Is this really acceptable?
Do you find it acceptable for a loosely defined set of divers to subvert the normal process for obtaining a research permit for a cave where they are knowingly interfering with a current and ongoing research project by another team?
Does it make a difference to your answer if the offenders were offered to join the current project and opted out?
What if they have told their prospective members it is not OK with their "board" for their members to also participate in the other project?
Is this approach really acceptable?
Clarifying some mispersepctions
WET, the Water Explorers of Texas, is a non-profit dive team focused on exploration and dive services in Texas. The team is comprised of 16 members. The team has been building for the past six months for the purposes of bringing collaborative divers together to provide talents and resources on multiple projects.
WET has no policy preventing divers from joining or participating with other teams in addition to WET.
Regarding the Jacob's Well project. We applied for the permit through correct channels gaining our permit through both the landowner and Hays County, the parties responsible for granting permission. The county views all teams as providing valuable services. SMART was one of the first organized groups to go in. Then, JWEP. Then, ASA gained access. Then, WET.
Feel free to get in touch with me if you would like more information or just want to chat. Jidol@uwDesigner.com
-Jennifer Idol
Thoughts From A Rambling Idle Mind
FWIW,
Perhaps the outside world is right, cave divers really are crazy. The he said/she said that continues to go on in this small community day in and day out is insane; yet can be easely understood with very little logic. Cave diving is the most competitive, Non-competitive sport there is and has been since the first cave dive was made. The second cave dive was further penetration and a longer dive time than the first. The 3,4,5, ect. the same thing. Cave divers have Type A personality, adrenaline fueled bodys, and by nature are very competitive individuals. Everyone has their own opinions and thoughts, of which each person thinks theirs is by far the best. Is this driven by mega ego's? Of course it could be! But, it could also come from a confident humble person who has vast amounts of knowledge; far exceeding that of your own. Will this cause some hurt feelings, brused egos, and create grudges? Duh! So here is the best advice I can give to any diver.
"Forums are a place where people go to learn and gain knowledge from people who have something to offer, yet there are many peole on them who have nothing to offer only opinions and rants that cause friction in the community. If you spend as much time diving as you do on your computer you wouldn't have time to concern yourself with the business of other people and the politics that forums have! You also wouldn't have the time to rant on public forums about the last person who pissed you off. You could write your complaints and grudges on your wet notes, but then again who really gives a $hit whats on your wet notes.
Safe Diving