Unfortunately for me, fixxervi6 beat me to this comment.
I have been out of town for two weeks. Here are my thoughts, if anyone should care, if you don't care, I am posting my thoughts anyway. Sorry. I am just kind of arrogant that way some times. Sorry.
As I understand the situation, and I may not understand the whole situation, Robert (owner of CSSP) had some grand vision (or business catastrophe) a few years ago to upgrade the park. I completely love this idea! I do! For whatever reason (either mundane business model or imminent business failure), Robert decided to enlist the financial help of sponsors to help him improve the park.
Wow! In some respects, this is an excellent business decision. Get sponsorships to help the owner improve the dive park and improve the overall diving experience for the consumers. What a great idea!
I am not really sure what was done for park improvements. I know I saw some improvements to the picnic pavillions with canopies and all, some additional barbecue grills (critical in Texas), and even a bath house! Wow! Great!
In exchange for these sponsorships, I observe that Robert granted "exclusive reservation rights" of some of the pavillions and platforms to the respective sponsors.
Who am I? I can't tell Robert how to run his business. It's his business. He is free to run it as he sees fit. Fair enough.
Here's the problem. The pavillions are clearly identified with signage that says "Reserved for XYZ Scuba". That, in and of itself, would seem to be fairly straigtforward; except XYZ scuba shop is not there every weekend.
I happen to do a lot of diving throughout the year including the winter months when scuba shops don't really conduct classes. Is this pavillion really reserved for XYZ scuba on Friday, December 31 ?????? Question? I don't believe that. But the sign doesn't offer any reservation dates. What am I to believe? Is XYZ Scuba really going to be using their "reserved" pavillion on December 31? Question?
Additionally, there are no signs posted on the platforms. Do you disagree with me? I challenge to approach a platform (pick one) from underwater and determine if it is "reserved" or not. Can't be done.
The "special" float markers on the surface are just on the surface. They can't be observed from 20 ft underwater. Challenge me.
Moreover, the "special" float markers are some special color like orange as opposed to a neutral white. This is a problem as well. Why is this a problem? As a surface observer standing on land, suppose I am preparing my dive plan (trust me -- some of us actually do this), how am I to know what the white markers mean as opposed to what the orange markers mean? There is no ISO / ANSI standard color coding / marker shaping that is defined as a standard in the recreational diving industry; at least not as it relates to dive site markers. Granted, I believe if you read line #28 of Robert's fine print legaleze that says "Not responsible for drowning" it also makes some mention of the color coding of the markers; but it still doesn't address the other questions I raise here.
Where am I going with all of this? How am I to know that "your special platform" is reserved for you when there is no standardized, internationally recognized specification for identifying "reserved platforms" and no underwater signage indicating such? Yes. I know. There is some goofy sign stuck in the mud landside that says "Orange markers indicate reserved platforms". Again, how am I to know if the platform is reserved on Dec 31 or not? Especially, if I show up to dive and I am only one of five divers in the entire park? What if I am just swimming along lost (does anybody get lost while muck diving?) and I stumble upon your "reserved platform"? Am I to immediately ascend and risk a case of DCS? Am I to descend into the mud? What is the proper protocol?
If you have a reserved platform properly identified with underwater signage, what are the extents of your nautical claim? 10 ft within platform? 30 ft platform? 60 ft within platform? Please explain this to me; because to the best of my knowledge, there is no legal precedent for recreational diving "platform claims". Please help me understand. What are the international geopolitical laws related to the recreational claim of underwater platforms at a dive park? I ask you. The rule of the sea is "first arrival -- first claim -- first possession". Argue with me.
Now, lest you get too mad at me, I can certainly understand the situation where Robert approached dive shops soliciting "improvement sponsorships" in exchange for reserved platforms. I can understand a limited number of dive shops accepting his solicitation. I can certainly accept this scenario if the alternate might be "the CSSP park is closing due to lack of money". I am not suggesting anything here. I am not faulting anyone here for making legitimate business decisions. I am merely pointing out the folly and the lack of adequate, appropriate, conspicuous (even underwater), relevant, timely, and real-time information about the "reservation" status of certain underwater platforms. Note that this requirement of relevant information goes beyond "this platform is ours -- it was marked with a apricot buoy". Please realize I am guy. I see four colors only and I am literate. Post information. Post information above water and -- here's an idea -- post information on the platform!
, I thought this was suppose to be about fun?
