Dive Curacao


Scuba Mask Straps

The Guardian of the Reef to be Sunk in his Permanent Home April 12

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr +
The Guardian of the Reef will be at home on a sandy flat just offshore from the Divetech shop. One dollar from each dive at the site will go to an ocean conservation program for local schools. Photo courtesy Divetech

The Guardian of the Reef will be at home on a sandy flat just offshore from the Divetech shop. One dollar from each dive at the site will go to an ocean conservation program for local schools. Photo courtesy Divetech

After many months and a long journey from his birthplace in British Columbia the bronze sculpture, commissioned to mark Divetech’s 20th Anniversary, to be welcomed with a weekend celebration

Advertisement
Sea to Sky


He has traveled thousands of miles to arrive in Grand Cayman, and on Saturday, April 12 the bronze sculpture Guardian of the Reef will be sunk at his permanent home on a sandy flat at 60f/18m off the island’s Northwest Point. Months ago Divetech purchased the sculpture from Canadian artist Simon Morris to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. The13-foot Guardian is a mythological creature half ancient warrior half seahorse that was sculpted at Morris’s studio in British Columbia, caste in bronze at a foundry in Oregon. Once completed, the sculpture was shipped to Orlando, FL in early November for an unveiling at the Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association Convention (DEMA).  He arrived in Grand Cayman earlier this month and has been on display at Divetech since clearing customs.

“We are very excited to see the Guardian of the Reef in Cayman after his long voyage here over 4,500 miles and many, many months,” say Divetech owners Jay and Nancy Easterbrook. “To see him standing on shore he is very majestic and will serve as a long-term reminder to all of us about the need to protect our reefs.”

Divetech Grand Cayman at The Scuba News

Divetech is celebrating 20 years of offering dive services in the the Cayman Islands recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. Photo courtesy Divetech

Festivities for the sinking begin Friday April 11 at 3pm with a launch party and dedication ceremony at the Divetech’s shop at Lighthouse Point, with music, drinks, food and more. The process of transporting and sinking the sculpture is scheduled to start at 8am on Saturday, weather permitting. The sculpture will be moved by truck from Lighthouse Point to the Port launch. The sinking contractor will tow the Guardian of the Reef to the site and place it on a concrete base already in place. Divetech will deploy two boats – one with dive staff to assist in the process and one for media documenting the event, plus shore diving will be open all day to the public.

Once the Guardian is perched on his 4-foot pedestal, he’ll stand at 17 feet and almost immediately sea creatures will begin exploring it as an artificial reef. When the all clear is given on Saturday, divers will be able to enter the water from shore to enjoy the site and welcome him to his new home, just minutes off shore.

Artist Simon Morris is also the creator of Amphitrite, the popular mermaid sculpture and it’s a good bet the Guardian of the Reef will also draw his share of divers for decades to come. Divetech will be using the sculpture to help focus attention on ocean conservation during its yearlong celebration. One dollar from every dive made at the site will go to a local conservation education program and Divetech hopes to raise $20,000 the first year. The money will be used to purchase educational materials from Annie Crawley, also known as “Ocean Annie” who has created several programs on ocean education.

Divetech began offering dive services on Grand Cayman in 1994 and has always been a champion for Cayman’s underwater world, owners Nancy and Jay Easterbrook say this program allows them to give back to the community.

The Guardian of the Reef on display at the Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA) annual convention in Orlando Florida. Photo courtesy Divetech.

The Guardian of the Reef on display at the Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA) annual convention in Orlando Florida. Photo courtesy Divetech.

“We look forward to seeing everyone that can stop by at the dedication and celebration and then seeing him in the ocean to start his century post,” say the Easterbrooks.

WHAT:   Sinking of the Guardian of the Reef at Northwest Point

WHERE: Northwest Point, Divetech and Lighthouse Point

WHEN: Party and Dedication Ceremony on Friday, April 11, 2014;  Sinking, April 12, 2014

TIME:   Party 3pm; Sinking noon(ish)  (weather permitting)

ADDITONAL INFO: Artist Simon Morris, ocean educator Annie Crawley and artist Ron Steven “Rogest”, who created a marine dot painting of the Guardian of the Reef, and will be available for interviews during the Friday night reception and the sinking on Saturday.

The bronze sculpture the Guardian of the Reef sitting on the deck at Divetech in Grand Cayman. He will sit on a sandy flat just offshore to be a dive site and artificial reef for decades to come. The sinking is scheduled April 12, 2014. Photo courtesy Divetech.

The bronze sculpture the Guardian of the Reef sitting on the deck at Divetech in Grand Cayman. He will sit on a sandy flat just offshore to be a dive site and artificial reef for decades to come. The sinking is scheduled April 12, 2014. Photo courtesy Divetech.

About Divetech

Divetech is a IANTD Platinum Facility / TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer Facility / PADI 5-Star Resort / PADI TecRec Facility / PADI Project Aware Center / SSI Resort / IANTD & SSI Free Diving Center / BSAC Resort / National Geographic Center/ Scuba Rangers Club / Universal Training Facility / PADI Swim School / DAN Technical Field Research Station full service dive operator with facilities at Cobalt Coast Dive Resort on the tranquil Northwest shore of Boatswain’s Bay, and Lighthouse Point on Northwest Point Road, both located in West Bay just a few miles north of the hustle and bustle of Seven Mile Beach.

Considered one of Grand Cayman’s leading dive operations, Divetech has been providing quality dive services since 1994, and it has earned a reputation as the place to go in Grand Cayman for quality training from kids to trimix with 18 Instructors on staff.  Divetech is Green Globe Certified and is a recipient of the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2012 and the PADI Green Star Award. Divetech offers great dive and room packages with its resort partner Cobalt Coast Dive Resort, which has established a reputation for laid back luxury and friendly West Indian hospitality, offering 20 suites and villas, full restaurant and bar, pool and award winning customer service.   For more information call toll free (888) 946-5656, in Grand Cayman (345) 946-5658 or visit www.divetech.com

 

Comments

Advertisement
La Galigo
Share.

About Author

The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset house in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean. Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com). For more information on The Cayman Bottom Times contact Adela Gonzales White at Adela.G.White@comcast.net or call (941) 350-8735.

Leave a Reply

Dive Curacao


Scuba Mask Straps