REEF recently announced their field survey schedule for 2007. If you haven't ever taken one of these trips, maybe now's the time to consider it. Not only are they fun, educational, and conservation-minded, they're tax deductible! Who ever heard of taking a tax-deductible dive trip?! Thanks, REEF! Upcoming trips include:
Grand Turk, February 17-24 -- 7 nights/8 days - $990
Tortola, British Virgin Islands, April 14-21 -- 7 nights/8 days - $974
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, May 22-27 -- 5 nights/6 days - $TBA
St. Vincent, June 9-16 -- 8 days/7 nights - $1,050
San Juan Islands, Washington, July 23-26 -- 4 days/3 nights - $818
Kona, Hawaii, August 4-11 -- 7 nights/8 days - $1,485
Woods Hole, Cape Cod, September 11-16 -- 6 nights/5 days - $509
Bonaire*, September 22-29 -- 7 nights/8 days - $1,063
Utila*, October 20-27 -- 8 days/7 nights - $1,110
Anguilla, November 10-17 -- 8 days/7 nights - $975
Cozumel, December 1-8 -- 8 Days/7 Nights - $544
All prices quoted are per person, based on double occupancy. An additional $300 REEF fee will be added to each trip to cover the cost of the group leader, seminars, survey materials, and data management. For more details, you know where to go. *Trip led by Paul Humann, recent inductee into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.
If you're a diver who's looking to get involved in some conservation efforts on your next dive trip, consider heading to the Komodo National Park. The Park's Conservation Fund has teamed up with a marine biologist to install throughout the Park environmentally-friendly "Manta Ray mooring balls," which are drilled into sand patches or rubble areas. There are already 14 mooring balls in this Park; the newly-formed alliance wants to install up to 30 balls, which will protect the reef system from anchor damage by local fishermen, big liveaboard dive boats, and visiting yachts.
The Park is seeking qualified divers -- in other words, Nitrox-certified and capable of working at 100 feet -- to assist with the installation. Participants will learn multiple skills, ranging from rope splicing to operating an underwater jack hammer. Although the trip is work-oriented, there will be time "for the occasional leisure dive." Interestingly, the organizers hope to film the project for use in other conservation projects and awareness campaigns. You'll be a movie star!
The trip is from February 18-26. Only 4 spaces remain. The cost of the trip -- which includes shared accommodation in air-conditioned cabins, meals, diving, tanks, weights, and presentations -- is $800. For more details, check out the National Park's website or the Coral Reef Alliance.
In 2000, Yuri Lipski died while scuba diving in Egypt's famous "Blue Hole." During his dive, Lipski had a video camera strapped to his head. This 5-minute clip shows portions of Lipski's final moments, as well as some analysis of the tragic end provided by specialists. Don't expect to be amazed by the level of analysis -- in my opinion, they seem far too emotional and engaged in the clip to be objective -- though they do help clarify what's going on on screen.
Of course, it's a bit morbid to watch a person's final moments. Hopefully, though, divers can use the footage to help protect themselves against similar accidents.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- comprised of 2500 experts from 130 countries -- the Great Barrier Reef could become "functionally extinct" within a few decades. According to the Panel's leaked report -- the final, official draft of which should be available this Friday -- the reef will (might?) die from bleaching, which occurs when water temperatures grow too high, and which involves a breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between corals and their color-giving zooxanthellae. Interestingly, the cooling waters associated with last year's Cyclone Larry preempted the potentially catastrophic bleaching event that scientists had predicted for 2006. However, the thought is that by 2030, the GBR will likely begin suffering from routine bleaching events and quickly perish.
What's most disturbing to me about this news is that the GBR is the largest living organism on the planet. Able to be seen from space, a dead GBR would be a permanent, hideous scar -- a constant reminder of beauty and life wasted.
Want to go diving in June but don't know where to go? If you're an underwater shooter, you might want to head to Bonaire. The crew at Reef Photo has organized a trip to the island, and they're bringing their brains along with them (which is quite the opposite of what I do when I go diving). Reef's staff will be available for one-on-one hands-on help with camera gear and techniques during the week. Moreover, award-winning shooter Rand McMeins will also be on the trip, providing inspiration and advice.
Reef will be carting A/V equipment to the island to facilitate the sharing of the day's images every evening. Warning to the competitive: this is not a competition, but allows divers to share what they experienced throughout the day. Heads-up for the competitive: they are sponsoring a "best shot" contest at the end of the week. If you're interested, the package runs $1025 and includes:
Keith Kimmons was snorkeling off Sepa, in Indonesia, last April when his wedding ring slipped off his finger. Kimmins searched for the ring but since "The atoll was as big as a small football field," he never found it. Kimmons' dive guide, Jamhuri, promised Kimmons that he'd keep looking for it.
Fast forward nine months. Kimmons returned home, received endless abuse for having lost his ring (while he was on that vacation that his wife didn't even want him to take), probably had to slog out and buy a new ring, and even make plans to renew his wedding vows...okay, I admit it: I don't know all these details, I'm just trying to add a little color to the post...
Fast forward nine months. Kimmons returned home and forgot about his ring. A storm blew over Sepa, and when Jamhuri took his next group of snorkelers to the reef, he found the ring. He sent Kimmons a text message telling him he found it and met him in Jakarta to return it. According to Kimmons, "I gave him a reward. I had to force him because he did not want to take it." Note to Kimmons: next time make the reward bigger, and you won't have to force him. And next time you go snorkeling, don't wear your ring. Bright jewelry is a no-no when underwater anyway.
ScubaVision Productions recently launched a weekly podcast and made it to iTunes (and hopefully a larger audience). They shoot video for commercial and non-profit clients and, in our case, produce a 5-10 minute weekly scuba show. The visuals are clean, soundtrack soothing, and make for a nice diversion at work.
Current episodes:
Interview with John Hanzi, Dive Safety Officer at the New England Aquarium and author of adventure novel Out of Hell's Kitchen
Whiteface (The Anchor) at West Caicos
The Driveway at West Caicos
Boat Cove at West Caicos
Although not a podcast, check out ScubaVisions "Now Playing" link for a wreck diving video shot in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos of the Southwind and W.E.
If you've never been on a dive trip dedicated to finding and diving with sharks, here's your chance: Wetpixel is running two charters to the Bahamas in July, 2007. The first trip (July 10-21) is for the purpose of finding and shooting oceanic white-tips. Successful in 2006, there's no reason to think that they won't find them this year -- as well as (possibly) tiger sharks, reef sharks, dolphins, and more. Amazingly, on board the boat will be Eric Cheng, Tony Wu, and Alex Mustard. Be nice, and they may give you some photo pointers.
The second trip (July 23-31) is a "classic" tigers-and-dolphins trip, combining a traditional shark expedition with dolphin experiences and the chance to see lemon sharks, reef sharks, and *maybe* even hammerheads and bulls! For the lowdown on what these trips are like, check out EricCheng'spasttripreports. I know 2 people registered for this particular trip, and they're super-excited about it.
Participants will travel with Jim Abernethy, aboard the M/V Shear Water, a small liveaboard leaving from West Palm Beach, Florida. Space is limited, so book soon. For more information about the trips, or for registration information, head over to Wetpixel.
Recently, George Tierney had the opportunity to go diving with with Manta Rays off Mexico's Revillagigedo Islands. Upon returning, he posted the footage he shot to YouTube, for the rest of us to enjoy. Each time I see these amazing "devil fish," I marvel at their size, grace, and beauty. Great work, George! I bet you'll never forget the experience.
The memorial of the USS Arizona was erected in 1962...a little over two decades after its infamous sinking on December 7th, 1941. Its serves as a silent reminder that over 1,000 sailors gave their lives for their country.
But like Titanic, the Arizona is deteriorating in just 30 feet of water. Salt water and the weight of so many reef animals is putting a strain on the hull, once an inch thick, now less than half. There is concern not only for the structural collapse of the ship but for the 500,000 gallons of oil which remain trapped inside.
Today, small orbs of oil bubble to the surface and National Park officials aren't sure how to remove it from the wreck. A weak hull, incomplete maps, and a grave site, they're hoping to keep the ship intact for another two decades while they determine a solution.
If you've been thinking of visiting the memorial at Pearl Harbor, consider booking the trip sooner than later.
A Los Angeles dive shop sent me an e-mail about their interest in sinking the USS Sailfish, a decommissioned U.S. submarine. The e-mail was encouraging divers to attend a meeting of the Sunken Treasures Society of Los Angeles where Dick Long, founder of DUI and instrumental in sinking San Diego's Yukon, was a guest speaker. (Tip for the STSLA: post the meeting minutes on your web site).
Why does this sound familiar? Because Dr. Harry Wong, an active wreck diver in the Bay Area is also seeking to obtain the sub as an artificial reef in his neighborhood.
Some jobs don't seem so bad. Imagine being a research scientist diving in the Maldives with the sole purpose of observing manta rays to study their reaction to an ever-evolving ocean. Maybe catch a glimpse or two of other big fish like whale sharks and hammerheads. Unlimited dives in 80 F water.
Thanks to the Manta Network this isn't just a job for the academic elite. On these trips they allow a limited number of the public to participate as research assistants and they're looking to fill spots for the 12-day trip starting July 16th. It's not free a trip though...it'll cost you US$3,250 (plus airfare) for 12 days on the MV Sea Spirit. Imagine the bragging rights and the satisfaction of making a difference for the mantas.
If the timing doesn't work for you there's still room on an expedition leaving January 23 (view PDF) and another in August.
Yesterday, we told you about Alexander Nikitan, the Russian who died after diving to 300+ feet. According to an accident analysis by Jean Loup Hamacher (TDI Extended Range Instructor and PADI MSDT) who was at the scene of the accident, Nikita was conscious and asking for help when he surfaced from his dive. Having difficulty breathing, Nikitan explained that, while at 330 feet, he had lost his weight belt. Rescuers administered emergency care, but Nikitan died soon thereafter. An inspection of Nikitan's computer revealed that he had performed a normal ascent until 240-210 feet -- but surfaced from that depth in only a few seconds. He had missed his decompression stops and had not used his nitrox28 and nitrox70 on ascent.
Based on a post-accident gear analysis, Hamacher assumed the cause of the accident was probably poor gas management. With no reserve left, Nikitan likely removed his weight in an attempt to save his life when he ran out of gas at depth of 240 feet, resulting in hypoxia and massive gas embolism. For the full analysis, check out Tetis, a Russian forum, which has posted the report in English.
To see all the lace-y little creatures at the bottom of the sea. Dave "Seatreker" Morgan captured this bright, crisp shot of a Rhinopias in Lembeh Strait. I love the incredible detail in the fish's fins. I'm pretty impressed with his dramatic "crown," too. It amazes me that something so delicate and so beautiful can live in something called "muck."
We're always looking for photos that tell the world, "This Is Why We Dive." If you have any photos that fit the bill, please add them to our Flickr group. Thanks.
How many times have you slipped into the water, hoping, wishing, praying that you might get the chance to see a dolphin during the upcoming dive? I know I have. Unfortunately for me, the only time I've ever seen dolphins on a dive is when I went snorkeling off Bimini with the express purpose of finding and snorkeling with dolphins. And even then, we motored around for hours until we finally found a pod. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to find dolphins more easily?
According to his trip report, Simon Rogerson recently went on a dive trip with Jim Abernathy, who's hatched a clever plan for ensuring -- well, for helping to increase the chances -- that divers will get to see dolphins. Using a FIB -- a flying inflatable boat with wings and a giant propeller -- Abernathy launches the boat from the surface of the ocean and cruises 1000 feet in the air, looking for pods of the animals. When he finds them, he calls the coordinates in, and the boat makes its way to the animals.
What a cool idea. It sounds like almost as much fun to ride in the FIB as it does to swim with the dolphins.
REEF recently announced their field survey schedule for 2007. If you haven't ever taken one of these trips, maybe now's the time to consider it. Not only are they fun, educational, and conservation-minded, they're tax deductible! Who ever heard of taking a tax-deductible dive trip?! Thanks, REEF! Upcoming trips include: 
If you're a diver who's looking to get involved in some conservation efforts on your next dive trip, consider heading to the 
According to the 
Want to go diving in June but don't know where to go? If you're an underwater shooter, you might want to head to Bonaire. The crew at 
Keith Kimmons was snorkeling off Sepa, in Indonesia, last April when his wedding ring slipped off his finger. Kimmins searched for the ring but since "The atoll was as big as a small football field," he never found it. Kimmons' dive guide, Jamhuri, promised Kimmons that he'd keep looking for it.
ScubaVision Productions
If you've never been on a dive trip dedicated to finding and diving with sharks, here's your chance: Wetpixel is running two charters to the Bahamas in July, 2007. The first trip (July 10-21) is for the purpose of finding and shooting oceanic white-tips. 
The 
A Los Angeles dive shop sent me an e-mail about their interest in sinking the 
Some jobs don't seem so bad. Imagine being a research scientist diving in the Maldives with the sole purpose of observing manta rays to study their reaction to an ever-evolving ocean. Maybe catch a glimpse or two of other big fish like whale sharks and hammerheads. Unlimited dives in 80 F water.
Yesterday, we told you about 
How many times have you slipped into the water, hoping, wishing, praying that you might get the chance to see a dolphin during the upcoming dive? I know I have. Unfortunately for me, the only time I've ever seen dolphins on a dive is when I went snorkeling off Bimini with the express purpose of finding and 
