These questions/issues and concerns were specifically addressed in a meeting with one of the marine park officials responsible for Reef Education and Protection TODAY at 1:00pm.
We addressed the specific questions and conveyed all of the concern and outrage among the Cozumel diving visitors over the referenced article, which in fact WAS NOT an official statement from the Marine Park. To put it lightly, the information in the referenced article was an abbreviated interpretation of the rules, and not completely accurate.
I was also given a copy of the most updated regulations Medidas Emergentes para Proteccion de Arrecifes Coralinos (Emergency Measures for the Protection of the Coral Reefs)
What distances are we required to maintain from the reefs?
1.5 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet - same as it was before)
Divemasters have the authority, responsibility, and obligation to their discretion with regards to divers in their groups. If a diver is damaging the reef, touching the reef, not practicing proper buoyancy control, the divemaster CAN suspend that divers privileges and/or require them to stay further away from the reef.
Are we allowed to dive swim-throughs?
YES, but the same divemaster responsibilities and discretions apply. Divers that do not have proper buoyancy control WILL NOT be taken through swim throughs. This is really the same as before.
Are cameras permitted?
YES. Again, the divemaster has the authority to restrict camera use for those divers/photographers who do not have proper buoyancy control, touch the reef, rest body parts on the reef to get their shot, etc.
Here is one catch, and I actually agree with it. Photographers must be in the site of the divemaster while taking photos. WHY? Because the DM is responsible for making sure that the photographer does not touch the reef. I have seen this more times than I care to count...photographers hang at the back, and when they think no one is looking, they do one of the above things. Again, this is a temporary restriction.
Are night dives prohibited?
NO. However, the ONLY sites currently available for night dives are at Palancar, preferably Gardens due to the profile. NO MORE than FOUR divers per divemaster on night dives at this time. Divemasters reserve the right to refuse night dives to those who cannot properly control their buoyancy.
Which reefs are closed?
Yucab, Tormentos, Chankanaab, and Paradise SHALLOWS Pedro asked what the marine park defines as Paradise shallows. This is the shoreline area where many instructors perform training dives and where snorkel tours take their snorkelers. This is the 15 to 20 foot area. This means that Paradise REEF is open to dive, but currently closed for night dives.
Is the C-53 Wreck open for diving?
Yes, but penetration is strictly prohibited at this time until the structural stability can be assessed. This is purely for safety reasons.
What is the rule about snorkel vests?
This applies to guided snorkel tours. Guided snorkel tours are not allowed more than six snorkelers per guide and no more than 24 per group.
What is the DM to diver ratio?
SIX divers per DM; EIGHTEEN divers per boat maximum with THREE DM's. For boats with more than one group, there MUST be a 5 minute interval between drops
What is the Instructor to student ratio?
TWO students per instructor, FOUR students per group with TWO instructors. This applies to Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Certification dives
How long will these additional emergency restrictions be in force?
Until January or February; however, they encourage us to follow these discretions always and to always be aware of our divers and educate. No problemo at all with this!
These regulations are temporary emergency procedures to aide in the recovery and AWARENESS (key word). No one thinks that these actions will help the reef recover immediately...but these procedures and precautions WILL help awareness.
Reef conservation is NOT a bad thing.
Some of the rules may be re-evaluated and some may actually be put in place permanently such as the ratios...which is NOT a bad thing. Nothing is set in stone at this point with regards to permanency.
I hope that this eases some minds and clears some things up.
This information came DIRECTLY from the marine Park officials in a face to face meeting, addressing the specific questions above.
If anything changes, I will let you all know!
We addressed the specific questions and conveyed all of the concern and outrage among the Cozumel diving visitors over the referenced article, which in fact WAS NOT an official statement from the Marine Park. To put it lightly, the information in the referenced article was an abbreviated interpretation of the rules, and not completely accurate.
I was also given a copy of the most updated regulations Medidas Emergentes para Proteccion de Arrecifes Coralinos (Emergency Measures for the Protection of the Coral Reefs)
What distances are we required to maintain from the reefs?
1.5 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet - same as it was before)
Divemasters have the authority, responsibility, and obligation to their discretion with regards to divers in their groups. If a diver is damaging the reef, touching the reef, not practicing proper buoyancy control, the divemaster CAN suspend that divers privileges and/or require them to stay further away from the reef.
Are we allowed to dive swim-throughs?
YES, but the same divemaster responsibilities and discretions apply. Divers that do not have proper buoyancy control WILL NOT be taken through swim throughs. This is really the same as before.
Are cameras permitted?
YES. Again, the divemaster has the authority to restrict camera use for those divers/photographers who do not have proper buoyancy control, touch the reef, rest body parts on the reef to get their shot, etc.
Here is one catch, and I actually agree with it. Photographers must be in the site of the divemaster while taking photos. WHY? Because the DM is responsible for making sure that the photographer does not touch the reef. I have seen this more times than I care to count...photographers hang at the back, and when they think no one is looking, they do one of the above things. Again, this is a temporary restriction.
Are night dives prohibited?
NO. However, the ONLY sites currently available for night dives are at Palancar, preferably Gardens due to the profile. NO MORE than FOUR divers per divemaster on night dives at this time. Divemasters reserve the right to refuse night dives to those who cannot properly control their buoyancy.
Which reefs are closed?
Yucab, Tormentos, Chankanaab, and Paradise SHALLOWS Pedro asked what the marine park defines as Paradise shallows. This is the shoreline area where many instructors perform training dives and where snorkel tours take their snorkelers. This is the 15 to 20 foot area. This means that Paradise REEF is open to dive, but currently closed for night dives.
Is the C-53 Wreck open for diving?
Yes, but penetration is strictly prohibited at this time until the structural stability can be assessed. This is purely for safety reasons.
What is the rule about snorkel vests?
This applies to guided snorkel tours. Guided snorkel tours are not allowed more than six snorkelers per guide and no more than 24 per group.
What is the DM to diver ratio?
SIX divers per DM; EIGHTEEN divers per boat maximum with THREE DM's. For boats with more than one group, there MUST be a 5 minute interval between drops
What is the Instructor to student ratio?
TWO students per instructor, FOUR students per group with TWO instructors. This applies to Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Certification dives
How long will these additional emergency restrictions be in force?
Until January or February; however, they encourage us to follow these discretions always and to always be aware of our divers and educate. No problemo at all with this!
These regulations are temporary emergency procedures to aide in the recovery and AWARENESS (key word). No one thinks that these actions will help the reef recover immediately...but these procedures and precautions WILL help awareness.
Reef conservation is NOT a bad thing.
Some of the rules may be re-evaluated and some may actually be put in place permanently such as the ratios...which is NOT a bad thing. Nothing is set in stone at this point with regards to permanency.
I hope that this eases some minds and clears some things up.
This information came DIRECTLY from the marine Park officials in a face to face meeting, addressing the specific questions above.
If anything changes, I will let you all know!
