Saturday, September 17, 2005

A fantastic and enthusiastic group of 20 divers plus shore support met on Saturday, September 17, 2005 to assist with the quarterly underwater cleanup held in conjunction with International World Clean Up Day.

After a comprehensive briefing, which included information on what trash to bring up, as well as information on how to avoid harming the reef or other marine animals, the group prepared their gear and headed off to clean an area south of the Yellow Submarine Kralendijk location.

The group then was divided into two main working groups and one half began on each perimeter of the clean-up area, and then worked their way inward, to meet in the middle. The area of the cleanup was from the shoreline to approximately 40 feet/13 meters.

Shore personnel made up of Yellow Submarine crew stayed on shore to assist with receiving, sorting, and counting the trash. While doing this, they ensure that no marine animals are inadvertently caught and brought to the surface. Any marine animals, no matter how tiny, are immediately returned to salt water and carefully replaced in the ocean.

During this cleanup, the following trash was collected and removed for proper disposal: 17 bottles, 5, caps or lids, 35 pieces of fishing line, 15 pieces of fishing nets, 13 pieces of rope, 51pieces of foam plastic, 115 pieces of glass, 15 pieces of rubber, including one automobile tire, 54 pieces of metal, 23 pieces of paper, 9 pieces of wood, and 19 pieces of cloth.

The Clean Up was declared a success at the Pot Luck BBQ which followed that evening. All participants returned to Yellow Submarine, and enjoyed a BBQ, sponsored by Yellow Submarine and NetTech, and feasted upon chicken and ribs, along with side salads and other accompaniments provided by participants.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup with be conducted on Saturday, January 14, 2006--all are welcome, divers and non-divers alike.