Results from RBYC and Sam's Tours Harbour Clean Up

We had a great turnout for the second harbour clean up for 2012.  22 Volunteers arrived from RBYC, Sam's Tours and the Civic Action Team for the Dive Against Debris briefing at 10am, and we swiftly got everyone in the water and on their way to their chosen collection areas within the hour.  Most chose to dive, but we had a handful of snorkelers and dinghy drivers, and some logistics personal on land as well.    

Mike and Hae-Sung (Ziggies Follies) 
dragging a load under the dinghy

Richard, Lee and Joy (Before and After) work together as
snorkelers and a dinghy driver cleaning up around the Sam's Wall

In just a couple of hours we hauled 369lbs of trash out of the water, everything from cages to spectacles, tyres to record players, and one overwhelming culprit, the aluminium can, of which there were hundreds.  Data recorded from the event is being collated and will be submitted to Project Aware Foundation for the excellent work they do assisting to save our planet, one dive at a time, through Dive Against Debris events worldwide.  

I'd like to send a big thank you out to Sam's Tours for their donation of prizes, and lunch special for the event.  

A number of competitions were run with the results and prizes as follows:

Most Trash Collected - 

1st Place - The Inmates - 88lbs

Prize - 2 tank dive for 2 people at Sam's Tours

2nd Place - Michelle's Bells - 83lbs

Prize - Kayak tour for 2 people at Sam's Tours

3rd Place - Before and After - 60lbs

Prize - Sam's Tours Ex Rental Octopus (Can be claimed once new stock has arrived)

4th Place - Ziggies Follies - 58lbs

Prize - Sam's Tours Ex Rental BCD (Can be claimed once new stock has arrived)

5th Place - Sweet Sweet Chilli Sauce - 43lbs

Prize - Sam's Tours Ex Rental Suunto Dive Computer (Can be claimed once new stock has arrived)

and 6th Place - 1, 2, 3 Go - 37lbs

Prize - United Luggage Protection Bag

Weirdest/Coolest Object Found - 

Winner - Before and After with their great headless Japanese Statue

Prize - $30 Bottom Time Voucher

Largest Object Found -

Winner - The Inmates with their enormous Crab Cage

Prize - $40 Bottom Time Voucher

Smallest Object Found - 

Winner - Sweet Sweet Chilli Sauce with their tiny Butterfly Clip

Prize - $20 Bottom Time Voucher

Another big thank you needs to go United for donating the bags to hold the trash in!  Much appreciated.  Also another shout out, this one to Planet Blue Kayak Tours, for their kind offer to donate kayaks for the event (sadly the pouring rain meant there were no kayakers this time around).  The Civic Action Team kindly offered to dispose of the trash so thank you CAT, we're very grateful for your assistance.

Finally, a large warm and heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers on the day, we honestly couldn't have done it without you.

More photos from the event will go up on Facebook shortly.

Prizes will be distributed to the winners of all categories shortly.

Have a great week ahead!  And most of all, Be the Change you want to See in the World!

RBYC November Update

Hi folks,

Thanks again to all those who volunteered at our Harbour Clean Up event last weekend, and to Sam's Tours in hosting the event and for donating the prizes which will be distributed as soon as they've received their new gear and vouchers have been created.  369lbs of trash removed from the ocean is no mean feat with just over 20 volunteers.  A mostly pouring day, a mammoth effort by all who stuck out the weather, and another good deed feather to pop in your cap :)  I'm sure Mother Nature sends her thanks too.

We're coming up to the close of the year so a few additional notices as we lead in to the silly season.

What's on this month?

Thursday 8th Nov - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm screening 'The Invention of Lying' written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson and starring Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner and Jonah Hill.  A comedy set in a world where no-one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.

Thursday 15th Nov - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm screening 'Rock of Ages' starring Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta.  A small town girl and a city boy meet on Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.  Rock musical!

Saturday 17th Nov - Dinghy Raft Up meeting at Sam's Tours at 5pm to assess the suitability of the weather, depending on rain we may postpone.  Please bring something to drink for yourself, and maybe something snacketty to share across the dinghies.

Thursday 22nd Nov - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm screening 'The Amazing Spider-man' starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans.  Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young.  His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner.

Thursday 29th Nov - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm featuring another pot luck night.  This simply means that I'll bring a bunch of movies for the audience to choose from, and whichever gets the most interest is what will be played. Make sure you're there by 6.30pm to get a vote.  Some of the possibilities at this point are 'War Horse' (Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis), 'The Watch' (Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade), 'The Campaign' (Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis) and 'Bachelorette' (Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan).

Wednesday 5th Dec - Royal Belau Yacht Club Annual General Meeting and Festive Season Gathering.  The AGM will focus on election of board members for 2013, please be in attendance to vote.  Please sign up on the RBYC notice board or via email if you're going to attend so we can accurately order our meats, and sign up for a side dish too while you're at it :)  

RBYC Online

Once again don't forget to check out the RBYC Blog at http://rbycpalau.blogspot.com/.  Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and spread the word!  https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBelauYachtClub.RBYC.Palau.  

RBYC Membership Renewals in Q4 2012 will roll you over to the end of 2013 -  So pop in to the Sam's Tours Dive Shop and renew your membership today, so we don't need to chase you for it next year ;)  We're pleased to announce that our membership dues for 2013 remain unchanged with Regular membership $25, or Family membership $35.  A list of all the RBYC member benefits can be found on our blog here http://rbycpalau.blogspot.com/p/contacts-dues-and-location.html.  Our updated Application and Renewals form can also be emailed out if you'd like to renew via email or post please send a request for the form through to rbycpalau@gmail.com.

Have a great month ahead!

The RBYC Team!

Palau Siren arrives for a new luxury live aboard experience

Sam’s Tours and Worldwide Dive and Sail launch 

new luxury live aboard - Palau Siren

Sam’s Tours, Palau’s premier five star dive center is pleased to announce its brand new liveaboard dive yacht Palau Siren.  In partnership with Worldwide Dive and Sail and the Siren Fleet, Sam’s Tours will deliver the ultimate in liveaboard dive vacations.  Based on a traditional hand-crafted design and carefully outfitted with modern amenities, Palau Siren is a luxurious yacht unlike any others operating in Palau. 

The new luxury yacht recently completed construction in Sulawesi, Indonesia, overseen by Worldwide Dive And Sail owner and diving enthusiast Frank Van Der Linde.  Palau Siren departed on her maiden voyage from Indonesia and arrived in Palau earlier in the month for her final preparations for guest arrivals at the end of October.

Like her sister vessels in the Philippines and Indonesia, the S/Y Palau Siren is 40 meters in length built of ironwood and teak in the traditional Phinisi style. She hosts up to 16 guests in 8 large tastefully furnished staterooms complete with en-suite bathrooms, individually controlled air-conditioning, personal entertainment systems, and large comfortable beds (absolutely no bunk beds) so you can relax in privacy and comfort.

 The panoramic dining area offers amazing views of the rock islands that complement the delicious international cuisine freshly prepared by our gourmet chefs.  From espressos at sunrise to tasty desserts at sunset your taste buds are sure to be pleased. 

Every thought for the modern diver has been taken into account; with a large dive deck, individual set up and storage areas, indoor and outdoor camera stations with more storage for your additional equipment and computers in every cabin for photo editing. As with all of the vessels operated by Worldwide Dive And Sail, a perfectly trained crew will look after every need of the diving guest.

Leisure time is a way of life onboard Palau Siren, where each day is for you to fully savor while we tend to every detail.  Enjoy a tropical cocktail on the comfortable leisure deck; relax and watch a movie in the salon; unwind with a soothing massage from our onboard therapist or explore Palau’s inner lagoons with our kayaks.  Palau Siren, leisure within luxury.

Our friendly knowledgeable international staff is at your service to provide a liveaboard experience second to none.  The Palau Siren will operate year round embarking on 7 and 10 day excursions showcasing the famous dive sites and amazing wonders of Palau with itineraries unmatched by other local liveaboards.  As with the rest of the Siren fleet, Nitrox (up to 32%) and Aqua Lung dive gear are included. 

Unique combo trips will also be offered in conjunction with her sister vessel, the S/Y Philippine Siren, giving guests the rare opportunity to visit two amazing and distinctive destinations. Guests may also opt to combine their liveaboard safari with a resort stay and land based excursions organized by Sam’s Tours, Palau’s premier dive center and eco-adventure tour company.  All 7 and 10 day trips will depart from and return to Koror, the former capital of Palau.

So join us aboard Palau Siren and discover the pleasure of true luxury.

For more information or to reserve space please contact us at:

Mail: reservations@samstours.com

Phone: +680-488-7267

Web: www.samstours.com

Sam's Tours and Royal Belau Yacht Club Dives Against Debris

Royal Belau Yacht Club and Sam's Tours Dives Against Debris

Focusing on Preventing Debris Underwater – One Dive at a Time

Sam's Tours, the Royal Belau Yacht Club and local volunteers will Dive Against Debris this Saturday November 3rd at Sam's Tours, starting at 10am. As part of Sam's Tours and the Royal Belau Yacht Clubs commitment to protecting the ocean, trained divers and snorkelers not only remove underwater debris such as plastic bottles and fishing line, but also identify and document everything seen underwater in a larger effort to prevent marine debris.

This will be the second harbor cleanup scheduled for 2012 following on from the great success of the April 22^nd Earth Day Cleanup with over 65 volunteers from Sam’s Tours staff and guests, Royal Belau Yacht Club members, Pathfinders volunteers and Planet Blue kayak donation, hauling over 700lbs of trash out of the Malakal harbor area.

 

Marine debris – or our trash in the ocean – makes its way to our underwater environments by the ton.  Sam's Tours and Royal Belau Yacht Club, along with divers and snorkelers around the world are demanding a permanent reduction in and prevention of the garbage we create that damages sensitive marine ecosystems - even in some of the most remote corners of the globe.

Dive Against Debris, organized worldwide by Project AWARE Foundation, a non-profit organization mobilizing divers to protect the ocean, has an underwater approach that’s totally unique. It’s a year-round, citizen science program to tackle trash beneath the surface and address its negative impacts.  Project AWARE Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, mobilizes the world’s divers to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time. Join the growing movement of divers striving toward a clean, healthy and abundant ocean planet at www.projectaware.org.   

Scuba divers, snorkelers and all ocean enthusiasts are uniquely positioned to tackle the global marine debris issue, to take action every day and prevent debris from entering the ocean.  Divers and snorkelers alike are invited to join the cleanup this coming Saturday.  There will be exciting prizes!  For more information or to volunteer to assist on the upcoming Sam's Tours/Royal Belau Yacht Club Malakal Harbor Cleanup visit Sam's Tours Dive Shop or call 488 1062.

RBYC October Update - What's on this month

A reminder to those on our mailing list who aren't RBYC members, you can still participate in many of our social events such as Movie Night at Sam's Tours, or Girls Night Out, without being an RBYC member.  We're a fun bunch and welcome everyone to join in the fun with us.  Here's a sneak peak at what's on for October.  There's a number of additional events on the boil that aren't quite confirmed yet, so I'll be sending another post out later in the month to give you all a heads up.

What's on this month?

Thursday 11th October - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm screening the 2011 Award Winning drama 'The Iron Lady' starring Meryl Streep in her excellent performance of Maggie Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of England.  'An elderly Margaret Thatcher who talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband as she struggles to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, intervene'.

Friday 12th October - RBYC and Sam's Tours Girls Night Out :) Starting at the Executive Lounge for a cocktail at 6.30pm, followed by dinner at Kramers from 7.30pm, then after dinner and a couple of cheeky wines, we're off to ATT to Karaoke till the wee hours.  Fellas you can come too as long as you don't mind talking about shoes, shopping, boys...

Thursday 18th October - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm screening the 2011 Aussie Comedy/Family/Drama 'Red Dog', based on the legendary true story of the Red Dog who united a disparate local community while roaming the Australian outback in search of his long lost master.

Thursday 25th October - Movie night at Sam's Tours 6.45pm screening 2012 Action/Adventure film 'The Hunger Games'.  Based on the first of the Hunger Games trilogy novels, it's set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.  Now I've already bought two copies of this film, neither of which work very well, so if you have a better copy you'd like to share please let me know.  If I can't get a better version prior to this screening date I may postpone this until November.

Friday 26th October - Palau Night Market at Bethlehem Park from 5-9pm.  Join us for some delicious local cuisine, craft and music :)

RBYC Online

Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and spread the word!  https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBelauYachtClub.RBYC.Palau.  

Waterfall Cove Raft Up - We're still looking for interest in the raft up at Waterfall Cove.  This would be an overnight event or a whole day event.  A sign up sheet is up on the notice board at Sam's.  Please list if you're interested in taking your boat, and if you haven't got a boat, please write if you'd like to be stowed away on one :)

Welcome Joy Carey to the RBYC Board of Directors! - A big hello to Joy as she joins the RBYC Board of Directors for the remainder of 2012.

RBYC Membership Renewals in Q4 2012 will roll you over to the end of 2013 -  So pop in to the Sam's Tours Dive Shop and renew your membership today, so we don't need to chase you for it next year ;)  We're pleased to announce that our membership dues for 2013 remain unchanged with Regular membership $25, or Family membership $35.  A list of all the RBYC member benefits can be found on our blog here http://rbycpalau.blogspot.com/p/contacts-dues-and-location.html.  Our updated Application and Renewals form is attached below if you'd like to complete it ahead of time and return to either the Sam's Dive Shop or to RBYC.

Wanted - 1 inch solid aluminium or stainless pipe 4-5 feet long required for the brackets on the Dinghy Dock walkway.  If anyone has a pipe they'd like to donate please do so, or if you know of someone who might be able to assist us please dob them in :)

Have a great month ahead!

From the RBYC Team!