Vessel Diver vs Boat in Bonaire

[tursiops]

Including every professional dive master on the island.

So why is that? Is it not a good idea, especially in certain locations?
Stubbornness?
Lack of knowing?

 

[Steelyeyes]

So why is that? Is it not a good idea, especially in certain locations?
Stubbornness?
Lack of knowing?

Good question. They're all well trained by the same agencies as the rest of us. Possibly many people are concerned that the boat drivers, who are ignorant about SMBs (and often basic safe operation of a watercraft) will come closer to see what they are. They already ignore the idle only speed inside the mooring buoys.

 

[tursiops]

boat drivers, who are ignorant about SMBs

Perhaps this is a job for STINAPA....some education.

 

[AdivingBel]

Stay down until you can walk out. Most of the local fishing boats have a very shallow draft and while it can be unsettling, they are easily avoidable if you stay DOWN. Accidents are still going to happen. Expecting authorities to protect you from locals trying to feed their families isn't going to happen. They are already walking a very fine line between locals and non-locals in this part of the world. Going to STINAPA is far more likely to result in a new "diver tax" with authorities waiting at dive sites to fine those that don't tow a flag/SMB. Is that really what you want?
The issues at the sites near the kite boarders have been around for a while. Be informed and know the risks. If you don't have the wherewithal or the skills to stay down in the shallows (not all divers do) then don't dive those sites. There are plenty of others.
If you want to feel safer, stick with boat diving. At least then you've paid someone to watch your back. All IMHO, YMMV.

 

[Steelyeyes]

Stay down until you can walk out. Most of the local fishing boats have a very shallow draft and while it can be unsettling, they are easily avoidable if you stay DOWN. Accidents are still going to happen. Expecting authorities to protect you from locals trying to feed their families isn't going to happen. They are already walking a very fine line between locals and non-locals in this part of the world. Going to STINAPA is far more likely to result in a new "diver tax" with authorities waiting at dive sites to fine those that don't tow a flag/SMB. Is that really what you want?
The issues at the sites near the kite boarders have been around for a while. Be informed and know the risks. If you don't have the wherewithal or the skills to stay down in the shallows (not all divers do) then don't dive those sites. There are plenty of others.
If you want to feel safer, stick with boat diving. At least then you've paid someone to watch your back. All IMHO, YMMV.

Good points but the enforcement thing just doesn't happen. You can do 200 dives and never see a STINAPA officer. I used to see their trucks, mostly going to and from lunch.

 

[scubadada]

Good points but the enforcement thing just doesn't happen. You can do 200 dives and never see a STINAPA officer. I used to see their trucks, mostly going to and from lunch.

You can do 10 trips and 317 dives and never see a STINAPA officer. Ask me how I know.

 

[DiverSailor]

Sounds like some underwater drilling on some boat hulls could solve this problem.

 

[crofrog]

One of the STINAPA Diving Rules is the use of an SMB "at all times."

• Surface Marker Buoy: Make use of a Surface Marker Buoy at all times. This serves as a visual indicator of your presence.

I guess if a boat hits you and you did not have an SMB, STINAPA will rightfully just shrug.
Worse, basically no one in Bonaire uses an SMB....

On a trip to Bonaire we had a rental boat run over our SMB had bottom paint all over.

 

[Steelyeyes]

On a trip to Bonaire we had a rental boat run over our SMB had bottom paint all over.

Yeah, the boat operators, many of whom are not actually taught in any way how to operate one, let alone safely are never going to make towing a flag or shooting an SMB a good plan there. Just treat the dives like a James Bond mission and you'll have the best luck.