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November 2009 Scuba News Letter
What's In This Newsletter?
 An Update from UBS Dive Center
Wreck Week Updates
Your Photos
New Photo Service For Guests at UBS
New Wreck at Wreck Alley
Congratulations to you!
Sail / Dive Vacation Packages
Your Comments
What's Happening at UBS?
Hello once agan to all of our families, divers, kayakers amd sailor friends welcome to our 2009 newsletter.
We here at UBS Dive Center and Tortola Kayak Tours have been thinking of different things that we can do to help you get the most out of your diving and special activities, on your vacation in the up coming year. We are offering special rendezvous and rental rates that will keep you diving and having fun for less money. We are still offering all PADI Referrals, Advanced & Specialty Courses and Universal Referral Courses free of charge!
The "NEW DEALS" are:
For Divers. Any diver that has a rendezvous dive with us at any time on their vacation can keep the dive equipment that they used on the dive boat for the rest of their vacation at 25% off the daily rental rates. This is a huge saving that will allow you to dive from your charter yacht or from your local beach as many times as you want while you are in the BVI. At the end of your vacation UBS will pick up the equipment for free from any marina on Tortola, ferry dock or airport.
Example:
If you rendezvous dive with us on day 1 of a 10 day vacation and you have absolutely no dive equipment of your own, we will leave you with:
2 Tanks
BCD
REG, with Alternate air source, pressure gauge, and depth gauge.
Dive Computer
Wet Suit
Tank Rack for your boat
Weights
Weight Belt
This complete package would normally cost you $235 in full season but now it will only cost you $19.58 per day. We will not even charge you for the equipment the day that you are diving with us so you can dive again the same day after we leave you with the gear for NO CHARGE AT ALL!
When you call to reserve your private rendezvous let us know that you will be wanting us to leave the equipment with you and we will also bring out our coveted UBS Dive Center Rental Booklet that we produced to tell you everything you need to know about diving in the BVI. This booklet includes for you:
National Park Mooring Location Map Of Dive Sites
(privately produced by UBS Dive Center)
Air Fill Station Location Map
(of all BVI air fill stations, privately produced by UBS Dive Center)
The RMS Rhone National Park Underwater and Mooring map
GPS Coordinates of 50 BVI National Park Dive Sites.
(the only one available in the BVI, produced privately by UBS Dive Center)
Recommended Night Dive Sites
(which only a working dive instructor in the BVI for 17 years knows the best)
First Aid Basics with:
BVI emergency contact numbers
USVI Hyperbaric Chamber contact info
International Dive Emergency contact numbers
International diving emergency phone numbers
Dive injury sign and symptom sheets.
Marine injury info and treatments
Rental Equipment Care and Understanding
Safe Diving Practices for the BVI
Moorings Use Regulations
A BVI road map with highlighted shore dive locations.
We are also working on a new addition to the booklet with hand drawn maps of dive sites that you can use as a reference for when you are diving on your own!
For Kayakers. The cost for our half-day Eco/Historical BVI tour out on the water is only $250 for up to 4 kayakers, then only $70 for each additional adult or $50 for each additional child aged 12 and under.
Also as an added bonus, take the tour and then take the Kayak and Snorkel equipment at NO EXTRA CHARGE for the second half of the day, to go and play on your own and have fun in the sun.
How can you beat a deal that gives you a half day trip with all of the equipment for free!
Here at UBS Dive Center and Tortola Kayak Tours we hope that you will make use of these new offers that we have put together for you and make the most of your vacation here in the BVI.
We are also working on some "special recession deals" for all of you wanting shore side accommodation, and discounts on sail boat charter prices for next year.
We look forward to hearing and seeing you all in the near future.
Kathryn, Tony and Dawn.
Wreck Week Update 2010
BVI Wreck Week is becoming more and more of a divers' must do in the Caribbean. The team here at UBS Dive Center has put its heads together to come up with a great schedule of events for UBS Divers Wreck Week 2010. Have a look through at some of the dives and parties planned.
Saturday 12th June 2010
Opening party at Nanny Cay
Sunday 13th June 2010
Wreck Alley
We will make two dives, the first at the Mary L and the Pat. These tug boats were sunk ten years apart, the Mary L going down first in the late 1980's and the Pat in 1995. They are beautifully located in the sand next to a coral reef drop off. Located at the back of Cooper Island, they lie in 80 feet of water and are both covered in corals and sponges. We can do short penetrations into the hull and forward cabin of the Mary L and a penetration into the hold of the Pat. This site is known for the life in and on the sandy bottom. Conchs run through this area ( as fast as a conch can run, which is not fast! ) and Southern Sting Rays sleep in the sand. If you keep your eyes on the open water you will get a glimpse of the Spotted Eagle ray that feeds in this area too.
The Beata and the new wreck, the Island Seal, make up our second dive. These are also in 80 foot of water in the sand but have a completely different feel about them than the older wrecks from the first dive. The Beata has been down since around 2004 and the Island Seal was scuttled in October of 2009. The Beata is known for the French and Queen Angel fish that swim through her numerous cabins and the large hold. Penetration on this wreck is extremely exciting as all of the innards of the engine room are still intact - a flash light is needed to explore all of her secrets. As island Seal has been down such a short amount of time it will be interesting to see what life this wreck brings to the area. We can only wait and see!
Monday 14th June 2010
Wreck of the Fearless and Old Willy T, with a Reef Dive too.
Another two tank dive day starting at the Wreck of the Fearless and the Old Willy T. Both of these wrecks are wooden ships that have deteriorated differently from the wrecks at Wreck Alley at Cooper Island. The Fearless is a real ghost ship sitting in 75 feet of water outside of Great Harbour, Peter Island, and is a spectacular example of an old wooden ship wreck. Penetration is not an option on this dive as our bubbles will dislodge the decaying wood of her superstructure.
(The wreck of the Fearless)
The Old Willy T sank in the Bight at Norman Island and in the late 1990's and was eventually towed to Peter Island to her final resting place. There is not much left of the ship but the beer fridges are still there and if you are lucky you may find some treasure in the form of old alcohol and beer bottles!
The second dive of the day will be decided on the day but will be on one of our numerous coral reefs that are around Peter Island. Some of our options are Painted Walls at Dead Chest Island, a fabulous dive where parallel passages and vertical walls run perpendicular to the island. Three prominent fingers extend out to create color splashed canyons. The unusual underwater landscape and abundance of fish make Painted Walls one of the most popular dives in the BVI. The rocky ridges are coated with orange, purple, red, green and yellow encrusting sponges accented by many hard and soft coral bouquets. There is a secret garden and a turtle that hangs around at the top of the canyons.
We also have the option of Blonde Rock, located between Dead Chest and Salt Islands, with fascinating topography, a taste of adventure, and photo opportunities galore. Blonde Rock is a set of two pinnacles, out in the middle of Salt Island passage that rises from 60 feet to within 15 feet of the surface. Occasionally current-swept and the only topographic feature of any significance in the Salt Island Passage, Blonde Rock is a natural magnet attracting all kinds of marine life including turtles, schools of jacks, cobia, barracuda and even the occasional shark. The twin fire coral-encrusted peaks (hence the "blonde" designation) rise from a gorgonian-covered plateau at 35 to 40 feet. All the way around this sheer-walled plateau is an amazing system of undercuts, ledges, canyons, tunnels and companion rocks.
There are lots more options that we can discuss and decisions can be made after our first dive of the day.
(Painted walls)
Tuesday 15th June 2010
Beach BBQ Party Cooper Island (All Afternoon)
A slower day today with only one dive in the morning before we head over to Cooper Island for the beach party in the afternoon.
We can go to any number of reef sites that are taking our interest, Rhone Reef at the back of Salt Island is one of our favorites. This area gets nutrient rich water coming in through Salt Island passage and the overflow of marine life from the Wreck of the Rhone. With abundant fish life and beautiful coral swim throughs, this area is teaming with Lobsters , Crabs , Octopus and a Turtle who hides out in the canyons.
We also have another favorite reef that has, we believe, the most amazing colors of any reef in the BVI. Vanishing or Forget Me Not Rock between Cooper and Salt Island has just about the most color and spectacular views of any BVI Dive Site. The rock protrudes just above the surface and is completely covered with corals, sponges and gorgonians. There is one area on the back side of the rock that is a photographers' dream - a large area of Pillar coral that is swarming with Sergeant Major Fish, Yellow Grunts, Squirrel Fish and Blue Chromis. It is a living screen saver!
(Forget Me Not Rock)
Then off to Cooper Island for the Beach party with other divers in the BVI who are also participating in Wreck week 2010
Wednesday 16th June 2010
The Chikuzen and the Wreck of the Airplane.
The Chikuzen sunk about 7 1/2 miles northwest off Tortola, in the Atlantic Ocean. The wreck is too far out for diving in the winter months and because of its location is hard to find if you don't have the exact coordinates. Therefore this site is rarely dived and because of its location is teaming with large pelagic life.
She rests in 75 feet of water far from any reef, attracting marine life like an oasis in the desert. The ship is on its port side with the starboard rail reaching up to about 50 feet. Except for the pilothouse, most of the ship is intact, with three large cargo holds that can be entered through open hatches. Schools of Barracuda and Cobia make this a great dive with lots of BIG things going on!
For the second dive of the day we will head over to The Wreck of the Airplane at Great Dog, a lovely shallow dive over a shallow hard coral reef to an old small passenger prop plane sitting in 40 feet in the sand. An easy dive when conditions are good but we will have to watch out for current on this site. It is great photo opportunity as you can sit in the cockpit of the plane and have your photo taken.
(The Wreck of The Airplane)
Thursday 17th June 2010
For our final day of diving in Wreck Week 2010 we have saved the best until last. The Wreck of The RMS Rhone at Salt island is without a doubt one of the best wreck dives in the world. . She sank in the hurricane of 1867 with a loss of around 80 souls. She lies from 15 to 80 feet next to Salt Island. Last year she was voted the best wreck dive in the world by Sport Diver subscribers and is regularly in the top 10 for night and wreck dive voters' favorites.
As she has been down so long, there is an abundance of coral and more critter life than you see on a normal healthy coral reef. This is because of all the nooks and crannies, that provide shelter for the lobsters, crabs and octopus. Aside from the dive being incredible for those reasons alone, there is still the wreck itself to enjoy with brass port holes, silver spoons embedded in the coral, kitchen ( galley) floor tiles and sinks, a massive wrench set, the propeller which was only the 6th one ever used, a cannon and lots more... if you only ever get to do one of our over 100 dive sites in the BVI this is the one!
Friday 18th June 2010
As you will be flying out soon and we have done several days of repetitive diving, we are unfortunately out of the water today. We will do an island tour of the main island of Tortola, making plenty of photo stops at historical sites and at our beautiful beaches. Visit the Bomba Shack for a rum punch and some gift shops along the way. Then back to get showered and changed for our closing party at Trellis Bay that evening.
With all of this fun planned come and join us for a fabulous week of diving and fun in the sun!
Prices for diving are available on request and depend on the number of divers involved.
Accommodations are available in Harbour View Marina - contact us for details.
 Your Photos
We always enjoy recieving your photos of your diving vacation, here are a few that you sent to us.
This one of the Ghost of the Rhone is by far the funiest picture this year, and it is from George Marler, the auther of the book on the Rhone, thanks George!
This is from Dianne Duerr, from their vacation this summer.
For More pictures go to,
http://www.scubabvi.com/html/gallery.html
INTRODUCING IN 2010
New Photo Service For Guests at UBS
Another new service that we are offering for the 2010 season is a photo memory of your day trip out with either Tortola Kayak Tours or UBS Dive Center. For divers however this service is only an option for those that are certified, and snorkelers. With uncertified divers, we instructors have to have our ' hands free' so we cannot carry the camera on the Discover Scuba Dives or any Referral or Certification Courses.
We are offering a personalized photo record of your day trip out with UBS. We will provide photos from both above and below the water. We can then send the pictures to you on a disc to your home address so you have full size pictures for your vacation album. The cost for the service, including discs and postage is only $50 per charter. If however you are kayaking and or returning to the dive center after your excursion, we will hand you the disc to take home with you and the cost is then only $40 per group.
Let us know when you reserve your trip that you would like the photo service included.
New Wreck at Wreck Alley
In October 2009 the dive industry of the BVI was proud to be the new owners of a new wreck at Wreck Alley on the backside of Cooper island. Regular visitors to the BVI will have seen the large container ship " Island Seal" sunk in Road Harbour for the last couple of years. It was decided that it should be moved and made into a dive site for all of us avid divers to enjoy. She is sitting upside down in the sand just to the left of the bow of the Beata. There is a great swim through under the helm and her massive props are facing the surface. It is an unusual wreck sitting at a strange angle and is a great addition to Wreck Alley. She is sitting in 80 feet so it is not a novice dive, especially without a guide.
Keep a eye out on our web site for pictures as we get them. Maybe I will even send some pictures out later in the season!
Sail/Dive Adventures
If you want to enjoy an idyllic vacation customized to your every dream and desire, doing something other than just lazing around a resort, then a sailing yacht vacation is a great option.
When you book your sailing yacht vacation with Captain Terry and his crew, you'll not only cruise the British Virgin Islands (BVI), but you'll also enjoy all the amenities and services you would expect from an all-inclusive resort - and even more! What resort would allow you so many location choices, and even your own personal chef to prepare delicious meals suited to your individual tastes. Sailing Yacht 'Maņana Maybe' and UBS Dive Center are teaming up to offer the best in sailing and diving adventures.
UBS Dive Center, will bring your own private dive boat out to rendezvous with 'Maņana Maybe' at various locations around the islands so you can enjoy the underwater delights at some of the many sites nearby.
Certified divers have the choice of one or two-tank morning or afternoon dives, or late afternoon/night dives. They can also continue their dive education by taking an advanced course, or specialty courses that will familiarize them with various special interest areas of diving such as Wreck Diver, Underwater Photographer and Underwater Naturalist, to name but a few.
Non-certified divers can have a 'Discover Scuba Diving' experience. This is a one-off introduction to scuba under the supervision of a UBS dive professional, and can be followed up with more diving later into the sailing trip.
Those wishing to become Open Water certified can start their course back home and make the four required Open Water 'check out' dives to complete the course here, in the calm, clear, warm Caribbean Sea.
And groups with mixed dive experience can have UBS Dive Center tailor-make a program to include a bit of something for everybody.
Click here for further details.
PRICING
Exclusively Private Dive & Rendezvous Trips (4 Hours)
Morning Trip (8:30am-12:30pm)
Afternoon Trip (1:00pm-5:00pm)
Late Afternoon & Night Dive* (depends on sunset time)
Prices per person (includes equipment)
2 People $175
3 People $117
4+ People (max 6) $110
*For Night Dive add $80 to total and $10 each for dive light rental
Sailboat Charters - Pricing Packages
Four Pricing Packages
(Standard pricing is based on seven days and nights)
(Custom packages are available)
1. Share-the-Sail Boat Charter
2. A Captain Only Charter
3. Crewed Captain/Chef/Hostess Charter
4. Half Board - Crewed Captain/Chef/Hostess Charter
You create a Caribbean sailing package that best blends your vacation desires and budget. See detailed pricing information hyperlink to pricing page
1. Share-the-Sail Boat Charter Package
Instead of chartering the entire yacht you book one of three double cabins each with private vanity/head/shower. You will share in all shipboard activities including cooking, sailing, anchoring and trimming the sails.
Each Double Cabin with Private Vanity/Head/Shower
$1,500 per cabin ($750 per person based on double occupancy)
2. A Captain Only Charter Package
The most popular option when one or more guests want to participate in gaining seamanship skills.
$4,500 for 2 Guest $2,250per person
$5,500 for 4 Guest $1,375per person
$6,600 for 6 Guest $1,100per person
$9,600 for 8 Guest $1,200per person
3. A Captain & Hostess/Chef Charter:
With a crewed charter you will have a captain and a chef/hostess to meet your sailing vacation dreams.
$6,000 for 2 Guest $3,000pp
$8,500 for 4 Guest $2,125pp
$11,000 for 6 Guest $1,833pp
4. A Half Board Captain & Hostess/Chef Charter:
With a fully crewed charter you will have a captain, chef/hostess to meet your sailboat charter dreams. The Chef/Hostess will be available for four lunches, four breakfasts and three dinners on board. They may enjoy local cuisine or cooking dinner on board.
$5,250 for 2 Guest $2,625per person
$7,000 for 4 Guest $3,500per person
$8,800 for 6 Guest $4,400per person
Click here for further details http://www.sailwithterry.com
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
Congratulations
As always , I like to mention those of you who have comleted a certification course with us since our last newsletter went out. Have a look through and see if you can find your own name.
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 Seal Team
Cavan Byrne
Scuba Diver
Carol Prosser
Junior Open Water Diver
Ellen Matthew
Metta Sairs
David Favot
Stephan Favot
Logan Miller
Amy Thomas
Lilly Thomas
Sheehan Byrne
Graeme Aravjo
Katherine Campbell
Carter Campbell
Megan Joseph
Sebrina Carrier
Adam Bayer
Medic First Responder
Gabrielle Dickinson |
Open Water Diver
Reeves Favot
Elise Favot
Marcy Wilson
Jenna Wilson
Gill Dickinson
Simon Thomas
Godfrey Aravjo
Shannon Wilkin
Brandon Wilkin
George Wilkinson
Barbara Hansen
Thomas Clarke
Gemma Nicholls
Philip Campbell
Stephan Steel
Michael Indursley
Lyndsey Prosser
Gene Pemirov
Susan Brice
Courtney Thompson
Kelly Thompson
David Thompson
Chelsea Thompson
Mandy Zarogoza
Melinda Linzey
Bradley Renson
Melissa Ranson
Curtis Johnson
Catherine Harris
Abigale Keith
Brooklyn Contraras
Carrol Witter
Advanced Open Water Diver
Gabrielle Dickinson
Rescue Diver
Gabrielle Dickinson
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Your Comments
Kate,
Thank you for a great time last week. Great diving. It was fun seeing the turtles, sting rays and all the fun fish. Carroll loved the diving and loves history & loved the Rhone. We appreciated the cocktails and getting to see your new home/boat. It is the perfect home for both of you and your lifestyle. We loved it the way it is but know you many plans for it in the future. Thanks for everything,
Courtney July 20th 2009
Hi Kathryn,
This is Ron from AZ.... Just wanted to let you know that Tony did a great job taking my buddy and I on a couple wonderful dives!!! Thanks for the great day of diving...
Ron Leversee June 23rd 2009
Hi Kate,
We are back at home now trying to recover. I'll send more pics but wanted to send this now.
I don't know if I thanked you for everything including the day Tony dropped equipment off to us.
I have to tell you the highlight of our trip was meeting and diving with you!
We would like to say if you and Tony are ever in this part of the world you are welcome to stay with us.
Curt Johnson May 4th 2009
THANKS FOR THE GREAT DIVE. WE ENJOYED OURSELVES, IT WAS NICE TO GET IN 2 DIVES AND BE BACK ON THE CRUISE SHIP BY 12:30. TELL DAWN THANKS AGAIN. DO YOU JUST WORK OUT OF TORTOLA OR ARE YOU ON OTHER ISLANDS TOO
JAY SOLORIO March 31st 2009
Kate Tony and Dawn,
Thanks so much for the wonderful diving experience my family are now all convinced that we have to come back and dive with you guy next year. Thanks so much again.
Paul, Louise, Sara and Joseph Johnson, June 2008
UBS Divers,
We have dived all over the Caribbean and you are by far the most professional outfit that we have ever dived with. You made our vacation spectacular!
The Perterson Family, New York, New York. January 2008
Well we hope that you have enjoyed our newsletter and keep an eye on our web site for new deals and offers that we are always trying to find for you. We look forward to seeing you all in soon and either paddling or blowing bubbles with you.
Kate, Tony and Dawn
UBS Dive Center
Tortola
British Virgin Islands
284-494-0024
284-496-8475
mail@scubabvi.com
http.//www.scubabvi.com
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