Hello all
Some of you may be aware that in August last year disaster struck in Grand Cayman. The Carnival Magic cruise ship dropped anchor outside of the dedicated mooring zone and unfortunately destroyed around 16,000 square feet of Caymans world famous reef. Investigations in to the incident have found three parties to be responsible including Carnival, the local shipping company who acted as a pilot and the port authority. Assigning blame to one group would be too costly and complicated so no legal action has been taken.
Appeals have been made to the organisations to donate money in order to assist with the recovery operation but so far nothing has been given.
Since the incident the local community has pitched in to start the restoration work themselves. Working under the Department of Environment (DOE) volunteer divers have been clearing the dead coral and rubble, salvaging live coral from the wreckage, planting coral nurseries, preparing the dead area for re-attachment and now recently gluing the live coral back on to the reef. So far over 600 man hours have been donated by divers and they have been supported by local businesses who have donated everything from milk crates to put the coral in to lunches to keep people fed while they work.
Carnival cruise lines are a major organisation who make considerable profit out of Caymans waters. Whether they are the ones at fault or not, the bottom line is that it was their anchor that caused this devastation. As they continue to profit from Grand Cayman making no contribution in order to save face these small businesses and individuals toil to try to clear up someone elses mess.
Anyone visiting grand Cayman can help. Local dive companies including Red Sail, Divetech & Off the Wall are putting out boats on weekends which are free for volunteers to get on. When they are unable to offer this, shore dive activities go out in stead. If you are going to be in Grand Cayman in the next six months and want to get involved with something really cool, even if only for one morning then look up the facebook group Cayman Magic Reef Recovery, like it and under the events tab you will see what is coming up that weekend. You do not need experience, just certification and a good spirit. Some boats will require you have DAN insurance.
I promise you will be blown away by the team spirit and determination that the local dive community are demonstrating.
Further to that, anyone that will be on island on February 27th should come over to the 6 month party. It is a fundraiser where the team are trying to raise much needed cash to buy Epoxy Resin, cement for bedding and other supplies (chump change for a major cruise line). There is going to be music, food and maybe the odd alcoholic beverage and all are welcome.
The facebook page has weekly updates where the leaders of the volunteer groups post what they have done that day so its a really good place to keep up to speed with whats going on. Also there are details on there as to how to make a donation if anyone wants to help out in that way. Beyond that the page details whatever will be coming up that you can get involved with.
Drew
Some of you may be aware that in August last year disaster struck in Grand Cayman. The Carnival Magic cruise ship dropped anchor outside of the dedicated mooring zone and unfortunately destroyed around 16,000 square feet of Caymans world famous reef. Investigations in to the incident have found three parties to be responsible including Carnival, the local shipping company who acted as a pilot and the port authority. Assigning blame to one group would be too costly and complicated so no legal action has been taken.
Appeals have been made to the organisations to donate money in order to assist with the recovery operation but so far nothing has been given.
Since the incident the local community has pitched in to start the restoration work themselves. Working under the Department of Environment (DOE) volunteer divers have been clearing the dead coral and rubble, salvaging live coral from the wreckage, planting coral nurseries, preparing the dead area for re-attachment and now recently gluing the live coral back on to the reef. So far over 600 man hours have been donated by divers and they have been supported by local businesses who have donated everything from milk crates to put the coral in to lunches to keep people fed while they work.
Carnival cruise lines are a major organisation who make considerable profit out of Caymans waters. Whether they are the ones at fault or not, the bottom line is that it was their anchor that caused this devastation. As they continue to profit from Grand Cayman making no contribution in order to save face these small businesses and individuals toil to try to clear up someone elses mess.
Anyone visiting grand Cayman can help. Local dive companies including Red Sail, Divetech & Off the Wall are putting out boats on weekends which are free for volunteers to get on. When they are unable to offer this, shore dive activities go out in stead. If you are going to be in Grand Cayman in the next six months and want to get involved with something really cool, even if only for one morning then look up the facebook group Cayman Magic Reef Recovery, like it and under the events tab you will see what is coming up that weekend. You do not need experience, just certification and a good spirit. Some boats will require you have DAN insurance.
I promise you will be blown away by the team spirit and determination that the local dive community are demonstrating.
Further to that, anyone that will be on island on February 27th should come over to the 6 month party. It is a fundraiser where the team are trying to raise much needed cash to buy Epoxy Resin, cement for bedding and other supplies (chump change for a major cruise line). There is going to be music, food and maybe the odd alcoholic beverage and all are welcome.
The facebook page has weekly updates where the leaders of the volunteer groups post what they have done that day so its a really good place to keep up to speed with whats going on. Also there are details on there as to how to make a donation if anyone wants to help out in that way. Beyond that the page details whatever will be coming up that you can get involved with.
Drew
