cruisekingkris
Contributor
Is it common place to drop a semi inflated SMB attached to a 2# weight near the drop off so you know where the “exit and entrance” is. I’ve seen this done by DMs on last dives on other islands.
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It is not common, because the Bonaire Marine Park does not want anything placed on the reef without their permission, including a lead weight. Most of the sites have a mooing line on an anchor; just use that as your visual marker.Is it common place to drop a semi inflated SMB attached to a 2# weight near the drop off so you know where the “exit and entrance” is. I’ve seen this done by DMs on last dives on other islands.
I know quite some people who would "help" you recover the item you "lost", and bring it back to shore for you.I asked for a 6# weight intending to do that up in the Nukove area, which can be a little trickier to navigate. I got a lecture but no weight. I'm not sure how STINAPA would feel about tying an SMB to the buoy line if that made you more confident in seeing it.
Not a common practice but I have seen it done. Most recently, up at Karpata within 30 feet of the mooring line! Seems silly to me but possibly because someone wants to see the same standard picture at their exit.Is it common place to drop a semi inflated SMB attached to a 2# weight near the drop off so you know where the “exit and entrance” is. I’ve seen this done by DMs on last dives on other islands.
No, it is not common for the reasons others have mentioned. It might be a convenience, but it simply isn't needed, and the practice might cause more problems than it solves.Is it common place to drop a semi inflated SMB attached to a 2# weight near the drop off so you know where the “exit and entrance” is. I’ve seen this done by DMs on last dives on other islands.