JULY 2011
DIVE LOCALLY
SPLENDOR IN THE PASS
Queen Charlotte Strait’s Seven Tree Island
WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS
BELIZE
A Diversity of Dives
NEAH BAY TO PORT ANGELES
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JULY 2011
IN THIS ISSUE ◄ Cover photo by Jan Kocian Jan Kocian is an avid diver and photographer who lives in Freeland, WA on Whidbey Island. Diving has been his passion from an early age. Certified in 1963, in what used to be Czechoslovakia (Now the Czech Republic), a flooded quarry was his playground. He escaped the communist “workers paradise” in 1968 and since then has been diving in many places, warm and cold. He enjoys capturing and sharing with others what our rich underwater world has to offer in the Pacific Northwest. To see more of Jan’s photo visit his photo galleries at www.jankocian. smugmug.com/.
Northwest Dive News
The complete resource for what’s happening in diving in the Pacific Northwest. P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277 Phone (360) 240-1874 Fax (360) 279-1814 nwdiver@nwdivenews.com www.nwdivenews.com
Publisher and Editor Rick Stratton/Kathy Stratton rick@nwdivenews.com Art Director Brian Merculief graphics@divenewsmag.com Graphic Designers TJ Pierzchala, Jack Bayliss Production Manager IJ James editor@divenewsmag.com Expo Coordinator Selene Peterson expo@divenewsmag.com Writer/Editor Jamie Farris Field Reporter/Editor Barb Roy Travel Editor Jett Britnell Accounts Manager Tove Chatham accounting@divenewsmag.com Advertising Sales Roosevelt Rumble (360) 240-1874 ext103 sales@nwdivenews.com Northwest Dive News (NWDN) is committed to promoting the sport of scuba diving in the Pacific Northwest. We will present a practical, unbiased point of view regarding all aspects of the sport of scuba diving. Topics covered will include information on current events, dive sites, dive training, dive safety, boat diving, dive buddy network and the personal experiences of our readers, Northwest scuba divers. NWDN believes in honesty and integrity in business and will support all efforts related to this. We encourage our readers to participate in determining the content of this publication by giving us their opinions on the types of articles they would like to see. We invite letters to the editor, manuscripts and photographs related to diving or diving related business. IMPORTANT NOTICE NWDN reserves the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses. The contents of NWDN are opinions of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or any of its staff. The publishers and contributors assume no responsibility for any mishap claimed to be a result of use of this material. Diving is an adventure sport and contains inherent risks. Improper use of diving equipment or improper diving techniques may result in serious injury or death. Readers are advised to use their own best judgment in each individual situation. Subscription Rates: U.S. one year $20.00 (3rd Class) Canadian $30 USF EARN A FREE 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION NWDN wants your diving related stories, cartoons, articles and pictures, and we’ll reward you by sending you a one (1) year subscription in return for the right to publish your original work. In order to win you must be published. This will apply for one article, photo or cartoon per six month period. Stories should be a maximum of 1,200 words and we strongly suggest you include pictures or artwork with your story submissions to increase the likelihood that you will be published. Email submissions to nwdiver @nwdivenews.com or mail to P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Any material accepted may be printed by any means and is subject to revision as required. We are not responsible for returning such without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
MONTHLY COLUMNS Editor’s Note ...................................... 4 Incoming Mail .................................... 5 Hot News ........................................... 6 Wreck of the Dix ............................... 8 Japan Relief ...................................... 9 Dive Around the Clock ............... 10-11
DAN/Medical Column ...................... 26 Mystery Critter ................................. 27 BoatingRegulations ......................... 28 Gear Box ......................................... 29 Dive Directory .............................30-31 Tropical Dive Directory ...............30-31
NORTHWEST US DIVES
14 Neah Bay To Port Angeles – Where The Wild Things Dive Advanced dives, half moon bay beaches, a Marine Life Center and a cozy hometown feel make the unassuming town of Port Angeles a must visit for the PNW diver. Slack tides mean your skill will have to be above beginner, but the effort is worth it. With wrecks and diversity of color and animal life, you feel like you’ve been transported to the tropics. Neah Bay offers everything a diver craves. By Mike Hughes
NORTHWEST CANADA DIVES
18 Splendor In the Pass – Queen Charlotte Strait’s Seven Tree Island Crowned with scrub brush and curiously more than seven weathered trees, Seven Tree’s squat-looking islet appears on the surface to be rather nondescript. However, as anyone who had dove here knows, topside appearances are deceiving. Seven Tree Island’s rich assortment of marine life and undersea textures and colors lies just below the waterline. By Jett & Kathryn Britnell
TROPICAL DESTINATIONS
22 Belize – A Diversity of Dives It is called the “Aquarium of the World” with its incredible reefs, abundant marine life and blankets of coral and sponge. Underwater Belize offers diversity in diving found nowhere else in the world. Home to the second longest reef in the world, the diving offers walls beginning as shallow as 20-40 feet, marine life of all shapes and sizes and the famous Blue Hole. The coral reefs, underwater limestone and sea life is rich, diverse and beautiful. By Rick Stratton
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Do you have an opinion? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTRY S
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
ummer is finally here and divers all over the PNW are dragging out their gear for summer diving! We have a bevy of stories in the hopper for the summer months and we are excited to share these next few months of summer diving with you. What an amazing time to be a diver! Times are looking up and we are seeing it in the dive industry. I personally have spent some time traveling around the country meeting with divers and dive shops and I am hearing a lot of positive things. Divers are really coming together and we all know that’s exactly what the doctor ordered. Here at Northwest Dive News, we are picking up the pace and doing our part too. We are really looking forward to hearing all those great summer stories this year. In this month’s edition, we are going north to Neah Bay with travel writer Mike Hughes. This is a great story about how diving in Neah Bay can be a real adventure for the experienced diver. Hughes also shows us what the drive over is like, and I can tell you, if you haven’t made the drive you really should. We will also take you out to Queen Charlotte Strait’s Seven Tree Island as Jett and Kathryn Britnell explore it. Harboring a rich assortment of marine invertebrates, Seven Tree’s bountiful feast of undersea shapes, textures and colors provide a visually stunning backdrop for underwater photographers and videographers;
4
the Britnell’s do a great job painting a picture of the area for our readers. Finally, join me as I take you to Belize. This incredible dive destination offers divers the adventure of a lifetime and when I tell you the locals will take care of you, I am not kidding. Often called the “Aquarium of the World” with its incredible reefs, abundant marine life and blankets of coral and sponge, underwater Belize offers diversity in diving found nowhere else in the world. As we head into summer there is a lot going on all over the place so I want to once again ask you, readers, vendors, dive shop retailers to join us on our mission to inform the local dive community. We welcome your stories, your announcements and your contributions to the dive community. Over the years we have heard some incredible stories about dive adventures, please share yours with your dive community! Send us your announcements, stories, photos and don’t forget those secret dive destinations and we will help you share them with the rest of the dive community. Come on—show us what you’ve got!
Dive into Us! Rick Stratton facebook.com/Rick.Stratton1 twitter.com/nedivenews, twitter.com/mwdivenews rick@divenewsmag.com
Rick
www.nwdivenews.com Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010 CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE: WWW.DIVENEWSNETWORK.COM
MONTHLY ARTICLES
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
HEY RICK, Thanks for joining us at our club meeting last night and bringing Mike Ball. Everyone had a great time! I noticed in the Dive News our club meeting place is still listed as Izzy’s Pizza. We’re going to stay at Mookie’s NW Grill, so you can change it for future issues. Thanks again! Jim
Rick
DEAR JIM, Thanks for your note. I had a great time at the Eugene Dive Club Meeting. It was a lot of fun bringing Mike Ball for his presentation. Mike is one of the world’s largest live-aboard operators based in Australia. I was extremely pleased at the incredible turnout. You had more than 116 divers in attendance and, according to Mike, it was the largest dive club crowd he had ever spoken to! It was the first time I had ever heard Mike speak – he surprised me and everyone else by learning everyone’s name. He called out over 100 names at the beginning of the presentation. Talk about an attention getter! He also gave away a Mike Ball 7-day live-aboard trip (valued at more than $3000) to one of your members. I was extremely surprised when he asked me to “volunteer” to help him. Next time I will be sure to say ‘NO!’ I was very embarrassed when he had me stand on a chair and everyone tried to guess my weight. I think several of the members guessed without clothes. I appreciated the nice thoughts! I can’t wait for next year!
Rick
PS - We have already fixed your club meeting location in the print edition as well as online!
SEND US YOUR COMMENTS! Contact our editorial staff at editor@divenewsmag.com. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A WRITER TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR!
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HOT NEWS
Get your business noticed by sending us your NEWS/EVENTS: editor@divenewsmag.com
US CONGRESSMAN TAKES HEAT FOR DIVING WITH U.S. FLAG Last weekend, U.S. Congressman Allen West joined a group of military veterans and local divers to celebrate Learn to Dive Month in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Republican Congressman, a certified diver, was one of several dozen divers to descend on the wreck of the Ancient Mariner near Deerfield Beach. During the dive, the group unfolded an American Flag and took turns posing for pictures. Afterwards, West took heat from a group of bloggers who pointed out the divers were technically “in violation” of the U.S. Flag code. The congressman’s office issued a statement saying he participated in the event to bring attention to scuba diving near his district. The “soiled” flag is scheduled to be auctioned for charity, with the proceeds slated for the Diveheart Organization, which deals with teaching soldiers and others with disabilities how to scuba dive. For more information, contact Force-E at 866-307-3483 or visit Force-E.com PUGET SOUND DEPTH CHARGERS QUICK UPDATE Beginning June 1 the PSDC club meetings will be held at The Milton Tavern in Fife. The PSDC is also currently taking entries into the 8th annual photo competition. The entry deadline is Saturday, Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. For more info visit www. psdepthchargers.com. ADVENTURES DOWN UNDER REPLACES DIVE CLUB WITH STORE SOCIALS After more than ten years of running the dive club, Adventures Down Under has decided to take a year off and transform the various planned activities into store social events where anyone and everyone can attend. Renewed club members will be able to take advantage of their discounts until their memberships run out. The first of these
get-togethers is their annual BBQ to be held Sunday, July 10 at Rosario Beach on Fidalgo Island. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking or just playing in the tide pools are all encouraged. Plans are to meet at the park around 10 a.m. to secure a picnic table. This will be a potluck style of picnic so bring something to share and your table settings. ADU will bring some Nitrate-free hot dogs and a portable grill. Please RSVP with ADU. For more info visit www.adventuresdownunder.com. PEOPLE FOR PUGET SOUND HOSTS HOOD CANAL PIER PEER EXPLORATION There will be an event called the Hood Canal Pier Peer Exploration, a featured education family event beach walk July 16 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Hood Canal Marina. Join People for Puget Sound naturalist J. Cookson out on the docks for a night time adventure. Space is limited. Please be sure to RSVP to save your spot. This is a family-friendly event but parents do not to bring children under 8. For more information, contact Gabby Byrne, (360) 754-9177. www.pugetsound.org SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS TO THE 2012 OCEAN VIEWS PHOTO CONTEST Since 2010, Alert Diver and Nature’s Best Photography magazines have celebrated professional and amateur photographers in their annual Ocean Views Photo Contest. Each year, the submissions entered in the contest reflect the highest level of excellence from the farthest reaches of the world. Entrants can submit up to 20 images for a single entry fee, and submissions must be received by Nov. 30, 2011. Visit the Nature’s Best Photography website for all entry details, guidelines, entry forms and photo tips. www.naturesbestphotography.com
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CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS July 4: Eugene Dive Club, 7p.m., Mookie’s NW Grill on Seneca, Eugene, OR. www.eugenediveclub.com July 5: Moss Bay Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., The Wilde Rover, Kirkland, WA. www.meetup.com/MossBayDiveClub July 5: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Social Night, 6:00 p.m., Kimo’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, Richland, WA. www.ducksdiveclub.org July 6: Puget Sound Depth Chargers Club Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Louie G’s Pizza and Pasta, Fife, WA. www.psdepthchargers.com July 6: Emerald Sea Dive Club, 7 p.m., Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Everett, WA. www.emeraldseadiveclub.org July 9: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Green Island Dive. Details online www.duckdiveclub.org. July 9: Edmonds underwater park day trip, 9 a.m. Adventure Sports Scuba, Edmonds, WA. www.facebook.com/AdventureSportsInc/ July 9-10: Saturday Kids’ Camp & Sunday Beach Cleanup & Expression Session with Surfrider. www.surfrider.org July 10: REEF Invert ID Class at HydroSports, Salem, O R . w w w. h y d ro s p o r t s . c o m . July 15-16: Dive Around the Clock Dive-a-thon Relay Charity Event. Redondo Beach in Des Moines, WA . w w w. d i v e a ro u n d t h e c l o c k . c o m July 15-17: Lost Lake Camp ‘N Dive with HydroSports, Salem, OR. www.hydrosports.com July 19: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Bank Reale, Pasco, WA. www.ducksdiveclub.com July 19: Kelp Krawlers Dive Club, 7 p.m. River’s Edge Bar & Grille, Tumwater, WA. www.kelpkrawlers.org. July 23: Dive Kayak Training with Marker Buoy Dive Club, 9 a.m. Seattle, WA. www.markerbuoydiveclub.org. July 23: Seven Seas Divers Monthly Shore Dive, 9am at Mukilteo T-Dock, WA www.sevenseasscuba.com July 24: Missile Silo Dive with UnderSea Adventures. Details www.underseaadventures.net J u l y 2 6 : To o o o s d a y n i g h t a t Alki! Brrrrrrrrrrrgers and beer post dive with Moss Bay Dive Club, 6:00 p.m., Alki Cove 2, Seattle, WA. www.meetup.com/MossBayDiveClub July 26: Try Scuba with Rogue Scuba, 6:00 p.m. at Central Point, OR. www.roguescuba.com July 28: Northwest Adventure Divers, 7p.m., Golden Steer Restaurant, Kent, WA. www.nwadveturedivers.com. July 28: Sea Horses Scuba Club, 6 p.m., Round Table Pizza, Redmond, WA. www.seahorsediveclub.com. Aug. 1: Eugene Dive Club, 7p.m.,
Do you want your event listed here? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Mookie’s NW Grill on Seneca, Eugene, OR. www.eugenediveclub.com Aug 2: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Social Night, 6:00 p.m., Kimo’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, Richland, WA. www.ducksdiveclub.org Aug. 3: Emerald Sea Dive Club, 7 p.m., Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Everett, WA. www.emeraldseadiveclub.org Aug 3: Puget Sound Depth Chargers Club Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Louie G’s Pizza and Pasta, Fife, WA. www.psdepthchargers.com Aug. 3: Marker Buoy Dive Club, 7 p.m., Sunset Hill Community Center, Seattle, WA. www.markerbuoydiveclub.org. Aug 4: GSNDAMBAA Dive Club, 6 p.m., Edmonds Underwater Sports, Edmonds, WA. www.gsndambaa.org. Aug 6: Annual Beach Party and Fish Fry, Port Orford, OR. www.coralseascuba.com Aug 6: Entry Deadline for Scuba SET Adventure Center Photo Contest by 5:00 p.m. details at www.psdepthchargers.com Aug. 11: Free Intro into Tides and Currents, 7pm Seven Seas Scuba, Vancouver, WA www.sevenseasscuba.com Aug 13: Dive Kayak Training with Marker Buoy Dive Club, 11 a.m. Seattle, WA. www.markerbuoydiveclub.org. Aug 12-14: Newport, OR Oregon Coast Aquarium DUI Dog Rally Aug 16: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Bank Reale, Pasco, WA. www.ducksdiveclub.com Aug. 16: Kelp Krawlers Dive Club, 7 p.m. River’s Edge Bar & Grille, Tumwater, WA. www.kelpkrawlers.org. Aug 19: Risk Management for Public Safety Professionals, Les Davis Park, Tacoma, WA. www.dui-online.com Aug. 20: Seven Seas Divers Monthly Shore Dive, 9am at Clear Lake, OR www.sevenseasscuba.com Aug 20: 8th Annual Photo Competition for ScubaSET Adventure Center Gallery Opens at 10:00 a.m. details online www.psdepthchargers.com Aug 20-21: Tacoma, WA Les Davis Park DUI Dog Rally www.dui-online.com
A u g 2 3 : To o o o s d a y n i g h t a t Alki! Brrrrrrrrrrrgers and beer post dive with Moss Bay Dive Club, 6:00 p.m., Alki Cove 2, Seattle, WA. www.meetup.com/MossBayDiveClub Aug. 25: Northwest Adventure Divers, 7p.m., Golden Steer Restaurant, Kent, WA. www.nwadveturedivers.com. Aug. 25: Sea Horses Scuba Club, 6 p.m., Round Table Pizza, Redmond, WA. www.seahorsediveclub.com.
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REGIONAL NEWS
STEAMSHIP DIX
LOCAL EXPLORERS FIND HISTORIC SHIPWRECK IN SEATTLE’S ELLIOTT BAY
The Steamship Dix was built in 1904 by Crawford and Reid in Tacoma. Photo by www.boydski.com.
T
here is a long standing joke around Puget Sound that no one knows what all is in Elliott Bay. A lot of history has floated through these waters so who knows what a person can find. Well, now speculators can add “shipwreck” to the list of what we do know is down there. Using a five passenger submarine and a remotely operated vehicle, a team of local explorers have discovered a historic
Mosquito Fleet Steamer in Elliot Bay near Alki Point. It is believed the shipwreck may be the SS Dix, which sank in 1906. After 104 years the Dix is still considered the worst maritime disaster in Puget Sound history. Nov. 18, 1906, the Dix was underway from Seattle to Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island. There were reportedly 77 passengers and crew aboard when she struck a threemasted schooner named the SS Jeanie
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approximately one mile west of Duwamish Head. The Dix reportedly sank within minutes; 39 of its passengers died. Explorer Laura James has searched for the location of the Dix for two decades. In early March, believing she had located the Dix but lacking the resources to explore those extreme depths, James began collaborating with wreck diving author Scott Boyd and OceanGate, a local marine exploration company. Boyd and James first scanned the wreck using surface sonar from Boyd’s boat, Dive Bum, to confirm it was likely to be the wreck. OceanGate provided a remotely operated vehicle with an experienced crew and on March 19 the first video images of the wreck were recorded. “The deep wreck is clearly a wood-hulled passenger steamer from the Mosquito Fleet era and is in a location consistent with the last sighting of the Dix,” James said. Additional submarine dives are planned in order to gather more information and images to document the wreck. “This is an important part of local history,” said James. “I am pleased we have finally found it.” For more information on the project visit www.boydski.com. ■
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Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
DIVERS GIVING BACK
REGIONAL NEWS
HAWAIIAN DIVE SHOP DOING THEIR PART IN HELPING JAPAN’S CHILDREN
Lahaina Divers co-owner, Akiyo Murata gives a dive briefing. Photo by www.lahainadivers.com.
M
arch 11, a 9.0 undersea mega thrust earthquake rocked Japan. The Japanese now refer to it as the “Eastern Japan Great Earthquake Disaster” and the cost in lives and devastation are still being calculated today. One of the great losses of this disaster was hundreds of parents whose children are now left to fend for themselves; instant orphans. The need for aid for the Japanese people continues. This month one dive center is stepping up its efforts to help. On July 31, Lahaina Divers in Maui, Hawaii will sponsor a “Benefit for Japan” 2-tank boat dive with 100 percent of the
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funds collected being donated to Japan relief efforts in the form of Ashinaga Ikuei Kai, an organization supporting the children who lost their parents in the disaster. Lahaina Divers is donating the boat and crew for the charter along with a deli lunch on-board between
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the 2 dives. “We felt strongly that there was a need and we needed to step up,” says Tim Means of Lahaina Divers. “One of our owners, Akiyo Murata, is from Japan and has family there. Although her family is ok, through her connections to Japan it became apparent there was a tremendous need.” Means says there are 1,101 children listed as having lost their parents as of May 31. “Some children had very harsh experiences,” Means says. “There are stories about a boy spending the night on a floating car with a dead body; the stories are horrific. Ashinaga Ikuei Kai supports those children mentally as well as physically. We are doing our part to help their effort.” Divers must be certified to dive but all are welcome on board as passengers or snorkelers. There will be a minimum donation but 100 percent will go to the relief effort. Make reservations or get additional information by calling 667-7496 or 1-998-3483. If you’d like to donate directly to Ashinaga Ikuei Kai and help the many children affected by the disaster visit the non-profit organization at www.ashinaga.org/en/. ■
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
DIVE AROUND THE CLOCK
DIVE AROUND THE CLOCK FUNDRAISING FFO
Dive Around The Clock 2010. Photo by www.divearoundtheclock.com.
D
ive Around The Clock (DATC) is this month and divers from all over Washington are preparing to once again raise funds for the Seattle Children’s Hospital Cancer Research Center. This will be their fifth year holding the fundraising event. In all the Dive Around the Clock event has raised more than $80,000 for cancer research at the world renowned hospital and this year they hope to add to that. This year’s DATC is the fifth annual Dive Around the Clock Dive-a-Thon Relay Charity Event beginning July 15 at 4 p.m. at Redondo Beach in Des Moines, ending 4 p.m. July 16. The Staircase will be open for the event. Two person buddy teams will be rotated every thirty minutes for a 24hour period to ensure there is a continuous presence of divers in the water. There will be some great prizes including two Alaska Airline tickets round trip unrestricted fares
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for the person who raises the most money. Divers who do three dives will get a chip, diver who do four dives will get two chips to be entered into a drawing for a Liquivision Xen bottom timer. There will be other great prizes such as a dive charter from Bandito Charters and Pacific Adventure Charters, a Harvey’s Wetsuit, Hightide drysuit hoods, a Seasoft drybag with inner pockets, an autographed football signed by former WSU wide receiver Brandon Gibson who is now
playing for the St. Louis RAMS. Dive News Network Publisher Rick Stratton encourages all Puget Sound divers to get involved in the annual event. “This is a great event that truly shows the spirit of giving back to the community,” Stratton says. “I would like to see a lot of divers come out for this event this year. It’s for the kids!” Those who want to participate can also collect donations either by cash or check and participants can print out a sponsor form so
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REGIONAL NEWS
DIVE AROUND THE CLOCK
NGG FOR SEATTLE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Dive Around The Clock 2010. Photo by www.divearoundtheclock.com.
the person who donates over $50 will get a tax receipt from Children’s. Donations can also be collected online with the firstgiving link from DATC website. This allows participants to create their own webpage, post photos, put it on Facebook and/or Twitter, and set their own goals. There are many research projects working on a cure for cancer instead of the current treatments used to fight cancer like chemo and radiation therapy. Both of these have side effects so the efforts to find a cure are much more important. The economic downturn has made fundraising events like these vital. The cancer research program only gets 3 percent federal funding, the rest comes from private donations like Dive Around the Clock. If you would like to volunteer for the event as either a safety diver or helping at the registration booth contact Ron Church at info@divearoundtheclock.com. Folks can register online or print out a registration and mail it to us from our website divearoundtheclock.com. Any questions or concerns feel free to contact Larry Trenda at larry@psfindustries.com or Kyle Larson at kyle.lars@gmail.com any time. ■
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Northwest Dive News JANUARY 2011 www.nwdivenews.com WE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL DIVE SHOPS - WITHOUT THEM WE WILL NOT HAVE A DIVE INDUSTRY.
11
EXPO SPEAKER SERIES
HOW TO WRITE FOR DIVE MAGAZINES
Writing Tips By Mike Hughes, Travel Editor, Dive News Network
BE A DIVE NEWS NETWORK WRITER
The Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary. See Mike’s story on page 14. Photo by Mike Hughes.
A
t this year’s Northwest Dive and Travel Expo in Tacoma Washington, I gave a seminar on how to become a writer for the Dive News Network. Luckily, you don’t have to be Clive Cussler, Earnest Hemmingway or JK Rowling to get your articles in our magazines; our staff can even help polish your writing if you like. What I covered in the seminar were tips to make the whole process easier and more understandable. Because an image is worth a thousand words, I recommend taking three images of everything. This way, at least one of the images should turn out good enough for publication. As far as fish go, get closeups of heads not tails. If taking far shots, get a diver in frame for perspective. Images of people wearing dive gear in the water, having fun, and smiling are great shots. As for article guidelines, different magazines have different needs. Dive News Network requests articles in 1-page length (300-350 words with images), 2-page length 12
(600-650 words with images), or feature length (1000-1500 words with images). Don’t forget your captions! Currently, we are working approximately 2 months out, meaning articles submitted by July 1 would run in September. Because of the lead-time, you may find yourself working on “Night Diving” in June, when the nights are longer, for an October issue. You may write a tropical article for winter getaways. Long lead times are also needed when certain dive sites are only diveable at certain times of year due to weather or currents; ice diving would be a good example. The best part about writing for a dive publication is the excuse to dive! Not to mention a chance to meet and go diving with other divers; more opportunity to interact with people in the industry; you may get to try new gear; go on charter trips that may not be offered to the general public; get behind the scenes at aquariums, resorts, quarries and expos.
My other favorite part of writing for DNN is I’m not limited to one region for diving. I can dive anywhere in North America as a “regional diver”. I could even submit my tropical dive stories as a destination report. Finally, I didn’t say writing it all up would be easy, but the outcome is extremely self-rewarding, and the entire process is just one more step along the road to discovering, enjoying, and logging dives in an expanded form; great diving destinations and great dive adventures. ■
MIKE HUGHES has written over 100 dive articles over the last seven years. He is a PADI Master Instructor and IANTD Tech diver. He has spent 30 years traveling to dive destinations around the world and has a B.S. degree in Marine Biology.
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n the previous installment, we came to grips with the sour reality of divers and fitness. With seven out of ten divers being overweight or obese we are not, as a collective, role models of health and fitness. So what? - You may think – How does this concern the diver who just wants to have a good time? We all want to have a good time but we cannot eliminate the possibility Murphy will make his appearance. To put it in numbers, if you are in a ten-pac boat, the statistics show that should an emergency arise, seven out of those ten divers may not be able to cope with the physical demands brought up by stressful circumstances. That means you may be the one performing the rescue or worse yet, those seven divers may not have the physical capacity to assist you or your buddy should you be the ones requiring assistance. We can never completely eliminate the possibility something will go wrong but we can minimize its presence and consequences through skill training and by becoming physically fit divers. A fit diver is
a tremendous asset as an individual and as a team member. The third weekend of May 2011 was a dark one for our community as many fellow divers made their last dive without knowing it. The challenges of the underwater world are inherently numerous; we do not need to add to them by neglecting our physical fitness. Now that I have your attention and we agree how important it is for us to be in shape, we are finally ready to get started. In upcoming segments I’ll be sharing fitness tips, exercises and remove the excessive noise from your fitness journey. Until next time, happy training and safe diving. ■ Israel A. Sanchez, AKA Coach Izzy, is Bainbridge Island’s top strength & conditioning expert. The incredible results his clients experience are the combination of his nearly 2 decades of active learning and his dedication to those who seek his help. His ability to help people riddled with pain find relief and achieve fitness levels they never thought possible make him the most respected fitness professional in the area.
WE SUPPORT LOCAL DIVERS - LOCAL www.nwdivenews.com DIVERS SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY.
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
13
NORTHWEST DESTINATION
NEAH BAY
NEAH BAY TO PORT ANGELES WHERE THE WILD THINGS DIVE
By Mike Hughes
H
eading out to Neah Bay requires you to pass by the unassuming town of Port Angeles. The drive along Hwy101 passes by grassy fields, elk crossings and culminates in a town filled with shops, fast food restaurants and the car ferry terminal where you can board the COHO to take you across to the city of Victoria, Canada year-round, but is most popular during the summer season. Down on the waterfront next to the Marine Life Center is a small sandy beach with a beautiful view of the harbor. It’s a nice half moon bay beach adjacent to the Red Lion Hotel, a short walk up the sand to the Marine Life Center, and it is located about two walking blocks from Sound Kayak and Bikes where inside the building in the far right hand corner is the headquarters of Scuba Supplies, owned and operated by Mike Kesl. Past the main town, turn onto Hwy 112 then go on to Salt Creek County Road, a total of 11 miles, you will arrive at one of the best and most beautiful dive sites in all the State of Washington; Salt Creek County Park. During WWII this area was known as Camp Hayden. Near the top of the highest hill two 16� canons were mounted where now sits an empty heavily constructed lookout site and vehicle turn-around area for tourists. There are a variety of trails leading down to the basalt shoreline. At the other end of the beachfront across from campsite 5 is an info board, but the trail here is steep. The middle stairway leads down to some small tide pools. A fourth stairway located by campsite 60 leads to a breathtaking view of The Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, the main tide pools, Crescent Bay and the small uninhabited island in the bay. On an average day you can look down right through the water at the passing sea creatures. 14
Park. lt Creek County Lookout site at SaPhoto by Mike Hughes.
Checking out some rock fish and plumose anemones. Photo by Scott Boyd.
LOCAL DIVERS DO IT MOREwww.nwdivenews.com OFTEN
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
NEAH BAY
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
The Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary. Photo by Mike Hughes.
You’ll need to be more than just advanced diver qualified to dive here during verified slack tides. This area is for the diver who is in top physical shape and is ready for a possible strenuous swim. A diver here also has to have excellent navigation skills to locate entrance and exit points away from breaking waves. It also is advisable to set something large,
colorful and highly visible next to your entrance and exit points. In the water, move carefully and have a few knives on hand in case currents make you play twister with the ubiquitous kelp. 500 yards off shore from Tongue Point lies the wreck of the Diamond Knott, a 360 ft. cargo vessel which sank in 1946. Strong
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15
NORTHWEST DESTINATION
NEAH BAY
A rose anemone. Photo by Scott Boyd.
currents make this Holy Grail of wrecks accessible by boat and only when currents permit. Very few charter boats go out here on a regular basis. You have to be in good physical shape for this dive as Mike has seen divers go through a tank of air while just descending down to the wreck. In recent years, wave action has taken its toll on the hull and parts of the bridge, railing and mid section have disintegrated. The shallow end of the wreck is a 100 ft. deep dive. The other end dips to 140 ft.
Up the road a bit, about 1 1/2 hours, we arrive at Neah Bay. While diving here you’ll feel like you are somewhere in the tropics with all the diversity of colors and abundance of animal life. If you set a finger down on the substrate, chances are you will touch a strawberry anemone, a white plumose anemone or a lemon nudibranch. Out here, Duncan rock is a popular destination for very advanced divers. Situated in the middle of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and barely poised a few feet above the
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surface at high tide, this site contains a rich abundance of sea life. Below the surface this rock is cut into v-shaped slopes. On one side it goes down to 30-50 ft. The northwest side drops down to 120 ft. Because of navigational and weather considerations, this site gets fewer visitors than other sites so don’t be surprised if the marine life, like the seals, are less timid and come to check you out. Not far from Duncan rock is Tatoosh Island. This is a wildlife sanctuary with interesting cutouts and rock formations.
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LOCAL DIVERS DO IT IN OCEANS, RIVERS, LAKES AND QUARRIES!
NEAH BAY
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Stellar seals are known to join dive groups in this area. From Tatoosh Island you can look over to the water sculptured formation of Mushroom Rock. From Neah Bay Harbor you can see Whadda Island forming the end of the jetty. There are three main areas to dive here,and “the fingers” section is one of the top rated dive sites in Neah Bay. You’ll see tons of kelp and rockfish around the island, but at “the fingers” you’ll also see large lingcod and kelp greenling perched on the sides of sloping ridges that extend from the surface near shore, down to one hundred feet in depth. The ridges flow northward from shore and form wide canyons as they extend out and away from each other. The currents can quickly sweep you out into deeper water while exploring one canyon, or bring you swiftly back towards shore while exploring another canyon. Captain Bill Martin of Northwest Dive Charters has been taking divers out here for the last seven years and fishing out here for the last 20 years. Bill likes taking 4 divers at a time here. It’s a nice relatively safe environment for advanced divers when tides are favorable, usually between May through August. Because Duncan rock can be a tricky dive, Bill doesn’t like to take divers there unless the least experienced advanced diver on the boat is physically and mentally up for the task. He also likes all divers in
this area to carry surface “sausage” markers and Dive Alert signal devices. A diver could drift away rapidly in these current and fog sensitive waters. Bill also recommends some boat dive sites near Sekiu in 30 to 70 ft. that are full of marine life. As far as other dives go, there’s the wreck of the Andalusia in about fifty feet of water in front of Snow Creek Resort. Sail and Seal rocks are located in a partially protected bay. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Beach are a few notable dive sites. There are several campgrounds and a few motels along the way to Neah Bay. Snow Creek Resort has camping areas. Curley’s Resort & Dive Center, in Sekiu, is the closest place to get air fills and last minute dive related items. The bottom line: From Neah Bay to Port Angeles the area is remote, the wildlife abundant, the scenery above poster quality, and this all makes for one of the best dive destinations in all the pacific northwest. Great dives. ■
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17
BRITISH COLUMBIA
VANCOUVER ISLAND
SQ PLENDOR IN THE P ASS C S UEEN HARLOTTE TRAIT’S SEVEN TREE ISLAND By Jett & Kathryn Britnell Travel Editor, Dive News Network
P
eople often ask, “Where’s the best place in the world to dive?” A seemingly simple and innocent question, it doesn’t elicit a resolute response from us; the world has many spectacular dive sites and we have been fortunate to have experienced many of them. We will go out on the proverbial limb here and state, that insofar as cold water dive sites go, you would be hard pressed to find many sites in the world compared to the subsea splendor that can be seen at British Columbia’s Seven Tree Island. Nestled off Nigei Island’s western shoreline, at the northern edge of Browning Passage, Seven Tree Island is one of those truly magnificent dive sites that Queen Charlotte Strait is famous for. Crowned with scrub brush and curiously more than seven weathered trees, Seven Tree’s squat-looking islet appears on the surface to be rather nondescript but as anyone who has dived here knows, topside appearances are deceiving. Seven Tree Island’s splendor actually lies just below the waterline. Harboring a rich assortment of marine invertebrates, Seven Tree’s bountiful feast of
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Barb Cox explores Seven Tree Island’s wall. Photo by Jett Britnell.
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S
Have you gone diving today? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
QUEEN CHARLOTTE STRAIT undersea shapes, textures and colors provide a visually stunning backdrop for underwater photographers and videographers. All the creatures who flourish here have somehow either adapted or stubbornly defy the swift tidal flow that assails Seven Tree Island daily. A thrilling aspect about making a dive at Seven Tree is during the incoming and outgoing currents it is often possible to circle the entire island underwater. Seven Tree’s precipitous eastern wall plummets vertically to well beyond 100 ft. The tapestry of life to be found here is brimming with beautiful clumps of pastel pink soft corals, yellow finger sponge
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Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
19
BRITISH COLUMBIA
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Canary Rockfish. Photo by by Jett Britnell.
formations, and pink coral-like hydrocorals, dense clusters of plumose and crimson anemones. Kelp greenlings and bizarrelooking red Irish lords perch on the sponge, as if waiting for the current to deliver their meals to them. Schools of black rockfish drift idly by
through the forest-like stand of bull kelp that dominates the islet’s shoaling southern reef structure. Brilliantly marked purple ringtopped snails and prehistoric-looking kelp crabs cling to the bull kelp. Giant octopus are often seen out in the open here as they make their dens beneath the rubble of boulders
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armored with spiny red sea urchins. Finning around the southern reef and continuing northward along Seven Tree’s western side, the bottom shallows out and the rocky substrate changes to a white shell and sand seafloor. On a sunny day, this expanse of Seven Tree’s subsea terrain often appears more tropical than some of the South Pacific reefs I have visited. Feathery orange sea pens and several species of sea stars dot the sandy plain. Finely speckled sand sole flee across the bottom like tiny magic carpets to avoid approaching divers. Crimson anemones jam every nook and cranny at Seven Tree’s far northern end. Here the sand flats taper into rock and the wall begins to steepen as it curves eastward. For some reason, the orange peel nudibranchs seem to favor this end of the island most for feasting on soft corals and hydroids. This is also a prime location to observe other nudibranchs such as tritonia festiva, alabaster, opalescent, dendronotus diversicolor, or the much sought after laila cockerelli. Night diving here can be equally, if not more, rewarding for critter sightings. Come nightfall, the daytime creatures conceal themselves in the crevasses and the wall reveals its nocturnal nature. This is the most opportune time to see and photograph decorated warbonnets as they forage for morsels amid the yellow sulfur sponge. Seven Tree Island can only be reached by boat it is wise to dive it with one of the local dive charter operators who are familiar with the local currents. All operators use a live pick-up boat to quickly pluck divers from the water. This is a wise safety measure because the current can rear its ugly head and unexpectedly pull a diver away from the islet.
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Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
Have you gone diving today? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
QUEEN CHARLOTTE STRAIT
It’s often said that one should never underrate the diving that is, figuratively speaking, right in their backyard. On more than one blissful moment submerged in a tropical ocean, our thoughts have turned to Seven Tree Island and the splendor of Queen Charlotte Strait’s Browning Passage. It just so happens Seven Tree Island is in our backyard and we can hardly wait to go back there as often as we can. Jett & Kathryn Britnell are an internationally published husband & wife photojournalism team who pursue their mutual interest in traveling on assignment off the beaten path to far flung corners of the globe to capture images and magazine editorial about diving destinations and the magnificent creatures that inhabit the ocean realm. For more information, go to www.jettbritnell.com. ■
Decorator Crab. Photo by by Jett Britnell.
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21
Belize
TRAVEL DESTINATION
BELIZE
A DIVERSITY OF DIVES
Beautiful sea life can be found while diving the Aquarium. Photo by www.huracandiving.com.
By Rick Stratton Publisher, Dive News Network
T
he “Aquarium of the World” with its incredible reefs, abundant marine life and blankets of coral and sponge, Underwater Belize offers diversity in diving found nowhere else in the world. Home to the second longest reef in the world, the diving offers walls beginning as shallow as 20-40 feet, marine life of all shapes and sizes and, of course, the famous Blue Hole. The coral reefs, mounds of underwater limestone and ledges trickling with sea life, some found only here, is rich, diverse and beautiful. The local underwater landscape and the ocean currents make Belize a diver’s fantasy dive gliding the currents in search of other-worldly life. Belize is located in Central America. It is bordered to the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. It is on this east side divers discover a world so rich with underwater life it is near impossible to take it all in. Sitting on the second largest reef system in the world, this area is a catalyst for life itself…and the diving is as diverse as the very animals that populate the local waters. Larry Conner the Aggressor Fleet Business Development Manager says he believes Belize is a great place to dive because it offers a world of difference between dive sites. “There are so many different types of dives from the Blue Hole to the Keys divers can
experience just about every type of dive,” Connor says. “Places such as Half Moon Key and Long Key are great dive sites where the water is shallow and the Blue Hole is something every diver should experience at least once.” There are a number of dive sites in the Belize area that offer divers the wonder of the sea with different diving viewpoints. Here are a few of the suggested sites;
Quebrada Named for a cut in the reef (the wall and shallows), this is an extremely sheer and active stretch of wall. Because it projects out into the current, the extra flow of plankton around it supports an incredibly rich diversity of marine animals. Divers are treated to Green moray eels, spotted drum, lobster, crabs and tarpon on the night dives.
Aquarium A sheer drop-off begins around 30’ with an abundance of fish life at the top. About 40’-60’ deep along the wall are large baffel sponges, giant deep water sea fans and the richest collection of deep water gorgonians almost anywhere in the world. Giant elephant ear sponges, yellow tube sponges and azure vase sponges make this a very colorful area. This is truly an outdoor aquarium to be admired.
A Belize dive shop. Photo stock.xchng. 22
LOCAL DIVERS DO IT MORE www.nwdivenews.com OFTEN!
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
BELIZE
Where was the last tropical trip you took? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
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Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010 LOCAL DIVERS DON’T JUST DIVEwww.nwdivenews.com LOCALLY - THEY DIVE GLOBALLY!
23
TRAVEL DESTINATION
BELIZE
The Barrier Reef. Photo by www.globetourguide.com.
Brain Coral. Photo by www.travel.mongabay.com.
Elk Horn Forest Located on the east side of Long Caye, the shallows grow large mounds of lettuce leaf coral that projects towards the depths. In the shallows are elk horn corals inhabited by numerous species of juvenile fish. This is an easy and relaxing dive.
Cathedral Colorful formations resembling cathedral steeples with sandy cuts in between will take you to the church of the oceans. This site is home to many black groupers and jacks, as 24
well as three species of angel fish, scorpion fish, several varieties of eels and silver sides. Spanish dancers are sometimes sighted on night dives. Photographers will get lost on this dive getting incredible shots.
Great Blue Hole “The Blue Hole is one of the most interesting dives to make,” Connor says. “About 130 ft. down there are actually stalactites which means that at some point this was a dry cave. It’s hard to imagine once you are down there though.” A blue hole is
a submarine cave or underwater sinkhole. They are also called vertical caves. The Blue Hole in Belize is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef and is ¼ mile across and 480 ft. deep. It was formed during several episodes of Quaternary glaciation when sea levels were much lower. Originally explored by Jacques Cousteau, divers come from all over the world to experience diving into the deep blue waters of the Great Blue Hole. Cap’n Ron, owner of St Georges Caye Resort, says he understands the draw of the Blue Hole. “It is an incredible thing to see
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010 WE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL DIVE SHOPSwww.nwdivenews.com - WITHOUT THEM WE WILL NOT HAVE A DIVE INDUSTRY.
BELIZE
Where was the last tropical trip you took? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
but an even more incredible thing to dive,” says Cap’n Ron. “Our resort is on a small private island and we are the only business for miles around. When divers come to stay in one of our twelve cabanas or one of the seven Diver’s Den Lodge rooms, the Blue Hole is always on the list of dives they want to do.” Cap’n Ron has been in the resort business in Belize long enough to understand what gets divers to head in their direction. “Diving in Belize is world class,” says Cap’n Ron. “The water is warm, 84 in the summer and 78 in winter and the vis is always good. We get a lot of customers from the Midwest, especially the Chicago area, as well as Texas, Ohio and New York. They all know about the diving, it’s legendary. I mean who wouldn’t want to come and dive where Cousteau did?” From the sky, the Barrier Reef is an unbroken chain hugging the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and inside the reefs the water is shallow and clear. The water depths cause the hue to begin at light green and then plunge into deep blues. Teresa Parkey of Hugh Parkey’s Belize Dive Connection says one of the biggest draws to Belize is the Barrier Reef. “I have been in Belize 24 years,” Parkey says, “and we still get a lot of customers who come looking for the famous reef diving. Our customers from the Midwest are seeking the diversity of the diving here. There are miles and miles of opportunities for divers here.” Parkey says the season really gets busy in the Spring. “It’s coming up around to the full moons during the Spring season and the Whale shark trips ramp up then,” Parkey says. “They are feeding on the snapper spawn so this is a good time to come and see them.” ■
Hawaii Land of Aloha Seasport Divers 800.685.5889 www.seasportdivers.com
Capt Charley Neal’s Scuba Shack 877.213.4488 www.scubashack.com
Kauai
Ed Robinson’s Diving Adventures 800.635.1273 www.mauiscuba.com
Oahu
Maui
Honolulu Scuba Company 808.220.0577 www.honoluluscubacompany.com Pearl Harbor Divers 808.589.2177 www.pearlharbordivers.com
Hawaii AAA rated .... Resort FIJI ISLANDS RESORT
Jack’s Diving Locker 800.345.4807 www.jacksdivinglocker.com
Experience: º Hammerheads at Namena Marine Reserve º º Spectacular colorful soft corals º
Mauna Lani Sea Adventures 808.885.7883 www.hawaiiseaadventures.com Wanna Dive 877.DIVE.KONA www.wannadivekona.com
We tailor to your dive group or dive vacation. Call Toll Free @
1.888.857.3967
patty@korosunresort.com
Visit our website for Specials. www.korosunresort.com Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
Wanna Dive?
Dolphins and Manta Rays and Reefs
- Oh my!
www.nwdivenews.com
WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL DIVING IN YOUR PART OF THE GLOBE? EMAIL SALES@NWDIVENEWS.COM!
25
MEDICAL DIVING article courtesy of
FIRST AID KIT ESSENTIALS
A
s you run through your gear checklist, don’t forget an essential item: your first aid kit. You never know when you may need one, so don’t set out without at least the basics. First aid kits are very customizable and come in all shapes and sizes. The following is a first aid kit checklist. A basic first aid kit should include protective equipment for the rescuer: • Nitrile or latex gloves • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) mask Equip your kit with basic supplies to handle a range of injuries. From burns to wounds, your basic kit should include: • Shears • Tweezers • Safety pins • Soap/sanitizer • Antiseptic • Band-Aids • Assorted • Gauze bandages • Adhesive tape including • Aloe vera triangular • Irrigation syringe bandages • Cold packs and/or heat packs • Plastic bags (for storage of contaminated materials) • Something to write with/on • A light source (flashlight/ headlamp) In addition, you should include some basic medications, though you should never administer any medication without proper training and checking for allergies: • Aspirin (unexplained chest pain) • Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin (muscle pain, inflammation) • Acetaminophen/Tylonel (pain reliever, fever reducer) • Antihistamines such as Benadryl/ Diphenhydramine (allergic reactions) • Anti-diarrheal medication • Hydrocortisone cream • Your prescription medications A diver’s first aid kit should also include specialized items. These items include: • DAN membership card • Saltwater divers need vinegar to manage jellyfish stings • Oxygen cylinders and a demand inhalator valve/non-rebreather mask/oronasal resuscitation mask • Tincture of benzoin (helps bandages adhere to wet skin) • Seasickness medication (dimenhydrinate or meclizine)
26
ARTICLE COURTESY OF DIVERS ALERT NETWORK
Additional emergency equipment is dependent on the type of trip. Some important components include: • Cell phone/satellite phone/radio • Emergency contact information (including the DAN Emergency Hotline number: +1-919-684-9111) • Insurance cards • List of allergies, prescription medications and medical conditions
• •
Emergency blanket Emergency manuals relevant to your trip (such as hazardous marine life first aid guides)
Visit www.DAN.org to learn more about how you can enhance your dive safety skills and knowledge. ■ Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety and health of scuba divers. DAN operates a 24-hour emergency hotline (+1-919-6849111) to help divers in need of medical emergency assistance for diving or nondiving incidents.
DIVE SAFETY STARTS WITH DAN
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY (OUR %MERGENCY (OTLINE s $IVE !CCIDENT )NSURANCE -EDICAL %VACUATION s -EMBERSHIP "ENElTS $ISCOUNTS 4RIP )NSURANCE s -EDICAL !DVICE s Alert Diver -AGAZINE
DAN.ORG/DNN 1-800-446-2671
Scan code or visit DAN.org/dnn for our free FAQ book (a $13 value)!
Leading dive safety, medical research and education, and emergency assistance for more than 30 years.
www.nwdivenews.com Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010 WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL DIVING IN YOUR PART OF THE GLOBE? EMAIL SALES@NWDIVENEWS.COM!
andylamb@telus.net
ANDY LAMB’S
MYSTERY CRITTER
NUDI NEWS
A SECOND COMING
Moss Landing aeolid Cereberilla mosslandica. Photo by Greg Vonada.
T
he accompanying image was recently forwarded by Team Vonada (Greg, of Fox Island, Washington and dad Larry, from Tigard, Oregon). On March 11, they found the beastie during a dive at the barges of Tolmie State Park, near Olympia, Washington. They were cruising back to shore, along the extensive sandy shallows when they encountered (and Greg photographed) this attractive ¾ inch/2 cm long nudibranch in about 10 ft./3 m of water. It was a creature new to them. Back in the Spring of 2009, Wendy and
Bruce Carey encountered, photographed and collected this nudibranch at their “home base” dive site of Maple Bay, on Vancouver Island, B.C. Suspecting this creature’s sighting was significant, they contacted nudibranch guru Sandra Millen of the University of British Columbia. After closely examining the specimen, she determined it was the Moss Landing aeolid Cereberilla mosslandica. Indeed, the Carey’s were correct as this represented a significant range extension for this species – previously known only from as far north as Bandon, southern Oregon.
According to David Behrens in Pacific Coast Nudibranchs, this species is a burrowing animal and normally lives just below surface sediments. Likely this accounts for a paucity of sightings for this animal. Consequently, a major tip of the hat goes to the Vonadas and the Careys for their observations. Incidentally, Wendy with the able assistance of husband Bruce, is the author of Up Close and Personal – An Underwater View of Vancouver Island (Badger Castle Publishing, 2006). ■
“
Our continuing commitment to safety demands that all rental regulators aboard our vessels be fitted with the DiveAlert! I am confident in my conviction to personally endorse this product. DiveAlert is the seat belt of diving.
”
Peter A.Hughes Hughes Peter
President, DivEncounters, Inc.
s o u n d i n surann c e
“ the seat belt of diving ”
The Th e ORIGINAL O IG OR IGIN INAL AL L www.DiveAlert.com
www.nwdivenews.com LOCAL DIVERS DON’T JUST DIVE LOCALLY - THEY DIVE GLOBALLY
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
27
NOT ALL BOATERS ARE DIVERS BUT ALL DIVERS ARE BOATERS
LIZ SUNDQUIST
BOATING EDUCATION
NAVIGATING LOCKS
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Photo by US Army Corps of Engineers. By Liz Sundquist
F
or boaters in the Pacific Northwest, locks are often a necessary part of the boating experience. Locks are required whenever a boat must move between bodies of water that are different levels. While locks offer convenience, they can also be intimidating to the first-time lock user. The good news is, once you understand them, locks are quite easy to navigate. With just a few common sense tips, you can easily maneuver your vessel through any lock system with confidence. As you near a lock, first look for signage indicating how you should contact the lockmaster. Normally, you initiate contact via your VHF radio, but different lock systems have differing methods of contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially for those vessel operators without a VHF radio. Upon your approach to the lock entrance, look for the traffic signal at the immediate entrance. Much like a standard traffic road signal, there should be a series of red and green lights indicating whether you should enter or hold course. When the signal is red, stay clear of the lock entrance and pay attention for boats leaving the lock. Once all exiting traffic is clear, the signal will turn green, indicating it is your turn to enter the lock. Before you enter the lock, you should prepare your vessel with fenders on both sides of your boat and have lines ready at bow and stern. Even though many locks will have lines available for your use, you should 28
never count on that and always have your own lines ready to go at a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notice. Once you enter the lock, the lockmaster will tell you where and how he or she wants you to stop. If the lockmaster has lines for you, he or she will drop you the lines and you should be ready to wrap the lines to your cleats at bow and stern, and have a crewmember stationed at each to adjust lines as needed. Once the lines are secured, turn off your engine and radar, if applicable. Once all boats in the lock are secured, the gate behind you will close, and the gate in front of you will open to allow the water level to adjust to the new body of water you are entering. At this point, the crewmembers manning the lines at bow and stern should adjust the lines as the water level
changes. The crewmembers should also be monitoring the fenders to ensure they are providing adequate coverage to keep your boat from rubbing against the lock wall or other boats. Once the water level is adjusted to the new body of water, the exit gate will be fully opened. You should re-start your engine and give back the lines to the lockmaster. Once the lines are clear, the lockmaster will signal you when it is appropriate to exit the lock. Exit slowly and pay attention to boat traffic waiting to enter the lock from the other side. Once you clear the lock completely, bring in your fenders. Nothing makes you look like a clueless boater like dangling fenders while you are underway. â&#x2013;
+0=, 05;6 /0:;69@ -SVVKLK ;0;(5 0 4PZZPSL :PSV KLLW \UKLY [OL KLZLY[ PU ,HZ[LYU >HZOPUN[VU
-\SS :LY]PJL +P]L *LU[LY
2LUUL^PJR >( ^^^ \UKLYZLHHK]LU[\YLZ UL[
www.nwdivenews.com DIVE LOCALLY - WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
GEAR BOX ANALOX SENSOR TECHNOLOGY EII CO CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ANALYZER
WATERPROOF W3 3.5 MM MEN’S FULLSUIT
Analox Sensor Technology has developed a new EII CO carbon monoxide (CO) analyzer. Divers who have witnessed the effects of CO poisoning strongly advocate the value of an analyzer such as the EII CO. Analox launched the EII CO carbon monoxide analyzer at Dema 2010 in Las Vegas, in November. The new EII CO, a small device which is easy to pack along with all other diving gear, is proving to be an essential piece of protection. Analox specializes in the design and manufacture of gas analysis equipment for commercial and military diving markets and the hospitality industry. It has over 25 years’ experience in breathing air analysis. For further information, please visit www.analox.net.
The Waterproof W3 3.5 MM Men’s Fullsuit has a 3-D sculpted design, HexTex Core Insulation Protection and double seals. The W3 features Waterproof’s unique design has a gender specific fit and sports Scandinavian styling. The W3 fullsuit is built with high grade 3.5mm microcell neoprene and features proprietary HexTex inner lining, a 3-D anatomical design, gusseted front neck zipper, wrist and ankle seals with zippers, PU knee guards and more. This suit is ideal for warmer waters and is available in Black with Turquoise accents. For more info visit waterproof-usa.com.
AERIS F.10 V.2 FREEDIVING COMPUTER The F.10 freediving watch from AERIS has versatility and many unique features – especially important to free divers andd underwater hunters. The F.10 has userr settable depth activation for shallow waterr training, user updateable firmware – with an optional cable and salt/fresh waterr settings. It also has improved time and depth settings resolution, a repeatable countdown timer for interval training and added history for the last session, it resets at midnight or may be manually reset. For more details about the F.10 v.2, visit the AERIS website at diveaeris.com/p_computers_f10.html.
IST PROLINE RENTAL PROGRAM The IST Diving System team is creating custom rental packages personalized for divers. The customer makes their own rental line. Unlike other companies where you have to take specific gear, IST allows the diver to pick the parts. If a diver just needs a wetsuit, they will just do wetsuits, or if a diver just needs BC’s they will rent the BC’s, etc. Divers can pick from any of their lines; mix and match; divers choose their own package and items. For questions and inquiry please call us at (909) 622-9600 or email Paola@istdivingsystem.com or lily@istdivingsystem.com.
www.nwdivenews.com SEND US YOUR STORIES FREE AT EDITOR@DIVENEWSMAG.COM
Northwest Dive News DECEMBER 2010
29
DIVE DIRECTORY
A listing of participating dive shops, charters, resorts, and independent instructors Bandito Charter
Tacoma
(253) 973-0370
Charter
Anacortes Diving & Supply
Anacortes
WASHINGTON (360) 293-2070
Store
Lighthouse Diving Center
Tacoma
(253) 627-7617
Store
Diver's Dream Charters
Anacortes
(360) 202-0076
Charter
Tacoma Scuba Center
Tacoma
(253) 238-1754
Store
Washington Divers
Bellingham
(360) 676-8029
Store
Bubbles Below
Woodinville
(425) 424-3483
Dive Center
Gone Diving
Bellingham
(360) 738-2042
Store
Adventures Down Under
Bellingham
(360) 676-4177
Store
Broken Island Adventures
Clarkston
(509) 751-1095
Store
Ocean Quest Water Sports
Burnaby
(604) 436-1157
Store
Everett
(425) 512-8811
Store
Abyssal Diving Charters
Campbell River
(800) 499-2297
Charter
Friday Harbor
(360) 378-9297
Charter
49th Parallel Dive Charters
Chemainus
(250) 252-0758
Charter
Hood Sport 'N Dive
Hood Canal
(360) 877-6818
Store
Cedar Beach Resort
Chemainus
(250) 252-0758
Dive Resort
Undersea Adventures
Kennewick
(509) 735-0735
Store
UB Diving
Courtenay
(877) 883-3483
Charter Dive Resort
Odyssey Diving Evergreen Dive Service Naknek Charters
Whidbey Island Dive
Bamfield
(888) 728-6200
Resort/Charter
Lilluwaup
(360) 877-5324
Resort
Hornby Island Diving
Hornby Is.
(250) 335-2807
Lynnwood
(425) 771-2679
Store
Sink or Swim Scuba & Watersports
Nanaimo
(250) 758-7946
Store
Oak Harbor
(360) 675-1112
Store
Sundown Diving
Nanaimo
(888) 773-3483
Store/Charter
Mike's Beach Resort Lighthouse Diving Center
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Coachman Inn
Oak Harbor
Nanaimo
(250) 756-1863
Store
Capital Divers
Olympia
(360) 866-3684
Store
Nanaimo Dive Outfitters Rendezvous Dive Adventures
Port Alberni
(877) 777-9994
Charter
Northwest Dive Charter
Parkland
(253) 370-5144
Charter
Browning Pass Hideaway
Port Hardy
(877) 725-2835
Resort/Charter
(800) 515-5511
Charter
www.thecoachmaninn.com
Port Angeles
(360) 457-3190
Store
Catala Charters
Port Hardy
Port Townsend
(360) 379-3483
Store
God's Pocket Resort
Port Hardy
Townsend Bay Dive
Port Townsend
(360) 385-2353
Store
Mamro Adventures
Port Hardy
www.mamro.com
A-2-Z Scuba Instruction
Copper Island Diving
Scuba Supplies Admiralty Dive Center
www.godspocket.com Liveaboard
Salmon Arm
(250) 832-5737
Store
PorpoiseBay.ca
Egmont
(800) 665-DIVE
Charter/Resort
Commercial Store
Tahtsa Dive Charters
Tahsis
(250) 934-6365
Charter Store/Marina
Puyallup
(253) 840-3483
Store
ScubaSET Adventure Center
Puyallup
(253) 841-5666
Store
Dive Commercial Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l
Seattle
(206) 784-5050
Seattle
(206) 571-3273
Charter
MethodMarine.com
Tofino
(250) 725-3251
Lighthouse Diving Center
Seattle
(206) 524-1633
Store
Ocean Planet Adventures
Tofino
(250) 725-2221
Resort
Underwater Sports
Seattle
(206) 362-3310
Store
TwoEaglesLodge.com
Union Bay
(250) 335-2342
Dive Resort
Scuba Center of Spokane
Spokane
SeaDragonCharters.com
Vancouver
(604) 329-3486
Charter
Aluminator Water Taxi
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY AUSTRALIA Blue Ocean Marine Pty.Ltd. 415.830.3846 www.blueoceanmarine.com.au
BELIZE
Calypso Beach Retreat 303.264.8333 www.calypsobeachretreat.com Hugh Parkeys 888.223.5403 www.belizediving.com Sun Breeze Hotel 1.800.688.0191 www.sunbreeze.net
BONAIRE Buddy Dive Resort 599.717.5080.518 www.buddydive.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Divi Resorts 954.545.0269 www.diviresorts.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com Villa Makoshi Lower Level 780.483.0044 www.BonaireDiveVilla.com
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND
NV Yacht Charters 443.829.8576 www.nvcharters.com
CAYMAN ISLANDS Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com 30
www.spokanescuba.com
An alphabetical listing of participating dive shops, charters, live aboards and resorts in tropical locations around the world.
CAYMAN ISLANDS CONT...
Divetech@Cobal Coast Dive Resort 888.946.5656 divetech.com cobaltcoast.com Southern Cross Club 800.899.2582 www.southerncrossclub.com Sunset House 800.854.4767 www.sunsethouse.com
COSTA RICA Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com
COZUMEL Albatros Charters 888.333.4643 www.cozumel-fishing.com BlueBubbleScuba 987.872.4240 www.bluebubble.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Island DreamsTravel 713.973.9300 www.divetrip.com Scuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com
CURACAO
Ocean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com
FIJI
Beqa Lagoon Resort 800.542.3454 www.beqalagoonresort.com
FIJI CONT...
Dancer Fleet 305.669.9391 www.dancerfleet.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Dive Away Fiji 888.266.2209 www.diveaway-fiji.com Dolphin Bay Divers Retreat 679.992.4001 dolphinbaydivers.com Koro Sun 970.209.4265 www.korosunresort.com Lalati 877.750.0233 www.lalatifiji.com Matava 679.333.6222 www.matava.com Qamea Resort & Spa 649.360.0217 www.qamea.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com Wananavu 679.669.4433 www.wananavu.com
FLORIDA Conch Republic Divers 800.274.3483 www.conchrepublicdivers.com Horizon Divers 305.453.3535 www.horizondivers.com Off The Wall Adventures 863.709-9253 www.offthewalladventures.com
GET YOUR BUSINESS LISTED IN OUR TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY FOR ONLY $20!
NORTHWEST Beyond Deep Diving
DIVE DIRECTORY Victoria
(250) 475-2202
Store
Victoria
(888) 701-1177
Store/Charter
Scuba Do, Inc
Kodiak
(907) 486-2960
Store
Wilson Diving Services
Victoria
(250) 478-4488
Store
Test the Waters
North Pole
www.testthewaters.com
Store
(907) 747-7871
Store/Charter
Adventures in Scuba
Calgary
(403) 299-7751
Store
Aqua Sport Scuba Centre
Calgary
(403) 686-6166
Store
Aqua Zone
Honolulu
(808) 923-3483
Store
Calgary
(403) 243-4616
Store
Dive Oahu
Honolulu
(808) 922-3483
Charter
Edmonton
(780) 434-1433
Store
Pearl Harbor Divers
Honolulu
(808) 589-2177
Store/Charter
Grand Prairie
(780) 832-7209
Store
Honolulu Scuba Company
Honolulu
(808) 220-0577
Store
Ogden Point Dive
ALASKA
Island Fever Diving
ALBERTA
The Dive Shop Sub Sea Experience Just for You Crew & Dive Services
HAWAII
IDAHO Dive Magic
Sitka
www.honoluluscubacompany.com
Boise
(208) 319-3483
Store
MONTANA
Big Island Divers
Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-6068
Store/Charter
Jack's Diving Locker
Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-7585
Store/Charter
Kailua-Kona
(808) 324-4668
Charter
Sports Cove
Bozeman
(406) 585-9926
Store
Kona Honu Divers
Glacier Divers
Kalispell
(406) 253-4016
Store
Pacific Rim Divers
Kailua-Kona
(808) 334-1750
Charter
Torpedo Tours
Kailua-Kona
(808) 938-0405
Charter
Wanna Dive
Kailua-Kona
(808) 937-1175
Charter
OREGON PacificWatersports.com
Aloha
(503) 642-3483
Store
Astoria
www.astoriascuba.com
Store
Bend
(541) 388-3660
Store/Charter
Central Point
(541) 830-5551
Store
Eugene Skin Divers Supply
Eugene
(541) 342-2351
Store
CoralSeaScuba.com
Grants Pass
(800) 482-1599
Store
South Beach Scuba
Newport
(541) 867-4944
Aquatic Sports
Portland
Diver's Den
Roseburg
Astoria Scuba Central Oregon Diving Rogue Scuba, Inc.
Dive & Sea Maui
www.diveandseamaui.com
Charter
Kamuela
(808) 885-7883
Store
Koloa, Kauai
(800) 685-5889
Store/Charter
Capt. Charley Scuba Shack
Kihei
(877) 213-4488
Store
Mike Severn's Diving
Kihei
(808) 874-6428
Store
Store
Lahaina Divers
Maui
(800) 998-3483
Store/Charter
(503) 245-4991
Store
Mike Severns Diving
Maui
www.mikesevernsdiving.com
Charter
(541) 673-3710
Store
SeaSport Divers
CALIFORNIA
Blue Element
Salem
(503) 400-7375
Store/Charter
SalemScuba.com
Salem
(503) 588-3483
Store
Under Water Works
Tigard
(503) 620-6993
Store
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY FLORIDA CONT...
Southern Most Diving 305.307.2693 www.southernmostdiving.com SpruceCreekScuba 386.767.1727 www.sprucecreekscuba.com The Dive Station (407) 843-3483 www.divestation.com
GALAPAGOS
Divencounters 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com
HONDURAS Deep Blue Resort 011.504.95.76.36.97 www.deepblueutila.com Utila Tours 800.668.8452 337.893.0013 www.utila.com
INDONESIA Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Island DreamsTravel 713.973.9300 www.divetrip.com Kungkungan Bay Resort & Spa 530.347.2300 www.divekbr.com Lembeh Hills Resort www.LembehHills.com 62.812.441.18.000 Pindito Liveaboard 831.818.8594 www.pindito.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com
Mauna Lani Sea Adventures
Catalina Divers Supply LLC
Avalon
(760) 801-7996
Store/Charter
To be listed in our Dive Directory call (360) 240-1874 or email us at sales@divenewsmag.com
To be listed in our Tropical Dive Directory call 360.240.1874 or email us at sales@nwdivenewsmag.com
INDONESIA CONT... Tasik Ria Resort Spa & Diving 62.431 -.824.445 www.tasikria.com Worldwide Dive and Sail 866.258.6398 www.worldwidediveandsail.com
MEXICO Abyss Dive Center 52.984.873.2164 www.abyssdivecenter.com Aquanauts Dive Adv. 52.998.206.9365 www.aquanautsdiveadventures.com
PHILIPPINES Atlantis Dive Resort 775.588.0500 www.atlantishotel.com Big La Laguna Beach Dive Resort 425.298.8172 www.BigLaLa.com Campbells Beach Resort +63.920.416.0502 www.CampbellsBeachResort.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Island DreamsTravel 713.973.9300 www.divetrip.com
RED SEA - EGYPT
Fly & Sea Dive Adventures 888.995.DIVE(3483) www.redseadiving.ca Learning Through Travel 516.781.5556 www.learningthroughtravel.com
ROATAN
CoCo View Resort Roatan 800.282.8932 www.roatan.com GoRoatan.com 888.405.8737 www.goroatan.com
SEA OF CORTEZ/SOCORRO ISLANDS Rocio Del Mar 602.558.9580 www.rociodelmarliveaboard.com
ST. CROIX (U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS) BVI Scuba 284.540.2222 www.bviscubaco.com Cane Bay Dive Shop 340.773.9913 www.canebayscuba.com Jost Van Dyke 800.778.8066 www.jostvandyke.com
ST. KITTS Dive St. Kitts 869.564.8914 www.divestkitts.com
ST. VINCENT Bequia Dive Adventures 784.458.3826 www.bequiadiveadventures.com
TURKS & CAICOS Oasis Divers 649.946.1128 www.oasisdivers.com Dive Provo 649.946.5040 www.diveprovo.com
GET YOUR BUSINESS LISTED IN OUR DIVE DIRECTORY FOR ONLY $12.50! - CALL 360-240-1874
31
LARGEST DIVE SALE IN THE COUNTRY
Seattle, WA
July 29, 30, & 31 Hours: Fri/Sat 9 AM - 9 PM | Sun. 9 AM - 6 PM
Incredible Amateur
Prices
photo contest
Seminars Thousands
of dollars in door prizes
GRAND PRIZE TROPICAL VACATIONS
2011 Brands Include but aren’t limited to: 4th Element AquaLung DUI Henderson Light & Motion Oceanic O’Neill Scuba Pro Sealife SubGear USIA White’s Zeagle
learn something new | see new products connect with old friends and dive buddies (206) 362-3310 | (800) 252-7177 | uws@underwatersports.com
10545 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133