THE VOTE: The November 2019 vote includes the following questions about line changing protocol for jump lines, as well as proposed changes to the Tak Bi Ha cenote line, the Cañones line in Calavera, and the Casa Cenote cavern zone. Voting was conducted from November 5, 2019 – Novemver 11, 2019. 1. Jump Distances and markers. For reasons of safety and conservation, we are proposing that jumps should be a minimum of 2 m and a maximum of 10 m from the mainline, and that they should be marked. Jumps that have a compelling reason to be hidden (such as for conservation or safety) and jumps that have traditionally been “hidden jumps” will be left as is, unless otherwise voted on by the community. Should jumps on Quintana Roo cave lines have a minimum distance between lines of 2m (6 ft), maximum of 10m (30ft)? — Yes — No Should all jumps be marked with an arrow, unless there is a compelling reason not to, such as cave conservation, preservation of a scientific project or ongoing exploration? — Yes — No 2. Canyons Line in Calavera. The Canyons line in Calavera will be replaced with #24 line as agreed in the previous vote. When the current thicker white line was put in, the jump was placed further in the cave at a distance of around 30m from the cavern line (longer than many jump spools) and the marker removed. A jump of approximately 10m would be longer than the original shorter jump, but not too long for most spools. Should the length of the jump be reduced to approximately 10m, and a marker placed on the cavern line? — Reduce the canyons jump to 10m and place an arrow on the Calavera cavern line. — Leave the jump in its current position. 3. Taak Bi Ha Cavern Line. Recent guiding incidents have drawn attention to some problems with the Taak Bi Ha Cavern Line. It will be replaced with gold line as agreed, but it also been suggested that we tidy up the route of the line and cut back the jumps to the cave so they are more than 2m (6ft) away from the cavern line. Should the Taak Bi Ha Cavern Line be re-routed slightly for safety and conservation? — Yes — No Should the jumps to the cave from the Taak Bi Ha Cavern Line be cut back to a distance of at least 2m (6ft)? — Yes — No 4. Casa Cenote Cavern Line. The current cavern line under the mangroves at Casa is a thin green line and is not continuous. Options for this line are to either install a longer gold kernmantle line, place separate lines in each small overhead section or remove the line completely. If a permanent line is placed, then a large line marker will be placed on the line with “CAVERN GUIDES ONLY”, to discourage open water divers and DSDs. What should be installed in the Cavern Tour area at Casa Cenote? — A single, continuous gold kernmantle line — Several sections of gold kernmantle line — No Line THE RESULTS: The following decisions achieved a majority of greater than two-thirds of those voting, so will be implemented: 1. Jumps on Quintana Roo cave lines should have a minimum distance between lines of 2m(6 ft), maximum of 10m (30ft). Jumps should be marked with an arrow, unless there is a compelling reason not to, such as cave conservation, preservation of a scientific project or ongoing exploration. VOTE BREAKDOWN 2. The Taak Bi Ha Cavern Line should be re-routed slightly for safety and conservation. The jumps to the cave from the Taak Bi Ha Cavern Line should be cut back to a distance of at least 2m (6ft) VOTE BREAKDOWN 3. The decision on reducing the canyons jump to 10m and placing an arrow on the Calavera cavern line was only supported by 63.8% of those who voted. This is less than the required two-thirds required to change a line, so the line will remain in its current position with no marker. VOTE BREAKDOWN 4. The Casa Cenote vote was split between those in favour of a continuous line and those in favour of several sections of line. The line committee will prepare some more detailed proposals with maps of where the cavern line could go, so the community can make an informed and democratic decision. VOTE BREAKDOWN Thank you to all who voted.
