Policy at Salt Pier

[Lorenzoid]

Just FYI, I got back a couple of weeks ago from Buddy's and I don't remember anyone at any time saying anything about needing a guide at Salt Pier (we did dive it without a guide). The only "rules" I recall are bring the vehicle back with a full tank, don't crash the truck, return borrowed weights, pay $25 fee to STINAPA and dive the first dive on the house reef after the orientation.

I really don't remember any "rules" that anyone might have an objection to during my week long visit.

Jim

But did you ASK them about diving Salt Pier? I don't think they brought it up until we mentioned Salt Pier to them during orientation.

 

[jimw]

But did you ASK them about diving Salt Pier? I don't think they brought it up until we mentioned Salt Pier to them during orientation.

We were at Habitat last week and I did ask re:Salt Pier diving during our orientation. I was told that they offer a guided dive there as a shore dive. We did our own shore dive at Salt Pier thanks to T.C.:blessing:

 

[jimbeeler]

But did you ASK them about diving Salt Pier? I don't think they brought it up until we mentioned Salt Pier to them during orientation.

No... I didn't... If it's a "rule" of the resort, my thought is they would make it clear during the orientation. They didn't. The only rule that was told to us was we had to do the orientation and tour of the facility (this was our first time), pay the $25 fee and dive the first dive on the house reef.

Jim

 

[tursiops]

No... I didn't... If it's a "rule" of the resort, my thought is they would make it clear during the orientation. They didn't. The only rule that was told to us was we had to do the orientation and tour of the facility (this was our first time), pay the $25 fee and dive the first dive on the house reef.

Jim

And I'm sure they said "no gloves."

 

[jimbeeler]

And I'm sure they said "no gloves."

Yep, you are correct... I'd heard that so much about Bonaire, I didn't even think about that one. Although my gloves would have been really nice during one tumble I made getting out of the surf when I laid open my thumb.

Jim

 

[T.C.]

T.C., you are always so sure of yourself! LOL

Yes...Yes, I am. Particularly when I'm right.

The issue is that ships that have been to Venezuela in their last five countries visited, may not be permitted entry to a U.S. port.

That is not true. A ship that has been to Venezuela can dock, just has to take a few additional security measures. Second, Bonaire is not listed. A ship can sail from Bonaire straight to the US. These policies do not have any bearing on our discussion, since Bonaire or the Neatherlands Antilles is not listed in paragraph B of your source. Just because Bonaire is near Venezuela doesn't mean that the salt freighters go there.

You hate Buddy Dive; I get it. Chill.

I don't hate Buddy Dive. Don't read into things. I like it there, and will return. It's just they need to hire a new crop of DM's. Unlike my last time, I didn't meet a single good one the whole time.

 

[drbill]

There is a lot of OLD policy information about diving Salt Pier out there. Kitty at Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn where I stayed last week checked with Cargill, the town harbor master and the Marine Park and ALL THREE said the current policy is that NO GUIDE is required at the site.

I agree with T.C. That was the same instructor who stopped us and he was rude in the extreme.

 

[tursiops]

That is not true. A ship that has been to Venezuela can dock, just has to take a few additional security measures. Second, Bonaire is not listed. A ship can sail from Bonaire straight to the US. These policies do not have any bearing on our discussion, since Bonaire or the Neatherlands Antilles is not listed in paragraph B of your source. Just because Bonaire is near Venezuela doesn't mean that the salt freighters go there.

Read Paragraph C of PSA 2-12 again (or maybe for the first time).
"All vessels arriving to the United States that visited the countries listed in paragraph B (with exceptions noted) during their last five port calls must take actions 1 through 5 listed below while in the countries listed in paragraph B as a condition of entry into U.S. ports:"
So a ship that has been to Venezuela in in last five port calls, can't go to the US without playing by the CG rules...
Again, I think it is not relevant to diving Salt Pier. But it is likely the reason for the now-ignored policy. By the way, the policy IS still in play if you want to dive the Windjammer from the BOPEC site....you provide name and passport info and get permission from the Harbor Master.

 

[T.C.]

Read Paragraph C of PSA 2-12 again (or maybe for the first time).
"All vessels arriving to the United States that visited the countries listed in paragraph B (with exceptions noted) during their last five port calls must take actions 1 through 5 listed below while in the countries listed in paragraph B as a condition of entry into U.S. ports:"
So a ship that has been to Venezuela in in last five port calls, can't go to the US without playing by the CG rules...

Yes. I read it. I suggest that you do the same.

It still Does not say that a ship from Venezuela may not be permitted entry into the US. Just that they have to follow a few security procedures (actions 1-5) while in those ports- mainly concerning posting security guards. They can still "go to the US" and can still dock- contrary to your assertations.

And, given the huge number of ships, and the difficulty in tracking one, it would be easy to avoid this policy if the ship desired to. A few edited log entries...and no problems. A few log entries about having posted guards...and no problems.

But it is likely the reason for the now-ignored policy.

Highly Unlikely. Again, Bonaire is not Venezuela- or any other country on that list. So the rule doesn't apply in the first place!

Second, diving at the Salt Pier likely had nothing to do with this policy- it was not, and has never been about security, because divers are not, and never have been, allowed in the water when a ship was there. Diving at the Salt Pier poses ABSOLUTELY ZERO THREAT to ships, because divers can't be in the water when the ship is there. There is no way that divers could pose a threat to a ship.

The only way you could be a threat is if you found a way to smuggle into Bonaire a remotely-activated magnetic limpet mine to leave on the seafloor in order to sink a ship full of a common mineral...in which cause you'd be a worse terrorist than Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

This rule has been about two things. A concern for safety and liability by Cargill...and more recently, attempting to extort money from divers by a few unscrupulous dive ops on Bonaire.

Please, DON'T PAY THEM!!!

 

[Mike]

The only way you could be a threat is if you found a way to smuggle into Bonaire a remotely-activated magnetic limpet mine to leave on the seafloor in order to sink a ship full of a common mineral...in which cause you'd be a worse terrorist than Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

I don't care who you are, that is funny right there