Scuba Diving

News about diving

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The 2011 Wounded Warriors are Honored by Bonaire’s Lt. Governor Glenn Thode

Lt. Governor Glenn Thode and his wife hosted a reception at their home Wednesday evening to honor and salute this year’s contingent of Wounded Warriors--David, Gloria, Thomas, Ryan, Garth, Tasha, and Thomas.  View images of the evening’s reception by clicking here.

In a Bonairean tradition for visiting Wounded Warriors, the Bonaire Bikers provided an escort from Captain Don’s Habitat to the Lt. Governor’s residence.  After their arrival in parade fashion, Lt. Governor Thode warmly greeted the warriors, their spouses and family, and welcomed each of them to his home.

The reception is a time when many of the event’s sponsors get the opportunity to meet and speak with the warriors and their families and extend to them their thanks for all they have done.  Many of the warriors shrug off the thanks--to them, it’s a job which just has to be done!

In Lt. Governor Thode’s speech, he informed those present that, over the years, he has been so impressed with the Wounded Warrior project that he has been in contact with Queen Beatrix in Holland, as well as Parliament, to see if a similar program can be started for those Dutch military personnel who find themselves in similar circumstances.  He eloquently expressed his hope that, one day, Bonaire can host a contingent from the U.S. and one from Holland, so that they may all get the opportunity to meet each other.

Then, each warrior received a certificate, medal, Bonaire flag pin, and key-chain to commemorate their time on Bonaire.  They were each bestowed with the status of honorary Bonaire ambassadors.  These men and women will be ideal ambassadors to spread the word about Bonaire and its close ties to the United States and all those who visit from there.

The evening ended with one of Bonaire’s dance groups providing entertainment by presenting a variety of traditional Antillean folkloric dances.

Today and tomorrow will be the warriors’ final full days to enjoy the island, as they will depart on Saturday for their homes.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

The Wounded Warriors are Now Certified!

It’s hard to believe, but this year’s contingent of Wounded Warriors--men and women in the U.S. military who were severely injured in their country’s service--are nearly half-way through their jam-packed week of diving and other Bonaire activities.  Now, all warriors are certified, and today they went out for a shore dive in front of Captain Don’s Habitat, where they are staying.  View images of today’s dive on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Consisting of five men and two women, as well as partners and family members accompanying them, the group this year has easily fallen under Bonaire’s spell!  From the time they landed on Sunday morning, they’ve been kept busy with their certifications, as well as getting to know the island and all it has to offer.

Monday they were filmed while diving by Jonathan Bird for an upcoming PBS segment, while Monday evening they enjoyed the barbecue dinner at Habitat, compliments of many in the BonaireTalk.com community, who donated funding in order to thank these folks for their sacrifices.

Tomorrow, the Bonaire Insider will catch up with the group once again, when they are honored at a reception at the home of Bonaire’s Lt. Governor, Glenn Thode.  We’ll be sure to keep our readers posted as the week progresses.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Bonaire to Host The Wounded Warriors for the Sixth Consecutive Year

For the sixth consecutive year, Bonaire is proud to welcome the Wounded Warriors to their “home away from home” as they use SCUBA diving for rehabilitation and recreation from August 6th through 13th, 2011.

During this week, severely wounded troops and their significant others will travel to the island to complete the final step in the process of obtaining their dive certifications. Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association’s (DEMA) Be A Diver Program and the North American office of Tourism Corporation Bonaire will also be joining the group. All accommodations and diving will be provided courtesy of Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire. Each year the people of Bonaire warmly welcome this group and show them not only the natural beauty and pristine waters of the island, but also the friendliness and genuine hospitality of the Bonairean people.

This year’s contingent of seven Wounded Warriors has suffered life-changing physical injuries which they received in combat while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They and their partners will be kept busy with a variety of activities beginning with the completion of their PADI and HSA dive certifications, which will take place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday next week. Once certified, they will continue diving throughout the week, both from the dock of Captain Don’s Habitat and via boat dives to Klein Bonaire and other famous Bonaire dive sites. The group will also enjoy shopping, sightseeing, dining, a Texas-style steak dinner, and experiencing the island’s culinary fare at a signature event called “Taste of Bonaire.” The highlight of the week will take place when the Bonaire community gathers to meet these extraordinary troops and their companions at the reception held in their honor at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode.  As in previous years, the Bonaire Insider once again will be following the activities of these very special visitors and will keep readers informed about the Wounded Warriors’ activities throughout their week on Bonaire.

Sponsors to date of the Sixth Bonaire-Be A Diver-Wounded Warrior Scuba Certification trip are: 9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, AERIS, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, BonPhoto, Budget Rent A Car Bonaire, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, Chat & Browse Bonaire, Casablanca Restaurant, Disabled Sports USA, DEMA/Be a Diver, Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Jack Chalk, Jewel Of Bonaire, NetTech, N.V., OCEANIC, PADI, Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, Pasa Bon Pizza, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Diving Magazine, Sunset Bar & Grill Restaurant, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and the Wounded Warrior Project.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Massive Clean Up Dive Effort Under Kralendijk’s Town Pier

On Sunday morning, July 11, 2011, visitor and resident divers gathered at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine to volunteer their time for a good cause.  The dive center was soon filled to overflowing and the volunteers kept on arriving.  Over 102 people came to help the marine ecosystem of Bonaire and enjoy a world-famous dive at the same time.

Asko Zuidam of Dive Friends Bonaire addressed the group to explain what trash should be recovered and what should be left behind, as well as how to keep from damaging any marine animals.  Eco-friendly, reusable grocery bags donated by Cultimara were handed out to all volunteers.  Shortly afterward, the divers relocated to the Town Pier for the dive.  They entered the water between the Town Pier and Karel’s Beach Bar, descended, and began to fill their bags with trash. When filled, the bags were brought to the surface to those working as shore support. There, Dive Friends crew and volunteers checked once again to be sure no marine creatures had been inadvertently included, counted, and tallied the trash for statistics, and then disposed of it in the dumpster that was donated by Selibon.

The Town Pier is a working pier, and thus the underwater terrain can accumulate more trash than is normal on the reef.  The statistics of the rubbish collected once again confirmed this to be true.  Items collected include:  901 glass bottles, 1 grocery bag, 19 trash bags, 81 plastic bottles, 49 cups, 1 diaper, 4 fishnets, 26 plates, 6 batteries, 132 beverage cans, 12 shoes, 3 car parts, 14 tires, 8 ropes, 3 books, 11 items of clothing, over 25 lengths of fishing line and much more.  A total of 1,530 items were removed.  That only one grocery bag was recovered shows that the reusable bags being used on Bonaire are having a positive impact on the environment.

In the later afternoon, all volunteers, their families and friends were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ, with food and beverages hosted by Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech.  Prior to enjoying a great dinner, all participants were eligible for a variety of raffle prizes, consisting of Reef t-shirts, Ouray caps, Deep Blue Gear dive accessories and a grand prize gift certificate for dinner for two at Capriccio Ristorante.  After dinner, everybody was treated to a cruise aboard the Good Return.

The entire program was videoed above and below water by BonPhoto and can be viewed by clicking here.

The next quarterly Dive Friends Bonaire underwater cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011. All are welcome to join in. Additional information about the cleanups is available by clicking here.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech)

Note Update August 8, 2011: Due to a scheduling conflict, the next underwater cleanup will be Saturday, October 22, 2011, and NOT September 17, 2011 as noted above.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Monday, July 11, 2011

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Next Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Dive Friends Bonaire is pleased to announce their next Instructor Development Course (IDC) will begin on November 22nd and continue through November 29th, 2011. The Instructor Exam conducted by PADI will follow on December 3rd and 4th.

The IDC format will focus upon workshops and interaction, while utilizing the PADI Guide to Teaching. PADI Course Director Thommy Kurtz will conduct the program in English, but candidates have the option to conduct their presentations in English, Dutch or German.

Concurrent with the IDC course, Dive Friends Bonaire will also offer Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Staff Instructor and an option for a post-IDC internship at the dive facility. Costs for these courses are:

-- IE Prep Course, FREE
-- Full IDC (no E-Learning), $1,200.00
-- E-Learning IDC, $1,080.00
-- Emergency First Response Instructor, $270.00
-- Staff Instructor, $650.00
-- Master Scuba Diver Trainer, $650.00 (five specialties)

All candidates are also eligible for two days of free unlimited air for shore diving after the IDC.

Dive Friends will be offering the new E-Learning option for this IDC again, which allows candidates to save time and travel expenses by taking advantage of home-study methods. They can start the IDC on the third day for completion of the program with Dive Friend’s course director. E-Learning is easy; all candidates must do is login to PADI’s web site at www.padi.com and click on E-Learning. Enter the dive center’s number, and follow the instructions provided. PADI’s cost for E-Learning is $320.00 per candidate.

During the two days between the IDC and the IE, Dive Friends Bonaire offers a free IE Preparation Course. These two days will be used to refresh knowledge of theory and skills.

Together with their accommodation partners, Dive Friends Bonaire can also offer the Full IDC + 14 days accommodation for $2,117.00 (materials and PADI fees not included).

All rates are in U.S. Dollars; books and PADI’s fees are additional.

Dive Friends Bonaire can assist with on-island arrangements, including accommodations and/or vehicle rentals. Those interested in participating in the IDC may visit http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/idc.html for additional information.  Dive Friends Bonaire is one of Bonaire’s premier diving facilities offering full diving and snorkeling services while still providing personal attention. Three retail stores are available in Kralendijk, in addition to four diving facilities. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Thursday, July 07, 2011

All Are Welcome to Join the Underwater Cleanup on Sunday, July 10, 2011

The next underwater cleanup will take place at Bonaire’s Town Pier on Sunday, July 10, 2011.  Check in at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine at 9:30 AM, and the dive briefing will begin at 10:00 AM. 

Everyone is welcome, and those not diving can also help, since shore support is always needed.  All participants are welcome to return at 5:00 PM for the event’s customary BBQ at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine; drinks and main courses will be provided by Dive Friends and NetTech, but participants are asked to bring a side dish to share.

Those planning on attending should advise Dive Friends Bonaire by sending an email to cleanup@dive-friends-bonaire.com or calling 717-2929 to make a reservation.

For additional information about the cleanups, click here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.)

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Carl Roessler to Receive Bonaire’s Lifetime Achievement Award

A panel of distinguished media chose Carl Roessler to become the third North American to win Bonaire’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. He will travel to Bonaire during the island’s Bonaire Lifetime Achievement Award Week, from August 20-27, 2011, a highlight week of the Bonaire Dive Into Summer Program. 

During his stay in Bonaire, Mr. Roessler will lead various seminars available to visitors and residents on oceanography and photography and will share his knowledge and experience through a variety of activities. He will be accompanied by his family and will be hosted by Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire.

Mr. Roessler is an internationally recognized and acclaimed pioneer of the dive-travel industry. He has had a long standing commitment to protect and promote Bonaire. He opened numerous international dive locations to western dive tourists. His services to dive tourism, underwater photography, and his ethical standards of developing environmentally sensitive diving, have been recognized by induction into The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, and the NOGI Award from the Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences.

With his long time friend Captain Don Stewart, Mr. Roessler was one of the earliest voices promoting sustainable diving on Bonaire. His history with Bonaire dates back to early 1969 when Mr. Roessler brought regularly scheduled group of divers, who were oriented to photography, on diving excursions to Bonaire. During those early years, he and Captain Don Stewart actively encouraged the Bonaire government to institute sustainable tourism practices. To ensure that Bonaire’s marine life remained both healthy and accessible to divers, Mr. Roessler was active in trying to get areas which had particularly good fish populations set aside for diving rather than a hunting area for fisherman.

In addition to orchestrating early dive tourism and environmentalism in Bonaire, Mr. Roessler actively promoted the beauty of Bonaire’s reefs through a variety of photo articles in Skin Diver Magazine, and brought top dive manufacturing companies to Bonaire, to make a promotional film on the wreck of the Windjammer. During his time in Bonaire, he’s logged over 100 dives on the wreck.

Mr. Roessler is now retired from the diving industry and volunteers his time to the Historical Diving Society, The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and The Journal of Diving History.

The Bonaire Lifetime Achievement Award honors long serving, high performance professionals whose careers have truly made a difference. It is for achievement over a period of several years rather than a single contribution and it is awarded for achievement that distinguishes the individual’s work and provides a legacy for future generations. Past recipients of the award include Dr. Sylvia Earle and Dr. Eugenie Clark. (Source: TCB-NY)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Captain Don’s Habitat Announces the Arrive of a New Boat

The “Lucky Lobster” is a new addition to the fleet of vessels which Captain Don’s Habitat operates.This new boat is a 48 foot New England lobster-style vessel, and will be introduced into service on July 1st, 2011.

The Lucky Lobster is well equipped with two air-conditioned berth compartments, and a microwave and refrigerator. The boat will be available for many activities such as sunset cruises, romantic dinner cruises, party cruises, snorkel trips all over the island and to Klein Bonaire, fishing charters, lionfish hunting trips and more.

The Lucky Lobster will also be available as a reserve dive vessel. It has a large covered aft deck area and can accommodate up to 20 divers with cameras, as the boat is being outfitted with a custom camera table enabling divers to gear up easily with cameras.

Try out the new vessel for yourself by joining the party on the evening of July 4th for a waterside seat for the fireworks! (Source: Dive News Wire)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bonaire Celebrates Blue Water Week with a Clean Up Dive Under Kralendijk’s South Pier

On Saturday, June 4, 2011, volunteers gathered at Dive Friends @ Dive Inn to participate in a special Blue Water Project clean up dive.  The Blue Water Project is a global initiative by the Royal Bank of Canada/Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago to foster a culture of water stewardship.  The group of divers echoed that sentiment perfectly as the group consisted of predominantly local residents with an international mix of tourists, all dedicating their morning to keeping Bonaire blue and beautiful.

Asko Zuidam of Dive Friends Bonaire addressed the group of 66 divers and explained what trash should be recovered and what should be left behind, as well as how to keep from damaging any marine animals. Shortly afterward, the divers entered the water, descended, and began to fill their bags with trash. When filled, the bags were brought to the surface to those working as shore support. There, Dive Friends crew and volunteers checked once again to be sure no marine creatures had been inadvertently included, counted, and tallied the trash for statistics, and then disposed of it responsibly.

The South Pier is a working pier, and thus the underwater terrain can accumulate more trash than is normal on the reef.  The statistics of the rubbish collected once again confirmed this to be true.  Items collected include:  259 glass bottles, 38 plastic bottles, 35 fishing lines, 6 dress hangers, 4 shoes, 2 clothing items, 3 tires, 1 garden hose, 2 tubes of toothpaste, 1 camera, 32 different pieces of unidentifiable cloth, 39 pieces of random plastic, 1 flower pot, and much more.

After the dive, all participants and their families were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ—Dive Friends Bonaire and RBC/RBTT, the sponsors of the Blue Water cleanup, provided drinks and main courses, while participants supplied side dishes. All participants were rewarded with log book page certificates of participation.

The next quarterly Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech underwater cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, July 10, 2011. Additional information about the cleanups is available by clicking here.  All are welcome to join in.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Monday, June 13, 2011

Coral Bleaching Alert as Sea Temperatures Rise

It seems like Bonaire is having an extremely warm and early summer, as temperatures are already at higher points than normal for this year, and, with the high temperatures, there comes a rise in sea water temperatures.  The Caribbean region is already seeing a rapid rise in water temperatures, and with it comes the possibilities for coral bleaching events like the one the region experienced in 2010. 

Coral bleaching is the whitening of corals, due to stress-induced expulsion or death of their symbiotic protozoa. The corals that form the structure of the reef ecosystem of tropical seas depend upon a symbiotic relationship with this unicellular organism, called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae give coral its coloration.  Under stress, corals may expel their zooxanthellae, which leads to a lighter or completely white appearance, hence the term “bleached.”

According to the NOAA Coral Reef Watch monitoring system, coral bleaching is likely in the Caribbean in 2011. With temperatures above-average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) models show a strong potential for bleaching in the southern and southeastern Caribbean that could be as severe as in 2010.

The Bonaire National Marine Park just receive the first Coral Bleaching Alert for the 2011 season from NOAA. Coral Bleaching Alerts are delivered when the sea water temperature exceeds the Maximum Monthly Mean (MMM) of Sub Surface Temperature (SST) at the site. This condition is called a “Hot Spot.” The stress produced by a Hot Spot over the coral is measured in Degree Heating Weeks (DHW). One DHW equals 1°C over the MMM for one week, 0.5°C for two weeks or any other combination. Our DHW for the last season was 9.9 which corresponded to the highest Bleaching Alert Level.

Definitions of Alert Levels:
No Stress: No thermal stress (HotSpot <= 0)
Watch: Low-level thermal stress (0 < HotSpot < 1)
Warning: Thermal stress is accumulating (HotSpot >= 1 and 0 < DHW < 4)
Alert Level 1: Bleaching expected (HotSpot >= 1 and 4 <= DHW < 8)
Alert Level 2: Significant bleaching expected (HotSpot >= 1 and DHW >= 8)

Bonaire’s current MMM is 28.5°C and the present temperature is 29°C since June 9, 2011, which puts Bonaire into a Bleaching Watch. For more information about NOAA’s Coral Bleach Watch, click here.

Be aware that coral reefs under these conditions are highly vulnerable to external factors and extreme care should be given during this time. Since corals are more susceptible to illness by losing their protective mucus by abrasion, divers should exercise all caution to avoid coming in contact with the reef by practicing good buoyancy skills.  (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)