NSW ROADTRIP
Q&A: ARON ARNGRIMSSON
VIVA MEXICO!
ADRIAN STACEY CONTINUES HIS DRIVE-N-DIVE EXPEDITION - THIS ISSUE, COFFS HARBOUR
WE CHAT TO THE DIRTY DOZEN EXPEDITION FOUNDER ABOUT TRUK LAGOON AND BIKINI ATOLL
WHY THE SEA OF CORTEZ SHOULD BE ON YOUR DIVING BUCKET LIST FOR 2020
CRITTERS SMALL, BUT BEAUTIFUL, MARINE LIFE
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EDITOR’S NOTE AUSTRALIA DIVE INDUSTRY FIGHTING BACK The good news is the bushfires have now been completely extinguished by the huge amounts of rainfall the country has been enjoying. This is undoubtedly great news for the firefighters who have been battling these blazes for months, and for the people whose lives have been so severely affected. Not to mention for the drought-ravaged farms and the fact that the dangerously low reservoirs have now had a much-needed top up. Unfortunately, there is a down side to the staggering amount of rain that has drenched the nation, and that is many areas are now experiencing severe flooding, hampering the already-arduous task of rebuilding. To make matters worse for the already-beleaguered tourism industry and hindering further the recovery of those areas affected by the fires, the Coronavirus has reared its ugly head. Government figures suggest that up to 1.5 million visitors to the country will be lost. Perhaps the only silver lining for the dive centres that have suffered a horrendous high season is the fact that the vast majority of their customers come from within Australia. So as long as these avid divers continue to dive, then there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. With that in mind, in this issue we have the second instalment of the NSW road trip. The destination for part two was Coffs Harbour, and the fantastic South Solitary islands. We are also beginning a three-part series featuring the diving in North Sulawesi. Finally, congratulations to the team back in the UK for hosting another amazing dive show, This was the second year for the GO Diving exhibition and it is going from strength to strength. There were over 100 exhibitors, some from Australia, and guest speakers like Steve Backshall and Monty Halls drew in the crowds, with over 6,500 people attending over the weekend.
Adrian Stacey Editor-at-Large (Australia and New Zealand)
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Mark Evans Email: mark.evans@scubadivermag.com
DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER Matt Griffiths Email: matt@scubadivermag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTHEAST ASIA TEAM
Adrian Stacey Editor-at-Large (Australia and New Zealand) Tel: +61 422 611 238 Email: adrian@scubadivermag.com
Martin Guess, Michele Westmorland, Pete Mesley, Paul Lees, Aron Arngrimmson
Paul Lees Editorial Manager (Southeast Asia) Email: paul@scubadivermag.com
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For some, adventure is sharing space with jungle cats on a safari, or passing time in the midst of the largest Asian elephant gathering in the world. For others, it’s diving crystal blue waters watching rays glide among rainbow coral or getting up close and personal with a giant whale shark. However you define adventure, let Aggressor take your expedition to the next level. Small groups, decadent meals, luxurious accommodations and amazing service are what sets our journeys apart and helps you create an experience you’ll never forget. Whatever your destination, choose your adventure with Aggressor!
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NSW ROADTRIP
Q&A: ARON ARNGRIMSSON
VIVA MEXICO!
ADRIAN STACEY CONTINUES HIS DRIVE-N-DIVE EXPEDITION - THIS ISSUE, COFFS HARBOUR
WE CHAT TO THE DIRTY DOZEN EXPEDITION FOUNDER ABOUT TRUK LAGOON AND BIKINI ATOLL
WHY THE SEA OF CORTEZ SHOULD BE ON YOUR DIVING BUCKET LIST FOR 2020
ON THE COVER
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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF: JADE HOKSBERGEN
REGULAR COLUMNS
FEATURES...
6 News
18 Australia
The creation of a shark-proof wetsuit material, a reef constructed from limestone and recycled shellfish in South Australia, an increase in the number of whalesharks with injuries, a pink manta ray Lady Elliot Island, how seagrass helped a sinking island, and a reef restoration project off the Whitsundays.
16 Medical Q&A
New diving doctor column from the experts at Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific.
74 Scholar
Joanna Smart heads to the United States for a roadtrip through California, taking in Monterey Bay Aquarium, dives in the kelp forests off Santa Barbara, and a look at artificial reefs from oil rigs in San Diego.
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Adrian Stacey continues his New South Wales roadtrip, this time stopping off in Coffs Harbour to dive South Solitary Island marine park.
30 Q&A: Aron Arngrimsson
We talk to the founder of The Dirty Dozen Expeditions, which specialise in legendary locations such as Truk Lagoon and Bikini Atoll.
34 Underwater Photography
Seasoned underwater snapper Martyn Guess offers more hints and advice, this time on snooting.
34 Photographer of the Month
Each month we focus our attention on one particular underwater photographer. This issue, we focus on Jade Hoksbergen.
42 Mexico
Adrian Stacey explains why The Sea of Cortez is a legendary diving destination.
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CONTENTS
...CONTINUED
GEAR GUIDE
47 Diveplanit column
70 What’s New
It took ‘our Man in Australia’ Adrian Stacey five years to finally get round to diving the iconic Fish Rock dive site and meeting its resident grey nurse sharks, but would the legendary location live up to expectations?
48 Costa Rica
Michele Westmorland sets off on the epic trek to the remote Cocos Island, and finds that this iconic destination more than lives up to the hype.
56 Indonesia
Stefan Beskow sets off on a three-week trip around Indonesia’s Golden Triangle of Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh, beginning in a place he last visited 15 years before - Bunaken.
64 TECHNICAL: New Zealand
Tech-diving guru Pete Mesley explores the deeper waters around the iconic Poor Knights islands and reckons they are just as colourful and full of life as any tropical warm-water reef.
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New products recently released, including the Mares Dual and Dual Adj regulators, Fourth Element’s Hydra drysuit, and Scubapro’s MK235 Evo/D420 regulator and MK19 Evo/D420 regulator.
72 Gear Guide: Test Extra
Editor-in-Chief Mark Evans heads for Vivian Quarry in picturesque North Wales to dive a selection of budget-priced regulators - how will these wallet-friendly regs cope with robust testing in cold-water conditions?
80 Long Term Test
The Scuba Diver Test Team reviews a selection of products over a six-month period, including the Roho X-Flex Solo drysuit, Mares Genius dive computer, Apeks XL4+ regulator, and the Aqua Lung AquaFlex wetsuit.
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Each month, we bring together the latest industry news from the Asia-Pacific region, as well as all over our water planet. To find out the most up-to-date news and views, check out the website or follow us on our various social media (@scubadivermag) www.scubadivermag.com.au
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
SHARK-PROOF WETSUIT A new wetsuit material tested by Flinders University marine researchers can help reduce blood loss caused by shark bites, to reduce injuries and prevent the leading cause of death PHOTOGRAPHS BY FLINDERS UNIVERSITY AND RODNEY FOX SHARK EXPEDITIONS
T
he study tested two types of protective fabrics that incorporate ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres (UHMWPE) into widely used neoprene material in wetsuits, and compared their resistance to bites against standard neoprene without protective layers. Associate Professor Charlie Huveneers, from the Southern Shark Ecology Group, says new technological advances in fabric have allowed the development of lightweight alternatives that can be incorporated onto traditional wetsuits. “The aim of this study was to assess the ability of new fabrics incorporated into neoprene to reduce injuries from white shark bites,” says Associate Professor Huveneers. “Our results showed that both fabrics tested may provide some protection against shark bite and could be used as part of a shark bite mitigation strategy. “We tested the fabric on white sharks because it is the species responsible for the most fatalities from shark bites.” The tests included ten variants of two different fabrics using two laboratory tests, puncture and laceration tests, along with field-based trials involving white sharks ranging from three to four metres. White shark bite force was also measured at the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park using load sensors placed between steel plates surrounded by foam. “We found that the new fabrics were more resistant to puncture, laceration, and bites from white Sharks than standard neoprene,” said Prof Huveneers. “More force was required to puncture the new fabrics
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compared to control fabrics (laboratory-based tests), and cuts made to the new fabrics were smaller and shallower than those on standard neoprene from both types of test, i.e. laboratory and field tests.” Prof Huveneers says the results are positive but more testing is required in an incorporated wetsuit design and on the potential damage to human flesh underneath for more robust recommendations. “Although these fabrics may reduce blood loss resulting from a shark bite, further research is needed to measure the magnitude of injury to human flesh,” he commented. The team from Flinders University were assisted with their research by Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions. “This is the reason for our tours,” said Andrew Fox, Director of Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions. “We strive to better understand great white sharks and to share this knowledge onboard with our guests. We appreciate that some ocean users can encounter white sharks unexpectedly and we want to be involved in any product that can make people safer in the water. “We tested the material on a range of different-sized great white sharks and found it to be extremely resistant to the bites of even larger and more powerful individuals. “The material we are testing will hopefully be used by surfers, divers and other ocean-loving people to give peace of mind that, in the highly unlikely event of being bitten by a shark, they are maximising their chance of survival by wearing a suit that will greatly assist in minimising blood loss. “Of course, the best place to come and learn more about great white sharks and the other cutting edge research we are involved with, is on our expedition vessel Rodney Fox. We go to the best place in the world to see white sharks, the Neptune Islands (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park, and in the upcoming autumn and winter months we have a good chance of seeing some of the super-sized females like five-and-a-half-metre Matilda (pictured top left). Though this shot looks scary, Matilda has not even dropped down her top teeth and is in a curious, but very relaxed, pose - such serenity is typical with these surprisingly cautious giants.” For tour details, go to: www.rodneyfox.com.au, or phone 08 8363 1788.
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PROPOSED NEW SHELLFISH REEF FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Work on a new shellfish reef will begin this year just down the coast from Adelaide. According to Heather Creech, communications officer of the Scuba Divers Federation of South Australia (SDFSA), it will be constructed of limestone and recycled shellfish, and an initial two hectares of reef will be laid down in one of three locations - Glenelg, between the Glenelg jetty and West Beach boat ramp; O’Sullivan Beach, between Christies Beach and O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp; and Port Noarlunga, between Port Noarlunga jetty and the Onkaparinga River mouth, within the Encounter Marine Park Port Noarlunga Sanctuary Zone. The original oyster reefs that provided habitat for a robust fishery for South Australia were decimated in the 1800s and early 1900s due to overharvesting and dredging. In 2014, the State government committed funds to reintroduce shellfish reefs as one of several approaches to revitalize the marine environment for fishing and tourism. The Windara shellfish restoration reef at Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula, the first of its kind in South Australia and now the largest outside of the United States, has made the case for artificial reefs in habitat restoration and the re-emergence of native oyster beds. In partnership with the State, The Nature Conservancy held several community consultations this February to explore each of the proposed locations. Over 60 people attended the community meeting held at the Christies Beach SLSC, supporting the initiative but with some opposition to the location of the proposed reef anywhere near to the Onkaparinga River mouth in Port Noarlunga, noting that a new structure there may adversely affect popular surf breaks in the area. However, the Port Noarlunga location may have support because it lies within the marine sanctuary zone, a popular snorkel and dive venue with a prohibition on fishing. The final location, guided by public feedback, will be announced later this year. The SDFSA will post the information as soon as it becomes available.
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INCREASE IN WHALESHARK INJURIES Injuries to whalesharks appear to be on the rise. The increase in boat traffic around the world, combined with the fact that these huge creatures travel great distances and are often found close to the surface, means that they are, unfortunately, getting hit more and more often. It is now estimated that nearly a fifth of whalesharks found at Ningaloo Reef in Western Austria have sustained injuries, most probably from boat collisions. A team of researchers studied 913 whaleshark images taken by Ningaloo tour boat operators between 2008 and 2013. Of these, 146, or about 16 per cent, showed some form of serious injuries. Emily Lester, from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, commented: “Some of the major scars were probably bite marks from predators, but most of the marks were blunt trauma lacerations or amputations arising from encounters with ships, particularly propellers. One possible explanation is that there is an increase in shipping activity throughout the whalesharks’ range—inside Ningaloo and out— and collisions are becoming more frequent. A collision between a large ocean-going vessel and a whaleshark wouldn’t be felt by the ship, as a result, it’s likely that we’re underestimating the number of mortalities from ship strike, since our study could only document sharks that survived their injuries.” Dr Raudino, a specialist on marine fauna, suggested that one solution to this problem is identifying hotspots of where these collisions are occurring through spatial modelling.
Scientists in India are also noticing a worrying trend of more injuries and fatalities from whalesharks being hit by boats. Rima Jabado, vice-chairman of the Indian Ocean region of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, said: “The injuries are caused due to the heavy traffic of ships and boats passing from the migration route in the Indian Ocean region. The whalesharks feed in the shallows, so for 80 per cent of the time they are on the surface and that is the reason they are getting injured.” There is some good news for the sharks - the Indian government has persuaded fishermen to release as many as 781 whale harks caught in their nets along the Gujarat coast since 2004 after an awareness campaign was launched to save the species.
DIVE TRAVEL PLANNING MADE EASY WITH SSI’S MYDIVEGUIDE SSI is taking the lead on state-of-the-art dive travel planning by introducing MyDiveGuide. “We have listened to our consumers and created a unique and comprehensive database connecting dive sites and their potential wildlife encounters with SSI Training Centres worldwide making it easy for any diver to explore the most exciting dive adventures online. MyDiveGuide is a smart online dive travel guide that anyone can use!” states Guido Waetzig, CEO, SSI International GmbH. Diving has always been intrinsically linked to travel and SSI’s new online platform, MyDiveGuide, encourages this connection by displaying thousands of dive sites around the world with detailed data and the potential wildlife encounters they provide. Each site is also connected to one or more SSI Training Centres offering dives to that location, as well as giving users access to their courses and events. With the
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launch of this new, highly detailed dive site guide, SSI hopes to inspire users to discover the world’s most-amazing dive adventures and, ultimately, to plan their next dive travel destination according to their experience and wish list. The key features of MyDiveGuide include: • 1500+ dive sites listing potential wildlife encounters and detailed information, such as visibility, water temperature, accessibility, site type, level, sport, body of water, currents, depth range, and more (with a potential to reach 12,000+ dive sites globally over time). • 100+ wildlife pages and 350+ country and region pages with diving specific information . • 3,300+ SSI Training Centres worldwide connected to the Dive Sites including their course and event calendars MyDiveGuide can be viewed by anybody who has created an SSI profile at www.divessi.com
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BLUE WHALES MAKING A COME BACK
Barefoot luxury in the heart of Indonesia
In the 19th and early 20th century, the blue whale was almost hunted to extinction, but now they appear to be making a come back in the coastal waters of South Georgia. Located in the Southern Ocean close to Antarctica, this tiny outpost has long been a wildlife haven and a popular site for whales to congregate. This unfortunately attracted the unwanted attention of whalers, who decimated the whale numbers in the area and, in particular, the blue whale. Some estimates suggest that up to 97 per cent of the population were killed. When the Norwegian explorer and whaler Carl Larsen first visited the island of South Georgia, he was so impressed by the number of whales there he said: “I see them in hundreds and thousands”. The whaling stations on the island closed down in the early 20th century. New tighter regulations have also since been implemented, in an attempt to bring the blue whale, among others, back from the brink. In the 2017/18, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) began tracking the number of blue whales in the area along with humpback and southern right whales. On their first of three expeditions, only one blue whale was sighted, but fast forward to the most-recent expedition and there were 55 of these magnificent creatures sighted. Dr Jen Jackson of BAS said: “What is clear is that protection from whaling has worked with densities of humpbacks in particular similar to those of a century ago, and we are thrilled to see them at South Georgia again. Continued protection and monitoring is required to see if this unprecedented number of blue whale sightings is a long-term trend, as we see in humpbacks. For such a rare species, this marks an ‘unprecedented’ number of sightings.” Researchers also stated: “It suggests blue whales are returning to their old feeding grounds at South Georgia, which means it’s still an area with abundant food for them to eat. Relative to many other oceans on the planet, the Southern Ocean is still relatively pristine, so it still has capacity to support large numbers of whales.” A new assessment of Antarctic blue whale recovery will be conducted by the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee next year in order to find out how well the population is recovering from exploitation.
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Bunaken National Marine Park w w w.s i l a d e n.c o m
Siladen-UK half--88x262.indd 1
09/10/2019 09:04
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WHITSUNDAYS REEF RESTORATION PROJECT The tourism industry is currently the largest employer in the Whitsundays region, accounting for around 40 per cent of all jobs. The Whitsundays region is located at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, with an estimated 86 per cent of tourists that visit the reef doing so from either Cairns or the Whitsundays. A spokesman for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said: “Unfortunately, the past number of years have seen the Whitsundays’ inshore reefs under pressure, we believe this pressure is primarily due to issues with suspended sediment, rising water temperatures and a number of cyclones, in particular cyclone Debbie. Prior to cyclone Debbie, the Whitsundays had become Australia’s number one destination for accessing the Great Barrier Reef Marine park. “Economically, the destruction of the Whitsundays reef would ultimately mean the destruction of our tourism industry.” Perhaps as a response to this situation, marine biologists from Living Reef launched a coral restoration initiative. Coral fragments from dislodged corals or healthy population are grown and cultivated in a semi-controlled environment, such as coral nurseries where they have a better chance of survival. Once they have reached a certain size, they are then transplanted onto damaged areas of reef. A total of 14 coral reef nurseries have been established in Blue Pearl Bay and Manta Ray Bay. A total of 20 coral cookies have been replanted on adjacent degraded bommies. The Reef Ecologic team determined the survivorship of corals in the nursery and on out-planted bommies. The response of corals, both on the nursery and on transplanted bommies, are overwhelming. Approximately 85 per cent of all coral nursery fragments showed a positive response. In addition, coral out-plants are looking well-adapted on coral bommies. This could be an early sign of another potential
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success story unfolding in the reefs of Whitsunday Islands. In a few more years, coral reefs in the region may be able to bounce back to its original state. A spokesman for Reef Ecologic, who are assisting the Living Reef team in the monitoring and maintenance of the coral gardens, said: “Reef restoration is an emerging field in marine science that is gaining its popularity in recent decades due to global degradation of coral reefs. A lot of reef restoration success stories all across different countries have been reported but there is still a lot to learn in order to improve existing techniques. One of the challenges in reef restoration is the huge role the environment plays in its success. Each environment has different conditions, threats, and stressors making a one-size-fits-all formula non-existent. Reef restoration is not a fix to global reef degradation, but rather a catalyst to aid in natural recovery of widescale reefs.”
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SEAGRASS HELPS TO SAVE A SINKING ISLAND Marine biologists have come up with an innovative solution to help save a sinking island in the Laccadive Sea. Vaan Island is located in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, between India and Sri Lanka. The reserve had previously encompassed 21 islands, but unfortunately two have already been lost to the ocean - and Vaan is next on the list having shrunk in size from 26 hectares in 1976 to just four hectares in 2016. The area is of great ecological and commercial importance, with fishermen and researchers using the islands for protection from bad weather and for research purposes. The area hosts 23 per cent of Indian fin fish species and local villagers rely on these waters for their livelihoods. The cause of the predicament that Vaan Island now finds itself in has been attributed to poor fishing practices, climate change - which is causing rising sea levels - and historic coal mining, which has now been banned in the area. Seagrass to the rescue The solution was seagrass. Gilbert Mathews, a marine biologist at the Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) said: “Like corals, these tufts of grass provide a habitat to many splendorous sea-creatures, such as seahorses and lizardfish, which can be found in seagrass throughout the year. “Seagrass provides the right environment for young fish and invertebrates to conceal themselves, while absorbing dissolved carbon dioxide and creating an oxygen and nutrient-rich environment. With its ability to trap sediments, seagrass also acts as a natural filter, clearing the waters and slowing erosion.” The once-abundant meadows of seagrass in the area were being destroyed by bottom-trawling fishing boats, who were inadvertently destroying the habitat on which they relied. Mathews stated: “We believed that by restoring the seagrass meadows along these waters, we could strengthen the island and possibly save this and prevent others from submerging into the sea.” Easier said than done Replanting the seagrass took a considerable effort with the elements and the fishermen often undoing the researchers’ good work. Eventually, they came up with a system of tying the seagrass to home-made plastic quadrants. Edward J.K. Patterson, director of the SDMRI, said: “To date, the joint efforts to restore the coral and seagrass around Vaan Island and its neighbours has strengthened the degraded shoreline, making it less-vulnerable to threats.” This is the first attempt in India to fight to save a sinking island, and it appears to be working – for now, Vaan Island is stable.
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MALDIVES
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MEDICAL Q&A IEN R F DIVING WITH
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LET’S GO DIVING! Discover the beauty of the underwater world!
BOOKING AND INFORMATION:
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The Divers Alert Network (DAN) is the diving industry’s largest association dedicated to scuba-diving safety. Serving divers for more than 30 years, DAN provides emergency assistance, medical information sources, educational opportunities and more. www.danap.org Question: I received eight hyperbaric treatments for DCS six weeks ago. An hour after diving I experienced numbness and tingling in my left arm, hand, leg and foot and felt very weak and fatigued. After my treatments all my symptoms resolved and four days later, I flew home without issue. However, in the last two weeks I’ve had a return of some of the tingling in my left arm and foot that comes and goes, but doesn’t completely go away. Is this a normal side effect? Do I need further treatment? DAN Answer: According to the DAN’s Report on Diving Accidents and Fatalities, slightly more than 50 per cent of all decompression illness cases that received hyperbaric oxygen therapy were successfully treated without residual symptoms. The remaining cases had some neurological symptoms or pain for several days or weeks after hyperbaric therapy was completed. On average, 16 per cent of injured divers will still have symptoms for up to three months after they have been treated. Original symptoms sometimes re-appear during this three-month recovery period. Divers have reported the recurrence of symptoms after a series of long days at work, decreasing amounts of sleep, sitting in one position for long periods of time or after drinking too much alcohol. The most-often-mentioned symptom is numbness and tingling. In general, recurrence of symptoms can occur, but this is not necessarily normal. It most likely relates to the severity of the original injury. There are three important issues to remember regarding recovering from decompression illness: Length of time between onset of symptoms and recompression In many cases of decompression illness, the response to therapy is related to the time between symptom onset and chamber recompression.
PROMPT OXYGEN FIRST AID
Divers must do everything they can to assure rapid first aid measures, which includes the use of 100 per cent oxygen, and evaluation leading to chamber therapy. It is also important to note that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment and not always a cure. Divers can suffer mild numbness in a hand or physical impairment that is life-long.
TIME TO HEAL
Thirdly, as in any other injury, some recovery time must be expected before an injury can completely heal. Unlike a traumatic injury that is obvious to the eye, injuries caused by gas bubbles are internal. The tiny bubbles associated with decompression illness, in sufficient quantities, can do more damage than being hit by a car. Never underestimate the potential for a serious injury when symptoms first appear and always seek immediate medical evaluation. Got a medical question? Call the DAN Medical Information Line at +1-919-6842948, or send us an email (medic@dan.org). Our team is standing by to assist you.
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Adrian Stacey continues his New South Wales drive-ndive roadtrip, this time stopping off at Coffs Harbour in an attempt to dive with the grey nurse sharks in the South Solitary Island marine park PHOTOGRAPHS BY ADRIAN STACEY
Between April and November, humpback whales make their annual migration from the frigid feeding grounds near Antarctica to the warmer waters of the Pacific to mate, and the coastline comes alive with their acrobatic displays
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C
offs Harbour was the second destination on my New South Wales roadtrip. This small seaside town is just about equal distance from Sydney and Brisbane, around a five-hour drive from either city. The town is a great base for exploring the surrounding area’s numerous national parks and attractions. From the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest to stunning beaches and, of course, the iconic Big Banana fun park. The reason for my stay, however, was not to gaze in awe at a big Banana, or take a stroll along one of the many pristine beaches, or even to enjoy the humid tranquillity of a rainforest, the reason for my visit was to dive at South Solitary Island. The Solitary Island marine park stretches along the coast for almost 90km from Mutton Bird Island at Coffs Harbour up to Polver Island near the Sandon River. The marine reserve covers an area of 72,000 hectares and is home to 858 species of fish and 90 species of coral. Most importantly, the area offers protection to the endangered grey nurse sharks. Once hunted relentlessly, mainly because of their fearsome looks and the perception that they were maneaters, the grey nurse shark seems to be making a comeback. These amazing creatures can now be found throughout the park. They used to only venture into these waters in the winter when the water is a lot cooler, but recently they have taken up permanent residence at South Solitary Island, with their numbers swelling dramatically during the winter. The Solitary Island marine park is uniquely situated, it is where the tropical waters of the north collide with the temperate waters of the south to create an unusual and interesting mixture of aquatic creatures, plants and corals. The different seasons offer different diving experiences, each with its own merits. In the summer months, November to April, the waters are warmed by the East Australian Current, temperatures can reach up to 26 degrees C and a variety of tropical fish ride the current to South Solitary Island. Grey nurse sharks patrol a gully
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Grey nurse sharks are the star draw
Turtle resting on the reef
Stunning beaches are just one of the attractions
Grey nurse shark
Colourful soft corals
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The summer months also attract the larger fish, crowd pleasers like manta rays and leopard sharks. In the winter, May to October, the warmer waters from the north are replaced but the cooler influence of the Southern Ocean and the temperature can drop to a bracing 18 degrees C. These cooler waters are favoured by the hypnotic giant cuttlefish and attract an influx of the buck-toothed grey reef sharks. Between April and November, humpback whales make their annual migration from the frigid feeding grounds near Antarctica to the warmer waters of the Pacific to mate, and the coastline comes alive with their acrobatic displays. The majority of these immense creatures travel up the coast between June and August, and then back down again between September and November. South Solitary Island itself looks windswept and inhospitable. The only designable features are the nowunmanned lighthouse and several outbuilding. This barren outpost looks like an unforgiving place to live, and it seemed intent on making life as difficult as possible for its former inhabitants. With no easy or safe place to moor a boat, a gantry was built and cranes were used to unload supplies and building materials.
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Seafan
Swim-through with shoals of fish
The harsh conditions destroyed the first two gantries and the third one in now slowly succumbing to the elements. A good chunk of it is laying at the bottom of the ocean, creating an underwater playground for the myriad of creatures that inhabit the reef, and a great place for corals to anchor. My first dive was at a site called Manta Arch, as the name suggests this is a place where mantas are often sighted, and in the right season grey nurse sharks congregate in large numbers. Unfortunately, this was not the right season for large numbers of grey nurse sharks and the mantas were elegantly swooping around some other rock formation, away from interfering divers. However, a large school of tropical fish swirled around this rocky structure creating a pleasant introduction to the dive and giving us a taster of what was to come. After the arch, we made our way over sheer ridges and across a boulder-strewn plain, which was littered with wobbegong sharks, to the murky gutters that the resident grey nurse sharks like to congregate in. As we swam deeper into the gutter, along the steep walls of this imposing ravine, more and more of these elegant, toothy creatures casually swam past us, with perhaps up to 20 sharks meandering out of this single gutter - not a bad number of sharks be greeted by considering this is low season for them! After hanging around with the grey nurse sharks for as long as possible, it was time to make our way back to the boat, which had moored up on the other side of the island.
Wobbegong
This metal structure that had fallen into the ocean decades ago has now become a home for a variety of creatures and is encrusted in corals
Coffs Harbour
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Jetty Dive HQ
Our route took us around the northern tip of South Solitary Island, through a jagged valley encrusted with hard coral and yet more wobbegong sharks and onto a shallow plateau. Here we found several turtles grazing lazily on the algae-covered rocks, and schools of surgeonfish frenziedly darting from boulder to boulder in search of food. The second dive was a gentle drift that began at shark gutters and finished at The Gantry. For this dive, we were treated to an ever-changing topography and an interesting mixture of marine life and corals. We began by exploring the shark gutters where we came across one or two solitary grey nurse sharks and a curious number of nudibranchs. The underwater landscape was a latticework of deep ravines, sheer walls and swim-throughs, inhabited by swarms of cave sweeper and patrolled by the occasional large cod. Once we had finished exploring the shark gutters we venture further along the dive site and the reefs cape changed to plateau of hard coral and boulders covered in soft corals. There was the usual smattering of wobbegongs, numerous turtles and a great variety of schooling fish - blue tangs, bannerfish and snapper to name a few. As we slowly glided along Boulder Wall, there was a proliferation of anemones before evidence of the gantry that had once served the island came into view. This metal structure that had fallen into the ocean decades ago has now become a home for a variety of creatures and is encrusted in corals. With some of the wreckage at a depth of only 10-12m, it was a great place to finish the dive hunting for small critters. For my South Solitary Island experience, I was diving with Jetty Dive (www.jettydive.com.au), a five-star PADI IDC centre run by Mike and Debbie. The dive centre comes with all of the
The old jetty is now a thriving habitat...
...smothered in marine growth
amenities you would expect and has a very well-stocked shop should you wish to purchase any dive gear. This is an efficient friendly and well-run dive centre. We were not hanging around for half the morning while people were kitted up, once the formalities were completed we were quickly on our way and the whole day ran very smoothly. The dive centre is only a couple of minutes from the marina where the boat departs from, and it is about a 30-minute motor out to the island. The
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boat itself, one of two that Jetty Dive run, is a large, well-laid-out and comfortable RIB. All in all, it was a pleasure to dive with Jetty Dive. Unfortunately, I only had two dives at South Solitary Island, but over the course of those dives I was treated to interesting topography, healthy coral growth and I saw over 20 grey nurse sharks, untold wobbegongs, turtles, huge schools of fish, numerous rays and plenty of nudibranchs. In my book this is a pretty impressive shopping list of creatures. The more I dive in the temperate / subtropical waters of Australia, the more of a fan I become, and South Solitary Island is certainly a great place to experience some of the best diving in the area. n
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LEARN TO DIVE COURSES AND HALF DAY DIVE TRIPS ARE OUR SPECIALTY! Visit a region where you will see tropical fish like the Great Barrier Reef and schools of Sub-Tropical Fish-life, a blend that is unique to this beautiful part of Australia. We have 2 fast boats, both equipped with covers, toilets and twin ladders accommodating small groups of divers – join us!
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DIVERS ALERT NETWORK: ASIA-PACIFIC Divers Alert Network, widely known as DAN, is an international non-profit medical and research organisation dedicated to the safety and health of divers. WWW.DANAP.ORG
THE ANATOMY OF AN
EMERGENCY EVACUATION CONSIDER THIS SCENARIO…
An experienced diver and his partner choose a dive destination they don’t consider remote so in the event of an incident, treatment and evacuation won’t be a problem. The destination is an island off Fiji, which is a relatively short distance from Australia. As it happens, a serious incident does occur - it involves paralysis of the lower limbs and loss of vision. The divers call DAN to discuss the diver’s symptoms as well as the dive profiles and the location. In this instance, it is quickly determined that the diver needs higher level medical care than can be provided at the local medical centre. DAN’s preference was to arrange an air ambulance to fly the diver directly to Australia, but that would have taken time to arrange, and there was concern that the oxygen supply at the local medical facility would run out before the flight was available. Thus, the decision was made to evacuate the diver via a 35-minute helicopter trip to Suva hospital, which had a chamber. There the diver was recompressed, but DAN wanted a more-aggressive treatment plan and as such a decision was made to evacuate the diver by air ambulance to Australia. Ultimately, the two air evacuations cost in excess of US$110,000, but the diver recovered well and continued to do so in the following months.
CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN AN EVACUATION
Even though DAN are the experts in dive accident management — with 40 years of experience dealing with emergency medical evacuations all over the world — the unique set of circumstances of each case can and do create challenges. In this case, while the island of Kadavu has a landing strip, the strip is unlit, and therefore night-flight restrictions are imposed. Plus, there was red tape that had to be met for air ambulances to receive permission to enter the country. When arranging medical evacuations for divers, DAN case managers are often faced with an array of challenges that many people are unaware. These challenges can lead to time delays and frustration for the diver and the case managers. These challenges can include: • Ensuring the diver is stable enough to be evacuated • Bad weather preventing an air ambulance from landing or departing
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• Meeting entry and visa requirements • Organising a medical team for an air ambulance to fly in from another country • Lack of an airport or appropriate landing strip • Sometimes an air evacuation isn’t possible, and a boat needs to be sent to meet a liveaboard to evacuate a diver • Sometimes it is quicker for the dive operator to organise local transport, but this must be done in consultation with DAN if the transport cost is to be covered by DAN As divers travel to more remote locations, they should be aware of the various challenges that may exist and take steps to minimise their risk. Diving conservatively, taking long surface intervals, remaining hydrated, and getting lots of rest are all important in reducing the risks. Divers should also ensure that the operator they choose to dive with is prepared for a medical emergency with plenty of oxygen on board and a suitable emergency action plan to follow. Finally, having DAN coverage is vital. Evacuations such as these are not easy to organise and are certainly not cheap. For DAN members all this is taken care of - leaving you with much less to worry about.
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KEEPING DIVERS SAFE AROUND THE WORLD
SAFETY MATTERS
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“Simply put you can’t have a better experience! Everything is about service and maximizing your diving and snorkelling. The dives were amazing, and all the staff are first class. At Wakatobi they will accommodate any request, but you hardly need to make any since they have thought of essentially everything.” ~ Dr. James and Laurie Benjamin
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At Wakatobi, you don’t compromise on comfort to get away from it all. Our private guest flight brings you directly to this remote island, where all the indulgences of a world-class resort and luxury liveaboard await. Our dive team and private guides ensure your in-water experiences are perfectly matched to your abilities and interests. Your underwater encounters will create vivid and rewarding memories. While at the resort, or on board the dive yacht Pelagian, you need only ask and we will gladly provide any service or facility within our power. This unmatched combination of world-renowned reefs and first-class luxuries put Wakatobi in a category all its own.
Q&A: Aron Arngrimsson We talk to technical diving instructor, explorer and director of Dirty Dozen Expeditions Aron Arngrimsson, who is showcasing the wonders of Truk Lagoon, Galapagos, Bikini Atoll and more to a new generation of recreational and technical divers PHOTOGRAPHS BY ARON ARNGRIMSSON
Q: When did you first get into diving? A: Somewhere in the 2000s my dad, Arngrimur Baldursson, booked me onto an Open Water Diver course. To be honest, I did not enjoy it. The instructor was far from inspiring, and I came away from the course feeling particularly disappointed, and certainly not like I had found my calling. Sometime afterwards, I set out on an adventure to travel the world, but soon realised the incredible experiences I was in search of were awaiting me beneath the waves. Far away from the miserable introduction to diving I had experienced at home, I began travelling and exploring the water world. I quickly realised the special connection I was forming with the ocean would no doubt become my life. Q: What was it that first drew you into technical diving, and where did you first get qualified as a technical diver. A: I remember reading a dive magazine (might have been yours, actually!) and seeing the Fourth Element advertisement
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with the infamous photo taken by Janne Suhohen from Divers of the Dark - divers in their rebreathers, hovering motionless at Hell’s Gate, immersed deep inside the divers’ paradise of Ojamo Mine, 60km out of Helsinki, Finland. I thought to myself, this is something I want to do. I had to create a practical plan to achieve this new goal. At that time I was working as a shellfish diver in Oban, Scotland. Not the best, or safest, job I’ve ever had, but it gave me the opportunity to be underwater for longer. After a series of not-very-nice incidents at work in the commercial field, I made the decision to leave the commercial world behind and bought a one-way ticket to Dahab, Egypt, to embark on more-advanced diver training and work towards my new goal. Arriving in Dahab, I met instructor Jonas Samuelsson, who ended up becoming my business partner! The business was an idea Jonas Samuelsson, Erik Brown and I had in 2011, a technical diving school called Team Blue Immersion, and this was where my technical diving focus got serious.
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Funnily enough, about ten years after seeing that photo of Janne diving at Hell’s Gate for Fourth Element, I had the pleasure of working with him in Ojamo Mine while supporting the filming of Dive Odyssey, a Divers of the Dark production starring Gemma Smith and Andy Torbet. Q: You have hosted several high-profile celebrity divers on recent Dirty Dozen Expeditions. What is it about having the likes of Jill Heinerth aboard that make these particular trips especially memorable for other guests? A: I do admit it was originally a completely selfish notion as I wanted to dive and learn from these high-profile divers first hand, but I soon realised I was not alone with this feeling. There is so much expertise, tips, tricks and protocols to absorb from a person when you spend ten days on a boat with them. Fostering awe-inspiring experiences with very strong teambuilding leaves people feeling like family, and this concept is what DDEs are all about. Imagine listening to a private presentation in Bikini Atoll from Richard Lundgren’s Mars project, or participating in group discussions on the hottest topics from Mark Powell’s book Deco For Divers with the man himself while you relax on deck and look out onto the Galapagos Islands. Watching on in wonderment as Jill Heinerth screens her latest network documentary with a live narration while in Truk Lagoon, and then to top it off actually getting to dive with these people? Truk Lagoon, Galapagos, Myanmar and Bikini are themselves mesmeric paradise destinations for divers of all standards to explore. Add into the mix the magical experience of spending time with people at the top of their field and it goes beyond
THE DIRTY DOZEN EXPEDITIONS
Prices on trips vary, check out the website for details. With charters booked up to 2025, and different payment plans available, you can take the time to save up for your trip with options that work for you. Explore more now: dirtydozenexpeditions.com WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM.AU
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the bounds of just another dive trip. On top of that, DDEs have focused on making your experience exceptional while onboard. We have worked closely with Blue O Two to create and tailor a bespoke diver experience - no other dive outfit offers this level of travel. In Truk Lagoon for example, small trips of 12 tech divers on a boat that sleeps 16 allows for space to relax, with an attentive crew, delicious food, and specially trained staff on board to take the best care of all the most-demanding technical diver. Our trips do cost a bit more than the average, but you know the age-old saying you get what you pay for, and it should not be anything but an exceptional experience when you plan a once-in-alifetime trip. Q: You’ve been involved in all manner of film shoots for documentaries and commercials, which ones do you recall most fondly – and which for all the wrong reasons? A: National Geographic’s One Strange Rock was a really fun and interesting shoot with a great team, and it was surreal watching it back and hearing Will Smith talk about you diving Truk Lagoon! Working on Dive Odyssey, Divers of the Dark, that was shot in the Ojamo Mine, Finland, was a mad experience. The conditions were hardcore, freezing cold temps, dives up to three hours in darkness as we needed to ensure we were the only divers around the popular dive labyrinthine. Media diving isn’t all glamour and TV though. I vividly remember an embarrassing moment with Phil Short during this project. (Sidenote - it is said that he has been known to have a certain superpower around people like me, and while honoured and astonished to be diving on the same team as Phil Short, I must have felt the pressure). I entered the cold water from the edge of the ice hole we had created. Dressed in my CCR and seemingly ready to go, stages check, pre-dive safety check, team ready, but seeing Phil’s puzzled face at 6m was the moment I realised I did not have fins on. Once that little embarrassment had been rectified, I felt for the scooter lanyard to begin the journey. It was not adjusted to me properly, causing the scooter to take a hold of me and drag me through the tunnels as if I was riding a raging bull at a carnival all the way to Hell’s Gate. A comedy of errors that I can assure you I have learnt from. I laugh about it today, but my ego got bruised big time!
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Q: As an expedition diver and explorer, you were in the team that discovered the wreck of the USCGC Alexander Hamilton, 95m deep, off the coast of Iceland. This was a four-year project. What was it like when you finally made that breakthrough discovery? A: Placing the memorial plaque on the wreck during our second expedition on behalf of the families of the fallen men was an incredible event. I remember shedding a tear into my full-face mask, tears of joy to see the families find peace. Meeting Doug Hamilton the great, great, great, grandson of one of the founding fathers of America (you know, that man on the US$10 bill) on the christening of the new USCGC Alexander Hamilton in Charleston, SC… It was a crazy occurrence. Q: What is your most-memorable diving experience? A: Good question, but most certainly a hard one to choose. A dive that stands out at the moment is a great treasure hunt story. A diver lost a US$10,000 camera on the San Francisco Maru. I keenly opted to go and retrieve the treasure from the magnificent wreck. What the other divers (including my boss at the time) did not know was that I had a hydrophone speaker, generally used for diver recall, on the dive with me. Being serenaded by Pink Floyd while navigating a rather tight swim through hemispherical beach mines as the dulcet tones of Roger Waters asking ‘Hello, is there anybody in there?’ resonated through me was truly a haunting and beautiful underwater moment. I found the camera in the first five minutes. The dive was two hours. A close runner up is when we sailed for a month around Chuuk’s sister state, Yap, with 16 marine biologists while
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visiting 12 different atolls, of which many are extremely remote. The local people had not had any visitors for almost a year and during the dives we found ourselves swimming where no other divers had taken a breath before. Q: On the flip side, what is your worst memory when diving? A: Technical diving and overhead diving in mines, caves and wrecks inherently holds more risks than recreational diving, which is why we have so much training before heading off to explore such systems. So, sometimes, over time, it is normal to assume shit happens. Thinking about leaving your family alone while you methodically follow your training and find your way free through a complete silt-out deep inside a cave is very unpleasant and takes a lot of training and preparation to remain calm and be successful with your exit. I have participated in recovering a freediving fatality, which was a real test of my emotions. Once the task at had been completed, I had time to consider the situation. Perhaps the way we process these experiences is to learn from them, so once you have healed, and you move through the grief, you have matured. Afterwards, pushing your limits is an even-more-considered exercise, but I think that comes with experience level too. I have never forgotten that day, it will stay with me forever. For me now, safety is paramount every single dive I do, and on the trips we have strict safety protocols onboard and checks to ensure that everyone has a good time and isn’t made to feel uncomfortable or out of their depths. The Dirty Dozen Expeditions have implemented a SPLASH checklist for each diver and it has been a major success. Customised to each diver level - recreational, technical and CCR - this brilliant safety protocol is completed before each dive and has been a fantastic tool in accident prevention. Some divers are not so familiar with such strict standards, but the more dives we complete, the more the value of the SPLASH comes into its own. Q: What does the future hold for Aron Arngrimsson, and The Dirty Dozen Expeditions? A: I am getting married to my love, Nataliia Zharkova - that is a big part of the future for me! The Dirty Dozen Expeditions is truly a labour of love. As we grow as a company, we are so fortunate that our umbrella company, Blue O Two, has 16 boats in 12 different countries. It means there are a lot of keys to boats lying around, so we just have to come up
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with incredible adventures as we are only restricted by our imaginations. We started doing ‘off-piste’ non-diving and diving one-off crazy adventures exclusively for Dirty Dozen members. Exploring Chernobyl and learning how an ecosystem survives after such a devastating blow, diving an abandoned cold war ICBM missile complex that’s flooded in Washington, or finding the abandoned space shuttle in the cosmodrome in Baikonur. Divewise, I think I am most excited about the new trips for recreational divers. DDE are now offering itineraries in Truk for recreational divers. Launching in March 2021, and hosted by James Bond 007’s very own stuntman, Andy Torbet. Previously thought of as techdiver-only location, I have spent hours planning sensational routes around my favourite wrecks for single-tank divers. I still have a couple of spaces left if you want to discover what worldclass diving is for yourself. DDE has itineraries scheduled well in advance, up to 2025, so plenty of time to get stashing your treasure. n
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UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
SNOOT LIGHTING
Following his last article on getting motion blur into your images, Martyn Guess provides some insight into, and also tips on, snoot lighting PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTYN GUESS
I
n general photography, a snoot is a tube or similar object that fits over a studio light or portable flash and allows the photographer to control the direction and radius of the light beam. These may be conical, cylindrical or rectangular in shape. They create a look which is also used in stage lighting, where an area of the stage or subject is lit with the rest of the area or subject out of the light. The snoot in these situations allows the light to be adapted and a tightly focused beam of light, which has the full intensity of the light source behind it, to shine through to specifically where it is aimed. Snoots have been around for a very long-time above water. I first encountered them underwater around ten years ago and at that time you couldn’t really purchase one off the shelf. You had to make one yourself. I recall seeing an image at that time, that an enterprising and creative underwater photographer named Kerri Wilk had taken, of a hairy frogfish that he had lit with a home-made snoot. It looked totally different to any macro image that I had seen. There was a perfect black background hiding the no doubt messy and distracting background habitat and somehow the actual subject really came to life, with beautiful skin texture and vibrant colours, and a subject that almost looked in 3D. I set out to make one myself! I won’t go into the detail and frustrations and hundreds of totally black images which followed! However, I managed to get what I thought was a great picture on my first trip with a snoot (See Image 1). I have been a snooter ever since! The early home- made and then shop-bought models had one fallback – you couldn’t really see where the flashlight was going to hit the subject, and it was a nightmare setting the light up on the subject as a result. There have been quite a few snoots since with fibreoptic lights, and a type of laser aiming device attached. The former were difficult to use and the latter difficult in strong sunlight. For me, it wasn’t until Retra brought out their LSD Snoot (See image 2) which transformed the ease of using this type of lighting. More recently, Backscatter have designed and brought out their MF-1 Mini Flash and OS-1 Optical Snoot, which is opening up snooting
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Image 1. Hairy Frogfish lit with a home -made snoot in 2010
to a market which includes compact camera users, but also is great for DSLR and mirrorless camera users as it is so compact. The ease of using both of these company’s snoots is that a strong light source via the strobe’s spotting light is condensed optically as it penetrates the snoot tube and then emerges as a bright but narrower beam of light which can be aimed at a subject. The light beam size can be controlled by differentsized holes in inserts that are pushed into the snoot. Mainly used by macro photographers, snoots can also be used for wide-angle images although a wider light beam is desirable. I have used them to light smaller foreground subjects in a wide-angle shot.
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29th Sept 2020 £2895 excluding flights
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Image 3. Emperor shrimp on nudibranch sitting on the silty bottom - snoot lit Image 2. Retra Snoot mounted on an Inon 240 strobe and Nauticam Housing
It is therefore a fairly harsh light and as it is a concentrated light, it can be very directional. This is great for texture! This form of lighting is one which I teach on my macro workshops as it can transform pictures quickly and also a student can be taught the rudiments on the first dive. My students really see the difference in the impact their images have compared to images with more-traditional forms of strobe lighting, and from my experience are eager to experiment more with this type of lighting. As underwater photographers, we spend our time looking for subjects semi-hidden in their bottom-dwelling environment. The subjects can be difficult to isolate from the background of weed, pebbles and general muck. By directing the light onto the subject or even part of the subject, we isolate the subject from the background making it stand out (See image 3). The ‘textbook’ method of using a snoot is to have it attached to your housing and the strobe and to use longer arms than would be the case otherwise, and have the snoot pointing directly down towards the subject at first until you get more experienced. If you are waiting to get onto a subject that the guide has spotted, use the time to line up the snoot on a pebble or something else inanimate close by and which is of a similar size to the subject. When you have the spotting light lined up on the subject, tighten the arms down and turn
off the auto focus. When you move into position to take a picture of the subject, if you rock in and out with the housing until the subject comes into focus, the snoot spotting light should be directly onto it. At that point I turn the autofocus back on and shoot away. You will probably have to do some last-minute fine tuning of position, but you should be close to the perfect position with the snoot to subject distance/camera and angle. I tend to set the strobe to ¾ power at first and then adjust exposure from the camera by moving the ISO up or down. This saves having to keep touching the strobe and risk knocking it out of position. Camera settings should otherwise be on manual with a closed aperture for maximum depth of field and a relatively fast speed to help the background stay dark or black. It is important that you check your histogram for blown highlights. If they are blown, then adjust the ISO down. Occasionally for very reflective or light subjects I will turn the strobe power down while being careful not to move the strobe position. Subjects such as the emperor shrimp in Image 4 have white bodies that are easy to over light (see image 4).
BIOGRAPHY: MARTYN GUESS
Martyn has been diving for over 30 years and taking underwater images for nearly as long. He has been very successful in National and International competitions and regularly makes presentations to camera and photography clubs and diving shows as well as The British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSOUP) and other underwater photography groups. Today he shares his passion and knowledge - As well as teaching underwater photography courses he leads overseas workshop trips for Scuba Travel and his articles regularly appear in Scuba Diver magazine.
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20th June 2020 £1395 excluding flights
Relaxed Red Sea
Holiday highlights... Join Martyn Guess for a week focused on getting more out of your camera! Departing from Hurghada, you will spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis (twin share cabin). Based in Northern Red Sea with up to 21 dives over the week but the itinerary will vary, depending on the photo opportunities. All marine park fees, 12lt tank and weights are included in your package.
..award winning dive experts
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UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY Image 4. Emperor shrimp and nudibranch isolated by Snoot lighting
Image 5. By reducing the speed to 1/50th Sec the background has been lit by ambient light and the subject by Snoot light
Image 6. Snoot lighting is a harsh light and great for showing off texture
You don’t always Image 7. Careful have to have black aiming of snoot light to avoid lighting the backgrounds with foreground. Helps snooting. Simply turn image float the speed down to lighten the background (see Image 5). If you do this you will need to compensate by using a lower ISO or smaller aperture or strobe power, or a combination of some or all of these. Snoot lighting is not diffused as the strobe’s diffusers are removed to fit the snoot. It is therefore a fairly harsh light and as it is a concentrated light, it can be very directional. This is great for texture! I love snooting frogfish with their bristles and rough skin for this reason (see image 6). While lining up the snoot when mounted on a camera can be tricky, when it is set up properly, I recommend you don’t change the position if you can help it unless a new subject is bigger. Start with a lowish ISO and increase as you need to, and as I said earlier make sure you check your histogram regularly. Use the largest hole on the insert first on a new subject. When you have a few shots in the bag change inserts and try to light a part of the subject or show less foreground. Work together with your buddy or guide – lighting technicians are free underwater! I will often hand over a spare strobe with snoot attached to my dive guide, having practiced with him on land and explained how it works and what you are after. You can have the strobe firing on slave with your other strobe pointing backwards and on low power, or attach a flash trigger – they both work well. If firing your snoot pointing straight down, try not to light the bottom around what you are photographing and concentrate on just getting the light on the subject. This is achieved by moving the snoot into an angled position to the subject. Try moving the snoot a little bit at a time. This fine tuning of the snoot position is great for portraits (See image 7). Sometimes though it is good to have some foreground context, say for example if you are trying to show the viewer how big the subject is, so in this instance lighting part of the bottom is beneficial. Next time you go diving with a macro set up, try snooting. Borrow one from another photographer or buy one between a group of you! You will be amazed how easy it is and also how your pictures look. n
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Painter, model and underwater photographer JADE HOKSBERGEN has a passion for macro-portraiture with vivid colour. She talks to Lorna Dockerill about her blenny obsession, book-writing tales and how her art background inspires her pictures PHOTOGRAPHS BY JADE HOKSBERGEN
How did you get started in underwater photography? I’ve always been interested in photography - on land that is - but my journey in underwater photography started in late-2015. I had moved to Saint Lucia to join my now-husband Henley Spiers. He was working there at the time and I decided to take a pause on my psychology degree, and do my Divemaster training instead for a year. Luckily for me, Henley had an Olympus EM5 and was too busy teaching dive courses to really use it. So, he taught me the basics and that became my first camera. My intention was to document the amazing things I was seeing on my dives as a way to remember them, identify them, and somehow stay connected to them. What started as a casual affair with underwater photography soon became more serious as I discovered how it had brought a whole new exciting dimension to diving. Speaking of new dimensions, I’ve recently started doing some blackwater diving, which in a nutshell, is a type of diving done at night with the intention of witnessing the biggest daily migration on Earth. In blackwater diving, we look for zooplankton and critters, many of which are in their larval stage - for underwater photographers in particular, it is the ‚new hot thing’! Earlier this year, I co-authored Black is the New Blue Vol. 2, which features some of my work done during these dives. What came first, diving or photography? Luckily, diving came early for me as my father was and is an avid diver. I had my first taste of scuba diving when I was nine, but it was only later when I started to appreciate it. I was lucky that at the age of seven, my family and I moved to Cebu from Taiwan. We would escape the city on the weekends usually to Moalboal, and it was there that both my dad and I first took up scuba diving.
Corals and Caves on
What’s in your underwater photography kitbag? I shoot with both the Nikon D7200 and Nikon D850, both of which are in Nauticam housings. Shooting only in macro (for now), my go-to lens is the 105mm, but I use the 60mm for blackwater diving. My first cameras were mirrorless, but I’ve made the switch to DSLR set-ups. I definitely appreciate the step-up in the speed of focus. Other than that, I sometimes use a diopter - a Nauticam SMC - for extremely tiny subjects. And sometimes I like using the snoot too (Retra LSD or 10 bar laser snoot) to simplify the amount of colours in a given shot. Favourite location for diving and underwater photography? Henley and I are currently writing a book on diving in the Cebu province of the Philippines (which should be out by December 2019), and so we’ve discovered many interesting locations and dive sites along the way. We’ve recently found Alcoy to be a hidden jewel for macro. I don’t know if it’s my favourite location for diving, but it is definitely the one I’m most excited about right now. I was most excited about finding a psychedelic batwing sea slug and a couple of Lembeh sea dragons there, both of which I have never encountered before. Otherwise, I will always look at my diving days in Saint Lucia with rose-tinted glasses. I really enjoyed the sense of discovery I felt there, finding critters I’ve never seen before in Southeast Asia such as spinyhead blennies, gaudy clown crabs, and yellowline arrowcrabs. Which underwater locations or species are still on your photography wish-list and why? Recently, I have been diving in the Maldives and in Raja Ampat, and as for many divers, those places were certainly on my bucket-list. Now I’m like craving to go diving in places that are perhaps not commonly regarded as dive locations.
Hurricane 21st May 2020 £1425 excluding flights ESCORTED BY MARIO VITALINI
Holiday highlights... Mario Vitalini will teach you to work with natural light and wide angle photography, as well as the secrets of amazing fish portraits and using strobes. He will help you build a stunning selection of classic Red Sea images, from the decks of the stable steel hulled Hurricane. There are 18-21 dives over the workshop, as well as all park fees included, 12lt tank/weights and FREE Nitrox.
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JADE HOKSBERGEN
JADE HOKSBERGEN
Jade Hoksbergen is a painter and underwater photographer with a penchant for macro-portraiture. At just 23 years old, her images have been awarded in several high-profile competitions and published in numerous international journals and magazines. In 2019, she co-authored Black is the New Blue Vol. II, showcasing blackwater diving. As well as working behind the lens, Jade is a sought-after underwater model, frequently spotted on the cover of dive and travel magazines. Based in the Philippines, Jade shares a love for the sea with her husband, Henley Spiers.
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Photo Finish
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Holiday highlights... Join photo pro Mario Vitalini on this Philippines workshop to hone your images of the biggest sharks to the smallest critters. The workshop includes 20 nitrox boat dives plus daily presentations covering all aspects of underwater photography. Your holiday package includes 7 nights in a deluxe room on an full board basis – optional room grades available. Airport transfers are included.
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I am half-Taiwanese but have only seen Taiwan above water, so I would like to dip my mask there and see what’s lurking beneath the waves. Other places I’m thinking are Japan and Britain! Critters on my wish-list? My blenny obsession is no secret, so I guess it’s not surprising that there are many species of blennies I haven’t seen yet, which I still hope to see. Also, I’ve never come across so many pygmy seahorses like I did in Raja Ampat, each unique in their appearance and character. Safe to say I’ve returned from Raja Ampat with hippocampus-fever! That said, I’d like to see the leafy sea dragon and both the Pontohi and Colemani pygmy seahorse. Hairiest moment when shooting underwater? Henley and I were diving in Seraya in Bali. We were slowly making our ascent to do our safety stop when our guide spotted a mimic octopus. Very excited, Henley and I took our turns shooting the cephalopod until I realised I was drawing my last breaths. I took on Henley’s alternate air source but he didn’t have much left either. Fortunately, we managed to finish our safety stop (just) and surfaced without problems. I think as underwater photographers, we can sometimes get too carried away with the photography side of things, that we don’t dedicate enough brain cells to the diving itself. Time also seems to tick twice as fast when you’ve got a camera between your hands. The moments after my encounter with the mimic octopus served as a useful reminder that we had pushed the envelope too far and not to take unnecessary risks in the quest for an image.
This dive was very different from the rest of my dives. It was my first dive in temperate waters, and everything I saw was new and exciting
Master Macro 9th May 2020 £2895 excluding flights ESCORTED BY MARTYN GUESS
Holiday highlights... 10 nights in resort, full board divers plan & 24 boat dives – FREE Nitrox Join pro photographer Martyn Guess in the critter mecca Dumaguete. With 24 boat dives plus free nitrox (3 dives/day plus 1 day Apo reef) and Martyn’s workshop throughout, this workshop packs a real punch. Additional travel options available, ask for details.
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photographer. I respect his incredible knowledge and one of the things I have learned from him is that to take great macro photographs, you need to understand the critters you are shooting and their behaviour.
What is your most memorable dive and why? My most memorable dive was the first dive I did after I had spent nine months being pregnant. Apolline was over a month old and I had sneaked away (between breastfeeds) for a quick dive under Swanage Pier in Dorset. This dive was very different from the rest of my dives. It was my first dive in temperate waters, and everything I saw was new and exciting. I decided to dive without a camera in order to focus on the experience itself. It felt so good to be back in the water, and the feeling of my fingers and toes going numb sure made it memorable! Most challenging dive (and why?) Perhaps the most recent dives I did in the Maldives. We were faced with a lot of current from all sorts of directions, but we did see some spectacular wildlife. Who are your diving inspirations? There are many people that inspire me in underwater photography, but I’m lucky that the person that inspires me and motivates me the most is one that lives under the same roof as me. Henley’s undying determination, patience, and positive outlook on every situation inspires me to be a better photographer. William Tan has also greatly inspired me and been an important person in shaping who I am as a
What advice do you wish you’d had as a novice underwater photographer? Although underwater photography is known to be a intensely equipment-oriented endeavour, my advice would be to not always chase the latest piece of equipment — challenge yourself to use what you already have to achieve unique images. This attitude will certainly push you to try things outside the box! Also, having a solid understanding of the basics: iso, aperture, and shutter speed, will really play in your favour. One can have the eye, but without some technical grounding, it will be incredibly difficult to put your vision to fruition. I’m not a technical person at all, so I spent a lot of time (and dives) experimenting with different combinations of settings to understand each concept. Describe your vivid approach to colour in your photography and why it forms a part of your style? I started painting prolifically during my teenage years and art has long been an essential part of my life. Bold and bright colours play a central part to my painting style, and I think this instinctively seeped into how I shoot underwater, without me being even being aware of it until my father remarked that my underwater imagery imitated my other artworks. Of course, applying a certain colour palette in nature and wildlife photography is not as easy as on a canvas, but I place as much focus on finding attractive backgrounds for subjects as finding the subjects themselves. I am also very drawn to shallow depth-of-field images, where the key feature of the subject is pin-sharp but the background is rendered as an attractively coloured blur. Upon reflection, it may be also be this ability to control colour within a tight frame which has led me to focus exclusively on macro underwater images! n
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11th July 2020 £1495 excluding flights
Relaxed Red Sea
Holiday highlights... 7 nights onboard Whirlwind, tanks, weights and open dive deck at least once a day! Photographers can go at their own pace on a photography itinerary that is as relaxing as it is productive. Welcome to the world of the Red Sea Relaxed Photo Finish. Dive a host of incredible Red Sea dive sites with an open deck policy, chosen by our photo pro based on their reliability as top notch photo-worthy dive sites.
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The Sea of Cortez is a legendary diving destination, and as Adrian Stacey explains, it is well worth making the trek from Australia or New Zealand to get there PHOTOGRAPHS BY ADRIAN STACEY
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uite often you will arrive at a dive destination to be told that you should have been there ten years ago, when marine life was in abundance and the reefs were pristine. At Cabo Pulmo, the exact opposite is true - and the area has seen an astonishing 400 per cent increase in the biomass of fish in its waters. This is due to the creation of the Cabo Pulmo National Park, the rangers that police it, and the residents of this small village that wholeheartedly support it. Before the creation of the National Park in 1995, the area had been heavily overfished. To return it to its former glory, a 17,560-acre swath of marine and coastal habitat was established as a Marine Protected Area and fishing was completely banned. The locals swapped fishing as their livelihoods for ecotourism and the whole project has been a huge success - a shining example of how such projects can have a huge influence for the better on their surroundings. Cabo Pulmo is located on the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula in the Sea of Cortez. It is a mere 60 miles, about a two-hour drive, from Cabo San Lucas. The last part of the journey is along a dirt road through spectacular Mexican desert scenery, where a profusion of cacti and other flora grow, coyotes and road runners roam, and birds flock to in the thousands. This small sleepy village consists of a smattering of private residences, four restaurants, three dive centres, a grocery shop and a small tourist resort consisting of many solar-powered bungalows. We had three days of diving to look forward to with the Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort. I had heard a lot about the diving in the area, especially the huge school of big-eyed trevally, perhaps the most-photographed subject in the area.
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Seafan in a swim-through
I was keen to get in among them. Unfortunately, they had deserted their usual shallow reef and were in deeper waters, making them a lot trickier to find. It is hard to fathom how finding a school of fish that numbers in the thousands would be such a challenge, but they remained elusive. A reminder of how nature sets its own, sometimes frustrating, agenda. But even with the absence of the mega school of trevally, the diving exceeded my expectations. Our first dive was at the wreck of the El Vencedor. This tuna trawler sank in the early 1980s after hitting the reef. In our briefing, we were informed that the trawler had broken up over time and now all that was left were pieces of wreckage strewn over a small area of sandy seabed. Sitting at round 15m, the site could be navigated around in about ten minutes. So far this did not sound like a good recipe for what was supposed to be a fantastic dive site, but when our guide, Laura, added two more ingredients to her briefing - massive schools of fish and bull sharks - this tiny patch of wreckage-strewn sand became a lot more appetising. Seeking shelter around the rusting remains of the trawler are enormous schools of grey bar grunts numbering in the thousands. They are joined by ample schools of amarillo snapper and Mexican goatfish, and large grouper can be found mingling with them waiting for an opportunity to
Fish swarm around El Vencedor
strike. A ring of garden eels surrounds the wreckage, beyond which is the territory of the bull sharks. Lurking in the gloom they patrol around the fringes, flitting in and out of sight. On the three occasions I dived at this wreck, I saw these burly sharks every time, sometimes very briefly but other times for prolonged periods as they scythed through panicked schools of grunts. This is definitely a site I could dive over and over and never get bored with. Cabo Pulmo is home to one of the oldest living reef systems in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. One of the best sites to view it in all its glory is El Cantil. Do not expect a reef dripping with soft corals like you would find in the Red Sea, Indonesia or Thailand. The growth here is more grassy heath land than lush forest. Small sea fans and soft corals sprout like heather from an impressive reef structure that is also incrusted with hard corals. The reef itself is a long finger of stone, 60 metrs wide at some points - it looks like sheet after sheet of rock has been laid on top of each other, creating an interesting layered effect. Its base sits on the sand at a depth of around 15m, the top coming to within 7m-8m of the surface. In between canyons and overhangs have been gouged out by the currents. Towards the end of the finger, the reef becomes flattened and forms a small bay. This is where the schools of fish dwell. Big groups of the very large dog snapper are given a wide berth by schools of nonchalant pork fish and burrito grunts. If you ask the guides who work here what their favourite Diver dwarfed by huge boulder at La Lobera
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CABO PULMO BEACH RESORT AND DIVE CENTRE
dive site is, many of them will say El Bajo de las Meros. If you ask them why, they will tell you it is because of the sheer volume of marine life that can be found here. It is where the huge school of jacks are usually found, along with large numbers of leopard grouper and, in the winter, immense schools of mobulas arrive. Unfortunately, for our visit, the mass of marine life we had hoped for was not in attendance. Still, this was a nice dive over a scattered reef system that hid moray eels and lobster. Small groups of grouper congregated with dog snapper, and a turtle made a brief appearance. At the La Lobera dive site there is a small sea lion colony. Consisting mainly of adults, they baked lazily in the sun on the huge boulder they call home. After hanging around in the shallow water at its base for ten minutes, it was clear they would not be joining us for the dive. Bored with waiting, we descended down a boulder-strewn slope to a sandy bottom at around 18m. Drifting along the site, we came across turtles and an eagle ray and a substantial school of fusiliers hurried past us. With our bottom time running out, a very pleasant dive turned into a spectacular one. As we began our ascent, we came across an immense tower of swirling machete, a member of the tarpon family. Upon approaching them the tower dissolved into a swarm of thousands and thousands of fish that completely engulfed our group. For the remainder of the dive they continued to race around us, over us and beneath us. Like El Cantil, El Islote boasts some healthy and vibrant coral growth. Unlike El Cantil this dive site consists of a pyramid-shaped reef that juts several metres from the surface. Our dive began at the base of the island at around 20m, among the boulders that are scattered across the seabed.
Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort and Dive Centre was established over 20 years ago. They offer PADI dive courses, diving tours and snorkelling tours to the Cabo Pulmo Marine Park. The dive centre is located only a few hundred metres from the beach, where one of their four comfortable speed boats transports divers to the sites in minutes. The staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and it is clear that they have a real passion for diving in the area. Above the dive centre is the Coral Reef bar and restaurant. The solar-powered bungalows that provide the divers’ accommodation means the beach resort can cater for all their visitor’s needs. www.cabopulmo.com As with most of the dive sites in the area we encountered large schools of fish, pork fish, surgeonfish and snapper to name but a few. We spiralled our way up the reef, though the schooling fish and over the coral gardens towards the surface and towards the end of three days of fantastic diving. Unfortunately, the area is now under threat from a huge tourist development just outside the park’s confines. The proposed construction of nine hotels, more than 6,000 residences, two golf courses, sports facilities, conference centres and beach clubs is certain to have a massive, negative impact on the marine reserve. If the proposal goes ahead it would be great shame, since Cabo Pulmo is one of those rare destinations that lives up to and even exceeds its reputation. If massive schools of fish are your thing, then it is hard to imagine a better place to dive. Once you have experienced Cabo Pulmo, it is easy to see why Jacques Cousteau described the Sea of Cortez as the ‘aquarium of the world’. n The El Vencedor
The Sea of Cortez is fish-central
On the three occasions I dived at this wreck, I saw these burly sharks every time, sometimes very briefly but other times for prolonged periods as they scythed through panicked schools of grunts 46
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What everyone wants to know right now - will my dive travel plans be impacted by Coronavirus Covid-19? Diveplanit Travel offers some advice
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f your travel is within a month, your travel agent will likely have already contacted you to ensure that travel restrictions imposed so far will not prevent you from travelling. For those of you with travel a few months out, who are concerned, we can only say that everyone’s situation and travel plans are unique – so the possible disruption caused by Covid-19 will differ for everyone. Below we have assembled some useful information that you should read before contacting your travel consultant. Note too, that the situation is changing so rapidly it is impossible to predict even the best or worse case scenarios one month from now, let alone at the time of your trip in a few months’ time. Advice given will need to be constantly re-assessed.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Note that all the dive resorts are operating ‘business as usual’ and are looking forward to welcoming their guests. It is the travel restrictions (quite sensibly) imposed by Governments that is causing the disruption. The most up-to-date, countryby-country information on restrictions is posted on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) news site (NB: Visit: http://bit.ly/Covid-19Advice for a link). Please check the detail specific to your travel plan, but in most cases: • Countries are denying entry to travellers who have been in or transited through the Greater Chinese area in the 16 days prior to arrival. • Countries are not denying re-entry to their own citizens returning home. • Exceptions will be smaller nations, like FSM (Truk) and the Solomons who have limited medical facilities and resources.
CANCELLATION
Firstly, let’s be clear, if there is nothing preventing you going on your dive trip, then you should go on your dive trip. If you cannot travel because of a newly imposed restriction, such as transiting through a country that will trigger a denial of entry, contact your travel consultant to discuss your options. If you choose not to travel, then the terms of the cancellation policy of the resort or liveaboard become applicable. In most cases, you will find these on the bottom of your invoice. If not stated, then general terms apply. They typically increase in severity the closer to travel. Note that these cancellation charges are not there to penalise you. They are to cover, in small part, the loss of revenue that a cancellation causes. Most dive resorts, and many liveaboards, are family run businesses, with many staff, from cleaners and cooks, to boat men and dive guides, all with their own families to feed.
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If you really don’t want to travel during these times, it might be possible and even preferable to negotiate a credit, i.e. a postponement of the trip rather than a full cancellation. Some dive operators are already changing their cancellation policies to assist nervous travellers.
INSURANCE
Your dive insurance is unlikely to be affected. Travel insurance is a different matter. Travel insurance is triggered by an unforeseen event which prevents you from travelling. Choosing not to travel is not such an event. And unfortunately, most insurances already have clauses which specifically exclude pandemics and similar events.
AIRLINE BOOKINGS
Individual airlines are taking different approaches. Some will accept a re-booking for no additional charge, whereas the original cancellation charges, which are hefty, still apply. These rules are different for every airline and class of seat.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
It is certain to get worse before it gets better. There are still many unknowns particularly regarding its transmissibility. Covid-19 is a viral pneumonia - like the flu, it is a respiratory illness. It causes fever and a dry cough, but not the runny nose and sneezing associated with the flu. Hence there is a big focus on hand washing as a preventative measure, along with wearing a mask. Its mortality rate is about two per cent, which is 10x as bad as the flu, but 5x less than SARS and 30x less than MERS. The main challenge is its asymptomatic transmission – i.e. you can catch it, before the person you catch it from displays any symptoms at all. This is what makes predicting its growth and impact near-impossible.
EVENTUALLY… THINGS WILL GET BACK TO NORMAL
Eventually, this will just be another saga in history, like SARS and MERS. Some predict even after a vaccine is found, it will still hang around as an annual event, much like the flu. Until then, visit the Diveplanit blog here: http://bit.ly/Covid19Advice for links and up-to-date travel advice. n www.diveplanit.com
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Cocos Island is often spoken of in hallowed terms, and as Michele Westmorland found out during a liveaboard adventure on the Okeanos Aggressor II, this is one dive location that truly delivers PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHELE WESTMORLAND AND WALT STEARNS
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Alcyone is a deep platform of sheared rock the size of a football field. It can only be accessed in the right conditions as the currents are so strong they can sweep you further into the Pacific
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C
ocos Island is one of those destinations you will find near the top of every scuba diver’s bucket list. If it is not at the top of yours, it should be. Isla del Coco, as it is known in Spanish, was named by navigator Juan de Cabezas. He discovered it in 1526 while surveying the vast waters of the Pacific. Its lush and verdant forest draped over the rocky shoreline must have looked like heaven to him and his crew when they spotted it on the horizon. They quickly discovered it was also host to many species of flora and fauna that evolved in isolation for thousands of years. The first question divers on board the Okeanos II ask is ‘How will our crossing be? Shall I strap my equipment down as well as myself inside the cabin?’ The crossing from Costa Rica covers 332 miles of open ocean and takes 36 hours. The remote location of Cocos has fuelled many stories of pirate treasure being hidden upon its shores. For divers, the bounty is actually located in the waters surrounding the island, in what is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in 1997. We were fortunate. The seas were on our side for the crossing and presented us with a calmness that was much appreciated. Our adventurous group, made up of Americans and Spaniards, was able to wander the boat setting up camera equipment, read a book in the salon and have a true meet-and-greet event to get to know each other. About halfway through the crossing, the captain announced a large pod of spinner dolphins was at the surface. The beautiful marine mammals had absolutely no interest in our boat. They were too busy jumping, slapping their tails, and herding a baitball of fish to fill their stomachs.
After eating a good meal and getting a good night’s sleep within the gently swaying vessel, we arrived at the island with another pod of dolphins. These were the larger cousins of the previous day’s sighting, known as the bottlenose dolphin. They stayed with us all the way into Wafer Bay as a playful escort. The welcome just made the divers even more excited about reaching the lonely outpost. Everyone ate their meal as quickly as possible to go prepare for our first dives. We first submerged ourselves at a rocky outcropping called Manuelita, which has both a deep wall and a shallow sloping side. This gave us a wide variety of
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Blue-striped snapper escort a diver through a swim-through
Inquisitive octopus at Puntamaria
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COCOS ISLAND
Cocos Island has more to offer than what is in the water. Take a hike! Visiting the ranger station near the shore is a must before setting off to hike from one side to the other. The steep trail to the top of the mountain is rewarded with spectacular views, not to mention trekking through the lush jungle is an excellent way to view some of the endemic species of birds, such as the Cocos Cuckoo, finch and flycatcher, which all reside here. It is also common to see great frigate birds, terns and booby birds. Our group of enthusiastic hikers took a rest at the abandoned ranger station to take in the majestic view from the top. The trip down to the shoreline was much easier but it was the waterfall at the end that was most appreciated.
Idyllic beach scene Refreshing swim in the waterfall
Hunting whitetip sharks
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Come and experience two world class dive sites ex Bundaberg. Dive Lady Musgrave Island outer reef one day and Australia’s newest wreck dive Ex-HMAS Tobruk the next! www.ladymusgraveexperience.com.au www.tobrukexperience.com.au
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LIVEABOARD LIFE
The newly designed Master Staterooms on the Okeanos Aggressor II are large and luxurious. The incredible food served by the talented chefs in the dining area was excellent. Captain Mauricio is a pleasure to be around, and with his never-ending smile, is happy to make sure you have the best diving opportunities based on weather and current conditions. Providing the additional GPS device to each and every diver is a bonus for safety purposes. The Okeanos Aggressor I and II offer itineraries year round to Cocos Island. www.aggressor.com
Vast shoal of jacks
terrain and the possibility of many different experiences. I swam along the sloped wall first and although the visibility was not crystal clear, within seconds there were half a dozen hammerheads in view just ahead of me. A glance downward revealed sleepy whitetip sharks and the shadow of a tiger shark. The deep wall side of Manuelita also is one of the prime areas for spotting sharks, so of course they were there too, swimming in unison in a slow and cautious manner. All around the small island, we discovered massive schools of blue and gold snapper, and could approach and even swim through them with ease. During the week, a favourite location emerged named Dirty Rock. While the name may not be glamorous, it is fitting because of the complete guano coverage from nesting booby birds. Below the waterline, the sightings of predators never let us down. At Dirty Rock there is a cleaning station where the hammers come in close to be picked and cleaned by the barberfish. Providing the current is not too strong, hanging around the device placed by researchers for gathering shark counts is the best spot to observe
and photograph this underwater spa and barber shop. Just breathe slowly was our motto, so as not to disturb the styling process going on before our eyes. We alternated the groups of divers to keep the bubble noise to a minimum. Whether it was the group I was diving with or the others, each surfaced with stories and sightings of marble rays, spotted eagle rays and numerous free-swimming morays. Since the water conditions surrounding the island were quite calm, the divers were scheduled for three night dives. Manuelita Shallows is the site generally used for the dark hours and it is easy to understand why it is the hot spot. After about 15 or 20 minutes in the water, our lights bring out lots of action among the whitetip sharks. During the day, they can generally be seen sleeping on the bottom, which is not very exciting. The feeding frenzy that starts after the night hours set in is exhilarating in comparison. Not a single one of us was worried about being too close to these hunters. The sharks were more interested in finding smaller fish tucked into the nooks and crannies of the stony coral outcroppings. By the third night, divers were wishing for something new and they found it in two bright orange frogfish, who could care less about the frenzy going on around the corner. Frogfish patiently wait for a passing morsel then in a lightning fast gulp, dinner is served.
A much-larger arch at Dos Amigos Grande is a spectacle of schooling fish, and the floor of the arch is lavishly decorated with red-jewelled starfish
The Okeanos Aggressor II
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Turtle flypast Okeanos II moved from Wafer to Chatham Bay so that the pangas (skiffs) had easier access to one of my personal favourites – Submerged Rock. Here there is a small archway to swim through that exits looking out into the blue. Schooling snapper are gracious enough to escort you through the doorway. A much-larger arch at Dos Amigos Grande is a spectacle of schooling fish, and the floor of the arch is lavishly decorated with red-jewelled starfish. Although the current can push a diver through quickly, it is more than manageable. Puntamaria is not as action packed as some of the other sites, but I found it to be a nice break and rich with curious creatures. Not only were the octopus inspecting us instead of us inspecting them, the giant morays were not the least bit concerned with our presence while out on their daily hunt. Since my last visit, the dive site that has always remained in my memory as one of the best in the world is Alcyone. Bajo Alcyone, as it is also known, was originally discovered by Jacques Cousteau. He named it after his signature expedition vessel, whose moniker was derived from Greek mythology. In 1987, the Cousteau Society’s expedition ship Alcyone first visited Cocos, discovering a seamount that would eventually become the legendary site. Because it is so far offshore, Alcyone offers incredible pelagic action. Alcyone is a deep platform of sheared rock the size of a
It’s not all big stuff at Cocos, there are tiny critters too, such as this goby
Cocos Island from the air
Whaleshark
football field. It can only be accessed in the right conditions as the currents are so strong they can sweep you further into the Pacific. Not the best way to get to Japan! The good news is that the Okeanos II provides appropriate safety equipment with GPS for each and every diver, just in case you need it. Knowing the difficulty of this location, the device gave me a sense of security but did not lower my safety standards in the least. Once to the top of the rocky platform, it is best to tuck into a crevice. This provides a great way to remain stable while the sharks come in for some cleaning. Even though there were not the hundreds of sharks I’ve seen in the past, having even one of these beautiful animals right in your face is breathtaking. On a repeat dive at Alcyone, all of the hammerheads were keeping their distance. I wasn’t sure why this time was so different until our captain explained the cause. When the large schools of jacks are on the top, the hammers keep their distance. It was a gift to be able to have such different experiences in the exact same location. No dive here is ever quite the same. Our remaining days included a repeat of Alcyone, Dos Amigos Grande and Pequena. There was a surge that brought in more hammerheads, four very large Galapagos sharks and two graceful spotted eagle rays. On our way to DA Grande, several divers had the opportunity to jump in the water to snorkel with a beautiful manta ray right at the surface. The magic just keeps coming at Cocos. Too soon, it was time for the journey home. We all hoped that the conditions would stay calm so that we could pack, look at our photos and graze on more of the tasty food served on board Okeanos II. Our wish was granted in spades. The completely mirrored-over conditions allowed every diver to relax into the memories of diving Isla Del Cocos – one of the wonders of the world. n
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inally! After about 24 hours of travel, I could put my feet in the sand of Bunaken Island again. I’d been here before. Fifteen years ago, when I backpacked my way around Southeast Asia, I went to Bunaken and immediately fell in love with the place. The diving and the atmosphere were just fantastic! Back then, I stayed at a resort orientated towards backpackers, and competed with saltwater showers, bugs and limited electricity. This time I’m back at Bunaken as a part of a three-week Golden Triangle escape (with www.bastianos.com), which will take us to Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh. I am also travelling with my family, consisting of my wife and two kids, 11 and seven years old. We have also upgraded our stay with both AC, pool, freshwater showers and 24-hour electricity. Compared to my previous visit, the amenities were pure luxury. However, compared to some of the more upmarket, Manado-based diving resorts, Bastianos on Bunaken falls into the mid-price category. Still it is comfortable enough for our needs. The big question remains however - will the diving be just as good as during my last visit? A cheerful ‘Hello!’ woke me up from my daydream. It was Micke, the dive base leader from Bastianos dive resort who greeted us. We quickly got a welcome drink in our hand while the personnel took care of our luggage, Micke took care of us and informed us about the resort and diving. After we signed the paperwork, we had an early dinner and sat in the restaurant enjoying a fantastic sunset before we went to bed. Next morning, we were introduced to our dive guide, Santo, who was going to help us to assemble our gear and then the crew would carry it to the boat. Our first dive was at Mandolin, a dive site located at the western tip of the island and I immediately realized that this was still a prime diving spot! A fantastic reef with healthy corals as far as the eye can see starts just a couple of metres beneath the surface! We started our dive and finned slowly towards the drop-off. It didn’t take long until Santo banged on his tank to get our attention. A green turtle was resting just on the edge of the drop-off. Turtles, we soon learnt, are the really big attractions when diving in Bunaken Marine Park. In some of the dive sites they are everywhere! Many years ago I was diving in Sipadan Island, known for being the best place to see turtles. But after our trip to Bunaken, I am prepared to rename Bunaken as the ‘Turtle Capital of the World!’ This is partly because of the turtle hatching project on the nearby island of Siladen. Since 2005, more than 1,500 turtles have been hatched and released into the Marine Park. We slowly descended further into the deep and I realized that the fish life was still as fantastic as I remembered it 15 years ago. Clouds of pyramid butterflyfish and redtooth triggerfish were swarming the reef edge and out in the clear blue water, a couple of bluefin trevally were patrolling the reef. The dive continued with more turtles and fantastic corals and after close to 70 minutes, we broke the surface again with big smiles on our faces!
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Stefan Beskow sets off on an epic three-week trip around Indonesia’s Golden Triangle of Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh, beginning in a place he last visited 15 years before – Bunaken PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEFAN BESKOW
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c o m b i n e pa r a d i s e i s l a n d a n d l i v e a b oa r d sa h au n g i s l a n d ba n g ka n o rt h s u l aw e s i
SOLITUDE ACACIA RESORT
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Vibrant soft coral
SURFACE INTERVAL EQUALS ‘JUMPING TIME’!
At Bastianos you do two morning dives before heading back to Bunaken to have lunch. Then there is an afternoon dive and a night dive on offer for those who want to - and have got energy left for it. Since our kids were with us on the morning boat, we now had some family time during the surface interval! This transformed into jumping from the boat and swimming in the clear water. I also went snorkelling with my seven year old son and it didn’t take long until I heard strange sounds from his snorkel. He had spotted his first turtle! We snorkelled for about 15 minutes and besides the ten turtles we spotted in that time, we saw fantastic corals and amazing fish life. After a quick cup of coffee and some pancakes, it was time to suit up for the next dive. Now was the time for one of Bunaken’s most-iconic dive sites - Lekuan II!
Anemonefish
When we spoke to Micke about the dive site, he told us that he has even seen a whaleshark at Leukan! Dive boat loading up for the dive
LEKUAN
Surface interval fun and games
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The Lekuan sites are probably the most-famous dive sites in Bunaken Marine Park - and rightfully so! It is actually a long coral wall, split into three different dive sites, Lekuan I, Lekuan II and Lekuan III. If you, like me, enjoy wall diving this is a bit like the Holy Grail! There are walls and slopes covered in gorgonians and sponges in all different sizes and colour combinations. Lots of reef fish and also some sharks, if you are lucky! This is also probably Bunaken´s absolute hotspot when it comes to turtles! All this in clear blue water. It comes as no surprise that it was the Lekuan sites that put Bunaken on the map of the divers! Our first dive at Lekuan II started out just great. When we descended thorough the clear water, Santo’s distinctive banging on his tank got our immediate attention. In a small cave at 10m, three whitetip reef sharks were resting. They were out of reach for my wide-angle lens but my wife Emilia started to film. Imagine her surprise when a big green turtle swam between her and the sharks. And if that wasn’t enough, the turtle decided to take a rest just in front of Emilia, totally spoiling her filming of the three sharks. I couldn’t help laughing, it just looked so funny and it is not that common to have a turtle obstructing the way when it comes to filming or photography. They tend to be the main subject!
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Turtle posing for a portrait
Crinoid on a Bunaken wall
The dive continued and we saw loads of fish and more than 20 turtles. But it was the macro life that surprised me the most. On a small coral block, Santo pointed eagerly. At first I couldn’t see what the fuzz was about, but after a while when my eyes got used to it, I finally saw it. There were two phontohi seahorses! They were actually discovered here at Bunaken by a local dive guide roughly ten years ago. And so it continued - we swam a couple of minutes and then there was always something else to see. When we spoke to Micke about the dive site, he told us that he has even seen a whaleshark at Leukan! Of course, that doesn’t happen on a daily basis, but still you get the feeling that anything can happen here. There is no question about it, Lekuan is truly a fantastic dive site! Butterflyfish
And if that wasn’t enough, the turtle decided to take a rest just in front of Emilia, totally spoiling her filming of the three sharks 60
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Anemonefish
THE MARINE PARK
Hairy squat lobster
Bunken Marine Park is one of the oldest marine parks in Indonesia (established 1991). It consists of Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Mantehage and Nain. All the islands have great diving and coral reefs, but Bunaken and Siladen have more visitors than the other islands. To be able to dive in the park you need to buy a one-time park entrance fee of IDR 150,000. You then get a tag which you can keep in your bag on the diving boat, or even clip it on your BCD. It is valid for one year. In the marine park or just outside, there are many excellent diving sites to explore. Some of them worth mentioning are: Muka Kampung - a fantastic wall / slope. The current can sometimes be quite strong and maybe because of that, the marine life is extraordinary. Here you can sometimes see sharks and other pelagic marine life. Siladen - a nice slope with lots of sea fans and soft corals, a very beautiful dive site! It’s a bit different than the sites at Bunaken, which have more sponges and hard corals. If you get tired of the walls and slopes, there is a wreck dive, the Molas wreck, close to Manado, and there are also a couple of great muck dives in Manado Bay. Far too soon, our six-day visit on Bunaken and Bastianos was over. However, this was just the first stop on our trip. Next stop, Bangka Island - and a visit to Bastianos’ brand-new resort! n
The Bastianos Dive Resort
Frogfish
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BEYOND TECHNICAL
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hen people think of New Zealand, they immediately start talking like Gollum, and want to see the hobbits of ‘Middle Earth’. What they probably don’t know is what lies beneath the surface of our clear waters. Without a shadow of a doubt, New Zealand offers some of the most-diverse and undiscovered diving on the planet. There isn’t a colour pallet around that can calculate how much colour is on the walls. Tight sponges, bryozoans, zoanthids, cup corals and hydroids all vie for prime real estate on the walls. I have been diving this area for the last 26 years and, personally it is one of my most-favourite places to dive. But, it is the upper circalittoral zone that is of most interest for me. This is the zone deeper than 40m, down to the continental shelf round 200m. But I am focusing on the 40m-80m areas. The Poor Knights Islands drop off fairly sharply, and it is not difficult to get to 65m very close to the land. The Poor Knights are a group of two large islands (Tawhiti
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Rahi and Aorangi). The group is a sequence of volcanic remnants forming a chain about 10km long, which lie 14 nautical miles off the east coast of the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. These islands also possess some of the most-spectacular underwater terrain in the world, and are renowned for their many arches, sea caves, tunnels and vertical underwater cliffs and overhangs.
DESIGNATED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN 1975 AND FOR GOOD REASON TOO!
These volcanic islands lie in the path of the warm East Auckland Current, which swings down from the north of Australia bringing warmer water temperatures and many subtropical visitors to the islands. Banded coral shrimp, gold ribbon grouper, toadstool and black-spotted grouper, Lord Howe coral fish, sunfish, and occasionally manta rays and turtles. As well as such sub-tropical visitors, the Poor Knights are home to a wide array of interesting temperate water species.
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We design, manufacture and retail scuba and rebreather equipment. We have fully equipped test and certification labs, and can pressure test large items in our vacuum chambers, as well as run fully automated leak test and dive simulations down to 400m. Our EMC and EMF lab is filled with state-ofthe-art equipment for testing electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic fields. We also have a large in-house laser for cutting and engraving on plastics and metals. www.narkedat90.com
At certain times of the year there are literally hundreds of stingrays that just lurk in the arch swimming against the current, like a scene from Battlestar Galactica
Tech-diving guru Pete Mesley ventures into the deeper waters around New Zealand’s Poor Knights, which are just as colourful as any tropical warm-water reef PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETE MESLEY AND JOANNA SMART WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM.AU
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Nudis on the wall
completely covered with anemones came into view on the outer side of the outcrop. Two large longfin borefish took refuge behind the tree. They are such delicate and gentle fish, normally found deeper than 30m round NZ, Tasmania and Australia.
NORTHERN ARCH
Large numbers of short-tail and long-tail stingrays gather here to breed over the summer months, and many species of moray eels are found around the islands along with a huge diversity of reef and pelagic fish species, orca, shark and numerous species of nudibranchs. The islands have been uninhabited since the 1820s and it is illegal to land on the islands due to the delicate ecosystem and creatures that live on Tawhiti Rahi and Aorangi. There are quite literally hundreds of dive sites at the Knights, with more being found each month. There is a growing technical diving community which is focusing on finding, diving and documenting these deep sites. Here are a few dive sites that have stood out.
This arch drops straight down to 43m almost vertically. At certain times of the year there are literally hundreds of stingrays that just lurk in the arch swimming against the current, like a scene from Battlestar Galactica. When you swim towards them the closest one just drops a wing and glides effortlessly away from you. Orca have been sighted here many times in the past picking their way through the rays! What a sight that would be. All down both walls (about 15 metres wide at the base and about ten metres wide at the surface) are packed with marine life, sponges, anemones and colours that would make the richest tropical reef look like a bland rock. Every millimetre of wall is taken up by aquatic life. There is an overhang on the eastern side of the arch which offers a nice eddy from the currents that prevail through the archway. We also can enjoy occasional encounters with bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus) sharks, who frequent these temperate waters of NZ. On the outside of the wall she drops off to about 65m-70m. This, in itself, is a great dive. A few small black coral trees can be found as you make your way round the outer wall. You can swim all round the outside, but be in for a swim!
THE BLACK FOREST THE CANYON
The Canyon boasts a spectacular wall drop-off. Hitting the sand at about 55m, you swim northwards and about 20m away, there is another huge reef that runs parallel with the main island drop-off. There is a little swim-through leading you to the outside part of the canyon. Here hapuku are normally seen, with black coral trees and splendid perch a norm. Swimming round westwards to the end of the outer reef, you really see why it is called the Canyon. With steep walls on both sides of you, you have the choice of swimming back along the far wall or swimming back across the sandy section to complete the dive on the amazing main drop-off. On the western point of Canyon, about 25-30 metres away from the main island in about 65m, there are a couple of rocky outcrops which are absolutely teeming with life. As we scootered over to it, we were lost among huge schools of maumau and demoiselles. A dead large black coral tree
Masses of fish abound the site. Mau mau, mackerel, splendid perch and a massive school of king fish patrol the reef 66
I first dived this deep reef many years ago in preparation to dive RMS Niagara as a build-up dive. We weren’t expecting much as we had our sights on the gold ship - Niaraga. But what a treat. The area we dived was breathtaking. As soon as I descended onto Black Forest, I knew that this dive deserved an entire trip dedicated to enjoying this gem. On descent,
Pete with a grey moray eel
COMPUTERS • O2 CELLS • GAS ANALYSERS CABLES & CONNECTORS • REBREATHER PARTS PATHFINDER STROBES • SENSORS TOOLS • SOLENOIDS I observed two massive land masses that looked like loaves of bread. Top of the first loaf was at about 63m and the second mass was lying parallel to the first with a sandy area between the two in about 85m. I counted over 15 massive black coral trees spanning over two metres wide! Snake stars by the tonne wound tightly round the branches. Viz was fantastic at 20-30 metres. Masses of fish abound the site. Mau mau, mackerel, splendid perch and a massive school of king fish patrol the reef. With the 30m sheer walls on either side of each ‘loaf’ makes for a great spectacle. The one big observation was the masses of hapuku line draped over all the black coral trees. This, unfortunately, is outside the reserve zone and fishermen have lost a lot of their heavy ‘puka’ lines among the trees. On this dive I didn’t see any hapuku (Polyprion Oxygeneios), which goes to show how fishing and targeting certain species is not a good thing, as there were none left.
GOOD SHIT REEF
This site was duly named after we dived it for the first time. When the skipper asked us how the dive was, the reply was what the reef is now called! Another great topographical wonderland. The reef stems out from one of the main islands. A flat reef stems out westwards. On either side sandy slopes follow the rapidly increasing sand line. The top of the reef on the outer side is about 35m. Then the outer side drops off to 60m-70m. The wall is about 60-70 metres wide. Fish, fish, fish galore! Loads of Lord Howe coral fish, and the gentleman of the sea - John Dory! I have also never seen as many longfin boarfish in all my life. They were everywhere! Long colourful finger sponges and trumpet barrel sponges littered the walls. We mainly use scooters on these reefs purely because we have had to adapt to our environment. We work very closely with two dive operators in Tutukaka - Dive! Tutukaka and Yukon Dive. These guys really know their stuff and have been catering for divers wanting to dive the Poor Knights for decades. The biggest adapting had to be done on shared boats, where we have had a mixed bag of diver experience onboard. So what the experienced captains of both operations
Black coral tree on Good Shit Reef
have done is dropped us off on the deep sites, then moved into the nearest bay and anchored there to cater for the lesser-experienced diver. We would do the dive, then scooter back into the bay where the boat was anchored. Careful choreography is planned, making sure we are diving in direct line of sight of the vessel at all points of the dive. On any deeper dives, we would have the vessel dedicated to our dive.
12 FATHOM REEF (THE G SPOT!)
Yet another spectacular pinnacle which drops down to 76m, with the top lying in 27m of water. The sheer amounts of blue and pink mau mau and two spotted demoiselles are overwhelming. Splendid perch bursting with colour and echinoids such as the long-spined Diadema palmeri litter the nooks and cracks. I always love seeing these creatures. Every now and then you can see them ‘walking’ along the reef with their hundreds of spines moving them along the bottom. When you shine your light on them, the reds and iridescent electric blue are so distinctive. Not to mention their characteristic ‘eye’ (which is their anus).
CONCLUSION
We will keep exploring these amazing sites and hunt for new outcrops. Technology like rebreathers, scooters and more-advanced camera and lighting systems will make visiting these unique and amazing sites easier to get to and document. n
Aerial shot of the Poor Knights
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MTX-RC REGULATOR CONTROL IN THE EXTREME
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What’s New
MARES CRUISE BAG RANGE
When you have a load of dive kit, you need something to transport it in, and Mares has a vast array of bags under the Cruise banner. These range from the likes of the Cruise Backpack Pro, Cruise Buddy and Cruise Packpack, which are traditional dive bags with retractable handles, multiple pockets and roller wheels, to the Cruise Backpack Roller, which is an innovative bag that folds up when not in use - perfect for on a liveaboard. These are accompanied by the Cruise Captain, which is ideal for spacious hand luggage, and other useful accessory bags such as the Cruise Backpack Mesh Deluxe and Cruise Backpack Mesh Elite, which can both take a full set of dive kit with ease 70
and are perfect for carting your gear from your room down to the dive centre, etc. The range also includes duffle-bag-style products, such as the Cruise Quick Pack, Cruise X-Strap and Cruise Classic, and then there is the Cruise Journey, which is a well-specced backpack that is great to accompany you to the office or on holiday. The Cruise range is rounded out with an impressive array of dry bags, from huge 75-litre capacity units like the Cruise Dry BP75 Ultralight, to 35-, 25-, ten- and even five-litre bags. Whether you are looking for a weekend bag, something for a longer trip, or just a handy rucksack, Mares has you covered. www.mares.com WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM.AU
FOURTH ELEMENT OCEAN DEBRIS BAG
Bring this bag with you on every dive. Small enough to be stashed in a pocket or clipped on externally, the bag unrolls to provide a handy way to get involved with cleaning up our dive sites. It can be quickly deployed and used to collect and remove rubbish from the water. After you have disposed of the waste responsibly, recycling it wherever possible, simply roll the bag up – which is made from 100 percent polyester - and stow it again for your next dive. www.fourthelement.com
SCUBAPRO D-MASK
SCUBAPRO HYDROS X The Hydros X is the world’s first frontadjustable BCD to offer a fully injection moulded Monprene® thermoplastic harness. This unique feature allows you to tailor the harness shape to perfectly fit your torso, creating superior comfort. Add the full-sized backpack and stainlesssteel Super Cinch tank band and you also get excellent stability both on the surface and at depth. The air cell and harness are modular and detachable. The bladder, made out of EndurTex high-tenacity nylon fabric, is extremely lightweight and durable while offering generous lift capacity, aided by lower back bellows. In the event of damage, every component on the Hydros X is detachable and easily replaceable. Its flat-buckled quick-release integrated weight system and rear trim-weight pockets work together to offer a more-comfortable and balanced ride when cruising the depths. The two big zippered cargo pockets offer great gear-carrying capacity and are easily accessible even when the weight pouches are fully loaded. Two stainless steel D-rings provide clip-on points for additional gear. In addition, the Hydros X features a MultiMount Accessory Matrix with multiple D-Ring and mounting points that easily attach various dive accessories. www.scubapro.com
SHEARWATER RESEARCH TERIC
Sharing the design scheme of the new D-Series D420 regulator, the D-Mask is a sleek, premium mask well-suited for all types of diving. It is equipped with UV+420cut™lenses that filter out high-energy visible (HEV) light as well as UV light without affecting how colours appear underwater. It is also the only premium mask that features an interchangeable lens system for optional optical lenses. The D-Mask is available in black with blue accents to match the D420 regulator’s colour scheme. It comes with a choice of black or clear skirts in two sizes - Medium or Small - as well as a special wide fit. Also included is a new black-on-black Comfort Strap, a black mask frame and an adapter for mounting a HUD hands-free dive computer. www.scubapro.com
Shearwater Research’s innovative Teric wristwatch dive computer has taken the recreational and technical diving worlds by storm since its launch, and now the Canadian company has released its first-ever limitededition version. The limited-edition Teric has all of the usual features of the standard version, but with its matte gold bezel and striking red strap, it definitely has a real Ironman vibe about it, and there are only a limited number available, so don’t miss out! This exclusive combination comes with an eye-catching red ballistic case and a uniquely numbered metal gold-coloured certificate of authenticity, signed by the company founder, Bruce Partridge. www.shearwater.com * = check pricing with local suppliers/centres in your area
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Gear Guide
THIS ISSUE: BUDGET REGULATORS
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. The Test Team comprises Editor in Chief Mark Evans and a squad of volunteers, whose dive experience ranges from a couple of hundred dives to well over 6,000.
BUDGET REGULATORS
This issue, we look at one of the most vital pieces of the modern divers’ kit bag - regulators, or more specifically, budget regs. Without a solid, reliable reg, you aren’t going anywhere underwater. A large array of manufacturers produce regulators, and our aim here at Scuba Diver is to give you the widest selection in each review. Alas, the budget bracket is a little slim on the ground these days, but we have got units from Aqua Lung, Scubapro, Oceanic and Mares.
ON TEST THIS MONTH: • AQUA LUNG CORE SUPREME Location: Tested at Vivian • MARES ROVER Dive Centre, Llanberis • OCEANIC ALPHA 10 SPX www.viviandivecentre.com • SCUBAPRO MK2 EVO / R195 Water temp: 6 degrees C Surface temp: 9 degrees C 72
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AQUA LUNG CORE SUPREME Aqua Lung has been making diving equipment for more than 75 years, and their regulators have always been solid units, but they have really come on in recent years - the Core Supreme is a belting little unit for the purchase price. It has a chrome-coated brass balanced diaphragm first stage with two high-pressure ports and four low-pressure ports, which is paired with a balanced demand valve equipped with a Venturi control and a large purge button. The Core Supreme is a decent-looking regulator that delivers a smooth breathe, doesn’t break the scales when it comes to weight, and it represents excellent value for money. The large purge is easy to locate and operate even with thick gloves, and the same goes for the venturi lever. The exhaust is fairly compact, but the routing is sound and it disperses exhaled bubbles efficiently. It comes with a lip shield, which does actually assist in keeping your lips warm(er) in cold water, but if you don’t want this, it is quick and simple to remove it. The first stage is pretty small, which helps keep the weight down, and with its shiny chrome and polyurethane protector it certainly looks eye-catching. It is equipped with Aqua Lung’s patented Auto Closure Device, or ACD, which prevents any accidental water ingress if you accidentally submerged it without putting the cover back on the DIN or Yoke fitting. www.aqualung.com
CHOICE 2020 GROUP TEST
REGULATORS
TECH SPECS & VERDICT CRACKING RESISTANCE: No VENTURI: Yes VERDICT: Excellent little regulator which could hold its own in the mid-range price bracket. Coming in at a walletfriendly price, this is exceptional value for money.
SCORE
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* = check pricing with local suppliers/centres in your area
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MARES ROVER 15X The Mares Rover 15X is an entry-level unit from this well-known Italian brand, and it doesn’t break the bank. The 15X first stage has pre-oriented ports - two high-pressure and four low-pressure, including one DFC port (Dynamic Flow Control), which minimises intermediate pressure drop during inhalation, thus maximising gas delivery - for optimum routing, yet retains a compact, travel-friendly size and weight. It also has an attractive sandblasted finish. The second stage is very lightweight, and it has a purge that lurks behind a flexible mesh grid on the unit, which helps eliminate freeflows in currents. It has a soft, comfortable mouthpiece, and utilises Mares’ Fluid Dynamic Deflector, which receives and properly directs the airflow from the Vortex Assisted Design bypass tube to the mouthpiece. The Vortex Assisted Design creates a swirling vortex with a low pressure area in the centre that keeps the diaphragm down during inhalation, for easy breathing at all depths. The Rover has subtle styling, but its performance is outstanding at this price point. www.mares.com
BEST VALUE 2020 GROUP TEST
REGULATORS
TECH SPECS & VERDICT CRACKING RESISTANCE: No VENTURI: No VERDICT: Lightweight regulator with very subtle styling, but superior performance that belies its price point. Well worth checking out as an entry-level reg.
SCORE
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* = check pricing with local suppliers/centres in your area
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YOUR DIVE DATA’S NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD.
NEW
GALILEO® HUD™ HANDS-FREE COMPUTER
Introducing the revolutionary mask-mounted, hands-free dive computer with a virtual, floating heads-up display, giving you more freedom to experience your dive. scubapro.com
This picture is for illustration purposes only. Actual product may vary due to product enhancement of the dive mask paired with the Galileo HUD hands-free dive computer.
OCEANIC ALPHA 10 SPX The Alpha 10 SPX is a budgetpriced regulator, but it doesn’t skimp on performance, and it is actually quite pleasing to look at as well. This test model came with an SPX piston first stage, with two high-pressure ports and four lowpressure ports, which are angled for optimum hose routing. The second stage is pneumatically balanced and has a compact venturi lever and a shaped purge. The Oceanic reg benefits from being in the Huish Outdoors family with Atomic Aquatics, and features the same soft-withharder-insert mouthpiece. The venturi is a bit dinky compared with some of the others, so a bit more awkward with gloves on, but still workable. The purge is effective, buy it feels a bit odd being a hard plastic ‘button’. Despite the SPX first stage not being environmentally protected, it didn’t falter in the cold even with robust testing. As with all Oceanic products, it comes with a lifetime warranty and free parts for life, making that price even more attractive. www.oceanicworldwide.com
TECH SPECS & VERDICT CRACKING RESISTANCE: No VENTURI: Yes VERDICT: The Oceanic Alpha 10 SPX is a straightforward, no-frills regulator, and it does exactly what you need it to, at a very affordable price.
SCORE
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* = check pricing with local suppliers/centres in your area
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MARES GENIUS
THE MOST EVOLVED DIVE COMPUTER ON THE MARKET
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New zh-l16c algorithm with gradient factors and predictive multigas Nitrox and trimix capable, up to 5 gases Full color high-resolution display Hoseless tank data integration for up to five transmitters Color coded tank pressure for at-a-glance readability Brilliant logbook with multiple graphs Smart battery management system with 40 hours divetime per full charge Bluetooth connection for direct connection to smartphone
SCUBAPRO MK2 EVO / R195 Scubapro is a well-established brand that has always produced solid regulators. The MK2 Evbo paired up with the R195 makes a decent budget-priced route into the brand. The MK2 Evo is an efficient piston first stage. The Evo boasts 15 per cent better airflow than the previous model, thanks to a larger piston, yet an improved design has managed to reduce the body size by 3.5mm. It has four low-pressure ports, and one high-pressure. It is equipped with Scubapro’s X-TIS (Extended Thermal Insulating System), which fully insulates the international mechanism from the environment. This massively improves the cold water / freezing resistance without compromising its breathing performance. The result is a compact first stage which would be an ideal first reg for a new diver, a lightweight travel regulator, or even a well-priced set up for stage cylinders. The R195 second stage is a classic downstream design, with a Ventura lever that is easy to locate even wearing thick gloves. The large circular purge button is also simple to find and operate. The mouthpiece is comfortable, and the exhaust directs exhaled bubbles past your face. Good entry-level regulator. www.scubapro.com
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TECH SPECS & VERDICT CRACKING RESISTANCE: No VENTURI: Yes VERDICT: The MK2 Evo / R195 regulator is a great way for a new diver to get on board with the Scubapro brand. It is well priced, and a decent performer all-round.
SCORE
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VERDICT
Regulators are something we rely on underwater, so you want to know you can count on it, and none of these regs were found wanting, despite some, shall we say, robust testing! In the Best Value category, we had all four in the mix, but in the end, the Mares Rover snapped up this title. It has subtle good looks on both the first and second stages, but the performance was sensational, and it is a truly budget price. The Choice award went to the Aqua Lung Core Supreme. In previous years this regulator has sat in the midrange price bracket and done very well, and so now that it is within this entry-level price zone, it is even more attractive. The breath is smooth, the build quality excellent - and all for a bargain price.
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Long Term Test SCUBAPRO G2
Mark Evans: I was always a massive fan of the Galileo series of computers, loving the clear display and how it told you on screen the function of the three buttons. It was so simple and easy to use. When the colour-screen revolution started, I said all Scubapro needed to do was make the Galileo with a colour screen - and that is essentially what the G2 INFORMATION Arrival date: December 2019 is. I can’t wait to get diving Suggested retail price: * it and see how it stacks up Number of dives: 0 against my old Sol. Time in water: 0 hrs 0 mins www.scubapro.com
SUUNTO D5 Mark Evans: The Suunto D5 is very simple to use, with a three-button system for navigating the menus, and we proved this by getting Luke to use it on his dives in Grenada. Luke was already familiar with the operating system, as he dives an EON Core, and he was soon happily jumping through the menus. The D5 made a perfect back-up unit to INFORMATION Arrival date: April 2019 the Core, but of course it Suggested retail price: * is also a great primary Number of dives: 79 unit too. Time in water: 78 hrs 25 mins www.suunto.com 80
ROHO X-FLEX SOLO Mark Evans: Roho are well known for making hard-wearing, durable but good-looking suits, and the X-Flex Solo continues this trend. I like the no-frills colour scheme of the test model, and am pleased that the Solo features a front-entry telescopic torso. After being a rear-zip entry man for years, I have become a INFORMATION Arrival date: July 2019 true convert to this style of Suggested retail price: * suit, so it instantly felt very Number of dives: 0 familiar. Time in water: 0 hrs 0 mins www.roho.co.uk
MARES GENIUS
Mark Evans: We have been getting the Genius wet now in various locations, and I have to say we have been impressed. The monster-sized screen is so bright and easy to read, even in really lousy conditions, and the colourcoding of the different data and areas of the screen makes it simple to use. The large buttons are easy to operate INFORMATION Arrival date: August 2019 even with thick neoprene Suggested retail price: * gloves on when your hands Number of dives: 19 are freezing cold. Time in water: 18hrs 50 mins www.mares.com WWW.SCUBADIVERMAG.COM.AU
AQUA LUNG BALI
Mark Evans: The photographs of Penney in Grenada really stood out thanks to the coral polyp imagery on the arms of the Bali wetsuit, and the subtle colours would compliment any BCD, mask and fin combo, but it was especially effective with her white-skirted mask and blue headband, though it didn’t clash with the pink on her Aqua Lung Lotus BCD. She was also enamoured with how easy INFORMATION Arrival date: October 2019 it was to get on and off, Suggested retail price: * as sometimes she has a Number of dives: 19 battle with wetsuits. Time in water: 18 hrs 45 mins www.aqualung.com
AQUA LUNG AQUAFLEX
APEKS VX1
Mark Evans: The VX1 has been on duty in various locations, most recently for a spot of regulator testing in North Wales. I got Clare Dutton, who was assisting on the dive, to give the VX1 a crack, and she found it extremely comfortable as well. I love the Stormtrooper look of the VX1, and am rapidly finding myself becoming accustomed to a white-skirted mask, whereas in the past I was devotee of the ‘dark side’. I have yet to try it with the other strap that comes with it in the box, with a neoprene INFORMATION Arrival date: September 2019 insert on webbing, but I’ll Suggested retail price: * give that go before next Number of dives: 46 month’s reviews. Time in water: 43 hrs 35 mins www.apeksdiving.com
SEALIFE SEA DRAGON MINI 1300S
Mark Evans: Our dual test AquaFlex wetsuits have been getting plenty of use. Penney even took hers for a dip in the sea off Anglesey and found that it kept her warm enough for at least a relatively short dive. The thing which has impressed both Penney and Ross the most, as well as the warmth factor, is how easy the AquaFlex is to get on and off. Some 5mm suits can be a bit of a chore, INFORMATION Arrival date: April 2019 but the AquaFlex just Suggested retail price: * slides on with no issues, Number of dives: 124 and comes off just as quick. Time in water: 120 hrs 15 mins www.aqualung.com
Mark Evans: So the Sealife Sea Dragon Mini 1300S has come to the end of its run in the Long Term Test stable, and it has proved itself to be a capable little unit. It has been used in the UK and abroad in Malta and Grenada, and it is great for both poking around under ledges or full penetrations of shipwrecks and caverns. It is also perfect for tropical night dives. It is small enough for a INFORMATION Arrival date: April 2019 BCD pocket, but with a Suggested retail price: * cracking burntime and Number of dives: 37 performance. Time in water: 35 hrs 25 mins www.sealife-cameras.com * = check pricing with local suppliers/centres in your area
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SCHOLARSHIP DIARY
The Our-World Underwater Scholarship Society is a non-profit, educational organisation whose mission is to promote educational activities associated with the underwater world. It has offered scholarships for over 35 years. owuscholarship.org
CALIFORNIA DREAMING PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOANNA SMART
T
he next leg of my journey as the 2019 Australasian Rolex Scholar took me to California, USA, where I spent a month travelling down the coastline by train. California has always been high on my list of places to visit thanks to their abundant kelp forests, fascinating marine life and world-class marine research and diving facilities. I started my journey in Monterey Bay, south of San Francisco. Monterey is home to a number of leading marine facilities which I was incredibly lucky to visit. My trip started with a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, where I was able to join the team on RV Western Flyer for some deep water remotely operated vehicle work. From there, I joined the team at Backscatter photo and video for a dive in the local kelp forest and some underwater photography practise. I was then lucky enough to visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and learn about their diving programme. Next, I caught the train down to Santa Barbara where I joined photojournalist and film-maker Shaun Wolfe for some diving in the kelp forests of the Channel Islands. The diving in this region was spectacular, I enjoyed a close encounter with a harbour seal and was amazed by the health and diversity of life in the forests. From Santa Barbara I headed down to Los Angeles and out to Catalina Island, where I joined the USC Wrigley Institute hyperbaric chamber to learn all about diving safety and hyperbaric operations. I was able to run the chamber for a test dive and gain a deeper appreciation for the work the chamber staff and volunteers do for the Californian diving community. My finals stop in California was the Blue Latitudes Foundation in San Diego. Blue Latitudes was founded by Amber Sparks and Emily Jackson. The team specialise in environmental solutions for the offshore industry and have been championing the use of decommissioned oil rigs as artificial reefs off the Californian coastlines. I was able to assist with a combination of filming and outreach work and gain an overview of the operations of the foundation. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was great to work alongside such an inspiring team. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in California and can recommend it as a diving destination for anyone who loves towering kelp forests, abundant fish life and meeting great people with a passion for the ocean. n
Joanna Smart
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TAKE THE CHALLENGE BECOME A MASTER DIVER
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5 specialties and 50 dives ALTITUDE DIVING (ALT)
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BOAT DIVING (BD)
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DEEP DIVING (DD)
SEARCH & RECOVERY (REC)
DRY SUIT DIVING (DRY)
REACT RIGHT (RR)
ENRICHED AIR NITROX (EAN)
SCIENCE & DIVING (SOD)
EQUIPMENT TECHNIQUES (ET)
WRECK DIVING (WR)
NIGHT & LIMITED VISIBILITY (LV)
WAVES, TIDES & CURRENTS (WTC)
NAVIGATION (NV)
DIVER STRESS & RESCUE (DSR)
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