Abusive Text from the Top of the Empire State Building?
2006-10-06 @ 03:13:46
Sunset Divers continues to thrive while others find this time of the year slow. We’re running a full boat every day and on many occasions we put on a second. This week is no exception. We have a group down from Minnesota who will no doubt return to much cooler Fall temperatures. We, on the other hand, are still sweltering on the high 90’s but with occasional showers it gives the feeling that we too are coming into Fall.
And so the maintenance program continues. Not only on the fleet of dive boats but all over the resort. The boys are busy on property painting and improving and the additional plants around the place really make a big difference.
Over in the yard Rob is slaving over Eagle Ray. We decided to go all out on the old girl this year so we’ll install a new John Deer engine, electronics and also new decks and seating. Robs background in boat building and marine applications (That’s paint to you and me) are invaluable at these times so we owe him a big thank you.
The girls are spending a bit more time on the ‘tools’ as well. Jax loves getting her hands dirty and everything else. Learn more about Jax and her Jerky addiction in this month’s staff bio! Megan has been out of the water since having an unfortunate accident on her motorcycle. This is the longest period she has been out of the water for 2 years! She is painting the classroom this week in preparation for the upcoming IDC.
I have just received an abusive text from the top of the Empire State building!
Pete, Freddy and the ‘wives’ are in New York as I write having a well earned break. Freddy has a West Point reunion this weekend and Pete’s along for the ride.
In the water at this time of year there is plenty going on. We have all the usual suspects with Eagle Rays and the occasional shark honoring us with their presence. The water temperature is still middle 80’s so longer dives are still very comfortable. Our guided profiles (100ft/40 minutes) are proving very popular. The Manta Ray that has been seen “cruising” the West wall is still in residence and Rob saw it at Trinity Caves on Monday. He also has some great video of juvenile trunkfish- about the size of a large pea, perfectly round, black with yellow spots- this goofy critter will evolve into the triangular trunkfish we see right next to the dock. Rob takes great pictures, too. The Stingrays are proving to be as welcoming as ever. We run our trips on a regular basis and we haven’t had any problems at all. With new legislation coming into force from our Government, we’ll see a more controlled and organized approach to the attraction. We rarely go to the Sandbar location where people walk with the rays and that’s where the new rules will be most effective.
We are well under way with our community training courses. Jax has a group from the John Grey High School and Kevin is teaching 8 girls from St Ignatius. It’s great to see increasing numbers of female Caymanians becoming involved in the sport. Also we have completed a number of Vet’ school students and start on the Med’ school next week with an Open Water class of 46 students. Let the good times roll…
Professional Diver Training from Kelowna comes down for their bi-yearly, month long internship next week. Wally and Vern will bring 13 of ‘tomorrow’s instructors’ to the island to learn the rigors of being a Dive Instructor in today’s dive industry. It’s a great show case for me to see if there’s anyone I want to hire and also the crew find it interesting to help out the new guys. At Sunset we give them all great jobs with plenty of diving so with luck they leave with a positive opinion. I see little point in treating them like free labor and giving them rotten jobs that have no validity in the work place. Megan and Jax came from this great vocational program and having worked with Vern and Diving Dynamics over the years we can recommend this course as a great introduction to the diving business.
Dee, Keith and I will be in Orlando next month for the DEMA trade show which is always a great event for us. It gives us a chance to see what’s developing in our industry and offer some great incentives for group travel. Ask your local dive store to consider choosing Sunset House as a destination. I promise they will not be disappointed. Were offering deals that cannot afford to be ignored!
On that note if your thinking of winter sun and Christmas breaks you should consider booking early. We do great business in December and space is going fast. So, check out the web page for the latest deals and see you soon.
And so the maintenance program continues. Not only on the fleet of dive boats but all over the resort. The boys are busy on property painting and improving and the additional plants around the place really make a big difference.
Over in the yard Rob is slaving over Eagle Ray. We decided to go all out on the old girl this year so we’ll install a new John Deer engine, electronics and also new decks and seating. Robs background in boat building and marine applications (That’s paint to you and me) are invaluable at these times so we owe him a big thank you.The girls are spending a bit more time on the ‘tools’ as well. Jax loves getting her hands dirty and everything else. Learn more about Jax and her Jerky addiction in this month’s staff bio! Megan has been out of the water since having an unfortunate accident on her motorcycle. This is the longest period she has been out of the water for 2 years! She is painting the classroom this week in preparation for the upcoming IDC.
I have just received an abusive text from the top of the Empire State building!
Pete, Freddy and the ‘wives’ are in New York as I write having a well earned break. Freddy has a West Point reunion this weekend and Pete’s along for the ride.
In the water at this time of year there is plenty going on. We have all the usual suspects with Eagle Rays and the occasional shark honoring us with their presence. The water temperature is still middle 80’s so longer dives are still very comfortable. Our guided profiles (100ft/40 minutes) are proving very popular. The Manta Ray that has been seen “cruising” the West wall is still in residence and Rob saw it at Trinity Caves on Monday. He also has some great video of juvenile trunkfish- about the size of a large pea, perfectly round, black with yellow spots- this goofy critter will evolve into the triangular trunkfish we see right next to the dock. Rob takes great pictures, too. The Stingrays are proving to be as welcoming as ever. We run our trips on a regular basis and we haven’t had any problems at all. With new legislation coming into force from our Government, we’ll see a more controlled and organized approach to the attraction. We rarely go to the Sandbar location where people walk with the rays and that’s where the new rules will be most effective.
We are well under way with our community training courses. Jax has a group from the John Grey High School and Kevin is teaching 8 girls from St Ignatius. It’s great to see increasing numbers of female Caymanians becoming involved in the sport. Also we have completed a number of Vet’ school students and start on the Med’ school next week with an Open Water class of 46 students. Let the good times roll…
Professional Diver Training from Kelowna comes down for their bi-yearly, month long internship next week. Wally and Vern will bring 13 of ‘tomorrow’s instructors’ to the island to learn the rigors of being a Dive Instructor in today’s dive industry. It’s a great show case for me to see if there’s anyone I want to hire and also the crew find it interesting to help out the new guys. At Sunset we give them all great jobs with plenty of diving so with luck they leave with a positive opinion. I see little point in treating them like free labor and giving them rotten jobs that have no validity in the work place. Megan and Jax came from this great vocational program and having worked with Vern and Diving Dynamics over the years we can recommend this course as a great introduction to the diving business.
Dee, Keith and I will be in Orlando next month for the DEMA trade show which is always a great event for us. It gives us a chance to see what’s developing in our industry and offer some great incentives for group travel. Ask your local dive store to consider choosing Sunset House as a destination. I promise they will not be disappointed. Were offering deals that cannot afford to be ignored!
On that note if your thinking of winter sun and Christmas breaks you should consider booking early. We do great business in December and space is going fast. So, check out the web page for the latest deals and see you soon.