Morecowbells, in the ‘April roll call’ thread mentioned: ‘During surface interval we went to the concrete pier down south. We were not allowed to step onto pier(per some guy chasing dive boats away). I guess this is something new’, which seemed odd.
I spoke with my LDS and beginning yesterday there were folks ‘improving’ the jungle area at the head of the pier and were demanding a $200 MXN dock fee to tie up to the pier for a SI. Scratch SI’s at the Palancar pier off your Cozumel experience if this holds up. Looks like one of the more enjoyable aspects of diving in Cozumel just got screwed up.
Hola everyone, I would like to post some clarifications and corrections to gopbroecks post. Before everyone starts speculating and making assumptions on things you're not educated on - here is the truth.
First - The Palancar pier is in fact PRIVATE property. The owners have very generously allowed us to use it for MANY years with no fees at all. No one is "screwing" us over and no one is obligated to provide a free place for us to dock during SI's. This is a MUCH different situation than a hotel pier charging for its guests to use the pier - 100% different.
Second - NO ONE has been CHASING divers off the pier. They have simply been there to NOTIFY the boats that beginning TOMORROW April 19, 2018 - there will be a $100 pesos per boat fee to dock there. It's NOT $200 pesos and they haven't been DEMANDING anything. I have asked if we can pay a monthly fee and receive facturas or at least a receipt. I am waiting on the answer to that question.
In fact, my staff along with several other dive shop employees had a very informative and pleasant conversation with the employees hired by the property owner. They were told "you are WELCOME to dock here, but there will be a small (and fair) fee to use the pier." He then walked them around and showed them the things they were doing, keeping the beach clean and told them of plans to build restrooms and make some dock improvements. They also presented a legal certified copy of the concession, which is something Serets has STILL failed to do.)
Some people are up in arms about this - but again, this is PRIVATE property. Think about it - this is no different than someone parking in your driveway to take a break, pee in your yard, and leave trash on your lawn. We are not ENTITLED to use this pier for free and no one is SCREWING anyone over or participating in corruption. If they want to charge a nominal fee for use of the pier after all of these years of providing us a FREE place, I'm ok with that.
Operators have the choice of whether they want to pay the fee and dock there or not. Boats can still anchor at the beach.
UPDATE: I just got off the phone with an instrumental person in this initiative. There are some really nice plans for the Palancar pier area. For those of you who have been diving Cozumel for many years and remember the good old days - you'll love what is to come there. This will be a place FOR divers to relax and enjoy the surface intervals. Also, for now, we need to pay cash while an easier system is put in place to collect and manage the funds - but ALL of the money collected is going towards GREAT improvements to the area and the pier, including PROPER tie off cleats on the pier. That's all I will say for now.
Our dive shop owners association (ANOAAT) has also been in contact and received approval yesterday from the marine park to install some "muertos" (I can't even think of the word in English - lol) to tie off to for surface intervals rather than anchoring. The marine park will provide the machine and labor to properly install them and the materials will be paid for by shops who are members of ANOAAT, so only ANOAAT members will be able to use them. More to come on that.
