Shore Diving Near Seven Mile Beach

[Lopez116]

My link is to the CITA Safe Diving Standards and it does not address solo diving. Are you saying there is an separate set of CITA guidelines? Are they published?

Nope, those are the CITA regs. If you look at page 2 on the link you posted (hit "Next Page"), you'll find the applicable section. It's actually kind of interesting. You won't find references to "solo" diving, but you will find restrictions on "wall diving from boats". Here's the section:

b. Unguided Wall Dives –From Boats: Operators may elect to allow customers to do unsupervised wall dives with their buddies. It is recommended they meet the following criteria:

1. 1. The divers must show proficiency at the member’s discretion.
   2. The divers must dive in a buddy team and each member of the team must have a computer and understand computer diving techniques.
   3. The divers must agree to adhere to depth/certification limitations established by the CITA.
   4. The ratios for working crew on any vessel offering scuba diving must still be one Divemaster for each 12 certified divers on board.

What about non-wall dives? This is what they say:

d.Unguided shallow dives from boats: supervision is at the discretion of the individual member.

What about shore dives? Here:
g. Shore Diving/Snorkeling: supervision is at the discretion of the individual member.

So, the regs are not the law and they do not govern divers. They are regulations that govern "Watersports Operator" members of CITA (which is probably all dive ops in Cayman) and how they interact and deal with their customers.

 

[Damselfish]

Better make sure they are open before you head up that way! I drove up on my last trip on to find it deserted and closed.

the shop or the restaurant? The Cracked Conch website says closed for the season until 10/10.

 

[fire_diver]

restaurant.

 

[Kharon]

Yep - I sent emails to about every dive shop on GC trying to find the kind of unlimited air package you can get on Bonaire. In every case they replied that solo was prohibited - even with a solo card. One guy threatened me that if I tried to dive solo I would be found out, blackballed (by email to all shops) and would never, ever dive again from boat or shore on GC. What a wonderful way to attract divers.

That said I'm going to GC this Wed because the deal that my scuba club came up with was way too good to pass up. 8 days there in condos with full kitchens for $850 - airfare, van rentals, transfers, etc. included. The only extras are tanks (we're doing shore dives) our food and gas for the rental vans.

With 13 divers and 18 in the group I should have no trouble finding someone to dive with in addition to the two planned dives per day. This is going to be a first. I didn't have to make any arraingments, decisions, etc. I'm simply going to get in line and dive. I'll find out if I like it on this trip. Maybe I'll go back to traveling solo for the freedom. Maybe not. Maybe I'll do both.

 

[fire_diver]

One guy threatened me that if I tried to dive solo I would be found out, blackballed (by email to all shops) and would never, ever dive again from boat or shore on GC. What a wonderful way to attract divers.

PLease let us know which shop threatened you. I for one would like to make sure I never give them a dollar of my business on my next trip to GC.

 

[diversteve]

Better make sure they are open before you head up that way! I drove up on my last trip on to find it deserted and closed.

For more information call SUNDIVERS at 1345 949 6606 or send them an Email SunDivers@candw.ky

- not sure if they're open if the restaurant isn't though.

 

[releck97]

Sun Divers is open while the restaurants are on vacation. You can always check Cracked Conch's webcam if you're not sure. If the ladder is in and the mat is down, Ollen is open!

- not sure if they're open if the restaurant isn't though.

 

[Kharon]

PLease let us know which shop threatened you. I for one would like to make sure I never give them a dollar of my business on my next trip to GC.

It was Indepth Watersports Ltd. and the reply came from the owner (Nat).

 

[Lopez116]

From CITA:

"16. Rogue divers, defined as those divers who refuse to adhere to the safety code of the CITA, should be reported immediately to all dive operators via email broadcast from the CITA membership office."

 

[Kharon]

Wow - I never realized I'm a "rogue" diver. Guess that makes every place I've gone a "rogue" dive destination because none of those places have any problems with the way I dive. GC (CITA) seems to be way over the top on the control freak scale. Do the words authoritarian, totalitarian, tyrant sound familiar.

Glad I'm going with a group and only for a week. Doesn't sound like someplace I'd ever want to go back to. Plenty of other places to spend my money that aren't so anal. Been looking at a lot of their (dive op's) "promotional" videos and pictures. I would think that any "promotional" stuff would show the best of the best. All hype aside, it doesn't look much different from anyplace else in the Caribbean - and not as much coral and fish life as some. Maybe I'll be impressed once I get there. Then again ...