Company: A PADI Dive Center and DAN Business Member. We have operated in St. Lucia since 1992 and have supported the local and international tourism industry from inception.
Policy Aims: Dive Fair Helen, owned and operated by a St. Lucian environmentalist with over 15 years experience in marine research in his country. Some of his achievements include the establishment of the famous Lesleen M. Ship wreck, the formation of the policy document to regulate the sport diving sector in St. Lucia and the zoning of protected marine areas which resulted in the formation of the marine reserve and fishing priority areas of St. Lucia. "We at Dive Fair Helen are extremely proud of our island especially our marine resource and place great emphasis on education and safety".
We are governed by the licensing authority of the Fisheries Department (Ministry of Agriculture) - whose primary interest is safety and sound conservation practices, monitored by the Soufriere Marine Management Area (http://www.smma.org.lc/). We are also licensed by the Air & Sea Ports Authority whose primary interest is safety and strict adherence to boating regulations and equipment.
Economic Policy: Dive Fair Helen from inception has had a policy of training locals in all areas of employment within its establishment i.e. boat captains, snorkel and kayak guides, scuba dive masters and instructors. DFH has also lobbied local governing authorities to encourage local employment in training programs for the local tourism sector (in 1992 DFH was instrumental in securing a moratorium which led to the training of locals for the diving sector in St. Lucia). DFH's openness and transparency in that regard has led to this operator being involved in policy and decision making matters for the water based tourism sector in St. Lucia. DFH was commissioned in 1998 to undergo a training program for the government of Grenada. The result of which was the establishment of a snorkel guide program run by trained and certified fishers of that country for the tourism sector. For the past 15 years we at DFH have been attending regional and international trade shows with the intention of creating linkages among dive operators throughout the Windward Islands. To this end, we have been lobbying the airlines, hotel sector and on island tour companies for attractive prices for regional guests. In April of 2009 DFH played host to its first group of regional divers from the island of Barbados - the group of 14 persons comprised non-divers and divers all eager to explore (this initiative will soon appear on our website)
In May of 2009, DFH was again successful in landing our first group of touring students - 20 students out of Penn State University commissioned DFH to conduct training and touring programs (this 2 year initiative was very well received by the university who intends to make it an annual event). These initiatives have also been taking place in St. Lucia for locals and foreigners living on island through an established local club program, which has seen the training of many individuals in the areas of Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Kayaking.
Environmental Policy: As a resource person involved in the establishment of Government policies on sustainable environmental practices we are strict advocates on environmental issues and have made all tours with this component in mind. In 2008 after 8 years of attempting to become a business partner of the St. Lucia National Trust and the St. Lucia Nature Heritage Program we achieved success. By fostering relations with these two organizations whose mandate is the protection and awareness of fragile and sensitive ecosystems and landmarks with its cultural, historical and ecological values.
Our tours are now part of these organizations so clients can experience the island and get detailed information on sound ecological and conservation practices - this new venture opened the door to allow DFH to decentralize our kayak program thereby increasing the range of tours offered by these organizations e.g. Pigeon and Maria Islands can now offer coastal kayaking and snorkeling activities in addition to their existing tours (St. Lucia National Trust) and Fond D'or can now offer river kayaking in addition to their existing programs (St. Lucia Nature Heritage Program).
Social Policy: All trips use a local component as guides for their different communities; this we believe will educate clients on the communities and the structure of the villages and surrounding areas and how the environment is the main part of sustaining the villages. In 1998 through a St. Lucia Nature Heritage Program DFH trained a number of youth from different districts island-wide to become kayak guides with the intention to be used at kayak bases in the areas they reside. Briefings conducted prior to the tours include guide to client ratios, equipment needs including energy foods and water and experience levels of clients, emergency plans and contingencies and of course the expected experience on the tour. Stability of Governments is a priority and relayed to all clients. There is also a sustained effort for clients to be a part of the community activities be it in local events or helping to provide expert advice in areas deemed beneficial to these communities.
Policy Aims: Dive Fair Helen, owned and operated by a St. Lucian environmentalist with over 15 years experience in marine research in his country. Some of his achievements include the establishment of the famous Lesleen M. Ship wreck, the formation of the policy document to regulate the sport diving sector in St. Lucia and the zoning of protected marine areas which resulted in the formation of the marine reserve and fishing priority areas of St. Lucia. "We at Dive Fair Helen are extremely proud of our island especially our marine resource and place great emphasis on education and safety".
We are governed by the licensing authority of the Fisheries Department (Ministry of Agriculture) - whose primary interest is safety and sound conservation practices, monitored by the Soufriere Marine Management Area (http://www.smma.org.lc/). We are also licensed by the Air & Sea Ports Authority whose primary interest is safety and strict adherence to boating regulations and equipment.
Economic Policy: Dive Fair Helen from inception has had a policy of training locals in all areas of employment within its establishment i.e. boat captains, snorkel and kayak guides, scuba dive masters and instructors. DFH has also lobbied local governing authorities to encourage local employment in training programs for the local tourism sector (in 1992 DFH was instrumental in securing a moratorium which led to the training of locals for the diving sector in St. Lucia). DFH's openness and transparency in that regard has led to this operator being involved in policy and decision making matters for the water based tourism sector in St. Lucia. DFH was commissioned in 1998 to undergo a training program for the government of Grenada. The result of which was the establishment of a snorkel guide program run by trained and certified fishers of that country for the tourism sector. For the past 15 years we at DFH have been attending regional and international trade shows with the intention of creating linkages among dive operators throughout the Windward Islands. To this end, we have been lobbying the airlines, hotel sector and on island tour companies for attractive prices for regional guests. In April of 2009 DFH played host to its first group of regional divers from the island of Barbados - the group of 14 persons comprised non-divers and divers all eager to explore (this initiative will soon appear on our website)
In May of 2009, DFH was again successful in landing our first group of touring students - 20 students out of Penn State University commissioned DFH to conduct training and touring programs (this 2 year initiative was very well received by the university who intends to make it an annual event). These initiatives have also been taking place in St. Lucia for locals and foreigners living on island through an established local club program, which has seen the training of many individuals in the areas of Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Kayaking.
Environmental Policy: As a resource person involved in the establishment of Government policies on sustainable environmental practices we are strict advocates on environmental issues and have made all tours with this component in mind. In 2008 after 8 years of attempting to become a business partner of the St. Lucia National Trust and the St. Lucia Nature Heritage Program we achieved success. By fostering relations with these two organizations whose mandate is the protection and awareness of fragile and sensitive ecosystems and landmarks with its cultural, historical and ecological values.
Our tours are now part of these organizations so clients can experience the island and get detailed information on sound ecological and conservation practices - this new venture opened the door to allow DFH to decentralize our kayak program thereby increasing the range of tours offered by these organizations e.g. Pigeon and Maria Islands can now offer coastal kayaking and snorkeling activities in addition to their existing tours (St. Lucia National Trust) and Fond D'or can now offer river kayaking in addition to their existing programs (St. Lucia Nature Heritage Program).
Social Policy: All trips use a local component as guides for their different communities; this we believe will educate clients on the communities and the structure of the villages and surrounding areas and how the environment is the main part of sustaining the villages. In 1998 through a St. Lucia Nature Heritage Program DFH trained a number of youth from different districts island-wide to become kayak guides with the intention to be used at kayak bases in the areas they reside. Briefings conducted prior to the tours include guide to client ratios, equipment needs including energy foods and water and experience levels of clients, emergency plans and contingencies and of course the expected experience on the tour. Stability of Governments is a priority and relayed to all clients. There is also a sustained effort for clients to be a part of the community activities be it in local events or helping to provide expert advice in areas deemed beneficial to these communities.