sanitized posts

[MrBill]

(from the board policy:

Advertisers support this site, and they don’t want pay for what they consider to be negative commentary. We had considered allowing an “open” format, but it’s very difficult to find advertisers for a forum that would allow frank criticism of the government and local personalities and business
)


same story as before, eh?

if you have a bad experience with a advertiser, it will never be seen....

only good comments allowed. pls make sure that this fact is known.







my last post with some details lasted 5 min....

[ModeratorOne]

Mr. Bill,

No, your post was not zapped. It was moved to "Information and Policies." What is it that you really want to see in a message board? As you know, we can't please everyone all the time. Need feedback.

[SamFamAustin]

Maybe an example would help ... err, maybe. Let's say I'm operating a business as Sammy's Sea-Life Rescue and Sushi Taco Company. ;) So I write a check to the Doc for a thousand bucks for a year of banners and an interactive ad or something like that. Doc checks it out because it sounds like I'm serving porpoise and turtle but the company seems legit, actually two different things.

So then a whole bunch of rumors get going that Sammy is the worst possible person in the universe and eats endangered babies. Now Doc is in a fix because he's got a thousand US smackers. Nevermind that Sammy saves porpoises and turtles for free and runs an Ahi Tuna & Taco shack to make ends meet (with donations!). So Doc can't be in a position to defend poor ole Sammy ... so he has to nuke any posts that appear negative, as a simple business matter. There ain't no ethics to it because a deal is a deal.

Of course that was a ridiculous example, a double-entendre. But hey, can I hijack the thread for just a moment as ask if there are any sea-life rescue operators in the Abacos? They probably need our support ... I'd sent a few bucks over there if they needed an advertisement solicitation on this board.

Now that's a good thought for a Friday.

/sammy

[MrBill]

ot: sam: BASRA - from what I understand its the bahamas coast guard. I'm sure they take donations... not sure if they station a boat in HM though...

Alright, I do appreciate all the hard work that goes into supporting a msg board (& I have run a few)

The example that is fresh in my mind was the sudden storm that hit during the regatta.

About the same time the storm came thru, a VERY good dive boat operators boat sunk in 15', during a trip no one was hurt or injured.

Now, I do not know the details, and would hate to jump to conclusions, but it does make me wonder about the condition of that operators
equipment... ( my guess is it was not related to the storm)

I'm sure I'd still go on that operators boat... BUT I doubt I'd take my elder parents with me to watch... nor would I recommend adults take their grammar aged kids either....

as has been said before, abaco is not for sissies... but many folks visiting these boards don't really know the story... its not the usa...

Its kinda like the air sunshine, or island express experiences.... after my experiences with IE, and the stories on air sunshine, I pay extra to get on a larger aircraft.

maybe theres a good explanation for the boat sinking...

But I think it is fair to let others know it has happen in the past, then let them make their own decisions.


lastly: to be fair, the other board did allow posts of the incident, but the companys name was not listed.... only the boat owners name... so if you didn't know the company, you'd have a hard time connecting the two. (ie., newbies)

[Karyn]

I was on Guana when that storm came through. One of the boats in the regatta caught file and burnt up. There were also three big sailboats that broke anchor and crashed into the rocks. There was alot of damage from that storm caused by mother nature.

[SamFamAustin]

Fair enough, and again sorry for my ridulous post. As to the dive boat, the only thing I heard was that it had a "cut away" stern so divers could climb back onboard. Lots of boats are designed that way, including lobsterboats working way off the Maine coast, so the design itself should not have been an issue. However, downflooding is one of the main problems in these kinds of accidents, and I am NOT expressing an opinion as to this case.

In fact, a cut-away stern (e.g., little or no transom freeboard) is great because when a large wave comes, the decks can clear much faster, rather than filling the cockpit/deck area and having to wash out. Adequate drainage is why so many boats have large scuppers or several self-bailing outlets.

Let's save the speculation for another blog ... secure ALL your hatches even in calm weather, mates, and wear lots of sunscreen! :)

[PattyB]

MrBill, I remember the story about Brendel's boat going down in the squall. I recall there was a nice note from his wife giving the whole account, thanks, and the business name was mentioned.
You say you don't want to jump to conclusions, but you jumped to so many in that post your legs must be exhausted.

[TurtleDreams]

The example that is fresh in my mind was the sudden storm that hit during the regatta.

About the same time the storm came thru, a VERY good dive boat operators boat sunk in 15', during a trip no one was hurt or injured.

Now, I do not know the details, and would hate to jump to conclusions, but it does make me wonder about the condition of that operators
equipment... ( my guess is it was not related to the storm)


Wow MrBill, I know Brendal and having taken my family snorkeling and gone diving with him myself, my GUESS would have been the exact opposite. He is very safety conscience and very skilled. I do enjoy an opportunity for more candid discussions, but having lot of folks just guessing about what may or may not have happened doesn't help anyone.
Susan

[BahamaAngie]

Mr. Bill did make a comment that made me think....about elder parents.....being in that category now (64) I am really not a good swimmer and I probably would have been in trouble. I guess that is a risk you take when you take a water taxi over (of course I would not be on a dive boat except in Hawaii we went just for the ride with some friends). But again, his comment did make me think. I always take safety for granted, but what IF???? Again, a person really wouldnot be on a dive boat unless you are an experienced swimmer. Hope all boats are equipped with enough life jackets. I know years ago in Paradise Island some of the water taxis were like relics and I don't remember seeing any. But heck that was about 20 years ago, and than you have more guts than brains. Now you begin the opposite. I do feel very safe on the water taxis that we have been taking though. (But I do find myself looking around to see where the life jackets are).

[MrBill]

sorry not to get back before now. been lobstering...

I mean no disrespect to any business, and know Brendal is very safety concious, but the boat did sink. and my current girlfriend is a non swimmer.... so its fresh on my mind. (she snorkels w/ an inflatable safety vest)

I just want to know the advertisers are not protected, and its a fair an honest discussion board.

(and I apologize, as I did jump to the conclusion my original post was deleted, when 5 min after I posted it was missing.... (moved, I now find out, after posting THIS thread.)


Soooo, OK, I'm not looking for a fame war or rants, just want to know when so and so says this is a great resturant, (or whatever), and find no bad post on the place, there really are no bad opinions, NOT that I can't find any bad opinions because because they were all deleted by a moderator.

I think thats fair.

all the best, mrbill

[MrBill]

I found the post on the other board

looks like is was not a mechanical problem but a boat design issue (not really unexpected in a dive boat)

Again, this is a GREAT company and all will enjoy the dives... but there are risks, and its not the usa where boats us will come right out, or you can pick up your cell phone and get help...

http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4642&highlight=brendal


Finally, I realized this was not the usa, on my first trip to abaco, when we were diving fowl cay, and an 40' express drove onto the reef.

the only folks to show up to help were 'tourists' boats or locals intrested in salvage. (the boat was holed, but NO ONE's life or limb was at risk).

Froggies came out to pull them off the reef. (froggies thought we were on the reef, not just reporting the mayday)

Had they not showed up, one of the ferries would have arrived after their last run of the day (several hours later). boat may have still been floating... or not. but it was clear to me, you are pretty much on your own.

love bahamas, but its different, just be aware of that...

[Jerry S]

mrbill, this info is from some a very reliable source, he has known Brendal and Mary for many years. Before you board Brendals boat they ask your ability to swim, snorkel or dive and depending on YOUR answers you are instructed as to when your life jackets are to be worn. If you are a novice or elderly your protection devices are to be worn at all times, no questions asked!
On another note, Brendal had the option of letting the boat sink in deeper water and salvage the engines or fire them up, suck in sea water and get his customers into 5' of water, the later of which he chose to do..

[Jerry S]

I understand that Donnie Sawyer was on the scene within a matter of minutes. Those GTC boys are a pretty tight knit group, they had Brendals boat back to GTC that same day.

[MrBill]

Not to be omitted, or understated; running a motor in saltwater does add costs to repairs.

so, running the boat into shallow water probably added to the repair costs, but increased the safety of those aboard....

-it may have been eaiser to raise a boat from 5' vs 15', but I doubt anything but safety was involved in the decision at the time.

as said previously,

If I was about to rent a house, I'd do a search for all posts, good and bad.

if I only see good posts I'd think there were no complaints. (NOT that all the bad posts were deleted).

that all I'm trying to say here.....

(and I'm sorry I needed to use brendal as example, I'd hate to think he'd loose business on my account).

[AbacoPeach]

After five posts, I think we get your point Mr. Bill.

[MrBill]

last post HONEST!


from the other board:



Your post deleted



mrbill,

Want to respond to your message and explain why it was deleted.

I will respond to your issues below each one.


"since I posted on the new board, let me restate my problem with this moderated board."

1. We would love to have you continue as a member of this board. It is what it is and if you have a problem, you may need to find another messageboard that fits your criteria.

"if So and SO, says they had a great meal at a certian resturant, and I search for all posts on this restruant, and find ZERO negative posts on the resturant, I'd think the resturant must be great, as no one has ever said they didn't like it."

2. If one person says it's a great and you search and find more positive responses, wouldn't that be enough positive information without having someone say something negative?

"BUT the reality is, any bad post on the resturant MAY have been deleted, as they MAY be paid advertisers here.

so you MAY not get an accurate account of everyones experence."

3. We do not distinguish between bad posts of paid advertisers and others. Fortunately, we don't have that many posts which downgrade a company. Also, it's easy to Private Message a poster with questions about any issues you have. This board is not here to air complaints.

"(on the other hand, I think they are correct in closing threads once the points are stated, and its just a ******* contest, or rant war....)" edit:(is P1ssing really a bad word?)

4. Thank you. We feel the same.

"I just think it misleading not to say this is an edited board."

5. I do not understand where you have the idea that it is not said that this is an edited board. Across the top is the policy. I would not think we would need to say more than that. It means, if you are out of line you will be moderated.

Also, if it was not moderated, you cannot imagine the amount of spam - sale of prescriptions, sex offerings, and recently one about the war in Israel.

"(I see this board, as kinda like a company sponsored fourm, where unfavorable posts would be edited)"

6. We see this board as a friendly community forum to share ideas, comments, fun, interesting features. It is certainly not a board to encourage unfavorable posts.

I hope this helps with some of your issues. Again, our policy:
***************

Our Policy

NO Spam, NO Commercial Posting, NO Flames, NO Dising,
NO Grouches, NO Rumours, NO Copyrighted Material, NO Politics

[lurker pete]

Well said. Hopefully, that answers all questions about moderated versus unmoderated.Lurker Pete

[patobx]

Guess I could let "sleeping dogs lie"! STILL "this is not the usa".....i lived many years on some islands 18 miles off the coast of the US. When a boat was in trouble, commercial or private, 9 times out of 10 we found it best to ask the Coast Guard to stay "off" until a local vessel could assist. Often the rules and regs of safety endanger the vessel and it's occupants...just my honest opinion! I'm hoping to dive with Brendal soon. peace!

[Island Daze]

I could go on and on but for once i will just shut up!

[culp]

The simple solution to this, and any questions about rentals, etc. is to PM people who have had experience with the different businesses. It's the most discreet, polite way to find out information, and you will get the honest low down. Public "dissing' is a nasty affair...unless it's about Sammie, of course!:D

[abacofever]

I guess I am slow. I think you are talking about the other board not this one as this one gets quite lively at times. So the only advice I can think of is ....don't waste time on the other board. Stay right here. You may not like some of the answers you get but you will get both sides or at least get it started and then you can PM each other to death on whatever issue strikes you at the time. of course the people that own the keys to the kingdom can close the gates at any time for no reason at all. If you want real in your face msg board, try Abaco uncensored.

[MrBill]

Hello All, sorry I don't visit too often lately (once a month, maybe)... but I do LOVE the way this board is admin-ed.

FWIW:
-on the other board last week there was a post on a bad yacht charter (sail) out of MOW...

a oneside post for sure, but basically the renter wanted a Cat and it was damaged weeks before arrival, and offered a 31 monohull which was too small.

Anyway the suprising thing was the post had several responses.. till I posed that I was amazed the thread was still up.

well it was removed after my post... (go figure)

no idea if the charter company was at fault, but it was interesting that the complaint threads were removed, once examined by a moderator. (title was something like 'chartering in abaco')


I was actually thinking the charter company would post their side, but it was not to be...


best regards to all here, keep up the good work!

[dogfish]

I saw that one too. It was titles ABC or AYB for Abaco yacht charter. It sounded like this guy got raw deal fro sure. He charted a 36 foot cat (tons of room) and called the day before he left and was given the thumbs up. When he arrived he was told the boat was damaged a couple of weeks ago and was offered a 31 foot mono-hull (no comparison for creature comforts and charters for half of what a cat charters for). He refused and found a place to rent. He is now in a dispute to get hid deposit back.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]To me this is a good thread because it allows people who are chartering through the same company the opportunity to really make sure that the boat they charted will be there for them. Someone can press the owner with the knowledge that they have done this to others so they want to make double sure it won

[Vision Quest]

I think the Barefoot Man should write a " Message Board" song, it would be very popular.

V.Q.

[MrBill]

-I was able to post a link about the YAT incident at FLL.....not that there is anything wrong with YAT.

but my post is still there. I was pleased to see that...


Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year to all my Friends near and far.

Ohhhhhhhhh Noooooooooo, Ohhhhhhhhh Noooooooooo, Ohhhhhhhhh Noooooooooo!!!

[MrBill]

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