News:
October 2008
The most exhilarating and exciting month in the history of CGT has come to pass. The following is a quick overview.- Thanks to the graciousness of BDA letting us tap into their N32 banks, CGT now has an in-facility high pressure supply of premix Nitrox 32 gas. The value of this became immediately obvious in the weeks to come.
- First up was a Fundamentals class with two European folks, which went very nicely and everybody involved learned a lot.
- Then, the first technical class of the season (Tech 1) was severely
impacted by the genesis of Hurricane Omar just offshore. This powerful storm pounded the island with torrential rain and very high surf on the vulnerable west coast. This made the planned delivery of sorely needed helium impossible for a few days. Thanks to the generosity of Buddy Dive Resort, the class could progress and finish almost on schedule. Congrats to Rob Zwissler and Dave, good job. - The second class of the yearly "Tech October" frenzy, the first Tech 2 class ever to be held on Bonaire, was a raging success as well. Even though there was not enough
helium to properly finish the class, the team consisting of James Pate, Guy Shockey and Benji Schaub made a terrific dive on La Dania's Leap. To be continued... - And to top it all off, CGT staff were able to do a few deep excursions to sites such as the Windjammer Wreck and Red Slave using the latest in scooter technology!
We found several anchors in the 240' range on Red Slave and were able to confirm alive and thriving Peppermint Shrimp communities at 230'.
Thanks Frank. - Last but not least the website and with it our pricing structure is changed to better reflect our logistics situation and provide improved service to our customers. Please refer to the updated procedures section of our website.
September 2008
- After an exciting 3 1/2 weeks in The Netherlands, our teaching staff looks back onto a very successful period. Thanks to the efforts of the
(as usually!) very well prepared students and our host facility, Blue Marlin Diving in Roosendaal, everybody involved cannot be anything but very satisfied with the outcome of this fall's course work. - Our very special thanks go to lighting wizard Eddy van Vliet of Scuba Support for the uber-fast repair service of Benji's trusted Agir-Brokk Lugh9 primary torch. You rock!
- Once back home, there was more work waiting. We were able to finish the facility roof in one fell swoop and install the "Mother Of All Fans" to cool divers during the upcoming October GUEF, T1 and T2 teaching frenzy.
- And finally: Effective immediately, we discontinue our policy of including equipment rental in the course fee. Student divers now have to either bring DIR compliant gear or peruse our rental services.
August 2008
- Another dive video is online for your viewing pleasure, this time taken on a calm day on Bonaire's east coast, at the dive site Lac Cai. To see it, go to the shore diving section. Have fun!
And the second phase of the "CGT awareness-raising project" is completed and we're ready to move forward again.
So now, if you follow the above sign at the traffic circle, you'll actually get to the place to the right!- Since 15:30, August 11 2008, CGT's facility is finally connected to the Bonaire power grid. This opens the door towards such achievements of civilization as refrigerators and coffeemakers...
Seriously, we are very happy and this will further smooth out our operational workflow! - We've finally gotten around to raise the profile locally a little. The awesome road sign located at the roundabout (traffic circle) will hopefully direct more walk-in customers our way.
July 2008
As promised, we've been able to embed not one but two additional videos into the web site. The site featured is the Hilma Hooker wreck dive, and our local team doesn't waste time hanging around on the outside of the wreck, either...
Check the "Shore dives" and "Photo & video" sections for the clips.
June 2008
A long awaited moment has arrived: The website is finally featuring the first demo video of one of the excursion dives we offer, the Town Pier of Bonaire! Thanks to the outstanding service of Agir-Brokk, who delivered the video light, and to my buddies Niels Wennekes and Sammy Vingerhoets, we could turn this into a reality. Enjoy and watch out for more to come...
- Finally there is some progress with the long delayed facility improvement plans, as can be seen below:
I'm sure you'll enjoy the added sun and rain protection as much as I do!
May 2008
The Dutch community was kind enough to invite Benji over for two GUEF classes. Our teaching staff always enjoys a splendid opportunity for a little reality check...
All went well, with the exception of the first class which unfortunately had to be cut short because Benji caught a nasty cold bug. All three students agreed to come back to finish this in September during the second round of teaching this year.
Thanks guys and thanks Andreas of Blue Marlin Diving for the excellent support!!
April 2008
- Benji spent almost all of April on a well-earned vacation in Guatemala together with family. It was a very nice trip and we'll all remember the arrival in Coban on 15th of April forever, I guess...
February 2008
- A lot of teaching in February, we actually ran two GUEF classes back to back here on Bonaire. Congrats to the students, you know who you are.
It never ceases to amaze me to see what kind of dedicated and eager divers GUE training is able to attract. Very special.
January 2008
The new year started with a long but fun trip: Benji was sent to Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt! Visionary ICT company Breathe-IT, hailing from Bonaire, contracted our services in order to install a system of underwater network cameras.
Having spent some considerable time in the Middle East, Benji felt right at home and the job was done with inspiring precision...
December 2007
- After an exhilarating trip to one of the more remote corners of the planet, Chuuk (FSM, also known as Truk Lagoon), Benji is back on Bonaire.
This trip can really only be described as mind-blowing, the wrecks of Truk are quite literally condensed history, and diving them has a very unique feel of real significance. - December's GUE Fundamentals class is done with two valuable additions to the local team, Chelsey and Bruce! Congrats!!
- We're working of getting the facility electrified, so we can have computer services, credit card checkout and other amenities on-site.
November 2007
- Benji is getting ready for departure to Chuuk, Micronesia, better known as Truk Lagoon.
As part of an international, Canada based video production team he will help conduct deep mixed gas wreck dives in this historic location. Stay tuned for coverage on this exciting expedition. - Another member of the exploration team has been added, we welcome Niels Wennekes in our group. Niels moved here from the Netherlands as dive guide and repair technician for BDA.
October 2007
Finally the CGT facilities have been placed into what can only be described as a tourism and commerce hotspot on the island. With a walking distance of 1 (one!) minute to the ocean and the BDA pier it doesn't get much more convenient. Furthermore do we feature a "drive-by" filling station for mixed gas, a repair shop, retail location and rental department. All of this is magically squeezed into a 20 foot long shipping container....- CGT is proud to announce that our founder and CEO Benji Schaub has been named an official guide for the restricted Windjammer Wreck dive in front of the BOPEC oil terminal. As one of the 5 persons to be able to do so Benji is looking forward to give CGT's customers an unforgettable deep diving experience on this classic wreck.
- And it has happened! Bonaire has for the first time it's own DIR deep exploration team.
Consisting of German Arango, Marco Caldato and Benji Schaub, they are planning on pushing the boundaries of known underwater space and come back with the results needed to answer vital questions about our fragile ecosystem. - We have now laid the foundation for a great local deep dive team, since with the help of Dan McKay Marco Caldato and myself passed the GUE Technical Diver 1 class.
The next weekend will likely see Guy Shockey from British Columbia and German Arango from Colombia be successful as well.
September 2007
- We can now accept all major credit cards as means of payment. This eliminates the need to carry around wads of US$ 20 bills...
- The placement of our filling station, repair workshop and retail shop to where it should have been a long time ago is imminent.
The next two weeks will bring great news, such as no more tank trafficking to and from the other side of the island! - We are very proud to be the first Caribbean distributor for the the prestigious Agir-Brokk brand of DIR compliant dive equipment. This agreement will allow us to make this no-frills, high-quality equipment available locally, as well as support other retail outlets in the area.
Dealer enquiries are welcome. - We have augmented our existing rental fleet to be able to accommodate up to 5 Tech2 divers with a set of doubles, two deco bottles and a bottom stage.
This means we will now be able to host GUE Tech2 classes right here in paradise. Traveling instructor enquiries are more than welcome. - The rates now better reflect the cost structure of our particular situation.
This means they have gone up just a little bit...
However, customers will find the extra service and convenience that is made possible by the latest developments quite valuable.