Bubbles july aug13

T HE A T LA M SUBA QUA C LUB E -M A G A Z I N E

JULY / AUGUST 2013 2013 Atlam Committee Members :Nader Bassily President nbassily@vol.net.mt Joseph Azzopardi Secretary guzeppi56@gmail.com Denise Baker Treasurer denise.baker63@ymail.com Nicholas Agius Diving Officer agius.nick@gmail.com Simon Ciantar PRO scagn@go.net.mt Anton Debatista Activity Officier andeb@go.net.mt Reuben Borg Activity Officier reuben.borg@vodafone.com.mt

IN THIS ISSUE page • Note from the Editor/ New Premises Lighting 2 • Finning Technique -Dorian Law 3/5 • Species Page - Weever Fish - Edward Vella 6 • Dived Where? Ricasoli Breakwater - Dorian Law 7 • Website of the month - Dorian Law 8 • Dive Logs - Il-Qaws - 23/06/13 - Edward Vella 9 - Ras i-Hobz - 30/06/13 - Edward Vella 10 - Fungus Rock -07/07/13 - Edward Vella 11 - Harq Mannara - 14/07/13 - Joe Formosa 12 - Double Arch - 21/07/13 - Joe Formosa 13 - Migra il-Ferha -28/07/13 - Edward Vella 14 - Xlendi Reef- 04/08/13 - Tano Role 15 - Barbarossa Trip 11/08/13 - Victor Fabri 16/17 - Forna Point- 18/08/13 - Tano Role 18 - Camma Caves 25/08/13 - Tano Role 19 - Dives Location Map - Joe Formosa 20

www.atlam.org

Photo by Edward Vella

info@atlam.org

The Editorial The dive logs in this issue cover the peak summer months. July and August in the Maltese Islands are months that for those whose life has become hopelessly entwined with the sea, represent the months to dream about during those dreary wet winter days. As can be seen in this issue, the Atlam boat dives gave those attending (members, guests and others) lots of opportunities to store up on memories for those wintry days and judging by the numbers who took up the invitation, if the economy slows down during winter – you now know the reason – day dreams! Of course, Bubbles just cannot help to make this condition worse - the sub-committee, is delighted to think that perhaps someone somewhere sometime this winter, is going through his summer Bubbles while the rain is pelting and the wind is howling outside!

With heavy boat dive attendance, come potential hazards – and here reference is being made to those equipment boxes which some members insist on carrying with them on the boat. With a boat filled to capacity, apart from being a hindrance and a nuisance, these boxes represent a real danger and a good opportunity for a bad accident – especially when fully dressed and equipped divers are leaving and entering the boat. Their mobility and possibly visibility are limited –these boxes add a hazard which can easily be avoided – leave the boxes in the car – they are not needed on the boat. The safest way is for divers to kit up on shore. In the summer months, a quick dip in the sea before the start of the trip will ensure that during the one hour (max.) trip to the dive site, the wetsuit will stay nice and cool. So think safe – and think of the other divers – keep those boxes on land.

Bubbles received the following site address from Guzi Azzopardi Falzon – http://www.dive-the-world.com/newsletter-201306-smoking-and-diving.php Have a look at this one – a very relevant article to which this editorial really cannot add more words, but to recommend reading it.

On this very same page, you should also be re-admiring some recently circulated pictures of our clubhouse-to-be in all of its lit up splendour. As nice as it may seem, this did not happen by itself, but through the constant efforts of our hard working committee! Atlam members can assist - physically is one way, but assistance may also be given by participating in the organised diving and non-diving events. One such coming event is the End of Summer Majjalata – obviously booked for the 21st September. A nice cross on your events calendar is solicited!

Finally, the usual request for you Atlam members to send (using my e-mail is fine) any pictures (diving of course) which you would like to share, to our dear Bubbles (surely now the Number 1 diving E-Magazine in Malta). Most welcome would also be articles about any diving subject or perhaps about a memorable diving holiday. We would also like to hear from non-Maltese divers, about how diving is carried out in their land of origin. Look forward to hearing from you – do not leave us alone!

Keep Diving

Edward Vella

evella@onvol.net

JOIN ATLAM SUBAQUA CLUB and share the fun & experience

Activities for Divers: • Shore Dives • Boat Dives • Night Dive • Diving Excursions Abroad • U/W Photo Competitions • Lectures on various subjects • Nitrox Courses.

• Free e-magazine

Activities for the whole family • Weekly Club Nights & Bar • Barbecues • Majjalata • Pasta Nights • Boat Parties • Gozo Diving Breaks • Camping on Comino and other places.

For more info contact the President Nader Bassily on 99499101

Finning Techniques Dear Atlam divers, Last month, I was asked by a reader of the Bubbles newsletter to write an article on finning techniques, with a further look at the application of finning techniques while cave diving. Although I had prepared this write up for this month’s edition, I was still lacking a suitable introduction to this subject. During a dive trip to Gozo with my friends, I remembered a funny event that had happened while diving in the same site. Therefore my introduction should have been as follows: A couple of years ago I was diving with two Irish divers I had met in Malta at the Ghar il-Kbir site or as it is better known, Billinghurst Cave in Gozo. Their intention was to take photos and video of the cave; mine was just to do a morning dive. Although we were early at the site, we were not the first. Following an inspection of the entry and exit points we found that there was a group of six divers and a leader slowly getting their equipment ready to jump in the water in front of the cave. Unfortunately we were in the water about ten minutes after the first group. During the time it took us to go from the cave’s entrance until we surfaced in the cave where we met the other group, I noticed that my buddies did not take any photographs or video. When we surfaced inside the cave, I asked if they had any problem with their equipment. Their reply was that the bottom and sides were so heavily disturbed that it would be impossible for them to arrange any image even with today’s technology. One of the Irish buddies asked me if it would be possible for us to find the way out due to the lack of underwater visibility caused by the other group. Immediate was the reply by his friend, “Just follow the sand trail that Hansel and Gretel left behind”. This was followed by a loud laugh from our part. Seeing their frustration, I decided to politely, ask the leader of the other group to let us go out first so that we could follow the way out with the wall on our left and avoid the disturbed area. This we did and I still remember the images they shot on our way out of the cave.

Are you a Hansel and Gretel type of diver? Do you know anyone who dives like this? Anyone who you do not want in front of you during any particular dive, especially during a wreck or cave dive, where you expect to take your best footage or that one in a lifetime photograph, ‘free of scatter!’.

by Dorian Law

Finning Techniques.

Propulsion during a dive is provided by the legs, most notably the large muscles found in the upper leg and bottom, your quads and gluteus. These are powerful, oxygen hungry muscles that can use a great part of the air supply especially when worked hard. For this reason it is important to use your legs as efficiently as possible. There are four basic finning techniques with their relative pros and cons. The ability of the diver to use these techniques to his advantage in any particular situation marks the difference between a good diver and a struggling diver or a beginner. I will leave out any fancy or ‘trade’ names that one might find in various articles to describe the same technique or anything that might be invented out of the proper technique.

Flutter Kick.

The standard style that everyone learns during their basic training is the simple up-down flutter kick. The flutter or scissors kick is the basic finning technique that most divers use. The technique is best performed with more or less straight legs bending at the hips and slightly from the knees, toes pointed outwards extending the fins while the legs move up and down in opposing directions, similar to the leg part of freestyle swimming, with the forward thrust being provided by the downward stroke of each fin. Water is pushed off the upper surface of the fin and the tips bend back relative to the diver’s feet. The upward stroke provides minimal forward thrust and just slips through the water to get the fin ready for the next downward stroke. It is highly effective when done correctly producing a high propulsion-to-energy ratio. The flutter kick is the strongest of all the finning techniques, generates a lot of propulsion and provides a fairly even forward thrust throughout the finning cycle with all types of fins.

Its main advantage is powerful propulsion. It is greatly appreciated when you need to move at fairly high speed for a short period, or when fighting a current. The vertical plane of up and down movement of the flutter kick technique is preferred from the horizontal plane of movement of other techniques for wall diving, as there is less risk of damaging the marine life due to kicking. It is also the preferred technique to use when swimming on the surface, during descent and ascent and when neutrally buoyant well clear of the seabed.

The biggest disadvantage of this technique is that the water propelled by the fins, flowing at the end of each stroke (wash) can easily disturb the nearby seabed or marine life, as can the fin’s tips damage marine life below the diver. For this reason, it is not the finning technique to employ when diving on a sandy or

silt environment or in the narrow confines of wrecks or caves. In a confined space, the strokes can be shortened to the point at which the fin-tips are just twitching (short up-down movement), although divers should use a frog kick under such circumstances. It is also fairly strenuous when used to cover long distances or when swimming against current, leading to exhaustion and an increase in air consumption. The wash or turbulence from the diver in front of you can be quite annoying especially due to the vibrating effect on the demand valve in your mouth.

Frog Kick.

The frog kick is the underwater equivalent of the breast-stroke kick producing a kick-and-glide movement. It is one of the most efficient and effective finning strokes.

It operates on the horizontal plane (axis), whereas the flutter kick runs along the vertical plane. It can either be done with the legs extended or bent at the knees like the technique used by cave divers. Forward thrust is provided only through the second half of the stroke.

to it, meaning that when swimming close to the bottom, there is minimal disturbance of the bottom, especially where sand and silt are present. Because the movement and propulsion is not continuous, it is when the frog kick is combined with good trimmed buoyancy, that the diver can take advantage of the gliding phase before initiating the next kick, thus reducing energy use and air consumption.

Plan view of Frog Kick legs are kept completely horizontal along the centre line

When performed with the legs straight and not being bent at the knees, the correct technique follows the path of forming a ‘V’ with your legs, turning the ankles and closing the legs to produce thrust. In the first part of the kick the fins slip through the water out and sideways until the legs are fully extended to either side, merely positioning the fins for the thrusting kick.

The closing stroke is made by twisting or rotating the fins vertically to get the fins’ bottom facing each other and back, so that moving them back and in creates resistance, pushes water back with the underside of the fins resulting in forward motion. In the last part of the propulsion stroke the tips of the fins bend slightly upwards with respect to the diver’s feet. The muscles that do most of the work are the backs and insides of the thighs. Since these are different muscles from those used during a flutter kick, they enable the diver to switch to a frog kick when he gets tired of using the flutter kick especially when swimming against current, thus allowing a slow but forward progress while the tired muscles have time to recover. The frog kick can be used either by itself or alternating with the flutter kick every few minutes, so resting the muscles used by the other stroke.

Another advantage is that the frog kick makes very little downward wash, so avoids the main drawback of the flutter kick. The movement is horizontal, or close

The uneven thrust and the slower repeat of strokes is the main disadvantage of this type of finning technique. It is less suitable for use when a strong continuous thrust or speed is needed, therefore it is not advisable in stronger currents or when trying to make way for an approaching boat on the surface. Due to the width of the kick, when diving close to a wall, extreme care has to be taken not to kick anything you are swimming alongside of.

The frog kick may not work very well with some types of fin, especially the very long or very short types.

A short frog kick is produced when the movement of the legs (thighs and knees) on the first part (opening or slip) is very limited compared to a full frog kick, picking instead a length of kick that suits the diver and the circumstances. The fins slip through the water out and sideways until they are ready to kick, leaving the calves and a flick of the ankles that do all the work. Forward thrust is then provided by twisting the fins’ bottom part facing each other, so that moving them back and in pushes water back with the underside of the fins, completing the stroke. This technique keeps the fins closely in line

with the diver’s body, producing very little forward thrust, with no wash up, down or to the sides. It is ideal for wreck and cave penetration where silt is a major issue and for underwater photographers who need to get slowly closer to marine life.

The bent-knee cave diver kick technique is the ‘proper’ but modified frog kick, where instead of having straight legs, these are bent at the knees at a quasi-90° angle, with the result of having very limited movement.

During the first part of the fin stroke, the diver turns the bottom of the fins to face each other or back. Propulsion is achieved in the second part of the fin stroke, when the diver pushes the feet back to open the 90⁰ bent knees to approximately 135⁰, combined with a kick of the ankles. In very confined spaces, it is only the kick by the ankles that provides forward thrust.

With the entire kick coming only from this backward movement, combined with a kick of the ankles, it has a reduced demand on the leg’s bigger muscles resulting in lower air consumption. Due to the position of the fins being at the same level as or slightly above the cylinder the bent-knee cave diver kick technique causes the least disturbance of the environment, making it the preferred choice of cave and wreck divers. It works very well with small to medium sizes of fins but it is difficult to perform with apnea sized fins. The uneven propulsion produced by this technique proves to be a disadvantage and has limitations when swimming against the current. The head plays an important part to achieve a good buoyancy trim that is required when using this technique. Pulling the head up will lift the torso (chest) up, while pulling the head down does the contrary. The best way to practice this technique at home is to lie face down on a table. The point of contact to the table runs along the body from the chin to the knees. The table will prevent the knees from dropping while repeating the technique, keeping the body in line.

Backwards or Reverse Kick.

Although fins are not designed to work backwards, this technique can be useful in situations where you need to move away from something while continuing to look at it, or where you need to reverse course without turning round. The backwards kick is almost a complete reverse of the frog kick, the fins working through the first half of the kick and then slipping back through the water in the second half. In the first part of the kick, with legs being straightened out, the fins are turned outwards of the body centerline and held as square to the leg as possible at a quasi-90ᵒ angle. The knees are then bent ‘upwards’ towards the hips thus pushing the water forwards with respect to your body, pulling you backwards in the water. In the second part, the fins are rotated sideways or with the tips pointing backwards so that they can be moved back to the starting point.

Reverse movement is achieved when water is propelled towards the head using the upper surface of the fins. A reverse kick is mainly used when using the bentknee cave diver kick. In tight spaces the backward movement is achieved with the use of the ankles pushing the outwardpointing fins towards the head.

Helicopter Kick.

The purpose of the helicopter kick is to turn around or change direction without forward or backward movement. It is useful in wrecks and caves, but also when navigating over reefs. This technique enables the diver to pivot on the spot and rotate horizontally without swimming in a circle. It can only be achieved when using the frog kick variations especially the bent-knee cave diver kick. This technique follows the same principles of propulsion mentioned above, but with only one leg

tight spaces. These techniques should be mastered in open water if you expect to do a lot of cave or wreck penetration where silting up can jeopardize the safety of the dive.

When planning to do a cave dive or wreck penetration it is ideal to check that your equipment is well tucked and clipped without the danger of having any part of the equipment fouling on the seabed or any part of the underwater environment, thus disturbing silt and sand. Any item not required for the dive is better left at home. Everyone has seen divers with their equipment, in particular an alternate air source (octopus) or a contents gauge, going in the sand like a plough. It is ideal to check your equipment at certain intervals as you would check your air, not only prior to the descent. making the movement while the other leg is held in position without moving. For a buoyant diver to turn on the horizontal plane clockwise (to the right), he needs to use his left leg to push the water from the left side towards the centerline. The reverse holds true, that is, right leg to turn anticlockwise (towards the left). The range of movement of the legs is determined by the confines of the dive spot and this can vary from a full hip movement that can be done in open water to the small twist and push of the ankles when inside a wreck or small cave.

Finning in Caves.

There are four subjects responsible for creating the ‘Hansel and Gretel’ effect in caves and other tight spaces. These are hands, fins, equipment and buoyancy.

Starting with the hands, one cannot forget to mention that the fact that God gave us five fingers and a good sized palm does not mean that the diver needs to hold on

to or push off from a wall or from the seabed using his whole hand, where a gentle push with one finger could have done the job as effectively. Another issue includes the use of certain fins. Not all fins are created equal. So, not all fins are suitable for cave or wreck penetration.

The diver should remember that the fin is an extension of his leg and a meterplus long fin is quite a big extension to use in the narrow confines of a small cave without the fear of touching the sides of the walls or disturbing the sandy bottom while maneuvering inside. The preferred technique to use in confined areas is the bent-knee cave diver kick or the short frog kick, coupled with the backwards and helicopter kicks to manoeuver in

Buoyancy is the main culprit when it comes to disturbing the clarity of the water and correct buoyancy should be mastered in open water before venturing inside caves or wrecks where silting up can become a hazard for the diving group. Divers sometimes need to lie down on the sand, like when taking a photograph of a subject that lives on the bottom. When finished with his task, the careless diver will start finning whilst still negatively buoyant on the sand, and this will result in silting up. The area will then be unsuitable for use by the next diver. The correct way to tackle this issue is to follow the simple steps mentioned next.

When finished with your job on the seabed there are two ways to avoid disturbing the bottom. The diver can either put some air in his buoyancy compensation device (bcd or jacket) or inhale and hold this air in his lung for a few seconds. By doing this, the diver will be adding a little positive buoyancy, just enough to produce a lift that will see him getting off the bottom without the use of hands or feet. Once clear off the bottom, buoyancy is trimmed

and breathing returned to normal before making use of the fins to propel forward or backward. Silt will remain on the bottom and no marine life will receive any kick of your fins. Mastering this technique will make you a better diver who not only respects the marine environment but also the other divers who will be visiting the same site.

The choice of the correct finning technique to use depends on the circumstances of the dive. It would be unwise to use the frog kick against strong current where the short forward thrust will be lost in the return part of the kick, the glide phase, due to the current pushing you back. In this case it is better to use the flutter kick due to the ability of the kick to deliver continuous forward thrust. On the other hand a more compact body posture, slow thrust and minimal backwash achieved when using the bent-knee cave diver technique are the desired advantages when coping with the confines of small caves or wrecks. Backing off or turning without using your hand will certainly leave the marine environment intact. These are all great reasons for you to practice achieving a good finning technique to be used as the circumstances of the dive require.

A photograph speaks a thousand words.

Imagine what the 50 photographs (frames) per second of a video can tell. For this reason I suggest that after reading this article, the reader who wants to see how these techniques are trained for and achieved, should make a search on the internet. Uploaded videos are easily found on You Tube and similar sites.

So control your buoyancy, keep distance from corals and other marine life and do not stir up sediment. Remember the golden rule of CMAS ‘Dive like your shadow, do not leave any trace and be a sensible part of the underwater world, not an alien’.

Species Page Research & photos by: Edward Vella

Weevers are more commonly found where there is sand, spending most of their time immersed or semi-immersed in it, getting what protection from their predators this cover and their natural colours can provide in way of camouflage, and at the same time lying in wait for creatures further down the food chain (like shrimps and smaller fish).

The first thing that springs to mind upon the mention of weevers, is their potent poison, which is administered via three dorsal spines situated just behind its head.

There are several species, but probably the most dangerous to humans is the Lesser Weever (Echiichthys vipera - Maltese: Sawt),

Weever Fish since this found in shallow water, and by shallow it means just a few inches of water over sand, and since it is undetectable from the surface, stepping on the poisonous dorsal spines is a real danger. In fact this is probably the most dangerous fish to be found in Malta – forget the Great White – it’s this fellow that you have to watch out for! Well by dangerous, it does not mean that it is life threatening, but the pain is intense and it lasts… getting professional medical attention is highly recommended!

Another Weever species is the Greater Weever. The Greater Weever (Trachinus draco – Maltese: Sawt Kbir) is found in deeper waters (has been found in 150m),

Tracna /Sawt /Swat and like its smaller cousin, it carries venom for the unwary. Although this time, the most likely human victims would be fishermen and anglers, getting stung while unhooking or disentangling the fish. This is a known hazard in places where weevers are commonly caught in nets.

The venom is made up of constituents which make it a very painful experience.

Apart from the pain, it also affects the heart rate and breathing difficulties may be experienced.

It is probably not lethal to humans because of our size in relation to the injected venom volume (although there was a case which resulted in death, it could not be purely

attributed to the venom because the victim had other underlying causes). In the laboratory, a 20g mouse only required an injection of 2 micrograms to die instantly!

A curiosity about this fish, is that it does not have a swim bladder, and therefore has to rest on the bottom of the sea when not moving. The swim bladder is a gas filled internal organ, which the great majority of fish have, to assist them in maintaining the desired buoyancy with the minimum of effort, by displacing just the right amount of water. Remind you of anything? That’s right – our Buoyancy Compensating Device, or BCD! So obviously see but do not touch!

Background photo by: Joe Formosa

Sept-Oct ­- Sea Horses Photo by Joe Formosa

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Type of dive: Shore or boat dive. Air or Nitrox. Day dive or night dive.

“Dived Where"!!!

Unfrequented dive sites of the Maltese islands, where you will ask your buddy ”Where’s everybody?”

Article by Dorian Law

Ricasoli Breakwater Malta

Location: The Ricasoli breakwater (Maltese; Breakwater iz-Zghir) is situated on the Northwestern point of Fort Ricasoli in Ricasoli which is part of Kalkara. When coming from Kalkara on Marina street, take Rinella street, driving past Kalkara (Rinella) bay towards the exMalta Shipyards (Dockyard) Tank Cleaning Facility. Park the car in the area close to the old entry gate of Fort Ricasoli. The gate has big rope-like columns on each side which cannot be missed.

Access: To reach the entry and exit point, a short walk along the restored walls of this old fort will lead to a flight of steps that take you down to the rocky shoreline along which, building remains of the British Empire period lay in disuse. Keep walking as far as possible, identifying various possible exit points like manmade steps and sheltered inlets making exit very safe and comfortable.

When Not to dive: When winds blow from Northeast (Grigal) to East (Lvant).

Depth: 15 meters around the breakwater and 12 meters on the East side wreck.

Current & Visibility: No current. Visibility not more than 15 meters.

The Dive

Entry is made as close to the breakwater as is safely reachable on foot that is, just past what remains of the second large colonial building.

A short surface swim is ideal so that you can have a look at the remains of the harbor net / chain defense that was used during the Second World War. This was connected to the other side of the harbor on the Valletta side. The dive follows the breakwater heading Northwest towards the red marker light beacon. At this point the dive continues in two directions, either North towards the wreckage in the middle of the shipping lane or East along the coastline towards another wreckage or unnamed wreck. 200meters further down the coast another unnamed wreck lies in shallow waters not deeper than 10meters. When diving by boat and weather permits it is ideal to start the dive in front of the Rinella Fort where the Armstrong Canon is located. The boat will then follow the divers, providing cover and the dive would end in the shelter of the harbor where the shore dive would normally start. Any enquiry at the Valletta Port Control or Transport Malta is a must if planning to dive the harbor area especially the wreckage area. Ideal dive times are at port closing times or during the annual boat races known as regattas, when a complete harbor closure is ensured.

Important Notice: The information contained might not be accurate or reflect the conditions found daily at the site. More accurate information should be obtained prior to planning to dive these sites.

Photo courtesy of: Joe Formosa Base photo by: Joe Formosa

www. Website of the Month.com

Article by Dorian Law

Name of website: The cave diving website.

Access to website: www.cavediving.com Other access: N/A. Purpose of site: To provide information to divers interested in underwater cave exploration or who want to learn more about this exciting activity and the training needed to do it as safely as possible, especially in the Florida and Mexico areas. It also serves as a base for the Amigos Dive Center in the area.

Features: On a black background, the header features the website’s logo on the left.

Under the logo, a five option menu bar, going from the left to the center area provides the user with very informative information on the different aspects of cave diving. The homepage features information and direct links to items such as safety rules, lighting and equipment rental and repairs, cave diving training in the area and the equipment needed for cave diving. Once on the homepage, a mouse click on the titles mentioned below provides information as follows:

What:

When:

This opens a’ frequently asked questions about cave diving’ page.

When a question is selected, the answer is very informative and well beyond a simple answer to a question.

This forms the basis for getting the information on cave diving.

As the name implies, information on the ideal time to dive these sites is also given.

How: Here you get all the information you need to practice cave diving like equipment, gases and safety.

Where: Basic information on cave diving around the world is given, followed by two options to choose from; Florida’s and Mexico’s most popular cave diving sites. When selected, these will show the most popular sites which can then be selected again and the full information is provided.

Who: This section provides the answer to “who can be a cave diver?”. It uses three criteria to give an answer to this question.

These are training and experience, ability and fitness. Each criteria is described and discussed in detail.

Why visit this website: If you are looking for an introductory and basic information regards cave diving, or you are a cave diver planning a cave diving expedition in the Florida or Mexico area, then this is a must site to visit.

Base photo by Denise Baker

Il-Qaws/Ghar id-Dwieb Although this boat dive was announced to take place at il-Qaws, which is located further East along the coast from Migra l-Ferha, the name of this indentation, is actually Ghar id-Dwieb. One might be in way excused for concluding that this place is called il-Qaws ( the Bow ) because of its very evident semi-circular shape, but the real Qaws is actually further East beyond the next promontory called Ras id-Dawwara.

This is one of the more popular dive sites – first of all the above surface scenery is impressive – the inlet is ringed by massive cliffs – there is no way, one can get ashore here (as what occurred at this very place during the Second World War – but that is another story), on the Eastern wall, there are numerous interesting caves and crevices, also during the previous couple of visits, we came across a good number of nudibranchs, so expectations were high.

- Malta 23.06.13

The Atlantis II disgorged the divers at Ras id-Dawwara, where the cliff base disappears into the deep blue, which I would estimate is beyond 60m. The dive then proceeds into the Bow along the left hand wall, with the collection point mid-way along the semi-circle. We had photography in mind, so we decided to stretch the dive, to increase the opportunities – in this case we bottomed out at about 26m and then started a very slow ascent, keeping close to the wall, because that would be the best place for a nudibranch encounter.

This resulted in a 77 minute dive.

My first target was the dolphin (think it is at least!) skeleton. This lies inside a large mouthed cavern with a sloping floor covered in very fine sand. There is no danger of a silt-out due to the large entrance, but once disturbed, any photographic sessions would be over.

So I was pleased to be the first to enter, and shoot the remains. As it was, there was a marked deterioration – the bones were either covered up by the silt or had slid further down the cavern floor – I could only make out the upper skull and a few scattered vertebrae.

As the dive continues along this wall, it gets progressively shallower, until at the furthest end it bottoms out at

Article by Edward Vella

about 10 to 12 metres. At this point there is a very interesting cave – it has a very large entrance, but it is not deep. In winter the water that gathers in the valley above (which goes all the way to the tiny hamlet of Mtahleb), cascades down the cliff wall at this spot.

No doubt the passage of water has had a big hand in the formation of the cave. In a previous dive, we had actually witnessed fresh water emanating through fissures at the bottom. This is a very good spot for photography – there are a lot of weird shaped sponges, which make for excellent subjects. This time we also came across three large ‘cow’ nudibranchs (Discodoris atromaculata), plus of course, the fact that the cave is covered in multi-coloured sponges, and lots of starfish and sea urchins (including the long spined species – (Centrostephanus longispinus), is taken for granted.

This site has a lot going for it, and when il-Qaws is announced, it pays to book as early as possible!

Photo: Edward Vella

Photo: Joe Formosa

Photo: Edward Vella

Photo: Joe Formosa

Base photo by: Joe Formosa

Photo: Edward Vella

Ras il-Hobz

Well I think that the Atlam divers would not be too much to blame if anyone thought at the start of the dive “Not Ras il-Hobz again!”, since this was the third time this year that this site was dived. As stated for what must be dozens of previous times in ‘Bubbles’, this site on the Southern coast of Gozo, is one of those available when the North West spoils the rest of the dive sites –personally, I think that this is a wonderful dive site, and it so happened that this time it was really third time lucky!

Entering the water from where the Atlantis II was anchored in a small cove further East from the coastal watch tower, and heading South (away from the shore), the diver comes to a sheer drop off, the base of which is I would estimate to be about 25m.

Outwards from the drop off wall, the sea bed slopes down, where there is a second drop off the top of which is at about 35 -40m, and the bottom in very deep water, which then slopes off even deeper.

We kept to the initial drop-off. As soon as we went over the edge at about 12m we descended slowly, keeping the reef wall on our left until after about 7 minutes into the dive, the dark shadow of the pinnacle appeared to our right. The plan was to descend to the base of the pinnacle at about 30m and then spiral slowly upwards – also forgot to mention that this was a ‘convalescing’ dive for buddy Steve Micallef, who was diving for the first time after the doctors gave the OK following a foot bone fracture – which worked out fine!

- Gozo 30.06.13

Article & photos by Edward Vella

First sighting consisted of two large mottled groupers – Maltese: cawluni - which came as soon as we went off the reef at the base of the pinnacle. They then swam slowly down into the depths. While we were busy looking at them, right behind us we spotted a large moray eel. The column always seems to have a cloud of damsel fish swimming around it, and this time it was hunting time for a couple of large amberjacks. They came charging in from the blue trying to get an unfortunate damsel for lunch, but it looked like, the amberjacks always went in through a hole in the damselfish cloud, but I guess perseverance always pays off at the end….anyway they were really fascinating to watch.

Further up on the pinnacle we came across a ‘cow’ nudibranch (Desmodoris atromaculata), and yet another large moray. This was a big one, which we photographed. Again we saw an incursion of amberjacks – later in the photo at home, thirteen could be counted.

At the top of the column, a large number of what seem to be resident two-banded Seabream - Maltese: xirghien – was encountered. Obviously this lot had to take their chances along with the damsel fish! Here the depth is about the same as the reef drop-off: about 12 metres. We crossed over to the shore reef to begin the final phase of the dive, but the surprises were not over yet…

There were two more sea-life encounters.

The first was a sizeable lobster, which was uncharacteristically housed in a depth of about 6 metres, and the second was a very large octopus, found again at about the same depth. At one point the octopus, perhaps dazzled by the photographers’ flashes, decided to make a break for it, and we appreciated what a big example this was! Anyway it then scooted out over the drop off edge, and disappeared.

In conclusion – one very rewarding dive!

We really were surprised because on the previous two dives, we all agreed that the place was pretty devoid of sea life, but it really made up for it this time round!

Fungus Rock

- Gozo 07.07.13

Expectations as usual for this site were high – no not for Fungus Rock (Il-Gebla tal-General) at Dwejra Gozo, but the wondrous Ċamma Caves! The torches may have been charged and at the ready, but as soon as the Atlantis II went beyond Qala Point, it began to dawn on the expectant divers that conditions might not be what was needed for the caves. Hope went down to a glimmer beyond Reqqa Point – there was a sort of a funny swell, with the result that it was foaming beneath the mighty North Gozo cliffs.

It then disappeared with a puff when we actually got to the caves! There was a short debate, but it was evident that the surge would create dangerous conditions within the caves themselves – so what to do?

We had already seen what was behind, so it was reasoned that if anything conditions should be better ahead - on the Gozo’s West side. Upon rounding Gozo North westernmost tip however, the situation was not that much better.

Article by Edward Vella

At that point, the closest sheltered spot was the natural harbour behind Fungus Rock near Dwejra - famous during the days of the Knights of St John for being a known place where a rare medicinal plant grew. Now it was getting a bit late, and without any more hesitation, the Atlantis II was steered toward it and was safely anchored behind the rock a few minutes later.

Fungus rock is situated on the edge of the same reef that houses the Crocodile Rock, which is situated more to the NW and so closer to the Dwejra shore. Within this natural harbour, the depth is about 10m, but we all knew about the drop-off on the seaward side. The dive plan was in fact simply to circumnavigate Fungus Rock.

A few minutes of fining later, we came to the drop off, which from a few metres goes down sharply to what I estimate to be about 60 m, and then the seabed continues going down.

We descended to about 44 m, and kept under 40 metres for about 5 minutes and then started a gradual climb out until about 20 minutes later we were at about 10 metres and more or less at the entrance of the sheltered water behind Fungus Rock, where we entered. The diver has to keep an eye out for this entrance because since the dive takes place beneath the reef’s rim, it is easy to overshoot, and obviously that would mean that one would then have to retrace one’s steps, I mean fins, to find the entrance.

Actually this turned out to be not a bad dive, and most members had not dived at this site before. What was lacking was sea life, in fact afterwards on the boat, everybody had the same comments – very nice, but absolutely empty!

Truly a pity – or perhaps we were unlucky this time!

On the plus side, the members at least, got a coastal tour of Gozo, making the dive better value for money!

Base photo by: Joe Formosa

Harq Mannara

- Gozo 14.07.13

Article & photos by Joe Formosa

Beyond ‘It-Tieqa’ of Dwejra to Wied il-Ghasri, the coast is formed of large caverns and vertical high cliffs which reach an average of 80m above sea level. A high cliff jutting out of the west precipice between San Dimitri Point and id-Dwejra is colloquially known as Harq (fissure) Mannara.

Due to its location, this dive can only be done by boat in pristine weather conditions when there is no wind. It is the furthest boat dive taking more than an hour from Marfa along the west cliffs of Gozo.

The dive plan was to descend at Mannara point and make a drift dive along the south enclave cliffs. Immediately reaching the sea bed covered by small rocks at depth 50m we encountered a large spiny lobster and some “Dalmatian” nudibranch (baqra). Ascent was gradual along the vertical drop, lit with sun and good visibility, occasionally coming across small fissures until arriving to a plateau at 10m depth. Regrettably, no particular mention of any fish encounters in such wild conditions.

Double Arch - Qbajjar

The Double Arch dive site was reached in an hour crossing the Comino Straits and passing along the northeast coastline of Gozo containing the weathered blue clay cliffs and red sandy beaches of San Blas and Ramla Bay, Marsalforn and finally Xwejni Bay. I was assigned a task to photo survey the exact location of the boat anchorage right above the dive site: noticing the position of Jesus Christ statue above the roof tops, rock features on the beach, and the coast line to the south.

- Gozo 21.07.13

Dive master briefing was to descend and ascent along the boat line to avoid hazards from passing seacraft.

Descent on the Double Arch is spectacular, dropping on the inside of the U-shaped reef, passing under the bottom arch arriving to a depth of 42m. My dive plan was to go right along the external north facing wall to locate and inspect a cavern I had come across a previous dive. The large quarter sphere shaped grotto was located with its sea bed at a depth of 27m.

Article & photos by Joe Formosa

The entrance was covered with coloured false coral which diminished deeper into the cave. The inside of the cave was impressively covered with shrimps which ran away from the fallout of my torch.

The return to ascent point was along the same path at shallower depths, passing through the upper arch and decompression along the boat anchorage line.

Migra il-Ferha

- Malta 28.07.13

Article Edward Vella

This is one of the more popular dives with the Atlam divers, and so it was a well laden Atlantis II made its way along Malta’s West coast.

Passing along the way, some of the best dive sites – like the reef at Qammieh, Ras ir-Raheb, Ghar it-Trozz, IlBlata tal-Melh, L-Irdum tal-Vigarju – all prime dive sites accessible only by boat, and dived by most thanks to the boat dive organised every Sunday, by our indefatigable divemaster!

On the day there was a low North Westerly blowing, which if it was any stronger, it would wipe out all these divesites, but this time it was manageable, and Migra l-Ferha is a site located beneath towering cliffs actually facing South West.

The coast in fact here makes a turn to the SW, and immediately, sea conditions improved, becoming calm and inviting on the site.

Actually there are several sites where Migra l-Ferha may be dived. This time we went past the little inlet where back in 1091 the Norman Count Roger is reputed to have landed to wrest the Island from its Arab rulers, and stopped a few hundred metres beyond to the East, at the point where the cliff makes a small right angled indentation.

It certainly helps a lot for the skipper to be familiar with the sea bed beneath the cliffs here, because the anchor points are not many, and once missed, it would be too deep to anchor. The Atlantis II dropped anchor on a small shelf situated beneath an overhang in the cliffs. In this place a small water fall forms during winter – but more of this later….

Since the boat was anchored, it meant that at one point we would have to reverse our direction. We agreed that would be when

the first of us reached 100 bar since at that point we would be in the shallower phase of the dive and that volume of air would be more than sufficient for the way back.

Since this is a wall dive, one can choose to explore in either direction from the anchor point. We headed West towards the previously mentioned inlet, outgoing with the cliff wall on our right hand.

Visibility was very good, and finally we halted our descent at what was to be our maximum depth for this dive – 41m. Here

we came across what we knew we would be meeting at Migra l-Ferha – car wrecks – and not just one or two. The vehicles are thrown off the cliff – for various nefarious reasons no doubt – and here we found them at their final resting place. Cars deteriorate rapidly, first of all there is the impact with the hard sea surface, then, sea currents and corrosion do the rest.

Very soon all bodywork disappears, and it is just the steering column, engine block and tyres that mostly remain recognisable – as for the rest it becomes all of a tangle of twisted and rusting metal.

As planned, we ascended slowly and eventually arrived at the 100bar turning point. We turned back towards the dive boat, and finally arrived on the shelf on which it was anchored. Here at the base of the cliff (where as previously mentioned, a small cascade forms during the winter months) was an interesting entrance to what looked like a tunnel dug by the passage of water. It is not wide enough to permit entry, and the bottom looked silty – we did not detect any this time, but in this place there is a good probability that fresh water would be seeping into the sea.

A nice enjoyable dive!

Base photo by: Joe Formosa

Xlendi Reef

- Gozo 04.08.13

I had intended to visit the cave labyrinth on the eastern side of the dive site but ended up leading a group of four divers who included people who were new to the club’s boat dives. This meant that I had to sacrifice my original dive plan and proceed with a certain degree of caution. Newly qualified divers (especially those trained outside our own FUAM training courses) need varying degrees of polishing and the more experienced divers and instructors have to keep an eye on them while they build up experience. In fact, this is one of the reasons why diving clubs exist.

Article Tano Rolé

We skirted the reef at a depth of about 20 metres exploring some overhangs which housed at least one grouper of about 40cm in length. I tried to attract the attention of the rest of the group while the grouper found refuge within the inner recesses of the overhang. I pointed frantically to the retreating grouper but I think that they just saw a cloud of sediment and not much else. It is quite probable that their OK signals were meant to shut me up and stop me from pointing uselessly at the overhang!

These overhangs are perfect habitats for all sorts of marine organisms which thrive in semi-shaded areas. They are especially rich in sponges, false corals, and, hopefully, a few colourful nudibranchs. I was hoping to get some photos of some cooperative individuals but had no luck on this dive. I just could not find any sort of nudibranch or even a photogenic sponge!

At one point we met another group of divers from the boat who had gone deeper than us. The base of the dropoff was quite challenging – more than 60 metres – and we could not go anywhere near such depths; especially with a newly qualified diver in our group! As we skirted the reef, I heard some muffled screams from Steve and a pull on my fins as he pointed in the direction of a huge grouper heading off into deeper water. This was a beautiful sight indeed. The larger the grouper, the more wary it is; that is why it would have reached that size.

I was expecting to see some barracuda, since we saw some of these on previous dives, but could not find any of these on this dive. Perhaps as compensation, we did see a couple of big amberjacks. These were hunting a large school of small baitfish (makku) and juvenile damselfish

that formed a cloud around our group of divers. The amberjacks seemed to be hunting in pairs with one of them herding the fish into tighter formations while the second fish would rip through the shoal.

We seemed to have fared much better than Edward and Ivo who had opted to dive along the eastern cliff wall and surfaced complaining that they hardly saw one fish worthy of note. Of course, we had a great time telling them about all of the fish that we had seen – perhaps even exaggerating a little bit. Poetic license is normally allowed under such circumstances but I think we lost credibility when I recounted how we witnessed sharks attacking barracudas in a fishy battle!

It is hardly surprising that Ivo and Edward claimed they saw no fish. We saw a substantial amount of lost fishing gear on the seabed but, just as we were about to weigh anchor, a luzzu approached the site and started to reel in a trammel net (parit) which they had deployed right along the eastern shoreline. I still cannot understand how such fishing is permitted so close to the shore.

Safe diving to all - Tano All photos by Joe Formosa

Barbarossa

Family Excursion & Double Dive 11.08.13

Photos by Victor Fabri

Barbarossa Photos by Victor Fabri

- Dive at Mgarr ix-Xini & Sta Maria Caves 11.08.13

Forna Point

- Gozo 18.08.13

Forna Point is located just west of Wied il-Ghasri along the northern Gozo coastline. This area is dominated by sheer lower coralline limestone cliffs which reach some sixty metres above sea level and extend almost as much below sea level. The site is highly exposed to the prevailing northwesterly winds (our Majjistral) and is best tackled during the oppressively hot and calm summer months.

The prospect of a dive in the caves at Forna is more than adequate compensation for the heat wave and I was looking forward to this dive. There is nothing better than entering the cool water after getting to near-boiling point while getting into one’s wet suit. I always spare a thought for lobsters at this point!

The dive boat dropped us off near Forna Point and headed off westwards in the direction of Pinu Point. We decided to stay shallow (20m maximum) and explore the sea-level caves thus maximising our air time and covering most of the route. In the end we managed to dive three caves starting from Forna Point; heading westwards.

All three caves extended above sea level and were rather shallow. The deepest cave was only about 20 metres at its deepest point. In fact, other dive groups who explored deeper waters (greater than 30m) had missed out on these caves altogether. They reported that they had sighted another cave located in deeper waters. Of course, as I heard this, I made a mental note to check this out the next time we visit this site.

Forna Cave 1 – This cave is closest to Forna Point and is quite typical for this stretch of coast. It has been widened by a combination of Karst solution processes acting upon vertical joints and subsequently widened by wave action.

Of course, the semi-obscure zone of the cave is populated by a rich ecosystem of sponges and other filter feeders.

The parts of the cave which are rather exposed to the full force of the Majjistral-generated waves are markedly deficient in sessile organisms (i.e. those organisms that live by attaching themselves to the sides or roof of the cave).

Article by Tano Rolé

Forna Cave 2 – Most of the caves at Forna show fantastic features of erosion by running water but this particular cave is outstanding in this regard. There are various arches, solution holes, abrasion channels and sinkholes which offer a bewildering set of photo opportunities. Of course, pot holes were very common and most of these had a few rounded boulders or stones that are spun around by the waves making these pot holes ever deeper.

Forna Cave 3 (Tal-Kappara Cave) – branches into two distinct caves. The eastern cavern develops into a narrow (from 5 metres to a mere one metre near the innermost chamber), steep-sided channel. The cave extends all the way to sea level so, at no time, would one be in a completely enclosed overhead environment. We surfaced inside the innermost part of this cave and had a wonderful view of a steep-sided chasm soaring overhead. That sight is one of the reasons I love cave diving. There is always something new to experience and I am sure that few other people, if any, had ever set their eyes on that inner cave chamber.

This is a unique experience for a country that is one of the most densely populated in the entire world!

I feel that I need to express some words of caution here – I am not encouraging anyone to casually attempt cave exploration. Cave explorers have to be properly trained in speleology and cave exploration before attempting any serious cave penetration and they have to possess the right equipment and infrastructure. Those divers, who have none of these pre-requisites, should stay away from caves. Cave diving has already, regretfully, claimed some lives in the Maltese Islands and I fervently hope that this never happens again.

All photos by Edward Vella

- Gozo 25.08.13

I wrote about this dive site on a couple of other occasions and anyone who follows these articles would realise, by now, that I am totally captivated by the caves along this stretch of coastline. The fact that I am a geomorphologist may partly explain my fascination with these caves. Marine caves can “speak volumes” to people, who like myself, have this crazy obsession with unravelling the past geological history of this group of islands.

But besides this, there is another aspect of cave diving that is appreciated by a much larger community of people.

Very few sights on planet earth can equal the beauty of a marine cave entrance silhouetted against the incredible blue tones of the open sea. There is something truly poetic which is impossible to explain to anyone who has never experienced it.

I know many divers who are afraid of caves and rightly so. We all need to be afraid of caves! An overhead environment which does not allow easy access to the surface should not be entered without serious thought and preparation. Such environments can easily kill you as many thrill-seekers have found out. However, it is not just casual divers who get killed inside caves. Even well-trained and well-equipped divers perish in such environments. In fact, it has been estimated that some 600 cave divers have died during the last three decades.

Anyway, enough sermons and let’s get to this dive. We decided to enter Ċamma 1 (or Taċ-Ċawla Cave) cave first and, subsequently, continue along the coast heading east. I have been trying to finish a three dimensional map survey of Ċamma 1 for the past few months and, of course, I always find that I am missing some essential data when I attempt to draw the map on my computer. So I was rather keen on obtaining some critical compass bearings and some measurements within the innermost parts of the cave.

I am going to reproduce the description of this cave which I had written in an earlier edition of Bubbles and this is included in the Box.

Article by Tano Rolé

Tac-Ċawla (aka Ċamma 1) This is probably one of the most impressive caves in the Ċamma series. It is also the westernmost cave and, therefore, it is also known as (aka) Ċamma 1.

This large cave is characterised by a large opening at the base of the cave and another, smaller opening at a shallower depth. Seen from deep inside the cave, this lower opening forms a beautiful arch with an almost straight lintel. This arch is 14 metres wide at the base and extends from a depth of 32.5 metres to 22 metres. The upper opening is quite different in shape appearing as a more elongated vertical gash.

This cave developed along a joint or fault line and the eastern edge forms a vertical wall which curves slightly to the east. The western wall shows a far greater degree of collapse and is characterised by several bedding planes. The outer chamber is quite large averaging 10 metres in width while an inner chamber narrows down considerably from 5 metres down to a narrow passageway which can barely accommodate a diver. Cave collapse is very prominent in the outer chamber where several boulders reduce the cave depth from 30 metres to 26 metres. Measured at a depth of 5 metres, the entire length of the cave is just over 65 metres.

I managed to get the bearings and ascended towards the 5 metre depths where I needed to continue the survey.

This is where I needed an additional measurement of the cave wall and I got Alex to hold the other end of the tape measure. The tape played out until I reached the inner constriction and then the line came off the reel. I just managed to catch the end just before it sank down to the bottom and tried to re-attach it to the reel. This proved more difficult than expected and it was taking quite a bit of time.

Photo by Tano Rolé

Base photo by Joe Formosa

Ċamma Caves

By this stage, I was getting rather too near to the cutoff point on my cave air time and the rest of the group seemed like they wanted to move on. Moreover, this part of the cave had a distinct halocline (a lens of fresh water overlying the denser salt water) and I needed to lay down a safety line to continue. Worse still, some other diver had ventured inside and created quite a disturbance.

At that point, I thought it would be more prudent to postpone the survey and continue with the dive.

Sometimes you just have to call it a day and return on another occasion to continue when it is safer to dive.

On a more positive note, I caught sight of a small Dorid nudibranch on the cave wall and managed to get a few shots while on my way out.