Lost Confidence: Explorng Bonaire's Newest Shipwreck (article) by Andrew J Jalbert on AuthorsDen

From BONAIRE NIGHTS travel magazine about the island's newest shipwreck. Even for first time visitors to Bonaire, it takes but a glance at the motto printed on the automobile license plates to realize that the island has no shortage of dive sites. Guide maps illustrate a leeward shore speckled with them, from Washington Slagbaai in the north all the way to the Solar Salt Works on the southern end of the island. Recently, for the island whose license plates boast Divers Paradise, yet another has been added to the list. And for shipwreck diving enthusiasts its a welcome addition. The Our Confidence was originally a Danish fishing vessel. But as is the case with so many ships, ownership and service changed several times during her lifetime. In World War II, the Our Confidence was used to transport refugees. Later she would act as a Caribbean inter-island freighter. And in perhaps one of her most important missions, the ship was the first to deliver aid to victims on the hurricane ravaged island of St. Maarten. In spite of the rich maritime history surrounding the Our Confidence the weathered ship met a rather anti-climatic end in August of 2003. Taking on water while slipped at the Harbour Village marina, the ship (which had sunk and been salvaged once previously) was towed into deeper water by Harbour Villages dive boat, the Harbour Queen. It was there, in 55 feet of water just 150 feet off the Harbour Village beach that she sank beneath the waves for the final time. Now, heeled over slightly to starboard on the sea floor, the Our Confidence shipwreck is still largely intact and can be easily viewed by snorkelers and divers alike. Although resting in 55 feet of water, the ships foremast rises to just 20 feet beneath the surface and is attached to a surface buoy. Her narrow wooden hull, planked pilothouse, deck railings, upright rigging, and open hatches create the ghostly scene of an antiquity frozen in time. While divers should take care to avoid the ships cable mast stays and shrouds, the Our Confidence is a very safe wreck to dive. The shallow depth, lack of sizeable openings to penetrate, descent line, and shore access make the Our Confidence an appealing site for all levels of divers. The wreck is well marked and only a short swim from the Harbour Village Beach Clubs shoreline. Visitors to the resort will be treated to a sandy beach offering easy entry, and Great Adventures, an on-site PADI 5 Star scuba facility. The helpful, knowledgeable dive staff can provide equipment, tours, and even training. Visitors who arent staying at Harbour Village but wish to use the beach facilities can purchase a $30.00 pass of which $15.00 is available as a credit at the beachside restaurant, La Balandra. For those who simply wish to access the dive site from the resort, a NAF 10.00 pass is also available.

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