Flotsam & Jetsam

Wind Dancer Going to Cocos. Bob and Gayle Bringas (Gaston, OR) were two of the first divers to find out that this Peter Hughes liveaboard is moving from its Grenada port on August 1 to Costa Rica for trips to Cocos Island. They were scheduled for a late November trip but got a letter from Peter Hughes vice-president Larry Speaker that they could either transfer to the Sun Dancer II in Belize, rebook the Wind Dancer in Cocos, or re-book a Grenada itinerary on whatever boat takes over in the next two years. The Bringas got a letter a week before the transfer date. That’s short notice, but Speaker says the boat was scheduled for maintenance anyway until September 26, and he started telling booked guests once the change transfer was confirmed. “We have not launched any marketing or press releases ...once we have details finalized, we plan on a major media campaign.” However, we do know that the 8- to 10-day trips will start in early 2010.

Bring Out The David Doubilet In You. Dive Photo Guide just launched a monthly photo contest series on its Web site to promote friendly competition and push amateur photographers’ skills. Entry is free for each contest, and themes/subjects are assigned six months ahead (September is eyes, November is wrecks, January is the color yellow). A good prize is given away each month (last month’s was a $450 focus light for camera and video), and a grand prize will be awarded at year’s end. Details are at www.divephotoguide.com.

Rude Diver? Must Be an American. In Infisil, Ontario, “rude and arrogant” divers have been put on notice by local officials to behave themselves. Big Pay Point councilman Dan Davidson says as many as 20 divers dominate the local docks and have been obnoxious to local residents. “There were some seniors in their 80s trying to dock their boat and the divers wouldn’t let them through. They were told to go dock somewhere else. One fellow from another country (must be an American) told me he didn’t have to follow our rules. We shouldn’t have to put up with this arrogance.” Davidson is also concerned about using town docks to dive because divers aren’t putting up flags or buoys. “Six years ago, I saw a diver being struck by a boat, and her throat was cut. After seeing something like that, it stays with you.”