequent the island very soon and contribute by using them and their services.

Maybe a dive trip that included a Saturday boat dive with ScubaLuv, spend the night at a local hotel, dive with Catalina Diver Supply on Sunday Morning then come home.

Divers could choose both days or just one. I sure the merchants would like this better than a simple contribution.

PS: Lets plan this for the weekend of May 19-20. I have purely selfish reasons for this date. It will be my last opportunity before my early June trip to Kona! This could also be the FIRST ANNUAL DORK DIVERS CATALINA TRIP!

Dave
DDHV

Might be hard to set up in a week Dave. And the following weekend is Memorial Weekend (which I already have booked for a two day trip on the Sundiver ) so hopefully we will see how it goes with the tourists and give the island some time to settle down. I'm hoping Dr. Bill gets back to normal soon and maybe can chime in with some ideas from a local's perspective. But I think we should make DorkDiveFest - Catalina 2007 a reality.

 

[somewhereinla]

I was supposed to dive Catalina tomorrow for my AOW class
It would have been my first Southern Cal. dive...

 

[MissyP]

Might be hard to set up in a week Dave. And the following weekend is Memorial Weekend But I think we should make DorkDiveFest - Catalina 2007 a reality.

Might want to let things settle down at Catalina for a month or so-- and may 19/20 is super short notice for people.. Maybe early- mid June?


Ok Dr B, time for you to get back online