Scuba Diver December 17 - Issue 10

WIN AN AWESOME PARALENZ DIVE CAMERA SYSTEM WORTH £580!

DEEPER INTO SCOTLAND:

SURGE, SWELL & CURRENTS:

GAVIN ANDERSON SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO EXPLORE THE EXMOUTH

HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE CHALLENGING CONDITIONS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

Breathe in, breathe out, be free Emma Farrell talks about equalising issues, dolphin encounters and oil slicks ISSUE 10 | DEC 17 | £3.25

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Indonesia ‣ Gibraltar ‣ GROUP TEST: Masks over £45 WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM

Red Sea Special: Northern/Southern Back to Back - 14 Days $3799

An experience without equal “The diving and snorkelling at Wakatobi is outstanding, that’s well known. But also important is the excellent customer service of every staff member. Wakatobi can teach customer service to any industry or organization. You feel at home the first day, and it just gets better every day after that.” ~Steve and Cindy Moore

www.wakatobi.com

EDITOR’S NOTE What can we do to inspire the

NEXT GENERATION OF DIVERS? I started diving when I was 12, and now I have had the pleasure of seeing my son beat me by near enough a full 12 months, as he qualified as a PADI Junior Open Water Diver just a couple of weeks after his 11th birthday.

Luke was already a waterboy, having been snorkelling since he was four, and then going through SASSY (Surface Air Supplied Snorkelling for Youth) at five and a half, Bubblemaker at eight and SEAL Team at nine. All of this prior experience really helped him when he tackled his full diving course, and he was already familiar with skills such as mask clearing, regulator retrieval, hovering, etc. Now I can’t wait for us to all go diving together as a family. He has already stated he needs a drysuit as he isn’t going to be a ‘warm water only’ diver! That’s my boy!

Bringing new blood like Luke into the world of diving is the only way to secure the future of our exciting activity, and so hot on the heels of our free six-month subscription for all newly qualified divers, the team at Scuba Diver would now like to extend this out to all young divers, who can get a free subscription until their 19th birthday.

This is our way of congratulating younger people on joining the diving fraternity, and doing our bit to keep them enthused and active in our underwater playground, be that right here in the UK or in warmer waters further afield. For more info, check out: www.scubadivermag.com/promo/6-months-free/ NB: Young divers can sign up for an initial six-month subscription, and then extend this every six months up to their 19th birthday.

MARK EVANS Editor-in-Chief

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Mark Evans Tel: 0800 0 69 81 40 ext 700 Email: mark.evans@scubadivermag.com

DESIGN

Matt Griffiths Email: matt@griffital.com

MAGAZINE

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Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers.

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WIN AN AWESOME PARALENZ DIVE CAMERA SYSTEM WORTH £580!

DEEPER INTO SCOTLAND:

SURGE, SWELL & CURRENTS:

GAVIN ANDERSON SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO EXPLORE THE EXMOUTH

HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE CHALLENGING CONDITIONS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

ON THE COVER

Breathe in, breathe out, be free Emma Farrell talks about equalising issues, dolphin encounters and oil slicks ISSUE 10 | DEC 17 | £3.25

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Indonesia ‣ Gibraltar ‣ GROUP TEST: Masks over £45

p001_ScubaDiverDec17.indd 1

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PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED BUYLE

24/11/2017 12:10

REGULAR COLUMNS

FEATURES

DEMA round-up, Sylvia Earle teams up with PADI, and the Fiji Siren is lost at sea.

Gavin Anderson decides to spend a week doing some British diving with a difference, heading out to ‘the Rock’ to sample the rich and varied wreck diving that is available, much of it straight offshore.

6 News

32 Dive like a Pro

A panel of experts from all the main training agencies offer advice on dealing with surge.

42 Our-World UW Scholar

Mae Dorricott extols the virtues of exploring the Lembeh Strait in Indonesia.

74 Competition: Paralenz

24 Gibraltar

34 South Africa

Cape Town is famous for great white shark cage dives, but aside from these apex predators, this area of South Africa offers many more encounters for visiting divers, including blue sharks, six-gill sharks and Cape fur seals.

34 UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY: Martyn Guess

Win a Paralenz Dive Camera worth £580 in our monthly competition prize draw.

Guest underwater photography professional Martyn Guess talks about how to ensure you get the basics right when attempting to shoot macro marine life.

98 The Course Director

44 FREEDIVING:

Photo pro Paddy Peach Steele takes over the column this month with some hints and advice.

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Q&A with AIDA, SSI and RAID freediving instructor and all-round breathhold guru Emma Farrell, of Go Freediving.

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CONTENTS

56 ABOVE 18m: Cornwall

Jeremy Cuff again takes on the Above 18m mantle this month, but with a twist - it could be called Above 18 inches, as he embarks on a snorkelling expedition in search of blue sharks off the Cornish coastline.

GEAR GUIDE 82 What’s New

New products recently released or coming soon, including Scuba Diver divewear, created in conjunction with Fourth Element.

60 United States of America

84 Group Test

66 Indonesia

90 Test Extra

76 TECHNICAL: Scotland

94 Long Term Test

The Scuba Diver team recently headed to Florida for the DEMA trade show, and tagged on a week pre-event with the families in tow to do Disney, Universal - and a spot of spring diving/snorkelling.

Walt Stearns looks at Wakatobi Dive Resort’s luxury liveaboard Pelagian, which plies the waters further afield from the resort and offers everything from wall diving to muck diving.

The SS Exmouth lies in relatively deep waters in the North Sea, and weather conditions can often scupper efforts to get to the dive site, but if you are lucky and make the trip, you are in for a rare treat.

WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM

The Scuba Diver Test Team looks at one of the diving essentials this month - masks - focusing on products over £45.

The Santi Flex 360 undersuit and Dry Bag, a unique storage and drying solution for wet kit, is rated and reviewed.

The Scuba Diver Test Team gets to grips with a selection of products over a six-month period, including the Apeks XL4 regulator.

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News

Each month, we bring together the latest industry news from right here in the UK, as well as all over our water planet. To find out the most up-to-date news and views, check out the website. scubadivermag.com/news

Dr Sylvia Earle joins forces with PADI in the name of ocean conservation Photographs by KARL SHREEVES, PADI EDUCATION and CONTENT DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE/PADI

‘

Her Deepness’ Dr Sylvia Earle, president and chairman of Mission Blue, and PADI Worldwide president and CEO Dr Drew Richardson discussed the critical role divers play in ocean conservation during a presentation at DEMA 2017 in Florida on Friday 3 November.

“Change comes when people care, and there are no better messengers to communicate the beauty and fragility of the ocean than divers, who have a direct, emotional connection to the ocean,” commented Earle, who together with Richardson was encouraging the worldwide dive community to be ‘a force for good’.

Still a committed, dedicated diver despite her advancing years, Earle recalled: “Breathing underwater is such a joy. I first experienced it back in the 1950s, long before most of you were born, and as long as I breathe, I expect to be taking the plunge – though I might have to do it from inside a submarine at some point!”

Throughout its history, PADI has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to environmental conservation through its course offerings, and alignment with organisations such as the Project AWARE Foundation, to protect and preserve the planet – and now it is throwing its weight behind Mission Blue.

Led by legendary oceanographer Dr Earle, Mission Blue is dedicated to uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of

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marine protected areas named Hope Spots. Under her leadership, the Mission Blue team implements communications campaigns that elevates Hope Spots to the world stage through documentaries, social media, traditional media and innovative tools like Google Earth. Currently, the Mission Blue alliance includes more than 180 respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organisations, from large multi-national companies to individual scientific teams doing important research, and since June 2017, this includes PADI. The focus of this powerhouse partnership is to further ignite support for Hope Spot marine protected areas, and together, PADI and Mission Blue aim to empower all divers to make a tangible impact during and after their dives by collecting and broadcasting their observations, scientific and otherwise, as well as connect them to local conservation efforts and best practices.

“We don’t get to live in an ideal world, we live in this one,” said Richardson. “Training one million new divers each year across the planet, PADI has the reach and influence to mobilise divers to be citizen activists. The diving community can be a powerful change agent that can engage in strategic alliances, have a strong voice and get involved in real solutions to mitigate the problems that threaten our ocean planet.” www.mission-blue.org | www.padi.com/forceforgood

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DEMA 2017 ROUND-UP The DEMA (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) Show is the only international trade-only event for the diving, action watersports and travel industries, and this year it took place from 1-4 November in Orlando, Florida. Visitors have to be a Divemaster or above, and exhibitors hail from 81 countries. Continuing this global theme, apparently one-in-four attendees comes from outside the United States of America, and some 24 percent of visitors are new to the DEMA show each year.

As well as a host of DEMA-sponsored seminars and exhibitor-sponsored seminars to attend on a daily basis, visitors were also treated to a hall filled with hundreds of booths from exhibitors across the globe, covering everything from manufacturers, training agencies, resorts, hotels, liveaboards, charter boats, dive-related accessories and novelties, and much more.

The DEMA show is often used as a showcase for new products coming to market, and 2017 was no different. Here are just a handful of what you could have seen.

Apeks were displaying their newly released cold-water-rated, lightweight XL4 regulator (see last month’s issue for a worldwide exclusive first-review of this reg), while Aqualung demonstrated the modular Rogue BCD, which is like the ‘big brother’ of the stripped-down, back-to-basics Outlaw, offering all the benefits of that product but adding some neat new features.

Brit innovators Fourth Element had their new Thermocline range on their booth.

The world’s first non-neoprene wetsuit when launched 17 years ago, the Thermocline range has been completely overhauled – as well as being made from a more-environmentally friendly material, further establishing the company’s green credentials.

One of the most-interesting products on display was the Paralenz Dive Camera.

Unlike other action-cams that are designed for use on land and then shoehorned into a waterproof housing, the Paralenz product was designed to go underwater from the outset, and intriguingly it features DCC (Depth Colour Correction), which means the clever little unit automatically corrects the colours in the videos and photographs according to both depth and water colour.

Suunto were showcasing their EON Core dive computer, a smaller-bodied but full-functioned version of the EON Steel, giving them two full-colour-display models in their line-up (see last month’s issue for a report on first-dives on the EON Core).

A new name on the block, at least in diving circles, was Garmin, who were making waves with their Descent MK1 wristwatch-style dive computer. A solid performer in active pursuits topside, it will be interesting to see what impact this company has in the diving world.

New-kid-on-the-block training agency RAID released a series of skill demonstration videos which will form part of their entry-level Open Water 20 certification course. What makes them different? All the skills are done in neutral buoyancy and in horizontal trim. www.demashow.com NB: Next year’s DEMA show is back in Las Vegas – make a note of the dates in your diary: 14-17 November 2018.

WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM

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News Deptherapy Diving Team achieves continued success in Red Sea Find out more about a luxurious holiday in one of the world’s premier diving destinations...

CREDIT: DMITRY KNYAZEV

+44 1926 421100 www.bunakenoasis.com info@bunakenoasis.com

• Luxury air conditioned cottages with sea-view balconies • Fresh water infinity pool • Cocktail bar and panoramic restaurant • Custom-built spa • PADI dive centre • Dive boats with showers, toilets and space • Dedicated camera room • Full range of hire equipment

A team from scuba diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy has returned from another successful Red Sea training programme with three new PADI Open Water Divers, one PADI Advanced and Deep Diver and four PADI Rescue Divers.

The latest Deptherapy programme took place during the last week in October and was the second to take place this year at Roots Red Sea in El Quseir. The Programme Members were all wounded-in-service veterans from the UK Armed Forces suffering from life-changing mental and/or physical injuries, including several with acute PTSD. The instructional team included Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AmbassaDiver Chris Middleton, who was one of the very first Deptherapy Programme Members who learnt to dive. Chris may have lost both legs in Afghanistan but refuses to be defined by his disability. He is now a fully qualified Divemaster and will take his instructor course next year in order to realise his ambition to become the world’s first double-amputee PADI instructor.

Among the Programme Members on this trip was triple-amputee Josh Boggi, a former Royal Engineer and now an award-winning Invinctus Games cyclist in training for the 2020 Paralympics. Josh achieved his Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver and Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty, adapting his trim to sidemount to compensate for his injuries. Deptherapy will continue to work with Josh to help achieve his Rescue Diver qualification.

The Deptherapy team is now working towards finalising their 2018 programme to satisfy both rapidly increasing demand from prospective new divers as well as professionals who wish to learn the skills required to teach adaptive diving techniques. Already planned are two Red Sea training programmes, a UK-based Deptherapy Education Pros course and Mental Health First Aid course, as well as a ground-breaking expedition to Truk in August. www.deptherapy.co.uk

Luxury liveaboard lost in Fiji, guests and crew safe and well

Image courtesy of Hung from Canada

www.bunakenoasis.com

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Luxury liveaboard Fiji Siren has apparently been lost during a cruise, but thankfully reports state that all guests and crew are safe and well.

Details of the incident are sketchy as to what exactly has happened, but news broke early on Wednesday 15 November in a statement on Worldwide Dive and Sail’s Facebook page that the boat was lost at sea.

The Siren fleet has had more than its fair share of bad luck when it comes to liveaboards. Back in January 2012, the Mandarin Siren was consumed by fire, and just a few months later in June 2012, the Oriental Siren had to be abandoned during a storm enroute to Layang Layang. Then in 2015, the Truk Siren was driven ashore during Typhoon Masak and subsequently set on fire by looters, and a few months later, the Palau Siren dragged anchor and ran aground on a reef, though thankfully it was saved.

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Aquanauts Grenada True Blue & Grand Anse, Grenada Phone: +1 (473) 444 1126 sales@aquanautsgrenada.com www.aquanautsgrenada.com

Dive Grenada Mt Cinnamon Hotel, Grenada Phone: +1 (473) 444 1092 info@divegrenada.com www.divegrenada.com

Lumbadive PADI 5 star Harvey Vale, Tyrell Bay, Carriacou Phone: +1 (473) 443 8566 dive@lumbadive.com www.lumbadive.com

Deefer Diving Carriacou Hillsborough, Carriacou Phone: +1 (473) 443 7882 info@deeferdiving.com www.deeferdiving.com

Eco Dive - Grenada Coyaba Beach Resort, Grenada Phone: +1 (473) 444 7777 dive@ecodiveandtrek.com www.ecodiveandtrek.com

Scuba Tech Calabash Hotel, Grenada Phone: +1 (473) 439 4346 info@scubatech-grenada.com www.scubatech-grenada.com

www.puredivinggrenada.com

Manta Diving Lanzarote

News Dive Worldwide donates £1,000 to Bite-Back Scuba diving travel specialist Dive Worldwide surprised Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation with a cheque for £1,000 at the Dive 2017 show in Birmingham last month.

The money had been raised through a client opt-in scheme over the past 12 months. This latest windfall adds to the impressive total of £4,460 already donated to the charity by the award-winning dive operator since 2013.

Director of Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “It’s easy to measure our reputation in terms of awards and satisfied customers, but that’s only half the story. At the core of our character is a profound love of the oceans. For that reason we’ve chosen to support the excellent work Bite-Back does to protect sharks and the marine environment.”

In the time that Dive Worldwide has supported Bite-Back, the charity has helped prompt 48 UK restaurants to stop serving shark-fin soup, abruptly ended the introduction of shark meat to hundreds of Iceland food stores across the country, and launched a campaign to end the 20kg personal import allowance of shark fins to Europe.”

Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “Dive Worldwide’s fundraising initiative is a lifeline for the work we do. We truly acknowledge their role in our ongoing success and feel very proud of the association.”

To find out more about Dive Worldwide’s impressive list of global dive destinations, visit www.diveworldwide.com. To find out more about Bite-Back’s campaigns, visit www.bite-back.com

Dive the Museo Atlantico the rst underwater museum in Europe!

Spacious fully equipped cent dive centre Book a 6 dive package or above & quote: “SDM” & receive a free dive on top of your dive package!

Contact us: (0034) 928516815 www.mantadivinglanzarote.com info@mantadivinglanzarote.com

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Marine biologists from international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) working on the River Thames are excited to report more evidence of seahorses living in London’s iconic waterway. The sighting of a sixth individual animal in the past two months alone, compared with previous averages of just one or two annual sightings, underlines the importance of the Thames and its estuary as a haven for wildlife.

The most-recent sighting of a short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus) was recorded by an ecological survey team working at Greenwich on behalf of Tideway. It is not yet known what might have caused this recent surge in sightings.

Commenting on the team’s latest discovery, Anna Cucknell – Estuaries and Wetlands Conservation Manager for ZSL – said: “We’re really excited to be finding more and more evidence suggesting seahorses are resident in the Thames. The limited research work to date suggests that two species in particular now call London’s estuary home: the short-snouted seahorse and the spiny seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus).

“Both tend to prefer shallow coastal waters and estuaries, so we shouldn’t be too shocked to find them here. But the fact both species typically have small home ranges and don’t tend to travel far gives reason to believe that the seahorses we’ve found recently are permanent residents rather than occasional visitors.

“Beyond that, there’s currently a real lack of scientific data on the wider status and populations of these two seahorse species in the Thames and throughout their range, so we’re hopeful these recent finds will attract the attention of funders to help us understand more about these amazing animals.”

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Photographs courtesy of ZSL (Zoological Society of London)

5* PADI Resort British family run business

Surge in seahorse sightings shows importance of River Thames for wildlife

DIVEMASTERS AND INSTRUCTORS

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Top jobs are available on superyachts for qualified Divemasters and dive instructors, starting at €2,000-plus per month, on our client yachts

Galileo Maritime Academy offers you two 15-day residential courses, either of which will give you the key entry qualifications for starting a career as crew on a superyacht. Those with a service and hospitality background or skill-set will choose the Deckhand/ Steward(ess) route and those with a background or interest in engineering will choose the Deckhand/Engineer route.

Being a PADI-certified Divemaster or dive instructor is a huge advantage for successful career development on superyachts because each yacht needs one or more crew who are qualified to lead dive groups, and to train those guests who have no prior experience of scuba diving.

Many private and charter superyachts spend much time around the world’s top dive sites and are fully equipped with compressors and diving equipment for reef and wreck diving expeditions. The qualified Divemaster/instructors will be tasked with supervising all diving activities and maintaining the related equipment on board.

Galileo Maritime Academy is the leading training and certification facility for professional superyacht crew in the Asia-Pacific region and the only such academy accredited by the UK government Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and approved to issue

MCA Certificates of Competence to seafarers. Safety, security, survival, fire-fighting and first aid training (known as STCW 2010 certification) is required by international maritime law for all crew working on vessels of 24 metres or larger.

Galileo is based within the 200-acre site of Yacht Haven Marina in Phuket, Thailand, which is the largest superyacht marina in Asia.

Galileo’s facilities surround our stunning new training centre and crew residence, overlooking the dramatic seascape of Phang Nga Bay. These facilities include our Advanced Fire Fighting School, Deepwater Survival Pool, School of Marine Engineering, our Survival Craft and Rescue Boats training facility and a fleet of training yachts and tenders for practical experience at sea.

Galileo considers that a key part of our mission is to help each graduate to find a suitable job on board a superyacht. We are consistently successful at this and between 80-90 percent of all our graduates get placed on one of our 200-plus client superyachts.

If you would like to qualify as a Divemaster or dive instructor, we invite you to do so at our partner diving academy Sairee Cottage five-star Diving Centre in beautiful Koh Tao (Turtle Island) here in Thailand and one of the world’s most-amazing diving locations. n

If you are already qualified or require more information about these well-paid career opportunities, please send an email to: HR@GalileoMaritimeAcademy.com, or check out our website: www.GalileoMaritimeAcademy.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

News TEKCamp 2018 is go!

THINK DIFFERENT

BECOME DIFFERENT diveRAIDuk.com

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Are you ready to discover your tech side?

The world’s most-popular biennial tech ‘masterclass’ event returns to Vobster Quay in Somerset between 3-6 September 2018.

Whether you’re just getting started in tech or looking to become a seasoned explorer, TEKCamp 2018 will make your tech ambitions a reality.

Sponsored by Fourth Element, TEKCamp 2018 is a unique opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge to take your diving to a whole new level. TEKCamp is an award-winning four-day biennial coaching programme designed to develop your diving skills and ability beyond recognition under the direct guidance of some of the biggest names in technical training from the leading tech agencies.

Regardless of your diving background, TEKCamp 2018 will suit divers of all levels - from recreational divers simply wishing to become safer and more-confident divers to hardcore, experienced open and closed circuit rebreather divers wishing to take the next big step into expedition-level diving. Want to make the jump to technical diving, but don’t own your own gear? Thanks to Apeks UK, you don’t need to - Apeks will loan you a full set of twinset or sidemount gear to use for the duration of TEKCamp FREE OF CHARGE! All you need to bring is your drysuit, fins and mask, and we’ll sort out the rest.

Tickets are extremely limited for this superb event that only runs once every two years - can you afford to miss it? We’re positive that the most-difficult decision will be which ticket you’d like to sign up for! Everyone likes flexibility, which is why we offer three booking options for TEKCamp - a no-nonsense two-day package for the tech-curious, a no-compromise three-day package for the tech-keen and a full-on four-day package for the tech-committed who want to squeeze every last drop of value from their TEKCamp experience.

Whatever package you choose, your diving will develop in leaps and bounds. You’ll become a better, safer and more-confident diver, gain a real sense of direction in your diving and make a whole load of new friends along the way… www.tekcamp.co.uk

3D virtual ‘dive tour’ of Protected Wreck SM U8

For the first time, non-divers can explore the protected historic wreck site of the U8, one of the Imperial German Navy’s first U-boats. Historic England has commissioned a virtual wreck discovery trail which includes 3D models of the wreck site and of the U8 before she was lost over 100 years ago.

The U8 was launched in 1911 at a time when technologies and tactics were rapidly changing and the submarine was emerging as a powerful defensive weapon. The U8 sank on 4 March 1915, and was rediscovered in the 1970s resting in the English Channel.

The wreck is remarkably well preserved, and holds evidence of the events which surrounded her sinking, as well as construction features which show her to be a very early and important submarine. Until now all of this was concealed beneath the waves, hidden to all but a small number of divers.

However, this year Historic England commissioned MSDS Marine to create a virtual trail of the U8 to allow divers and non-divers alike to explore this unique submarine.

Visit the virtual wreck tour at: https://www.cloudtour.tv/u8/

WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM

MINI RANGE

TORPEDO RANGE

DEEP 6 RANGE

BLUE

RB

Momentum distributor for the UK www.blue-orb.uk/dealers

News Ghost Fishing UK remove hundreds of kg of ghost fishing gear from Scapa Flow 7 nights from £1299pp INCLUDING Flights INCLUDING 10 DIVES T/W

MALDIVES

7 nights from £1399pp INCLUDING Flights ALL INCLUSIVE!

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Ghost Fishing UK have just completed their third annual dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney, recovering more than 30 pots and creels, 100kg of net and various other items of lost fishing gear from the site. The project has been funded

by World Animal Protection and the Fat Face Foundation who, as part of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), are working to address the issue on an international scale.

For the first time this year, Ghost Fishing UK was able to charter an additional vessel, MV Sunrise, to train new volunteers. Volunteers were invited from across the UK with the aim of creating units of trained divers across a variety of locations who can carry out underwater clean-up operations. This week, the volunteers have been trained to safely remove ghost gear, identify marine wildlife they find trapped in the gear, and document their work.

The second vessel was funded by the Fat Face Foundation, the charitable arm of international clothing brand Fat Face. Fat Face joined the GGGI this year and are lending their profile to raise awareness of the issue. They are doing this through the sales of swimwear made from recycled fishing nets, an innovative answer to the question of what happens to the ghost gear that is retrieved by groups like Ghost Fishing UK. The team on MV Halton focused on the deeper wrecks found in Scapa Flow. These ships lie up to 45m below the surface. Complex dives at these depths require advanced skills and teamwork to be conducted safely. The team are all trained in the use of mixed gases to reduce the effects of nitrogen narcosis and to lower the risk of decompression sickness.

Both teams were guided in their efforts by the ‘Big Scapa Clean-up’ project. This project has a website that collects data from amateur divers visiting Scapa Flow on the location and nature of the ghost gear on the dive sites. The data captured allowed the recovery to be highly focused and efficient.

The haul of ghost gear collected by Ghost Fishing UK during this week of diving in Scapa Flow has been stockpiled in Stromness, Orkney. It will be shipped to Denmark where project partner Plastix will transform the nets and lines into high-density plastic that can be used as a raw material for many different products.

Photographs: © Christine Grosart / Ghost Fishing UK

MANADO

Caribbean Fun Travel introduces new destinations

Caribbean Fun Travel is delighted to announce four new destinations - St Lucia, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Antigua.

Caribbean Fun Travel is a specialist travel company, known for its extensive local knowledge and personal customer service. They now offer ten islands in the Caribbean - Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada, St Martin, Saba, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Antigua – islands that value their natural environment, are less commercialised and have fantastic diving. Caribbean Fun Travel specialises in destinations where all visitors can relax and enjoy the natural world, on dry land and in the ocean.

Caribbean Fun Travel has a reputation, built up over many years, as a travel specialist in the Caribbean. The company say: “We are very excited about our new islands. The reaction from customers has been excellent and that has always been our benchmark – customer satisfaction. With ‘fun’ in our name, we have a lot to live up to! We are building a new website, have published a new brochure and we are working on other islands in the Caribbean.” www.caribbeanfuntravel.co.uk

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COMMERCIAL DIVER TRAINING LTD

News

Working divers who train divers to work

The only assessment organisation approved by the Health and Safety Executive to undertake all commercial air diving qualifications in England and Wales HSE Professional Scuba, HSE Surface Supplied, HSE Offshore Top Up Careers in archaeological, media and scientific diving all start with the HSE Professional SCUBA

To find out more, why not visit us for Aptitude Day? Experience a Surface Supplied Dive, view the Facilities and meet the Training Team Please visit the website for more details 2017 / 2018 Course Dates available

www.commercialdivertraining.co.uk info@commercialdivertraining.co.uk 01726 817128 | 07900 844141

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Shearwater Research landing on Deepblu Connect Shearwater Research, a veritable force in the dive equipment world and household name for divers the world over, has chosen to become part of Deepblu’s ‘Elite Fleet’, making them the third brand, following Scubapro and TUSA, to add Deepblu Connect functionality. Shearwater’s upcoming addition to Deepblu Connect will allow Shearwater users to seamlessly upload their dive logs and the information supplementing them to the Deepblu app, eliminating the need for the old, soggy, ink-and-paper logs, making it easier to log in the digital age of diving. Deepblu anticipates that Deepblu Connect will support Shearwater products by year-end.

Based in Richmond, British Columbia, in a brief span of 13 years, Shearwater now commands a leading position designing and manufacturing dive computers and rebreather electronics. With roots in technical diving, Shearwater dive computers feature intuitive menus and interfaces that make them easy to use for divers at all development levels. The company provides advanced diving electronics to users all over the world. Known for being reliable, user-friendly, and easy to read underwater, Shearwater’s computers are designed to improve the journey for divers everywhere.

The brand will have four models integrating into Deepblu. The NERD 2, Petrel 2, Perdix, and Perdix AI will be useable with the dive logging app. With user-customisable menus, all four models are fully capable of handling dives ranging from simple entry levels to the more-complex, multi-gas rebreather dives pushing the limits of modern diving capabilities. Perdix AI is extremely popular due to its rugged design, bright display and air integration. NERD 2 is an innovative computer that allows divers to unobtrusively access all their dive information with a glance to the near eye remote display.

Shearwater has been cited in multiple articles and award rankings as one of the best dive computer companies on the planet. “Deepblu is excited to welcome Shearwater to the platform and have them as a Deepblu Connect partner. Utilising the Deepblu platform along with Shearwater computers will enhance the way divers capture their dives. With the Shearwater integration, more interesting users will also be introduced to the community,” says Deepblu CEO James Tsuei. www.deepblu.com

Scuba Diver contributor launches 2018 calendar Diving Dreams

Photographers and photojournalists Jeremy and Amanda Cuff, who are regulars in the pages of Scuba Diver, have published a new 2018 calendar titled Diving Dreams. Jeremy said: “The Diving Dreams 2018 calendar features a variety of images, mostly from our dive travels over recent times, and includes destinations such as Bali, Hawaii, Guadalupe, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Maldives and the UK.” The 2018 calendar can be obtained from Jeremy and Amanda at a cost of £9, including postage (within the UK). For further information, please visit Jeremy and Amanda’s website: www.ja-universe.com

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MEDICAL Q&A

News

Dr Oliver Firth has gained considerable experience in the field of diving and hyperbaric medicine since joining LDC in 2006. He is an Approved Medical Examiner of Divers for the UK HSE, and a medical referee for the UK Sport Diving Medical Committee. He is involved in the management of all types of diving-related illness, including recompression treatment, as well as providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-diving conditions.

He remains a passionate diver and has participated in various expeditions and conservation projects throughout the globe.

Q: Over 22 years ago, when I was 19, I had a spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax. This was not related to any illness or defect, it was something that can just happen apparently. The knowledge at the time was limited, but they thought that it was more likely to happen to someone of my age, height (tall) and build (slim), or maybe something to do with the shape of the chest cavity, but there was nothing concrete as to why it occurred.

I had open chest surgery at Harefield Hospital to pop the bullae blisters from around my lungs which had burst to cause the pneumothorax in the first place. My lungs were ‘scrubbed’ and ‘glued’ to my inner chest wall to prevent them collapsing again, although the consultants at the time said that it was unlikely it would recur. Now 22 years on, I am fine, healthy, physically fit and have had no impairment of lung function or lung capacity at all.

At the time, the consultant said I could do anything except scuba diving because of the pressure, which was fine as it wasn’t something I was ever interested in doing. In recent years it has started to appeal to me more and more and something I know my daughter would love to do when she’s old enough. However, I have resigned myself to never being able to dive, but just snorkel, which is not quite the same.

Is the medical thinking still the same on this now as it was then? Is there any way around this or is scuba diving still strictly off limits for me going forwards?

A: Firstly, a word or two about collapsed lung, or ‘pneumothorax’. The lungs normally sit happily in the chest cavity, like balloons, with a negative pressure keeping them from collapsing. If the lung surface is damaged,

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then the air within can leak out into the chest cavity. As the air accumulates, the increasing pressure crushes the lung down, until eventually it collapses – a pneumothorax. These are generally split into two types, spontaneous (out of the blue) and traumatic (due to an injury of some sort).

Spontaneous ones can occur in young people, skinny tall male smokers being particularly prone, or in older individuals with underlying lung disease (again most common in heavy smokers).

Sometimes even a hiccup is enough to rupture a wee portion and allow air to escape.

Traumatic ones are usually due to an injury (accidental or planned), which can leave scars on the lung. Interestingly, before anti-tuberculous drugs were discovered, doctors used to puncture the lungs of tuberculous patients deliberately, in an effort to collapse a lobe, or entire lung, around a cavitating lesion. This was bizarrely known as ‘resting the lung’ – a more-inappropriate descriptive term for a medical procedure I have yet to discover.

And so to diving. Both types of pneumothorax can predispose you to air trapping, with consequent over-expansion injury when you ascend from a dive. However, in your case, the incident is 22 years in the past, and it sounds as though you’ve had the correct procedure performed to prevent recurrence (pleurodesis, or the ‘scrub’ and ‘glue’ as you so eloquently put it). Thus it is very unlikely to cause a problem, but a high-resolution CT scan of the lungs may be needed to be 100 percent certain. Spirometry (that blowing into a toilet roll tube test) would also be required to get an idea of the capacity and elasticity of the lungs.

So pop down to your local dive doctor and get the tests done for full peace of mind. If they’re okay, then dive on with your daughter.

Do you have a question for Dr Firth?

Email divingdoctor@scubadivermag. com with your query.

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Reaching for

I

’m gliding along a long, smooth slope of fine, black sand, which stretches away in all directions, as far as I can see in the 20-metre vis. As clear and still as the water is, the light seems muted, like on a deeply-clouded day, creating a subdued, utterly peaceful scene. I find myself still occasionally chuckling at the local Bunaken divers’ name for this site – Betlehem. It’s a sort-of acronym for ‘Better than Lembeh’, a good-natured reference to Lembeh Straits, long regarded as one of the world’s most-famous muck/critter dive sites, which is located some 70km due east, on the opposite side of Sulawesi.

This dive immediately becomes a wonder… it’s apparent that every small obstruction, rock or sponge colony is a tiny oasis of critter life. At one, there are two yellow thorny seahorses; as I move in close for macro-images, I become aware of a tiny, three-centre-metre-long baby broadclub cuttlefish, so utterly camouflaged as to have been practically invisible. Before reaching the next oasis, a faint outline in the dark bottom becomes the barely exposed mouth and face of a horned flathead, then, moments later, there is the pale, skull-like face and jagged, toothy grin of a stargazer. Then there is a large, dark anemone; I look closely to find that it is shared by a pair of porcelain crabs and a family of saddleback anemonefish…

The long, effortless dive – at 20m of depth, my 15-litre, EANx-filled cylinder lasts seemingly forever - goes on and on this way, with small pockets of life, one after another, with many species I’ve never before had the opportunity to photograph. When it is finally time to turn the dive, we move up into shallower water, through a broad, grass bed. There, we find pufferfish, crabs, more cuttlefish, and many more small species… especially unique is a green, six-centimetre-long roughsnout pipefish, bobbing head-down, almost indistinguishable from the blades of grass around it.

As we arrive at the pick-up point, an old mooring base of small stone blocks, Betlehem just won’t let us go. In the crevices are two white-eyed morays, scores of white-banded cleaner shrimp, several nudibranchs and two magnificent, long-spine lionfish, a variety I have never photographed before.

As I hang in the quiet water on my safety stop, I marvel at the memory of all the remarkable creatures I’ve just seen, along with the muck night-dive I was able to do immediately following our late-afternoon arrival at the resort the previous day. Although I’ve done a lot muck shooting over the years, I’ve never before found so many species, or captured so many images, in such a concentrated, short time – ever. As amazed as I am at that moment, however, it’s what I yet don’t know that will really make this first day of diving around Bunaken so unique.

Before the day is done, I’ll have a second critter dive just up the coastline, at Bulo Cape, a coral and rubble-covered slope where we find peacock mantis shrimp, blue-ribbon eels, many different nudibranchs, a dusky-red, spine-cheeked anemonefish, numerous live sea shells, boxfish, several orangutan crabs… and much more.

We’ll also have made the quick trip back to Bunaken Island for a lunch in the Bunaken Oasis Resort’s hillside (gourmet, by the way) restaurant, which overlooks the sea and Manado Tua volcano. Then we will have headed back out to a favourite Bunaken dive site, just minutes from

THE SKY...

A mid-Channel collision, toxic barrels washing up on nearby beaches and millions of pounds worth of foreign currency mysteriously missing. JASON BROWN discovers that even in the best vis, there’s a lot more to the Aeolian Sky than meets the eye…

REMARKABLE

Bunaken

Photographs by JASON BROWN

E

MAGICAL

AL HORNSBY finds an oasis in the dive hotspot of Bunaken Marine Park in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which is giving back to the community as well as providing a five-star experience Photographs by AL HORNSBY

A divers’

PARADISE GAVIN ANDERSON encounters a plethora of weird-and-wonderful critters in the lesser-known Indonesian diving destination of Ambon Photographs by GAVIN ANDERSON

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Medes

hey came one by one, through shafts of shimmering sunlight, launching themselves off the pier legs like overweight parachutists jumping out of a plane! Three of the most-bizarre-shaped and coloured fish you could imagine. The leader was slightly fatter than the other two, but the most colourful with speckled orange and beige blond markings over a pale stone-coloured body. The other two following behind were a tangy orange colour with almost no other markings, and a deep black one with dirty white speckles. Watching them swim through the water was quite comical, they were like cartoon characters on a mission. In all my years of diving, I’d never seen anything like this.

I’ve seen plenty of frogfish hobbling along the bottom or sitting motionless on a sponge waiting to catch some unexpected passing fish, but swimming in open water was really special. Finning slowly backwards, I watched them come towards me one behind the other. As they neared the bottom, they formed a line as if to make a perfect landing altogether in one co-ordinated group. Then they touched down. I wondered what relationship these three bizarre and very differently coloured guys had. Were they brothers and sisters, lovers or just friends on holiday visiting the local pier to go fishing!

I was spending a few days holiday on the island myself before heading off to West Papua to explore Raj Ampat. I’d been recommended to stay and dive with Dive into Ambon, managed by Kaj and Barb, who previously managed the famous Kungkungan Bay Resort on Lembeh, after having worked and lived in many other fantastic places around the world, including Malaysia and Fiji, to name just a couple. Kaj, an accomplished macro film-maker observing and capturing tiny, tiny creatures living their lives in stunning detail and colour, was a pleasure to meet and listen to his stories, and see first-hand what a great dive resort he was running. He is a modest guy with exceptional talent - many of his videos are snapped up for various amazing wildlife documentaries. Barb herself is a very talented underwater photographer and one of her book creations sits proudly in the dive centre - all her amazing photos were taken in the nearby dive sites, one which I was currently on.

AMBON

ver had one of those dives where everything just seemed to come together?

You know the type - sea conditions are flat calm with not so much as a ripple in sight, the vis seems almost endless and even the skipper’s post-dive tea is, dare I say it, almost drinkable. It doesn’t happen too often, of course especially the skipper’s tea - but when it does, it’s on days like this that you realise just how good UK diving really can be.

Looking back through 2017, June was a good month for UK diving. Often less than charitable at the best of times, the weather gods were extremely kind, granting us what seemed like an uncharacteristically warm spell of great weather which seemed to coincide with a spell of uncharacteristically good vis. Like many divers across the country, there was no way I was going to miss out on this freak of nature. With kit loaded into my car and a space booked on my favourite dive boat, I headed down to Portland in Dorset for a dip on one of my favourite wrecks - the Aeolian Sky. Heading towards Weymouth, topside conditions certainly looked promising and I even managed to bag a parking spot and kit trolley on arrival at Portland Marina. Everything really was coming up Millhouse.

The Aeolian Sky has been one of my favourite South Coast dives for more years than I care to mention and with good reason, too. First and foremost, she’s a big wreck. And when I say big, I mean over 10,000 plus tonnes of Greek freighter big. She may not have enjoyed an illustrious military career or played a significant part in this country’s rich and varied maritime history, but her sheer size, state and the variety of her cargo – much of which is still in place – makes her a dive worth adding to anyone’s log book.

You might expect such a big wreck to be in deep water, but the Sky is relatively shallow – at a depth of around 30m, she’s accessible to most divers.

As bad luck would have it, the Aeolian Sky was just a year old when she met her unfortunate end on 4 November 1979. Built in the Hashihama Shipyard in Japan just the year before, she was a modern freighter with comfortable crew quarters and even her own derricks (cranes) for loading and unloading cargo. On the day before her unfortunate sinking, she was sailing from Hull, via Rotterdam, enroute to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania when she collided with the German coaster Anna Knueppell in dense fog 20 miles off the coast of Guernsey.

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his year, Illes Medes in Spain celebrates 34 years as a protected marine park. Strict no take laws have allowed many fish species to thrive. Common sightings include rays, scorpionfish, moral eels, shoals of barracuda, striped saupe and saddled sea bream. Dive sites vary from deep walls, caves and swim-throughs to huge gorgonian forests in hues of purple, red and yellow mixed with giant boulders swathed in orange cup corals. Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) are the local celebrities. Some super-sized individuals measure more than one metre long and weigh over 50kg.

The town of L’Estartit is the hub of all diving activity. This is located at the northern end of the Costa Brava about 60km from the French border. I booked a cheapie flight to Girona Airport and then took a 45-minute (30km) taxi ride to the resort. Silly season for tourists starts in July and ends in August, making mid-September a good time for a visit when there are less crowds and the water temperature is still warm.

Unisub, owned by twins Tony and Sean Murray, is one of the oldest-established dive centres in town. Their father, Tony Senior, opened the centre almost 50 years ago. Sean said that in the good old days, his father used to swim over to the islands in full scuba. I’m keen, but not that keen! I much preferred to cover the 1km journey comfortably sitting on a boat.

August had been one of the best on record with sunshine and calm seas nearly every day. As usual, I arrived just as the weather was taking a turn for the worst. The wind had whipped up and the rain was hammering down. I booked into the Hotel Medes II.

The rooms were extremely art-deco with wooden flooring, black furniture and plenty of mirrors. There was even a sofa and desk so I could spread out all of my camera equipment. The hotel sits in a quiet suburb and not on the main drag. I noticed that the Hotel Les Illes was much closer to the seafront. This seemed to be an out-and-out diver’s hotel (complete with wetsuits hanging/dripping over the balconies). The hotel lift actually opens up inside the dive centre reception area - now that really was forward thinking! Kit is loaded onto vans and then transferred to the boats while divers walk down to the marina located just a few hundred metres away. Unisub’s flagship, Triton, originally started life as a glass-bottom boat. It’s licensed for 50 people, but Tony said: “We limit numbers to 40 max”. They also have another boat, Paraguay II, licensed for 20 divers, which is the perfect size for visiting dive clubs. The boats usually go out at 9am, 11am, 3pm and 5pm, depending on bookings.

Tony had paired me up with Yvonne Emerson from Ireland. My first dive was at marker buoy C1, known as El Salpatxot. This site is located at the northern end of Meda Gran. I followed Yvonne around the rocky wall. There were masses of silvery saddled bream and I caught site of a big 30kg grouper flanking us. Yvonne pointed out a scorpionfish but it was too awkwardly placed for a photograph. We kept following the rock face on our right shoulder until we came to an explosion of colourful gorgonians. I stopped to take some pictures of Yvonne surrounded by sea fans, but unfortunately 20 divers descended on me all at once. There was no chance of getting a clean shot among a mass of bodies, fins and exhaled bubbles. We found another grouper peering out from

The Medes Islands are an oasis of marine tranquillity in the midst of the Mediterranean. STUART PHILPOTT examines how this protected area has developed over the past 34 years Photographs by STUART PHILPOTT

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GAVIN ANDERSON tries a spot of British wreck diving with a difference when he heads out to Gibraltar for a family holiday and squeezes a few days of in-water time into the itinerary Photographs by GAVIN ANDERSON

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e were in a strong current, surrounded by hundreds of purple anthias which swarmed one way then the other. They contrasted brilliantly with the blue of the water and the silhouette of the wreck. Our visibility was pretty good, but the water wasn’t gin clear, the odd tuft of seaweed and various other particles flew past us from the direction we were heading. Purple, pink, yellow and white gorgonians covered every inch of the wreck, along with dense growths of green seaweeds and patches of vivid orange corals. Large groups of silvery sardines and various bream cruised by us, shimmering and reflecting in what little early morning sun reached down to us through the water. Down on the seafloor within the wreckage, various smaller fish including rainbow wrasse, blennies, scorpionfish and comber hunted for tiny fry and anything edible brought by the current.

We were diving on the wreck of the SS Rossyln, a 3,679-ton, 340 feet long cargo ship which sunk off Gibraltar’s south harbour breakwater on the afternoon of 28 February 1916. She had just returned from Malta and was caught in a violent storm, which ripped her anchor free and smashed her against the breakwater wall. Before sinking, two government tugs managed to rescue all of her crew but the ship was lost. She now lies in 23m with some of her superstructure reaching up to 17m. Until recently, you could swim into her holds and penetrate large parts of the wreck, in fact it was hard to do one dive and see all of her at once. Now despite being a very large wreck, it is possible to navigate the whole of her when conditions allow - and you’re not battling a current as we were!

The Rossyln is incredibly beautiful despite not being intact and is a magnet for fish and invertebrate life. The bow is the most-impressive part of the wreck. It took us about five good minutes to reach having dropped into the middle of the wreck. Looking up we could see what looked like a six-inch gun pointing out, but it’s actually part of a winch.

Wrecked in GIBRALTAR

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Swimming around the bow, my stepson Arthur and I followed Ron El Torro Schantz-Verdaguer, our guide, taking some photos on the move. Ron wasn’t hanging around - I guess he wanted to show us as much of the wreck as possible. At least now we had turned around and were flying with the current. I had always wondered what diving in Gibraltar was like, I had seen very few articles or stories about the diving and was sceptical before deciding on a family holiday here, but if the dives were all as good as the Rossyln, I’d be more than happy.

Gibraltar sits at the southern tip of Spain between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, a stone’s throw away from the coast of Africa and Morocco and at a pivotal point for marine migration. The waters surrounding ‘the Rock’ are rich in marine life. Dolphins and whales are regular visitors in the waters around the rock and in the summer and autumn, sunfish and eagle rays come right into the shallow water and entertain delighted divers. Water temperature varies tremendously, especially in summer when within a few weeks they can rise and fall as much as 7-8 degrees C. On the whole, summer temperatures range from 16-25 degrees C in summer and in winter from 14-16 degrees C. I was diving in mid-October and very glad to have my drysuit as the temperature was hovering between 17-18 degrees C. We were diving with Dive Charters (www. divegib.gi), the only licensed dive company in Gibraltar at present, and the only dive company with a shop/dive centre. Located close to the Ocean Village on Admiral’s Walk in the marina bay, it is in a pedestrian-only area and finding nearby parking can be tricky, but we did manage to find a space as it was a Sunday morning, which coincided with the weekly hard boat dive. The vast majority of the diving is done from the shore at Camp Bay, where there are loads of wrecks within just a five-minute swim from the rocky beach. Being a Sunday, the boat was full of local divers and only a few holidaymakers like ourselves. Time between dives was barely an hour as Dive Charters run an incredibly busy and scheduled operation. As soon as we would finish our second dive and return to the marina, the staff would organise large groups of tourists waiting to go on dolphin-watching trips.

Our second dive was on the wreck of La Bucanna (sometimes called the Bur-

kana), one of the newer wrecks in Gibraltar. She was an old tugboat that was towed out to sea and sunk as an artificial reef. We found her sitting perfectly upright on a flat sandy bottom in 19m and despite being only 25 metres long and eight metres wide, it took us quite a while to navigate as the current was again very strong! Her wheelhouse was full of anthias and bream and guarded by a couple of large scorpionfish, and the wreck had already begun to be encrusted in seaweed and small gorgonian fans. Down on the sand, we swam around her stern and her two small propellers. After just ten minutes, Ron signalled to us to follow him and we left the wreck and drifted quickly south in the current over all sorts of wreckage, including a barge and ancient chassis of some sort and loads of broken porcelain. Ron told me later that they often found old clay pipes in this area. When we reached what looked like the rocks of the shore, we sent an SMB up and on surfacing, realised we’d travelled right into the start of Camp Bay beneath the Parson’s Lodge World War Two battery, which overlooks the northern end of the bay.

Camp Bay is where the majority of the shore div-

“I thought two wrecks wasn’t bad in one dive, but after changing tanks we headed back out just a little further east this time and explored the wrecks of four Spanish barges”

SIGHTSEEING IN GIBRALTAR

You can’t come to Gibraltar without going up the Rock. You can either walk it or get the cable car! We took the cable car half way and walked the rest, exploring the amazing St Michaels Cave and the incredible World War Two tunnels along the way, and the old Moorish castle too. We also enjoyed the antics of the local barbary ‘apes’. Gibraltar’s barbary macaque apes are the only wild monkey population left on the European continent. While most populations in Africa are facing declining populations due to hunting and deforestation, Gibraltar’s population is growing - so much so that 30 apes were sent to the Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland this year!

At present, there are some 300 apes spread over five different troops, most occupying the Upper Rock area of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve. They enjoy ripping off car windscreen wipers, and jumping on to tourist’s backs, occasionally biting you! My wife Jenny unfortunately ended up a victim!

We also enjoyed climbing the Mediterranean steps to the top of the Rock to take in the breathtaking views over to Africa.

ing is as it’s the home of what’s claimed to be Europe’s first artificial reef. The reef was created by activists who were concerned at the scarcity of marine life back in the 1970s. The early experiments of floating out and sinking derelict cars wasn’t very successful, as most if not all were swept away into deeper water by storms and strong currents, but after raising money to clean unwanted ships that were destined to be scrapped, they began successfully sinking what is today an amazing array of shipwrecks to create a most-successful artificial reef system which attracts loads of fish and divers.

Most of the wrecks are situated just a five-minute swim off the shore and lie within no more than 14-20m of water, so perfect for those learning to dive. Close by to the wrecks are the Seven Sisters, a collection of rocky pinnacles covered in life and close to the shore, suited to both novice and experienced divers, making the whole area diver paradise.

After a day off from diving the Rossyln and Bucanno, we turned up at the dive shop at 9am, transferred into the minibus and drove to Camp Bay. We kitted up and headed out to the wrecks of two old cable barges. The 482, the largest, was sunk in 16m on August 1990 as part of the ongoing artificial reef programme. Following a cable out to her we found her sitting perfectly upright. Several holes have been blasted open to allow penetration. As we swam between her and Batty’s Barge, we were joined by a huge shoal of sardines and then sea bass. It was silver glistening fish everywhere. On our way back from the wrecks we enjoyed watching a huge octopus. I thought two wrecks wasn’t bad in one dive, but after changing tanks we headed back out just a little further east this time and explored the wrecks of four Spanish barges. Two of the barges we found in barely 10m of water. They are thought to have been dumped in the 1950s during the refurbishment of the jetty. The other two we found in 14m and 19m of water a good five or more minutes swim out, they were sunk in the 1980s as part of Gibraltar’s artificial reef programme. Our favourite was the one in 14m lying on its side, as it offered shelter for a large school of bream. Other fish schooling closely included many damsels and more sardines and in clumps of smaller wreckage, several blennies and scorpionfish.

So day two had brought another six wrecks and on our third day we enjoyed two more wrecks a little further east out from the wall beneath the rocks. Here was probably my favourite of the smaller wrecks, a 22-metre wooden supply ship called the Basha.

It was sunk in May 2001 as part of the Camp Bay artificial reef project. Much of the wooden hull has rotted away, but there’s a very photogenic steel frame left on top and underneath a nice winch. Ryan called the frame a roof rack so when I actually saw it, I was far more impressed as it was one very large roof rack!

All over the frame

“Camp Bay is where the majority of the shore diving is as it’s the home of what’s claimed to be Europe’s first artificial reef” there were small encrusting sponges, fans and corals providing food for a great variety of fish. Not too far away we dived the fourth Spanish barge again.

So after three days diving on no less than a dozen wrecks, it was almost a relief to take the wide-angle lens off and swap it for a macro lens more suited for the night dive we had booked on to. However, it might not mean we wouldn’t be diving on another wreck! In fact, we headed back in the van to Camp Bay again and as the light finally faded, we zipped up suits and swam out once more to the wreck of the 482. It was here we hoped to find some big moral eels and we were not disappointed. We actually found one of the largest morays I’ve ever encountered in cold water. We also found some amazingly well-camouflaged spider crabs, various shrimps and prawns, nudibranchs and a cool torpedo ray which we were careful to keep at arm’s length as they can give you a fair jolt of electricity! Probably the most-impressive find was down to Arthur, his young eyes spotting a reticulated tongue sole, a flatfish normally found only on sand at night.

As I was here with the family on holiday, I didn’t dive as much as I’d perhaps have liked, but what I saw and experienced left me wanting to return soon to dive the sites I missed. These included Europa Point right on the island’s south edge, which offers a fantastic reef complete with dropoffs and caves where Roman and Phoenician anchors can be found as well as grouper and passing pelagics. However, it is an advanced dive site due to the currents found round this part of the island. As far as wrecks go, I only covered a little more than half! Many I missed are small and perhaps not great wrecks, but one I’d love to have fitted in was the SS Excellent.

Like many of Gib’s wrecks, she dragged her anchor and collided with two other ships in a winter storm. She’s a big wreck, over 1,000 tonnes, a steamer dating from the 1880s. Still, you’ve got to have something to draw you back and I look forward to exploring her in the very near future! I really enjoyed Gibraltar and can really recommend a visit either on a family holiday with a bit of diving, or just solely to dive. It is even possible to fly here for a long weekend as Easyjet fly daily from the UK. n

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P29 PATROL BOAT, MALTA Bristol Blenheim bomber, Malta The Bristol Blenheim bomber is one of the most-popular airplane and was The P29 is one of the most-popular artifi cial reefs wreck dives in Malta for experienced divers.

Lying in 42m, it isthen in purpose-sunk as a dive attraction in August 2007 off the coastline ofcondition, Malta, not with least the because is engines virtually after being decommissioned. surprisingly good wingsitand intact (the port side propellers are missing, though).

The pilot’s seat situated off Cirkewwa Point, close to other dive She nowissits upright in around 33m, with the and control column can clearly be seen as the cockpit cover hotspots like the Rozi and the Double Arch. missing, suggesting the crew managed to eject before the crash. upper portions of her superstructure reaching to Given the depth, recreational divers dooriginally not have much bottom A 52-metre Kondor I-class minesweeper within 12mtime, of the surface. Penetration is possible but it is a compact dive site, so you can explore all of the plane built in Germany in 1969, she was used as a patrol for those suitably trained, and she is already well before making the slow ascent to the surface. Tech divers will have by the Offshore the Maritimeof a DeHavilland colonised by marine life despite only being down for aboat blast, especially asCommand there are of the remnants Squadron nearby of the Armed Forces of Malta from 1997, ten years.

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UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE

DIVE LIKE A PRO This issue, our panel of industry experts offer some useful hints and advice on how best to deal with surge, swells and currents PHOTOGRAPHS BY JASON BROWN

T

here can be nothing more off-putting for some divers than dealing with a hefty surge and swell on entry and exit, but with the right mindset and technique, if the conditions allow, it can be dealt with safely and you can still have a great dive.

The same goes for current – many divers love a drift dive, others not so much, but as long as you have the right equipment and dive skills, it can be no different to pootling along a reef. Our experts offer some useful advice on how best to deal with surge, swell and current.

A spokesperson from BSAC HQ said: “Safety first is the mantra when considering diving in – or finding yourself in – surging waves, large swells or strong currents. If planning to dive in conditions that are ‘a tad lumpy’, then an honest and informed assessment of the conditions to ensure it can be done safely and enjoyably is a non-negotiable.

“Swells are best avoided as the entry/exit can be dangerous, from either boat or shore. But if it’s agreed that the sea state is safely do-able or the current is running at a pace everyone is happy with, then diving the plan is essential.

“It goes without saying that you will need surface cover as you can drift a long way in a tide. Try to make it as easy as possible for them - the skipper/cox’n needs to be aware of your position and the speed and direction of the current, plus planned dive times, so they can monitor and anticipate.

“Try to enter together rather than in waves so the surface cover can track you as a group. Use an SMB to mark your position, or deploy a DSMB right at the start of the dive. If buddy separation is a concern, consider using a two-metre line with a clip on each end to make it easier to find your buddy. Or simply give them a section of your DSMB line to hold. Also, consider taking a surface detection aid just in case something does go wrong.

“To dive in surges or currents you have to be confident in your core buoyancy skills to avoid unplanned ascents or an unhealthy saw-tooth profile. Underwater surges can also mess with your head - just go with it and don’t get fixated on the ‘moving’ bottom, but keep your line of vision ahead and where you want to go.

“Anything more than one knot of tide and finning against the current will be exhausting - and will deplete your gas so if you need to move somewhere, fin across rather than against the current. And if you do need to grab the bottom to hang on or get stabilised, make sure you don’t damage anything or disturb the marine life.

“We all know drift diving can be exhilarating, but it should also be safe and enjoyable. If you get caught in a down-current, fin across it and inflate your BCD. Just make sure you dump the gas when you start to ascend. And always be prepared to bin the dive if the current is faster than expected, or you feel out of control. There will always be other dives.”

Garry Dallas, Director of Training, RAID UK and Malta, said: “It’s the weekend and the weather is looking glorious for diving! As you arrive at the site, the weather changes slightly, but all looks very promising. There’s no account for experience in our coastal seas, it goes without saying, you must respect them and be cautious when exploring new dive sites.

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“Learn about the water movements in our seas from our extensive RAID literature and go diving with someone with more local diving experience. Listen carefully to briefings as you never know when conditions underwater might change.

These come in the form of surges, swells, surface/mid/bottom and vertical currents.

“Special attention should be paid to your in-water breathing rate in a current. Over-breathing/exertion is definitely not recommended. Using a shotline is very useful in these circumstances, but if not available, then deploy your SMB or DSMB before you ascend.

“Normally, you’d be neutrally buoyant on your DSMB, but in the case of ‘vertical up/down currents’ it’s safest to be negatively buoyant, providing your bag is full enough to support you from uncontrollable descents and ascents caused by the currents close to shores. The constant taut line and opposite buoyancy characteristics of your DSMB and you create the safest midwater buoy.

“Don’t fight a current, its futile! Swim across and out of it when in a ‘rip current’. Simply go with the flow in a long mid/ bottom current, as found when on a ‘drift dive’, the skipper will always pick you up from your DSMB location.

“Mild currents are manageable in the sea when your kicks are efficient and using good fins, but never ever work too hard, monitor your depth, direction and breathing always.

Start your dive plan into the current, then drift back.

“Swells, or long period waves, can be nauseous at times, when a body of water moves back and forth, especially when the kelp sways in the opposite direction to you and the floor

is stationary! So, focus on your computer, compass, the diver in front (unless they are nauseous) or the underwater horizon and don’t be too close to the floor.

“Enjoy your diving and train to be safe!”

IANTD’s Tim Clements said: “Water is 25 times denser than air - we need to respect that with our streamlining and propulsion when it is still and even more so when it is moving.

Dealing with surge and current starts at the planning stage - jumping in and disappearing like washing in a gale is not diving like a pro! Use tidal current and weather resources to work out just what you will face. Ask yourself if you need to minimise water movement, then plan for slack or no waves.

However, if the object of your dive requires water movement, for example a scientific study of animals in surge, then you’ll need to deal with the movement.

“When you arrive at the dive site, spend some time watching the water patterns - think like a surfer and watch waves sets - use any previous knowledge of the dive site (a no-movement dive is definitely recommended before anything adventurous). Is it getting to be too severe? Talk through with your buddy how you will stay together and complete, or safely abort, the dive if it’s all too lary.

“Finally when you get in the water, ensure everything is tucked away neatly and assess what the movement is doing.

Understanding the water and anticipation is key - good vis helps for rapid drift current dives - I can recall inadvertently diving the Menai Strait Swellies on Spring ebb in half-metre vis, which didn’t go so well.

“Position yourself so that water movement does not carry

31

you into objects and identify any possible lee behind boulders or works and have straps and your gear properly attached. Knowing wrecks that might offer refuge to gather your thoughts or team. how to deploy a DSMB is (I consider) a vital skill, you should com“In surge gullies, watch other floating debris such as kelp fortable using it that when conditions become a tad challenging, fronds to estimate the range of each surge. Allow yourself to getting attention from the surface should not one of them. I used move forward and back with the water before finning in and being to have to pop a DSMB from depth in a six-knot current with swell forced into anywhere narrow. while keeping a close eye on those I was guiding, it was/is second “Finally, remember that current and surge create some of the nature and could save you a lot of bother. most incredible dives - prepare in benign conditions and you’ll get “Having the right fins can really pay off when trying to move more out of the adventurous days.” against water movement, but if you are fighting the flow make GUE’s John Kendall commented: “Water movement causes sure you keep an eye on your rate of breathing as this will dradives that should be fairly easy to become stressful. The best matically affect your air supply. thing in these situations is not to “On the surface keep your BCD/ try and fight the sea, but to be more wing inflated and your snorkel intelligent. in as this will save your back gas What topics would you like to “Generally speaking, currents will and keep water out of your mouth. be reduced if you stay in the lee of Sometimes the current is that see put to our panel of experts? the wreck, or close to walls/seabed, strong you will need to just change so think about this when you find your plans and go with the flow but Email your suggestions to: yourself being moved around make sure if you are drifting that mark@scubadivermag.com underwater. Also, having good you have someone on the surface control of your buoyancy and stathat will be able to pick you up. It bility, so you don’t feel the need to is in situations where you are not touch the floor will also help, as any surge currents will simply where you planned that having some form of Emergency Signalmove you backwards and forwards rather than rolling you around. ling Gear is going to make it easier for a boat to pick you up.”

“If you find yourself caught in an unexpected current, and you Emily Petley-Jones, PADI Regional Training Consultant and are struggling to swim against it, then aborting the dive is never Course Director, said: “In certain areas you may encounter surges a bad idea. Signal to your team, start ascending and then put and swells. When you feel that you are being pushed forwards, a DSMB up to allow your top-cover to know where you are and then pulled back, it can be tempting for divers to try and keep what is happening. With smaller currents, it’s often best to start kicking as much as possible to constantly fight your way though your dive swimming against the flow, so when you turn around to it – but there is an easier way! Only kick as you feel you are being return the flow will help you.” pushed forwards, and relax as you are pulled back. This will mean Matt Clements, PADI Regional Manager UK and Malta, said: that you won’t use all your energy as quickly, and will help keep “Make sure you are comfortable in your equipment, know how it you relaxed and therefore use less air.” n

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Cape Town

SO MUCH MORE THAN CAGE DIVING South Africa may be renowned for its great white cage dives, but as GAVIN ANDERSON discovered, there is far more to the region for diving enthusiasts than just this one adrenaline hit Photographs by GAVIN ANDERSON

W

here the warm Agullas Indian Ocean currents sweeps around the tip of Africa and meet with the cold waters of the Atlantic, a mixing of the two oceans produces some unique conditions and some very special diving.

If you are in the know, organised, committed and hit it lucky with the weather, you can experience the trip of a lifetime equal to even Galapagos or the Socorro islands - and for a lot less money, too!

Play it right and you could find yourselves diving not just with great whites but with mako, blue, hammerhead and seven-gill sharks, with playful fur seals and mola mola, along amazing walls, on spectacular shipwrecks through stunning kelp forests and so much more. Then there’s the attractions above the water - the penguins of Boulders Beach, the baboons of Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature reserve, and a little further out in the country’s game parks, South Africa’s ‘Big Five’. All in all, the perfect mix for a very exciting and diversified location.

To make your dive dreams come true in Cape Town, you need to do your research, usually book trips with several different operators, hope you’ve chosen the right time of year and get lucky with conditions, and of course pray the marine life plays ball.

No diver can come here and not experience the thrill of diving with sharks. My first cage-diving experience was way back 20 years ago off Dyer Island. On my recent trip cage diving, I met a couple called Chris and Monique Fallows, who run Apex Shark Expeditions.

Award-winning photographers and film-makers working on amazing shark documentaries for Discovery Channel, BBC and National Geographic, they are surprisingly humble and lovely to be around and like nothing better than taking folk out and sharing their experience of sharks.

Specialising in small group experiences and aiming to give guests the most-natural encounter with sharks as possible, it was just what I was looking for.

An adrenaline-filled day of cage diving at Seal Island using their rubber seal to draw in the sharks was great, but it was their Cape Point safari I was really looking forward to. We started early and cruised out to the big blue ocean in perfect conditions followed by gulls and albatross, shearwaters and petrels, as well a variety of terns and gulls. In the distance, dolphins jumped and we thought we saw something much bigger, too. After chumming with minced-up sardines, we suited up and waited. It was incredibly peaceful as we were the only boat for miles. All was quiet until Monique shouted ‘shark, shark!’ and into the water we went. First a blue, and then a young mako.

Chris tread water next to me with a long stick held at arm’s left to push the sharks away if they came in to investigate too closely. Hanging off a small boat with only a small stick for protection looking out at a vast blue ocean wondering what was going to show up next was one awesome experience and in my view superior to the regular cage-diving trips. What I loved about Cape Point was the fact you never know what could show up on the day, could be makos or blues certainly, but also bronze whalers, smooth hammerheads, a mola mola, dolphins or even a great white! I was very lucky to have such an experience as I saw looking on their website that this trip is now conducted using a cage.

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To experience my next shark species, I needed only the help of my hosts Patrick and his wife Marie Claire, owner of Avian Leisure, a birding business and two lovely self-catering apartments overlooking Boulders Beach. In his younger days Patrick was a keen diver and chairman of the local British Sub-Aqua Club, and he asked me if I knew where to dive with seven-gill sharks – it turned out to be literally less than a couple of miles from my digs! He suggested I take a local buddy, so I made contact with Scuba Shack, a five-star PADI dive centre just 15 minute’s drive west and within five minutes of entering the water at Pyramid Rock the first of several seven-gill sharks appeared and approached us.

Confident and not at all phased by our presence, one followed shortly by another swam past us as if we weren’t there. It was one of those dive moments I’ll never forget - my first, and so far only, encounter with these beautiful sharks.

Scuba Shack run a great operation and as they were relatively quiet were able to offer me private guided dives as I had my own hire car and could request where I’d like to dive. Although False Bay offers great all-year-round diving, in summer the visibility can reduce significantly due to southeasterly winds. I was visiting in January and knew this would be a possibility, but although the water is very cold on the western coast of Cape Town, the diving can be awesome. When I say it’s cold - 10 degrees C in a wetsuit isn’t really my idea of a fun dive - but after clambering down rocks and heating up in the summer sun, it’s one way of cooling down, and you know you’ve got the nice warm, sunny conditions to return to after the dive!

Coral Gardens, located near Hottentotshuisie Bay in the Oudekraal Reserve, is a spectacular dive site, but you need to take care due to it being an exposed site open to strong currents. I was blown away by the colours of the sponges, urchins and anemones, and the scenery of the kelp forest. Cold yes, but very beautiful.

Most of the time I’d just do the one shore dive either in a morning or afternoon.

“Spearfishing is popular here and great whites are often see circling the rock, so it’s best to be alert when diving here!”

One of my favourite dives on the western side was Justin’s Caves. We dived it on a lovely day after a couple of windy days, so although diveable, entry and exit were through surf, so rather exciting and a bit concerning with a large housed camera! I could have spent all day underwater here if I wasn’t so cold. After navigating our way through a thick kelp forest where the odd dogfish cruised, we arrived at an area with huge rocks creating fantastic swim-throughs, overhangs and tunnels. The sheer and curved walls of the rocks were festooned in sea fans, anemones and sponges, and crawling with crabs, rock lobster, crayfish and some really colourful nudibranchs. Towards the end of the dive, we came through a clearing in the kelp and found ourselves surrounded by Carybdea alata (box jellyfish) - although able to give a nasty sting, thankfully not as deadly as their relatives Chironex!

At the end of the dive as we surfaced we had the most-amazing view of the 12 Apostles - I can’t think of many shore dives I’ve done with a better view at the end of a dive. The view was memorable and so was my exit - one of the hairiest shore dive exits I’ve ever had. My buddy Nells from Namibia was younger and stronger than myself, so he managed to get out first. I then waited for a breaker to take me up on towards the shore and just before being tossed on to a large boulder I hurled my camera towards him praying he would catch it. Luckily, he had large hands and as I travelled past him and ended up beached like a sack of potatoes, I looked round to see my camera safely in his grasp!

There are sites I didn’t have the time to dive on this side, but will definitely visit next time. Vulcan Rock, a pinnacle rising from 40m right up to 5m sounds amazing, as does a selection of good wrecks too, including the SS Maori, a British cargo steamship built in the 1880s, which ran aground in winter storms on 5 August 1909 and sank in 21m. She was enroute from London to New Zealand with a fascinating cargo, which varied from a steam engine and railway tack to explosives, piping and crockery. She’s reported to be in amazing condition for her age. Jacques Cousteau was amazed at her condition when he dived it, which is admittedly a few years ago now! Other wrecks include the Lusitania, a Portuguese passenger liner which sank in 1911 in 37m; the Katzamaru, an Oriental trawler sunk in 1970; and the Boss 400, a crane barge which sank in 1994 and landed right on top of another, much-earlier wreck, the Oakburn, a British cargo steamer that sank in 1906!

Although it was nice to dive the western side, my most-enjoyable dives were within False Bay, where the water was a lot warmer, in fact as much as 10 degrees C warmer! Within False Bay I’d already dived with seven-gill sharks, now I was ready for some amazing wall dives, seal encounters and a few wrecks too.

Being the Cape of Storms, there are loads of wrecks all around Cape Town, including the British steamer Clan Stewart, which dragged her anchor in a fierce southeasterly on 21 November 1914 and sank in 9m just 100 metres from Simon’s Town in Mackerel Bay. However, the most-popular wreck dives are those scut-

“Play it right and you could find yourselves diving not just with great whites but with mako, blue, hammerhead and seven-gill sharks, and playful fur seals and mola mola”

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tled on purpose in Smitswinkel Bay. There are five wrecks in total and they all lie intact and covered in life within just 400 metres of each other in depths ranging from 21m-36m. They include the SAS Transvaal, the MV Orotava, the MV Princess Elizabeth, the SAS Good Hope and the MV Rockeater. The dive starts at the SAS Transvaal and runs to the MV Rockeater.

Visibility can be as much as 20 metres - or as low as a couple after a southeasterly wind! We dived on the Orotrava and Rockeater, both absolutely covered in sponges, sea fans and anemones.

We had dived not long after a southeasterly, but although the visibility wasn’t great, the wrecks were stunning and we even briefly encountered a mola mola!

Definitely my favourite dive of the whole trip was at a place called Partridge Point. It used to be possible to shore dive, but it’s a long swim and is definitely best dived by boat, as the current can run here. The site consists of a huge boulder surrounded by smaller boulders, with a number of beautiful swim-throughs and caverns of varying sizes full of wonderful soft corals, sea urchins, feather stars, orange sea cucumbers, sea anemones and larger fish, such as Janbruin Galjoen and Roman. Despite the caves and walls being amazing, the stars of the dive in my view were the local fur seals, which couldn’t resist playing with us. In fact, we

dived here twice, once with the seals and once along the wall and in the caves. I personally could have spent a whole week here having one of the most-memorable dives of my diving career.

Another blinder of a False Bay dive site was at a huge rock that comes all the way up from 35m to just 3m. The site is marked with a metal buoy, approximately 9km from Miller’s Point and 17km from Kalk Bay Harbour.

The rock is festooned with encrusting life and home to shoals of yellowtail, stump nose and some large Roman. Spearfishing is popular here and great whites are often see circling the rock, so it’s best to be alert when diving here!

Further south and closer into shore just 5km from Miller’s Point is Batsata Rock, sometimes called Smits Reef. The rock here comes in stages from 30m all the way to 6m, offering some dramatic scenery. It’s another one on my wish list!

So if you thought Cape Town was just a place to go cage diving, I hope I’ve whet your appetite to all the other diving possibilities, from kelp forests and stunning scenery on the western side to the amazing False Bay wrecks, reefs and walls, to the blue water of Cape Point and shark and bird encounters to the seals of Partridge Point. There’s so much this place has to give. I’ll be back soon, I can’t wait! n

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LEMBEH STRAIT: MECCA FOR MACRO PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAE DORRICOTT

L

embeh, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Mecca for macro. I came to this haven for the craziest-looking creatures in the sea with the fantastic photographer Wiliam Tan. This small body of water causes underwater photographers to flock here en masse.

How come? Well, all living animals are classified into 34 phyla (divisions of life categorised by body plan). The more phyla found in a location, the more impressive its biodiversity. Rainforests, normally considered an ecosystem brimming with diversity, holds 17 phyla. The waters of Lembeh Strait is home to 32 phyla.

Diving in this strange landscape, black sand of a shipping lane, is like a treasure hunt. My dive guide, with eyes like a mantis shrimp, and I search for the weirdest and most-wonderful creatures.

Pygmy seahorses, hairy frogfish, mantis shrimp, blue-ringed octopus and nudibranch galore!

But William had been to Lembeh many times before. So much so that he had taken a picture of every animal that lives there. His reason for coming back with me was to push his macro photography to the next level. Black water diving.

In the pitch-black of the night, we would head out to the middle of the Strait where it dropped down to 60m. William would suspend a superbright torch at 15m. With only the glowing torch as a reference point, you float in the utter blackness of the water.

You’d think that this darkness would be void of life? Far from it. The beacon of the marker torch enticed creatures from the deep and dark, like a moth to a flame. It turned the black water thick with life. You float alongside animals that live in a three-dimensional habitat, inertia and viscosity of the water has different rules for smaller creatures of the sea. They’re not bound to sinking and so instead hang or zoom around in all different directions in a world liberated from gravity.

Long translucent strings of gelatinous jelly creatures – sea squirts – hang like ribbons. The voracious arrow worm, only the length of your little finger nail, snaps its deadly jaws at passing prey.

And curious squid glide towards your light beam and use it to highlight their next prey.

William hunted to take shots of larvae, marine creatures that spend their juvenile stages of life

Mae Dorricott

floating in the plankton. I tried my best to keep up with these macroscopic creatures, but they were too fast, too small, too agile in their domain.

However, among this wonder, there was a tonne of plastic. Oh yes, the biggest threat of modern time on the sea was present in this wonderland. It was heart breaking to see plastic on the beaches, on the seabed and hanging in the water column. There was an attitude among the locals that it was okay for the plastic to be there, because to them, it had always been there. A sad thought to leave this incredible location with but the animals will cope and slowly adapt. The question is, can we? n

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FREEDIVING INTERVIEW

Q&A : Emma Farrell

Scuba Diver talks to EMMA FARRELL, one of the most high-profile freediving instructors in the country, about the appeal of freediving, and some of her best – and worst - moments Photographs by PAUL SYMS, SIMON REID AND PASH BAKER/MARINEPIX.CO.UK

Q: When did you first become interested in freediving?

A: I’d seen the film The Big Blue and was captivated by the underwater images, the dolphins and the characters of Enzo and Jacques. Around the same time that I saw the film, I saw a photo of Deborah Andollo in National Geographic magazine, ascending from a deep dive and was blown away by the image of this woman, all alone in the blue, slowly finning up past black reef walls. I then read about Tanya Streeter, and saw Mehgan Heaney Grier appearing on TFI Friday holding her breath for three minutes, but all this time, I never once thought that I would ever freedive, as I thought it was only something that glamorous people did in warm blue waters! It was only after a chance encounter abroad with a British freediver who told me about the SETT (Submarine Escape Training Tank) in Gosport that I started freediving in the UK and the rest is history.

Q: What made you want to teach freediving?

A: When I started freediving, there were no formal courses.

You just rocked up, had some advice from whoever was around and cracked on. I couldn’t equalise at all to begin with, and then only feet first for over a year. I was told that I would never be able to freedive as I had ‘problems with my ears’, but through sheer persistence, I solved my equalisation ‘problems’ and was able to progress my freediving. I felt a frustration that other people might be put off the sport by being told the same thing, and so when the opportunity to become a freediving instructor came up, I took it. Shortly after, I was one of the founding members of the AIDA Education Commission, with freediving instructors and educators across the globe, who sat down in front of their computers and wrote the first freediving courses which are still taught today. It was such an exciting time and was so fulfilling to know that I could help shape the education of thousands, if not millions, of future freedivers, and help them progress quicker than I did when I first started.

Q: You are now a freediving instructor for AIDA, SSI and RAID. What do you think the main differences are now that the mainstream agencies are getting involved with freediving?

A: I get asked this question a lot by potential students, who have been told, or read online that one agency is better than the other. In terms of standards, what each agency asks their students to do, AIDA, SSI and RAID, are very similar. For example, the max depth on all the beginner, intermediate and advanced courses are exactly the same (20m, 30m and 40m). Bear in mind also that the majority of the SSI freediving course content was written by Mike Wells and other AIDA freediving instructor trainers, and the RAID course content was also written

by Mike, so there are lots of similarities. The main differences are in how courses and freediving businesses are organised. AIDA works on an individual instructor model, with instructors dealing directly with AIDA and being in charge of their students from start to finish. SSI and RAID work on a dive centre model, whereby the dive centre does the final sign off and oversees more closely the work of their instructors.

This is meant to mean there are more checks and balances on instructor performance. SSI in particular is also very prescriptive about how

DeeperBlue.com is the World’s Largest Community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving and Spearfishing. We’ve been dedicated to bringing you the freshest news, features and discussions from around the underwater world since 1996.

to teach and in the promotion of continued education and kit sales. RAID pioneered online training and then SSI quickly followed, abandoning paper products. Ultimately, my opinion is that AIDA, RAID and SSI have good-quality freediving education products and very similar performance standards.

What should matter more to a student than the agency, is the experience, quality and personality of their instructor.

Q: What is your worst moment while freediving?

A: I was teaching in the UAE, off the eastern coast in the Gulf of Oman and the conditions were really challenging. The water was warm but the visibility was poor and it was very choppy. We were diving from a boat and so each time the boat went up and down with the waves, the line was pulled up and down and the backwash from the boat splashed over us. The water was full of venomous jellyfish, apparently brought in with the ballast tanks of the big container ships, which had extremely fine, long tentacles that kept wrapping themselves around our faces and catching on our snorkels when we dived, stinging us viciously. My wetsuit hood didn’t completely cover my forehead so I yanked it down lower, and in so doing, pulled all the muscles of

my neck. I was in complete agony. And then to add insult to injury, one of the container ships had decided to clean their tanks at sea rather than spend money doing so in port, so we found ourselves in the middle of an oil slick. By the time we realised and had got back in the boat we were covered in sticky black crude oil. It was a dive I will never forget, although I’d quite like to…

Q: What is your best moment while freediving?

A: It’s really difficult to take all my incredible experiences and make one ‘the best’ as so many dives have been incredible for different reasons. However, the dives with wild dolphins that I did in the shallow waters of Bimini in the Bahamas are something that will stay with me forever. It was an experience where all the skills you learn as

FREEDIVING INTERVIEW a freediver have the ultimate pay-off. The pods of dolphins are very playful, but at the same time, if they don’t want to hang out with you then they’ll just swim off, and there’s nothing you can do about it. When you freedive, you are more interesting to them and so they are more likely to check you out. I always freedived down and slightly away from them, as it seemed that if you swam towards them they were more likely to retreat. I will never forget diving down to the sandy bottom and hearing clicks and whistles behind me, coming closer. As I turned to come up, there were three dolphins, so close that one of them had its head touching my mask. We stared at each other, our eyeballs no more than a few inches away, as we circled up towards the surface. I remember thinking that the dolphin’s eye looked like a black olive, and having a slightly surreal out of body experience, not quite believing the encounter I was having. It was so incredible and I feel so blessed to have had experienced it.

Q: Why should someone (whether they are a non-diver, scuba diver or tech diver) contemplate taking up freediving?

A: Freediving is for everyone. I’ve taught Olympic gold-medal-winning Paralympians how to freedive as well as people paralysed from the waist and neck down. I’ve taught people of all ages, sizes and shapes. The biggest barrier to freediving is the one people have in their mind about what they believe they are capable (or not) of achieving. Learning to freedive gives you benefits way and beyond being able to freedive, it impacts every aspect of your life. If you’re a scuba diver then you’ll start to use less air, most likely less weight, and be more hydrodynamic in the water. Learning to freedive helps people with their confidence, their ability to breathe properly, their sleep and their fitness. I’ve had students tell me that learning to freedive has cured chronic pain, changed their life, and I even had the wife of one student thanking me for curing her husband’s snoring! When done correctly, freediving in incredibly safe, and the safety aspect is something all of our students remark on. I wish everyone had the confidence to give it a go, and see what it could do for them!

Q: Where is your favourite place to freedive?

A: The Thistlegorm wreck is probably my favourite place to freedive as it’s really accessible for freedivers with so much life on it. Using the current and doing a drift dive along the wreck is amazing, and we also had a midnight dolphin encounter on the wreck which was absolutely mindblowing, so every time we go back there I’m hoping for more. The last trip we did I even went to sleep in my wetsuit so I would be ready to leap into the water if they came back…

Q: Freediving is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the diving market. What do you think is its appeal over more-traditional scuba diving?

A: I think there are a number of factors which are drawing people towards freediving, although the majority of divers are still scuba divers. In the past, scuba was perceived as a slightly dangerous, glamorous sport, associated with James Bond, however I think the perception has changed and scuba diving is seen by some as

DeeperBlue.com is the World’s Largest Community dedicated to Freediving, Scuba Diving and Spearfishing. We’ve been dedicated to bringing you the freshest news, features and discussions from around the underwater world since 1996.

something anyone can do, you don’t even really need to be able to swim, just rely on the technology and instructor. With freediving on the other hand, there is practically no technology, it’s just how you use your body. I think this can appeal to people interested in what their body can achieve. Freediving also appeals to those with less money, or who want a sport that doesn’t have a lot of kit or cost a lot. Once you’ve got your freediving qualification and equipment (which is considerably cheaper than the same for scuba), you’re set. You don’t need tanks filled or serviced and you can easily travel anywhere and go for a dive. I’ve seen people attracted to freediving so they can take better underwater photos, learn to spearfish, or they just want the freedom to dive all day without any risk of decompression sickness. Ultimately however, more people will do scuba than will learn to freedive, as freediving is a much harder sell and a much-harder sport. Even if you’ve got a few issues with your ears, most people will pass their first open water scuba course, however in the UK we usually only have around a 40 percent pass rate for the entry-level freediving course as there is so much physical learning to take in, and if someone is struggling to equalise head down and equalise fast enough to keep up with their finning, then it’s not going to be something they can learn quickly. One of my favourite students took eight years to be able to pass his first course! My hope is that the public perception changes of freediving so people realise how accessible it is and how it will improve their health, their water safety and confidence.

Q: You have taught some famous people to freedive over the years – which celebs were the most-memorable?

A: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was incredibly funny, and his jokes, which were proper ‘dad’ jokes, were right at my level, so teaching him was hilarious. He also surprised me by buying a toffee crisp. Ellie Simmonds was very sweet and keen to learn. What was unexpected was her worry that she was doing it all wrong, when she, of course, was like a fish in the water. Arthur Williams, despite being paralysed from the waist down, was an incredible freediver. When he was swimming (arms only) along the bottom of the sea, he just kept going, and going, and going. I remember catching the eye of my instructor, David, who was swimming the other side of him and knew we were both thinking ‘is he going to come up now?!’ Jimmy Doherty and Terence Stamp were very focused and listened attentively, Jimmy getting annoyed with himself when he made any mistake. But the most memorable has to be escapologist Jonathan Goodwin who, in his career, has been hung by metal hooks in his skin to the ceiling, climbed an ice wall in his underpants, survived SAS torture, been hanged accidentally on live television, fallen off a tightrope onto thousands of drawing pins, buried alive, locked inside a box with 200,000 bees, set in concrete, burned at the stake, sealed in an airtight vacuum bag, and sewn up inside a dead cow… When I filmed with him for a TV show called The Indestructibles, the challenge was for him to hold his breath for as long as he could. I expected him to hold for well over three minutes (most students on my Try Freediving course hold for around two minutes) as he was incredibly fit and competitive, however he couldn’t even make two minutes as the psychological and physical strain was too much. n

HOW TO GET BETTER MACRO IMAGES:

GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT MARTYN GUESS provides some ideas on how we can all get better underwater macro images based on his approach to this close-up type of photography PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTYN GUESS

I

see so many macro photographs that with a bit of thought could be so much better. Normally these are either subjects against a very distracting background caused by shooting into the reef, or quick what I call ID shots with no real thought of the best way to try and capture an image of the subject.

Good macro photography requires us to follow a few basic rules and then to apply these to our images. The image needs to be well composed, striking and colourful with maybe some interesting behaviour or good eye contact and importantly, it has to be well lit.

SUBJECT SELECTION

It’s easy to follow the guide and shoot what he finds for you. However, not every subject is worth the effort and the time. Consider how accessible the critter is – is it in a cleft in the rock that it is impossible to get a camera close to it or is it facing the wrong way, or is the critter against a really complicated background? In these situations, a good photograph is going to be very difficult if not impossible, so my advice is to acknowledge the spotting, thank the dive guide and move on! Spend more time on a good subject in a good position.

BEHAVIOUR

Look carefully for any type of behaviour as an image with a critter doing something interesting or unexpected will draw the viewer’s attention. Take the honeycomb moray in the picture, for example. Ordinarily I would have been satisfied just trying to get a well-lit shot but as I settled down I noticed that deeper under the rocks were loads of shrimps. I decided to wait a while to see whether they would come close to the moray. The shrimps and the eel live in a symbiotic mutualistic relationship whereby the shrimps are protected from predators, and in return the shrimps clean their protector’s teeth and skin. If you are aware of this you will understand that waiting might give rise to some interesting behaviour. When it does, make the most of it.

The cardinalfish in the picture is a classic example of interesting behaviour with the male fish mouth-brooding the eggs and periodically aerating them by opening his mouth. If you know about this behavior, you watch out for it and get a much more interesting shot. The best people to teach you about behaviour and to point it out is the dive guide, so make a point of chatting with him or her and encouraging them to point behaviour out.

PEAK OF THE ACTION

Following on from watching for behaviour, once spotted the trick is to take the shot at the optimum time – such as when the critter opens its mouth, or maybe turns to look at you. You just have to be observant and press the shutter at the right moment, or keep shooting throughout and pick the image that displays the action at its absolute peak. The latest cameras with fast processing and frame rates will allow you to cover the action! The image of the mandarinfish mating typifies peak of the action.

EYE CONTACT AND ANGLE OF VIEW

If the critter you are photographing has eyes or rhinophores (in the case of nudibranchs), then it is important that these are sharp and that you get the sense in the image that the critter is looking at you. I place my focus point over these areas to make sure they are the sharpest part of the image. Most cameras will let you take control of the focus and do this, so check out the camera focus menus if you are not sure how.

However, what will definitely help with the impact of the image and composition (and this applies to all camera formats) is if you get low to the subject and look up towards the eyes and rhinophores.

MY ESCORTED TRIPS

Want to learn how to take or improve your underwater macro images? Why not come on a photo-specific trip.

These trips are meticulously planned to the best destinations at the best time of year where the conditions should be perfect for building a portfolio of great images. The workshops, which are for all levels of experience but mainly aimed at people with a few trips under their belts, include classroom sessions and presentations as well as in-water help and guidance, all done in a relaxed and non-competitive friendly environment. Next year, there are macro photography trips through Scuba Travel to Anilao in the Philippines, the new mecca for interesting critters (May 2018), the Azores for macro, reef and shark photography (September 2018), and Bali for macro and wide-angle opportunities (October 2018).

BACKGROUNDS

Getting low and shooting up into the water column will dramatically improve the image as you will more easily be able to get darker or black backgrounds, or indeed take control and get a blue background if desired. The water background is a simple plain background against which to set the subject, adding impact to the overall image. The trick is the location of the subject and being able to shoot at a suitable angle, which avoids a distracting background, such as the reef. I see many images where the photographer has shot downwards or into the reef and all you then get is a subject, which visually is fighting with either the colours or substance of the background.

The colour of the water column background is primarily controlled by the camera speed. So if you want a black background, increase your speed and if you want a blue or lighter background, bring the speed down to a level that will freeze the action but slow enough to give you the colour you are after.

There are many ways that the background can be controlled and give something more pleasing – different lighting techniques and careful use of the aperture and shooting into the water column are the most important. Opening the aperture up to say F5.6 can help to blur the background, as the aperture will limit the depth of field. In this way the subject will be sharp depending where you focus and the background nicely blurred. The image of the octopus shows the effect of an open aperture and slow speed. Similarly, a small aperture, say F22, will give you a good depth of field but in combination with a relatively high speed will help darken the background if shot into the water column (See the image of the harlequin shrimp). Look out for colourful simple backgrounds such as sponges and then try and spot a critter or wait for something to appear to photograph against it.

BIOGRAPHY MARTYN GUESS

CAMERA SETTINGS

I recommend switching off auto and taking control in Manual, Aperture and speed set to take control of depth of field and background. If your camera has it, single point auto focus with 3D tracking to follow a moving subject or assist as you move slightly. If your camera allows, set up for back button focus. The latter allows you to focus and recompose easily and helps the image to be slightly sharper with no focus lag. ISO set ideally low to minimise digital noise but used carefully to facilitate use of other settings – for example, where the speed would be too low to avoid camera shake.

A lot of information to take on board, but concentrate on these basics and I am confident your images will start to take a quantum leap forward. n Next time - macro lighting techniques…

Martyn has been diving for over 30 years and taking underwater images for nearly 25 years. He has been very successful in national and international competitions and regularly makes presentations to camera and photography clubs as well as BSOUP (The British Society of Underwater Photographers). Today he shares his passion and knowledge - as well as teaching underwater photography courses, he leads overseas workshop trips for Scuba Travel.

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CHRISTMAS

GIFT GUIDE

It’s Christmas! Time to start thinking about that special someone (or yourself, if you’ve been good and deserve a treat!) and to give you some food for thought, we’ve assembled all manner of scuba-related stocking fillers to tease and tantalise.

www.scubadivermag.com/christmas

Scuba Diver divewear, in conjunction with Fourth Element

The perfect stocking filler! Scuba Diver has teamed up with divewear maestros Fourth Element to release a range of T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with some eye-catching designs. The initial range comprises of two unisex T-shirt designs in six different colours and a unisex hoodie in two colours. The T-shirts are priced at £24.95 including P&P, and the hoodies are £49.95 including P&P. Subscribers get an additional benefit – T-shirts for £20 (Incl. P&P) and hoodies for £40 (incl. P&P).

www.scubadivermag.com/divewear

Pandora Tool (SRP: £49.95 stainless steel / £69.95 titanium) The Pandora Tool is a scuba-diving equipment tool for field maintenance, made by divers and engineers. The Pandora Tool is not designed to fix all the regulators out there. It is a multi-tool for emergencies, such as replacing hoses and plugs, adjusting orifice on the second stage or intermediate pressure in the first stage. It is as small as a credit-card and lighter than an iPhone, but has all the functions of a basic tool, and is resistant to rust.

www.pandora-lab.co.uk

AP Diving Custom Hose Tidys (SRP: £45) Customise your AP Inspiration rebreather (with backmount counterlungs) with your name, nickname or other identifier.

The cordura and neoprene Hose Tidys encase both inflator hoses and the contents gauge hose, keeping them neatly routed. Sold as a pair, the right-hand one features the AP logo, the left-hand, your custom embroidery.

www.apdiving.com/shop

Paralenz Dive Camera (SRP: £580) The Paralenz Dive Camera boasts ground-breaking features and a tough, durable design. It has a built-in depth sensor that eliminates the need for colour filters but gives you all the colours. It can display depth and temperature in the videos, adding a whole new aspect to them. It is a small lightweight package made from military-grade aluminium with a staggering depth rating of 200m - and it is capable of recording 4K video at 30fps for over two hours or 1080p for three-and-a-half hours.

www.paralenz.com

Momentum Orange Deep 6 (SRP: £195)

O’Three Beanie (SRP: £12.95) This Thinsulate hat is just the thing to keep your head warm on the boat before and after the dive, but is cool and stylish enough to wear anytime.

The ‘over-sized’ dive watch at an affordable price. The dial design and huge ‘exploding date’ ensure unmatched legibility, while the subtly shaped case and offset crown permit the Deep 6 to offer unparalleled comfort in a 47.5mm case. Optional extras include sapphire glass (£50) and a stainless strap (£80).

www.blue-orb.uk

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Aqua Lung Reveal X1 (SRP: £46)

The Reveal delivers ultra-comfort and a perfect fit thanks to both a super-soft, top-quality silicone and an ergonomic skirt profile. The new buckles, attached directly to the silicone skirt, feature a single, quick-button release system and the mask is equipped with an innovative spherical silicone headband strap—all to help the diver create the perfect leak-free fit. The Reveal is also available in a twin lens (Reveal X2) version.

www.aqualung.com/uk

Santi Diving 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle (SRP: £8) The perfect post-Christmas dinner tonic – a diving-related jigsaw puzzle comprising of 1,000 pieces! The jigsaw shows the shipwreck of the Mars, the pride of Sweden’s 16th-century navy, as it is currently lying on the bottom of the Baltic Sea in a composite photograph created by Santi boss Tomasz Stachura. At the time, it was the largest warship in the world, but it sank in 1564 during a fierce naval battle, consigning some 800 plus sailors and a fortune in gold and silver coins to the depths.

www.santidiving.com

Reef Jewellery 18ct Gold and Silver Seahorse Pendant on Snake Chain Necklace (SRP: £210) Reef Jewellery creates marine-inspired exquisite jewellery evoking memories of incredible encounters with the ocean’s creatures and our closest relationships both below and above the water, and their creations would make the perfect gift this Christmas. Take this satin-finished 18ct yellow gold seahorse on a wavy hammered solid silver pendant and silver snake chain necklace.

www.reefjewellery.co.uk

Apeks spools (SRP: from £45) Inspired by technical diving and versatile enough to be used in a range of diving applications, the Lifeline spools from Apeks feature easy-to-grip flared sides to improve deployment and winding. Made from tough anodised aluminium alloy with high-visibility line for low-light conditions, and with a super-tough leader and swivel as standard, the Lifeline comes in four sizes and colours (Purple 15m, Green 30m, Blue 45m and Grey 60m) and is complemented by a range of line markers and cookies.

www.apeksdiving.com

Deepblu Cosmiq+ (SRP: £TBA) The Cosmiq+ is one of the most-comprehensive and user-friendly recreational dive computers available on the market today.

The Cosmiq+ connects to your smartphone via bluetooth, allowing you to wirelessly upload your dive data to the Deepblu app, so you can create digital dive logs effortlessly.

With modes for freediving, scuba diving and technical diving, Cosmiq+ will appeal to divers of all walks and skill levels.

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Dry Bag (SRP: £60)

Get soaked hanging up your drysuit? The Dry Bag is a solution - a full-length, showerproof zip-up bag with a water reservoir at the bottom that collects any dripping water, and features an easy-to-use bung which releases it. Complete with a durable hanger set, it will easily take the weight of your drenched gear. Reclaim your bathroom and banish indoor puddles all while protecting, storing and drying your wet gear. It’s not magic, but it works.

www.thedrybag.co.uk

Dive Proof logbook (SRP: £10-£15 depending in customisation options)

Finally! A waterproof, grease-proof, tear-proof and wipe-able logbook. A logbook that you can fill in on the boat while you’re still dripping wet, or that you can throw in with your damp dive gear, a logbook that won’t get ruined no matter how many beers you spill on it. Fully customise it by picking feature pages, choosing how many logs you need and uploading your own page and cover designs.

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Fourth Element Hydro-T (SRP: £39.90)

You don’t have to be a diver to get the most out of our Hydro-T rash guard.

Designed for use in or out of the water, the loose fit gives you room to breathe and move, while the lightweight fabric wicks away moisture. In grey fabric with tonal grey features and bright coral on the women’s model, our Hydro-T is ideal for diving, snorkelling, surfing, SUP, yoga, running, biking and more.

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Nick Oneill ‘Parting ways’ artwork (SRP: £450) Award-winning marine-life artist Nick Oneill has created this stunning piece of artwork. Painted in layers of acrylic and resin over silver leaf and showing a shoal of bait fish moving aside as a shark passes through, it would prove a strong talking point. Available in the Dark Water Gallery Brighton and online at:

www.thedarkwatergallery.com

KUBI DryGloves (SRP: £156) KUBI DryGloves revolutionised the world of cold-water diving. Previous dryglove systems were often awkward to put on and quite bulky, but the KUBI DryGloves are compact, and effortless to put on and off by yourself. Best of all, you can change the thickness of the dryglove itself, vary the inner thermal glove material depending on your preference or the water temperature, and it all comes in a nifty zippered storage pouch. You can retro-fit KUBIs to virtually any drysuit yourself, and there is also a ‘fitted’ option available (£204).

www.KUBIstore.com

18m

ABOVE

In this issue, we head to offshore waters for a slightly humorous take on the Above 18m series, on a quest for blue shark encounters.

As this is a snorkelling trip, you might even attain a depth of 18 inches! For reader continuity and familiarity, we’ve kept the general format of the series, but with a couple of tweaks…

Photographs by JEREMY CUFF (WWW.JA-UNIVERSE.COM)

D

iving or snorkelling with sharks is normally associated with the great white encounters in South Africa, South Australia or Guadalupe in Mexico, or perhaps the Osprey Reef dives in the Coral Sea off North East Australia that attracts mostly reef sharks. But to some people’s surprise (and to a tabloid journalist’s delight whenever the story has made the wider media), you can also do it here in the UK, with the target species on our trip being blue sharks.

Personally, I’d been aware of the blue shark encounters off the coast of Cornwall for some time, so last December when I was planning some things for the New Year, the Cornish Blues again bubbled to the top of my ‘to do’ list. Though I’d already done two blue shark trips previously, I fancied doing it again.

Options for this type of trip are very limited due to the ‘niche’ nature of the subject matter and the relatively small ‘time window’ in which the sharks can be reliably seen, and the weather is potentially most stable. I chose to go with shark enthusiast Charles Hood, who is friendly, knowledgeable and keen to share his interest in sharks. The trips run out of Penzance (weather permitting) between late June/early July and early October, and his

success rate of finding ‘the Blues’ is around 95 percent.

The blue shark is a species of the open water and deep reefs, with a global distribution that covers tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones. They are known to cover great distances, and are thought to utilise currents such as the Gulf Stream to reach waters around the UK and Europe.

Appearance-wise, they are very sleek and clearly suited to their pelagic lifestyle. They are known to hunt small fish and cephalopods (especially squid), though they’re also thought to feed on bottom-dwelling species on occasions.

Their colouration on the back and flanks, though always blue as their name suggests, can differ markedly between individuals; from a blue-tinged grey to a very deep blue, which contrasts with a white underside.

In terms of size, they can attain an impressive four metres in length, though most specimens encountered will be significantly smaller than this. Coincidentally, a record blue shark was caught by fishermen somewhere off Penzance in August 2017 – it was a massive specimen. It’s worth Googling it to have a look at the picture. Thankfully, it was returned to the water, though we didn’t manage to encounter it on our trip!

ARRIVAL AT THE ‘SHARK’ SITE

The meet up for the trip is around 8am-8.30am in the main Penzance car park next to the harbour and slipway (where Charles launches his boat, RIB Logan). There’s plenty of space and I’ve never seen it full, especially first thing in the morning.

In terms of the shark site itself, Charles aims for a general area in which the sharks have been reliably encountered in the past through trial and error, rather than a specific seamount or pinnacle that approaches the surface. The area is about 15 miles offshore and around 17 miles from the starting point of Penzance.

Once the engine is switched off, Charles gets to work attracting the sharks as we drift with the current. Nothing is guaranteed in the ocean, and it’s certainly possible to spend all day in seemingly perfect conditions without any sightings whatsoever. While we waited, we wondered what would our encounters would be like.

It would be almost impossible to encounter blue sharks without something to attract them in, so Charles uses pre-prepared chum which creates a slick that leads to the boat, which he deploys as soon as we’ve arrived in his chosen area. The chum is quite rancid, and won’t suit those with a squeamish disposition or anyone who gets badly seasick. Even while in the water, you’re very aware of it as you tend to spend most time in the ‘best area’, which is down-current of the chum basket. If you swallow any water, you can taste it!

As the chum spreads out to cover a wide area, there has to be some way of making the boat and the area immediately around it the focal point of the shark’s investigations, so that they can be easily seen. Charles does this by supplementing the chum (which remains

BLUE SHARKS IN CORNWALL

As far as I’m aware, you have two options for blue shark encounters in the South West, either with Charles Hood based out of Penzance, or Atlantic Divers based out of Newquay.

The Charles Hood trip, which is the one described in the feature, is very good and allows snorkelling with the sharks (maximum of five participants). The Atlantic Divers trip is also good, but is a cage-dive trip, where participants take turns to enter a two-man cage to view the sharks. www.charleshood.com www.atlanticdiver.co.uk

BLUE SHARKS, CORNWALL

WHAT TO EXPECT TYPE OF ‘DIVE’

Actually, it’s a snorkel. As you can drift a fair distance with the current during the day, you could call it a ‘drift snorkel’!

DEPTH

Probably around a mammoth 18 inches, unless you duck dive down. As you’re in full wetsuits (which are very buoyant), I didn’t see anybody try the ‘duck dive’. It is a good idea to take a weightbelt which helps to counteract the buoyancy of the wetsuit, and to provide better stability and posture in the water.

MARINE LIFE

Blue sharks (hopefully several).

It’s also possible that you could see dolphins (we did), porpoise, sunfish or even basking sharks.

Charles said that on one trip, what he believed to be a porbeagle shark once investigated the chum, but came in and went very quickly. Don’t rely on those kind of surprises, but you never know what might turn up. Expect a few jellyfish in the water as well.

On the topside, seals are possible, especially on the rocks close to the coastline. Twitchers can expect to see several seabird species, such as fulmars, shearwaters, guillemots, storm petrels and gannets.

VISIBILITY

Out at sea, away from the influence of river run off, the water tends to be clearer. It is, of course, infinitely variable, depending on wind direction, current, plankton and other factors, but can be six to ten metres if you’re lucky.

SEABED

It’s down there somewhere, but you can’t see it!

HAZARDS

Sunburn, dehydration, cold and seasickness are the main hazards and not to be underestimated.

Make sure you take decent seasickness tablets (you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain), plenty of fluids and some warm (ideally waterproof) clothing. If you don’t, a day of misery could await you.

as protection. A weightbelt is also preferable for balance and posture in the water, counteracting the buoyancy of the wetsuit. in the water all day in the ‘chum basket’) with some fresh mackerel that he catches enroute, throwing in small pieces at regular intervals.

He also attaches larger pieces of bait to a rope suspended by a buoy, which is floated a few metres from the boat. Any shark that investigates it can usually be seen breaking the surface, which alerts everyone to its presence.

Then, once the sharks have become more confident, Charles can slowly draw the bait towards the boat, hopefully bringing any interested shark with it and into clear view.

DIVE (WELL, SNORKEL) BRIEFING

As a generalisation, it tends to be divers that do this trip, but non-divers can also participate, though it’s important that they’re fully prepared in terms of the gear required and are comfortable with the likely conditions and circumstances they’ll find themselves in.

Back in 2016, at the same time of year (early September), I did the same trip with Charles and got horrendously seasick, even though I don’t normally suffer badly with it. I was so ill that I was in the water puking and retching while trying to shoot sharks - it wasn’t good.

This time, I sought out some decent seasickness tablets and ensured that I took the required dosage before setting out. It seems that the ‘open ocean swells’ have a different kind of movement which can catch people out, so be prepared. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking them. Happily, I was completely fine on the 2017 trip.

Other essentials are staying warm, remaining hydrated and bringing the correct gear.

It’s surprising how easy it is to get cold out at sea, even though it may feel warm and balmy onshore – warm coats or hoodies (ideally waterproof) and hats are therefore essential. Also, make sure you bring food and plenty of drink to keep yourself going. Don’t underestimate the conditions (which can, of course, change considerably throughout a day).

In terms of gear, it’s up to the participants to bring everything they need, as Charles doesn’t have room to carry spares onboard for those who’ve forgotten something important. The checklist is mask, snorkel, wetsuit (5mm minimum), fins, boots, hood and gloves.

As the sharks can be attracted to bright and light-coloured objects, Charles won’t allow anyone into the water without a hood and gloves

THE ENCOUNTERS

No one day is the same on this trip, either in terms of the number of sharks seen, or the confidence (or lack of) exhibited by the sharks around the boat and snorkellers, which can affect the quality or duration of the encounters.

This trip had a similar start to my previous 2016 trip; a wait of between one and two hours before our first ‘blue’ turned up, a small specimen in this instance. When the fin and tail broke the surface next to the bait, a wave of anticipation swept across the boat. The sharks tend to be skittish and wary initially, so we waited until they became more accustomed to the boat and the bait. Then a larger pair arrived, resulting in the disappearance of the small specimens that had begun to gather confidence. It was as though the larger pair had driven them away.

At that point, it was time to get wet and see if they would stick around. They seemed not to like all of us in the water at once and gradually moved away, so we decided to get out for a while and watch from the boat. We then experienced a lull in activity.

Just as we were beginning think that we’d had the best of the day, a larger specimen of around two metres in length turned up, confidently checking out the bait and chum basket.

This was our opportunity to get back in the water. We then enjoyed a prolonged encounter with this large, bold specimen as it moved between us, around us and sometimes right towards us, even bumping us with its snout on a few occasions. I wouldn’t say it was intimidating, but you certainly give it respect.

Though not as many sharks turned up on our day compared to a very active set of encounters from the previous day’s trip, we were lucky to get this late encounter – it made the day. On one special day, Charles reported an incredible 20 sharks around the boat!

As we headed back to Penzance, amid gathering winds, everyone was happy. I imagined what the headlines of some tabloid journalist reporting on our trip would be (‘Killer sharks sighted just off UK shore…’ or some nonsense). But that wasn’t the reality; we’d had a unique and rewarding experience, encountering a species that rarely comes into contact with humans.

That evening in the pub, there was a contented tiredness among our group, and I slept like a log that night. It was a good day. n

Tales from

THE TANK

BY REBECCA PEARCE, DIVE OFFICER

BECKY GOES FULL CIRCLE AT BLUE PLANET REBECCA PEARCE made her first-ever dive in the Blue Planet Aquarium with the sharks, and now she is the newly minted Dive Officer at the facility

M

y first diving experience was actually at Blue Planet Aquarium while I was part of the guest experience team. Imagine your first dive with sharks. I had never considered diving before, and as a child I even had a fear of water. After spending a few weeks learning about these intriguing animals and seeing divers happily in the water every day, I felt compelled to get in myself. So bravely, I decided that I was going to face my fears and booked a Shark Encounter out of my first paycheck.

It was an experience I can never forget! As soon as I surfaced from the dive I was asking where I could sign up for my Open Water Diver course. Over the next few months and some very cold dives at the local quarry in the middle of winter, I was certified and ready to enjoy the world of diving. Within two weeks of gaining my certification I moved halfway across the world travelling through Southeast Asia and progressed to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

I spent the next couple of years in the water with over 1,000 dives under my ‘weightbelt’. On a small Malaysian island, I worked as a co-ordinator on turtle, coral and other marine conservation projects.

I moved back to the UK in 2015 and was reluctant to stop diving; fortunately, there was a position as a diver at Blue Planet, where I have spent the last two years being lucky enough to dive with our incredible sharks almost every day. Recently I have been promoted to Blue Planet’s Dive Officer and have the opportunity to develop these amazing experiences that got me hooked on diving and influenced my career.

Over the coming months I aim to introduce more educational and interactive courses for both divers and non-divers of all ages. I am also looking forward to working closely with dive centres across the country using Blue Planet as a means to spread awareness and interest in sharks and marine conservation.

We have also recently relaunched one-to-one assisted dives.

These are suitable for children and adults, qualified divers and complete beginners. Our specialist instructors can cater to divers that would not feel comfortable in a group setting or who might need extra assistance. I have several visions that, in the following six months, I am dedicated to bringing to life.

In 2018, Blue Planet Aquarium will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, so there will be many exciting things to look forward to and we hope to see you diving with our sharks, so come and celebrate with us! n

If you would like more information on diving with our sharks, please call us on (0151) 357 8800, or send us an email to: info@blueplanetaquarium.co.uk WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM

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“We were also lucky enough to encounter a large alligator snapping turtle, which posed for a few photographs before swimming/lumbering its way through the mangroves and disappearing into the murky gloom beneath the tree roots”

T

he DEMA (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) trade show is held in Orlando every two years, and in 2017, the Scuba Diver team decided to combine the conference with some actual diving in the Florida springs. They also took the opportunity to lay to rest once and for all the myth that it is impossible to bring young children on a dive holiday by dragging the family with them.

Handily, the team had a local contact in the diving world – British ex-pat Paul Shepherd, who Editor-in-Chief Mark Evans has known for many years. Together with his American wife Kristen, he runs Seminole Scuba just a short drive north of Orlando. There is no need to haul any kit with you, as they can deck out multiple divers from head to toe in well-maintained rental gear, and they run guided trips to numerous local dive spots through a partnership with Adventure Trips Florida, whose Mercedes minibus is the last word in luxury, with electric leather reclining seats and flatscreen TV, and an adapted trailer for carrying the dive kit. It truly is a case of ‘Pimp My Dive Bus’!

Paul outlined various options open to us, including Blue Spring (where you can see manatees from late-November to March), Rainbow River (a gentle drift down a river bursting with fish life), Blue Grotto (a cavern dive offering crystal-clear water and depths of 30m) and Devil’s Den (an interesting underground spring), but given we had non-diving snorkelling children with us, we went for Alexander Springs, which is about an hour-and-a-half drive from the Seminole Scuba HQ. Alexander Springs is approximately 37 miles east of Ocala in the Ocala National Forest in Lake County. It is a large spring depression and has a natural pool that measures 91 metres across with a maximum depth of 7.6 m, making it a relatively safe environment for all of the family.

The bottom is mostly sand, with limestone exposed near the spring vent, and there is a large vertical ledge near the vent. The water is crystal-clear, with a slight

“Seminole Scuba run guided trips to numerous local dive spots through a partnership with Adventure Trips Florida, whose Mercedes minibus is the last word in luxury. It truly is a case of ‘Pimp My Dive Bus’!”

tinge of blue in colour, giving it an eerie appeal. Native aquatic grasses are plentiful, and there are thin algae patches present on the limestone substrate, plus broad swathes of water lilies and other aquatic vegetation. There is a mixed hardwood and palm forest surrounding the spring, and there is plenty to do topside, including hikes, kayaking, picnics and more, so you could happily spend a full day here.

Marine life is plentiful considering the location – there are various species of fish, including tilapia, bluegill and bass, and we were also lucky enough to encounter a large alligator snapping turtle, which posed for a few photographs before swimming/lumbering its way through the mangroves and disappearing into the murky gloom beneath the tree roots. Small alligators can occasionally be spotted, but these are generally moved on to other areas as soon as they show up. Well-buoyed lines mark the limits of the ‘swimming/snorkelling/diving’ zone.

The vent area is the hotspot for divers, as it allows you to get more than 2m in depth, and this depression is an interesting feature. It is bizarre to see the sand ‘bubbling’ as spring water forces its way upwards, and further down there are even a few small caverns you can explore. Our snorkelling duo of Luke and Ryan enjoyed venturing in and around the patches of water lilies, which had ‘paths’ snaking through them, and the clarity of the water meant you could see for a good distance underwater.

Alexander Springs might be a little ‘tame’ for experienced divers, but when you are with family in tow, it is a good compromise. Some of the other local dive spots offer a little more for qualified divers, including a river drift dive and so on. It all depends on your group and how much time you can devote to diving. If you can do a few days on the trot, Seminole Scuba and Adventure Trips Florida will run multi-day trips to West Palm Beach (Blue Heron Bridge is apparently a mecca for macro), Fort Lauderdale or even the Florida Keys. n

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The ‘dream luxury dive vacation’ often comes down to two primary preferences – land-based resort or dedicated dive yacht – and when it comes to WAKATOBI, the answer is both Photographs by WALT STEARNS and DIDI LOTZE

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W

akatobi Dive Resort (www.wakatobi. com) has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier snorkelling and diving destinations. In addition to the resort, Wakatobi also operates the Pelagian, a 36-metre luxury dive yacht that cruises through a broader swath of the bio-diverse Wakatobi archipelago and the southern portion of Buton Island.

The yacht’s seven-day itineraries and seasonal ten-day trips cover an exciting and diverse range of underwater environments, from steep walls perforated by overhangs at Karang Kaledupa and Karang Kapota atolls to unique muck diving in Buton’s Pasar Wajo Bay, and the magnificent reefs, dramatic vertical drop-offs and pinnacles near Wangi Wangi and Kaledupa Islands.

A DIFFERENT CLASS OF LIVEABOARD

Pelagian is configured to hold a maximum of ten divers between five extra-comfy accommodations resembling those on private luxury yachts than the typical cabins found on liveaboard dive boats. Each of the cabins features ensuite bathrooms and showers, along with the extra floor space needed for relaxing, reading and dressing.

For those seeking an even-more-upscale experience, Pelagian’s master suite is one of the largest and most-luxurious I’ve ever seen on a dive liveaboard. This suite spans the full width of the vessel and occupies the entire forward portion of the main deck, providing both privacy and easy access to all parts of the yacht. Amenities include walk-around king-size bed, a spacious lounge with a love seat, and an entertainment centre fitted with a huge flat-panel HD TV and Blueray DVD player. The bathroom is contemporary and features a spacious dressing area and top-of-the-line rainforest shower and vanity fittings.

To ensure five-star service, the Pelagian is staffed by a crew of 12, which includes dedicated stewards and an executive chef who creates fine dining experiences on a daily basis.

One of the added touches that gave me a bit of a chuckle is how the crew hangs every diver’s wetsuit/dive skin out to dry after each dive; better yet, they are folded and placed at the aft fantail bench seat with dive booties below prior to each dive. Talk about pampering.

The dive team provides detailed briefings and handles all logistics of gear transfer back and forth between the yacht and its two custom-fabricated dive tenders, which comfortably whisk divers to each site. The tenders are 5.5-metre RIBs equipped with double 60HP outboard engines, tank racks and one of the sturdiest deck-mounted stainless steel boarding ladder systems for divers to climb back on board I have ever seen in a RIB. With max passenger count at ten, the number of divers per RIB (not counting the dive guide and driver) is divided accordingly, either split evenly or with six in one, and four in the other (especially if the four are photographers).

Guides work to provide appropriate levels of in-water support as requested, and are also keen experts at locating rare marine subjects.

Because dives take place at either shallow-water muck sites or on structures with vertical reliefs that allow multi-level profiles, it’s common to enjoy bottom times of 70 minutes or more, and up to four dives a day, including night dives. Like nitrox? No problem. Pelagian is equipped with a trio of Bauer compressors and a hearty Nitrox Technologies system. For more specialised charters and those looking to do extended-range activities, Pelagian can provide custom nitrox and trimix mixes, as well as full oxygen fills and sorb for rebreather divers.

“Pelagian is configured to hold a maximum of ten divers between five extra-comfy accommodations resembling those on private luxury yachts than the typical cabins found on liveaboard dive boats”

OFF TO THE ATOLLS

The Pelagian embarks on its cruises from the resort and day one includes one or more afternoon warm up dives on favourite sites within the marine preserve. Overnight, the boat then heads to the massive reef atolls of Karang Kaledupa and Karang Kapota, which are home to some of the region’s most-colourful and dramatically contoured reefs. The tops of these formations are thick with dense and diverse coatings of both hard and soft corals, while the adjacent slopes and walls that plunge into the depths showcase an equally broad assortment of vibrant soft coral trees and gorgonians resplendent in red, orange, pink and yellow hues. With visibility that typically exceeds 30 metres, these sites serve up dramatic big-picture views, and are often visited by blackfin barracuda, sea turtles and schools of eagle rays.

Along with panoramic seascapes, the reefs here also contain a wealth of small and cryptic creatures. Some of the best critter hunting takes place among the sea whips that cover the slopes and walls. These long, sometimes spiraling strands are a haven for whip coral gobies and small shrimp. And a highlight of any Pelagian cruise is the chance to find pygmy seahorses. This area is home to bargibanti, Denise’s and pontoh’s pygmy seahorses. The Pelagian’s dive guides are especially good at locating the white pontoh’s, which shelter among the halimeda algae. Once found, these small creatures make great subjects, whether you view them through the lens of a camera, or an underwater magnifying glass.

MUCKING ABOUT

The middle of Pelagian’s itinerary typically places it on the southeastern side of Buton Island for an entirely different flavour of diving not found among the rest of the Wakatobi archipelago – muck diving. Here inside Buton’s Pasar Wajo Bay is a highly productive variety of muck environments, from grey and brown silt and rubble habitats to white sand slopes with small coral gardens.

Among the sites usually visited are Cheeky Beach, Banana Beach and In Between. These feature gradual slopes from the shoreline down to 30m, with sand and gravel bottoms covered with a bit of light sediment that can be easily stirred up by a misplaced fin. A neophyte muck diver might wonder what all the fuss is about—until they take a closer look. The first sighting could be the mottled red face of a reptilian snake eel peeking out from the sand. With luck, there might be a wonderpus octopus out and about, flowing across the sea floor with its signature undulating motions. Closer looks may reveal Coleman shrimp atop fire urchins, the neon eyes of alien-like peacock mantis shrimp, or lanquid shrimp gobies keeping house with their alpheid shrimp roommates, who seem to do all the work of keeping the burrow clean.

Among the highlights of Pasar Wajo Bay are, of course, the pier dives, and Pelagian has three to choose from, with Asphalt Pier topping most guests’ favourite list. Despite a look of seeming abandonment, this structure is the island’s primary terminal for

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“Because dives take place at either shallow-water muck sites or on structures with vertical reliefs that allow multi-level profiles, it’s common to enjoy bottom times of 70 minutes or more, and up to four dives a day, including night dives”

loading Bituman, a natural form of asphalt that is quarried on the island. Around the front of the pier and at depths of 4.5-15m among clusters of pilings, divers can find a menagerie of characters that includes shrimp gobies, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish and ornate, robust ghost, banded pipefish and much more.

As the name implies, New Pier is the most-recently built landing dock in Pasar Wajo Bay. It is similar in configuration to Asphalt Pier, with depth profiles that run from 4.5-15m around the base of the pilings, and reach about 15 metres out in the sand. The pilings are prime hunting grounds for finding blue ribbon eels, ringed pipefish and spiny devil scorpionfish, while the adjacent debris field is a good place to hunt for octopus and gobies, which take refuge in discarded shells, cans and bottles.

Without a doubt, the bay’s signature dive takes place at Magic Pier. The site can be productive by day, with marine life similar to the other piers. The real magic begins near dusk, when colourful mandarinfish emerge to perform their intricate courtship and mating rituals. In addition to these nightly performances, the pier is populated by a menagerie of invertebrates, from cuttlefish and blue-ringed octopus to flatworms and nudibranchs. It’s also a key area for finding frogfish and twinspot lionfish.

REEFS, WALLS AND PINNACLES

On the way back south to home base at Wakatobi resort, the Pelagian completes the loop with a few more stops at the coral-rich shallows, slopes and steep dropoffs near Wangi Wangi Island, Hoga, and Kaledupa Island. In these waters, many reef profiles rise to within 1-2m of the surface, creating opportunities for very long multi-level dive plans. A stand-out site near Wangi Wangi is Komang Reef. This elongated sea mound is alive with vibrant growths of soft corals and large sponges nurtured by the currents. This stand-alone structure is swarmed by fish life, and on tide changes it may be visited by rays, tuna, trevally and blacktip sharks. Aptly named Fishmarket is a wall with an adjacent pinnacle known for the high numbers of schooling fish it attracts, including a rather huge school of blackfin barracuda.

The site’s unique terrain combines a steep wall with three deep ravines and the detached pinnacle that rises to within 10m of the surface.

On the way to and from the resort, Pelagian may stop at other sites on the outer edge of day-boat range, such as the seamounts of Blade. This unique formation is made up of a row of parallel knife-edged pinnacles that are connected by a lower ridge, giving the entire structure the appearance of a serrated knife blade set on edge. It is just one of the many memorable sites that divers will experience aboard Pelagian. And by combining a cruise with a stay at Wakatobi Dive Resort, guests can experience the best that Indonesia has to offer. n

Indonesia

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EXMO The SS GAVIN ANDERSON dons his CCR to dive the Exmouth, and while it is still an awesome dive, he urges wreck divers to explore her sooner rather than later due to pillaging Photographs by GAVIN ANDERSON

OUTH

W

e were 40 miles offshore in the middle of the North Sea. Thankfully, it was a beautiful September morning and our three-hour journey had been pretty smooth.

We were waiting for slack water, a chance to do last-minute checks - rebreather, bail-outs, camera, computer settings, dive plans. Everything was looking good, but would I be lucky this time and get some good visibility too? Some of us had been out here earlier in the season and although surface visibility had been okay, we had found a strange plankton bloom below 30m which resulted in almost zero vis - not much fun when you’re at 50m! When you’ve got a dive site so far out to sea, getting here can be a bit of a mission in itself, getting good surface and underwater conditions is quite special. I’d tried a fair bit during the summer, but been blown out twice and had one trip cancelled due to lack of numbers, so having got out here safely and in calm conditions, I was really hoping for a good dive.

Everything was crossed – fingers, toes and camera strobes! At last, the shot line and buoy looked still.

Drysuit zips pulled tight, rebreather switched on, harnesses tightened, bail-outs hooked on and, in my case, strobe and camera switched to ready, we were good to go! One by one, we plunged into the water and down the line.

Visibility looked promising, but it wasn’t until we reached 40m that the outline of the Exmouth eventually appeared. Lying upright and intact in 53m listing over on to her starboard side, the wreck was enormous. Swimming over the starboard railing, we

began to notice the outline of what I guessed was the bridge. Peter and Stewart paused for a bit of larking around. Peter had found an army helmet which he put on his head for a few seconds, much to Stewart’s amusement. I could hear him laughing aloud inside his loop! Looking around as our eyes adjusted to the ambient light, we took in our surroundings.

The Exmouth was well armed with no less than half a dozen guns - two anti-aircraft guns in turrets and one main gun on her bow, another large calibre gun on her stern and two anti-aircraft guns mounted on her bridge deck in turrets - and it wasn’t long before we were swimming past one of them now lying upturned on its side at a 45-degree angle where it has toppled right over. The turret and the gun were both covered in green algae and dead man’s fingers.

Next to the turret is what looked like a toilet someone may have moved out of the captain’s quarters. The bridge looked to be fairly crumpled and semi-collapsed, and on the deck there was a mass of wreckage including the compass binnacle, sadly minus its compass. The ship’s telegraph was definitely there when the wreck was discovered back in 2008, but it is sadly gone now.

It was friends of mine - Shane Wasik, Warren Izzet and Steve Adams – who first discovered her almost exactly nine years ago. They had ventured out on Marine Quest’s North Star in the hope of discovering another virgin wreck, the World War One oil tanker Desalbo. On finding open holds instead of oil tanks, pipes and valves, and crockery marked with the ‘American Export Lines’ and not ‘Bank Lines’, they knew they were on a different wreck, one that turned out to be the SS Exmouth. Owned by the American Export Line, the 4,879-ton Exmouth was launched in 1920, and operated between New York and Italy carrying various assorted cargos. During the war she became vital for the war effort, and on one trip in 1941 she was chartered by the Red Cross as a relief ship, marked with four-metre red crosses on both sides and floodlit at night, and loaded with

“The visibility was just about good enough to get a shot of the stern, but I was struggling to hold my camera straight and fin at the same time!”

a $1.25 million worth of insulin, vitamins, children’s clothing and powdered milk destined for occupied France. Before her last fateful journey, she made several escorted Atlantic convoy trips carrying vital army supplies.

It is thought the Exmouth was headed for New York from either Southend or Hull. She was taking the route north then eventually west around the top of Scotland but never made it. At 100 metres long and well armed, she was an impressive ship and is a brilliant wreck, although sadly she was filled only with ballast when she ran into the eastern defensive minefield that protected the Firth of Forth. Why she ran into the minefield is a bit of a mystery. In fact, not a lot is known about the sinking other than there was time to send a distress signal and all the 43 merchant sailors and the 27man Armed Guard were rescued before she sunk.

Leaving the bridge area, I followed Pete and Stewart towards the bow, which appears twisted and sticking up in front of us. We swam past a couple of portholes which looked like they had been removed and were lying on deck, waiting for the pillagers to remove them. We swam over a large empty hold and past a large winch to get to what looks like the start of the bow, all twisted and raised upwards seven or eight metres above us. Pete decided to turn around so we didn’t get right to the end and missed two 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

Already five minutes were gone and as we intended to cover as much of the wreck as we could, we picked up the pace and headed back over the holds and the bridge. Past the bridge we paused at the anti-aircraft gun and turret for a photograph and then moved off past another porthole, next to a gas cylinder and what looks like a radiator. Next to number two hold we found a pile of bakelite batteries strewn over the deck. Stamped ‘Radio Titan’, they were mostly likely to power the ship’s radios in an emergency. Next to them were some huge concrete slabs, perhaps some of the ship’s ballast? Moving on past another hold and a series of winches, we passed a couple of pollock and a beautifully coloured male cuckoo wrasse. We soon found ourselves at the start of the stern, the most intact part of the wreck. A couple of rooms are still intact, but we didn’t have time to enter as we were more interested in her stern gun and auxiliary steering. The gun is housed on its own deck above the space where the auxiliary steering is. Fishing nets are sadly everywhere, one dropped over the wheel while above on the deck another is trapped over a large part of the gun. On the starboard side a bunch of shells lie on the deck where they were stacked the day the ship went down.

Swimming off the stern backwards, I worked my wee legs as hard as I could against an increasingly significant current. With a rebreather and a moderately heavy cage, two bail-out cylinders, my oversized camera and two large Ikelite strobes, I struggled to make

“Visibility looked promising, but it wasn’t until we reached 40m that the outline of the Exmouth eventually appeared”

a lot of progress out into the open water. I wish I’d been 20 years younger! The visibility was just about good enough to get a shot of the stern, but I was struggling to hold my camera straight and fin at the same time! Firing off two or three shots, I let the current take me back toward Pete and Stewart and we gently cruised back along the deck of the ship. This was more relaxing and I enjoyed the sight of a school of saithe before they headed for cover inside the wreck. There were several places we could enter on our way back, including the holds, but I was not sure where exactly we were or what we were swimming past, although soon I recognised parts of the engine room and a series of large handles. At one point I found myself swimming in among the school of saithe. Soon we were back at the bridge area, time to check dive times and think about heading back to the shotline, but Pete was heading not upwards but down on to the sand - what had he spotted, it must be something worth checking out? As Stewart heads up the shotline, I followed Pete down to a familiar object briefly in his hands. It was the ship’s telegraph, but how had it ended up here? Shane, Warren and Stevie had reported it still being in the bridge beside the compass binnacle!

As we headed back up the shotline after Stewart to the Mako (www.shadow-marine.co.uk), I took one last look at the wreck and wondered how long it would be before I could make a return trip. Perhaps if the telegraph is still where we’ve left it, we can reposition it in the bridge and leave a sign ‘Please leave this here for other divers to enjoy’. Fat chance, as it seems quite a lot of us have a ‘take take’ mentality rather than ‘leave and share’. Sad but true. I guess if you want to see the Exmouth and some of its remaining portholes and telegraph, and what’s left of the compass binnacle, you’d better get your skates on before the thieves and wreckers get there! n

DRY GLOVES SYSTEM

Visit our chosen UK dealers: UNDERWATER EXPLORERS Dorset www.dirdirect.com SIMPLY SCUBA Faversham www.simplyscuba.com SANTI STORE UK Cottenham www.santi-store.co.uk WRECK & CAVE Shepton Mallet www.wreckandcave.co.uk DIVEMASTER SCUBA Nottingham www.divemasterscuba.com VOBSTER Radstock www.vobster.com Full list of dealers available on our website.

What’s New

SCUBA DIVER DIVEWEAR (IN CONJUNCTION WITH FOURTH ELEMENT) (SRP: £24.95-£49.95)

Scuba Diver has teamed up with divewear maestros Fourth Element to release a select range of T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with some eye-catching designs.

The initial range comprises of two unisex T-shirt designs in six different colours and a unisex hoodie in two colours, in a wide selection of sizes. For the T-shirts, choose from two dancing manta rays (green, yellow or blue) or a Scuba Diver logo surrounded by swirling fish (off-white, red or navy blue), in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. Both T-shirt designs feature the SD logo in the nape of the neck. The hoodies (dark grey or light grey) have a shark-inspired logo on the front and are available in XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL (the hoodies are close-fitting, so for a looser fit, select a size larger).

Scuba Diver chose to partner with Fourth Element, who are past

masters when it comes to creating stylish, durable divewear that can be worn pre- and apres-dive, or down the pub on an evening for some dive-chat with your buddies.

The hoodies – which bear a tag with the slogan ‘They said I was trash but now I’m fashionable’ – are made from a material that comprises salvaged waste cuttings from organic cotton clothing, which are shredded and then blended with recycled plastic bottles. The T-shirts are made from responsibly sourced 100% cotton.

The T-shirts are priced at £24.95 each including postage and packaging, and the hoodies are £49.95 each including postage and packaging. Subscribers get an additional benefit – T-shirts for £20 (Incl. P&P) and hoodies for £40 (incl. P&P). www.scubadivermag.com/divewear

PANDORA LAB DIGITAL INTERSTAGE PRESSURE GAUGE (SRP: £59.95)

FOURTH ELEMENT THERMOCLINE RANGE (SRP: £29.95-£249.95)

A pressure gauge with a difference! This Pandora Lab product offers digital accuracy instead of mechanical, and also allows the user to quickly and easily switch from PSI to bar.

The clear illuminated LCD display is easy to read in any conditions, and the gauge has user-replaceable batteries.

It quickly connects to the D/F hose to ensure the first-stage pressure is stable and correct before diving in any environment, technical or sport, giving peace of mind to the diver. www.pandora-lab.co.uk

SANTI DIVING STAY DRY BACKPACK (SRP: £65)

Having a waterproof bag is a useful tool when you are heading out on a RIB or dayboat and have items you want to keep safe and dry. That is where the Stay Dry backpack from Santi Diving comes in.

It is made from tough, durable 100 percent PVC and is a stylish black with silver print. The back of the backpack has an insert with a soft sponge lined with mesh to secure the lumbar region, there is a grab handle on the top, and it has soft straps.

The top is secured with Velcro, and there is an outer zippered pocket as well. www.santidiving.com

The new Thermocline collection from Fourth Element is a ‘reboot’ of its original concept, the neutrally buoyant, machine washable, breathable, hypo-allergenic wetsuit system, that has brought about several similar products and created a whole new product niche for warm-water diving.

Utilising a unique fabric made using ECONYL® recycled nylon, laminated with a waterproof membrane and hydrophilic thermal fleece, the next generation Thermocline fabric is high performance and it feels as good as it looks, but its outer layer is 78 percent recycled nylon from ghost fishing nets and other post-consumer waste.

Topside, the inner fleece layer draws moisture away from the skin and wicks through the membrane where it evaporates off the nylon surface. In the water, the innovative hydrophilic fleece traps a thin layer of water next to the body and prevents colder water flowing over the skin’s surface, perfect for snorkellers, freedivers and scuba divers.

Thermocline dries rapidly, often within an hour-long surface interval between dives - a quick rinse and a squeeze to get rid of excess water before hanging it up inside out should ensure it is ready for your next adventure. And when packing for vacation there’s no need to worry about potentially damaging the fabric - it can be squeezed into that last remaining space in your luggage without any worries.

The extensive range includes everything from fin socks (£29.95), hoods (£37.95-£39.95), vests (£74.95) and shorts (£74.95) to leggings (£109.95), short-sleeve tops (£99.95), long-sleeve tops (£129.95) and one-piece suits (£249.95). www.fourthelement.com

Gear Guide

THIS ISSUE: HIGH-END MASKS

ON TEST THIS MONTH:

Each month, the SCUBA DIVER test team assembles to rate and review a selection of dive equipment from a range of manufacturers. Products are split into price categories and are then evaluated for performance, comfort, ease of use, build quality, looks and value for money.

• AQUALUNG LINEA

HIGH-END MASKS This issue, we take a look at masks over £45. Masks are a very personal piece of diving equipment, and finding one which suits your face is the goal of all divers. We tried a selection of masks from several manufacturers and looked at fit, comfort, ease of clearing, range of vision and price.

• SCUBAPRO SPECTRA

• ATOMIC AQUATICS VENOM FRAMELESS • HOLLIS M3

• OCEANIC PRO-EAR • OMS TATTOO

Location: Tested in Oswestry swimming pool Date tested: 9/10/17

Water temp: 28 degrees C

AQUALING LINEA | SRP: £56 This Group Test was aimed at generic masks that would suit women or men, but in this price bracket, Aqualung decided to send the Linea, which is part of the Women’s Collection. To be fair, the white and black versions are pretty unisex, and for those blokes with smaller faces, this could be an option. It is also ideal for freediving.

It is a very low-profile mask, and has a single lens. It utilises Aqualung’s Advanced Fit Technology, which uses textured bands of silicone around the skirt to form a superior seal against the face.

The Comfort Buckle System is classed as ‘tangle-free’, and Cardanic Joint Buckles rotate both up and down and in and out for a customised and pinch-free fit.

The Linea might be designd for women, but it fit my face fine, and I could never be described as having a ‘dainty’ face! So if it can fit me, I am pretty sure it would fit other fellas. It is certainly very comfortable, and the Advanced Fit Technology, as Aqualung call it, does work well. I didn’t get any leaks or dribbles, and it felt good on my face.

The mask is very low profile, and extremely easy to clear. This low profile also means the peripheral vision is above average.

VERDICT

This might be a women’s mask, but it fit the male team comfortably. It is good-looking, robustly -made and well-priced.

SCORE

•••••••••

ATOMIC AQUATICS VENOM FRAMELESS | SRP: £130 Atomic Aquatics are renowned for their highend, top-quality dive equipment, and while the humble mask might not be something you would think could be made ‘high-tech’, you’d be wrong, as Atomic have managed to produce a mask with various innovative features - but it does come with a hefty price tag.

It is made from two different hardness silicone materials that are co-molded together to form the mask skirt, which is then bonded directly to the glass. The ‘Gummi Bear UltraSoft’ face seal is ridiculously soft, while the main silicone skirt is rigid to not distort or collapse under pressure.

This is, quite simply, a fabulous mask. It is quite large in today’s marketplace, but it is still relatively low profile and thus easy to clear as well as offering a decent field of vision all-round.

The ‘gummi bear’ - bizarre name, but that really is what it feels like! - material on the skirt almost ‘bonds’ to your skin, which equals zero leaks, and the strap clips are easy to operate even with a gloved hand.

I know that the Venom Frameless does boast some unique features, but it is still hard to justify £130 for a mask. However, bear in mind that it has a lifetime guarantee, meaning this could be the last mask you ever buy - suddenly that price tag doesn’t seem quite so high...

CHOICE VERDICT

Great mask, with a neat colour scheme, mega-comfortable skirt, easy-to-use buckles and fantastic UltraClear lens.

SCORE

••••••••••

HOLLIS M3 | SRP: £69.99 The Hollis M3 mask has consistently garnered positive comments from users, and it is easy to see why.

The 100 percent pure silicone skirt is bonded to a lightweight but robust frame, and combined with a low-profile design and twin lenses, you get a wide field of vision and a mask that is easy to clear.

The four-way buckle design provides superior comfort, and the shaped strap sits perfectly around the back of the head.

The Saint-Gobain Diamant crystal-clear lenses have a low iron content, which reduces the green tint inherent in other glasses.

BEST VALUE

Well-made mask, with some neat features (the Saint-Gobain Diamant glass in the lenses, the shaped strap and the squared-off nose pocket) which performs well - it is very comfortable, offers a wide field of vision in most directions, and is extremely low profile, which makes clearing even a fully flooded mask simple. Great price for a great product.

Comfy mask, with a soft skirt, low-profile lenses and a neat strap arrangement, all wrapped up in a good-looking package.

SCORE

••••••••••

OCEANIC PRO-EAR | SRP: £87.99 The Oceanic Pro-Ear is unlike any other mask on the market, standing out from the crowd thanks to its earpieces built into the strap.

The mask was designed by diving physicians, engineers and instructors to help reduce ear problems that affect a diver’s ability to dive.

The earpieces, which have a seal around them the same as a mask, go over the ears and are connected to the mask air space by tubes, which means the ear air space equalises with the mask air space. The idea is that it is easier to equalise, and the earpieces limit any water getting into the ears.

The Oceanic Pro-Ear has been around in one guise or another for many years, and while it does look a bit odd, I know many instructors who swear by it, especially those working in tropical destinations where they were immersed for three or four hours every day and were constantly getting ear infections and equalisation problems. The earpieces seal well if you have short hair, but those with longer hair might not get such a good result.

The mask itself is a fairly standard, traditional-looking twin-lens mask. It is quite low-volume, so easy to clear, and it gives reasonable vision all-round.

Certainly an unusual proposition, but if you are prone to equalisation problems or ear infections, it could be worthwhile checking out.

VERDICT

Unusual mask designed for a specific purpose, but well-made and reasonably priced. One for those with ear issues.

SCORE

••••••••

OMS TATTOO | SRP: £69 OMS is a long-established brand which has been out of the UK market for a while, but now it is being distributed

by Fathom, the company is set to make a bit of an impact.

The Tattoo mask is a no-frills frameless, single-lens mask, which has a nice ‘techie’ feel to it with its all-black finish.

The low-profile design means it is easy to clear and offers a wide field of vision. The skirt is soft and comfortable, and available in a smaller size to accommodate a range of face sizes.

It is equipped with a 3D contoured strap that prevents folding.

There is also a version available with UV protection lenses.

It is great to see OMS back on the scene in the UK market. The Tattoo mask is a nice, simple, frameless mask, and it looks great in its all-black finish. We found it to be very comfortable, and were impressed by the wide field of peripheral vision it offered. It was very easy to clear, and the mask strap was comfortable and simple to adjust.

I can see this mask being very popular with technical divers (and wannabe techies), and it is well-priced against its rivals.

VERDICT

Simple all-black frameless mask with a single lens design and innovative 3D strap. A surefire hit with the tech market.

SCORE

•••••••••

OFFER AVAILABLE FOR UK PROFESSIONAL DIVERS Offer valid from 15th October to 31st December 2017

Find your local retailer or buy online at

www.anchordivelights.com

SCUBAPRO SPECTRA | SRP: £55 The Scubapro Spectra is a good-looking twin-lens mask that is available in a selection of attractive colour combinations.

The universal skirt design is super comfortable and fits a variety of face shapes, while the push-button buckles that attach to the skirt adjust easily to achieve the perfect fit.

The tempered glass lenses sit in a low-profile frame, which provide a wide field of view. The EZ Equalise nose pocket makes simple work of equalising.

There is also a mirrored lens option for a glare-free view of the underwater world.

The Scubapro Spectra is a well-priced, good-looking mask, which ticks all the boxes - it fits well, is extremely comfortable, offers a decent all-round field of vision and is easy to clear thanks to being so low-profile.

Being available in a wide range of frame colours, on both a clear or black silicone skirt, means there will be something for everyone.

The Spectra is a strong contender in this price bracket, undercutting the competition on price while still offering a great product. Well worth a look.

VERDICT

Masks are a very personal people of equipment. Once you find a mask that fits your face, you will be reluctant to part with it. A good mask is essential to a dive being comfortable and hassle-free - no one likes to be constantly emptying their mask because of an annoying leak trickling water in.

The Best Value title went to the Hollis M3, though it was chased to the podium by the OMS Tattoo and the Scubapro Spectra. All three are cracking masks, but in the end the superior comfort of the M3 saw it to the finish slightly ahead of the others.

The Choice award went to the Atomic Aquatics Venom Frameless. Yes, £130 is a lot of money to pay for a dive mask, but with its lifetime guarantee, not to mention the build quality and innovative features, this could well be the last mask you ever buy.

VERDICT

Bargain-priced twin-lens mask that is very comfortable, looks good, is low-profile and offers a decent field of vision all-round.

SCORE

•••••••••

Test Extra

SANTI DIVING FLEX 360 | SRP: £201 (JACKET) / SRP: £218 (TROUSERS) Mark Evans: Santi are renowned for their drysuits and undersuits, and this latest product to join the latter line-up is another excellent piece of kit that can be used in a variety of roles.

While the Flex 360 is designed to be worn together as a toasty warm undersuit, the jacket could actually be worn as a stand-alone apres-dive garment, as it is a good-looking piece of kit and just the ticket for a lightweight but extremely warm winter coat.

The PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation in the back and front sections of the jacket provides protection in extreme conditions, as the microfibres trap body heat but retain a high level of breathability. The jacket also combines Flex 360 material on the external side of the sleeve with Flex 180 on the inner side for ultimate flexibility. There are two side pockets, two inner pockets, and a double-chest pocket for essentials and to keep your hands warm.

The lower portion, which comprises trousers with a built-in vest, is made from Flex 360 insulation fabric in the legs, embossed Polarfleece 300 g/ m2 in the back and Flex 180 filled with 3D mesh spacers on the front. Santi says that this mix of material guarantees that body warmth will be trapped within and cold external elements will be kept well away. How does it do this? Well, the 3D mesh pads provide a space inside the front panels to create an air chamber, and when you are horizontal and in a nice trim position, this chamber - which is filled with air warmed by your body - prevents the cold of the water permeating through the drysuit and undersuit to your skin.

Your chest area is normally the first place you can feel the cold while diving, as all the warm air in your drysuit migrates to your back when you are in trim, leaving just the thickness of the undersuit and drysuit to retain any warm. This neat air chamber idea is a great solution to this issue.

It is not cheap, but as with all Santi Diving products, it is made to the highest standards and does exactly what it is designed to do, while at the same time looking cool and stylish. www.santidiving.com

NEW

SPECTRE

DIVE SUIT The Spectre is made from Typhoon’s TX5 lightweight fabric which is incredibly flexible and offers unrivalled comfort. ● Neoprene feet ensures that it is flexible to fit with a wide range of rock boots. ● Reinforced knee and seat ● A large leg storage pocket features one internal D-ring. ● Available in front and back entry options

ALL INCLUDE

3 YEAR

WATERTIGHT WARRANTY NEW AND IMPROVED FIT

YKK® PLASTIC ZIP TO REDUCE WEIGHT AND INCREASE FLEXIBILITY

@Typhoon_international

TyphoonInt

www.typhoon-int.co.uk

Test Extra

THE DRY BAG | SRP: £60

Mark Evans: One of the problems with going diving in the UK is having to deal with all your wet kit at the end of the day. You can get yourself a decent-sized ‘gear gulper’ which will swallow BCD, regulators, fins, mask, gloves, hood and other accessories, but what do you do with your suit (wetsuit, semi-drysuit or drysuit)? Now you could get another ‘gear gulper’, or you could get a large-capacity drybag, but The Dry Bag is another option.

This innovative piece of kit comes from the surfing world (another sport where you end up with wet clobber at the end of the day), and while it was designed for surfing wetsuits, it works just as well for diving suits.

The idea is that you hang your wetsuit on the chunky, durable hanger, folded over in half.

This in turn is contained within the Dry Bag itself. Now, when it is hung up in your car or van, or in the garage, or wherever, the suit can slowly drip dry - and all the shed water is collected in a reservoir at the bottom (which is equipped with a bung to empty it).

Obviously, it can take a wetsuit or even a semi-drysuit, but with a weight limit of 25kg, it is more than capable of holding a drysuit as well, and while this is a little bulky within the Dry Bag, it will still fit in with a little effort.

The Dry Bag can also be hung outside in direct sunlight, as the material prevents UV rays affecting your suit, and if it gets grubby - we know what some dive sites can be like! - you can easily sponge it clear with warm water.

Now £60 might seem quite expensive for what is effectively a hanger and a bag, but the Dry Bag is well made, and it does exactly what it is designed to do. I crammed my Otter drysuit into it after a day in the water, and it duly collected any water that dripped off enroute home. The foam-surround on the hefty metal karabiner prevents any scratching in your car, and the webbing can be shortened if necessary. I’d say it was a useful tool in the arsenal of any UK divers or watersports enthusiast. www.thedrybag.co.uk

Made to Measure Available

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l Ultra tough yet flexible Armour-skin trilaminate material l Choice of socks & rock boots or boots l Neoprene neck warmer as standard l Telescopic body with neoprene strap l Drysuit hood and zippered suit bag/ changing mat included l Choice of pockets l Double knee-protector pads l Choice of Si-Tech or Apeks valves (standard or GUE position) l Optional dryglove and quick replacement neck seal systems

WWW.DRYSUITS.CO.UK l SALES@DRYSUITS.CO.UK

CALL US ON 01274 379480

Long Term Test FOURTH ELEMENT X-CORE Mark Evans: The Fourth Element X-Core is designed to be worn under an Arctic, Arctic Expedition, HALO 3D or any other drysuit undergarment, It augments thermal protection to the extent that electric heating can be avoided in many instances. It performs best over a lightweight baselayer, such as J2 or Xerotherm, but can also be worn as a next-to-skin garment.

X-Core is also OceanPositive. It is made with Repreve® - a fibre that is made from recycled post-consumer waste, including used plastic bottles - and 76 percent of the composition of X-Core is recycled polyester.

NEW ARRIVAL

INFORMATION Arrival date: November 2017 Suggested retail price: £99.50 Number of dives: 3 Time in water: 2 hrs 25 mins

ANCHOR DIVE LIGHTS SERIES 3K Mark Evans: The Anchor Dive Light is proving to be a cracking little torch. We recently tried it in umbilical guise, and undoubtedly, it was great to have the increased battery power, but in its straightforward handheld configuration, it is just such a compact, easy-to-handle little unit.

There is no cable to worry about, or battery canister to mount on your BCD or wing, the whole thing is just nicely self-contained on the Goodman handle, and it can sit on the back of your hand until you need it. It is dinky enough to travel with as well, adding another string to its bow. Belting little torch.

INFORMATION Arrival date: July 2017 Suggested retail price: £695 Number of dives: 29 Time in water: 28 hrs 15 mins

THERMALUTION RED GRADE ULTRA Mark Evans: The Thermalution Red Grade Ultra comes into its own when the surface temperatures and water temperatures drop into low single figures, or even below 0 degrees C. Being able to smile and joke around in extremely cold conditions after a dive in chilly waters is a huge indication of the benefits of this suit.

INFORMATION Arrival date: April 2017 Suggested retail price: £1,050 Number of dives: 25 Time in water: 24 hrs 55 mins

APEKS XL4

Mark Evans: The XL4 was put straight to the test as both a travel-friendly regulator and a cold-water unit when it joined the Scuba Diver team on their jaunt to Iceland. With low single digit water and surface temperaINFORMATION tures, the XL4 never missed a Arrival date: October 2017 beat, and it gave the smooth, Suggested retail price: £338 effortless breathe we have Number of dives: 7 become accustomed to from Time in water: 6 hrs 25 mins Apeks.

AQUALUNG REVEAL X2 Mark Evans: The Reveal X2 has now been used by a plethora of people, including myself, Scuba Diver Publishing Director Ross Arnold and DeeperBlue founder Stephan Whelan, and we have all found it to be supremely comfortable, easy to clear, and offering a wide field of vision all round. The lenses are a nice blend of traditional and modern, not too outlandish, but giving a better peripheral view than more old-school masks.

At the end of the day, a mask is a very personal thing, and when you find one that fits your face properly, then you will be inclined to stick with it.

It is also available as a single-lens version, called the X1, and both come in a selection of colours, both frame and skirt.

AQUALUNG OUTLAW

INFORMATION Arrival date: March 2017 Suggested retail price: £46 Number of dives: 57 Time in water: 55 hrs 25 mins

TYPHOON DS1

Mark Evans: The Outlaw may be aimed more at travelling divers, thanks to its extreme light weight and haw compact it can be packed up - especially if you take it apart - but as we have found out, it is more than at home in colder waters too. It has now been to Iceland and in UK waters, and it hanINFORMATION dles drysuit diving Arrival date: February 2017 admirably. We just Suggested retail price: £338 love the strippedNumber of dives: 7 back, uncluttered Time in water: 6 hrs 55 mins styling.

DEEPBLU COSMIQ+ END OF TERM

Mark Evans: Drysuits are obviously at home in the cold waters of the UK or northern Europe, but they are a useful tool in other places around the world as well. The Mediterranean, for instance, or the Egyptian Red Sea in the winter months, can prove a little chilly for a wetsuit, and while a semi-drysuit would suffice, a drysuit is the better INFORMATION option for the ultimate in Arrival date: August 2017 thermal protection. The DS1 Suggested retail price: £895 is very light, packs up small Number of dives: 5 and would make a perfect UK/ Time in water: 4 hrs 15 mins travelling diver drysuit.

Mark Evans: The DeepBlu Cosmiq+ Dive Companion has now ended its run in the Long Term Test stable. This little unit has one of the clearest, brightest displays on the market, and I am still astounded by that price. It is easy to use, can be charged up via USB in a matter of hours, and is fitted with a neat webbing strap that quickly and INFORMATION easily extends from a bare or Arrival date: February 2017 wetsuited wrist to a drysuit Suggested retail price: £230 size. A great little computNumber of dives: 68 er, which dovetails with the Time in water: 66 hrs 20 mins DeepBlu online community.

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If in Doubt? SHOUT!

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PRO DIVE INTERNATIONAL

Head Office: Carretera Federal, Parcela 4 MZA 293 Lote 2 Local 5-6, Ejido Norte, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77712, Mexico T: +52 (1) 984 745 0763 E: info@prodiveinternational.com W: www.prodiveinternational.com World-class experiences: diving Bayahibe, Saona, Catalina Island, Cayo Levantado, Live-Aboard Silver Bank, located at 4-5* Resorts in Punta Cana & Bayahibe, PADI courses, Stay & Dive packages.

INDONESIA SILADEN RESORT & SPA

Sialden Island, Bunaken National Park, Manado, North Sulawesi, 95011 T: +628114300641 | E: info@siladen.com W: www.siladen.com Siladen Resort & Spa is an exclusive boutique dive resort located on a lush tropical island in the heart of the Bunaken National Marine Park.

MEXICO PRO DIVE INTERNATIONAL

Head Office: Carretera Federal, Parcela 4 MZA 293 Lote 2 Local 5-6, Ejido Norte, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77712, Mexico T: +52 (1) 984 745 0763 E: info@prodiveinternational.com W: www.prodiveinternational.com World-class diving: Cozumel, cenotes, bull sharks, Whaleshark & Sailfish safaris, Live-Aboards Socorro/ Guadalupe, located at 4-5* Resorts Riviera Maya & Cozumel, PADI CDC, Stay&Dive packages, FREE NITROX.

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MALDIVES LILY BEACH RESORT & SPA

Huvahendhoo Island, South Ari Atoll, Maldives T: +960 668 0013 | E: lilybeach@prodivers.com W: www.prodivers.com/lily-beach-maldives Prodivers 5* PADI Dive-Centre. Whaleshark and Manta all year. Free Nitrox, Underwater Scooters and repeater discount available. House reef accessible from shore. 60 dive sites.

KUREDU PRODIVERS

Kuredu Island Resort, Lhaviyani Atoll, 07080, Maldives T: +9606620343 | E: info@prodivers.com W: www.prodivers.com Renowned PADI 5 star IDC center with on site decompression chamber. Multi lingual guides and instructors, more than 60 dive sites, scooters, rebreathers and nitrox-forfree!

MALTA MALTAQUA

Mosta Road, St Pauls Bay, SPB3114, Malta T: 0035621571111 | E: dive@maltaqua.com W: www.maltaqua.com A Multi agency centre providing training for BSAC, PADI, RAID, TDI & IANTD. Dive excursions or tank hire for qualified divers.

Courses for complete beginners.

DIVE DEEP BLUE MALTA

9/11 Ananija street, Bugibba, St Paul’s Bay SPB 1320, Malta T: +356 21583946 E: Dive@divedeepblue.com W: www.divedeepblue.com Dive Deep Blue Malta. Operating 20 years.

PADI, BSAC, SSI and TDI Center. Providing recreational, technical training, plus guided and independent diving services.

PHILIPPINES EVOLUTION

Bounty Beach, Malapascua Island, Daan Bantayan, Cebu, 6013, Philippines T: +63(0)917 631 2179 | E: info@evolution.com.ph

W: www.evolution.com.ph

Progressive Recreational and Technical Diving in the Philippines best all-round diving location. 4 dives/day including

Thresher Shark encounters. All PADI/TDI classes available, Tech/CCR Friendly.

BUCEO ANILAO BEACH & DIVE RESORT Anilao, Barangay San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas, Philippines T: 0063 919 510 57 65 E: info@buceoanilao.com W: www.buceoanilao.com Cozy resort - sophisticated camera / video room - dedicated spotters - easy access from Manila Airport - Critters - Healthy Reefs - Biodiversity!

THAILAND SAIREE COTTAGE DIVING 5* IDC CENTRE 1/10 Moo Sairee Beach, Koh Tao, Suratthani, 84360, Thailand T: +66872650859 E: info@idckohtaothailand.com W: www.idckohtaothailand.com One of the Best PADI Diving Instructor IDC Courses on Koh Tao, Thailand.

For more information please visit: www.idckohtaothailand.com or www.saireecottagediving.com/instructordevelopment-course-idc-koh-tao-saireecottage-diving-koh-tao.

Professional Underwater Photography: https://www.instagram.com/peachsnapsphotography/

UNITED KINGDOM DEEP BLUE DIVE

55 Marden Road, Whitley Bay, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE26 2JW, UK T: 0191 253 6220 E: emmet@deepbluedive.com W: www.deepbluedive.com The UK’s number one diving equipment store with all the top brands, at competitive prices. Your one stop shop for diving equipment.

OYSTER DIVING

Maritime House, Basin Road North, Hove, BN41 1WR, UK T: 0800 699 0243 W: www.oysterdiving.com www.oysterdivingshop.com The UK’s premier PADI scuba diving and travel centre. Equipment sales, PADI courses from beginner to Instructor and holidays around the world.

WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM

MARKETPLACE

Diving Medicals Nottingham

Sport Diver medicals £55

HGV/PSV/taxi medicals £55

Occupational Health Medicals

HSE commercial diving medicals £120

Oil and Gas UK Offshore Medicals £110

Discounts for students and large groups

For appointments call 0780 2850 084

or email: mclamp@doctors.org.uk

URCHIN DIVE

CHARTER

Expert Knowledge – 25+ years diving experience. Warm Saloon – Lunch & snacks provided. Wet/Dry Storage – Moon pool entry.

Accommodation available on site.

Contact: Oban Scotland | 01631 566088 www.puffin.org.uk

Help us keep the magazine FREE by mentioning Scuba Diver when responding to business you’ve seen in our magazine.

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SOUTH COAST DIVE

BUSINESS FOR SALE Opportunity to purchase one of the UK’s top dive businesses on the South Coast. Successful Dive Hard Boat, Shop and Gas Station.

SOLD WITH BOOKINGS FOR 2018 For more information please email contact details to

divingbusiness4sale@gmail.com

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THE COURSE DIRECTOR

Marcel van den Berg is a PADI Platinum Course Director working at Sairee Cottage Diving, based on the picturesque island of Koh Tao in Thailand. This month, he hands over his column inches to the centre’s photo pro, Paddy Peach Steele, who offers some top hints and advice concerning marine life behaviour and how to get better underwater photographs. www.saireecottagediving.com

UNDERSTANDING MARINE LIFE BEHAVIOUR TO TAKE BETTER UNDERWATER PHOTOS PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PEACHSNAPSPHOTOGRAPHY

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nderstanding marine life behaviour is the key to taking the best underwater photographs. These days, anyone can get into underwater photography. More and more affordable cameras are bursting on to the market and everyone is wondering how to take the best underwater photos. With the amount of online tutorials, there is a wealth of knowledge freely available. Given enough practice, anyone can achieve underwater photos that they are proud to show off to the world.

KNOWING YOUR MARINE LIFE

The one thing that I find almost all new underwater photographers are sadly missing is an understanding of marine life behaviour to take the best underwater photographs. The more time you spend in the water shooting the same species over and over again, the more you notice how they live their lives and how they do things differently to other similar species. You also pick up the body language and signs that they are about to do something that would make a great photo.

With any type of wildlife photography, you will greatly improve your chances of getting that amazing shot you’re after by knowing when something impressive is about to happen, like hunting or parent behaviour. This is even more important for us as underwater photographers because we have a limited time to shoot due to our air supply and NDLs.

UNDERSTANDING FISH RELATIONSHIP BEHAVIOUR

Lots of fish time their breeding with the lunar cycle. If eggs hatch around the full moon, when there are the strongest currents, the young will be taken far away from where they were laid. This means that they are not fighting for space in the same area and they can

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spread the gene pool further. An added benefit of the same species of fish coinciding their breeding is that potential predators are overwhelmed by all the eggs hatching at the same time and so plenty are going to survive.

This is easily noticed around Koh Tao, Thailand, with the pink anemonefish. Knowing when the eggs hatch lets us have an idea of when parents will be tending to the eggs. Consequently, instead of just a photo of a fish in the anemone, we can now get a shot of a tender moment as the father cares for its young. This would be a much better underwater photo.

WHALESHARKS CAN BE PREDICTABLE

On a bigger scale, whalesharks can be pretty predictable. Around Koh Tao, they tend to hang around the deeper pinnacles and swim in a figure of eight over the top. It’s the same every time I’m lucky enough to dive with one, most people are so amazed to be in the water with one and don’t want it to end, so follow the big fish as it swims effortlessly. Divers have no chance of keeping up with a whaleshark even at a slow pace, but it’s easy to know when they are going to change direction.

They have distinct lines that run the length of their body and if you’re behind the whaleshark, when the lines start arching either left or right, they are turning. When they do just swim at a 90 degree angle the way it’s turning and you can easily get into a better position for a photo as it will turn into you.

While these examples may come from the marine life of Koh Tao, they still illustrate how even a little bit of prior knowledge of marine life’s habits can make a big difference in the quality of your underwater images and how to take the best underwater photos.

At Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao in Thailand we teach advanced underwater photography courses focusing on marine life behaviour to take the best underwater photos and enjoying marine life on a whole new level.

These underwater photography courses are for anyone with a passion for marine life and underwater photography, but can also improve your marine life knowledge as a Divemaster or Diving Instructor. You can contact me here to learn more how to get better at underwater photography. n

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Eliminate single-use plastic in the packaging of all our products by 2020.

Continue the development of new and existing products using recycled post consumer materials.

Become truly OceanPositive.

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