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Thar' She Blows!  Numerous Humpback Whales have recently been sighted in the BVI. Sail Caribbean Divers staff members have managed to capture a few pictures of the magnificent creatures as they make their way through the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Guests on the dive boats have lucked out with these bonus whale sighting adventures.
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Cousteau Supports BVI Ambassadors of the Environment Day Camp
On March 5th and 6th children of the British Virgin Islands got an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the marine environment. Jean Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society participated in the camp as part of the BVI first ever Ocean Appreciation Week ('A New Vision for the New Generation'). Sail Caribbean Divers Staff members were also present as safety divers for the event.
Hosted by the government, this cooperative program is supported by: The Chief Ministers Office, Ministry of Education and Culture, Dept. of Conservation of Fisheries, BVI National Parks Trust, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, BVI Dive Association, BVI Intimate Hideaways Properties, Association of Reef Keepers, The Moorings, and BVI Tourist Board. |  
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IMO Requires STCW Courses for Marine Community The International Maritime Organization has recently mandated that all professionals operating or crewing on boats in the BVI must complete a course in the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping. In January, the Sail Caribbean Divers staff members lead the way along with nearly 70 dive professionals from the BVI. Two sessions were offered running 3 days each covering topics such as safety at sea, fire fighting and first aid.
Everyone learned valuable skills and information as well as shared a few laughs with fellow dive operators. | 
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Go To Top Wyland (Celebrated Environmental Artist) Dives with SCD Since 1971 Wyland has created over 84 amazing ocean murals around the world. His artwork can be found in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Mexico, France and New Zealand. He has over 25,000 collectors over 30 countries. His marine paintings and sculptures portray his love for the ocean and aquatic life.
On February 24th Wyland, along with friends and family, visited Tortola and chose to dive with Sail Caribbean Divers. Good times were had by all on the infamous wreck of the Rhone off Salt Island. |
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Aquarium Divers SCUBA Club (meeting at the world renowned Shedd Aquarium in Chicago) announces the grand prize winner of the first annual photo contest club members. Sieg Stahl (Sea Dog Divers) won 1st Place in the Fish & Marine Animal category and received a gift certificate along with the 1st place winners of the Wreck and Scuba Diver category. The three 1st Place winners were then voted on to determine which image would become the Best of Show Grand Prize Winner. Sieg's image of a turtle was voted the overall Winner. For his efforts, he received a great Oceanic Dive Bag and has the distinction of having his image appear on the 2005 club membership card.
Sieg's outstanding image of a Hawksbill Turtle was taken in the British Virgin Islands while on a sailing/diving charter with Sail Caribbean Divers. |
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| Sunsail vs. Sail Caribbean Divers
Sailing Competitions Strengthen
TeamworkJanuary 19th, 5:00 pm kicked off the first of many weekly Sunsail / Sail Caribbean Sailing races (yachts provided by Sunsail Charters). Popular with both staffs, the friendly challenges build boat handling skills, boost moral, support goodwill between the partnering companies, and they're a blast! Although Sail Caribbean Divers cruised back to the dock in second place, we're looking for a major comeback next time.
 All The Competitors |  Team Sail Caribbean Divers |
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 | Scuba Diving Magazine Announces 2005 Readers' Choice AwardsBritish Virgin Islands Receive Top Award for Wreck DivingThe British Virgin Island have received the top number of votes from the readers of Scuba Diving magazine for Wreck Diving [Caribbean/Atlantic category]. The Islands also received second place awards for Top Snorkeling and Top Beginner Diving and were named in the Top 15 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean. The Readers Choice winners were announced in the January/February issue of Scuba Diving. "Scuba Diving is the only dive publication that asks readers to rate their dive vacations for the benefit of the other divers, " said Buck Butler, editor of the magazine. "For this issue, the reporters in the field are our readers, diving the world and recording their observations." Thousands of Scuba Diving subscribers and web users rated their experiences at dive destinations on a scale of one to five. Final scores, which are listed in the magazine, represent the percentage of fours and fives awarded. A minimum number of responses was required to be included in the ratings. Scuba Diving magazine has an audience of 1,171,000 and is published 11 times a year by F&W Publications. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, F&W Publications, Inc. is one of the oldest and fastest-growing special-interest publishers in the world. The company employs 1,100 associates and operates offices in New York, Boston, Denver, Iola (WI), Savannah, Herndon, and Devon (England). * Source: MRI, Spring Doublebase 2004 |
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Friends Represent Sail Caribbean Divers at the
75th Annual Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoor Show
 It's no surprise that boats, scuba diving and sea lions evoke thoughts of summer fun in January, which is why the 2005 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show was the destination of choice for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the Midwest. Also present this year was the Travel Show Chicago (Outside Magazine); the area's oldest travel show highlighting top active travel destinations from around the world. With trip outfitters from 78 countries, it is the largest recreation and leisure show in the Midwest.
Sieg Stahl (Sea Dog Divers) and staff represented Sail Caribbean Divers in the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board booth. With extensive personal experience diving in the BVI and around the world, he enthusiastically recommended our operation as one of the best in the Caribbean. |
The Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show is produced by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world's largest producer of boat shows.
Some of the offerings included: Dive and Kayak Pool
Wakeboard & Waterski Clinic
Discover Boating Resource Center
Sea Lion Splash
Fishing Seminars | Climbing Wall
National Outdoor Leadership School
Public Seminars
Adventure Center
Cultural Presentations |
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PADI National Geographic Diver Program PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and The National Geographic Society recently joined forces to offer both new and existing divers the opportunity to join an elite group of pioneers, explorers, adventurers and conservationists by expanding their view of the underwater world and advancing their diving skills to a new level.
Sail Caribbean Divers are very proud to have been awarded the prestigious credential of PADI National Geographic Dive Center. This means that in addition to our existing program of dive education, we are able to offer you the opportunity to become a National Geographic Diver.
New DiversIf you are not yet certified as a diver, your experience begins with the PADI Open Water Diver program where you will learn basic dive skills and safety information. You'll also learn additional buoyancy and exploration skills, navigation, and marine identification skills.
For more information about the PADI Open Water Diver program go to Getting Started. |
Certified DiversIf you are already certified, the portal program is a dive experience that includes:- A focus on buoyancy; learn & demonstrate advanced trim, neutral buoyancy positioning, and control.
- Exploration and Documentation project; using buoyancy, navigation, mapping and photography skills, develop a presentation describing a dive site's topography, marine life diversity, and natural and man-made structures.
- Expanding your underwater navigation skills; using buoyancy and observation skills, navigate a rectangle with and without a compass.
- Marine life identification; identify five vertebrate, four invertebrate, and two plant species.
 You'll be introduced to worldwide dive environments and opportunities by interacting with the National Geographic Diver Almanac and DVD, resulting in certification as a National Geographic Diver.
So, whether you're considering joining us to start your diving career or to further your experience, why not think about enrolling in this new and exciting program.
To book your course, or for further information, please contact
us at info@sailcaribbeandivers.com or telephone (284) 495 1675. |
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Ever use a DPV?DPV stands for DIVER PROPULSION VEHICLE - maybe you've seen them in the Bond films?
They look like a cross between a blender and a spaceship. Why would I want to use one?
- They are fun!
- It's a good way to cover a greater area of a dive site.
- They make it simple to dive into a current.
- You use less air.
- For those that are less mobile or not such strong swimmers, it can take some of the struggle out of diving.
Any problems/downsides? - You need to remember basic safety rules - just because the DPV could make you go deep to shallow and back again fast, doesn't mean you should do this!
- Be ecologically friendly as well - try to avoid chasing the fish - they will almost certainly still outswim you!
- Remember to equalize.
- You still must plan your dive and dive your plan.
How can I have a go? If you've never used one before, or don't have a certification to use one, why not get a PADI Specialty -
two dives with the DPV, together with instruction before, during and after the dives on how to use it in
a safe, fun and effective manner. $150 cost includes all regular dive equipment, DPV, course materials,
certification card and pick up and drop off. If you already have a DPV Specialty, you can join us on our dive boat and rent them for one or more dives -
just let us know beforehand. We charge $25 per dive that you use the DPV. |
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A Snapshot of Elegance | 
The Queen Mary 2 Reaches An Incredible 236.2 Feet Into The Air. | 
A Local Open-Air Taxi Offers A Ride To The Marina |
| "Royalty" Visits Sail Caribbean Divers
Our Course Director, Mike Rowe, meets with the QM2 Shore Excursions Manager, Jim O'Conner, on board. | On December 31, 2004 (New Year's Eve) Sail Caribbean Divers welcomed Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise ship. As Tortola is not a usual stop for the world's largest, longest, tallest, grandest ocean liner, it was an exciting occasion. Originally built in South Hampton England, she stretches 1,132 ft. in length and can travel with up to 2,620 passengers in her prestigious accommodations. Sail Caribbean Divers was proud to offer QM2 guests both diving and snorkeling excursions which filled to capacity. Both staff and customers had a fantastic day out on our world class reefs and wrecks. Additional Sail Caribbean Divers excursions are scheduled for the ship's return on January 5, 2005. |
A Quick Tender Into The Ferry Dock
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Smiling Group of Satisfied Divers
With SCD Staff |
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