Probably the Best Dive Operator in the BVI

The week of 22^nd June through to the28^th June was the 2009 Annual BVI Wreck Week. It is organized jointly between the British Virgin Island Scuba Organization (BVISO) and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board. The week is aimed at promoting the numerous and famous wreck dives that are in the BVI. As part of their effort to promote the BVI the Tourist Board invited a number of journalists from around the world to participate and through BVISO member dive companies agreed to take the group on day trips to the various wreck dives around the BVI.

At the end of the week's activities the BVI Tourist Board arranged for the journalists to host an award ceremony based on their thoughts and dive experiences with the various dive operators.

It came as no surprise...but Sail Caribbean Divers made a terrific showing! Sail Caribbean Divers has always had the philosophy of trying to be the best that it can be. From the moment you step on one of our show room condition boats your every need is taken care of. We believe in going that one step further to ensure that our guest’s safety and comfort are taken care of right down to the last small detail. We do it because we believe it is simply just the right thing to do.

Her Royal Majestsy The Queen of England's Birthday BVI Cricket Test Match

Saturday the 6^th of June marked Her Royal Majesty the Queen of England’s Official Birthday. With all the pomp and splendor that is due, the first annual BVI Cricket Test Match was held at the Hodges Creek Oval in Tortola’s East End to commemorate this special day. 

The international players hailing from many nations played a test match representing England and Australia in the all new Ashes.

Australia batted first gaining a respectable score of 48 all out. There were notable innings from many of the players especially Courtney Hanson, the Australians' only true Aussie and the team Captain. Unfortunately many of the American players failed to realize that one is supposed to take one's bat when one runs. England’s South African representative Megan DuPlessis missed a sitter of catch when she ducked and hid from the ball with a screech of terror.

                                  Courtney hits a four                                    Matt Stahl - Australia's rookie player

Tea and scones were served in the interval. As the light faded England took to the crease to face Australia’s famed fast bowlers. England’s captain Neil Day and veteran Mike Rowe opened the innings. Mike Rowe showed off his famous secondary school team captain skills by coping with a couple of tricky googlies. Englands hopes were raised by Jeoff Williams you used his baseball skills to knock up a respectabe innings.

                A good show!                                 Mike Rowe and his googlies            Lost ball - the players help out

 The game went down to the wire. On the last ball England’s tail-enders required two runs to win. An amazing four was cover driven into the crowd by Jay Goss, leaving England to take a magnificent victory and a very special birthday present for Her Royal Majesty

Many thanks to the BVI Test Cricket Association Club Commodore Ria O'Hagen for organizing the event.

                                                                         Ria O'Hagen

More pictures of the event are on our photo gallery.  Thanks Siig and the Sea Dog Divers.  We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Cedar School Outing with Sail Caribbean Divers

It was a bright and sunny day when 15 students from Ms. True's 5th grade class arrived at Hodges Creek Marina to join the staff of Sail Caribbean Divers. Prior to the day Ms. Laurie True, Greg Cuthbert, Peter Wilkinson and Alice Wilkinson had organized the upcoming activities and volunteered to be chaperones for the days events.

The day was to include a boat ride over to Cooper island and then an introduction to scuba diving in the shallow water right off the beach. The students were broken into smaller groups and when not underwater in scuba gear they were getting Kayak lessons and snorkeling around the bay. The students were introduced to the host of marine life that have found a safe and comfortable home in Manchioneel Bay

I think the accompanying photos tell the story better than words.   More can be seen on our photo gallery.

Congratulations to all the CedarSchool 5th Grade students...you were an incredible group!!!

MAY 2009 IDC & IE SUCCESSFUL!

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIVE NEW PADI INSTRUCTORS!

Courtney Hansen -Australia

Dimitrios Kavadas -Greece

Vicki Staudte -Minnesota, USA

Barbara Treus - Germany

Mark Easton -United Kingdom

More news & pictures coming soon!

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day 2009 - Our Contribution

Recently the BVI has been experiencing "green waters" a result of heavy concentrations of particulate suspended in the water (actually a chlorophyll bloom ) of remote riverine origin. This has reduced visibility somewhat. But it didn't deter us on Earth Day.

Even in strange weather & sea conditions you still have to do your part. So we had every intention of jumping into our sea and gathering up as much garbage as we could find on April 25th.

After a dive on the Marie L & the Pat and a snorkel at Chromis Reef to whet our appetites, everyone had lunch at Cooper Island. By 2:30 everyone had been briefed on how to identify "trash" from items that had been incorporated into the ecosystem and were now homes to some of our favorite creatures. Then 17 divers and 15 snorkelers armed with gloves & trash bags embarked upon an hour long hunt through the Cooper mooring field in Manchioneel Bay! The results were fantastic. Among 10 fulls bags & 400lbs of trash, the most unusual item found was a quilt. We rescued live conch entangled in fishing line, and replaced some crabs who had made homes in beer cans. The following other items were collected: approximately 45 bottles of varying sizes, 12 cans, 7 items of clothing or shoes, 20 cups, plates, forks knives & spoons, 12 clothes pins, 2 pieces of rope, 5 cigarette butts, 3 long fishing lines, 1 propeller, 2 toys -teddy bears, 6 bottle caps & 2 plastic 6-pack can-holders.

To make it a little more exciting we also hid numbered golf balls for the younger snorkelers which corresponded to prizes: including Caribbean Sketch Books, Fish ID Cards, mesh bags, & shears.  All in all it was successful day and we thank everyone who participated. See you all again in September for our next big clean up!

RHONE MEMORIAL

RHONE MEMORIAL

Thank you very much to Greg and Teresa Benson-Shettle who sent in this email after diving with us.

Hi Guys,

Back on 24th Jan ‘09 you took us and our nephew Lloyd for a DSD and to our surprise this included a wreck dive on the Stern of the RMS Rhone. Dale was our instructor, did a great job, down to earth and made it easy, cheers.We're from Southampton England and Steve wanted to know if we had seen the Rhone Memorial as he never met anyone who had, well we hadn't but we have now. We hunted it down and it's in Southampton Old Cemetery, in Southampton Common. We have taken some photo's for you. Here in England we've just had some of the worst snow in 15 years and these were taken on the first clear day we've had since we got back so the photos are as bright and sunny as they could be, but hay, what do you expect, it's England! I have kept them quite big so you can have a good look, too big to e-mail. [SCD has them in our Photo Gallery...go have a look!]

This photo has this inscription:

IN MEMORY OF THE

OFFICERS AND CREWS OF

THE ROYAL MAIL STEAM SHIPS

RHONE AND WYE

LOST DURING THE HURRICANE AT

ST THOMAS WEST INDIES OCT 29

1867

You guys probably already know this but here's a link to an article about the location of the Rhone's Bell: http://www.tcmuseum.org/gallery/image/the_rhone_bell_and_church/ Once again thanks for a great dive.

Warm regards,

Greg & Teresa Benson-Shettle

If you would like to see more of the pictures they took go to our photo gallery. They also took a great short underwater video which can be seen by clicking here.

Mike Rowe Joins the BVI Tourism Board

2009 TOURISM INDUSTRY ACTION PLANNING MEETING

Wednesday February 25, 2009

HLSCC Auditorium

In a full auditorium the Premier, the BVI Tourist Board and its board members welcomed three new members to sit on the board with newly appointed Chariman Myron Walwyn. Mike Rowe was among those newly appointed. In his new position he will be assisting an outstanding and talented group of individuals who support the Premier in his efforts to develop & promote a sustainable tourism industry for the Territory.

Due to critical economic/business sector issues, the BVI Government has rallied to deepen its marketing efforts in existing regions and advance its marketing efforts into emerging markets. The managers and chairs of the various departments of the TB were on hand to present the global plans for their areas of responsibility. The Premier, the Chairman and the Acting Director made a call to action to all industry members to be attentive to details that make up the allure of the BVI and provide low cost or perceived good value products and services to continue to strategically attract the scarcer discretionary income of today's economy.

It's a Pirate's Life for Us!

Sail Caribbean Divers has expanded! After many exciting challenges we are proud to announce that we now have a new dive shop open in the Bight on Norman Island, located next to the renowned Pirates restaurant, famous for its good food and fun nightly entertainment.

Norman Island is one of the islands in the chain that make up the British Virgin Islands.  The Bight on Norman Island is a famous pirate anchorage and is popular with boaters even today with it's idyllic surroundings and crystal clear water. Norman Island has been made famous from Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Treasure Island. If you look at the map of Treasure Island it is remarkably similar to Norman Island.

More pictures of the new shop can be seen on the photo gallery

The first tank fills

Sail Caribbean Divers is set to offer its full range of services in this new location; ranging from anything dive related, to water sports equipment rental and a retail shop. There is a air fill station for tank fills. Kayaks are also available for rent to explore the coast of Norman Island. For more information check out the Norman page.   Norman Island also boasts extensive walking trails all over the island. You can hike to the top of Spy Glass Hill and get a breathtaking view of Sir Frances Drake Channel. Sit and watch the sails moving up and down the channel so you can plot your next pirate adventure.   How do you know if you are a true pirate......?   You just AAARRRGGHHH!!!

Birthdays - Departures - Debuts

Melisande and Harriet

Saturday the 17th of January 2009 was a big day in the Sail Caribbean Divers diary. Melisande, one of our Directors, pre-celebrated her birthday...reaching the grand old age of 40 on January 19th.   It was also a farewell to Harriet. Harri originally came to Sail Caribbean Divers to complete our internship program, then decided to come back and work full time. After completing her year’s contract she has decided to return to her roots working in the mega yacht industry. We all miss you Harri!

To mark the special day a girly outing was organized starting with a surprise helicopter tour of the BVI. The girls then landed at Peter Island for an afternoon of pampering and relaxing in the Peter Island spa. Champagne was required for every one!

After a full day of play, the girls then took a boat ride over to Cooper Island for delicious curry prepared by the Cooper Island staff and its new owners...the Harris family. The spectacularly spicy meal was soon followed by the debut of Another Type of Toad. Band members are Neil on drums and Matko on base - Sail Caribbean Divers instructors, and Gilbo from Aristocat on lead guitar. Recently formed and with vital parts of the PA system turning up at the last hour the band put on a performance to be remembered! The perfect end to a perfect day.

Watch this space for further band updates.

Sail Caribbean Divers SEAL Team Training

New for 2009 Sail Caribbean Divers has launched a PADI SEAL Team. Designed for young divers aged 8 and up, this is the most fun you will ever have in a swimming pool!

With a program split in two parts, it provides all the basic knowledge to develop a solid foundation for every Seal Team Member and positive awareness for the waters that surround us while having a great time!

Our first missions recently took place at the Tamarind Club. Instructors Emily and Megan had a great day with William, Thomas and Jude. They are due to become fully fledged SEALTeam members soon and hope to go on to complete further SEAL Specialty Aqua Missions and become PADI Master SEAL Divers.

More pictures can be seen at our photo gallery. If you would like to learn more about becoming a PADI SEAL please contact Megan.

Sage Mountain - One of the new wonders of the world?

View from Sage Mountain

Sage Mountain may qualifiy for one of the new Seven wonders of the world National Park has been selected to compete in seven wonders of the world campaign   Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Tuesday January 20th 2008,The BVI’s Sage Mountain National Park has been selected as one of the 261 qualifiers to compete to make it to the top 77 in phase two of the official New7Wonders of Nature campaign!   Nominations for the New7Wonders of Nature must be for a clearly defined natural site or natural monument that was NOT created or significantly altered by humans for aesthetic reasons. Physical or natural phenomena like the northern lights, the Gulf stream or shooting stars are not eligible. The nominees MUST be one of the following: ·         natural site ·         natural monument ·         landscape     Declared in 1964, the Park encompasses the highest point of a ridge running east/west along the spine of Tortola. The elevation of the Park ranges from 750 feet at the western end to 1716 feet at Mount Sage, which is the highest point in the Virgin Islands, US and British. Most of the Park is above 1000 feet, and at this elevation precipitation and cloud cover increase sufficiently to support some forest species (e.g., bullet wood, Manilkara bidentata) normally associated with rain forest in Puerto Rico. Several rare and endangered plant species grow within Sage Mountain.   Good luck Sage Mountain