myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Having just returned from Tobago, I thought I would share my experience of my new SMB - Surface Marker Buoy.

Even though I am a fairly good swimmer, I like to use a lifejacket for snorkeling in water out of my depth, having once got scared in a strong current. This year I took a SMB with me - it cost £19.99 from my local dive shop and served two purposes. I used the bright red 'sausage' to lean on to keep me afloat while snorkeling and whilst not being a life preserver it just gave me some confidence that I would not sink.

Also, this year the boats seemed to go far too near to swimmers/snorkelers for my liking - so as soon as a boat came close (of course you can hear them coming, but they cannot always see you because of the swell of the sea) I stood the SMB up which was very visible.

The singer Kirsty McColl died in a boating accident a few years ago where she was swimming in the sea with her children off Cozumel, Mexico and a speed boat failled to see her in the water. It seems only a matter of time before something like this will happen in Tobago.

Jill.

Jill,

A great idea! I snorkel a lot and some boats do get very close, which is both dagerous for swimmers but also is damaging to the coral. Whilst the latter of these isn't preventable i whole heartedly recommend the markers. Another very useful hint to any people doing any sort of free diving, even if its just dipping below the surface when snorkelling is to raise one arm above your head as you surface...it may seem a slight thing but could make all the difference between someone spotting you or not. And bright colours are also important!

Not sure if this helps much but thought i'd share my experiences,

Matt

Jill,

A great idea! I snorkel a lot and some boats do get very close, which is both dangerous for swimmers but also is damaging to the coral in some areas. Whilst the latter of these isn't preventable as such, i whole heartedly recommend the markers. Another very useful hint to any people doing any sort of free diving, even if its just dipping below the surface when snorkelling is to raise one arm above your head as you surface...it may seem a slight thing but could make all the difference between someone spotting you or not. And bright colours are also important!

Not sure if this helps much but thought i'd share my experiences,

Matt

Hi Jill,
full agreement, on SMBs I always use one when shore diving and snorlelling in the UK. One word or warning and that's Jet skies, they seem to have a poor understanding for the rules of the road and often aim for things that are floating. They often move at a fair speed so getting out of the can be a bit of a problem. So I would not rely on the SMB for protection.

Regards
Kevin

Hi there, Kevin

Three months between posts? Hope everything has been OK. I know its the 'off' season and everything is very quiet, but I was getting a little concerned not having seen your name pop up in the posts or in the online register for such a long time.

Good to see you back.

Hi Steve,
It’s nice to feel wanted. To be honest I’ve been avoiding the site. Yve wants to go the Maldives this year, so no Tobago trip and it was getting a bit depressing. However supporting the T&T in the World Cup and a couple of bottles of Carib got me back in the swing of things. Also one of the guys I work with is off to Coco Reef in September so he’s been picking my brains.

Looking on the bright side 2007 is not that far away so I’ll be visiting MyTobago quite a bit more in the future. Looking through the post you have been a bit short on diving expertise anyway.

Regards
Kevin

Glad to hear the reasons.

Its always dissapointing when regulars - especially when they are 'expert' contributors to the forum - go 'missing'. There's always a natural concern wondering if they are alright. Obviously there might be professional, domestic, financial or other factors that make holidays on Tobago the last thing on their mind. On top of that, given you professional as a professional diver, it was just nice to know that you're safe and well.