I was so impressed with Ocean Explorers efforts on the reefs in St. Maarten, I felt like I had to let other people know what I had seen. I’ve only been diving with 6 or 7 different dive outfits (only have around 40 dives, so I’m on expert
), but this was the first outfit that actually seemed to work towards progressing the reefs. On the first dive, I watched Jeff pull out a small pouch with hose clamps and a screw driver as he dropped to the sand to grab a large sea whip that was lying on its side in the sand. He found a small extruding piece of rock structure and would attach the whip (fan, ribbon gorg, pen, etc.), giving it a chance to survive. I was thoroughly impressed. It seems like everyone should be doing this, but this was the first time a saw a huge concerted effort by the dive shop to help the reefs out as much as possible. I tried to do my share of reattaching what I could find, too. It just felt right. The reefs in St. Maarten were some of the nicest I’ve seen. They were densely packed with thousands of sea whips, gorgs, fans, etc. with incredible rock structures. I was blown away by the rock structures (see this thread for some pics-70ish underwater shots of varying quality). Jeff said it really makes him feel good to see his efforts paying off on return visits to recent attachments. I help lift a huge piece of elkhorn (A. palmata) out of a sandy pit and back onto a ledge to wedge it in (had to inflate to get enough force to lift it up-huge piece). There were several pieces in the sand there that got moved nearer the mother colony from the sand bed. He’s pulled pieces before with intentions of coming back to better attach, only to find then well encrusted in two or three days. It’s like keeping frags out of the sand bed. I felt good to be able to help out. The whips and gorgs, et/c were easy to find holes in which they would fit without being pulled out with the currents. I just wanted to let everyone know what I felt was a great ‘above and beyond’ from all other shops I’ve known (not to point a finger of negativity at any of those shops). These guys are doing great work down there and I applaud there efforts. The reefs are the densest I’ve seen with some of the most incredible rock formations and reef layouts (my dive experience is limited to the Caribbean).
Here are some shots of Jeff’s handy work. In addition to saving corals that would not make it long without the correct movement, he takes the time to repair the moorings and buoys when they need it. I hear the other dive shops around the area help stock him with rope, etc., so his work is being noticed locally, too.
Here are some shots of Jeff at work.
This fan was laying in the sand.
Screwing it down.
), but this was the first outfit that actually seemed to work towards progressing the reefs. On the first dive, I watched Jeff pull out a small pouch with hose clamps and a screw driver as he dropped to the sand to grab a large sea whip that was lying on its side in the sand. He found a small extruding piece of rock structure and would attach the whip (fan, ribbon gorg, pen, etc.), giving it a chance to survive. I was thoroughly impressed. It seems like everyone should be doing this, but this was the first time a saw a huge concerted effort by the dive shop to help the reefs out as much as possible. I tried to do my share of reattaching what I could find, too. It just felt right. The reefs in St. Maarten were some of the nicest I’ve seen. They were densely packed with thousands of sea whips, gorgs, fans, etc. with incredible rock structures. I was blown away by the rock structures (see this thread for some pics-70ish underwater shots of varying quality). Jeff said it really makes him feel good to see his efforts paying off on return visits to recent attachments. I help lift a huge piece of elkhorn (A. palmata) out of a sandy pit and back onto a ledge to wedge it in (had to inflate to get enough force to lift it up-huge piece). There were several pieces in the sand there that got moved nearer the mother colony from the sand bed. He’s pulled pieces before with intentions of coming back to better attach, only to find then well encrusted in two or three days. It’s like keeping frags out of the sand bed. I felt good to be able to help out. The whips and gorgs, et/c were easy to find holes in which they would fit without being pulled out with the currents. I just wanted to let everyone know what I felt was a great ‘above and beyond’ from all other shops I’ve known (not to point a finger of negativity at any of those shops). These guys are doing great work down there and I applaud there efforts. The reefs are the densest I’ve seen with some of the most incredible rock formations and reef layouts (my dive experience is limited to the Caribbean). Here are some shots of Jeff’s handy work. In addition to saving corals that would not make it long without the correct movement, he takes the time to repair the moorings and buoys when they need it. I hear the other dive shops around the area help stock him with rope, etc., so his work is being noticed locally, too.
Here are some shots of Jeff at work.
This fan was laying in the sand.
Screwing it down.
