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FEBRUARY 2017
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STEVE WEINMAN, EDITOR
FIRST IN
THE HISTORY
OF DIVING
IVE BEEN WATCHING THE FORTHCOMING film dramatisation about
Jacques-Yves Cousteau, The Odyssey, set for UK cinema release in May.
Its a subtitled French production, well-scripted, cast and acted. Shot
without the co-operation of the Cousteau Society (quelle surprise!) and
based on knowledge long in the public domain, it offers few revelations.
It is, however, a sensitive examination of the Cousteau legend, revolving
around this obsessive mans awkward relationships with his two sons
Philippe and Jean-Michel and with his wife Simone, queen of his ship
Calypso. Crucially, it contains many compelling underwater sequences.
Cousteau had no influence on my own involvement in diving (I guess
I didnt watch enough TV in the 1970s). In contrast, one of my colleagues
turned up at the screening
complete with red JYC
woollen cap and
ITS GOOD TO PAUSE,
Spirotechnique mask (he
was sitting behind me, but
GLANCE BACK AND
I dont think he actually
wore them during the film).
TAKE STOCK OF
All I know is that, Hans Hass WHERE WEVE BEEN
apart, Cousteau and his
aqua-lung kick-started
diving as we know it. And as we all hurtle into an uncertain future,
sometimes it can be good to pause, glance back and take stock of where
weve been. We do so this month on several fronts.
The 50th anniversary of the British Society of Underwater Photographers
gives us the excuse to trip lightly back to when pictures were snaps, and
came on film-rolls that had to be left at the chemists to be developed.
Colin Doeg co-founded BSoUP with the late Peter Scoones in 1977, and
I was delighted when he agreed to revisit on our behalf the evolution of the
society and of underwater photography itself.
Even with the incredible democratisation brought about by digital
photography and high-quality compacts, its still only the most dedicated
practitioners who regularly turn out those special shots. Technological
progress only makes it more challenging for photographers to stand out
from the crowd, as Alex Mustards Be The Champ! column always reminds us.
We also revisit the turn of this century in the Red Sea. A collective craziness
had taken hold, with bored instructors vying with each other to dive ever-
deeper, and not necessarily using those expensive mixed gases considered
vital nowadays. Many non-professionals caught the bug, too, a mania that
were told resulted in some 300 bodies littering the floor of Dahabs Blue
Hole beyond the 100m mark.
Learning to dive deep and responsibly was a hard lesson for some, and
John Keans new book A Walk on the Deep Side records this period in diving
history through his own deep experiences and those of would-be record-
breakers he supported. Its a great read sample it through our extract.
More of a footnote in diving history comes with Tano Roles Maltese tale
from the 1980s, but because so many UK divers know Gozos Inland Sea,
I hope youll find the idea of trying to herd two dolphins out of it intriguing.
In News, meanwhile, today collides with yesterday as two
divers are fined for removing artefacts from century-old
wrecks in Scapa Flow, the conviction being a first in Scotland.
If history teaches divers anything, its that the past is often
best left alone so that we can all appreciate it.
3
FEBRUARY 2017 Volume 62 No 2
CONTENTS incorporating
FEATURES
Suite B, 74 Oldfield Road, Hampton,
Middlesex, TW12 2HR
Editor
24 32 Shark Corridor Steve Weinman steve@divermag.co.uk
Fijis finest dives to get the pulses racing
Publishing Consultant
Tony Weston tony@divermag.co.uk
38 Be the Champ!
Mono wreck shots its all here in black and white Technical Editor
Nigel Wade divingnige@btinternet.com
Advertising Production
61 Chesil by Night (with JD) David Eaton david@divermag.co.uk
Accounts Assistant
74 Getting Competitive Julian Auty accounts@divermag.co.uk
5
CONTENTS
REGULARS
3 First In
Editors view
10 News
Justice meted out to two Scapa scavengers
22 Beachcomber
The latest dive gadget an equaliser! 10
37 Trewavas
Skipper wars
57 Technique
Where theres muck, theres macro diving
80 Booking Now
All the latest holiday news
82 Diver Tests
Dryglove system, video light, dive-bag and BC
88 Just Surfaced 57
New but untested diving products
Cover shot:
Whitetip reef
sharks, Beqa
in Fiji, by
Tom Vierus 82
The reproduction in whole or in part of any of the contents of divEr herein. Due caution should be exercised by anyone attempting dives
is expressly forbidden without the written permission of the Publishers. on any site herein described or indicated. The company does not
Copyright 2017 by Eaton Publications. divEr reserves the right accept liability for submitted photographs. The printing of an
to reproduce on-line any articles that it has published in print. advertisement in divEr does not necessarily mean that the
The views expressed in FIRST IN are not necessarily those of anyone Proprietors endorse the company, item or service advertised. divEr
but the Editor, and other editorial should be ascribed only to the is distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue,
authors concerned. The publishers accept no responsibility or liability London EC1A 9PT (tel: 020 7429 4000) and printed by Headley
for any errors, omissions or alterations, or for any consequences Brothers Ltd, The Invicta Press, Queens Road, Ashford, Kent TN24
ensuing upon the use of, or reliance upon, any information contained 8HH (tel: 01233 623131).
6
A g g r e ss o r Fl e e t Wo r l d w i d e D i v i n g a n d Tr av e l A d v e n t u r e s
Save $400
Maldives Introductory
Offer - Save $400
CAM CLIPS AND TIPS that superb 399th dive with the shark.
On the plus side, this incident shows that you
dont need a camera to remember major diving
I have ranted in divEr before about the abundance by the early-morning sun, probably with me landmarks. But if on your next Red Sea dive-trip you
of GoPros and their like on dives around the world. hanging majestically in the background! happen to come across a GoPro complete with
Ive also taken umbrage at selfie-sticks with cameras The second dive of the day came to a pleasant if accessories gently drifting away at depth from the
attached being stuck in my face or, worse still, uneventful conclusion, and Gary climbed the first Elphinstone, do check to see if it has some really
entering unexpectedly from left, right, above or few rungs of the ladder. Pausing for breath, he was good close-ups of an oceanic whitetip shark.
below as Im about to take a carefully composed still distracted by excited screaming and shouting from Here are three useful tips for those choosing to
image. the dive-platform and decks above. view their dives through a tiny rectangular screen:
The day may come when I own a miniature 21st- Dolphins or sharks, who knew? Gary turned 1. Back up your images as soon as you can.
century box of digital tricks, but at present I still fly abruptly to discover the source of the excitement, 2. Dont rely solely on the awful little retaining clip at
the flag for more traditional cameras. Thats not the and his sudden movement caused the two-part clip the end of certain camera poles. In fairness, the
case for my long-time friend product in question was not made by GoPro.
and intermittent buddy 3. If youre using expensive cameras, poles and
Gary, who recently accessories, probably all negatively buoyant -
celebrated his 400th dive. check how theyre secured to each other, and
Dive 399 started as a whether secured is the appropriate word.
fairly standard early- SIMON BENJAMIN, LONDON
morning Red Sea dive, but
after a descent to the south
plateau followed by some Feeling queasy
Zen-diving in the explosion Beachcomber feels that we face no great risk from
of colour that is the sunlit food poisoning if we return to Sharm el Sheikh, as
Elphinstone reef at about soon as the Government confirms that the security
2m, we were visited by a situation is improved (Fussy Eater, December 2016) .
glorious oceanic whitetip I beg to differ. Stomach upsets are, it seems, an
shark as we did a safety essential part of any visit to that area and it cannot
stop below the Hurricanes be accidental that we have the phrase gippy
hull. tummy by which to refer to them.
In such situations I admit I have had several very enjoyable holidays in
that GoPros are in their element extend the pole, that secured the extendable pole to the ring, Sharm and very much enjoyed the diving there, but
press a tiny button and point. So video recording which in turn fastened via a karabiner to his BC, to have been banned (by my wife) ever since 2008,
commenced in wide-angle Technicolor what become, er two parts. when I suffered a particularly vicious bout of food
could go wrong? We were, after all, only three Neither part of the clips design had been up to poisoning that caused me to faint and fall to the
minutes and 6m from a hearty celebratory the job. Gary watched in horror as camera, pole, floor of the restaurant, breaking my nose, my jaw (in
breakfast... a costly wide-angle lens and a small selection of three places) and sustaining all three Le Fort
Back on the boat, tales of shark-spotting were filters descended rapidly together to a depth in fractures to my face.
recounted and tiny GoPro movies viewed. I knew excess of 70m. Investigations could find no cause for this, other
that Gary would have recorded his own excellent Already too high up the ladder to return to the than the stomach upset. My daughter, visiting Taba
footage, including the sharks close pass illuminated water, and with no one available to chase the a few months later, suffered a stomach upset of
similar severity although, luckily, she managed to
pass out gently, without hurting herself seriously.
PETER NEALE, MILTON KEYNES
Scapa wrecks
justice done Comment: Were sorry to hear about what sounds
like an extreme instance of food-poisoning and
even more sorry to hear that youre no longer able
to enjoy Red Sea diving.
With respect, however, we do believe that such
experiences can and do occur in any country
including the UK and that some people are more
susceptible than others.
We reckon a high proportion of divEr readers
would agree that where the standard of diving is
high such risks are worth taking and that in most
cases observing the basic precautions as regards
SMS Karlsruhe, one of the wrecked ships named in the recent diver prosecution in Scotland.
not drinking tapwater, being cautious with salads
and spicy foods etc will stand visitors in good
I was pleased to see the authorities at last merchant. I want to go on seeing fittings and
stead.
appearing to take the problem of divers artefacts in situ as long as they are spared by the
We somehow doubt whether Egypt would have
pilfering wrecks seriously. I refer of course to sea thats one of the great privileges afforded
gone on winning the award for readers favourite
the large fines meted out to the pair who to divers, and one reason why were prepared to
destination year after year if the problem was
were systematically removing artefacts from invest so much in our sport.
quite as insurmountable as you suggest.
German Grand Fleet wrecks in Scapa Flow Dont let anyone tell you that what lies on the
[see News this month]. seabed is fair game for divers that way lies
Got something diving-related you d care to
As a diver who is passionate about visiting the madness of those vanishing warships in share? Email steve@divermag.co.uk,
wrecks, particularly off the UK coast, I want to Indonesia, which have clearly been extracted including your name and postal address
see them properly respected, particularly those down to the last rivet by determined salvors. and please confirm that youre writing
with wartime connections, whether military or ISABEL LAMBERT, LYDFORD, DEVON exclusively to divEr
divEr 8 www.divErNEt.com
DIVINE GACT&IVITIES
MARIN
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activity between January and March, when these gentle giants visit our shores. For further information,
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www.sthelenatourism.com
DIVER NEWS
MCS
Orkney four years ago. another charter-boat who reported
Gordon Meek, 67, a dentist from seeing a diver taking rusty items
Glasgow, and Robert Infante, 48, a aboard the Karin in a bag, and the
businessman from New Jersey, USA, police for their prompt response.
pleaded guilty to the offences at Armed with a search warrant, they
Kirkwall Sheriff Court in November. had stopped the men when they
It is the first time in Scotland that landed. They discovered a broken
divers have been convicted for bulkhead lantern frame on the boat
removing artefacts from scheduled and, in Meeks car-boot, a rare breast
monuments without lawful microphone, a Mix & Genest
authority, in breach of the Ancient telephone unit and a number of
Monuments & Archaeological Areas bulkhead lanterns.
Act 1979. Twelve artefacts were recovered in
The case had been scheduled as a total, other items found including a
three-week jury trial until the guilty The artefacts were said to have The court was told that the two steam-pressure gauge, bell and
pleas were lodged. Procurator Fiscal been taken from the wrecks of the experienced divers had been diving portable lamp. They will now require
Sue Foard accepted not-guilty pleas battleships SMS Knig, Kronprinz Scapa Flow regularly since 2007. complex and ongoing care to best
from John Thornton, 61, from Wilhelm and Markgraf, and the Infantes barrister described his preserve them, according to Historic
Kirkwall, the owner of mv Karin, the cruisers SMS Brummer, Cln, Dresden client as someone who has studied Environment Scotland (HES).
charter-boat used by the divers, and and Karlsruhe, between 8 and 12 and is fascinated by the wartime If nothing else, I hope the fines
Simon Ball, 47, from Poole in Dorset. October, 2012. history of the area and wishes it to be I am imposing will convince other
divEr 10 www.divErNEt.com
DIVER NEWS
of Scapa wrecks
divers that to break the law in this diving, however we want them to
THE BIG QUESTION
Does your bag shout diver?
way might be an expensive exercise, enjoy the incredible, unique, diving
When travelling abroad do you carry your dive-gear in a purpose-made
the Sheriff said. opportunity Scapa Flow has to
dive-bag with branding that indicates its contents? Thats what we asked
Its almost 100 years since the offer but when they do to be sure to you last month, and its close 47% of you do, and 53% of you dont. But
fleet was scuttled, in one of the most take nothing but photographs. thats a lot of divers who prefer to keep the contents under their hat are
dramatic events in naval history, Anything more and it could be dive-bag manufacturers missing a trick with their often-loud branding?
said Iona Murray of HES after the one of the most expensive dive trips
verdict had been announced.
Since then the majority of those
you are ever likely to take.
I would also like to thank the YES
wrecks irreplaceable aspects of our divers at Scapa who contacted the Only because its the correct size and shape for the gear. Robert Porter
WW1 heritage have been lost, piece police when they saw what they Probably a bad idea to advertise, but it was bought when my travel-
by piece. What remains is only a small thought was suspicious activity bag ripped, and the only place open was the dive-centre. Clair Read
fraction of the original fleet, so it is taking place.
Aqua Lung logo and dive flag on it. James Sheward
vital that we do everything in our Without their vigilance it is very
Id prefer a bag without branding (less conspicuous) but my dive-bag is
powers to protect it. unlikely that the guilty parties would
the best option to carry all my equipment and clothes. Brigitte Heylen
Our message is not to discourage have been caught. n
Custom-made dive-bags are the best for carrying and protecting your
equipment. Its just a shame that the brands might warrant unnecessary
attention from would-be opportunists in some far-flung areas of the
The same level world. Nicholas Ray
Its difficult to disguise, but its insured. The really expensive computers
of protection as and watches are with me in the cabin! Mike McLaren
Keep track of what youve got for insurance purposes. Dave Horton
Edinburgh Castle Depends on how much gear Im carrying. If I have loads I carry a Fourth
Element backpack type of bag. If its just bits and bobs it goes with
other items in a general bag. Patrick Boyle
NO
The answer is not only no, but hell no! Using dive-labelled dive-specific
bags is essentially asking for your gear to be stolen. Robert Cook
A hard-case Samsonite suitcase. Andy Colls
ON 21 JUNE 1919, Admiral Ludwig Seas Fleet warship wrecks remain, Due to weight constraints we always use large wheeled hold-alls. They
Von Reuter, Commander of the German attracting up to 3000 divers to Orkney weigh less than 2kg, which allows for extra items like clothes. We also
High Seas Fleet, which had been every year. The three Knig-class pick brightly coloured bags easy to spot on the carousel and no one
interred at Scapa Flow since November battleships SMS Knig, Kronprinz suspects expensive dive-gear. Theyre cheap at up to 20 and last about
12 holidays. Marie Jewkes
the previous year, gave the command Wilhelm and Markgraf; four light-
to scuttle the fleet, which numbered cruisers, the SMS Dresden, Karlsruhe They are dive-bags but theyre not branded. Jon Tawn
74 ships of varying size and class, and Cln; and the slightly smaller Among the sea of brightly coloured and branded dive-bags I can find
writes Alan Bannon of Historical minelaying cruiser Brummer lie at my inexpensive and plain one at the airport carousel off the transfer
bus and at hotel check-out. TR Amp
Environment Scotland. varying depths, in the 20-45m range.
Cheaper equivalent bags can be found at Costco! Clare Vincent-Silk
The battlecruiser Friedrich der They have all been the subject of
Grosse was the first to sink. By late targeted salvaging in the past, but The only time I took a branded bag was the only time I ever had my
luggage broken into. Duncan Raynor
afternoon 51 more ships had sunk to substantial portions of their hulls
the seabed. The rest were either remain, packed with large amounts of I have heard that it makes it a target for theft. Also, most of the
branded dive-bags are far too heavy. John Orr
beached or run aground. The captain ships machinery, lighting and
You might as well stick a sign on the bag to say take me, Im full of
of the SMS Markgraf was shot dead communications equipment, together
expensive goodies.
while scuttling his ship. He and seven with some personal items left behind
They all weigh too much. I use a cheap holdall with wheels that costs
other officers and seamen became the by the skeleton crews stationed on
15 and lasts about four trips. Seems like good value to me, and it looks
last casualties of World War One. them before the scuttling.
more like its owned by a backpacker than a diver. Chris Heywood
Between 1923 and 1939, Scapa Flow The seven remaining ships were
Why advertise the fact that your bag contains expensive equipment?
became the scene of one of the most designated as scheduled monuments Nicholas Hassapis
outstanding marine salvage feats of by Historic Scotland (now Historic
For security purposes, no. Mike Bradley
all time. Thanks to the ingenuity and Environment Scotland) in 2001,
Having too much visibility of whats in a bag is a major security issue.
tenacity of salvage pioneers like Ernest bringing them under the protection of
No one apart from customs and airline staff need to be made aware of
Cox and Thomas Mackenzie, almost all the Ancient Monuments Act. what is in a bag. David Tillotson
of the wrecks were raised and towed Under the terms of the act, it is
south to the Firth of Forth. illegal to remove or cause damage to
With the price of scrap iron a scheduled monument without prior Go to www.divernet.com to answer
booming as WW2 neared, they were consent. So significant is their
broken up at Rosyth. Some salvage of contribution to history, that these
THE NEXT BIG QUESTION
the High Seas Fleet for armoured wrecks are afforded the same level of For a single-tank dive, do you prefer to use
a cylinder bigger than a 12-litre?
plating continued until 1979. protection as Skara Brae and
Today, seven large German High Edinburgh Castle. n Please answer yes or no, and feel free to comment
www.divErNEt.com 11 divEr
DIVER NEWS
DAVID GIBBINS
View of the wreck-site off Gunwalloe in Cornwall. David Gibbins with the gun. MARK MILBURN
MARK MILBURN
Wed searched the cove many is now Morocco, as the English
times for the Schiedam, but only seen evacuated the port following years
sand, the divers have reported in a under siege by the Moors. David Gibbins photographs musket barrels.
statement. Then the breakthrough Originally a Dutch merchantman,
came one day after a storm. the Schiedam had been captured by Tangier, where diarist Samuel Pepys, Ive been the licensee for six years,
Snorkelling north over the cove, Barbary pirates off Spain the previous then an Admiralty official sent to help and the wreck has only just started
we saw not just one cannon, but year and her crew enslaved. Soon oversee the evacuation, wrote about showing itself this year. Before that
three. It was incredibly exciting. One of afterwards she was captured again, the ship. there were no records of it showing
the guns was among the longest wed this time by a Royal Navy ship under In 2016 the divers managed to get for many years.
ever seen on a wreck, standing proud the young Cloudesley Shovell (later six days diving on the site.Quite often Wessex Archaeology did a survey
of the seabed on a rocky ledge with noted as the admiral lost with his fleet when we get there its just too rough, there and saw part of one cannon in
the muzzle poking out, almost as if it in 1707 in the Scilly Isles). Mark Milburn told divEr. The wreck 2009. The Archaeological Diving Unit
were on a gun-carriage. Shovell brought the Schiedam to is in the surf line at low water. last saw any significant parts in 1998.
at Poldark site
In 1987 the site was fully exposed coming ashore at exactly the same
Rescue and Location System) on its
dive-boats, although the system's
German maker Seareq says that this
was not a condition of restoration of
the licence.
after a hurricane in October by the place, said Gibbins. Three British and a German diver
following year, it was completely A letter written soon after the were left drifting with French dive-
covered again. wrecking to Lord Dartmouth, Admiral guide Christophe Nadaud after
The big gun seen by the divers was of the Fleet, suggests that the locals losing contact with their boat in
a demi-culverin, one of a number salvaged what they could but were far stormy conditions off northern
recorded among the ordnance at from the murderous Cornish wreckers Mauritius. JANUARY OFFERS
Tangier but the only one from the of legend:All the guns and mortar The operator alerted the NOW ON SALE
colony known to survive. pieces may be saved, but palisades, Coastguard and a search operation
The hand-grenade is one of the muskets, rigging etc are mostly involving 22 boats, two helicopters Land + Sea
earliest-known examples to be found embezzled, though the justices and and an aircraft was launched.
archaeologically.Hand-granadoes gentlemen of the country are extremely Eventually the divers were spotted
had been used by English regiments civil and save what they could; and the from a private fishing-boat and
only for a few years but were among country very kind to the poor people. recovered by helicopter.
the first weapons requested in Tangier Historic England (HE) is responsible The MSDA, which regulates diving
in 1662 for use in defending the port for managing the wreck-site but the on the island, initially declared
against the Moors. divers say that their involvement DiveSail Travel negligent along with
When the Moors captured an ensures that it is monitored. boat-skipper Jean Bernard Brasse
outlying fort in 1680 they seized a We are delighted to work with and Nadaud, and suspended the
large store of hand-grenades and divers like Mark and David to help operators licence indefinitely.
other armaments, swinging the siege ensure that Englands protected That decision has now been
in their favour and influencing the wreck-sites are enjoyed and protected overturned, the association laying
English decision to abandon the for years to come, said HE Maritime
colony a few years later. Archaeologist Alison James.
Luxury Liveaboards
Although the Schiedam dates back They are helping to ensure that
a century before the setting of Poldark the story of the site is not lost and is
known to a wider audience. Further
Philippines | Bali | Manado
you would have seen local people
lining the shore just as the film crew exploration of the Schiedam is
Lembeh | Maldives | Red Sea
were that day in 2014, and flotsam planned for next year. n Caribbean | Cape Verdes
Canary Is. | Malta | Cyprus
Zanzibar | Kenya | S America
ON PLYMOUTHS CORONATION Stephane de Senneville.
Pacific | Galapagos + More
1691, and the virtual trail mirrors interactive dive trail, designed to
the underwater trail created by the work on smartphone, tablet or PC, the blame squarely on Brasse for
Group discounts
Coronation Project Team in 2011. includes a 3D site-plan as a plug-in, being inattentive and Nadaud for his & FREE places
Since then some 3500 divers and a Web-tour system. decision to swim away from the See online for offers
have explored the wreck through Users can also hear information shelter of an island into stronger
its 10 numbered stations, says the about the site and each of the 10 currents, and failing to use his SMB,
team, which it adds makes it the stations as they pass through. which he had reportedly lent to a
most popular diver trail in the The virtual trail was produced by client.
country. Others include those on the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust DiveSail Travel is the first
HMS Colossus, Iona II, HMS/m A1 (MAST) with Grant Cox of Artas Mauritius operator to opt to use www.sportifdive.co.uk
and Normans Bay. Media and Stuart Graham of ENOS. The companys owner
Artefacts still in place at the
Coronation site include large
CyanSub, using photogrammetry
by Simon Brown of Deep 3D. Try the
Stephane de Senneville can be seen
discussing the incident and the
01273 844919
anchors and cannon. The trail at www.thisismast.org n rescue system on YouTube. n
www.divErNEt.com 13 divEr
DIVER NEWS
Great whites go
easier on humans,
reckons Ritter
GREAT WHITE SHARKS don't mistake surfers for However, the study does suggest
seals when they approach from below, grab and that because the sharks realise the
bite them, according to a new study by shark difference, a bite on a human is likely
behaviourists theyre simply trying to work out to be lighter than it would have been
with their mouths what the human and the on a seal it plans to eat.
board are. According to Dr Erich Ritter of the University of the mistaken identity theory is the most common
This might not bring much comfort to the surfers, West Florida and Alexandra Quester from the assumption and is itself mistaken.
or to all the divers who just know that being above University of Vienna, who have together just The researchers evaluated almost 70 incidents
great whites at the surface is not the best idea. published a paper in the Journal of Marine Biology, that occurred on the USAs West Coast between
1966 and 2015, focusing primarily on the length of
the shark and the level of damage done.
If the attacks were down to mistaken identity,
they reckoned that the length of the sharks
EOS RZ FAMILY attacking the pinnipeds (seals or sea-lions) would
be identical to that of those sharks that bit surfers,
and that the wound severity would also be
identical between the pinnipeds and the surfers
(boards and bodies).
This is because great whites need to be skilled
to catch agile pinnipeds, and it is only mature
sharks (at least 4m long) that tend to succeed, using
a massive initial bite to stop their prey escaping.
The sharks that bit the surfers tended to be
much smaller than 4m, and their bites were usually
too superficial to incapacitate a pinniped.
Should more than one bite occur, say Ritter and
Quester, the motivation may still be exploration
but could also reflect target practice, play or a
follow-up prompted by the surfers initial reaction.
Read Do White Shark Bites on Surfers Reflect
their Attack Strategies on Pinnipeds? in the Journal
of Marine Biology at www.hindawi.com n
divEr 14 www.divErNEt.com
The barge, seen here shortly before the sinking, may not look much from the outside
www.divErNEt.com 15 divEr
DIVER NEWS
ANDREA MARSHALL
zooplankton were used.
This revealed that, while some 27%
of the rays dietary intake came from
surface feeding, the bulk derived from Giant manta at Isla de la Plata in Ecuador.
the mesopelagic zone 200-1000m
below the surface. species. The giant manta (Manta Indonesia, the Maldives, Mexico, New we are only just realising the potential
MMF researcher Katherine Burgess birostris) was first identified by the Zealand, the Philippines and parts of reliance on this zone by threatened
ran the project as part of a PhD at UQ. MMFs Andrea Marshall. The species is, the USA, but understanding of its marine megafauna, commented UQ
Manta rays are one of the most iconic in common with the reef manta ray feeding habits is considered vital in Prof Anthony Richardson.
marine animals, yet we still know very (Manta alfredi), on the IUCN Red List helping to identify and conserve The study Manta birostris, Predator
little about their feeding habits, she of Threatened Species. critical habitats and feeding sites. of the Deep?, published in Royal
said.The study reports much-needed It is formally protected in Ecuador The deep ocean is the next Society Open Science, can be read at
information on the diet of this elusive along with other countries such as frontier for open-ocean fisheries, and rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org n
www.caribbeanfuntravel.co.uk 68 11
info@caribbeanfuntravel.co.uk 01604 88 29 29
divEr 16 www.divErNEt.com
MMO turns deaf ear to
dredging campaigners
L
OCAL CAMPAIGNERS in
the Falmouth area of
Cornwall have joined
Marine Conservation Society
(MCS) and Friends of the Earth
representatives to deliver 6550
protest letters to the Marine
Management Organisation
(MMO) in Hayle.
The letters are copies of
thousands sent to the MMO in
recent months but which remain
unanswered by the government
licensing body.
They were sent as part of a
campaign to stop plans for
dredging in the Fal & Helford Maerl under threat in Cornwall.
Special Area of Conservation and
to request that it safeguards the Hoskin, as it highlights critical hopes to dredge in the Carrick
marine wildlife in its waters. flaws in the plans, says the MCS. Roads section of this Special Area
The two charities teamed up to But there has yet to be any public of Conservation has been a dark
launch the #SaveFalBay response to indicate whether the cloud hanging over Falmouth
campaign in September, when it MMO is taking this evidence into and those who desperately care
was revealed that the MMO was account. for our seas for years, says Emily
conducting a scientific The conservation area contains Williams, MCS Campaign Officer.
assessment so that it could maerl, which resembles pink Seven years on, isnt it about
advise Falmouth Harbour coral, takes thousands of years to time the MMO acknowledged
Commissioners (FHC) on their grow and is very important for that these plans are incompatible
plans to dredge a channel young fish and the shellfish on with the protection of this
through the conservation area. which they prey, says the MCS. precious site?
The letters have urged the Live maerl would be destroyed if The Fal & Helford SAC is home
MMO to consider new evidence the dredging goes ahead, to absolutely incredible animals
produced in a peer-reviewed according to Dr Hoskins research. and plants that cannot be
report by local scientist Dr Miles The Harbour Commissioners replaced. n
www.divErNEt.com 17 divEr
DIVER NEWS
G
OOD NEWS FOR whale Royal Society Open Science, suggests rarely spotted at these sites, leading bit of a loss as to what we can do
sharks juvenile males at that the sharks dont go far at all, and to speculation that they dont following the latest fatality in mid-
least seem to stick close to return to the same sites year after year. necessarily behave in the same way as December. It was the fifth death of
home, rather than wandering far and Whale sharks have distinctive spot juveniles. It can take whale sharks up a snorkeller or diver since early
wide to fall foul of the fishing industry patterns, and by running a database to 30 years to reach maturity. November and the 10th of 2016.
or ship-strikes. of more than 6000 images through a With the IUCN Red List status A 75-year-old Japanese woman
Thats the conclusion of a team of semi-automated matching program recently upgraded to Endangered, on a day trip with Sunlover Reef
researchers who have been the team of seven scientists, led by reliable information about whale- Cruises was recovered from the sea
processing the rapidly expanding Australia-based Samantha shark movements is regarded as vital at Moore Reef in Queensland, but
photo-identification database of Andrzejaczek and Mark Meekan, to efforts to protect them. The study attempts to revive her failed.
Indian Ocean whale sharks. identified about 1000 individuals. concludes that staying close to home Most recent GBR fatalities have
The new study centred on Of these, 35% were seen at the is good news for the sharks, because it involved elderly people with pre-
Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, same Indian Ocean site in more than allows conservation and existing medical conditions,
where young male whale sharks turn one year, and none were found to management to be concentrated on according to the Association of
up every March to be joined by large move across the ocean. smaller, single-jurisdiction areas. Marine Park Tourism Operators.
numbers of snorkellers. Where they One shark was tracked between The scientists now want to increase While we are very proud of the fact
go after July was previously unknown. Mozambique and the Seychelles, but the number of study sites and that we have the safest snorkelling
The sharks tend to aggregate generally the populations appeared photographs taken to boost their in the world, we've got to sit down
where food is seasonally abundant in to be isolated, with juvenile males knowledge of migration patterns and have a really close look at all
the Indian Ocean at Ningaloo, the returning regularly to the same sites. further. these events and see if theres
Maldives, Mozambique and the Juveniles photographed at Ningaloo The report, The Ecological anything we can do," its spokesman
Seychelles but what was previously in 1992 were seen up to 19 years later, Connectivity of Whale Shark Col McKenzie told ABC News.
unclear was whether it was the same with many sightings in between and Aggregations in the Indian Ocean: He said that although a risk-
population that migrated between some returning in up to six a Photo-Identification Approach, briefing document highlighting
these sites. consecutive years. can be read at rsos.royalsociety diving and snorkelling risks had
The new research, published in Females and adult males were publishing.org n been updated, it contained no
substantive changes.
Were at a bit of a loss as to what
we can do, he conceded, adding
that maybe we need to tweak the
regulations somewhere.
McKenzie ruled out compulsory
medicals on grounds of cost and
reluctance of tourists to comply, but
thought it possible that visitors over
a certain age would be required to
acknowledge that they have been
told of the risks associated with
snorkelling and diving.
As reported in divEr News in
January, a 60-year-old British scuba-
diver died at Agincourt Reef and
two French snorkellers in their mid-
70s lost their lives after both
suffering heart at Michaelmas Cay.
FEFIONA 123
divEr 18 www.divErNEt.com
PLASTIC-BAG TIDE TURNS
ON UK BEACHES
MCS
Its not easy for a hungry turtle to distinguish a tasty jellyfish from a deadly plastic-bag.
THE NUMBER OF PLASTIC England in October 2015. been a sharp rise in types of litter
BAGS discarded on UK beaches The MCS also reported a drop such as plastic food packaging,
to endanger wildlife dropped of almost 4% in the number of wet wipes, polystyrene foam,
by almost 40% between 2015 litter items found on UK beaches balloons and large fishing nets.
and 2016, presumably thanks to between 2015 and 2016 though They also revealed a near-
the 5p charge now levied by that still left 268,384 individual doubling of plastic fragments,
supermarkets on single-use items collected at 364 events by a trend likely to continue as items
carriers. just under 6000 volunteers. enter the sea and break down.
The Marine Conservation There was also a 4%-plus rise The research was based on
Society (MCS) has welcomed the in the number of drinks a database covering 2.4 million
fall, describing it as fantastic containers found, including items of litter collected through
news for marine wildlife. plastic bottles, plus an over 73,000 volunteer hours from
According to the MCS Great astonishing rise of 53.5% in the 2005-14. The beaches of the
British Beach Clean 2016 report, amount of balloon-related litter. South-west of England and south
based on surveys carried out last Turtles and other sea creatures Wales were the most littered.
September, in 2015 there were can mistake plastic bags and MCS says it is seeking to
on average 11 plastic bags per balloons for jellyfish, and eating combat the growing sources of
100m of coastline cleaned by either can cause a fatal blockage litter with targeted campaigns to
MCS volunteers, but in 2016 that in their digestive systems. establish bottle deposit schemes,
figure had reduced to just under Meanwhile researchers from and to raise awareness of the
7 the lowest in 10 years. the University of Exeter and danger to the environment from
The charity began calling for Plymouth Marine Laboratory discarded wet-wipes. The
action on carrier-bags in 2008, have studied findings from MCS research is published at
and says it was instrumental in beach-litter surveys carried out www.sciencedirect.com
getting levies introduced in over a decade, and noted that The next MCS Great British
Wales in 2011, Northern Ireland while overall levels did not Beach Clean 2017 takes place on
in 2013, Scotland in 2014 and change appreciably, there had 15-18 September. n
www.divErNEt.com 19 divEr
ONDONS EXCEL CENTRE aims
to bring the outdoors indoors over the
four days from 16-19 February, with
entrance to four activity-based shows for
the price of a single ticket.
The Outdoor Adventure & Camping
Show, London Bike Show and Triathlon
Show are joined this year by the Oceans
Festival, supported by divEr. This is the
fourth element likely to appeal to
anyone interested in the underwater world.
But 2017 is aimed firmly at newcomers
to the sport which potentially includes
any of the 50,000 or so visitors expected to
attend who arent already divers so
please make the most of the opportunity
if you wish to introduce friends or family-
members to the sport while also enjoying
countless other diversions.
The more hardcore divers among you
might wish to hold fire and wait for DIVE
2017 at the National Exhibition Centre.
Promising to be bigger and better than
ever, this will be the UK Show of the Year
The diving for divers at all levels and, with its central
location, very much the place to be in
late October.
adventure
Back at ExCeL, the
enlarged Try-Dive Pool will
provide a major focal point
for visitors who fancy a try-
divEr 20 www.divErNEt.com
SHOW PREVIEW
www.divErNEt.com 21 divEr
BEACHCOMBER
UBA PROJECT
you train to perfect your equalisation producing, and uses Bluetooth to connect to an play games, also
technique. You know, what you do when you app on your tablet or smartphone so that you included.
pinch your nose and blow and your ears pop? can monitor exactly whats going on. No,
The bad news is that the Kickstarter project Battery life is said to be a month and a half if I am not
will have closed by the time you read this, so if you use your Eq-Tool for an hour a day, during making
you missed it, heres what you failed to back. which time you can use the included training this up.
Mismatched and then decided that Option B was a hadnt been appropriate for the conditions. participants better than using the exact
Conversation overheard on a dive- better bet and listed Steves Scuba Crap Even Aussies can have a sense-of-humour number, 69?
boat somewhere overseas: and Why it Has to Go. failure on occasion. I know 69 is nearly 70, but it isnt 70, its
Dive Guide (Who looks about 14 and This idiosyncratic description really 69. And anyway, 70 is nearly 100, so why
hasnt even been at the resort long seemed to appeal to the punters, who bid not write nearly 100?
enough to get a tan): You cant go themselves silly. Over the top I think it may be time for some deep
that deep on a single cylinder! Its tough for photographers or writers breaths and a nice cup of tea.
What happens if an O-ring blows? to get any sort of audience for their
Diver (who clearly doesnt give a damn): Late vintage work in a world in which the Internet
I bottle-off, feather the valve and Maybe Amy could give another seller allows us to access huge amounts of Early to freediving
we come up when you run out of some help on the advertising front. information without doing much And then theres the video advertised
gas, OK? He listed his surplus kit as Vintage beyond tapping a screen. with the line Meet the 3-Year-Old Boy
Scuba Gear, but thoughtfully advised Thats probably why so much that can Hold his Breath Under Water.
prospective purchasers to have it online material on the Internet is so I really hope he can hold his breath
Reverse marketing professionally inspected before they over-blown. Everything is fantastic or when hes under water, and regardless
Christmas is long past, but if Santa brought actually used it. amazing, or one of the five things you of depth, otherwise it isnt going to be
you all the lovely shiny new stuff you Fair enough. Except that the BC was have to do before you get to 30 or die, a very pleasant video to watch.
needed, what did you do with the old stuff actually 10 years younger than my or whatever. To be fair, he could breathe out a
you no longer need? Buddy Commando, which I fully Lars Korvald has taken underwater bit. But not in. Definitely not in.
You have only two options. Option A is expect to become a cherished family pictures of the remains of farm
to hang on to the old stuff in case you ever heirloom and in regular use into the buildings submerged in 1908 when a
need a back-up, which sounds reasonable next millennium. landslide in Norway blocked off a Lust to lift
but is really just a way of cramming the Vintage? B*gger that! valley and created Lygnstoylsvatnet Underwater archaeologists in Israel have
attic with even more useless junk. Option B Mind you, that listing was better Lake, and theyre great shots. The discovered a 600kg stone slab inscribed
is to stick it on eBay. than another I saw that advertised an water looks crystal-clear and theres with seven lines of ancient Greek that
Amy Cooks husband opted for Option A. aluminium cylinder that was way out one shot of two divers swimming contain information dating back to the
Amy put up with his decision for a while, of test but had been stored full with above a sunken road thats just magic. 2nd century AD and the revolt of Simon bar
no loss of pressure, which the seller It looks quirky and fun, and Id love to Kockba, one of the most iconic moments in
suggested meant that it was OK. pop over to Norway and do the dive. Jewish history, including the name of the
Er, no. Just no. But, and its a reasonably large but, Roman ruler of the province of Judea at
I was nearly put off because the blurb that time, Gargilius Antiques.
calls it Norways Underwater Atlantis. This hugely important artefact, one of
Now thats a swim Big it up by all means, but Atlantis? many discovered at a site called Tel Dor, is
We all like to think were a bit rufty-tufty. Still, I really did like the road picture! thought to be the plinth from a lost statue.
Well ard enough to look after ourselves if Now, the team that discovered it have
the worst ever happens, and an Aussie decided to lift the slab from the sea to
diver has just proved the point for us. 69 or 70? prevent damage to the inscription.
He was diving from a moored boat but The Lincolnshire Echo recently announced Damage? What damage? The things
the boats anchor broke and the vessel that a scuba-diving pig-farmer and her been down there for 2000 years and its
drifted away and he surfaced to a boatless adventurous daughter had helped to still readable, so why bring it up? We know
ocean. Still, land was a mere 10 miles away, organise the UKs biggest-ever all-female what it says.
so he swam ashore. group dive, with almost 70participants. Scientists, dont you just love em?
Search and rescue teams The event was a series of try-dives
were alerted when the diver under the This Girl Can banner, and raised
became overdue, but were money for breast-cancer research, so was Unfair advantage
unable to spot him in choppy totally and absolutely praiseworthy. Almost. The Emirates Woman site
seas and darkness, later But why did we need to have the pig- wants to know Are You Brave Enough
realising that they must have farmer reference? What is it about pig- To Swim With Sharks On An
passed close by a number of farmers that makes a diving pig-farmer Underwater Scooter?
times. more noteworthy than a diving electrician I know Im brave enough to swim
A bit sniffily, they later or nurse or anything else? with sharks, but I dont know how Id
Selection of Steves scu
ba crap declared that the divers boat And why is writing nearly 70 feel if the sharks were using DPVs.
22 www.divErNEt.com
020 8995 0002
info@londonschoolofdiving.co.uk
www.londonschoolofdiving.co.uk
O
Above: Photographers N A COLD, DARK NIGHT in
clamber over rocks November 1967, sixteen people
festooned with slippery crammed into the front room of
seaweed to enter the water
a house in north London. They had a
at one of the first Splash-ins
at Fort Bovisand in the early common interest underwater
1970s. photography and already enjoyed
varying levels of success at obtaining
Right: A photographer in images from beneath the waves.
action in clear, well-lit water The group included two Kodak
near Newton Ferrers, Devon,
in the 1960s. employees, the colour print manager of
what was regarded as the best
photographic laboratory in London,
the assistant editor of the worlds largest-
circulation evening newspaper at the
time, people from advertising and public
relations and a widely respected GP and
diving doctor.
Two hours later the British Society of
Underwater Photographers had been
created, officials elected, objectives set and until the next meeting, when we found
a meeting arranged for the following ended up circulating diving clubs telling ourselves gathering in a much larger area.
month, so that we could each show and anyone interested that we were arranging Peter, the original secretary, had knocked
discuss some of our pictures. a meeting to discuss the idea. down one of the walls so that our images
Not bad when you consider that it all That first meeting and many others could be bigger. We were impressed.
happened because slides intended for were held in Peters house where, because He began by knocking a hole in the
Peter Scoones had been sent to me in of the limitations of the room in which we wall and projecting some slides through
error. But that was how we met, met, slides could at first be projected only it, but the pictures were still small.
discovered that we each had the idea of at a small size. So he kept enlarging the hole until,
forming a photographic society, and We never thought more about that finally, he had demolished the entire wall.
divEr 24 www.divErNEt.com
PHOTO DIVER
Only then did he realise that it was a of common interest. photographer and became adept at stills Above: Divers ascending the
supporting wall! The annual subscription was three and cine as well as repairing cameras. shot line after a dive with
The shops were closing, so he rushed guineas, payable in advance. Thats just Coming from a sailing family, he was Club Med in 1963.
out and bought a baulk of timber strong over 3, about the cost of a 35mm film. active in the RAFs sailing club in
Below: Yes we know
enough to stop the house falling down. More meetings were arranged for the Singapore, where he was stationed. To you wouldnt get away with
Those were the good old days. We were winter, because we would be too busy speed up the cleaning of the hulls of the a photo like this now, but
not hampered by rules and regulations. diving and taking pictures in the summer boats, he started snorkelling and diving times were different in the
The meeting also discussed the need in British waters. underneath them. Mediterranean in 1965.
for a logo. The late Kendall McDonald, It was also suggested that the society Fascinated by the colourful marine life
assistant editor of the long-gone London find a photographic agency to handle and scenery, he began making housings
Evening News, offered to approach one of members work, but Gillian Lythgoe went for his cameras from Perspex scrap, and
the papers artists for ideas. one better. She started Seaphot, which helped to form a diving club. It had to
The artist drew a became world-renowned. create its own training programme and
few lines on a scrap We ran print and slide clinics to help
of paper and produced the logo that has members with advice. These worked well
remained largely unchanged ever since for years but, as BSoUP grew, members
(above). He was rewarded with a packet of became reluctant to expose their faulty
10 cigarettes we had been warned not to images to the ever-larger audiences.
be too generous! Core-members of BSoUP were from
London Branch of the British Sub-Aqua
www.divErNEt.com 25 divEr
Above, this page from was helped very unofficially by Navy used to hire cars, park on the beach, sleep waterproofed torch to see what was
left: Tim Glover (right) and divers to use oxygen rebreathers, before in them and wade in with their cameras. there. By the time he was 16 he was trying
Peter Dick carefully ease a changing to air with home-made demand to make his own breathing apparatus.
Rolleiflex camera into its
housing back in 1959; Glover
festooned with cameras and
other equipment during a
valves and oxygen cylinders discarded
after use in aircraft.
Tim Glover worked in Kodaks research
T HE CONTRADICTION OF my interest
in underwater photography was that
I did most of my National Service in
After National Service he faced the
dilemma of deciding whether to join
Vogue magazine as a trainee photographer
dive off the Italian island of division making, among other things, Egypt, within 100 miles of the Gulf of or return to his trade as a scientific
Giglio in 1962; a band prototype cameras that soon went on sale. Suez, but never owned a camera. instrument-maker.
performing for Peter
Scoones in the early 1970s. His colleague Geoff Harwood was a I was a member of the Buckshee In the end instrument-making won,
technical advisor whose job was solving Wheelers, a Forces cycling club. Riding and he brought a new standard of
customers problems, and even building bikes donated by the UK cycling industry, workmanship to the housings and other
special equipment to meet their needs. He we held club runs and races often chased equipment being made by those fortunate
was also the author of Kodaks definitive by packs of wild dogs with slathering jaws enough to have their own workshops.
leaflet about underwater photography and teeth as fearsome as any shark. Otherwise, you had to find someone to
and how to take successful pictures. Subsequently I learned to dive and, make a housing for your camera or buy a
The pair were responsible for the because of my background in newspapers commercially made outfit. The supreme
creation of the BSoUP data book. A blue and PR, realised that there was a demand housing was the Rolleimarin. Developed
folder packed with regularly updated for words and pictures about the new by Rollei in conjunction with Hans Hass,
technical information, it was the classic realm capturing everyones imagination it was a delight to use, especially in clear,
reference source, especially for members following the success of films on TV and well-lit water. However, it was expensive
unable to attend the meetings in London. in the cinema about the exploits of the and took only a 12-image film just think
As well as working for an international two great pioneers: Hans Hass and of that, all you memory-card users!
advertising agency, Mike Busuttili had a Jacques Cousteau. So I bought a 7s 6d A housing was also available for a
keen eye for a good image. As London paperback and attempted to teach myself. Leica. That wasnt cheap either, but the
Branchs diving officer, he trialled a new Another original member was Phil camera took a 36-exposure film.
training programme so successful that it Smith, a professional photographer based Then the CalypsoPhot came on the
Below, this page from was adopted by the club, with Mike in the in Dorset. Later we were joined by Ley market. I remember seeing one in a shop
left: Colin Doeg and specially created post of national training Kenyon, a photographer and film-maker window in France. It cost 46.
cameras at Eilat, Gulf of
officer. Later, after 11 years as managing who also enjoyed fame as the forger After two years of dismal results using a
Aqaba, in 1994; more now
non-PC behaviour as Geoff director of Spirotechnique UK, he moved involved in one of the biggest escapes 10 camera in a crude housing, I bought
Harwood feeds fish from a to France as marketing director of La from a prisoner of war camp in Europe, one in a last, desperate attempt to
broken sea urchin in Giglio in Spirotechnique. by prisoners concealing themselves inside produce a decent image.
1962; taken in 1979, this Tim, Geoff and Mike were believed to a huge gymnastic horse. They were exciting times. Gill Lythgoe
display shows the wide
be the first British divers to venture to the Warren Williams joined about two calculated that only one in a million
variety of equipment already
designed, made or modified Red Sea and return with successful years later. Out of curiosity he used to people in the UK was an underwater
and used by Warren Williams pictures. They were sleeping on the beach swim in ponds on Hampstead Heath photographer. So we were special. We
for his photography. and just walking into the water. Others wearing goggles and using a crudely were pioneers. We were an inspiration to
divEr 26
PHOTO DIVER
each other. We buzzed with excitement aperture in the body of the housing. So Indeed, the area became so familiar Above, this page from
and ideas. Life was enormous fun, and interchangeable ports were created. that we could envisage potential images left: Bromley BSAC play
I hope it continues to be that for everyone and plan to take them. If one visit failed, Murderball, their version of
The two features missing in those early
underwater rugby in the
who takes a camera under water. days were the automatic-exposure we knew we could return repeatedly until early 1980s; Peter Scoones in
features of cameras and flashguns. These we had perfected the shot. We treated pier 2007 demonstrates his latest
27 divEr
it remained in that area until being
replaced by the British and Irish
Underwater Championship in 2015.
The original event was held every year,
come rain or gale. Often the weather was
so bad that everyone queued at nearby
rock-pools for their turn to wade in and
try to produce a winner. Competition was
intense. Many went to Plymouth a week
early to check out the area in advance.
Competitors collected one marked
35mm colour film to be exposed in the
vicinity of Plymouth. The films were
processed the same evening, so that
competitors could select their entries
for judging by the waiting audience of
photographers, friends and local divers.
Above: Careful use of flash Processing as many as 70 or 80 colour
produced this dramatic films by hand within a few hours once a
image, a Splash-in winner year didnt always go to plan. Some years
for Warren Williams in 1972.
lights were switched on at the wrong
Right: Use of a polecam moment, or chemicals not changed at the
basically a camera attached correct time, but such problems were
to a pole enabled Williams usually overlooked by photographers
to reveal these unexpected and audience alike, especially as the hours
colours in a river in 2016.
Peter Scoones was the first and the drinks dragged on.
wildlife underwater Those were the days when it was a huge
cameraman to conceive the advantage to have a darkroom. Otherwise
idea of videoing killer you had to wait until dark and convert a
whales in Norwegian waters kitchen or bathroom into a temporary one.
and great white sharks off
South Africa in this way. In summer, when you were struggling
Today sophisticated versions for hours to produce competition-
are universally used by winning entries, it didnt leave much time
cameramen, who do not for sleep. I used to convert the bathroom,
need to be trained divers. and then wake my wife every hour to ask
Right: Rays of the Spectrum, her which version of a print she preferred.
the first photograph taken in Eventually we moved, so that I could
British waters to win an have a darkroom and we could both could
open underwater enjoy a better nights sleep.
competition. It was taken in
Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, by
Colin Doeg in 1967 and his
prize was a complete
Nikonos outfit.
O F COURSE, THE biggest revolution
was the introduction of digital
photography and computers. Suddenly
you could check that your images were
coming out while you were still under
water. You didnt have to bring your
exposed films back from a trip and have
them processed before you knew if they
were OK. You didnt need a darkroom any
more. You could do just about everything
in daylight, anywhere you liked.
If your camera took RAW files you
could do so much more to save badly
exposed images. If you were computer-
literate and could use programmes such
as Photoshop you could do far more with
images than all the darkroom technicians
and photo-retouchers.
Its interesting that this revolution
came from attempts to make it easier and
quicker for press photographers to take
their pictures and transmit them back to
their newspapers. Previously they would
have to drive like crazy back to their
offices or use dispatch-riders to get their
films to the darkrooms.
But all that was still many years after
BSoUPs inception, and long after we had
divEr 28 www.divErNEt.com
PHOTO DIVER
www.divErNEt.com 29 divEr
We operate to worlds best
Come and enjoy the unique
Ningaloo Reef, where the outback practice; conservation is
meets the turquoise waters of the always key. Explore
Indian Ocean. unpopulated beaches,
Tick off your bucket list with or scuba dive the
swims with the elusive pristine waters of
whaleshark the only place in Ningaloo in our
the world with a 100% small groups.
guarantee or let us open Exmouth is Natures Playground,
your eyes to the most where emus roam the streets,
wonderful Humpback Whale manta rays play with divers, and
Swim encounters in Australia. turtles delight snorkellers.
entary
Nitrox
divEr 32
SHARK DIVER
SHARK CORRIDOR
I
TS 7.30 ON A SATURDAY
morning, and weve just found the
base of Beqa Adventure Divers (BAD)
on the outskirts of Pacific Harbor on Viti
Levu, Fijis main island.
We have come to experience what has
been hailed as one of the worlds greatest
shark dives with some impressive apex
predators just us and the bull sharks.
Were met at the entrance by Mike
Neumann, one of the three BAD owners,
who after more than 10 years there still
joins in on almost every dive.
Were soon ready to board one or other
of the two dive vessels, Predator and
Hunter. Our equipment is already aboard,
with our cameras each in their own basket.
There are some 20 people on the two
boats today, the maximum set by the dive-
centre. The organisation level immediately
impresses its efficient and professional.
As we slowly cruise along the
mangrove-fringed channel towards the up to here and no further! Another to stick to the rules. To avoid surprises, its
open ocean, Tumbi, one of the main three prepare the feeding in front of us. vital that this protocol is consistently
feeders, delivers an in-depth dive-briefing. Large bull sharks circle patiently just observed sharks, after all, are predators
With luck, we could see up to eight shark metres away in anticipation. and potentially dangerous to us humans.
species, from the mighty bull and maybe Unnoticed by most of the divers, As I watch the most-dominant bulls
tiger sharks to the smaller reef predators a sicklefin lemon shark passes behind our approaching and swallowing the heads
such as whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, backs, some 20 yellow-striped trevally whole, I recall that Tumbi had told us
and the possibility of less-frequent visitors swarming around it. Dozens of free- earlier that in peak times up to 80 sharks
such as lemon and nurse sharks. swimming remoras and other smaller reef join the divers during the feeding.
A 20-minute boat-ride brings us to the fish join us in this prelude to the spectacle Today there must be some 35 in the
reef at the heart of the Shark Reef Marine to come. The sheer abundance of marine arena, and I can hardly imagine what
Left: A group of bull
Reserve. The boats are tied in to pre- sharks approach the bin life in this protected area is striking.
installed buoylines, and we get ourselves only the fastest gets a The show is about to start. Tumbi
ready to dive. tuna head. opens the lid of a metal construction,
grabs the tuna-heads it contains one by
Above right:
W E DESCEND TO OUR first stop at
30m, where the main attractions are
waiting. In the Arena the BAD staff have
Anemonefish and bull
sharks in 30m.
one and hand-feeds them to approaching
sharks. He is flanked by Fabiano and
Manoa, who act as bodyguards and also
built a wall of dead corals. We kneel Below: Descending to wield metal poles.
behind it as Tumbi and the other dive- the Arena, divers kneel Over the years the feeders have
masters and feeders position themselves. behind a man-made established a protocol in which only
dead-coral wall.expng Sil.
Four of them literally stand behind us, sharks closing in from the left side are
each armed with a blunt metal pole that Right: The hand-feeding rewarded with food, while those coming
can be used to remind the sharks that its is about to begin. from the right are reminded by the poles
JULIAN CLARKE
www.divErNEt.com 33 divEr
double that number must look and feel up-close experience as the predators Above: A sicklefin lemon smaller predators are joining in, not
like. follow the bin and its fishy smell. The bins shark. wanting to miss out on the excitement.
Sharks can be very cautious animals, look bizarre 30m down, but they do work For another 20 minutes we enjoy the
Above right: The two
and dont swim mindlessly towards the in getting the sharks in your face! vessels from Beqa Adventure spectacle, before ascending to what they
bait and grab it. Like us, their personalities After 17 minutes bottom time with the Divers. call the best safety-stop in the world.
vary: some are bold and rather aggressive, large bull sharks (some as big as 3.5m), the They have a point. At 3m depth, a rope
while others prefer to keep their distance divemasters bang their steel tanks, giving Below: A pair of blacktip has been installed right at the edge of the
and observe. Some appear shy. the signal to ascend towards the Den, a reef sharks. fringing reef, allowing divers to hold on
Similar to lions or wolves on land, shallower feeding site at 15m. (which were thankful for, considering the
sharks establish hierarchies among Attention now switches to the smaller swell and current in the shallows that
themselves. It tends to be the dominant blacktip and whitetip reef sharks and very could otherwise sweep you away into the
(or very daring) individuals that agile grey reef sharks. More than a dozen Pacific) as more feeding continues.
immediately cruise in and take the bait. smaller sharks and hundreds of small fish This is now dominated by the whitetips
A few tuna-heads later the procedure swarm energetically around Mavoa, the and blacktips, which seem so small and
changes. The team moves from hand- designated feeder today. somehow cat-like after you have spent
feeding to bin-feeding, with slightly While the bulls were fed in an arena- 37 minutes with the massive bulls and
modified trash-cans used to deliver an like setting, Den is different. Mavoa is grey reef sharks.
impressive and intimate experience for located on our right in a 5m-wide channel Their small, slender bodies are perfectly
the divers. between the steep reef slope and another adapted to life in the structurally complex
Fabiano grabs a rope attached to the small man-made wall of dead corals reef, allowing them to reach virtually any
bin and slowly ascends to around 15m. By behind which we kneel. fish hidden in its cracks and crevices.
pulling the rope he manoeuvres the lid to The sharks swoosh in and out of the
release some of the tuna-heads while
swimming parallel to the dead-coral wall.
This ensures that every diver gets an
Den. Some use the channel, but the more
audacious take a route directly over our
heads. Hundreds of reef fish and other
W HILE WE SLOWLY OFF-GAS the
nitrogen (usually one of the more
unexciting parts of a dive) another
spectacle is presented to us: an explosion
of colour as the sunrays penetrate through
the water column and dance on the
thriving shallow reef.
The whole scene seems almost unreal,
too beautiful to be true. After another
exciting 10 minutes we head back to the
boat. Many of us need to be careful not to
lose regulators because of our huge smiles
wow, that was an intense 50 minutes!
During the 60-minute surface interval
the boat is manoeuvred to calmer waters
and I have some time to talk to Mike
Neumann. With a big grin, he tells me the
story of Shark Reef Marine Reserve, Fijis
first national marine park and officially
recognised since 2014.
Everything started in 2004 with the
idea to create a self-sustaining tourism
project that would do two things: offer
divers an unforgettable experience and
protect the resident sharks, says Mike.
divEr 34 www.divErNEt.com
SHARK
MARINEDIVER
LIFE
Today, more than 10 years later, we Above: A sicklefin lemon sustainable shark-diving. Besides the
have accomplished both and much more. shark about to swallow a safety of the divers and the protection of
tuna-head.
We have created a win-win situation for sharks, we put a strong emphasis on the
everyone. Right: A bull shark shows continuous support of shark research and
Not only are the sharks and other its flexibility as it conservation, Mike tells me.
marine species protected by the marine approaches the bin. Each shark-dive is attended by at least
sanctuary, but the local population one trained local marine biologist, who
Below: Bull shark.
benefits from the international tourism records individuals and environmental
revenues. Weve made arrangements parameters to feed a long-term database
with several villages owning the documenting changes within populations.
traditional fishing rights to the area we BAD also supports an international
wanted to protect, says Mike. Every diver team of scientists researching species
pays a levy of about US $10 which goes movements and population genetics. Its
straight to the respective villages, who in shark-feed dives provide an opportunity
turn refrain from fishing in the area. to find out more about hierarchies,
This approach has led not only to migration routes and general as well as
establishing one of the worlds most mating behaviour.
famous shark dives but contributing
substantially to protection of the resident
sharks. By 2007 the Shark Corridor (in
which shark-fishing is banned) had been
W E PREPARE FOR the second dive.
I check my underwater housing
enough space on SD card, settings right,
established. Today it covers a 30-mile flashes working Im good to go!
stretch off Viti Levus coast. This dive is a little different to the first.
This is no paper park. Fish wardens Were at the same site, but this time we
actively patrol the area, looking for approach another feeding area at 15m.
poachers and illegal fishing activities.
Not only are sharks thriving in the
reserve but it appears that other marine
animals are benefitting from protection it
affords too.
This in turn leads to the spillover
effect as the fish population inside the
park has increased, populations have
extended to areas outside its boundaries,
boosting fishing yields in adjacent areas.
www.divErNEt.com 35 divEr
SHARK DIVER
divEr 36 www.divErNEt.com
TREWAVAS
SKIPPER
WARS
THEY SAY NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, but a man who is skipper of his own
boat is surely the closest that you can get. A mans garden shed might be
a one-person world, but being afloat on the vastness of the sea makes a
boat into a one-person universe. A skipper is the star of his own show.
His rules apply. His authority is absolute.
Divers have frequently found out the hard way that when you step
onto a mans boat you are entering his domain. Do not mistake your
status as that of paying customer, you are there on suffrance.
At best you might be regarded as a mildly incompetent spare
deckhand. Mostly you will be regarded as a hazard and a liability.
As a diver, your list of possible crimes and misdemeanours is infinite.
Arriving late or faffing about with your kit so that slack is missed. Failing
to tie your kit to the bench properly, and chipping the paintwork with a
clumsily dropped cylinder or weightbelt.
Ignoring instructions about entries, run-times and deployment of
SMBs these are all keelhaul-worthy offences. Just dont commit the
ultimate cardinal sin and block the head.
For many skippers, the temptation to jettison the inconvenient
cargo of divers overboard is tempered only by the realisation that an
awful lot of paperwork, and an unwelcome visit from the authorities
is likely to ensue.
There is only a hairs
breadth distinction (and
about 100 years) between
A SKIPPER IS THE
a dive-boat skipper and a
buccaneer. And a modern-
STAR OF HIS SHOW.
day lack of cutlasses and
cannon means that taking
HIS RULES APPLY.
on the authorities is
nowhere near as much fun
HIS AUTHORITY IS
as it used to be.
So I found myself pretty
ABSOLUTE.
much awestruck to read
that one of the long-standing Scapa skippers had been in trouble with
the authorities after divers using his boat had nicked bits off the historic
wrecks. The charges against the skipper were dropped, but the divers
involved were heavily fined.
Whatever your opinion on the weight of the fines, the aspect that
most caught my attention was that the incident had initially been
reported by the divers on another vessel operating in Scapa Flow.
The Orkney islands are tiny. A harbour is a confined space. On a small
island with limited resources, it's hard enough to accommodate the
boats, let alone the egos.
Winters are long, daylight is scarce. At most, there are only 9000
people based in Kirkwall, the heart of the Scapa dive-boat community.
Everyone is going to end up drinking in the same bar.
Its real-life Scandi Noir.
Skippers are a breed apart. You do not mess with a skipper. Unless, of
course, youre another skipper. And then its a case of two star-players in
conflict. Two opposing worlds colliding. And in this case, somebody is
clearly Rogue One, and the Empire is striking back.
In the 1970s we had Cod Wars with Iceland. For those who are too
young to remember, Iceland won. It was kind of a prequel to their victory
at Euro 16, but with live ammunition. The trophy? They got to keep their
fish stocks.
But Skipper Wars in Scapa this is serious. I cant see how anybody
will go home with the fish.
LOUISE TREWAVAS
37 divEr
In January ALEX MUSTARD
divEr 38 www.divErNEt.com
PHOTO TECHNIQUE
39 divEr
PHOTO TECHNIQUE
available light.
Almost every camera has a black and
Above: Shooting across
or against the light works
between light and dark areas.
This means using the light in a
ADVANCED TIP
best for monochrome.
white mode, allowing us to see our different way, shooting across or against Boosting contrast invariably
On wrecks, consider
images in monochrome as we shoot dropping to the seabed the light, to capture both areas of bright transforms black-and-white
them. But becoming an effective black- and shooting up. and areas of shadow. Once these image underwater images. In the days of
and-white photographer has little to do are converted into monochrome, the film, photographers would achieve
with switching our camera far more to Taken with a Nikon D700 shapes of these areas make for a much this same effect by underexposing
and Nikon 16mm fisheye.
do with switching how we use light. more powerful composition. their black-and-white film and then
Subal housing. ISO 400,
Colour pictures are, unsurprisingly, 1/80th @ f/11. over-developing it.
all about colour and detail, which we PROCESSING SOFTWARE provides lots The tools may have changed, but
reveal by shooting with light coming of options for converting files to black we should still use post-processing
from behind us and onto the subject, and white, but before picking one its to get the most out of black and
illuminating it completely. important that we think about the type whites.
Such shots will usually convert into of image were trying to produce.
OK black-and-white images, but they Most important, we want the subject to the image to do the same. We should
will be far from the best black and to stand out from the background, use a blue filter to lighten blue
whites possible with that subject. which means that we must process the backgrounds and an orange filter to
Great monochrome images are about photo so that the wreck is a different darken blues, using the slider to control
shapes, shadows and the contrast tone of grey to the water behind it. It can the strength of the effect.
be a dark wreck against light water, or a The final factor that always helps a
MID-WATER TIP light wreck looming out of dark water.
The two most popular ways to
wreck stand out from the water is
de-murking the image, which means
In black-and-white modes your convert images are in the Black and adding contrast.
cameras LCD screen will show you White menu in Lightroom or with the Normally when processing images the
monochrome images, but if you Silver Efex Pro Plugin. mantra less is more is very sound
shoot only RAW files, these will still In Lightroom, we can use the different advice. However, when we want a black
be in full colour on most cameras. colour sliders to brighten or darken the and white image to pop, very often the
Either shoot RAW+JPG or accept different parts of the image. The colours more contrast we add, the better.
that you will be converting the RAW refer to the colours in the original image, We should use both with the general
files after shooting. Videos shot in so use the Blue Slider to lighten or Contrast slider and also boost detail
black and white mode will, like JPGs, darken the background water. contrast with Clarity or Structure, for
be recorded in monochrome. In Silver Efex we have to apply a filter the best results.
divEr 40 www.divErNEt.com
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DEEP DIVER
A WALK ON THE
DEEP SIDE
It is an unfortunate truth that the JOHN KEANs new book A Walk On The Deep Side is an intensely
greater your accomplishments, readable account of deep diving. Its centred on his experiences in
the greater the opposition and
animosity. Jim Bowden
the early part of the 21st century when some divers became
Worlds Deepest Diver 1994 obsessed with the idea of breaking depth records, whether on mixed
gases or air especially in the Red Sea, where John was and still is
based. In the chapter extracted here, we find out more about two of the prime
M
ARK RANG ME IN THE UK
while I was on holiday. Can movers, both of whom would encounter an avalanche of setbacks in their
you take something out to
Sharm for me when you fly back?
attempts to set world records Leigh Cunningham and Mark Andrews
Sure, what do you need?
I regularly picked up accessories like
dive computers, reels, floats or even Above: Leigh Cunningham Sharm. With a letter of introduction and contemplating my imminent brush
wetsuits. Perhaps Mark had extracted in full Gatling gun mode. a quick chat with the tour rep I was with customs.
a couple of lighting systems from the through. I entered the luggage hall at What are these for?
sponsors. Maybe its just a packet of Sharm el Sheikh Airport to watch Marks Im on a diving holiday in the Red
O-rings: giant, blue steel tanks curling their way Sea.
I need my new 18-litre steel twin-set around the carousel wedged between But we have tanks here.
brought out for the record attempt. various items of Samsonite and Gucci. My air consumption isnt very good,
It wasnt exactly hand luggage! I hoisted them up before they flew off Im afraid.
The parent company of Ocean College the corner, placing them onto my After three and a half thousand miles
owned the flights between Gatwick and trolley while holding my breath and and multiple conveyor belts, there
www.divErNEt.com 43
wasnt a scratch on the tanks.
Leigh was waiting outside in the car
park in an old Peugeot 504 taxi. He had
some news:
Were starting in July. Mark is coming
over to live here. No more seven-day
visits; hell get used to the heat if he stays
for a few weeks.
And the food.
Mark Andrews arrived in early July,
laden with more newly acquired
sponsored dive-kit. In the months away
from Sharm his deep-diving celebrity
status had earned him a slot on Channel
Fours Superhumans TV show.
Strangely, Mark was reluctant to talk
about it but Leigh eventually forced the
details from him. We gathered around in
the cabin of New Age and listened:
The producer had six of us lined up
on exercise bikes for an endurance test.
It was a joke and we barely broke into a
sweat. So, I was sat there happily
pedalling away when the studio doctor studio. The first thing to enter my head Above: The new In Deep The normally cool and controlled
came up and told me to stop. My was my newly repaired motorbike sitting project is announced, from Mark Andrews had suffered a short-
left: Paul Doozer Close,
readings tell me youre about to have a in the garage. circuit but it made me wonder: what
Leigh Cunningham, John
heart attack and die, he announced. You can pay the mechanics bill for Kean, Valentina Cucchiara, exactly did the doctor see? Mark had
Youve got to be joking? I do this my bike. Mark Andrews and Iain proved doctors wrong before. Did
every day walking the dog; my own How much? Paris. medical expertise and extreme deep
mother cycles faster. 212 quid. diving simply not overlap enough for
Below left: Mark Andrews
The doctor reached over and pulled Done. accurate forecasts? Mark had an answer:
on deep-dive training in
out the power lead of Marks bike. colder UK waters. Short of having an autopsy, which Im
I was furious. I climbed off the bike,
pushed him over a railing and sent him
crashing into some TV equipment. The
M ARK RETURNED the next day to
finish filming but noticed in the
line-up of athletes an extra person with a
in no hurry for, its very difficult to say
precisely how the extent of tissue damage
affects gases. Were moving into an area
cameras were still running; his legs were very pale and bald scalp. where studies and stats are virtually non-
in the air and his laptop went flying. What are you doing here, I didnt see existent. All we have is best guess.
Mark stormed out of the studio still you yesterday? Marks route through diving was long,
trailing wires from the ECG machine, Im an actor. They pulled me in at the slow and calculated; a fanatical
with the directors following him. I last minute because they didnt think researcher, few doubted his commitment
managed to boot the laptop against a wall youd come back. They needed a body- to safety and risk reduction.
and shove a videographer to the floor. double; I got paid 50 quid to shave my He probably takes his books and
Mark rarely lost his cool, but to avoid head. manuals to bed with him, quipped Leigh
any escalation he headed straight home. The In Deep support crew erupted into early on, while coming to terms with his
They rang me to ask how they could hysterics and quickly left the cabin. studious new co-diver.
make amends and get me back in the
44 www.divErNEt.com
DEEP DIVER
novelty of new shoes and digging holes instructor had suffered a serious tooth- a wake-up call. By the time I took my
wore thin. One day I went for a walk squeeze and was with the dentist. PADI training Id already done 300 dives.
around the big marina and noticed They really didnt seem to give a Two hundred of them were below 50m.
several foreigners working on the boats. damn about us. My new instructor asked me if I wanted to
My nautical experience was next to do the deep wreck course.
zero, so I took a job on a glass-bottom
boat serving soft drinks and handing out
life-jackets. I lived on board in a cabin the
N ONE THE WISER but with a diving
licence and a set of scuba equipment,
Leigh set off on the Sun Boat for his first
Sure, I said, How deep do we go?
I was expecting something like 100m, as
Id already been there many times on the
size of a shoebox. safari. Shimshon wanted us to have Sun Boat. I burst out laughing when he
Three months later Leigh got wind of a diving licences to spear fish and fill up his said the course limit was only 30m.
position on a safari-boat; one of the long bank of large chest-freezers. Once back in Leigh left Eilat and settled in Dahab,
range multi-berth vessels that travelled to port he could sell the fish to local becoming a scuba instructor in 1996.
the outer reaches of the Red Sea. They restaurants in Eilat. The 100 Club was in full swing and the
needed a chef but Leighs experiences in He taught me how to use oversized Blue Hole and Dahab Canyon its
the kitchen stretched little beyond triple rubber harpoons and shoot fish. deadliest venues.
toasters and electric kettles. Decompression and safety information When I arrived two big stories were
A friend taught me how to knock up was a joke. circulating around town. The first was a
Just shoot as many big fish as you multiple fatality incident in the canyon
when an instructor and three guides went
for a deep night-dive; none came back.
The owner of the dive-centre panicked
and informed friends of the missing
divers that theyd left on a camel-riding
safari and he hadnt seen them since.
After about a week, with pressure
from friends of the missing, he cracked
and told them about the night-dive. Two
local divers quickly went in search of the
bodies but only one came back; five dead
in one incident, its the biggest single loss
in the Red Sea even to this day.
The other big story was about an
instructor and the student he took for a
night dive under the arch of the Blue
Hole; apparently they had only one torch
between them. The instructor came back,
the student didnt.
His remains are still there today at
115m on the left-hand side. I was told the
instructor did a runner and nobody has
seen him since.
www.divErNEt.com 45
DEEP DIVER
46 www.divErNEt.com
JAPAN DIVER
JAPANS
MAINLAND MECCA Dodging typhoons, MELISSA HOBSON
still has to brave rough seas to find
out what macro treats Wakayama has
to offer visitors to Japan
Y
OU COULD BE FORGIVEN for Pictured: Hashigui-Iwa rock mecca of diving is a popular alternative Kushimoto had to offer.
thinking that Okinawa is the only formations. to Okinawa for the Japanese, especially The best time to dive
place in Japan to go diving. The when typhoons cause flights to the Kushimoto, I was told, is from
island-group renowned for its reefs and western islands to be cancelled. late September to the end of November,
abundant marine life draws a certain So I jumped on the Bullet Train from when the visibility is at its best at
number of international divers, but Tokyo to Osaka before taking local around 15-25m, and average water
could they be missing out on other high- trains down to Kushimoto to see if we temperature is a balmy 27.
quality Japanese locations? Brits might be missing out on anything. While conditions are also good
The small town of Kushimoto in On arrival I met Kumiko-san, my during the summer months, July and
Wakayama, on the mainland island of guide; Aki-san, my dive instructor; and August are when hordes of Japanese
Honshu, does draw divers from all Mr Shimano, the owner of Nanki divers head to the small town for their
over Japan. Most foreign tourists have Seamans Club, where I would be diving. summer holidays, so its best to avoid
never heard of it, but this mainland All were keen to show me what this peak period, particularly because,
www.divErNEt.com 47 divEr
of the 25 or so dive-shops in the town,
only a couple can currently cater for
English-speaking visitors.
During the rest of the year, the water
temperature drops to around 15C. While
the Japanese consider this far too cold,
British divers willing to travel with their
own drysuits (Japanese sizing is very
small!) could enjoy clear waters and good
conditions from December to April.
Unfortunately, my own timing wasnt
ideal. The week before I arrived, several
typhoons had hit Kushimoto and all
dives were cancelled for a couple of days.
So I was understandably nervous about
the weather forecast.
Thankfully, by the time I arrived it was
possible to dive again, and the visibility
was improving. However, another
typhoon was brewing, due to head
straight for Taiwan, and there was no
telling whether it might deviate from that
path and hit us instead.
All we could do was keep a close eye on
the forecast and hope for the best.
divEr 48 www.divErNEt.com
JAPAN DIVER
www.divErNEt.com 49 divEr
JAPAN DIVER
Above: Dragon moray. An arresting pair of harlequin shrimp propensity for cleanliness, I was for sushi and sake before moving onto a
with vivid blobs of colour on their shells mortified. karaoke bar to sing our hearts out over
Right: Nachi Waterfall.
were guarding a starfish snack. They were Thankfully the nausea passed as a bottle of bourbon until the early hours.
clearly regularly sighted here, because quickly as it had arrived, and within a few OK, we were slightly fragile the next
Aki-san knew exactly where to find them. minutes we were back on shore to warm morning but there was so much to see
The same applied to the tiny squat up in the hot showers. above ground that we were sure to make
shrimp he picked out easily from the the most of our final days.
background of its sea-anemone home.
Again the dive seemed to fly by too
quickly, and just as we were beginning to
O VER A LUNCH OF BENTO BOXES
and miso soup, we discussed the
approaching typhoon. Id been really
The great thing about diving from the
mainland is that there is so much to do
during your no-fly time. Kushimoto is
ascend another bright orange dragon unlucky with the timing of my trip; just a short drive from the spectacular
moray popped its head out to snap its although Japan is affected by typhoons in temples at the Kumano Kodo a
jaws at us. July, August and September it was rare to pilgrimage walk paired with the
Good Wrasse World was our next dive- have this many approaching one after renowned Camino de Santiago in Spain
site. Here we found fewer crabs and another in such a short space of time. and one of the best known waterfalls in
shrimp but a wider variety of fish: The forecast for my last few days was the country, Nachi.
a painted sweetlips, a tiny juvenile only getting worse. Disappointingly, after Whats more, tourist hotspots Osaka,
golden damselfish flitting about and a jam-packed couple of days of enjoyable Kyoto and Tokyo are only a few hours
several red firefish gobies with distinctive macro experiences, the approaching away by train.
long dorsal fins. storms left us no option but to cut short Japan is such a fascinating country
Moving onto a patch of sand, we saw my dives for the week. with so much to experience above sea
a handful of tiny gobies with yellow faces On the plus side, we didnt have to level that it was hard to be disappointed
swimming near the seabed. worry about an early start the next day. even amid the persistent typhoons.
As soon as we got too close they darted Kumiko-san, Aki-san and My first snapshot of this lesser-known
back into their burrows, faces poking out Mr Shimano took me to dive destination only made me want to
slightly to try to work out who we were a local izakaya tavern return to Kushimoto for more.
and what was going on.
Back on the boat the drizzle had begun
again with a vengeance and, above the FACTFILE
rolling ship, the sky was a murky grey. GETTING THERE8 Finnair flies daily
Although not usually affected by to Osaka via its hub in Helsinki,
seasickness, the swell was too much, and www.finnair.com
Below: View from I suddenly had to run to the edge of the DIVING8Kushimoto Dive Station,
the onsan baths. boat to vomit. Knowing the Japanese www. kushimoto.com. Nanki Seamans Club,
nankiseamansclub.com. Kushimoto Diving
Association, www.divekushimoto.com
ACCOMMODATION8Kushimoto Royal Hotel,
www.daiwaresort.jp
WHEN TO GO8 Late September to the end
of November.
CURRENCY8Japanese yen
PRICES8Return flights to Osaka from 695.
Room for two at Kushimoto Royal from 8550
yen (67). Two boat dives from 15,000
Japanese yen (120)
VISITOR INFORMATION8en.visitwakayama.jp
divEr 50 www.divErNEt.com
DIVERS GUIDE
Choose the destinations that offer the
style of diving you love with our range of
Asia based dive safaris.
TO INDONESIA
Weve handpicked locations that can
be seamlessly mixed and matched over a
multi-centre trip. Create your own adventure in
Indonesia, get in touch to start planning today.
01 Raja Ampat
02 Bali
03 Komodo
05 04 Alor
05 Sulawesi
01
06 East Indonesia
06
02 04
03
Raja Ampat Rich and healthy reefs are the order BALI Bali is a destination that has a lot to offer if you Komodo Head to Komodo for excellent chances of
of the day in Raja Ampat. We love the abundance know where to look for it. Good quality muck diving mantas, reef sharks and big sh. A top spot for reef
of soft corals in the southern regions whilst central can be found along the eastern coast, theres the lovers theres an abundance of soft and hard corals
areas boast big congregations of sh life and Liberty Wreck covered in soft corals also. Islands to to be found among the islands of this vast archipelago.
exhilarating diving. Topside the islands and beaches the east offer good chances of mantas and beautiful A trip to see the legendary Komodo Dragons is
are simply stunning. Multi centre trip with 2,5 reefs to match. Multi centre trip with 3,4,5 highly recommended. Multi centre trip with 2,4
Alor New destination on the Indonesia scene, Alor is North Sulawesi With rich and healthy reefs ideally EAST INDONESIA Explore the remote islands of Indonesia
quickly becoming a top spot for the region. The island suited to all levels of experience North Sulawesi by liveaboard to destinations like whaleshark hotspots
offers the best of both worlds with superb critter makes for a perfect gateway destination to Cenderawasih and Triton Bay. The Forgotten Islands
diving and pristine fringing reefs in near proximity. diving in Indonesia. Bunaken Island offers a mix offer virgin reefs and masses of marine life or opt for
Time to escape the crowds at this off the beaten of healthy reefs and diverse critter life. the beautiful regions of Komodo and Raja Ampat.
path location. Multi centre trip with 2,3 Multi centre trip with 1,2 Multi centre trip with 1,2,3
T
HE SUN IS SHINING. Im peering
into the water and suddenly I can
see it a shape that must be a blue
shark is lazily moving towards the boat.
It morphs into a definite shark shape,
its upper surface a dappled mix of aqua
and royal blue, with hints of purple and
lines of bright sunlight criss-crossing its
slender body. The sunshine makes it
difficult to be certain, but as I strain to
look into the reflections as they come off Last summer the mainstream press
the glassy-smooth water, I see it again. often carried sensationalist reports of shown that these sharks ride the Gulf
The clumsy humans are then sent into big sharks Man-Eaters Spotted off the Stream from the south-eastern USA to
a frenzy of kitting-up, some grabbing Coast headlines most likely being the Europe, then go south before returning
masks and snorkels, others with full result of confused identification of a to the Caribbean using the North
dive-kit trying to make sure that basking shark, or even a dolphin. But Equatorial Current.
everything is OK. interest has also been building in the Travelling this route only in a
In what seemed like an eternity but presence off our shores of the clockwise direction, the sexes separate,
was probably two minutes, I was charismatic blue shark. and British waters contain more females
standing on the lift of the dive-boat The blue is designated Near than males. The whole North Atlantic
Wave Chieftain, waiting for the signal to Threatened on the IUCN Red List. population of blues is considered to be
jump in. A touch of apprehension Commercial fishermen in the North-east a single entity.
crossed my mind: what if I was met by Atlantic thankfully dont target the
a mature 3m specimen would I be as
comfortable as Id like?
Entering the water as noiselessly as
species, in part because of EU regulations
preventing the horrific practice of
finning, and Im hoping that the post-
A NECDOTALLY, OVER THE PAST
10 years sightings off the Cornish
coast seem to have been increasing,
possible (difficult) I finned away from Brexit UK Government will happily which might be due to bycatch of other
the boat and did a quick 360. All I could accept this sensible piece of European species jettisoned from trawlers
see were bits of herring in the water. Had legislation into law. providing easy pickings for the blues.
I frightened the sharks off already? Unfortunately, each year throughout I had wanted to see some blue sharks
Youll be reading this in the depths of their range many blue sharks are for myself, and Nigel Hodge, who runs
winter, but Im writing it back in an accidentally landed as bycatch. Wave Chieftain from Falmouth, regularly
autumn that has been very benign, with The blue is a very wide-ranging fish, runs trips to find them. The season lasts
October giving me some of the best UK found in tropical as well as temperate from late June to October, and he had
diving experiences Ive ever had. waters. Tag studies in the Atlantic have some spaces free in early October.
divEr 52 www.divErNEt.com
SHARK DIVER
Although Nigel runs dive- record data on blues he comes across. on-site the engines are stopped so that
trips at all levels, its fishing that is There is no UK-wide research into blue the boat is just drifting with wind and
his first love. For a number of years sharks, something he is keen to address. current. Chum is then set up he fills
before the diving community started perforated bins with the frozen herring
seeking out the blues he had been
running sport-angling trips to catch
these beautiful creatures.
W E HAD LEFT FROM picturesque
Mylor Yacht Harbour. Not having
to worry about slack water for this sort of
and positions the bins so that water
surges over them with the normal
movement of the boat.
Dont be alarmed. Nigel is very much trip, Wave Chieftain could be loaded at a Once thawed, Nigel will mash the
aware of the conservation issues very civilised 8.30 for a 9am ropes-off. herring up to add to the chum trail.
surrounding blue sharks, and just as As everyone was loading their own He also sets up an early-warning
interested in the success of the species gear onto the boat, Nigel had brought system. A number of bait-fish are tied to
as we all are. several boxes of frozen herrings the end of a fishing-line, though no
To this end on his fishing trips the onboard. We would be travelling about hooks are used.
sharks are caught with non-barbed 20 miles south of Falmouth, and did have The bait is set at a depth of about 5m
hooks, and they are tagged and released, a couple of stops on the way to try to with a small buoy at the surface, and the
where possible without being removed catch some additional fish though not whole lot is attached to one of Nigels
from the water. very successfully as it turned out. monstrous shark rod and reel
Nigel is currently involved in a joint Snorkelling is often the best way to see combinations. Its then a waiting game.
venture with the Scottish Shark Tagging the blues, and although Nigel does allow For participants safety and so that
Programme (tagsharks.com) to tag and scuba, his modus operandi is that once Nigel doesnt need to start engines to
www.divErNEt.com 53 divEr
SHARK DIVER
On this trip it had taken a good two watching it, I felt very much a visitor to Right: Chum buckets at
hours for the sharks to materialise. The its realm. the ready.
first indication that they were around The individuals separated. One
Below: Wave Chieftain.
had been the buzz of the ratchet on the would go under me, one to the side,
shark-reel, as a blue took the early- and they would disappear for a minute
warning fish snack. or two before returning individually
or together.
divEr 54 www.divErNEt.com
Phil Jane - Working with the French Antarctic Expedition
www.othree.co.uk | +44 (0) 1305 822820 | Osprey Quay Portland Dorset UK DT5 1BL
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How sharp-
eyed are you?
SIMON
PRIDMORE
explains muck-
diving and
describes techniques for
getting the most out of it
Y
OU ROLL OFF THE BOAT
somewhere in the Indo-Pacific and
dip your head below the surface to
get a hint of the wonders that await you
on the dive. But whats this? Where is the
reef? Wheres the beautiful coral? All you
can see is a grey, featureless seabed.
Here and there are scattered piles of
debris, washed off the beach by recent
rains. You must be in the wrong place.
Fortunately you trust your guides, and
an hour and a half later you ascend with
your mind reeling and your cameras
Above: Bottled octopus.
memory-card full of pictures of some
unimaginable marine life.
older and a little lazier. Third, there were
significant advances in underwater
WHERE TO GO
Below: Jewelled bobtail
Welcome to muck-diving, a highly macro-photography. squid in the muck. The best muck-diving seems to be found
addictive type of underwater excursion Most importantly, a few enterprising in places where there is a shallow bay, a
thats part treasure hunt and part a game individuals in Papua New Guinea, river mouth, human habitation,
of hide and seek, with some very clever Indonesia and Malaysia started looking significant current movement outside the
opponents. for marine life in unusual places where bay, shelter (in the form of a pier or jetty)
nobody had looked before, and began to and natural and human debris, such as
THE GENESIS find some astonishing animals.
The era of muck-diving had begun.
rotting tree-trunks and tin-cans.
So far, the location that offers the best
While the first few generations of combination of these ingredients is
recreational scuba-divers were marvelling Lembeh Straits on the north-eastern tip
at the beauty of coral reefs and hanging of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Other locations
out in the blue watching for whale sharks discovered to date that also deserve
and mantas, a whole universe of amazing honourable mention include the whole of
creatures were going about their business north Bali, Indonesia; Dumaguete in the
under the sea unnoticed. Philippines; Pulau Mabul off the coast of
How could they have remained Malaysian Borneo; Ambon and Alor in
undetected for so long? Well, first they the eastern Indonesian archipelago and
were small. Second, they had developed Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. New
the art of concealment to a very high places are being discovered all the time.
degree. And third, they lived in places that
were not particularly pleasing to the eye.
Primarily, however, they stayed unseen
HOW TO MUCK-DIVE
because nobody was looking for them. Move slowly and carefully, staying as near
Then a few things happened to bring to the seabed as possible without
these little creatures into the limelight. disturbing it. The bottom is likely to be
First, the big fish became fewer in number silty, and a misplaced fin can ruin
and harder to find. Second, divers became visibility and send rare marine-life
www.divErNEt.com 57 divEr
flying. Look closely at everything and be
patient. This is hard work!
SHOW CONSIDERATION
However, what can at first seem an These are fragile animals and touching
impossible task becomes far easier with them can damage them. Removing them
experience, and the time you put in to from their carefully chosen camouflage
learn your craft rewards you in wonderful can also draw them to the attention of
ways. The thrill when you find something the very predators from which they are
rare and exotic is hard to beat. hiding and, once you have taken your
picture and departed in a puff of sand,
TECHNIQUES you may leave them very vulnerable.
Resist the temptation to pick up any
Be aware of the movement of your arms trash you find and take it ashore for green
and legs, especially when youre excited, as disposal. Your heart might be in the right
this is the time when your appendages are rather than being directed downwards. place, but the trash is likely already to
most likely to move of their own accord, Above: Another octopus 2 A modified frog-kick, where you move have been recycled in the best possible
without purpose or conscious direction. makes itself at home. your legs apart slowly then bring your way, and may now be the home of a
As soon as the initial adrenaline has fins together more quickly to provide creature that needs all the protection it
subsided a little, make it a habit to carry forward propulsion. Again this should can get. So place a temporary curb on
out a little review of where you are and be done with the knees bent, so that the your environmental instincts.
what your limbs are doing before settling fin movement takes place above your
down to study or photograph your latest
find.
body rather than behind it, and the
water displaced is directed horizontally
EQUIPMENT
Develop a fin-kick that doesnt shift the behind you. Get a critter stick! This is a simple 30cm
water powerfully downwards, such as: 3 reverse modified frog-kick, as above
A pointer made out of stainless steel that
1 A modified flutter-kick, where you but beginning with legs together, then you can either thrust into the sand for
move only your feet and fins, pivoting moving them apart simultaneously in a balance as you float looking for animals,
from the ankles and with knees bent so single movement so that the result is or deploy to gently guide a piece of
that your fins are above you. You wont reverse rather than forward movement. intruding weed out of the frame of the
make fast progress with this technique This is an excellent technique to deploy photograph youre taking, without
but it ensures that the water you if you need to remove yourself from a disturbing your subject.
displace when you flutter your fins tight corner without using your hands Most muck-diving takes place in
remains within the water column or turning your body. shallow water near the shore, and you will
divEr 58 www.divErNEt.com
TECHNIQUE
spend your time close to the seabed. Keep a rock could be a baby hairy frogfish.
all your hoses and BC fittings tucked in 4 Ornate ghost pipefish are often found
tight, so they dont hang down and scrape concealed in the fronds of featherstars.
along the bottom while youre horizontal. Look for a frond that is not attached to
Make sure that you have a cutting tool the star. That will be the pipefish.
accessible surgical shears are ideal 5 Robust ghost pipefish, on the other
because much muck-diving is under or hand, hide among seagrass. Look for
close to jetties and there is likely to be the leaves moving in the current and
fishing-line around. With your attention try to find a leaf that is not moving
focused on looking for the cool stuff, you in rhythm with the others.
might inadvertently become entangled. 6 Search for camouflaged predators such
Always take a light with you. An animal as leaf scorpionfish and frogfish around
that is almost invisible can be much more rocky outcrops with small caves where
obvious when you restore its true colours schools of small fry hide. You will spot
with your beam. moray eels and lionfish in such places,
Think about getting a pair of short- but dont be satisfied with them.
bladed fins so you can manoeuvre more 7 Look for the less obvious motionless
easily without disturbing the seabed. predators too. They will be there,
though it may take a while to find
WHAT TO LOOK FOR them. Be as patient as they are.
8 Cans, bottles, coconuts, juice cartons,
You are looking for what muck-divers pieces of bamboo and discarded clam
commonly call critters. This is an shells are just a few of the things that
Americanism and derives from the the veined octopi (Octopus marginatus)
word creature. may choose to adopt as their residence.
The stars of the muck-diving
firmament are rare fish with evocative
and poetic names such as rhinopias,
EXAMINE EVERY ONE
fingered dragonet, pegasus sea moth, Look closely at common creatures that
flying gurnard and clown frogfish; you might normally ignore. For instance,
fascinating invertebrates such as blue ring sea cucumbers can host colourful
and mimic octopus and flamboyant emperor shrimps that live commensally
cuttlefish, and tiny and brightly coloured with them.
MARCEL HAGENDIJK
shrimps, slugs and crabs of all types. Swimming crabs also live in folds they
make in the sea cucumbers flesh. Seastars
HOW TO FIND THEM sometimes have harlequin shrimps
feeding on them, while sea urchins are
There is no substitute for a sharp eye, but often home to shrimps and baby fish that
you can increase your chances of success seek shelter between the spines.
by understanding the behaviour of the Above: Diver, critter-stick in 3 Examine everything closely. Two Zebra crabs live on fire urchins, small
animals youre seeking so that you have hand, shining a light on a pieces of weed that are bobbing and harlequin swimming crabs live on the
rhinopias.
an idea of where to look and what to look weaving simultaneously but out of trunks of tube anemones and porcelain
for. Here are a few tips and tricks that the Below, from left: Robust synchronisation with the waves might crabs live between the fronds of sea-pens.
spotters use: ghost pipefish in formation; be Ambon scorpionfish. What looks Many of the creatures being discovered
1 Look ahead as well as beneath you so zebra crab in fir urchin. like a detached piece of sponge next to by muck-divers are new to science and,
that you see the octopus or eel thats even where the animals were previously
poking its head out of a hole before it known, new behaviour is being observed
Read more from Simon Pridmore in:
sees you and beats a retreat. all the time. Even now, were just
Scuba Confidential An Insiders Guide to Becoming a Better Diver
2 Watch for peripheral movement as you Scuba Professional Insights into Sport Diver Training & Operations
scratching the surface.
pass. Something may have been Its exciting to imagine what surprises
spooked into burying itself. Move on, Scuba Fundamental Start Diving the Right Way remain to be discovered by someone with
turn and wait. It will re-emerge in time. All are available on Amazon in a variety of formats. patience, a sharp eye and a pointer.
MARCEL HAGENDIJK
www.divErNEt.com 59 divEr
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NIGHT DIVER
CHESIL
BYNIGHT
(WITH JD) Its November, and there are
rumours of exciting underwater
activity at Chesil Cove in Dorset.
WILL APPLEYARD decides to
make an exception and dive after
dark. Pictures by DAMIAN BROWN
T
O BE HONEST, Ive always had the dark in the UK or indeed Chesil Cove,
night diving filed in the liveaboard having dived there many times over the
diving box, and even then years during the spring and summer
I would probably only make the effort to months.
take part in one or two token immersions In fact, we did attempt a night-dive at
during my time at sea. the cove back in summer 2015, but the
So when I was invited to go on a UK sun just didnt seem to want to set and
night-dive with my regular dive-buddy the Cove House Inn pub, situated mere
Damian Brown, my yes, Id love to was metres off the beach, eventually became
uttered with some hesitation. just too much of a draw.
Damian, who has a penchant for both Ive dived quite a few UK wrecks in
macro photography and rather large total darkness during daylight hours too,
sharks, had learnt through the diving so I guess I was qualified for what lay
grapevine that there was some great post- ahead!
season diving to be had at Dorsets
Above: A persistent
Chesil Cove, with reports of octopus and
ray sightings doing the rounds.
So, night-dive or day-dive, I just had to
C HESIL COVE IS DIVEABLE at any
state of the tide, and any currents
found there are usually weak and, at
John Dory.
go along for the ride. most, just swell.
Below: Chesil Beach I might be a stranger to UK night- The site is sheltered from both north
before nightfall. diving, but Im no stranger to diving in and easterly winds, but anything coming
in from the south or the west will make
your entry or, more importantly, your
exit from the water nearly impossible.
Not only that, but the visibility will be
grim to say the least after a spell of, or
during, questionable weather.
Chesil Cove sits at the end of the
18-mile-long Chesil Beach, where the
pebbles eventually stop and Portland
limestone begins.
A couple of wrecks lie quite close to
each other, with the sparse remains of
one (the Preveza) residing just a few
metres from the shore.
The skeletal remains of the James
Fennell and the Gertrude wrecks can
www.divErNEt.com 61
be found in the area too, but they We werent the only guys heading for Above from left: dumped our air and sank below with
definitely require a boat to reach. the beach that November evening. Chesil Colourful four-lined torches ablaze. Its rare for me to dive
Damian and I made for the classic has a following of hardcore local divers nudibranch; unfazed cat without a camera anywhere these days,
shark; common lobster.
Chesil Cove entry-point an hour before who will be in the water whenever theres but from time to time I will leave it
sunset for a visibility check and to have a spell of good visibility, day or night. aboard the boat or in the van in order to
all our gear in place for the dive before Unlike the failed night-dive a year or take back only mental memories and
darkness came. A concrete slipway so before, the glorious sunset came and absorb myself in the diving experience.
situated by a small car park allows went quickly, and we waded into the flat- This was to be one of those dives, so
reasonably easy access to the start of the calm water just after dark. I left Damian to the camerawork while
beach proper, which, at its highest point, The temperature of the water at that I scouted out potential subjects.
peaks at 11m above sea level. time of year is around the 13C mark,
This of course is no problem for those
descending to the shoreline with weights,
cylinders and other assorted
so although not super-cold by UK
standards, for me its winter undersuit
and Arctic hood time for sure.
O NCE YOURE SUBMERGED the
seabed remains stony with a slight
swell, and at the 6-8m marks, stones give
cumbersome clobber, but just wait until Once we were far enough out to no way to sand and patches of rock. The 8-
you have to do it in reverse! longer feel our fins on the sea floor, we 15m regions provide the best habitat for
62 www.divErNEt.com
NIGHT DIVER
all the good stuff, where the rocks identified all the time. lone John Dory after the 10-minute
become bigger and further apart We moved on, and with our torch- mark. I had dived with them there during
providing more shelter for those that beams sweeping the seabed I wasnt the summer and observed them feeding
choose to live there. surprised to greet a couple of cat sharks on juvenile fish species, but really only
First up on the list of night-time sprawled out on the sand. through my camera lens when I think
visitors to our torchlight would be a These little fellas are plentiful in the back on it.
dainty little sea-slug hanging from a UK, but make for excellent subjects Theyre not that bothered about divers
piece of flora. This striking example we photographically as they dont appear to either, and appeared even more
later identified as Polycera be too fussed by approaching divers. inquisitive during the night than during
quandrillineata or the four-lined We passed plaice and several flounders the day perhaps they were interested in
nudibranch, which refers to the four on the sand, but no undulate or their own reflection in our camera or
lines found on its back. thornback rays. The common lobsters mask lenses?
Those not familiar with UK diving were out in full force, with the blue hue The markings on this species are
may be surprised to learn that quite Below from left: of their shells ever more impressive particularly striking and its believed that
a variety of sea-slugs can be found in Otherworldly-looking under torchlight. the large dark dot on its side is used to
home waters, with new species being cuttlefish; red mullet. I was delighted to eventually find a flash an evil eye if danger approaches.
www.divErNEt.com 63
NIGHT DIVER
Nobody really seems to know the practice, but I like the idea! As with Above: A tiny shrimp I hovered just above the sand while he
origin of the name John Dory, which is a octopuses, how such creatures are able to provides a photo fired off a few shots.
shame because its quite specific, but we change their colouring and texture to opportunity on the way For me, the intensity of a dive becomes
back.
do know that these fish grow to a match their surrounding is difficult to amplified at night, and though your field
maximum size of 65cm and are solitary comprehend. Below: Cuttlefish. of view is far more restricted than in
hunting creatures. We approached our agreed halfway daylight, you feel that the environment is
Their olive colouring against a pitch- point of 20 minutes and consulted our alive with unseen creatures.
back background I think accentuates compasses. At this point we turned to As the water grew shallower, a slight
their almost prehistoric appearance, and head east for a slow fin back towards the swell began to increase and sand began to
Im sure they must be a fearful sight for shore, with thoughts of local ale and log- turn back to stones. We hadnt found the
any unfortunate critter in their path. fires beginning to register. octopus or any of the rays, but we had
One of the advantages Ive decided embarked on an adventure, and surely an
that UK night-diving offers over
liveaboard night-diving overseas is that
youre not constantly finding yourself
J D PUT IN AN appearance again, as
did several more cat sharks. Its
usually at this point during a camera-free
adventure isnt an adventure if youve
successfully completed all your
objectives? The missing objectives only
being flashed by other divers dive that I begin to wish I had brought it make you want to come back for more.
torchbeams apart from your buddys, with me when the cold starts to creep I just love Chesil Cove, and I know for
of course. Not having to think about into the bones, and fiddling with camera the local hardcore divers I mentioned
being pierced by approaching lionfish settings and strobes can often help you to earlier that its a very special place
makes for a more relaxing night-time focus on something other than shivering. indeed. If you want to dive among the
adventure too, in my opinion! Damian drew my attention to a tiny critters we encountered and more, then
We left JD to it and finned further shrimp poking out of its rocky home and really the best time to visit is during the
west into slightly deeper water still. summer, and at that time its even
Navigation is easy when diving at Chesil possible to dive with non-native
Cove simply remember that out is triggerfish.
west, home is east and, providing you Our experience does however go to
remembered to bring your compass, you show that its possible to grab some
wont go far wrong. fabulous UK diving opportunities well
One creature that always captivates after the official season has come to an
me under water, and one that we met on end, in this case in late November. Im
this evening, is the cuttlefish. Im always looking forward to visiting the area again
struck not only by how cuttlefish look in the springtime, when the cycle of
like something from another time, but underwater life starts all over again.
surely theyre also from another planet?
They belong to the Cephalopoda To reach Chesil Cove, head for
family that includes squid and octopus, Portland on the A354 / Portland Beach
and its said among divers that if you Road, drive up Chiswell and unload gear
hold your hand out and mimic their at the top of Brandy Row, where the
tentacles with your fingers, they ramp to the beach begins. Kit hire and
will approach you as if investigating one air-fills from Underwater Explorers,
of their own. www.underwaterexplorers.co.uk or
I have yet to see this theory work in Dive Beyond, www.divebeyond.co.uk
64 www.divErNEt.com
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www.divErNEt.com 67
are quite enough for the first day, and we
move north to spend an evening in a hot
tub stargazing and watching the
Northern Lights. Unfortunately nature
gets the better of us, and the overcast
evening denies us the sight of either.
The next is a perfect day to dive in
Iceland, crisp and cold but with bright
sunshine, and were off to experience
classic hot and cold water.
Our first dive is in the centre of the
Thingvellir National Park, an impressive
location that was home to the original
parliament of Iceland in 930.
Silfra is easily the most famous and
popular dive-site in the country, a crack
in the ground along the fault-line
between the American and European
tectonic plates. Its glacial meltwater wells
up after a 30-mile underground journey
that is reputed to take 100 years.
The best way to explain this dive is to
quote Birgir Skulason Silfra is more
beautiful than it is cold. One of our
number, Adam, adds the caveat but not
by much. volcanic activity occurs. All water enters
and leaves through underground
SILFRA IS MORE
BEAUTIFUL THAN
IT IS COLD BUT
NOT BY MUCH
68
JULIAN CLARKE
69
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Readers tell us about the dives
that linger in their memories as
being distinctly offbeat. Have
you got one to share?
DIVES
www.divErNEt.com 71 divEr
Fast forward six weeks and I get a phone-call greenish 3m visibility. I picked up a laminated ID
MAINTAINING HER IDENTITY from regular dive partner Ian Goodban. card and shone my torch onto the photograph
by Ian Callum A Deal man born and bred, Ian wanted to film
below our local pier. Would I accompany him?
of a pretty, smiling blonde girl.
She had waited all winter to be found, and
OUR WINDOW-FITTER looked stressed and This is a site that neither of us had previously that flimsy card had stayed there through the
exhausted. Concerned enquiries brought forth visited because of concerns about poor visibility winter gales of the Kent coast.
a sad tale of his stepson, who had been accused and underwater obstructions, but mid-July Slipping the evidence into my cuff for safe-
of killing his young Polish wife. promised some very neapy tides and favourable keeping, we returned ashore.
The police suspected a calculated action winds. A telephone call elicited a swift police
because her documents, mobile phone etc were We were under water by 6am, Ian using his response, and the card was taken away to be
missing, possibly thrown into the sea. GoPro to film the scour around the pier-legs copied and collated.
They were never found, and the stepson was while I kept one eye on him as I investigated the It was subsequently returned to the family,
jailed for manslaughter, leaving two small shallow amphitheatres that this created. and is now in the two little girls memory-box
children parentless. Suddenly, a flash of white penetrated the for their mother.
NILFANION
the torch-beams. This seemed to bring than-tropical temperatures, but we cylinder, having neglected to wet the cam-
him back to himself, because he promptly couldnt resist the chance to dive where strap. Our red faces were clearly
checked his computer and indicated that there is visibility of more than 60m (only observable through the periscope.
we should start to go back up. the Weddell Sea in Antarctica is clearer). Undeterred, we descended once again
The ascent was just as impressive as the As we arrived at the spring after a into the crystal waters, only to pop up
descent. Passing through the cloud and somewhat self-conscious plod along a ignominiously a few minutes later after
emerging into the brightness above was boardwalk nature trail in our dive gear, discovering the strong jets of current
a magical experience. Even from this we discovered a catch. The pond we were that shoot up through the gravel from
depth we could see another group of about to enter was only about 20m wide springs below.
divers leaving the surface and starting and 6m deep. It was then that we fully understood
their descent towards us. The second catch was that we would be why the site is called Te Waikoropupu, or
We stayed awhile at the 30m level and restricted to two 15-minute dives. The the Place of the Dancing Sands.
performed a few dives into and out of springs are sacred to the Maori people, so Once wed got over the initial shock of
the cloud before ascending to perform a that was fair enough. the water jets, it was actually pretty cool
safety stop. We all arrived back at the However, the final peculiarity of this to watch the gravel on the bottom literally
surface after a very memorable experience site was that the pond had a large jumping about. Even so, it was hard to get
and hauled ourselves out of the water. observation periscope so that visitors over the feeling of swimming around
Our dive-guide freely admitted that he could peek down and view what was inside a giant fish tank, complete with
had been well and truly narked when happening beneath the surface. Below: The gin-clear waters
aerated water, bright green weed, and
we were watching him playing with the As still somewhat inexperienced divers, of Te Waikoropupu the faces peering at us from above.
flora at the bottom. we were initially delayed by a runaway Place of the Dancing Sands. After enjoying our allotted time in the
SPRING-LOADED
by Vanessa Charles
& Martin Hynd
IT WAS OVER A DECADE ago that my
partner and I learned to dive in Malaysia,
during a mid-life gap year of travelling.
We quickly followed our scuba training
with a liveaboard trip on the Great
Barrier Reef, and were feeling pretty keen
and confident as we moved around the
globe to New Zealand.
Even so, nothing had quite prepared us
for our first fully independent dive trip.
We rented gear from a South Island
dive-shop and headed down to the
charmingly named Pupu Springs, an
inland dive-site with an amazing
reputation for some of the clearest water
PSEUDOPANAX
on the planet.
We had never tried freshwater diving
before, and were still adapting to less-
divEr 72 www.divErNEt.com
STRANGEST DIVES
www.divErNEt.com 73 divEr
GETTING COMPETITIV
This month we look back at 50 years of the British
Society of Underwater Photographers, but where
does the society go from here? BRIAN PITKIN reports
on the latest BSoUP Beginners Portfolio competition
and hears from winner Simon Yates who, despite
having been diving for 30 years, has just become
a name for the future!
T
HE ANNUAL BEGINNERS images, set out in two rows of
PORTFOLIO competition is three and not overlapping.
held in November and is Each image may, or may not,
open to British Society of have a border.
Underwater Photographers All the entries were projected
members and non-members at the November BSoUP
alike provided that they have meeting, having been judged
not come first, second or third in in advance by underwater
a national or international photographers Martyn & Sue Shot at the Manacles in Cornwall with my previous camera, a Canon
competition, such as BSoUP's Guess. The winner was Simon Powershot S90 in Ikelite housing (1/50, f4, with twin YS110 strobes). The
Open and Beginners Portfolio Yates (pictured below), who won model is my wife Janet, who was very obliging with aiming the torch in the
Competitions, Image, a BSoUP Trophy and a 100 slightly murky conditions..
Underwater Photographer of the courtesy of divEr.
Year, Wildlife Photographer of Ive been diving and a
the Year and so on. member of BSAC for over 30
The objective of the years, having learnt in my
competition is to identify university days a long time ago,
photographers who can says Simon, who manages an
demonstrate a range of skills. engineering company in the
The portfolio should convey Midlands, and has two sons.
an overall impression of variety, My wife and I have been
not necessarily of subject but active members of several clubs
certainly of approach and over the years, including Totnes,
technique. It has to comprise six Taunton and Wellington, and
are now both
committee members
of Worcester BSAC.
I am currently an
Advanced Diver /
Advanced Instructor
and Diving Officer for
the club.
Simon pays tribute
to the high standard
of underwater
photographers in the Cuckoo wrasse, shot as part of the last BSoUP Splash-In competition on
club, which includes Eddystone reef, Plymouth (Olympus 12-50mm, 1/80, f9).
among its members
Trevor Rees, Charles
Erb and Anita
Sherwood. I havent really treated it fisheye to macro, all in Nauticam
Although Ive had seriously until the last few housings. I rarely find that Im
various underwater years. he says. diving without my camera set-
cameras over the This year I took the plunge up accompanying me under
years, from an original and upgraded to a mirrorless water. This year Ive really got
Nikonos 5 to compact four-thirds system, and now the bug, as Im now entering
digital cameras, have a system that covers images in both BSoUP monthly
74 www.divErNEt.com
PHOTO DIVER
VE AFTER 30 YEARS!
Long-clawed squat lobster taken in Loch Carron, Scotland in August Flame shell taken at Strone Point, Loch Carron (60mm, 1/80, f9).
2016. As with all of the following images it was taken with my Olympus
OM D EM 10 Mk 2, this one with 60mm macro lens (1/80, f8). This was our
second visit to Conservation Bay, and it will definitely be an annual BELOW: Yarrells blenny, another shot from Conservation Bay
pilgrimage. (Olympus 60mm, 1/80, f8).
Diver inside the wreck of the Doyle, taken on a 2016 club trip to Scapa
Flow. The diver is fellow-photographer buddy Darren Ashford. (Olympus
12, 50mm, 1/80, 5f).
competitions and have also a VW Campervan, were often "I liked this portfolio the It hovered around the first
joined the Bristol Underwater away on dive trips, he says. We minute I saw it, said judge three places all week, but In the
Photographers Group. still have a long list of UK sites Martyn Guess, although we end the vibrancy and colours and
Simon says that his favourite earmarked for trips next year as wrestled a little with the clarity of the images won the
diving is in the UK, especially the well as several overseas trips positioning of the images, with day a great set of images that
West Coast of Scotland. the last trip to the Red Sea was the larger Yarrells blenny image work extremely well together as
Having recently purchased particularly enjoyable. in the bottom right. a portfolio. www.bsoup.org
www.divErNEt.com 75
UIFXBZUPTFF
536,-"(00/
,QFOXGHVDOOPHDOVEHYHUDJHVDQGtransfers
)UHHNitrox
THFKGLYLQJavailable
1LQHVSDFLRXVsuites
XXX5SVL0EZTTFZDPN JOGP!USVLPEZTTFZDPN
Dhigurah@islanddivers.mv
www.islanddivers.mv
@www.islanddivers.mv
RESCUE DIVER
DOLPHINS OF
THE INLAND SEA
The Inland Sea in Gozo has long been a favourite
with British divers, but did you know that 30
years ago it provided a temporary home for two
dolphins? TANO ROL was one of the divers who
came up with an escape plan
M
ANY UK DIVERS WILL BE I received a call from Tony Lautier, Malta Task Force and the Society for the
familiar with Dwejra. The area a good friend and a champion of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, but the
draws thousands of divers to marine environment. dolphins had merely danced around the
the small island of Gozo, and many will Tony ran the dive-centre at the Comino would-be rescuers.
have dived the tunnel at the Qawra, the Hotel and we often buddied up to dive The unfortunate aspect of this
Maltese name for the Inland Sea. around the island on his day off. So it accidental circus at Dwejra was that the
This is a shallow, semi-circular pool of wasnt surprising to hear from him on dolphins were showing increasing signs
sea water about 100m across and only a Saturday; I expected him to have plans of distress, ignoring the dead fish that
some 5m at its deepest. It is connected for a couple of dives over the weekend. some kind-hearted people had been
to the sea by a narrow tunnel passing What surprised me was that he was trying to feed them.
through a cliff face, navigable only by thinking of a rescue attempt for the I assumed that everyone would jump at
small boats. Dwejra dolphins. They had been in the a chance of trying to find a solution, so
More than 30 years ago, between 20 news all through late June, and by then I called Mario, another dive-buddy, and
June and 1 July 1984, a unique event had been trapped for 10 days and become asked if he would like to join us.
occurred in Dwejra, Gozo. Two a considerable tourist as well as local His response was as enthusiastic as
dolphins were stranded in the Inland attraction. mine had been, and we promptly drove
Sea, apparently unable to return to the Several groups had tried to rescue up to Marfa, where Tony was waiting with
open ocean. them, including the Armed Forces of his aluminium dive-boat.
www.divErNEt.com 77 divEr
We might have had noble intentions,
but what we needed was a plan. How
could we get a pair of dolphins out of the
Inland Sea while causing the least possible
stress to the animals?
I came up with a brilliant idea. We
would dive at night and illuminate the
way out with our underwater torches. The
dolphins would just follow us through the
passage to the sea piece of cake!
There was just one tiny flaw in this
plan. Wild dolphins are not pet dogs that
trot along in your wake. It was worth a try
but my hopes were dashed when we got
under water and all we could see were
a couple of swirling grey shapes in the
distance. They refused to come anywhere
near us, let alone follow us to salvation.
We reverted to plan B. Tony had made
a net from stout nylon rope and, using
this, we tried to herd the dolphins towards
the passage to the outer sea.
I held one end while Mario, Tony and
several snorkelling volunteers held up the
net at various points.
Of course, the dolphins were unco-
operative, running circles around us.
They swam below the net, above it, and
around the sides. Well, at least we were
providing them with an evening of
entertainment how painfully slow and
ungainly divers are under water! to get up so that they could get their boat
down the slipway, because they didnt
divEr 78 www.divErNEt.com
RESCUE DIVER
www.divErNEt.com 79 divEr
HOLIDAY NEWS
BOOKING NOW
DOUG PERRINE
Finning with humpbacks
Professional marine-life photographer
and marine biologist Doug Perrine
(watch out for his amazing fin-whale
photography in next months divEr) will
be the guide and naturalist for the
Oceanic Societys 2017 expedition to
swim with humpback whales in the
Kingdom of Tonga.
Guests will stay at a luxury resort on a
USGS private island in the Vavau group of
8 maldives.emperordivers.com
80 www.divErNEt.com
HOLIDAY NEWS
BOOKING NOW
September at 1199.
8blueotwo.com
www.divErNEt.com 81
WELL AND TRULY
TESTED
Game-changers thats what we like
and what we hope for when new
products arrive for test, and NIGEL
WADE reckons he has found one to
see him through cold winters
DRYGLOVES
KUBI SYSTEM
HOWEVER COLD THE WINTER, it doesnt neoprene
necessarily mean that we have to pack our exposure suit.
dive-gear away and wait for spring sunshine Im told that
or a tropical holiday before it sees the light of its a simple
day again. operation,
We can still get wet and enjoy the advantages although
of coldwater diving, as long as we have the I havent been
correct exposure protection. able to verify
Particularly vulnerable to frigid water this because the Kubi latex glove fitted to the
temperatures are the hands. This month we system Ive had on glove ring and thermal glove.
share the results of a long-term test and a test was factory-fitted
possible solution to the problem of freezing to a custom-made
digits in the form of a dryglove system. Neoprene drysuit. In Use
Once the inner The first
cuff-ring has been consideration was
The Design fitted, a male version how to allow the
The Kubi dryglove system comprises two sets of with the outer gloves to equalise
aluminium rings, one for the exposure-suit cuff glove installed as depth and
and one for the latex outer gloves. These marry simply pushes pressure increased
together and are sealed with a series of large- into the cuff- during the dives.
diameter O-rings. ring and is When I first took
The rings are available in 70, 80, 90 and sealed via a them for a South Coast scalloping
100mm diameters with M (size 7.5), L (size 8.5), substantial excursion I didnt have the confidence to
XL (size 9.5) and XXL (size 10.5) standard rubber, O-ring. permanently break the suits wrist-seals,
latex or textured latex outer gloves. I can confirm that aware as I was that if the glove system failed
Insulating inner gloves are available in either removing and replacing the outer glove I would not only have wet, cold hands but could
Standard thermal, Sub Zero Factor 2, Merino from the glove ring is a simple operation, taking possibly end up with a flooded drysuit.
wool or Alpaca in sizes from S to XL. There is also less than two minutes Without a way to balance pressure, the outer
a zipped bag to store the inner and outer glove. even with my ham-fisted gloves compressed onto my hands at depth,
The system can be retrofitted to the cuffs of approach. though when the stretchy latex collapsed it still
virtually any standard trilaminate or allowed unhindered movement and didnt
affect my dexterity. What I did experience,
however, was a reduction in thermal protection
as the insulating air gap diminished.
On subsequent dives and with newly found
confidence in the Kubi ring system, I put the
thermal under-gloves on before donning the
suit and allowed the glove-cuffs to sit beneath
the wrist-seals.
This allowed air to migrate slowly to and
from the gloves on ascent and descent,
relieving any compression or expansion as the
depth changed.
The latex outer gloves are slender and
stretchy, which allows for a full range of hand
and finger movement. The thin(ish) pair of
thermal under-gloves didnt lessen that all-
important sense of touch, and I found this
extremely useful when handling complicated
camera controls, or making adjustments to
The Kubi Dry Glove System in use.
computer settings while under water.
divEr 82 www.divErNEt.com
DIVER TESTS
VIDEO LIGHT
EXPOSURE MARINE elevated temperatures. The light can be hand-
held, mounted on a Neoprene hand-strap, or
attached to a 1in ball-bracket for integration into
In Use
WEVE NEVER BEEN MORE SPOILED FOR choice of either 9, 16 or 100 beam angles. The I took the light under water in the UK to see how
CHOICE or more confused when looking to Action 100 featured here is designed as a flood it performed. The first thing to strike me was the
purchase, upgrade or replace a dive-light. The video light. overall size of the body, because at just over
lighting technology juggernaut seems to be The light source is a single Cree LED set against 100mm long and 32mm in diameter it is truly
unstoppable, with outrageous outputs and a polished reflector to distribute the wide-angle compact.
run-times being promised for the next generation beam evenly. The body is crafted from aerospace- It sat in the palm of my hand perfectly as I used
of units. grade aluminium and has a black, hard-anodised it to light the way, but really shone (pun intended)
Most of the latest lighting equipment seems to finish with rubber shock absorbers at either end. on the top of my camera rig, set on a clip and ball-
originate in the Far East, so it was nice to see some All internal components are factory-sealed to mount. The bright, even beam performed
home-grown lamps arrive at the divEr Test give the light a depth-rating of 100m. An internal, perfectly in assisting the cameras focus system to
centre in the form of Exposure Marines latest rechargeable 3100mAh li-ion battery powers the work its magic.
range of compact Action underwater lights. I took Action 100, which boasts a recharge time of three On a few of the dives I set the DSLR to record
the Action 100 model to put through its paces. hours and capacity to provide up to six hours of video, using the Action 100 as the only light
constant light at its lowest setting. source. It worked OK, although Im not sure
The Action 100 has three output settings, high I managed to get the best from it.
The Design (1000 lumens), medium (500 lumens) and low The DSLR video game is new to me and the
The Action range comprises three variants, each (250 lumens). Each is accessed via a rear push final moving images were, Im sure, poorly
delivering 1000 lumens of white light with 90- switch and the makers TAP Technology, whereby captured thanks to my inability to get to grips
minute burntimes at full power but offering the a single tap of the light body allows you to scroll with the camera settings and techniques required
through the output range. for this genre of photography.
Battery status and power-output levels are Using the Action 100 to
displayed using a traffic-light light the scene
system of green, amber and
red LEDs positioned at the
rear of the light body,
along with gold-plated
charging terminals and
a stainless-steel plate
to accommodate the
magnetic USB charging-
lead connection.
The Action 100 also
features a flashing SOS and double-flash strobe
mode and an intelligent thermal management
system; this clever electronic circuitry controls the
The Action 100 is compact and packs a punch with temperature of the LED to keep it as efficient as
1000 lumens of light. possible by preventing it from losing output at
www.divErNEt.com 83 divEr
for GoPro footage was a different ballgame. This
genre of camera lends itself to easy use, and didnt
SPECS
tax my grey matter. PRICES8 180
As in all underwater photography, the closer BURNTIMES8High 1.5hr, Med 3hr, Low 6hr
you get to the subject the better the results, and
DISPLAY8 Traffic-light system for output and
this was apparent with the Action 100.
battery status
The 1000-lumen beam dropped off noticeably
as subject-to-camera distance increased,
BATTERY8 Factory-sealed, rechargeable
3100mAh li-ion
although I still came back with some pleasing,
well-lit footage. CHARGING8 USB cable via gold-plated
The traffic-light system worked extremely well. contacts
Its easy to see, especially with the light mounted CHARGE TIME8 3hr
on a camera rig. TAP MODE8 Off, high, medium and low
sensitivity settings
SIZE8 107mm x 32mm diameter
WEIGHT8 113g
CONTACT8 www.exposurelights.com
DIVER GUIDE The Action 100 integrated into a camera rig.
features, output, runtimes and ease of use. The the crowd but proved an excellent feature when
100 beam is wide and provided an even pool changing levels.
of light without a central hotspot. The lack of a travel lock might be an issue,
Maximum output might not be enough for but I hope the clever technicians at Exposure
discerning DSLR video-shooters but I found it Marine will quickly incorporate this feature into
more than adequate for action-cam use. their series of Action lights.
The distinctive TAP system was a joy to use, When they do, they will be perfect
and not only makes these lights stand out from companions on overseas trips.
BAG
Power switch, charging terminals and traffic light system. OVERBOARD
The battery-status indicator takes precedence
over the output indicators and is constantly
displayed. When the output level is changed, its
PADDED CAMERA
corresponding colour code is lit for a few seconds
before the display reverts to battery status. ACCESSORY BAG /
The TAP system can be disabled or the
sensitivity adjusted through three levels, but
when enabled with the light mounted on the
camera rig, it worked like a charm.
30l DRY TUBE
This was especially the case at its most sensitive
setting when wearing gloves. In fact it was by far TAKING TOPSIDE CAMERA GEAR onto the
the easiest way to change or scroll through the beach or onto small dive-boats has always been
light-output levels, and places this light in a problematic for me. Sensitive imaging tools
league of its own. dont take kindly to knocks or saltwater spray,
In hand-held mode I expected the light to and are definitely averse to total immersion
constantly change its settings as inadvertent when out of an underwater housing.
bumps or knocks became an issue. In the past Ive used bubble-wrap and
In reality this wasnt the case. It takes an polythene Ziploc bags in a vain attempt to
accurate and reasonably sharp strike to the body protect my expensive equipment, but have
to activate the system, but should it become an mostly erred on the side of caution and left it in
issue the system can easily be turned off. my hotel room or at home.
The Action 100s SOS flashing mode is entered Sports-bag maker Overboard has a padded
via a long press on the rear power-on button. It camera case and a range of waterproof bags
will, Im told, flash away for a minimum of six that could make this dilemma a thing of
hours from a fully charged battery. the past.
The strobe mode is entered in the same way
and provides a series of twin flashes; this has
the advantage of being instantly recognisable to The Design
onlookers. The camera-bag system comprises a
zipped, padded bag with hook-and-
loop mounted padded dividers. The bag
Conclusion is made with a water-resistant Nylon
This delightfully small, beautifully constructed outer layer and padded internal walls,
underwater light packs a punch with its many base and lid to protect gear from knocks
divEr 84
DIVER TESTS
BC
SEAC PRO 2000
SEAC HAS NOW DEVELOPED THE FOURTH Adjustment Harness systems.
generation of its flagship Pro 2000, the original The BC also has a redesigned
version of which was launched last century, backplate with a pre-shaped padded
heralding a new era for the Italian dive-gear cover, and a drop-down cargo pocket
maker. and stainless-steel knife grommets
The second incarnation, the HD model, was have been added.
reviewed in divEr in 2013. I had a few dives with The integrated-weight system
it not long afterwards, and was mightily has been modified too, with
impressed by its hybrid bladder design. new pre-inclined weight-
The third generation saw the light of day in pouches and rear trim-
divEr Tests in July 2015 and to bring the set up weight pockets.
to date Ive been out and about with the latest The BC is made
rendition. using 1000 Denier PU-
coated Cordura with a
420 Denier PU-coated
The Design Nylon inner bladder. It
This Pro 2000 has a newly designed 3D, wedge- has five 50mm curved
shaped bladder with an expanding underside to and two 25mm straight
provide lift and thrust from below. The bellows black anodised-alloy
section has elasticated webbing-straps to aid D-rings, three pull-operated
deflation. Also new is the backplate-adjustment dump-valves and two
system, featuring Seacs Frame to Back and zipped side-pockets.
www.divErNEt.com 85 divEr
DIVER TESTS
The package weighs in at 3.9kg and delivers and pulling them free was a single-handed
a lift of just over 18kg (size L). operation. They were also very easy to
replace.
The D-ring placement appeared to be
Under Water ideal; there were certainly plenty of them to
After spending a bit of time adjusting the choose from to provide optimal positioning
harness and backplate to fit my profile and of my gauge, octopus and ancillary stuff
the added bulk of a drysuit, I placed 5kg of such as reel, DSMB and primary light.
block-weights in each of the integrated-
weight pockets but left the trim-weight
pockets empty (Id be diving with a steel Conclusion
cylinder and felt I didnt need them). I was This latest Pro 2000 seems a worthy
ready to go. successor to the previous models and pays
Under water the Pro 2000 positioned me in homage to its forerunners. Seac has kept all
my ideal orientation, slightly head up but with the best bits and improved on backplate,
my body almost horizontal. harness system and integrated weights.
While adopting this trim I was aware that air Like its predecessors this model was
had migrated to the highest point, and had to comfortable, easy to adjust and to wear.
swivel my body slightly and move to a position However, its the new wedge-bladder
where I could easily dump it for the ascent. design that sets this BC apart.
The three dump-valves (excluding the inflator Im sure its not unique but it works very
hose) were well-positioned, with long pull-cords well and held me perfectly under water
enabling me to efficiently eject any unwanted and bolt upright at the surface.
air in virtually any other orientation. The materials used and the
Inflation was quick and easy at the surface, workmanship are top-notch, giving
with the bladder holding me vertically without a feeling of quality with typical Italian
pushing me face-first into the water. design and styling. I found that a very In use the Seac Pro 2000.
The integrated weights felt very secure in use, pleasing combination.
SPECS
PRICE8 399
SIZES8 XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
WEIGHT8 3.9kg, Size L (including weight-
pockets)
INTEGRATED WEIGHTS8 Yes
TRIM WEIGHT POCKETS8 Yes
DUMP VALVES8 Three
D-RINGS8 Seven, black anodised aluminium
POCKETS8 Two zipped, one drop-down
COLOURS8 Black
CONTACT8 www.seacsub.com
The redesigned integrated-weight pocket (left) and the one-handed pull to release the integrated-weight pouch. DIVER GUIDE
Dive with
Explora Madeira
Maximum 4 divers per guide
Courses always available,
from Try-dive to Instructor
Group discounts & free
places
For more
information call: Explore the undiscovered Solomon Islands. Enjoy 4 to 5
+ 351 962 672251 dives daily from our huge dive deck with nitrox, rebreather
or + 351 291 220184 support and unlimited hot showers. Relax in air-conditioned
comfort in the spacious salon or one of our 12 well-appointed
cabins. Discover the most intense bio-diversity worldwide,
along with WWII history and unique cultural experiences.
divEr 86 www.divErNEt.com
DEEPER COMFORT.
FOX
Where comfort meets the depth of the sea, the Seac Fox mask is born. The Fox mask has been designed with passion in Italy
culminating in a modern striking design that is unrivalled in comfort to enhance your desire for exploration. The Fox mask is
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3 SLACKS, 2 WRECKS
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Bovisand Lodge Estate, Plymouth. 4* Gold Award self
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WANT TO
7 days a week. Maximum 10. Now taking bookings for
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Centre. Range of quality accommodations. Free parking
for RIB's. Indoor heated pool. Weekend and part week email: repairs@gybe.co.uk
ADVERTISE?
ourjoyboat@gmail.com www.ourjoy.co.uk (69876) bookings available. Tel: (01752) 403554 Email: Jenny Webb,
www.bovisand.com
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DIVE BRIGHTON
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CLUB NOTICES
FREE OF CHARGE. (Max 25 words).
Cheshire. A friendly, active diving club. Compressor for
air and Nitrox fills. RIB stored in Anglesey.
www.hartfordscuba.co.uk (67287)
and meet us at Fulwood Leisure Centre, Preston on
Monday nights between 8.00pm - 9.00pm.
www.prestondivers.co.uk (64198)
for hire. Pool training during the Winter; trips &
expeditions in the Summer. Pub meeting at Hawes Inn.
Call Warren: 07980 981 380. www.sqsac.co.uk (64861)
Non-commercial clubs, no sales. Hereford Sub Aqua Club, is looking for new members. Reading Diving Club. Experience the best of UK diving Steyning Scuba Club, West Sussex. All divers welcome.
Regular diving off the Pembrokeshire coast on own RIBs. with a friendly and active club. All welcome. Tel: 01183 Steyning Pool , Monday evenings at 8.30pm. Contact
Active and friendly BSAC club. All year diving in local Training and social nights. Contact: 216310 or email: info@thedivingclub.co.uk Andy Willett on 07786 243 763. www.seaurchin
lake. New and qualified divers of all agencies welcome. rusaqua@googlemail.com (69146) www.thedivingclub.co.uk (69447) divers@hotmail.co.uk (63956)
Own clubhouse with 7m RIB and compressor. For further HGSAC. South Manchester based friendly, non-political Richmond (Surrey) SAC welcomes new and experienced Sutton Coldfield SAC, friendly BSAC club, welcomes all
information visit www.mksac.co.uk (64403) club welcomes newcomers and qualified divers. Lots of divers to join our active diving, training and social divers from trainee to advanced. All agencies. Own RIBs
Alfreton (Derbys) BSAC 302. Welcomes new members diving and social events. Family. Three RIBs and calendar. Meet Mondays 8.30pm at Pools on the Park, and compressor. Meet every Wednesday, 8.15pm at
and qualified divers. A small but active club with own compressor. www.hgsac.com (68501) Richmond. Tel: 07825 166450 (Gemma) or email: Wyndley (3.4m pool). For free try dive call Alan: 07970
RIB, wreck diving a speciality. Contact Charlie on (01246) High Wycombe SAC. Come and dive with us - all welcome. clubmembership@rsac1489.com (67103) 573638 or Mark: 07787 106191. (64974)
236328. (68370) Active club with RIB on South coast. Contact Len: 07867 Robin Hood Dive Club. Yorkshire based and one of the The Bath Bubble Club SAA777 seeks new members. New
Banbury SAC. Friendly, active club with weekly meetings 544 738. www.wycombesubaqua.com (69131) most active in the country with a full 2016 calendar of and qualified divers of all agencies welcome. Weekly pool
and training sessions, own boat, compressor and HUGSAC - BSAC 380. Experienced club, based around trips. All agencies and grades welcome. No training or training, every Wednesday at 9pm, Culverhay Sport
Hertfordshire, with RIB on the South coast. Members pool, just a growing bunch of regular divers. Centre, Rush Hill, Bath. Regular diving programme from
equipment. Welcome divers/non-divers. www.bansac.org
dive with passion for all underwater exploration. All www.robinhooddiveclub.com or find us on Facebook. club RIB. www.bathbubbleclubuk.co.uk (68429)
or call 07787 097 289. (69308)
agencies welcome. www.hugsac.co.uk (63275) (59245) Totnes SAC (Devon). We are an active multi-agency club
Bracknell Sub Aqua Club welcomes new and experienced
Ifield Divers. Crawley-based club. Twin engine dive boat Rochdale Sub-Aqua Club. Beginners and experienced and welcome new members and qualified divers from all
divers from all agencies. Meets poolside at Bracknell
with stern lift in Brighton Marina.Training for novices, divers welcome. Full training provided. Pool session every organisations. Two RIBs and own compressor/nitrox, plus
Sports Centre, Thursdays from 8.30pm. Diving, training
diving for the experienced - all qualifications welcome. Wednesday. Club has two boats. More info at club 4WD. Diving all round South Devon and Cornwall.
and social calendar: www.bracknellscuba.org.uk or tel:
www.ifield-divers.org.uk Email: info@ifield-divers.org.uk www.RochdaleDivers.co.uk or call Mick 07951 834 903. Visit www.totnes-bsac.co.uk for details. (68319)
07951 855 725. (65792)
or tel: 01883 345146. (64514) (65103) Wells Dive Group. Friendly, active club in Somerset
Braintree Riverside Sub Aqua Club based in Braintree,
Ilkeston & Kimberley SAA 945, between Nottingham Ruislip & Northwood BSAC. Friendly, active club, RIB, welcomes new or experienced divers. Meeting/training
Essex. A friendly club, we welcome divers of all abilities
and Derby, welcomes beginners and experienced divers. welcomes new and qualified divers. Meets Highgrove Pool at The Little Theatre or the pool on Thursdays, try dives
and have an active diving and social programme. Come
We meet every Friday night at Kimberley Leisure Centre Thursday nights 8.30pm. www.rnbsac.co.uk Tel: 07843 available. Regular RIB diving, trips around the UK and
and join us! email: denise.f.wright2@btinternet.com
at 8.30pm. Contact through www.iksac.co.uk (68559) 738 646 for details. (69469) abroad. Visit: www.wellsdivers.co.uk or Tel: Rob, 07832
www.braintreeriversidesac.co.uk (69397)
K2 Divers, covering West Sussex/Surrey. A friendly BSAC Scotland Plug Divers. Small, friendly dive club welcomes 141250. (69653)
Bristol Scuba Club meets at Kingswood Leisure Centre, Wiltshires newest Scuba Diving Club - JC Scuba Dive
club, but all qualifications welcome. Training in Crawley, newly qualified and experienced divers to join us. Regular
BS16 4HR, every Friday, 8pm - 10pm. Diver access to a Club. Friendly active dive club based in Swindon, all
boat at Littlehampton. Email: k2divers@yahoo.co.uk or hardboat diving around Bass Rock/Firth of Forth/
large pool. www.bristol-scuba-club.co.uk or call: 07811 affiliations welcome. Pool sessions, UK & Worldwide
tel: (01293) 612989. (68335) Eyemouth and trips abroad. Tel George: 07793 018 540.
374944. (63812) trips, shore, boat & liveaboard diving, regular socials.
Kingston BSAC, Surrey. Two RIBs , clubhouse and bar, Email: plugdivers@btinternet.com (64638)
Bromley/Lewisham Active divers required. Full Affiliated training school, fully insured. Exclusive member
active dive programme, two compressors, Nitrox, Trimix, Selby Aquanauts SAA 1117. Family friendly club,
programme of hardboat diving throughout the year. benefits. www.jcscubadiveclub.co.uk (68279)
full training offered at all levels. All very welcome. welcomes new and qualified divers. Regular trips UK &
Check out Nekton SAC www.nekton.org.uk or contact
www.kingstonsac.org or tel: 07842 622193. (69176) abroad. Meet every Thursday, Albion Vaults, Selby at 9pm.
Jackie (01689) 850130. (68537)
Leeds based Rothwell & Stanley SAC welcomes new and Contact Mark: 07831 295 655. (69261)
Buckingham Dive Centre. A small friendly club
experienced divers, full SAA training given. Purpose built
welcoming all divers and those wanting to learn. We dive
throughout the year and run trips in the UK and abroad.
www.stowesubaqua.co.uk Tel: Roger 07802 765366.
clubhouse with bar, RIB, compressor. Meet Tuesday
evenings: 07738 060567 kevin.oddy@talktalk.net
Sheffield BSAC36. Friendly, social and active dive club
welcomes newcomers or qualified divers. Trips, socials,
weekly pool and club/pub meetings, club RIB. See
WANT TO
(69371)
(69433)
Chelmsford and District SAC meet at 8pm every Friday
at Riverside Pool. New and qualified divers are welcome.
Lincoln - Imp Divers. Small, friendly, non-political diving
club with our own RIB are looking to welcome new and
www.bsac36.org.uk (69191)
Slough 491 BSAC; small friendly club welcomes divers
at all levels. Meet at Beechwood School Fridays 19.30.
ADVERTISE
experienced divers. Contact Richard: 07931 170205.
See our website for details: www.chelmsforddiveclub.co.uk
(68620)
Chingford, London BSAC 365. Friendly and active club
(69383)
Lincoln and District BSAC. Active club with own RIB,
Diving holidays and South Coast. Email: malcolm@uv.net
or tel: Tony (01344) 884 596.
SOS Divers (SAA 263), Stourport, Worcestershire.
(69722) YOUR CLUB?
compressor and other facilities. Regular trips and training. Founded 1979. Friendly family club welcomes qualified
welcomes divers from all agencies and trainees. Meet
Wednesday 8pm, Larkswood Leisure Centre E4 9EY.
www.lincolndivingclub.co.uk (69336) and trainee divers. Own RIB. Contact Althea by email: Email:
Llantrisant SAC, two RIBs, towing vehicle, welcomes arannie123@outlook.com (57542)
Information: www.dive365.co.uk
loughtondivers365@gmail.com
Email:
(69208)
new and experienced divers. Meet at Llantrisant Leisure South Coast Divers (SAA 1150) Portsmouth. A friendly
Jenny Webb,
Centre 8pm Mondays. Contact Phil: (01443) 227667.
Cockleshell Divers, Portsmouth, Hants. Small, friendly www.llantrisantdivers.com (68519)
and active club welcomes new and experienced divers
from all agencies. Email: southcoastdivers@hotmail.co.uk
jenny@divermag.co.uk
club welcomes new and experienced divers from all Lutterworth Dive Club, active, social, friendly. Own RIB,
agencies. Meets at Cockleshell Community Centre, Fridays or call Darren: 07449 794 804. (69224)
regular trips. Welcomes qualified divers, any agency.
at 8pm. Email: cockleshell.divers@aol.co.uk (64762) Training at all levels. Most Tuesdays, Lutterworth Sports
Colchester Sub-Aqua Club welcomes experienced divers Centre. www.lsac.co.uk (70040)
and beginners. Sub-Aqua Association training. Diving at
home and abroad. Meets at Leisure World Friday
evenings. Contact Tony (01787) 475803. (68263)
Mansfield & District Scuba Diving Club, SAA942,
Mansfield. Family dive club, diving and social members
welcome. Own clubhouse with licenced bar. Regular dive
WEBSITES
Cotswold BSAC, a friendly club based at Brockworth trips and holidays. www.scubamad.co.uk Tel: (01623)
Pool, Nr Cheltenham, Fridays 8pm. Regular inland diving
www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk
622130. Facebook. (65219)
and coast trips.
www.cotswoldbsac332.co.uk
Tel: 07711 312078.
(68577)
Manta Divers. Norfolk wreck & reef diving. Small, Quality Diving Products
friendly, experienced club. All agencies welcome. SAA
Darwen SAC, in Lancashire, with an active diving training. www.mantadivers.org (64088)
programme. Own RIB. new members welcome regardless Mercian Divers (BSAC 2463) Active & Friendly club.
of agency/training. We provide BSAC training. Weekly
pool sessions. www.darwensac.org.uk (69161)
Eastern Sub Aqua Club SAA 1073. We are a small friendly
New, experienced & junior divers welcome. Own RIB.
Based in Bromsgrove, West Midlands. Tel: 01905 773406 www.otterboxes.co.uk Rugged waterproof cases for
every environment
www.mercian-divers.org.uk (65391)
dive club and welcome new and experienced divers alike. Millennium Divers. Active, friendly club for all levels
Torches, strobes, marker lights
www.tek-tite.co.uk
We are situated north of Norwich for training. For more and certifications of diver, based in Portland, Dorset. UK
information please see out website: www.esacdivers.co.uk
(65879)
diving and holidays. Club social nights for diving and outdoor pursuits
www.millenniumdivers.org (68351)
Dream Divers. Very friendly dive club in Rotherham Mole Valley Sub Aqua Club. Surrey based SDI club, own
welcomes divers of any level/club. Meet at the Ring O
A quality range of masks, snorkels,
www.unidive.co.uk
RIB, active diving UK & Abroad, training and social
Bells, Swinton, last Thursday of the month at 19.30. events. Trainees/crossovers welcome. Contact: 07552
Email: info@dreamdiversltd.co.uk (69699) 498558 or email: committee@mvsac.org.uk (68691) fins and knives
Ealing SAC, BSAC 514. Friendly, active club, own RIBs; Monastery Dive Club (Dunkerton Branch). New divers
welcomes new and experienced divers. Meets Highgrove welcome to join our club. Trips to Plymouth and NDAC.
Pool, Eastcote, Tuesday nights 8.30pm. www.esac.org.uk GSOH is a must. South Wales area (Crosskeys, Risca.)
(68413) Please text me: Flinty 07971 432803 or email:
East Cheshire Sub Aqua. Macclesfield based BSAC club.
divErNEt.com
welshflinty@hotmail.com (65305)
Purpose-built clubhouse, bar, two RIBs, minibus, nitrox, Nekton SAC. Based in Bromley, we are a friendly and
compressor. Lower Bank Street, Macclesfield, SK11 7HL. active SAA Club that welcomes experienced and new
Tel: 01625 502367. www.scubadivingmacclesfield.com divers alike. Info@nekton.org.uk or call Steve: 020 8467
(65609) 4599. (68387)
East Durham Divers SAA welcome new/experienced
#1
Nemo Diving Club. Small friendly dive club offering dive
divers of any agency. Comprehensive facilities with own trips and training for non/experienced divers in Retford
premises half a mile from the sea. Contact: John: 07857 and surrounding areas. Contact: www.nemodiver
174125. (68663) training.co.uk (69640)
East Lancs Diving Club based in Blackburn. Friendly North Glos BSAC 80. Friendly, active club welcomes new
and active club welcomes new members at all levels of
The UKs
and experienced divers. Own boat and equipment with
diving from all organisations. Tel: 07784 828961 or email: weekly pool sessions, Thursdays, 8.30pm at GL1
ELDC@hotmail.co.uk www.eastlancsdivers.co.uk Gloucester, (Gloucester Leisure Centre). www.nglos.co.uk
(69411) (68483)
Eastbourne BSAC; RIB, Banked air (free) to 300bar, North Wales Sub Aqua Club. Llandudno based and open
Diving Website
Nitrox, Trimix. Enjoy some of the best diving on the to new and experienced divers. Fun, friendly and active
South Coast, all qualifications welcome. SAA affiliated club. Training every weekend.
www.sovereigndivers.co.uk (65695) www.nwsac.wales (70685)
Ellon Sub Aqua Club, Aberdeenshire, welcomes Nuneaton. Marlin BSAC welcomes experienced divers
newcomers and experienced divers. We dive year round to Pingles pool every Thursday. Active training, diving,
and meet on Thursday evenings. Contact social programme in a flourishing club with no politics
www.ellonsubaquaclub.co.uk (65523) allowed. www.marlinsac.com (69322)
Flintshire Sub Aqua Club based in Holywell, Flintshire, Orkney SAC. Small, friendly active dive club, based in latest news competitions great prizes UK boat spaces
welcomes new and experienced divers from all agencies. Kirkwall, welcomes divers of any level or club. Own RIB
Full dive programme. Meet Wednesdays. See us at and compressor. Contact Craig: 07888 690 986 or email: FREE personal ads holiday offers and much more
www.flintsac.co.uk or call 01352 731425. (64293) craigbarclay31@hotmail.com (69735)
DIVE CENTRE DIRECTORY
IANTD DAN
DAN
FACILITIES BSAC School PADI Training SSI Training TDI Training IANTD Training Member of SITA IDEST approved DAN Training
INCLUDE:
Cylinder testing Regulator servicing Equipment for hire Dive boat charter arranged Compressed Air Nitrox Technical Gases Disability Diving
A N T
WEST SUSSEX A
OCEAN VIEW DIVING SERVICES
160 South Street, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8AU.
DAN
DAN
A N T Tel: (01903) 767224. E-mail: info@oceanviewdiving.co.uk
IANTD www.oceanviewdiving.co.uk Open 7 days a week 0900-
1700. PADI TecRec Training. Diving Holidays.
DAN
DAN
A N TO ADVERTISE IN THE
LEICESTERSHIRE
STONEY COVE
DIVE CENTRE
DEVON
THE NATIONAL DIVE CENTRE
Leicester, LE9 4DW. www.stoneycove.co.uk
www.underwaterworld.co.uk Sales & service: (01455)
DIRECTORY
273089; The Dive School (PADI 5* IDC): (01455) 272768; Call Alex on
DIVERS DOWN Nemos Bar & Diner: (01455) 274198. UKs leading dive
139 Babbacombe Road, Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3SR. company. Dive Stanegarth, Britains biggest inland wreck. 020 8941 4568
Tel: (01803) 327111. Fax: (01803) 32463.
A N T
E-mail: info@diversdown.co.uk
www.diversdown.co.uk Open Mon-Fri 1000-1730; Sat
0900-1730; Sun 1000-1600. PADI 5* IDC.
A N
ADVERTISERS INDEX
AGGRESSOR FLEET 7 OTHREE 55
APEKS 41 OCEANS 2017 2
AQUA-FIRMA 12 OTTER DRYSUITS 60
DORSET
ATOMIC AQUATICS 56 PRO DIVE INTERNATIONAL 87
DIVERS DOWN SWANAGE IANTD BEAVER 56
The Pier, High Street, Swanage, Dorset. PRODIVERS MALDIVES 6
Tel: (01929) 423565. Mob: (07977) 142661. DAN
DAN
A N BLUE O TWO (FIJI) 36
E-mail: medina@madasafish.com PROFESSIONAL DIVING ACADEMY 58
www.diversdownswanage.co.uk Open 7 days a week BLUE O TWO (RED SEA) 46
during the dive season. The UKs oldest dive centre. REGALDIVE (LIVEABOARDS) 37
MERSEYSIDE CAMEL DIVE CLUB 42
REGALDIVE (RED SEA) 65
WIRRAL SPORTS & LEISURE CARIBBEAN FUN TRAVEL 16
164-192 Cleveland Street, Birkenhead CH41 3QQ. REGALDIVE (WORLDWIDE) 76
Tel: (0151) 666 6629. DIVE MASTER INSURANCE 94
e-mail: sales@wirralsports.co.uk RNLI 99
www.wirralsports.co.uk Mon-Fri 0900-1730; Sat 0900- DIVE SAFARI ASIA 51
1700. Air to 300bar. Diving, watersports, mail order and SCUBA TRAVEL 3/65
online shopping. DIVE SAINT LUCIA 23
DIVE WORLDWIDE 37 SEA & SEA (BONEX) 16
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DAN
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MAGAZINE ONLY 90 SOLOMON ISLANDS DIVE EXPEDITIONS 86
UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
Unit 1, Maritime Business Centre, Mereside, Portland, OVERSEAS 66 SPORTIF 13
Dorset DT5 1FD. Tel: (01305) 824555.
E-mail: info@underwaterexplorers.co.uk TORCH 93
www.underwaterexplorers.co.uk Open 7 days a week
ST HELENA ISLAND TOURISM 9
0900-1700 minimum Equipment for sale. WATCH 97
SUB AQUA PRODUCTS 56
A N EURO DIVERS 42
SUUNTO DIVING UK 100
EXMOUTH DIVING CENTRE 30/31
TRUK ODYSSEY 76
MIDDLESEX EXPLORA MADEIRA 86
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G&H DIVING SERVICES
Unit 1 Willow House, River Gardens, North Feltham LONDON SCHOOL OF DIVING 23 UNDERWATER WORLD PUBLICATIONS 70
Trading Estate, Feltham TW14 0RD. Tel: (020) 8751 3771.
Fax: (020) 8751 2591. E-mail: Ghdiving@aol.com MALTAQUA 60 U.W.P. (BRITISH SEA FISHES) 48
Mon-Fri 0900-1800; Sat 0900-1230. ANDI Training.
MARES 14 U.W.P. (SCUBA DIVING MALTA GOZO COMINO) 66
96 Please remember to mention divEr Magazine when replying to any of these advertisements
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DEEP BREATH
W
ITH THE VAST ARRAY of dive-gear on hose. The primary regulator is wound with a green free when pulled on.
the market, its unusual to find any two hose protector and my pony regulator retains its Both the lanyards for the octopus and pony
divers using identical set-ups (unless standard black hose. regulators can then be placed around the neck, in
theyre following DIR/Hogarthian principles). There The main tank pressure gauge is incorporated in easy reach throughout the dive. I find that having
are however a number of basic principles that can the additional regulators in mouthpiece-holders also
be applied to anyones set-up in particular layout reduces the chances of them freeflowing when
and configuration of regulators and supplementary back-rolling off a RIB.
hoses, and the attachment of other ancillary items.
Divers who have qualified and gained experience MOST DIVERS REQUIRE additional kit such as a
may wish to develop their diving skills, for example knife, compass, torch, reel, SMB, slate, computer, flag
by using nitrox, or undertaking more adventurous or or camera. Some also take back-up kit, such as a
deeper diving. Its at this stage that additions to, and spare mask and an extra torch. Thought needs to be
configuration of, the basic kit needs thought. given to where each item will be located, keeping in
Adding a pony cylinder is one option many sports mind the principles of streamlining, accessibility and
divers consider at this stage. This often requires a minimising the risk of entanglement.
rethink as to how hoses and gauges are configured Most BCs have pockets that can store reels and
and positioned. masks, and some have a dedicated SMB pocket.
So what needs to be taken into account when Knives, traditionally attached to the leg, are now
configuring a scuba set-up or adding a pony? The available to fix to the BC, the arm or a hose.
additional kit consists of the cylinder itself, a method Where equipment such as a torch, reel or camera
of securely attaching it to the divers equipment, is to be clipped to the diver, it should be capable of
first- and second-stage regulators, a pressure gauge being cut free should it become entangled and trap
on a hose and a clip/attachment for the regulator. Pictured: Pony tank clamped to main cylinder a green the diver. Direct metal-to-metal connections should
The set-up should be kept as streamlined as hose-protector distinguishes the main regulator. be avoided. There should be a weak link in the form
possible. This involves locating gauges in easy-to- Below left: Torch with bolt-snap and cutaway rubber of a lanyard or rubber connection capable of being
read positions, and keeping the extra regulators in connection. Above: Back-up reg, with surgical-tube lanyard cut to release the item in an emergency.
attached to the mouthpiece-cover and worn around the neck.
accessible places, free from risk of entanglement Use bolt-snaps to clip on items. The advantage is
and allowing easy identification. that they have to be physically
A pony cylinder is usually attached operated to make a connection,
to the diver by clamping it to the unlike the carabiner-type of clip
main cylinder. The aim is to keep it as which can, unknown to the diver,
close to that cylinder and the back of accidentally clip to a rope or line. The
the BC as possible to keep the bolt-snap should be big enough to
configuration streamlined. Adding a allow operation when wearing gloves.
pony set-up can increase drag by up Why not examine your own set-
to 10%, research shows. up could it be more streamlined? Are
gauges and extra regulators close to
THE MAIN SECOND STAGE runs a double console while my pony-cylinder gauge is a hand? Is equipment attached with the correct type
from the first stage to the divers right side, as does single unit. Both gauges are fed under my arms and of clips, and can attached items be cut free easily if
the drysuit inflator hose. The BC inflator connects as clipped above waist level to ensure that they can be required?
usual to the inflator feed on the left side. easily read at all times, the main one on my left and Its a good idea to practise, in the pool or shallow
The high-pressure gauge for the main tank is the single pony gauge on the right. water, the deployment and restowage of any new
taken to the left side along with the octopus Its important that the regulators are located items and to become familiar with any changed
regulator. Routeing the alternative air source to the where they are accessible both to me and to other configuration of gauges or regulators.
left means that it is correctly orientated to allow divers who may need air in an emergency. Im always Most divers have settled on an equipment set-up
another diver to breathe from it in a face-to-face surprised to see divers stow an octopus where they customised to their own requirements or taste but
position, or to swim alongside on the left of the or their buddy would have difficulty accessing it. paying attention to these basic principles could
donating diver. If a pony is to be added, its In some cases the hose is captured and clipped to make your diving that much safer.
98
THERE ARE LOTS
OF HAND SIGNALS
IN DIVING
WHEN IT COMES
TO YOUR HEART,
THIS SHOULDNT
BE ONE OF THEM
Book an appointment with a healthcare
professional or diving doctor and check
that your heart is up to it.