Phi Phi Island Pier Clean Up

Travelers and local Thais limited interaction and social gatherings. Many foreigners that were stranded on the islands were from the diving industry and unsure of what the restrictions on travel would mean in regards to renewing visas and ensuring that they were not going to get into trouble if they were unable to extend in time. Fortunately the Thai government recognized the issues at hand and made the necessary extensions to visitors to the Land of Smiles, regardless of whether a tourist or long term expat.

Meanwhile it was obvious that this huge workforce remaining on Phi Phi island had nothing but time on their hands so a project was formed by a diving operator on the island to manage volunteer divers to create a remarkable clean up operation in Tonsai bay around the pier area.

So on the 20 April, with the permission and support of the local police force and the Phi Phi Island Tourist Association, The Adventure Club initiated the clean up operation at the pier. In respect of the rules on social distancing only 3 groups of 5 persons per hour were permitted to work at different positions at the pier. Three divers in the water with two persons supporting each group on the surface. Each team works for 1-2 hours and then is replaced by another team. This team rotation continues throughout the day.

The project was overseen by the manager of The Adventure Club, Tero Kempas, whose job is to ensure that the crews are always maintaining good social distancing and operating safely. The main objective was to attempt to make the pier area as pristine as possible. Since the pier is the main arrival point for all of the supply boats it means the divers had their work cut out for them. All manner of materials were brought up; bottles, bags, plastics, concrete blocks. Over the course of 9 days the team were able to raise 21,529 kilos which included 461 tyres.