From Dawn.com: Divers find five more bodies in Italian cruise ship
ROME: Divers searching for survivors inside a stricken cruise ship off the Italian coast have found five more bodies, an official from Giglio Island said Tuesday.
“Scuba divers found five more bodies in the stern of the ship. They entered through holes made earlier in the day” with explosives, Cristiano Pellegrini told AFP.
“The bodies are being evacuated for the ship now,” he said. “We don’t know if the are members of the crew or passengers,” he added.
Divers had used explosives to blow holes in the wreck of the Costa Concordia in the search for possible survivors and bodies.
Earlier Tuesday, authorities said 29 people remained missing after the ship hit rocks and keeled over off the picturesque island on Friday.
The death toll currently stands at 11. More than 4,200 people were on board the liner when it went down.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
New online Divers Alert Network video course covers dive accident management
From Examiner: New online Divers Alert Network video course covers dive accident management
Divers Alert Network (DAN) today announced a new addition to its popular online video lecture series. Featuring DAN experts discussing a variety of topics of common interest to divers, the videos have proven popular with those seeking to continue their dive safety education. The third installment of the video series examines dive accident management with DAN CEO and Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Bird, M.D.
“Dive Accident Management” addresses the underlying physics and physiology of decompression illnesses and the appropriate pre-hospital management of dive injuries. It examines the causes of diving-related fatalities and looks at the primary methods of accident prevention. The 45-minute lecture also reviews the signs and symptoms of decompression illness and treatment procedures.
DAN is an international scuba diver safety organization that provides research and resources designed to make the sport of scuba diving more safe and enjoyable.
“One of DAN’s primary initiatives is to provide information and training that help prevent diving associated accidents,” said Bird. “We felt that any discussion of dive accidents should include both the underlying mechanisms as well as treatment. Our goal is to elevate the general understanding of decompression illness and thus further reduce its impact.”
Like all other videos in the series, “Dive Accident Management” is not only for individual viewing. It’s an ideal video to share in group settings such as dive club meetings, pre-trip orientations and educational settings. The videos are available at no charge to DAN Members, and each installment can be viewed an unlimited number of times.
“The video lecture series is a great example of the benefits divers enjoy through their membership,” said Dan Orr, president of DAN. “Educating divers on dive safety and continually seeking ways to improve dive safety are core tenets of DAN’s mission.”
All online seminars are free to DAN Members, and access is automatically included with DAN Membership. To access the seminars, simply visit the link and log in as a DAN Member.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) today announced a new addition to its popular online video lecture series. Featuring DAN experts discussing a variety of topics of common interest to divers, the videos have proven popular with those seeking to continue their dive safety education. The third installment of the video series examines dive accident management with DAN CEO and Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Bird, M.D.
“Dive Accident Management” addresses the underlying physics and physiology of decompression illnesses and the appropriate pre-hospital management of dive injuries. It examines the causes of diving-related fatalities and looks at the primary methods of accident prevention. The 45-minute lecture also reviews the signs and symptoms of decompression illness and treatment procedures.
DAN is an international scuba diver safety organization that provides research and resources designed to make the sport of scuba diving more safe and enjoyable.
“One of DAN’s primary initiatives is to provide information and training that help prevent diving associated accidents,” said Bird. “We felt that any discussion of dive accidents should include both the underlying mechanisms as well as treatment. Our goal is to elevate the general understanding of decompression illness and thus further reduce its impact.”
Like all other videos in the series, “Dive Accident Management” is not only for individual viewing. It’s an ideal video to share in group settings such as dive club meetings, pre-trip orientations and educational settings. The videos are available at no charge to DAN Members, and each installment can be viewed an unlimited number of times.
“The video lecture series is a great example of the benefits divers enjoy through their membership,” said Dan Orr, president of DAN. “Educating divers on dive safety and continually seeking ways to improve dive safety are core tenets of DAN’s mission.”
All online seminars are free to DAN Members, and access is automatically included with DAN Membership. To access the seminars, simply visit the link and log in as a DAN Member.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Book: The Search for Sunken Treasure: Exploring the World's Greatest Shipwrecks
The Search for Sunken Treasure: Exploring the World's Greatest Shipwrecks
by Robert Marx with Jennifer Marx
KeyPorter Books, 1993
Description
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Classical World
2. Scandinavian Shipwrecks
3. The Age of Discovery
4. The Spanish Galleons
5. The Invincible Armada of 1588
6. The Manilla Galleons
7. Bermuda, Graveyard of Ships
8. The East Indiamen
9. Privateers, Pirates and Mutineers
10. Shipwrecks in Waiting
11. Deep-water Shipwrecks
Appendix: Methods used in underwater archaeology
Selected bibliography
Index
by Robert Marx with Jennifer Marx
KeyPorter Books, 1993
Description
Countless shipwrecks and their cargoes are scattered on the ocean floor just waiting to be discovered. For centuries, the words "sunken treasure" have sparked dreams of discovering chests overflowing with gold doubloons and fabulous jewels.
The Search for Sunken Treasure captures the excitement felt by the discoverers of shipwrecks dating from the beginning of recorded history to the twentieth century. In a fascinating text written with his wife, renowned underwater archaeologist Robert Marx tells the remarkable stories behind the discoveries of famous wrecks from around the world - the HMS Bounty, the Andrea Doria, the Titanic and the Mary Rose - as well as the unsung shipwrecks that deserve to be better known.
Marx relates his own incredible experiences exploring shipwrecks and introducing the reader to other adventurous men and women who, like himself, have made the salvage of shipwreck's their life's work. Over the years, they have uncovered many valuable artifacts from the deep - gold and silver coins, jewelry, pottery, anchors and cannons.
Throughout the text, Marx describes ancient and modern underwater exploration techniques, from Alexander the Great's diving contraption to today's high-tech atmospheric diving suits and remotely operated vehicles. The stories of how the ships met their fates - some on reefs, others of poor design simply toppled by a brisk wind - are also an important part of the text.
Over 100 stunning photographs of treasure from 70 shipwrecks around the world are complemented by historical etchings and paintings of the ships as they looked before they sank. Photographs of contemporary divers working on shipwrecks and the recovery of ancient ships from the depths complete this wonderful book.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Classical World
2. Scandinavian Shipwrecks
3. The Age of Discovery
4. The Spanish Galleons
5. The Invincible Armada of 1588
6. The Manilla Galleons
7. Bermuda, Graveyard of Ships
8. The East Indiamen
9. Privateers, Pirates and Mutineers
10. Shipwrecks in Waiting
11. Deep-water Shipwrecks
Appendix: Methods used in underwater archaeology
Selected bibliography
Index
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2 whale sharks injured by spear, motor banca
From Inquirer News: 2 whale sharks injured by spear, motor banca
It was an accident—or attack—waiting to happen.
Two whale sharks that frequent Oslob town, south Cebu, were confirmed to be seriously injured, one of them by a spear and the other by the propeller of a motorized banca bringing tourists.
“Berto,” one whale shark identified by local fishermen, has been missing for three days after it was seen swimming with a spear thrust in its back, said Cebu diver and marine biologist Gary Cases of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD).
“We are still tracing the location of this whale shark with a spear wound to see if it is still alive,” Cases told Cebu Daily News. CDN team spotted the injured whale shark during a visit last week although the spear wound was several weeks old according to local fishermen.
The second one, “Lucas,” was struck by the propeller of a motor boat carrying local tourists, including divers, and was “seriously injured” in the head just last week.
The sighting of whale sharks in the coastal barangay of Tan-awan, Oslob, has drawn intense interest of divers and tourists since August when word spread that the deep-sea marine animals, which can reach 40 feet in length, were frequenting the shallow waters of the town after being hand-fed with shrimps by local fishermen.
The phenomenon has triggered a debate over whether the “domestication” of wild whale sharks was good for the animals and how to best manage the instant rise of tourist enterprises that have given local fishermen a new lucrative livelihood.
The PCSSD, a line agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is leading a reef study in the area to determine the health and population of at least 18 whale sharks that have been sighted passing through waters of barangay Tan-awan for the past two years.
Cases said he was visiting the area last Saturday when the fishermen told him about the two wounded whale sharks.
At least four whale sharks, locally known as “tuki” or “butanding,” have developed close interaction with local fisherman who regularly toss baby shrimps or “uyap” in the water to draw them.
With this, the fishermen have discovered a new livelihood, charging P300 per tourist for a ride out to sea on their paddle boats for a close encounter with whale sharks.
Photographs of divers and snorkelers underwater swimming close to the whale sharks or “riding” them have spread on the Internet.
The latest accident happened on Thursday last week, a day after DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, with Cases and Ocean Care’s Mario Marababol, visited Oslob to observe the activities there and talk with the mayor about measures to protect the whale sharks and ensure that eco-tourism is properly established.
Cases said he learned that a large motorized banca or outrigger based in Santander town, south Cebu, was carrying local tourists when it approached a school of butanding.
“It was an accident because dive boats are not supposed to get close in the sites. They know that they are not allowed in the area,” Cases said.
Boats that carry divers must stay at least five meters away from the marine species or the dive site.
Cases said that they are also tracing the parties responsible for piercing “Berto” with a spear.
The whale shark was carrying the wound for weeks and didn’t show up for its morning feeding since last Saturday.
Whale sharks are not carnivores and don’t attack humans but they are targets of hunters out to harvest its meat and shark’s oil.
Cases said they suspect whale hunters from other municipalities may have targeted “Berto”.
Reneboy Servila, a local guide, said there are also people “envious” of the barangay’s popularity due to the whale sharks.
Servila is one of the first fishermen who established the group that feeds the whale sharks and provides banca transportation services to visitors. He said other people in the area wanted to set up a similar business.
Just last month, a private resort opened in barangay Tan-awan beside the port terminal of Servila’s group.
He said they also see new motorboats from other municipalities that frequent the area bringing divers and other tourists.
A second fisherfolk group was established last December by locals.
At the Capitol, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday formed a technical working group (TWG) to craft guidelines for whale shark watching in Oslob.
The TWG is headed by Provincial Board (PB) Member Peter John Calderon.
Its members include the Whale Shark Watchers Organization, the Provincial Veterinarian Rose Marie Vincoy, Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla, Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre and Provincial Agriculturist Necias Vicoy.
Calderon said that the TWG will meet on Thursday in Oslob town to agree on guidelines.
The governor met with Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, who earlier handed over a copy of a new municipal ordinance passed for the protection of whale sharks.
The mayor said guides, who are fisherfolk in barangay Tan-awan, will be organized into a single group to be accredited by the municipality.
In the Oslob municipal ordinance, only an accredited group will be allowed to ferry tourists to the site where the whale sharks are.
Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
Touching and riding the whale sharks are also prohibited.
Buoys in the seawater will mark the designated whale shark watching area.
Under the proposed procedures, tourism officers will give a briefing for visitors in a designated area.
Viewing is limited to 30 minutes. Tourists will be provided with life jackets.
A maximum of six tourists is allowed to view for 30 minutes while a maximum of four divers is allowed to avoid crowding.
Fees were set in the ordinance—P300 per person for non-Oslob residents. Oslob residents will be charged only P30 per adult and P15 for children below 12 years old.
Tourists bringing video cameras will be charged an additional fee of P100.
Snorkeling is charged P20 and diving in the area will cost P50 per person.
Violators of the ordinance will be fined P2,000 or face jail time of four to six months. /Candeze R. Mongaya and Carmel Loise Matus
It was an accident—or attack—waiting to happen.
Two whale sharks that frequent Oslob town, south Cebu, were confirmed to be seriously injured, one of them by a spear and the other by the propeller of a motorized banca bringing tourists.
“Berto,” one whale shark identified by local fishermen, has been missing for three days after it was seen swimming with a spear thrust in its back, said Cebu diver and marine biologist Gary Cases of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD).
“We are still tracing the location of this whale shark with a spear wound to see if it is still alive,” Cases told Cebu Daily News. CDN team spotted the injured whale shark during a visit last week although the spear wound was several weeks old according to local fishermen.
The second one, “Lucas,” was struck by the propeller of a motor boat carrying local tourists, including divers, and was “seriously injured” in the head just last week.
The sighting of whale sharks in the coastal barangay of Tan-awan, Oslob, has drawn intense interest of divers and tourists since August when word spread that the deep-sea marine animals, which can reach 40 feet in length, were frequenting the shallow waters of the town after being hand-fed with shrimps by local fishermen.
The phenomenon has triggered a debate over whether the “domestication” of wild whale sharks was good for the animals and how to best manage the instant rise of tourist enterprises that have given local fishermen a new lucrative livelihood.
The PCSSD, a line agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is leading a reef study in the area to determine the health and population of at least 18 whale sharks that have been sighted passing through waters of barangay Tan-awan for the past two years.
Cases said he was visiting the area last Saturday when the fishermen told him about the two wounded whale sharks.
At least four whale sharks, locally known as “tuki” or “butanding,” have developed close interaction with local fisherman who regularly toss baby shrimps or “uyap” in the water to draw them.
With this, the fishermen have discovered a new livelihood, charging P300 per tourist for a ride out to sea on their paddle boats for a close encounter with whale sharks.
Photographs of divers and snorkelers underwater swimming close to the whale sharks or “riding” them have spread on the Internet.
The latest accident happened on Thursday last week, a day after DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, with Cases and Ocean Care’s Mario Marababol, visited Oslob to observe the activities there and talk with the mayor about measures to protect the whale sharks and ensure that eco-tourism is properly established.
Cases said he learned that a large motorized banca or outrigger based in Santander town, south Cebu, was carrying local tourists when it approached a school of butanding.
“It was an accident because dive boats are not supposed to get close in the sites. They know that they are not allowed in the area,” Cases said.
Boats that carry divers must stay at least five meters away from the marine species or the dive site.
Cases said that they are also tracing the parties responsible for piercing “Berto” with a spear.
The whale shark was carrying the wound for weeks and didn’t show up for its morning feeding since last Saturday.
Whale sharks are not carnivores and don’t attack humans but they are targets of hunters out to harvest its meat and shark’s oil.
Cases said they suspect whale hunters from other municipalities may have targeted “Berto”.
Reneboy Servila, a local guide, said there are also people “envious” of the barangay’s popularity due to the whale sharks.
Servila is one of the first fishermen who established the group that feeds the whale sharks and provides banca transportation services to visitors. He said other people in the area wanted to set up a similar business.
Just last month, a private resort opened in barangay Tan-awan beside the port terminal of Servila’s group.
He said they also see new motorboats from other municipalities that frequent the area bringing divers and other tourists.
A second fisherfolk group was established last December by locals.
At the Capitol, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday formed a technical working group (TWG) to craft guidelines for whale shark watching in Oslob.
The TWG is headed by Provincial Board (PB) Member Peter John Calderon.
Its members include the Whale Shark Watchers Organization, the Provincial Veterinarian Rose Marie Vincoy, Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla, Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre and Provincial Agriculturist Necias Vicoy.
Calderon said that the TWG will meet on Thursday in Oslob town to agree on guidelines.
The governor met with Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, who earlier handed over a copy of a new municipal ordinance passed for the protection of whale sharks.
The mayor said guides, who are fisherfolk in barangay Tan-awan, will be organized into a single group to be accredited by the municipality.
In the Oslob municipal ordinance, only an accredited group will be allowed to ferry tourists to the site where the whale sharks are.
Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
Touching and riding the whale sharks are also prohibited.
Buoys in the seawater will mark the designated whale shark watching area.
Under the proposed procedures, tourism officers will give a briefing for visitors in a designated area.
Viewing is limited to 30 minutes. Tourists will be provided with life jackets.
A maximum of six tourists is allowed to view for 30 minutes while a maximum of four divers is allowed to avoid crowding.
Fees were set in the ordinance—P300 per person for non-Oslob residents. Oslob residents will be charged only P30 per adult and P15 for children below 12 years old.
Tourists bringing video cameras will be charged an additional fee of P100.
Snorkeling is charged P20 and diving in the area will cost P50 per person.
Violators of the ordinance will be fined P2,000 or face jail time of four to six months. /Candeze R. Mongaya and Carmel Loise Matus
Grand Turk's undersea realm
From Canoe.ca: Grand Turk's undersea realm
By STEPHEN RIPLEY, QMI Agency
With 30 feet of ocean separating me from my next breath, I'm tempted to panic.
Instead, I begin to kick for the surface, my flippers propelling me toward the light in a controlled, steady ascent. To make sure the air trapped in my body doesn't over-expand — potentially rupturing a lung — I slowly exhale while making an "aaaah" sound through my mouth, just as I've been taught.
It seems much longer, but it only takes about 30 seconds before the water above my head finally gives way to sky and I can inhale again. After a few breaths, I begin blowing up my buoyancy control device — basically an inflatable vest — to ensure the weight of my now-useless air tank doesn't drag me back down into the depths.
My instructor, who has been hovering just a few feet away the entire time, flashes the OK sign, which I return. We then exchange a high-five, celebrating the fact I am now one step closer to becoming a certified scuba diver.
I arrived at Bohio Dive Resort on Grand Turk three days ago with no diving experience whatsoever. I had snorkeled several times on previous trips to the Caribbean and Central America, but always thought it would be too much of a hassle to get my scuba certification.
Turns out I was wrong.
The first step was visiting the Professional Association of Diving Instructors website and doing my "e-learning." Instead of spending days in a classroom, listening to lectures about scuba gear, gas expansion and depth charts, PADI now delivers this information in an easy-to-follow online format, complete with audio narration and video examples. I managed to complete the whole course in about four hours on the day before I left Winnipeg.
DIVE MASTER STEVE
Once I arrive at Bohio, I am introduced to dive master Steve Giles, a wiry Englishman whose close-cropped hair and halting speech puts me in mind of a marine drill instructor ... albeit a friendly one. Steve has me sign a sheaf of medical waivers, helps me select some gear from the resort's fully stocked dive shop and before I know it, I'm standing in a swimming pool for an afternoon of confined-water instruction.
Steve teaches me how to prepare for a dive: attaching my regulator to an air tank, checking the pressure, putting on a weight belt and inflating my BCD. Once I'm in the pool, he shows me how to blow water out of my mask, control my buoyancy and use a buddy's backup regulator when mine isn't working.
On their own, each task is simple enough, but together they are crucial to ensure a diver's survival in the undersea environment. And until I can master each of them, Steve won't let me out of the pool and into the crystal-blue waters lapping at the white-sand beach just a coconut's throw away.
Fortunately, I turn out to be a quick study and a day later I'm in the back of a boat, speeding out into the Atlantic for my first open-water dive. It's a short trip to the dive site, as Bohio sits on the western, leeward coast of Grand Turk Island, less than a kilometre away from The Wall, where the coral reef abruptly falls away, from a depth of about 30 feet to more than 7,000 feet. Running the entire 10-km length of the island, The Wall is a perfect location to view a kaleidoscope of aquatic life, from turtles, sharks and stingrays to massive humpback whales, which can often be spotted in the winter months.
Today, though, it's a school of yellowtail snapper that darts around Steve and I as we descend along the boat's mooring line. Once we hit bottom, about 30 feet down, we begin to explore.
Surprisingly, despite being utterly dependent on the tank of compressed air strapped to my back, I feel completely at ease. Whether it's because of the mammalian diving reflex — which automatically slows my heartbeat and respiration — or the placid, blue surroundings, I find I have no trouble relaxing and following Steve through the reef, occasionally detouring to get a closer look at a brain coral or a multi-hued parrotfish.
After about 35 minutes in the water, Steve signals it's time to go to the surface. We add some air to our BCDs and begin to rise, pausing at a depth of 15 feet for a three-minute safety stop. This is standard practice to ensure we don't suffer decompression sickness, in which nitrogen bubbles form in our bodies as we rise to the surface. The depth and duration of all recreational dives are planned to ensure a decompression interval isn't needed, but safety stops are added as an extra precaution, in case of miscalculation.
We dive again later that afternoon and twice more again the next day, combining general sightseeing with specific tasks I must perform in order to earn my certification. I grow more and more comfortable, gradually learning to use slight changes in my breathing, rather than swimming or the BCD, to adjust my position in the water.
I put these skills to the test on my final dive when Steve motions for me to check out a cluster of rocks and coral below us. I exhale a little longer than normal, which causes me to gradually descend until I'm at eye-level with the rear end of a grey, three-foot-long fish whose unmistakable tail and dorsal fin identify it as a shark. I swim around to the other side and take a peek at its wedge-shaped head, tucked into a small opening in the rocks. Steve tells me later it's a baby nurse shark — a docile species that prefers to rest during the day and hunt at night.
Back on dry land, Steve presents with my PADI certification card and a log book, where I'm supposed to record all of the pertinent details from each dive, including the location, depth, time and any highlights. After writing a couple of sentences about my shark sighting, I thumb through the remaining empty pages, vowing to start filling them the first chance I get.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Uganda: Deep Under the Indian Ocean
From AllAfrica.com: Uganda: Deep Under the Indian Ocean
There are some sports that should be a preserve for the strong-hearted, for you can only play them if you're deeply adventurous or never listed cowardice as one of your downsides. But again this shouldn't suffocate your adventurous side.
Scuba diving is one such sport and to tell you that I enjoyed it, given its dare-devil nature, I risk sounding like I'm self-praising, so I will carry on with my tales. Well, as our lead boatman Juma Omari, from Charlie Claw's diving team, begins the brief, everyone is all ears.
"This is a dive to the floor of the oceans," Juma announces in his introductory brief and goes silent as he smiles, studying his guests. The crowd thirsting for the underwater adventure grew thinner. "I will do it," Hillary confidently went forward.
The bigger number, all journalist friends, chickened out for the obvious reason, they couldn't swim. "I will teach you how to breathe in and out while in the water," Juma reassures us as he illustrates with a deep water costume of plastic and cloth complete with face-mask fitted with oxygen tubes.
"While in the water, we can use oxygen both on top and within the water so we can stay longer underwater," he goes on. Juma is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) instructor who tells us that he started out as an open water instructor.
"I caution you that if you're asthmatic or have breathing problem then you're free not to scuba dive," he adds. "Scuba diving", Moses one of the journalists says out loud, at a missed chance because he loves his cigarette. Scuba diving was already more like slang in our circles for naughty connotations of course, so we all burst out laughing.
"Do we have more participants," Juma asks in his light-hearted disposition, trying to encourage even the most nervous first time diver to explore the fascinating world under the water.
"Don't worry, as long as you know where the coral reefs are, it's all good," Juma attempts for the last time to encourage the hesitant spectators.
When ready, the scuba divers made one big dive 25 metres deep into the blue fairly chilly waters. Oh what a feeling! Just across on another boat, are experienced foreign tourists who freely dive into the waters.
An hour later, the tales were rich from excitement. "Guys you have missed a once-in-a-life opportunity. It is not that hard after all. I have seen them all, all tribes of fish, the orange ones, the green ones, red ones. These are the fish you will only watch on National Geographic," a visibly thrilled Hillary shares as he catches his breath, immediately after removing his face-mask and water gaggles.
"Andrew, please prepare for me my camera. I need to sign off from down here in these cool waters, man," he adds, tactfully moving his hands on top of the water for buoyancy. "Scuba is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. It's fun down there," he laughs amidst his sign-off. "Cut," he bellows.
The beautiful Indian Ocean will never leave you the same. Finally, the team, Barbra, Moses, 'uncle' Michael, Nisha, Andrew, Regina our host from Air Uganda and Robert all tried to overcome their fears and made their modest dive into the gigantic fresh water body and swam across. It doesn't matter whether you know how to swim or not, the Charlie Claw's diving team make your boat cruise, swim in the ocean or scuba diving an experience to remember.
There are some sports that should be a preserve for the strong-hearted, for you can only play them if you're deeply adventurous or never listed cowardice as one of your downsides. But again this shouldn't suffocate your adventurous side.
Scuba diving is one such sport and to tell you that I enjoyed it, given its dare-devil nature, I risk sounding like I'm self-praising, so I will carry on with my tales. Well, as our lead boatman Juma Omari, from Charlie Claw's diving team, begins the brief, everyone is all ears.
"This is a dive to the floor of the oceans," Juma announces in his introductory brief and goes silent as he smiles, studying his guests. The crowd thirsting for the underwater adventure grew thinner. "I will do it," Hillary confidently went forward.
The bigger number, all journalist friends, chickened out for the obvious reason, they couldn't swim. "I will teach you how to breathe in and out while in the water," Juma reassures us as he illustrates with a deep water costume of plastic and cloth complete with face-mask fitted with oxygen tubes.
"While in the water, we can use oxygen both on top and within the water so we can stay longer underwater," he goes on. Juma is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) instructor who tells us that he started out as an open water instructor.
"I caution you that if you're asthmatic or have breathing problem then you're free not to scuba dive," he adds. "Scuba diving", Moses one of the journalists says out loud, at a missed chance because he loves his cigarette. Scuba diving was already more like slang in our circles for naughty connotations of course, so we all burst out laughing.
"Do we have more participants," Juma asks in his light-hearted disposition, trying to encourage even the most nervous first time diver to explore the fascinating world under the water.
"Don't worry, as long as you know where the coral reefs are, it's all good," Juma attempts for the last time to encourage the hesitant spectators.
When ready, the scuba divers made one big dive 25 metres deep into the blue fairly chilly waters. Oh what a feeling! Just across on another boat, are experienced foreign tourists who freely dive into the waters.
An hour later, the tales were rich from excitement. "Guys you have missed a once-in-a-life opportunity. It is not that hard after all. I have seen them all, all tribes of fish, the orange ones, the green ones, red ones. These are the fish you will only watch on National Geographic," a visibly thrilled Hillary shares as he catches his breath, immediately after removing his face-mask and water gaggles.
"Andrew, please prepare for me my camera. I need to sign off from down here in these cool waters, man," he adds, tactfully moving his hands on top of the water for buoyancy. "Scuba is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. It's fun down there," he laughs amidst his sign-off. "Cut," he bellows.
The beautiful Indian Ocean will never leave you the same. Finally, the team, Barbra, Moses, 'uncle' Michael, Nisha, Andrew, Regina our host from Air Uganda and Robert all tried to overcome their fears and made their modest dive into the gigantic fresh water body and swam across. It doesn't matter whether you know how to swim or not, the Charlie Claw's diving team make your boat cruise, swim in the ocean or scuba diving an experience to remember.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Explore the Depths of the Oceans with Affordable Scuba Gear from New Website
Press Release: Explore the Depths of the Oceans with Affordable Scuba Gear from New Website
Sioux City, IA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
Dive to the depths of the world’s oceans with affordable scuba equipment from http://www.ScubaDiverParadise.com. Under the supervision of Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright, an incredible inventory of swim fins, regulators, masks and more have been added to the new Internet storefront.
“Diving is a great way to explore another part of this world,” said Wright. “I dive recreationally and I also dove during my 11 years with the Air Force.”
Whether diving to the depths of the oceans or skimming the surface, a quality mask is crucial. ScubaDiverParadise.com offers a high quality silicone diver mask that is easily paired with a snorkel attachment or diving regulator.
Breathing apparatuses, though essential, are not the only products an amateur or professional diver needs. Scoop up affordable scuba hardware, including buoyancy collars, compasses, and ‘diver down’ flags. Gauges, mini flashlights, and military grade scuba knives are also must-haves. Diving weights, wetsuits, and Scuba Pro booties can make a dive more comfortable. Experienced divers are welcome to browse through the site’s supply of tanks and tank backpacks.
Customer service is of the utmost importance at ScubaDiverParadise.com. Each piece of scuba equipment has been screened for quality, dependability, and affordability. Orders are filled and shipped promptly in keeping with the company’s commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Feedback is always welcome and responded to in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member.
“Based on my experience, I know what gear will best suit customer needs. When it comes to scuba gear, you don’t want to buy gear from people who don’t have a diving background,” said Wright.
To learn more about scuba gear, visit the site’s brand new blog, http://www.ScubaDiverParadiseBlog.com. The interactive platform is frequently updated with diving tips, scuba equipment maintenance information, and reviews of diving destinations.
About the Company:
ScubaDiverParadise.com – a division of Wright Products, LLC – is owned and operated by Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright.
Sioux City, IA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
Dive to the depths of the world’s oceans with affordable scuba equipment from http://www.ScubaDiverParadise.com. Under the supervision of Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright, an incredible inventory of swim fins, regulators, masks and more have been added to the new Internet storefront.
“Diving is a great way to explore another part of this world,” said Wright. “I dive recreationally and I also dove during my 11 years with the Air Force.”
Whether diving to the depths of the oceans or skimming the surface, a quality mask is crucial. ScubaDiverParadise.com offers a high quality silicone diver mask that is easily paired with a snorkel attachment or diving regulator.
Breathing apparatuses, though essential, are not the only products an amateur or professional diver needs. Scoop up affordable scuba hardware, including buoyancy collars, compasses, and ‘diver down’ flags. Gauges, mini flashlights, and military grade scuba knives are also must-haves. Diving weights, wetsuits, and Scuba Pro booties can make a dive more comfortable. Experienced divers are welcome to browse through the site’s supply of tanks and tank backpacks.
Customer service is of the utmost importance at ScubaDiverParadise.com. Each piece of scuba equipment has been screened for quality, dependability, and affordability. Orders are filled and shipped promptly in keeping with the company’s commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Feedback is always welcome and responded to in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member.
“Based on my experience, I know what gear will best suit customer needs. When it comes to scuba gear, you don’t want to buy gear from people who don’t have a diving background,” said Wright.
To learn more about scuba gear, visit the site’s brand new blog, http://www.ScubaDiverParadiseBlog.com. The interactive platform is frequently updated with diving tips, scuba equipment maintenance information, and reviews of diving destinations.
About the Company:
ScubaDiverParadise.com – a division of Wright Products, LLC – is owned and operated by Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Dive for Andamans
From the Hindu Business Line: Dive for Andamans
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world's leading scuba diving certification body, recently issued its 20 millionth certificate.
Dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, divers, snorkelers and other water-sports enthusiasts are members of this recreational diving organisation.
Founded in 1966 by John Cronin, a scuba equipment salesman for US Divers, and Ralph Erickson, an educator and swimming instructor, PADI aimed to make it easier and safer for more people to learn scuba diving.
Over pegs of scotch whiskey and with $30 in hand, Cronin and Erickson drew up their plan for a professional and state-of-the-art association of diving instructors.
Today, with more than forty years' experience, over 135,000 PADI professionals, and 6,000 dive shops and resorts in 183 countries worldwide, PADI is confident of setting up scuba diving services nearly anywhere in the world.
The recreational scuba diving industry is now worth $46 billion worldwide and growing, of which the Asia Pacific region accounts for 80 per cent.
PADI Director, Sales and Field Services for Asia Pacific, Mark Spiers says the association is heavily on India (particularly the Andamans), where the share of global scuba business is currently negligible but offers great scope for growth.
Explaining the special attraction held out by the Andamans, Spiers says, “There are pristinely beautiful places in the Andamans ideally suited for scuba diving, with a wealth of diverse underwater fauna and colourful corals, which are relatively very less explored.
“For example, you find here whalesharks (the biggest of the shark species and the most harmless), which will prove to be a big draw for the scuba diver seeking a special thrill.”
He said there was a 280 per cent growth in certification in India in the last six years. In 2009, PADI successfully completed its first instructor training course in the Andamans.
The association plans to globally promote India as a scuba diving destination.
“We participate at dive shows throughout the world, including Singapore, Orlando, Dusseldorf, Paris and London. For the European shows, we will be including a special section at the PADI stand, promoting India as a diving destination through posters and videos.
“We also discussed opportunities for developing the scuba diving industry with the Lt Governor of the Andamans… assuring the highest level of safety standards.”
Attracting over 100,000 new visitors to its Web site every week, the organisation mails nearly one million newsletters every month to popularise scuba worldwide.
The target age group for scuba diving is 25-35 years, says Spiers, as this is a period “when the person is without commitment, has a job and disposable income. The other target group is 50-70 years, as they have fulfilled their commitments and are free to spend on leisure and recreational activities like scuba”.
With nearly two-thirds of the scuba diving community being male, PADI hopes to balance the gender gap by advertising the sport in women's magazines.
In an attempt to address the ever-growing need for conservation and ocean protection, in 1989 PADI initiated Project AWARE to educate scuba divers on environment-friendly diving practices and the role they can play in bringing about positive changes from an underwater perspective.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Windsor, Ontario: Divers take New Year's dip
From the Windsor Star (Canada): Divers take New Year's dip
WINDSOR, Ont. -- A quick New Year's Day dip in the Detroit River is just a bit of "idiocracy," performed by members of the Windsor Skin and Scuba Club each year, according to a WSSC diver.
"It sets up the year right. We have a lot of diving ahead of us," said Gary Gavin, the newsletter editor and longtime member of the club.
The annual Polar Bear Dip has taken place on New Year's Day for close to 30 years, Gavin said.
The club had 30 members last year, but only two brave souls decided to take the plunge Sunday afternoon.
Gavin and the club's treasurer Robert Latouf pulled on their almost 50 pound gear and inched around the edge of a ledge over the river at Riverside Drive and Crawford Avenue.
A small crowd gathered to watch as the pair plunged into the 6 C water.
Last year the river was covered with large ice chunks, preventing the group from diving.
Latouf 's wife Renee Latouf, who is the club's president, said the club has suffered a decline in members.
The club is offering free membership to anyone who's never been a member.
Gavin and Latouf didn't go deep in the water due to murky visibility.
Instead, they bobbed down the river for around 15 minutes.
"A New Year's Day float," Gavin yelled from the river.
He said immersion in the cold water gave him the equivalent of an "ice cream headache."
For more information about the club go to wssc.ca.
WINDSOR, Ont. -- A quick New Year's Day dip in the Detroit River is just a bit of "idiocracy," performed by members of the Windsor Skin and Scuba Club each year, according to a WSSC diver.
"It sets up the year right. We have a lot of diving ahead of us," said Gary Gavin, the newsletter editor and longtime member of the club.
The annual Polar Bear Dip has taken place on New Year's Day for close to 30 years, Gavin said.
The club had 30 members last year, but only two brave souls decided to take the plunge Sunday afternoon.
Gavin and the club's treasurer Robert Latouf pulled on their almost 50 pound gear and inched around the edge of a ledge over the river at Riverside Drive and Crawford Avenue.
A small crowd gathered to watch as the pair plunged into the 6 C water.
Last year the river was covered with large ice chunks, preventing the group from diving.
Latouf 's wife Renee Latouf, who is the club's president, said the club has suffered a decline in members.
The club is offering free membership to anyone who's never been a member.
Gavin and Latouf didn't go deep in the water due to murky visibility.
Instead, they bobbed down the river for around 15 minutes.
"A New Year's Day float," Gavin yelled from the river.
He said immersion in the cold water gave him the equivalent of an "ice cream headache."
For more information about the club go to wssc.ca.
Monday, January 2, 2012
For a laid-back dive centre, head to Dibba
From The National (Thailand): For a laid-back dive centre, head to Dibba
Last summer, I gained my PADI open water scuba qualification in Thailand. Now that I'm back in the UAE, I want to keep diving but everywhere I've found that offers weekend dive packages on the east coast seems to be tied to five-star hotels. One of the things I really liked about diving in south-east Asia was the laid-back feel of the dive centres. Is there anything like that here?
There is, and while it's not in the UAE, it's so close that it might as well be. Dibba is a town split between the UAE and Oman on the east coast of the Musandam peninsula and a five-minute drive north of the border is Nomad Ocean Adventures (www.discovernomad.com; 00 968 268 36069). It's billed as an "eco lodge" - a slightly long bow to draw, considering it's a slightly down-at-heel collection of three aging villas - but it certainly lives up to its claim not to have "the bells and whistles of a five-star hotel".
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But it has everything you need: a fully-equipped dive centre, a pool in which dive classes are held (it's a relatively cheap place to do your open water or advanced qualification because you can do the theory by e-learning beforehand and then do the actual instruction in the pool and in the ocean) and it's a few minutes walk from the port from which speedboats or dhows will transport you to the dive sites to the north. The journey along the spectacular coastline, featuring craggy cliffs and tiny bays, is worth the boat ride on its own.
More importantly, it has that laid-back vibe you experienced in Thailand, particularly because the weekend dive package is fully inclusive. For Dh1,100, you get a divemaster, equipment, transport, accommodation on Thursday and Friday nights, and all your meals and soft drinks.
Compared to the devastation of the area a couple of years ago by a combination of a typhoon and a red tide, the sea life has made an impressive comeback and it's now common to see turtles, moray eels and lion fish among the coral. If you're lucky, you'll see some of the whale sharks that frequent the area.
The good thing about Dibba compared to Khasab, the Omani town on the western side of the peninsula, is that UAE residents don't need to pay for a visa and all you need to cross the border is a UAE identity card. It takes between two and a half to three hours to drive from Abu Dhabi.
If you can muster a larger group, you can hire a dhow for the weekend and reach dive sites further north than the usual locations frequented by Nomad and most of the other dive operators. After sleeping on the dhow overnight, you return after another couple of dives the next day.
Photos: Wynn celebrates 3,000th performance of ‘Le Reve — the Dream’
From Las Vegas : Photos: Wynn celebrates 3,000th performance of ‘Le Reve — the Dream’
[Photos can be seen at original link]
Each night the curtain goes up on the ambitious water spectacle “Le Reve -- the Dream” at Steve Wynn’s hotel the Wynn, more than 1,001 things could go wrong. Incredibly, nothing rarely does. Even with thousands of electrical parts possibly working loose or water hoses wearing out, the technicians have lost only five shows since the April 2005 opening night as they hit the 3,000th mark this weekend.
Incredibly, although it’s more than five times as difficult in water and soaked clothes to perform dry-land aerials and acrobatics, cast and crew pull it off nightly, making it still look as easy as opening a bottle of H2O. They do use a secret, military-developed sticky spray-on adhesive to help their grips in the water, but those elaborate handstand gymnastics on a water-drenched revolving tree take a long time to master while moving. Nobody else performs handstands while moving.
Incredibly, those daring swimmers and athletes do get water in their eyes just like we do when we go splashing. To assist them to be in the right place at the right time in split seconds while their eyes are closed under the surface, SCUBA divers propel them into position. Another secret I can reveal: The upside-down, underwater, synchronized red-shoe dance-swimmers always wear goggles to never be out of step. They also have underwater music piped in so that they are in perfect sync.
Incredibly, at 3,000 shows, drummer Jean Ainsley has never missed one performance, and pianist Paul Pelletier has played at more than 2,990 shows, only missing a couple due to a family emergency. More than 45 of the performers are still there from opening night. Vegas DeLuxe is proud to provide a first look at new photographs of “Le Reve -- the Dream.”
Technicians and operators at multiple computers provide a four-step backup process in the event anything goes wrong. Failure can be rectified in a microsecond switchover without an audience member noticing.
Rick Gray, Wynn’s GM of entertainment, told me on a backstage tour at the 2,993rd performance this week: “Our technical people are unbelievable. They face a magnitude of challenges no other show does nightly. The degree and magnitude of difficulty is much, much more in water. This is the greatest collaborative process in show business we have ever seen. You just couldn’t have done this spectacular before we had computers.
“We’re still updating the show all the time. Mr. Wynn still visits regularly and suggests tweaks and improvements and new ideas. He gets the credit for adding the ballroom dance sequences of the tango and paso doble with Maksim Chmerkovskiy from ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ We’ve added new costumes; we’ve got new quick-change scenes starting in the New Year, there’s now magic, an avatar and new music. The fabric from the ceiling for the opening kabuki drop is all new, and the miracle of the flowers in the finale floated out by two unseen divers has audiences stopped in their tracks. Sometimes, it’s hard to make them leave the theater with all the photos they want to take of the flowers once the show has ended!”
“Le Reve -- the Dream” is an overwhelming wow. One watches it mesmerized and in disbelief at the agility of the water-bound athletes. You dare not blink in case you miss one of their unbelievable exploits. The collective silence and intake of air when one diver makes the heart-stopping 80-foot leap into the circular pool is intense, and as he surfaces, the sight of relief is audible. You dare not take your eyes off the stage for a second because you risk missing another stunning stunt. Even the 75 to 105 white homing pigeons become stars as they fly across the submerged stages.
It’s a majestic and monumental masterpiece of a blockbuster budget be damned production that has to be seen to be believed. Our story about all the fun facts and figures of “Le Reve -- the Dream” was posted Tuesday. For 75 minutes, you are on the edge of your seat watching athletes push their bodies to maximum performance and achievement. It is riveting. It is beyond exciting. It’s truly incredible, as I’ve said now many times. Sorry for belaboring the point!
It also is a highly charged emotional night of thrilling agility, sweeping music and hair-standing-on-end chills as the casts make the impossible possible. It’s a case of defying gravity, and this is not imagination. This is real-life wonder and amazement. But for hours afterward, you’ll wonder if it was all a dream and you really saw what they actually did.
Go experience it for yourself because no matter what I say or write, it’s impossible to do it justice in words and photos. You must take it all in for yourself -- go enjoy and marvel!
[Photos can be seen at original link]
Each night the curtain goes up on the ambitious water spectacle “Le Reve -- the Dream” at Steve Wynn’s hotel the Wynn, more than 1,001 things could go wrong. Incredibly, nothing rarely does. Even with thousands of electrical parts possibly working loose or water hoses wearing out, the technicians have lost only five shows since the April 2005 opening night as they hit the 3,000th mark this weekend.
Incredibly, although it’s more than five times as difficult in water and soaked clothes to perform dry-land aerials and acrobatics, cast and crew pull it off nightly, making it still look as easy as opening a bottle of H2O. They do use a secret, military-developed sticky spray-on adhesive to help their grips in the water, but those elaborate handstand gymnastics on a water-drenched revolving tree take a long time to master while moving. Nobody else performs handstands while moving.
Incredibly, those daring swimmers and athletes do get water in their eyes just like we do when we go splashing. To assist them to be in the right place at the right time in split seconds while their eyes are closed under the surface, SCUBA divers propel them into position. Another secret I can reveal: The upside-down, underwater, synchronized red-shoe dance-swimmers always wear goggles to never be out of step. They also have underwater music piped in so that they are in perfect sync.
Incredibly, at 3,000 shows, drummer Jean Ainsley has never missed one performance, and pianist Paul Pelletier has played at more than 2,990 shows, only missing a couple due to a family emergency. More than 45 of the performers are still there from opening night. Vegas DeLuxe is proud to provide a first look at new photographs of “Le Reve -- the Dream.”
Technicians and operators at multiple computers provide a four-step backup process in the event anything goes wrong. Failure can be rectified in a microsecond switchover without an audience member noticing.
Rick Gray, Wynn’s GM of entertainment, told me on a backstage tour at the 2,993rd performance this week: “Our technical people are unbelievable. They face a magnitude of challenges no other show does nightly. The degree and magnitude of difficulty is much, much more in water. This is the greatest collaborative process in show business we have ever seen. You just couldn’t have done this spectacular before we had computers.
“We’re still updating the show all the time. Mr. Wynn still visits regularly and suggests tweaks and improvements and new ideas. He gets the credit for adding the ballroom dance sequences of the tango and paso doble with Maksim Chmerkovskiy from ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ We’ve added new costumes; we’ve got new quick-change scenes starting in the New Year, there’s now magic, an avatar and new music. The fabric from the ceiling for the opening kabuki drop is all new, and the miracle of the flowers in the finale floated out by two unseen divers has audiences stopped in their tracks. Sometimes, it’s hard to make them leave the theater with all the photos they want to take of the flowers once the show has ended!”
“Le Reve -- the Dream” is an overwhelming wow. One watches it mesmerized and in disbelief at the agility of the water-bound athletes. You dare not blink in case you miss one of their unbelievable exploits. The collective silence and intake of air when one diver makes the heart-stopping 80-foot leap into the circular pool is intense, and as he surfaces, the sight of relief is audible. You dare not take your eyes off the stage for a second because you risk missing another stunning stunt. Even the 75 to 105 white homing pigeons become stars as they fly across the submerged stages.
It’s a majestic and monumental masterpiece of a blockbuster budget be damned production that has to be seen to be believed. Our story about all the fun facts and figures of “Le Reve -- the Dream” was posted Tuesday. For 75 minutes, you are on the edge of your seat watching athletes push their bodies to maximum performance and achievement. It is riveting. It is beyond exciting. It’s truly incredible, as I’ve said now many times. Sorry for belaboring the point!
It also is a highly charged emotional night of thrilling agility, sweeping music and hair-standing-on-end chills as the casts make the impossible possible. It’s a case of defying gravity, and this is not imagination. This is real-life wonder and amazement. But for hours afterward, you’ll wonder if it was all a dream and you really saw what they actually did.
Go experience it for yourself because no matter what I say or write, it’s impossible to do it justice in words and photos. You must take it all in for yourself -- go enjoy and marvel!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Iran scuba divers clear marine mines
From Press TV: Iran scuba divers clear marine mines
An Iranian naval commander says the country's scuba divers have successfully detected and defused naval mines on the seventh day of the Velayat 90 drills.
“The scuba divers of [Iran's naval] forces annihilated the shore facilities and killed the divers of the mock enemy,” Alireza Majd, head of Iran's Navy diving unit, said on Friday.
He added the Iranian scuba divers, who are all domestically trained, are capable of performing various martial and back-up operations as deep as 200 meters below water.
Iran's Navy launched the massive naval exercises on December 24, which covers an area stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.
Different classes of submarines, including Tareq and Qadir, the newest ground-to-sea missile systems and torpedoes have been employed in the maneuvers.
Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.
The country has repeatedly made clear that its military might is merely based on the nation's defense doctrine of deterrence and poses no threat to other countries.
An Iranian naval commander says the country's scuba divers have successfully detected and defused naval mines on the seventh day of the Velayat 90 drills.
“The scuba divers of [Iran's naval] forces annihilated the shore facilities and killed the divers of the mock enemy,” Alireza Majd, head of Iran's Navy diving unit, said on Friday.
He added the Iranian scuba divers, who are all domestically trained, are capable of performing various martial and back-up operations as deep as 200 meters below water.
Iran's Navy launched the massive naval exercises on December 24, which covers an area stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.
Different classes of submarines, including Tareq and Qadir, the newest ground-to-sea missile systems and torpedoes have been employed in the maneuvers.
Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.
The country has repeatedly made clear that its military might is merely based on the nation's defense doctrine of deterrence and poses no threat to other countries.
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