By jason thomas on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 2:19 pm: |
from scubadiving.com I have left out the name of the resort
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 3:00 pm: |
Jason,
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By Carole Baker on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 6:21 pm: |
Nuff said...secure your gear at all times...just like at "home". Carole
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By James T. McPeak on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 6:41 am: |
I read the article in scuba.com that Jake posted. I also know the Director of Dive Operations pretty well. In fact, I go back with him when he was a dive master, and we spent a few nights in Karols etc. He's a good guy. I' m not disputing the author of this post. Rather, I can't imagine storing any gear in the south part of the resort. There is a dive shack on the north end where we have never had a problem. In fact, this year, Kathi and I left our wetsuits out on the drying shelf in the afternoon and forgot about them. The next morning we came down to go on the boat dive out to Klein. Our wetsuits were gone. Not to panic, but they were brand new. Here, Serge, the Dir. of Dive Ops took them in the shop before he left the day before so they wouldn't blow away or get stolen, even though we had them weighted down with belts. I feel badly the author had some stuff clipped, but conversely, we have only had positive things happen with Divi. Serge and I had a long talk this year about how some managers of the Divi wanted to make the resort more like the Caymans. What I mean is that you are catered to the point of lunacy. The whole concept of "Diving Freedom" means you must also act with some discretion and responsibility to yourself. Storing gear in a 24 hour accessable area has a price. Yes, it's convenient, but could it be stolen? That's why God invented dive bags.
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By Ida Christie on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 9:06 am: |
I can't imagine anyone leaving there gear in a 24 hour accessable area. With what we pay for our gear, I'm keeping mine with me. Anyone can steal your gear even tourist.
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By George Owens on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 7:22 pm: |
No matter where you dive, secure your gear... everyone would like to think there is a paradise for divers where you can leave your stuff laying around and not expect it to walk off, but the real world ain't like that. I've never been to a friendlier, more secure-feeling place than Bonaire, but my valuables and irreplaceables were locked up or on my person at all times. I have never had anything stolen (knock wood) on trips to Mexico, Honduras, Belize, the USVI, even Texas. Use your head, secure your gear; by not providing the opportunity, you may keep an honest man from becoming a thief.
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By joe chandler on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 10:40 am: |
Did have some gear stolen in Canada once. That is sorta like the northern tip of Bonaire, isn't it? Course it was locked up at the time
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By Ken Gater on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 9:33 pm: |
The south end ?? Has it been fixed up ?
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By Leif S on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 11:34 am: |
Top 10 ways to prevent theft while diving Bonaire...
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By Leif S on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 12:08 pm: |
But seriously...
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By scott and sharon barlass on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 1:53 pm: |
Leif,
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By Peter Cabus on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 3:10 am: |
Scott,
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By scott and sharon barlass on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 9:11 am: |
That is exactly what I was TRYING to say..I was complimenting Leif for NOT overstating crime on Bonaire...like some others have on this board...so we are in complete agreement!
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By Peter Cabus on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 10:10 am: |
I was perhaps reading too much between the lines. Glad we are in agreement.
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By Matthew Brown on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 12:18 pm: |
Just returned from my first trip to Bonaire and unfortunately had the spare tire stolen from our rental vehicle while diving Angel City. We intentionally left nothing of value in the car, except for t-shirts, towels, and snacks. Nothing else was taken except for tire. The worst part about the whole experience was the outrageous replacement cost the rental company charged us. I loved my Bonaire experience and am ready to return. Unfortunately crime is something that occurs everywhere and no matter how many precautions are taken there is always a chance that something may happen.
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By Sarah on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 1:29 pm: |
Matthew, wouldn't you just love to know where those tires are going?!
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By Carole Baker on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 2:01 pm: |
Sorry to hear about the theft. Which rental agency did you use? Just curious. The rental agencies should find a way to secure/lock the spares onto the vehicle...requiring a key to remove the spare and the key would be kept on the iginition keyring. Is this a possibility?? Carole
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By Matthew Brown on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 2:16 pm: |
We used AB Car Rental since the office was located at Captain Don's. The tire was not secured and just laying on the floor of the van. Unfortunately it never occured to me to look for a place to lock the tire into, which probably should have been underneath. I asked several of the dive staff about the theft and everyone seemed surprised about the incident and the replacement cost. When my girlfriend told the AB representative that the tire was not secured under the van, but laying on the floor, the woman just chuckled and said "oh well." We are still investigating the outrageous replacement cost. I could probably buy a new tire and ship it to them myself for less than they are charging.
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By seb schulherr on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 4:17 pm: |
I would like to know where they are going. I have repeatedly argued for painting the spares wheels in outrageous colors or polka dots to try to stem the tide...
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By Kate Hickson on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 5:29 pm: |
Great idea, Seb!
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By Carole Baker on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 5:35 pm: |
I like your idea, too, Seb! That is unless it is the rental agencies hijacking their own tires back and forth....I doubt that very much, tho.
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By Dan Goff on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 12:33 pm: |
Hi Matthew Brown,
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By Leif S on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 4:14 pm: |
Spare Tire...
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By Sarah on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 5:43 pm: |
Leif, you're right.. we pay for our rentals with the Citibank Card, we're covered for pretty much everything (spare tire included)..
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By seb schulherr on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 6:07 pm: |
Dan, I absolutely suggest you decline the CDW insurance. Check with your Credit card company first, but my MC or Amex will cover me COMPLETELY if I rent a covered vehicle ( usually not a truck) and charge everything to the CC. I STRONGLY advise you to call you CC company first and check, make notes ( day, time, date, person you spoke with.) I called them twice and asked to make sure. IF you get the CDW they are kind of off the hook - and YOU are on it.
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By jason thomas on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 7:09 pm: |
what is CDW?
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By michael gaynor on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 8:08 am: |
the CDW (collision Damage Waiver?) does not cover theft or vandalism.
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By Leif S on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 10:36 am: |
To clarify on rental insurance...
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By seb schulherr on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 9:44 pm: |
I think the CDW does in fact cover theft, but only after the deductible is paid
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By Clay Lansdown on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 9:01 am: |
As far as the US goes I don't think there are any insurance companies that will provide liability coverage outside of the US and Canada.
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By Rita Daggett on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 10:16 am: |
I dont think UK credit cards provide any car insurance (maybe 'gold' cards do)
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