There are two vacancies for April 20 as the registered participants cannot make it. Pls contact us if you would like to join the slot. Details are as follow:
APRIL 20. 5.30 AM - Wait at Pendas Jetty
IMPORTANT NOTES
PUNCTUALITY
1. The seagrass bed exposed at low spring tide thus we must arrive and leave punctually or we will miss the tides. This is critical if we are to land and leave safely. We LEAVE SHARP according to the schedule.
2. . Pls gather at Pendas Jetty (20 minutes winding road down Gelang Patah - click on http://sitekreator.com/sos/Admin/volunteers_program.html to see the direction on the map. It is a dead end with a restaurant at the jetty. If you need to carpool, contact the volunteers in your slot (details above) and make arrangement. Let me know if you can't find transport upon arrival at Gelang Patah.
3. Briefing usually starts 1 hour before departure. Make sure you are punctual for BRIEFING as it is important to know what you need to do. We do not have time to repeat. You have to ARRIVE for briefing 10 MINUTES EARLIER, in case you need to go to the toilet, have a break from the long drive or take photos of the fishing village.
4. If you are coming from OTHER STATES (outside Johor), it is strongly advisable that you schedule your arrival at the jetty at least two hours before the briefing. If the survey is in the early morning, you should arrive at Johor a night before.
SAFETY
a. Certain people developed rashes after skin contact with seagrass (due to epiphytes and hydroids on the leaves) so please wear long pants.
b. You need proper footwear that will protect your feet. Diving booties is the most appropriate. If you do not have one, please inform us and specify your foot size.
c. DO NOT touch anything you are unfamiliar with, especially if you are a first-timer. Some animals/plant-like creatures are POISONOUS or DEFENSIVE which cause you pain.
d. If you are not feeling, DO NOT come.
e. Waterproof your things. Keep them in zip-lock bags or dive bags. Saltwater is extremely UNFRIENDLY to electronic device.
f. Wear Lifejacket as soon as you aboard the boat. Do not change position on the boat as it loss balance easily which could cause capsize.
g. Trip will be cancelled only in extreme bad weather (thunderous rain, lightning etc.). We go on even on cloudy days or drizzle.
ON-SITE RULES
1. Strictly NO COLLECTION OF SPECIMENS unless you have special reason which must be prior-communicated to us.
2. Take photos of the specimens in their natural conditions, DO NOT DISTURB them or forcibly grab them to take picture with you. Pay some respect.
3. NO LITTERING.
4. Be serious and withold the volunteers mission. We are there to get the work done before the tide rise. You will have time to look around and take pictures after our mission complete.
Other logistics:
1. If you are coming from other states and need lodging, please inform us early. We have a basic research station for overnight (with washroom and changing room) but no bed so we don’t charge. You have to bring your own pillow and sleeping bag.
2. If you need to carpool to the jetty, please contact other volunteers in your slot and if they are not available, let us know and see we could arrange to pick you up.
3. If you do not have a dive bootie, pls inform us your foot size. Our stock is limited with sizes ranging from 7-9 ONLY.
4 If you are a first-time volunteer, please have a good read of SOS volunteers handbook
Finally, kindly confirm your participation with us again by Thursday April 15 by replying to this email with subject heading "confirmation SOS April 20”. I will be leaving for Johor on April 13 so have difficulties accessing emails so anything pls give me (Choo: 019-9815940) or Wei Soon (012-6340988) a call. Looking forward to seeing you.
Please take note that SOS has started imposing the policy that if the specific person cancelled their booking on two consecutive trips from the scheduled slot, they will be BANNED from further bookings. This is to avoid people who simply booked without first knowing if they could commit themselves, or pulled out during the last minute due to the slightest excuse. Pls take the courtesy to inform us PERSONALLY and EARLY if you wish to cancel your booking, not through your friend. Otherwise you deprive other people the opportunity to go on the trip.
