Posted by Chamber Day/Eve 2001 on March 29, 2001 at 07:17:57:
We've got two major changes we need to let you know about Chamber Day (May 2).
The first is that, even though they wanted to participate, the Golden Doubloon will not be available and is out of the event. Two factors are affecting this. One is that the owners of the Doubloon are in the process of converting to a non-profit corporation which affects the way they'll deal with charters. The second (and perhaps more salient point) is that they have suffered some major mechanical problems recently (engines) that will not be repaired by May 2. But if there's any change in this, we did discuss the idea of making them a late addition back into the event. But for now, they're out.
The second change concerns the Encore.
They have now been booked for a 3-day trip May 1-3 and the group chartering does not want to participate in the event (or even dive Catalina). However, Kenny Hess (Encore owner and whose father, Roger, was the driving force behind the creation of Chamber Day) wanted to see if there was any way to somehow still participate and contribute to the Chamber. We discussed a variety of options including doing a Chamber trip later in the summer but here's what we've come up with.
The Encore will still run as a Chamber Day boat, but will do so TWO DAYS EARLIER, running on Monday, April 30. By doing this, we can still get those who want to be on the Encore Chamber Day t-shirts, they can still participate in the raffle (but the drawing will still be on May 2 - we'll just have to notify any Encore winners), and we'll even set up a Chamber walking tour for them on Monday (but without the helicopters).
We hope this can be a win-win for everyone. For people who can't dive on Wednesday, May 2, but who could dive on Monday, April 30, you now have that as an option. For people who want to dive the Encore and would prefer not to switch to another boat, that's still an option (but just doing it on Monday). And for Chamber Day, especially given the loss of the Doubloon and the unavailability of one other boat from last year (a total loss of 55 spots - close to $5000 when you include boats spots and on-board raffle tix sales), it gives us the opportunity NOT to forgo additional income (potentially $3000 from the Encore) for the event.
However, it also underscores the fragile nature of the success of this event and re-emphasizes the importance of ALL members of the SoCal diving community doing their best to support the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. We certainly hope never to have to need it, but it's events like Chamber Day that keep our Chamber on better financial footing.
So now's the time to step up to the plate and book yourself (or your group - shop/club/bunch of friends, etc.) on a Chamber Day boat (Monday or Wednesday), sign up for a spot at Chamber Evening, make a donation to the Michael Kane $10K Chamber Challenge, or buy extra daytime raffle tix (even if you're not going to do the diving). And if you've already done any or all of that, call a few friends and get THEM to join us.
Together, we can make this event the success it deserves to be and continue to offer SoCal divers in need of hyperbaric services the best treatment around. To sing up or get info, give us a call at 310/652-4990 or visit the website at "www.chamberday.org" and get involved.
Ken Kurtis
Chairman, Chamber Day/Eve 2001