SEPTEMBER 2011
Bahamas Shark Diving Cages? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Cages!
RHODE TRIP! Diving is big in the smallest state
Weird science
Project Shiphunt’s Young Explorers Discover & Map Two Shipwrecks in 3D
Volume 7 Issue 9 $1.95 US/$2.25 Canada
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Willow Springs Park
The dive park specifically designed for adventure, excitement, convenience & safety
2011 Dive Expeditions
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28 acres of attraction-filled water Max. depth of 58 ft. Weekdays by appointment 72” Quest boat wreck Weekends from Conveniently located in Central Pennsylvania April - November: Season passes still available. Wreck dive day trip spots available. 8:00 am-6:00 pm
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MakE MErMEt SprIngS your SouthErn DIVE DEStInatIon! BrIng your caMpErS, your DIVE BuDDIES & your StuDEntS...
New wrecks to dive on! New 30 amp hook-up’s are available, 22,600 sq ft RV Park with 18 sites! Over 8,500 square feet of covered pavilions with cylinder tables, picnic tables , electric outlets and lights! Over 40 professionally trained staff to help ensure your safety, satisfaction and improve your diving experience. Large Rental Department Covered Pavillions • Camping Showers and Flush Toilets Air and Nitrox Fill Station
15ft. to 120ft. Depths Boeing 727 Passenger Jet Underwater Rope Guidelines More than 200 Spoonbills
(618) 527-DIVE (3483) email: glen@mermetsprings.com • www.mermetsprings.com
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We support our local dive shops - without them we will not have a dive industry.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Midwest & Northeast Dive News
Be Part of the Dive News Network
Northeast & Midwest Dive News The complete resource for diving in the Northeast & Midwest.
www.nedivenews.com www.mwdivenews.com
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Rick Stratton rick@divenewsmag.com Production Manager IJ James editor@divenewsmag.com Art Director Philip Wilson graphics@divenewsmag.com Expo Coordinator Selene Peterson expo@divenewsmag.com Staff Writer Jamie Farris Accounts Manager Tove Chatham Advertising Sales (360) 240-1874 x109 adsales@divenewsmag.com Circulation/subscriptions 360-240-1874
Dive News Magazine is committed to promoting the sport of scuba diving in the Northeast and Midwest. We will present a practical, unbiased point of view regarding all aspects of the sport of scuba diving. The Dive News Magazine believes in honesty and integrity in business and will support all efforts related to this. We encourage 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. Send us your stories and photos! IMPORTANT NOTICE The Dive News Magazine reserves the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses. The contents of Northeast and Midwest Dive News 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. MOVING? In order to continue receiving your magazine uninterrupted, please notify Northeast Dive News when you change your mailing address. To ensure uninterrupted service, please contact us six to eight weeks before the change of address occurs. You can call us at 360-240-1874 PST or email us at nediver@nedivenews.com or mail at: Bedrock Publications P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Cover Photos By Jett Britnell Jett Britnell is an internationally published underwater photojournalist and lecturer who has over 29 years of adventure diving experience. His cold water and tropical diving articles have been published in numerous magazines and his photography has appeared in advertising, books, calendars & publications worldwide.
Monthly Columns Publisher’s Note.................................4 Incoming Mail.....................................5 Northeast Hot News..........................6 Midwest Hot News............................18
Gear Box..........................................28 Tropical Dive Directory................28-29 Dive Directory..............................30-31
Northeast US DIVES
14 Diving Is Big in the Smallest State
It’s the smallest state in the United States when it comes to land area but what Rhode Island may lack in land mass, it more than makes up for in amazing dives. Join writer Bob Michelson as he leads the dive in search of German U-boats and the famous Collier Black Point in the waters just off Block Island. By Bob Michelson
MIDWEST DIVES 20 Project Shiphunt: Bringing Youth to Diving
Take five high school students from Saginaw, Michigan, add in the NOAA Marine Historical Director Dr. John Delgado and then sprinkle in some Sony and Intel experts and you have Project Shiphunt!. Join Dive News Publisher Rick Stratton as he watches young explorers, scientists and historians seek out a shipwreck and then, using the science of 3D mapping, map and share their discovery with the world. By Rick Stratton
TROPICAL DESTINATIONS
24 Bahamas Shark Diving Safari Cages? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Cages
Sharks are not the angry dragons of the sea, nor are they the terrifying malevolent killing machines of myth and legend. They are apex ocean predators who have evolved to do what they do in the extremely well in order to survive. Join travel editor Jett Britnell as he takes readers on a hunt for the most feared animals in the ocean and then strips away the mystery. By Jett Britnell
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Rick is a dive industry veteran with 15 years experience. Contact Rick@divenewsmag.com for comments
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
5 Ways to Use Our Content to Benefit Your Business T
hese days nearly every business is looking for ways to reinvent themselves. Looking at the gloomy economic forecast, and rapidly changing technology everyone is attempting to create a new business model that will bring more customers to their door. Here at Dive News Network, we are no different. Magazines and newspapers have suffered a more severe fate than most business over the past three years. According to current statistics, scores of magazines and newspapers have closed over the past three years. One of the problems magazines are facing is the changing technology. The availability of information online is not at the extent that nearly everyone is claiming that print is dead! Well, the rumor of prints demise is greatly exaggerated - print is NOT dead. In fact, according to amazon.com 94 percent of the books sold last year were in print. Still despite the statistics print has certainly taken a beating and our advertising sales people can tell you that at times it can be hard to sell! As a result, we too are forced to re-invent ourselves; dive head-first into change. We are no longer just a magazine business! We are in the content business. We produce our content for our print and online editions. We also build partnerships with other businesses and key leaders in our respective dive communities. All of the articles (100 percent) from our magazine is reproduced as new, html pages (SEO Friendly) and posted online giving our advertisers more bang for their buck.
Once the content is up on our site, we send a link to the businesses that helped us generate that content, folks like the local dive shop, charters, large companies etc. that we interviewed for the story or talked about. And then comes the cool part, these business can use our content on their site. In exchange for supporting us (advertising in our magazine) they get to use this content directly at least 5 ways: 1. Facebook it – send it as a Facebook message out to your friends/fans to check out the article on our website. 2. Twitter it – similar to Facebook – now connect real time with your followers and have something to share with them 3. Post it on your website _ available only to our advertisers their content licensing (brand new) they have access to our content to use on their site as if it were theirs. 4. E-newsletter it to your email list as a bonus value to your clients – send out a content rich e-blast that is well written, respected and well read! 5. Printed Newsletter – are you still printing a newsletter, now you have added content that you don’t have to take the time to edit/ write for it As our technology improves, access to information and the amount of information/content is expanding rapidly but the quality of the information is what’s important. We offer a professional writing and editorial staff who are dedicated to promoting the sport of diving and an active diving lifestyle locally – where it really matters! Take a fresh look at the Dive News Network and see how you can benefit. We promise you won’t be disappointed. Rick Stratton
facebook.com/Rick.Stratton1 rick@divenewsmag.com
Rick
Charters • training • WreCk & shark Diving & MOre
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MONTHLY ARTICLES Dear Rick:
I just got the latest copy of Midwest Dive News. It was great to see an article on one of the best wrecks in the Great Lakes – the Kamloops. This is the wreck I became a technical diver to go visit. This is our local “Mt. Everest” and it’s worthy of the “climb” to get to it! As an avid wreck diver, it’s nice to read these types of articles rather than all just “pretty, reefy, fishy” fluff. Even more interesting to me was that the article was written by a good friend, Peggy Kurpinski, whom I was able to help explore this wreck for the first time. I’ve logged right around 30 dives on this magnificent wreck, and was very pleased to be one of Peggy’s dive team members and show her around on the wreck. I do admit, though, that I was very surprised to see myself on the cover of the July 2011 Northeast Dive News! Peggy had told me she had sent some photos to go along with her article, but to see my ugly mug grinning from the wheel of the Kamloops was definitely a shocker. Thanks to both you and Selene for sending along a couple extra issues
LETTER TO THE EDITOR to share with my family and friends. And thanks for putting out a quality magazine and supporting us local dive store owners – it’s greatly appreciated! Yours in diving, Brian Shreve, owner, Heartland Scuba Center
Brian,
Thank you for the kind words and for taking an interest in our magazine. We love to feature local diver doing local dives. Peggy was nice enough to share her experiences with us and we found the story incredibly interesting; we are glad you did too. We invite all our readers to share their experiences in diving with us so that we can then pass on those stories to our readers. Diving, after all, is all about the challenges of each dive. When you allow us to tell your stories it promotes our sport in the best possible way. It doesn’t hurt the local dive shops and centers either to get the word out. As for the photo, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Thanks again Brian,
Rick
We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
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NE HOT NEWS
Send us your NEWS/EVENTS: editor@divenewsmag.com
Long Island Divers Association Archaeological Dig
LIDA members will be conducting an underwater archaeological dig for the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum as part of the Village of Sag Harbor’s annual “Harborfest” street festival. Festivities begin on Friday, Sept. 9 at 6pm on the Museum grounds with their 16th Annual Lobster Bake, a fundraiser for the Whaling Museum. The cost for this fully catered event is $85 per person. Dive operations will begin on Saturday, with a selected team of divers conducting an underwater dig at the Long Wharf. The Sag Harbor area has been an active port since the beginning of whaling operations in the early 1700’s, and diving is not normally permitted at this site. If you are interested in joining the dive team, contact Bill Pfeiffer bill@island-diving.us for more information. Everyone is welcome to come out and join the festivities, including a LIDA sponsored BBQ at the Whaling Museum on Saturday. Check out the Long Island Divers Association’s Facebook page for up to the minute details.
First Annual Guts & Glory Quarry Challenge
The Brownstone Park Guts & Glory Quarry Challenge will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Brownstone Park in Portland, Conn. Teams of first responders from across Connecticut will compete alongside the public. They’ll pit themselves against each other and the clock testing their physical and mental toughness all to raise money for Special Olympics Connecticut. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) – changing attitudes and lives through year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more info visit www.brownstonepark.com.
Bay State Council Sponsoring Tropical Fish Rescue
A Tropical Fish Rescue is scheduled for Oct. 9 in Jamestown, RI. Divers will dive and collect tropical fish that got stuck in the currents and carried north. It is important to find them before the water turns too cold for them to survive in. Tanks will be set up for viewing the rescued fish. Also just a reminder the Bay State Council Treasure Hunt and Multi-Club Picnic is on Sept. 25 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. Last year over 200 people attended with games and food and great dive talk. For more info on both events visit www. baystatecouncil.org.
Boy Scout Troop Wins Big
NAUI has announced the winner of the “Magical Adventure Contest” and it is Barrett Cosgrove of Davidsonville, MD. He, along with up to 44 fellow troop members, will head to Orlando, FL where they will participate in an exclusive “Merit Badge Monday” dive at Epcot® Dive Quest at The Seas Pavilion in Walt Disney® World Resort. In addition, Barrett and his troop have won a Magic Your Way Base ticket good for one day admission into their choice of Magical 6
Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and a 2-night, 3-day campout at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground! NAUI’s “Magical Adventure Contest” was announced on Nov. 17 last year at the Dive Industry Show in Las Vegas, NV and ran through July 1, 2011. For more info visit ww.naui.org.
Adventure Scuba is a REEF Field Station
Adventure Scuba Company, located in Chantilly, VA, is committed to providing the finest dive training, travel, and equipment available and now they have become a REEF Field Station as well. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation is a grass-roots organization that seeks to conserve marine ecosystems by educating, enlisting and enabling divers and other marine enthusiasts to become active ocean stewards and citizen scientists. Dive centers, like the Adventure Scuba Company, demonstrate their support for REEF and marine conservation by becoming Field Stations. Each serves as active centers of outreach and education for REEF. Most offer REEF Fish Identification Courses, organize survey dives, and may sell underwater paper, slates and related fish watching materials. For more info visit www.scubava.com.
Dutch Springs Visitors Are Going Wild for WIBIT
Visitors at Dutch Springs Aqua Park in Bethlehem, PA are going wild for the WIBIT, the new inflatable climbing and activity component that debuted July 30th at the Wipe Out Cancer fund-raiser and became an immediate hit. The WIBIT includes an entry bridge, balance beam, jump and cliff that give swimmers the opportunity to exercise their strength, balance and endurance skills. The WIBIT features several components all designed to challenge and entertain. The final challenge is the Tower that must be climbed using handholds or a rope walk. The WIBIT proved extremely popular during the Wipe Out Cancer fund raiser on Saturday, which featured more than 100 contestants pitted in competitions similar to those featured on the popular ABC television show. The event, organized by Christine Albanese of Plainfield Township, raised more than $6,000 for the LiveStrong organization founded by Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. For more info visit www.dutchsprings.com.
The Schooba Academy
There is a new program on the dive radar that seeks to help bridge science and scuba diving for students from low income communities. The Schooba Academy is a nonprofit, out-of-school, creditbearing program with a mission of fostering a sustained engagement in science for students from lowincome communities through the learning of SCUBA diving. Scuba diving is an engaging and exotic action sport and in order to participate in it, one must have an understanding of many middle and high school science concepts. The Schooba Academy nurtures the connection between scuba diving and the learning of science, and with close intergenerational support. Students receive private science tutoring, scuba training, weekend field trips and one on one mentoring. The Schooba Academy is fiscally sponsored by Urban Workshop, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. For more info visit http://schooba.wordpress.com/about-schooba.
Send Us Your News/Events FREE at editor@divenewsmag.com
Do you want your event listed here? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Sept 25: North Shore Frogmen Club Picnic, Stage Fork Park, Gloucester, MA. www.northshorefrogmen.com Sept 25: Bay State Council of Divers 26th Annual Treasure Hunt, 9 a.m., Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA. www.baystatecouncil.org Sept 26: Divers Anonymous Scuba Dive Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Mario’s Restaurant, Clifton, NJ. www.angelfire.com/nj4/divers Sept 29: The Gillmen Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Marco Polo, East Hartford, CT. www.gillmen.org October Oct 4: Central Maine Muck Divers, 7 p.m. Ground Round Restaurant, Augusta, ME. www.cmmd.org Oct 4: Monadnock Divers Club, 7:30 p.m. The Pub Restaurant, Keene, NH. www.monadnockdivers.org Oct 5: Hammerheads Dive Club, 7 p.m., Salty Dogs Eats & Drinks, Virginia Beachy, VA. www.flickr.com/groups/ldc_hammerheads Oct 7: Deep Six Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Inland Divers, Leicester, MA. deepsixdivers@earthlink.net Oct 11: Buxmont Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Bones Grille, Lansdale, PA. www.buxmontdiveclub.com Oct 12: Chesapeake Bay Barracudas Dive Club meeting, 6:00 PM at Chesapeake Bay Diving Center, Portsmouth, VA. www.cbdcscuba.com Oct 12: NYC Sea Gypsies, 7 p.m., McGees Irish Pub, New York, NY. www.seagypsies.org SEPTEMBER Sept 6: Michigan Seasnoopers, 7:30 p.m. Detroit, MI. E-mail for site info@seasnoopers.com Sept 7: AquaMasters meeting, 8:30 p.m., Lakewood YMCA, Lakewood, OH. Sept 7: DiveQuest Scuba Club meeting, 7 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library, Valparaiso, IN. www.divequestscuba.org Sept 8: Stingray Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Bullseye Bar, Lee’s Summit, MO. www.tdscuba.com/stingray_dive_club Sept 12: Circleville Landsharks Dive Club, Gibby’s Restaurant, Circleville, OH. www.circlevillelandsharks.com Sept 13: Buckeye Divers meeting, 8 p.m. Tommy’s Pizza, Arlington, OH Sept 13: Deep Blue Divers meeting, 7 p.m. Chicagoland Scuba, Lake Zurich, IL. www.deepbluedivers.com Sept 14: Aqua Amigos Scuba Club meeting, 8 p.m. Euclid Family YMCA, Euclid OH. www.aquaamigos.com Sept 14: Four Lakes Scuba Club, 7:30 p.m., Babe’s American Grill, Madison, WI. fourlakesscubaclub.dot5hosting.com Sept 15: Gavia Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Twin Dragons Restaurant, West Chester, OH Sept 20: Kittyhawk Dive Club meeting, Elsa’s Restaurant, Centerville, OH Sept 21: Great Lakes Aquanauts, 7 p.m., Location Varies, Farmington, MI. www.greatlakesaquanauts.org Sept 16: Risk Management for Public Safety Professionals, Gilboa Quarry, Ottawa, OH. www.dui-online
LOCAL DIVERS DO IT DOWN AND DIRTY
Find more activities on our facebook page! Midwest Activities
SEPTEMBER Sept 6: Central Maine Muck Divers, 7 p.m. Ground Round Restaurant, Augusta, ME. www.cmmd.org Sept 6: Monadnock Divers Club, 7:30 p.m. The Pub Restaurant, Keene, NH. www.monadnockdivers.org Sept 6: South Jersey Dive Club, 7 p.m., The Taproom on West Crystal Ave, Haddon Township, NJ. www.sjdiveclub.com Sept 7: Hammerheads Dive Club, 7 p.m., Salty Dogs Eats & Drinks, Virginia Beachy, VA. www.flickr.com/groups/ldc_hammerheads Sept 7: Mass Bay Divers, 7 p.m., South Shore Divers, Weymouth, MA. www.massbaydivers.com Sept 8: Maine-iac Divers Club, 6:30 p.m., Maine Divers Scuba Center, Portland, ME. www.main-iacdivers.com Sept 8: North Shore Frogmen meeting, 8 p.m., Palmers Cove Yacht Club, Salem, MA. www.northshorefrogmen.com Sept 9: Fathom Divers Dive Club meeting, 7 p.m., VFW Post #7916, Occoquan, VA. www.fathomdivers.org Sept 9: The Atlantis Rangers Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Odiorne State Park, Rye, NH. www.atlantisranger.org Sept 13: Buxmont Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Bones Grille, Lansdale, PA. www.buxmontdiveclub.com Sept 13: Dive Club of Rhode Island, 7 p.m., Giant Stride Dive Shop, Warwick, RI. Sept 13: MetroWest Dive Club, 8 p.m., Courtyard Marriott, Natick, MA. www.mwdc.org Sept 14: NYC Sea Gypsies, 7 p.m., McGees Irish Pub, New York, NY. www.seagypsies.org Sept 14: The Scuba Sports Club meeting 7 p.m. Victor’s Restaurant, Hawthorne, NY. www.thescubasportsclub.org Sept 14: Bay State Council Meeting, 1 Joyce Rd, Quincy, MA. www.baystatecouncil.org Sept 15: North Shore Frogmen meeting, 8 p.m., Palmers Cove Yacht Club, Salem, MA. www.northshorefrogmen.com Sept 15: Pioneer Valley Dive Club, 7 p.m., At the Water’s Edge, Westfield, PA. Sept 15: United Divers of Central Mass, 7 p.m., Slattery’s Back Room, Fitchburg, MA. www.uniteddivers.org Sept 17: Aquatic Voyagers Scuba Club of NY, 1 p.m., Gym at Guy R. Brewer & Liberty, Jamaica, NY. www.avscdivers.org Sept 17: OSADC Annual Crab Feast, Ivy Neck Farm, Harwood, MD. Contact Betty Colhoun at VP@ScubaAdventure.org to RSVP. Sept 21: Chesapeake Bay Barracudas Dive Club meeting, 6:00 PM at Chesapeake Bay Diving Center, Portsmouth, VA. Sept 21: In Too Deep Dive Club, 7 p.m., Don Antonio’s Bar & Restaurant, Union, NJ. (908) 687-7020 Sept 21: Long Island Divers Association, 8 p.m., Brookhaven Town Community Center, Blue Point, NY. www.lidaonline.com Sept 21: New England Aquarium, Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Boston, MA. www.neadc.org/abc_whoweare.html Sept 22: North Shore Frogmen meeting, 8 p.m., Palmers Cove Yacht Club, Salem, MA. www.northshorefrogmen.com
Midwest Activities
Find more Northeast activities on our facebook page! Northeast Activities
CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS
Sept. 17: Fun Dive with Aqua Hut, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Toledo, OH. aquahut@toast.net Sept 17-18: Dui DOG Rally & Demo Tour. Gilboa Quarry, Ottawa, OH. www.dui-online.com/dog_main.html Sept. 17-18: Dive Rite Demo weekend. Haigh Quarry, Kankakee, IL. (815) 939-7797 or www.haighquarry.com Sept. 24-25: Dui DOG Rally & Demo Tour. Mermet Springs, Metropolis, IL. www.dui-online.com/dog_main.html Sept 27: Fort Wayne Dive Club, 7 p.m. Deep Blue Divers, Fort Wayne, IN. www.fortwaynediveclub.org Sept 28: Amigos Aqua Scuba Club, 8 p.m. Euclid Family YMCA, Euclid, OH. www.aquaamigos.com Sept 28: Canadian Sport Divers Scuba Club, 7:30 p.m.Belleville, Ontario, Canada. home.cogeco.ca/~csdivers/ October October is pumpkin carving month at Haigh Quarry. www.haighquarry.com Oct 4: Michigan Seasnoopers, 7:30 p.m. Detroit, MI. E-mail for site info@seasnoopers.com Oct 5: AquaMasters meeting, 8:30 p.m., Lakewood YMCA, Lakewood, OH. aquamastersoflakewood.freeservers.com Oct 5: DiveQuest Scuba Club meeting, 7 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library, Valparaiso, IN. www.divequestscuba.org Oct 6: Buccaneers Dive Club, 7 p.m., Edwardo’s Pizza, Wheeling, IL. Oct 6: Columbus Sea Nags Scuba Diver meeting, 8 p.m., Plank’s Restaurant, Columbus, OH. www.seanags.com Oct 6: Extreme Sports Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Extreme Sports Scuba, Joplin, MO. www.extremesportsscuba.com Oct 10: Circleville Landsharks Dive Club, Gibby’s Restaurant, Circleville, OH. www.circlevillelandsharks.com Oct 11: Buckeye Divers meeting, 8 p.m. Tommy’s Pizza, Arlington, OH Oct 11: Deep Blue Divers meeting, 7 p.m. Chicagoland Scuba, Lake Zurich, IL. www.deepbluedivers.com Oct 12: Aqua Amigos Scuba Club meeting, 8 p.m. Euclid Family YMCA, Euclid OH. www.aquaamigos.com Oct 12: Four Lakes Scuba Club, 7:30 p.m., Babe’s American Grill, Madison, WI. fourlakesscubaclub.dot5hosting.com Oct 13: Stingray Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Bullseye Bar, Lee’s Summit, MO. www.tdscuba.com/stingray_dive_club Oct 19: Great Lakes Aquanauts, 7 p.m., Location Varies, Farmington, MI. www.greatlakesaquanauts.org Oct 20: Gavia Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Twin Dragons Restaurant, West Chester, OH Oct 25: Fort Wayne Dive Club, 7 p.m. Deep Blue Divers, Fort Wayne, IN. www.fortwaynediveclub.org Oct 26: Amigos Aqua Scuba Club, 8 p.m. Euclid Family YMCA, Euclid, OH. www.aquaamigos.com Oct 26: Canadian Sport Divers Scuba Club, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Sport Subs Dive Shop, Belleville, Ontario, Canada. home.cogeco.ca/~csdivers/ 7
LONG ISLAND DIVER’S ASSOCIATION
Supporting those who support diving
30th Anniversary AquaWoman Dive
The amazing ladies of Aquawoman gather to celebrate 30 amazing years of a great tradition. Photo courtesy Bill Bleyer By Bill Bleyer
I
n 1981, Edith Hoffman had been wreckdiving less than two years, but was so gung ho on the sport that she was already vice-president of the Long Island Divers Association when she made an out-of-thebox request to Captain Steve Bielenda, the owner of the Captree dive boat Wahoo. Would he be willing to run a trip to the wreck of the USS San Diego, just for women? Steve doubted there were enough women divers capable of handling the depth, cold water and poor visibility of an Atlantic Ocean wreck dive, but Hoffman proved him wrong. She filled the boat with 21 women and started a tradition: the Long Island Divers Association’s annual AquaWoman Dive. 8
The August event brings together women from around the New York metropolitan area for a day of wreck-diving and sharing stories to encourage more women to get involved in a traditionally male-dominated sport. This year, a record number of female divers, including founder Edith Hoffman, filled the Freeport charter boats Sea Hawk and Lockness on Aug. 6 for a trip eight miles off Jones Inlet and down 80 feet to the Prohibition-era rumrunner Lizzie D. Hoffman’s first trip attracted women from six states, including a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. They went to the wreck of the USS San Diego, an American cruiser sunk by a German mine during World War I, 13 miles south of Fire Island, in 110 feet of water. “This was still quite dangerous and
intimidating,” she said of wreck diving at the time. Everything’s changed since then,” said Hoffman, who went on to serve as president of the Long Island Divers Association and become a charter member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. “We have women diving everywhere and doing very well.” The Long Island Divers Associations’ coordinator for this year’s event, Linda Gotti of Brentwood, Long Island, who has been diving since 1980 and done about a half dozen of the AquaWoman dives, said “it’s had a great impact on the ladies.” She said there is much less peer pressure to push the envelope and posturing when only women are diving. “We’re out to have a good time,” she said. “It’s more of a kick back and relax day. No pressure.” As for peer support,
We support our local dive shops - without them we will not have a dive industry.
Serving Long Island Diving Community for More than 25 Years Edith was certified in 1978. She initiated the USS San Diego’s Aqua-Women dives (1980) and directed that project for six years. She is a past president of the Long Island Diver Association and produced their film festivals (1984-1992). Edith helped gain access to the first NY State property for diving and is an activist in protecting the oceans and the ability of divers to police themselves without government intervention. She is a recipient of the BTS Diver of the Year Award (1986). To plant the seeds and demonstrate the benefits of underwater exploration in the minds of future generations of Divers, Edith is now writting a book for “mature children” about some of her experiences underwater in different parts of the world.
AquaWoman Dive
from
Edith D. Hoffman, Inducted 2000
Photo courtesy Bill Bleyer
Gotti added that this year “we have two dive shop owners and we have instructors and dive-masters so we have plenty of experience” to share with newer divers. This year there were 10 women diving with the group for the first time. Bill Pfeiffer, current president of LIDA, said “The AquaWoman Dive is a wonderful, positive event that empowers women and gives everybody the opportunity to go out and enjoy a great day.” After the dive, which was celebrated at the dock with the traditional champagne and strawberries, Gotti said “it was excellent. The viz was 15 or 20 feet. Andrea Nydegger found an intact whiskey bottle with the cork still in it.” “The day turned out to be absolutely magnificent,” Hoffman said. Ruth Dodge, 43, a police dispatcher from East Hampton, Long Island, who began diving two years ago, made only her second boat dive with the AquaWomen. “It was a phenomenal experience,” she said. “Everyone was more than helpful with the gear. The camaraderie was unbelievable. It was so much fun.” ■
Long Island Divers Association Serving the Long Island and Greater New York Diving Community for More Than 25 Years! Captain Mike’s Diving City Island, NY 718-885-1588 www.captainmikesdiving.com
RV Garloo Captree Boat Basin, Long Island
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914-589-1368 www.garlooent.com
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Hampton Dive Center Riverhead, NY 631-727-7578 www.hamptondive.com Swim and Scuba Rockville Centre, NY 516-872-4571 www.swimandscuba.com
QC Scuba Wantagh, NY 516-826-7222 www.qcscuba.com Kings County Divers Brooklyn, NY 718-648-4232 www.kcdivers.com
LIDA is a not-for-profit regional organization dedicated to the promotion of local diving and is staffed completely by volunteers.
Seascapes USA Syosset, NY 631-433-7757 www.seascapesusa.com Horton Point Lighthouse image courtesy of Steve Neumann
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9
TROPICAL FISH
NORTHEAST
Divers to Rescue Tropical Fish
Spotted Grouper - Usually grow to around 3” in length. I have tried to capture one for over 25 years - to no avail.
Red Lionfish - This 1.5” long juvenile was captured in Jamestown, RI. By Bob Michelson, Guest Writer, Dive News Network
O
n Sunday, Aug. 29, the New England Aquarium Dive Club (NEADC) will host their annual Tropical Fish Rescue. The event is centered in Fort Wetherill, Jamestown, RI and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The aim? To capture and relocate tropical fish before the winter waters begin affecting them. Divers from all over the east coast will capture juvenile tropical fish that have been deposited in southern New England waters by the Gulf Stream. Tropical fish eggs attach themselves to floating seaweeds and the Gulf Stream carts them north. The eggs then hatch and fish follow eddies off the main Gulf Stream and spend the summer months feeding and growing in warm water off the coast with no clue that winter is right around the corner. By late August, the baby fish have grown to the size of a dime, some up to a quarter, but 10
Short Bigeye - Baby Short bigeye are frequently caught in Southern New England.
then they are in danger. As New England water temperatures fall and the Gulf Stream recedes further south these baby fish are stranded. If divers do not capture or rescue the juveniles they die. This is when the divers come in to save the day. The most frequently captured fish include Spot Fin Butterfly, Spotted Grouper and Big Eye but in recent years juvenile Lionfish have also been captured. Trying to capture these small fish is challenging but a lot of fun. The NEADC will teach beginners how to collect and bring the fish back to shore and will provide extra fish nets for collecting. Most collecting can be done by either SCUBA, or snorkeling at low tide and the captured fish are then brought to the New England Aquarium in Boston, the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut and the Seacoast Science Center in New Hampshire. For more info or to join this years’ effort email programs@neadc.oerg. ■
Dive Locally - Where It Really Matters
HOW TO:
DIVE TIPS
New England Dive Center and Thunderfish Charters Team Up
. a dive after rrey g in il sm a To y Olg one is Every to courtes Pho
Courtesy New England Dive Center
O
SEA GYPSieS DIVE CLUB OFFERS BOAT DIVING 101
Julia Chan ascends after a great dive. Photo courtesy Larry Cohen
n any given Saturday morning you’ll find the dive charter the Thunderfish heading on the beautiful Mystic River in Connecticut. She’s heading out for another day of adventure diving the shipwrecks along the east coast. Being a dive charter there’s a distinct difference in the way dive operations are handled; it is all about the diver. This year the New England Dive Center along with Thunderfish Dive Charters are going a step further putting a very experienced instructor onboard, at no cost to the divers, in order to enhance the experience once more. The program is easy; upon arriving at the marina divers are met by captain and crew to help them load their gear for a 2 tank boat dive. Once the boat has left the dock the instructor takes time to go over boat etiquette with the divers, along with the comfort and safety features of the vessel. Having an expert instructor onboard will ensure that the divers, both experienced and beginning, will get the most out of their dive charter experience. A 40 minute boat ride and the captain anchors the diving begins only the divers on this charter have experience to follow. During the dive any diver that expressed interest in any skills they will be given hands on instruction during the dive; for example proper wreck reel use, lift bag deployment, navigation, proper bouncy control and slow assents. It is for this specific one on one instruction that having an instructor present on a dive charter is a valuable asset. “Many divers have questions, need a refresher or even need to learn small things for the first time, having an instructor aboard allows for all of this and more,” says diver Rick Stratton. “I think it’s a great idea.” For more information on these dive opportunities visit www.nedive.com. ■
Captain Rich alw ays has a smile on his face. Photo courtesy Olga Torrey
By Larry Cohen
F
rom the very beginning, the captain and crew of the dive boat John Jack have encouraged divers to enjoy the rich and vibrant waters of the Northeast. Captain Rich Benevento who has owned the boat for two years, continues this tradition with “Intro to Northeast Diving trips”. Dive shops and clubs charter the boat for these special outings. The trips are geared toward certified divers who have experience in warm water. Instructors, crew and veteran NE divers help the inexperienced to gear up in 7mm wetsuits, hoods and gloves. They learn how to safely deal with the cold and restricted visibility. The newbies are given an underwater tour, so they experience the best features of the wreck, and they get to see that NE marine life might not be colorful, but it is still interesting. Usually these trips are one tank dives done in the evening after the boat’s normal charter. In July, the Manhattan dive club The New York City Sea Gypsies took their new to the North Atlantic divers out for a full day of wreck diving. Twelve divers boarded the John Jack, many came the night before to sleep on the boat. Six of these divers had never dove off the New Jersey coast. Experienced club members and crew would guide these new NE divers and help them have a pleasant day on the water. The group went to the Venturo Tugboat; part of the NJ artificial reef program. With perfect weather the John Jack traveled just a few miles to the wreck, sitting in 60’ of water. Luck being on their side, The New York City Sea Gypsies had flat seas, no current, and about 30’ of visibility. Everyone suited up in an efficient manner and jumped off the boat. The intact tugboat is small, so even a diver with a large SAC rate is able to see the wreck from bow to stern. The
John Jack crew helps divers suit up. Photo courtesy Olga Torrey
propeller is still attached and makes for a nice Kodak moment. Also that day marine life was plentiful, with large Black Fish swimming around the pilothouse and Sea Robins feeding in the sand. You could not ask for a better day to introduce divers to Northeast wreck diving. ■
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11
LOBSTER MINI SEASON
NORTHEAST
LOBSTER
The Allure of Lobster Mini-Season
Monster Lobster Photo by: Dolphin Sun Dive Charters Inset Photos by: Indian Valley Scuba.
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very year the Florida commercial lobster season ends on March 15th and reopens August 1st for traps and harvesting. This little break gives the lobster population a chance to spawn, tend to their eggs, and create the next generation of tasty crustaceans. It also is a time for lobster movement, often from deeper waters, to the shallower reef systems inshore, where food is plentiful and the habitat offers a lot of great hiding places. It is during this time that divers and snorkelers get a fun opportunity…to hunt by hand. The last Wednesday and Thursday of July every year are reserved for recreational divers and boaters to get first dibs on all the spiny lobster that have been spawning all spring and summer before the commercial fisheries set their lobster traps. This very special time of the year, as far as the lobster hunters are concerned, is called the ‘miniseason’. For two days people from the around the
country descend down to Key Largo to try their best efforts at catching Florida Spiny Lobster. Although anyone with a Florida fishing license and crawfish stamp can hunt for lobster most non-locals come down only for mini-season. Late July in Florida is a recreational divers Mecca unmatched on the local waterways and reefs during the rest of the year. For the past seven years, customers of Indian Valley SCUBA (IVS) have traveled from Harleysville, Pennsylvania to Key Largo to take part in Lobster Mini-Season and the size and popularity of the IVS Lobster Mini-Season group has grown steadily over the years. The 2011 Edition of the IVS Lobster week saw 24 divers for the Lobster Mini-Season. This year the Team IVS captured 172 legal sized lobsters in two days of Mini-Season shattering the group’s 2010 record of 107 lobsters. For more info visit www.indianvalleyscuba.com ■
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HOST YOUR OWN DIVE AGAINST DEBRIS
orts f f E leanup C e g r a h C Scuba Divers Super
NORTHEAST DESTINATION
for Debris Month o
Marine Debris Month of Action begins September 1!
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housands of volunteer divers from around the world will hit the water for Marine Debris Month of Action beginning on September 1st starting a new year-round underwater program. Executive Director for Project AWARE Foundation Jenny Miller Garmendia says that the event has gotten divers excited. “We are excited that our new Dive Against Debris program focuses efforts on what only divers can do underwater,” said Garmendia. “Divers have been involved in removing debris for more than 18 years. Now, we’re combining cleanup dives with a year-round,
f Actio n
comprehensive data collection effort to address marine debris issues at the source. And the underwater data and debris we’ll collect during the Debris Month of Action will continue to be shared with our long term partner, Ocean Conservancy.” Marine debris – or human trash that litters the ocean – is finally gaining ground on international policy agendas. Scientists, resource managers and governments increasingly see it as one of the most serious ocean issues of current times. Dive Against Debris is the first program of its kind to engage divers
See the Power
as citizen scientists in reporting comprehensive data about the debris they encounter underwater – anytime and anywhere. There are ways to help make Dive Against Debris efforts a success such as joining the growing movement to protect the ocean planet from the onslaught of marine debris, taking part during September’s Debris Month of Action and helping fund community action and solutions to marine debris problems. For more info on this yearlong effort visit www.projectaware.org. ■
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13
RHODE ISLAND DIVING
RHODE TRIP!
NORTHEAST DESTINATION
Diving is big in the smallest state
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Phot
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The Hope. Photo by: Ben Altman By Bob Michelson Guest Writer, Dive News Network
I
t’s the smallest state when it comes to land area but what Rhode Island may lack in land mass, it more than makes up for in amazing dives. You can collect tiny tropical fish at 10 ft. or dive on an intact German U-Boat off of Block Island at 130 ft. No matter what your skill level or interest Rhode Island waters are calling your name.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Our trip begins with the shipwrecks of the Collier Black Point and the U-853. Both wrecks lie off of Block Island at 100 to 130 ft. The U-853 is the last German submarine sunk during World War II. She was a 252 ft. German Type 1XC/40 U-boat. According to historical accounts the U-boat conducted three war patrol’s, sinking two ships totaling 5,783 tons. During her last patrol, the U-853 sank the USS Eagle 56 near Portland, Maine and just days before the end of the war in Europe, the U-853 sank the Collier Black Point during the battle of Point Judith. It was her second kill and fatal mistake.
14
LOCAL DIVERS - DO IT MORE OFTEN
The Black Point was steaming from New York to Boston and was sunk 4 miles east of Block Island at 100 ft. It sits at 100 ft. with her deck cannon still in place. Visibility can be highly variable and averages 5-20 ft. The U-boat blew off the stern, so use caution when approaching this part of the wreck and be aware of jagged edges from around the blast area. On the same day, President Karl Dönitz of Germany had ordered all U-boats to cease attacking sea trade and return to their bases. Whether ignored, or ill warned, the captain continued on his quest to attack boats. Unknown to the crew of the U-853 the hunter – killer group including the Atherton, and Moberly were steaming at full power towards their location to get to their homeport to celebrate the end of the war. The killer group, informed of what happened to Black Point, dropped depth charges and hedgehog mines on the U-853 and sank her in 130 ft of water 7 miles off of Block Island. The U-boat remains intact and upright on the seafloor with the majority of her 55-man crew entombed inside but the captain was later removed and buried in Newport, RI.
DIVE DESTINATIONS NE
RHODE ISLAND DIVING Today this wreck can be penetrated, but is recommended that only highly experienced divers with either advanced technical diver training experience attempt going inside the wreck. Cruising over the deck area from bow to stern and around the conning tower is a rush, and if you read up on the history of this wreck prior to diving her, you can almost feel the battle unfold around you. You can reach the conning tower at about 100 ft. with her deck lying at 120-125 ft. above the mud.
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Tautog or blackfish on a shipwreck. Photo by Bob Michelson
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One of my favorite locations in Jamestown is Fort Wetherill. This location is home to a beautifully maintained State Park with plenty of free parking. This dive site is split into two separate coves by a finger-like section of land. This is a popular dive training location, so it is advisable to arrive early to secure a parking spot. One cove has a rocky entry down to a small cobblestone to sand beach. Once at water level entry and exit is very easy with a slow, shallow grade out to slightly deeper water of up to about 20 ft. This is also my favorite place to hunt for small tropical fish during the late summer and fall months. I frequently see dime sized Spot fin butterfly fish darting in and out of the rocks near the bottom. This location is where one of the first juvenile Red Lionfish recorded in New England waters was captured in 2007. Red Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean and are considered an invasive species along the entire East Coast of the United States from Florida to southern New England. The other cove offers wall-like diving and is home to Stony coral, frilled sea anemone, Black sea urchins and other
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15
RHODE ISLAND DIVING marine species found south of Cape Cod in New England. This side drops down to depths of about 70 ft. Another good location is “The Dumplings”. This dive site is shallow at about 20 ft. and offers a good vantage spot to swim out to smaller islands farther offshore. Swimming out from shore you will fin over sand and eel grass out to rockier substrate. Typically found here are, northern lobster, crabs, Tautog, or blackfish. The Dumplings are my back-up plan in the event Fort Wetherill is blown-out due to weather. Divers report potentially strong currents during an outgoing tide, so check your local tide charts before diving this location. A third location in Jamestown is Beavertail Light. This is a more advanced dive with depths dropping down quickly beyond recreational diving limits. The site is exposed to the sea and typically yields very difficult entries with pounding surf. Enter the water on either side of the light house. Due south of the lighthouse is an opening in the rocks that divers use to quickly get out to deeper water and away from the surf zone. If you are more familiar with this dive site, either dive with a buddy who had dove this area before, or relocate Fort Wetherill if sea conditions allow.
Newport, Rhode Island
My favorite place to dive for small
NORTHEAST DESTINATION
Atlantic purple sea urchin. Photo by Bob Michelson
tropical fish that were brought up and deposited along southern New England by the Gulf Stream is Greenbridge in Newport, Rhode Island. This area is an enclosed cove and is almost always open to dive regardless as to prevailing weather conditions. Depths max out at about 15 ft. and tiny tropical fish are everywhere from late summer through early November. This is where I first learned to collect tropical fish over 25 years ago and it is a ball! Collecting Rhode Island Tropical Fish Bring two aquarium fish nets – one very small and another large net. Carry gallon zip lock bags in a mesh collection (or bug) bag that you clip to your BCD. You coerce
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the tiny fish out from its’ hiding place and coral the animal into the second net, then you transfer the baby fish into one of your zip lock bags for transportation back to the surface after your dive in the mesh bag. There is some pre-planning that needs to go into collecting and transporting tropical fish back to your home aquarium. First make sure you bring an aerating source (an extra SCUBA tank, or O2 bottle with an aerating stone attached works quite well). You need a 5 gallon bucket, or equivalent to transfer and transport your collected fish home while keeping them well aerated. Of course you also need to have a well-established aquarium ready to accept your rescued
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Local Divers Do It In Oceans, Rivers, Lakes and Quarries!
RHODE ISLAND DIVING tropical fish when you get home! Rhode Island offers an impressive array of dive locations that keep divers coming back year after year! I can well understand and appreciate our smallest New England State being named “The Ocean State” because once you dive in, there are an ocean of possiblities. ■
Diving Rhode Island
Rhode Island dive sites are accessible from many areas from US Route 95, Rhode Island Route’s 138 and 114. Most Dive facilities in the region can direct you to any of the featured dive locations, or you can login to www.scubanewengland.com for a complete listing of each dive site with directions. Please abide by local parking restrictions and respect local residents property boundaries, as most dive sites in this region abutt neighborhoods. If diving in summer, or early fall a ¼” wetsuit without hood and gloves will suffice for exposure suits, as water temperatures can reach in the mid 70’s this time of year in Southern New England. Full wetsuits, or drysuits are recommended for the remainder of the year. Don’t forget your tropical fish collecting nets!!
NORTHEAST DESTINATION
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17
MW ‘HOT’ NEWS
MIDWEST DIVE NEWS
Legends Sixth Year Was a Success
The sixth annual Legends of Diving festival series at the Portage Quarry near Bowling Green was held Aug 12-14 and it was a huge success. Dr. Jose Jones, DEMA’s 2011 Horizon Award Diver of the Year, was our featured guest. Joining him was two returning favorites, Sea Hunt Expert Alec Peirce and Free Diving Legend Robert Croft. Victor Worst also returned. Divers were treated with all of these seasoned divers sharing their experience and passing on their knowledge of the sport of scuba diving. For more info please visit www.portagequarry.com.
Sept 23-25
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT in illinois?
The DUI Dog Rally & Demo Tour is letting the dogs out on Sept. 23rd-25th at Mermet Spring in Metropolis, Illinois. The DUI experts will help divers demo their equipment diving and trying it all out. There will be activities for the divers and a BBQ lunch will be provided. For more info visit www.dui-online.com.
Neptune Treasure Dive Offers Food and Prizes
The 2011 Neptune Treasure Dive sponsored by Neptune Dive Club will be held Saturday, Sept. 10th beginning at 10 a.m. at Weborg Point, Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, WI. There will be diving, food, prizes and awards. There is a 10 a.m. registration followed by the 11 a.m. Treasure Dive and then a potluck to be held at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is asked to please bring a dish to pass. For more info visit www.neptunesdiveclub.com/picnic.html.
SW Michigan Underwater Preserve Presents 6th Annual Trash and Treasure Hunt
On Sept. 10 the SW Michigan Underwater Preserve will be hosting its 6th Annual Trash & Treasure Hunt, at Moby’s Dive Shop located on Lake Versluis in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Diving will begin at 11 a.m. with registration on site beginning at 10 a.m. Registration is available in advance at any SWMUP supporting dive shop and on the web site at www.diveSWMUP.com.
Aqua Specialist Owner Falls Ill
Aqua Specialists of Cleveland, OH has announced that their owner, John Norris, has colon cancer. Everyone is asked to keep him in mind and send positive thoughts as he wages this new battle. Norris’ Aqua Specialists has been providing everything for sport and professional SCUBA diving to the Great Lakes region and beyond for over 30 years. For more info visit www.aquaspecialists.com.
Diveheart 6th Annual Golf Outing
One long DRIVE for one great DIVE is the catch phrase for the Diveheart 6th Annual Golf event to be held on Sept. 23rd. There will be golfing and a raffle at this years’ event. The cost of the event includes 18 Holes of golf w/Cart and dinner. The event begins with dinner at 6 p.m. For more info please contact Ron Rispoli at ron.rispoli@diveheart.org or Larry Casey at larry. casey@diveheart.org. 18
SEpt 16-18 DOGS BARKING IN OHIO!
The DUI Dog Rally & Demo Tour is hitting the Gilboa Quarry on September 16-18 in Ottawa, Ohio. The DUI experts will be on hand to help divers demo their wares and actually dive with the equipment. Activities for the divers will take place and even a BBQ lunch will be provided. For more info visit www.dui-online.com.
Underwater Haunted Quarry and Pumpkin Carving at Gilboa Quarry
There will be an Underwater Haunted Quarry and Pumpkin Carving event on Saturday, Oct. 8th at Gilboa Quarry located in Ottawa, Ohio. The event includes participation in the Underwater Pumpkin Carving and Underwater Haunted Quarry as well as the chance to win a prize. A picnic style “hot” lunch is also provided. The Underwater Pumpkin Carving Dive will be held from noon to 2 p.m. All proceeds from this event will go to the National MS Society. Call Splash at 412-531-5577 to register.
Missing plane found 71 years later
On Dec. 12, 1940, the snow was flying fast and furious in high winds when an aircraft on a training flight from the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Borden went missing over Lake Muskoka. The next day two aircraft took off to search for the missing plane. Hours later, the planes, Northrop A-17A Nomads, collided and plummeted into the deep, icy waters of Lake Muskoka. One plane was found within weeks and the bodies of the two pilots recovered. The other aircraft and its pilots — a Brit, Peter Campbell, 24, and a Canadian, Ted Bates, 27 — were never located, until now. The Nomad has been found resting at the bottom of the lake near Browning Island, a few kilometers west of Bracebridge by Matt Fairbrass and the “Lost Airmen in Muskoka” Project, a group dedicated to finding missing aircraft. The plane was found using divers and sonar equipment.
Dive Locally - Where It Really Matters
MW ‘HOT’ NEWS
PARALYZED TEEN
Scuba Diving Takes Paralyzed Teen’s Disability Away
Instructor Jeff Davis helps get John Harris under control during his first open water dive at White Star Quarry. Photo courtesy The Blade. Photo By Andy Morrison.
A
paralyzed Michigan teenager discovered recently just what it would be like to be without his disability for a time. John Harris used his hands to glide through the water as he and his sister, Ashley spent some time being “normal” teens playing in the waters of Whitestar Quarry. Scuba diving did for this teen what nothing else could…it gave him the freedom of movement back. Aqua Hut Dive Shop owner and dive instructor Jeff Davis recently got the opportunity to help young Harris get involved with scuba diving in order to allow the teen to spend some time out of his
Instructor Jeff Davis holds onto John Harris as he dips under the water. Ashley Harris and Jason Thor look on. Photo Courtesy The Blade. By Andy Morrison.
wheelchair. Harris was paralyzed in a dirtbike accident less than a year ago but he isn’t letting that stop his certification as a scuba diver. Harris says that his life has changed but that doesn’t mean it has to stop. He isn’t letting his injury slow him down one bit. Young Harris needed something to focus on after losing the ability to ride dirt bikes so his father suggested scuba diving. The Harris family asked, Aqua Hut, in Toledo to help teach John. Owner Davis offered adaptive scuba diving and so together with his sister, John began a new adventure. Now Davis, along with Diveheart, a
nonprofit organization in Downers Grover, Ill is supporting Harris as he continues his quest to get certified. Diveheart teaches not only those with disabilities to dive but also those who want to become adaptive scuba instructors or dive buddies. It is through this program that Davis stays in touch with the many methods that allow a dive instructor to help someone with a disability learn and now, divers like Harris have access to the great sport of diving. For more info on Aqua Hut visit www.aqua-hut.com and for info on Diveheart visit www.diveheart.org ■
Dive Milwaukee’s Shipwrecks!
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19
LAKE HURON
THUNDER BAY
Weird science
Project Shiphunt’s Young Explorers Discover & Map Two Shipwrecks in 3D
e
amag
d Fatal
errick M.F. M Intel. e h t f nd eo ony a rd sid arboa hotos by: S t s e h P to t A remote o perated ve reveals the hicle (ROV wreck of th e M.F. Merr ) ic Photos by: Sony and In k, tel.
Project Shiphunt team on the foredeck of NOAA research vessel LAURENTIAN (left to right – James Willett, Tiesha Anderson, Dr. James Delgado, Cody Frost, Tirrea Billings, Yer Vang). Photos by: Sony and Intel.
I
t’s a chance of a lifetime…discover and then map an entire shipwreck to share with the rest of the world. Thanks to Sony and Intel’s Project Shiphunt not only does a team get to do it but they get to do it in 3D and…. they are a team of kids! Project Shiphunt is a cooperative effort between Sony, Intel and NOAA. The plan was to bring in young explorers, scientists and historians to seek out a shipwreck and then, using the science of 3D mapping, map and share their discovery with the world. These weren’t the top scientific kids in the US but a group of five, James Willett, Yer Vang, Tirrea Billings, Tiesha Anderson and Cody Frost, chosen from Arthur Hill High School, in Saginaw. Michigan. What did they have to do to show that they deserved a spot on the team? They had to tell the Project 20
Shipwreck coordinators why they wanted to do it; everyone had a chance to be a part of the project. Once the students were chosen the project began in May and the students along with a team from NOAA including Dr. James Delgado, as well as scientists and historians from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, took to Lake Huron in search of their shipwreck. This was the task of a lifetime conducted in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The team’s mission was to hunt for a historically meaningful sunken ship, investigate its identity, and document the journey in 3D video. Thanks to Sony and Intel the team was outfitted with the latest Sony VAIO computers and 3D map
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rendering equipment and now….just months after the project began, the team has seen success. The Project Shiphunt team made an underwater discovery; shipwrecks of the schooner M.F. Merrick and the steel freighter Etruria, in deep water off of Presque Isle in Lake Huron. Current Media, the Peabody and Emmy Award winning independent television and online network founded in 2005, aired the teams’ adventure as the hour-long special “Project Shiphunt” on August 30th. The response to the program was wonderful. “Ship hunting was once a long, arduous process – more of a hobby than a science,” explained expedition leader Dr. James Delgado of NOAA. “With today’s compact, powerful technology, we have the ability to collect data by pinging
MIDWEST DIVE NEWS
PROJECT SHIPHUNT
The M.F. Merrick shipwreck visualization. Credit: Mike Postons -Fourth Element/3deep
Shiphunt team member James Willett operates the underwater ROV via a Sony VAIO laptop and joystick. Photos by: Sony and Intel.
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the ocean floor, processing the data set, and creating a three dimensional image. Watching that, I was excited to see how the students, like the technology, are up to the task of being the next generation of explorers, oceanographers and maritime archaeologists.” Delgado added that he himself had a great deal of fun. “While I have had a four decade long career in archeology and I have very much enjoyed it,” Delgado said. “It has been incredible to take a group of young people out and see them embrace a project like this and basically see it change their lives; it has just been amazing. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world.” Steven Nickel, vice president of Networked Technology and Services Division at Sony Electronics, agreed with Delgado and says that the kids inspired his team as well. “All of us involved from Sony and Intel are inspired by the efforts of the crew on this discovery,” said Nickel. “It is exciting to see Sony VAIO’s
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21
ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY
r Vang. ite to Ye Intel. s t e g r ta d out the s by: Sony an ointing Photo lgado p
es De
Dr. Jam
Ship onboar hunt team me d the N OAA re mber James W searc illett Photos h vessel STOR M by: Son y and In . tel.
The M.F. Merrick’s wheel remains intact in deep water. Photos by: Sony and Intel.
James Willett radios to the diving boat. Photos by: Sony and Intel.
remarkable computing power and innovative technologies applied to this shipwreck hunting expedition and ultimately contribute to a poignant story of personal discovery for the talented student crew.” Delgado says that the technology worked hand in hand with the kids and it was fascinating seeing how well these young people took to using it. “The technology used in ship hunting is akin to using your eyes now,” said Delgado. “How much of 22
what you see is dependent on your field of view. Historically, ship hunting was like looking through a microscope. Your perspective was limited to what you could physically see. However, today’s technology, advances in computing and SONAR allow us to step away from the microscope, widening our field of view while also preserving the detail.” The schooner M.F. Merrick was lost when a passing steamer struck her in a dense
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fog off Presque Isle in May 1889. Laden with a heavy cargo of iron ore, the 230foot Rufus P. Ranney hit the M.F. Merrick on her starboard (right) side and opened a hole 12-feet wide in the old schooner, causing her to sink immediately. Five crewmen went down with her. Built in 1863 in Clayton, N.Y., by well-known shipbuilder John Oades, the 139 x 26 ft. vessel was a typical “canaller,” designed to pass through the locks of the Welland Ship Canal, bypassing
SHIPWRECK Niagara Falls and connecting Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River with the Upper Great Lakes. The find was exciting for the team because the mapping part of the project was made more interesting by the ship itself. The second find, the Etruria was built for the Hawgood Transit Company of Cleveland, but only lasted three years. She sank in 1905, after colliding with a steamer in the fog off Presque Isle Light. Again, this was a perfect shipwreck for mapping because there was so much of the ship left to see. Delgado says that the project would not have been a success without the support of the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary. “The entire sanctuary system jumped behind this project, especially the Thunder Bay team,” Delgado says. “It was more than just a survey; it was putting on the 3D equipment to map it so it can be shared with the world. These kids got the chance to be a part of something that will continue to give to other students for a very long time.” Delgado adds that now that the mission of Project Shiphunt is complete, Sony and Intel Corp. will partner with NOAA on a comprehensive educational curriculum for high school science and history teachers. Students will be able to experience Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary through the Project Shiphunt adventure directly
CANADA from their classrooms. “NOAA is always very focused on outreach and education programs,” says Delgado. “We are America’s marine scientist and this is just one more way we can share the world’s ocean systems with the world. It really was a labor of love for everyone involved.” The Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary was very proud to have taken part in the project as well. “Project Shiphunt was an extraordinary opportunity to bring the excitement and science of shipwreck exploration to students and classrooms across the nation,” said Jeff Gray, the sanctuary superintendent. “We look forward to continuing our work with Sony to enrich the lives of young people
so they will understand and appreciate the value in protecting our nation’s underwater treasures.” According to Delgado this will probably not be the last team of students to look for and map shipwrecks. Project Shiphunt is an effort that could see more teams of students and film crews out on the Great Lakes mapping other wrecks and bringing them to the classrooms of the world. “We have an opportunity to teach about the past through actual hands on experince,” Delgado says. “What a great way to show future generations what can be done through science.” For more info on this project visit http://blog.sony.com/tag/project-shiphunt.■
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23
BAHAMAS
Bahamas Shark Diving
SHARK DIVING
Cages? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Cages!
Shark. Lemon tnell. ri B : Jett hoto by
P
By Jett Britnell Travel Editor, Dive News Network
I
contemplated, as we stood on the dive boat swim grid surveying approximately eighteen lemon sharks circling on the ocean’s surface. All I could think was, “Ahh huh, we’re going to plunge into the middle of that?” And if that was not enough to test ones nerve, lurking closer to the sea floor, we could see two ominous-looking dark torpedo shapes moving around beneath the lemon sharks. I have dived with different sharks all over the world but I had never experienced anything like this before…Tiger sharks! At long last, I was only moments away from a shark encounter that I had long only imagined. We were diving with Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures, a diver charter operator who specializes in liveaboard shark diving expeditions in the Bahamas. We cleared customs and the 65-foot boat, M/V Shear Water, with over 500 lbs. of crated fish 24
to be used as shark bait, set sail for Little Bahama Bank, approximately 20 miles off the northwestern tip of Grand Bahama Island. The Shear Water dropped anchor over shallow white sand and a sea grass covered bottom and the crew quickly placed bait crates of bloody fish parts overboard. We had arrived at fabled “Tiger Beach,” perhaps one of the greatest places in the ocean realm to dive with tiger sharks. After a two-hour plus dive briefing on the do’s and don’ts when in the vicinity of big sharks, we were anxious to don our gear and get in the water. We waited until Captain Abernethy, determined whether we had a “player” in our midst. A “player” in shark diving lingo refers to a tiger shark that can be chummed in and who will stay around long enough to be photographed. Finally we heard “pools open, time to jump in the water.” Indeed, it felt as if we were about to plunge into the world’s largest shark infested swimming pool, armed with nothing but our
Lemon Sha
rks chasing Photo by: Je the bait. tt Britnell.
camera rigs and a shark stick (PVC pipe segment) to be used to fend off a persistent shark who may be getting too close for comfort. One by one, divers quietly slipped off the swim grid and quickly descended to the sandy sea floor twenty feet below. If there was ever a place that could be called shark nirvana, this is surely it. There were more lemon sharks milling around than I could count. Some would swim just beyond the perimeter of the divers while many were close enough to touch. The rapid urges of adrenalin subsided somewhat once we realized that the lemon sharks, though impressive in size, were ambivalent toward us and did not even seem to acknowledge our presence. It was a different matter with the tiger sharks however. We had two “players” with us, swimming in close proximity and performing tight loops around some divers. A large tiger shark that Captain Abernethy had affectionately named
we are looking for more stories - contact us at editor@divenewsmag.com
TROPICAL DESTINATION
BAHAMAS
era. t camtnell. u o i king tt Br chec by: Je s k r o t ha Pho on S
Lem
Jim Photo b Abernethy . y: Jett Britnell .
Lemon Sharks on the Surface. Photo by: Jett Britnell.
RAJA AMPAT, .......where all the fishes live! Jim Ab ern Photo b ethy’s T-Shirt. y: Jett Britnell .
“Kate” swam into the scene escorted by a school of large cobia. With camera strobes furiously flashing in a sort of aquatic paparazzi frenzy, the tiger sharks were the red carpet stars. Every now and then a tiger would tentatively move in to mouth the bait boxes and our shark wrangler would shake his two bait crates like maracas in order to generate more fish scent. Unable to get their mouth completely around the boxes, the tigers would return to try again a few minutes later, thus providing some exceptional shark photo opportunities. During some dives we had as many as five tigers in view along with the passing parade of lemon sharks. As one of the oceans’ most feared predators, Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are often accused of being man-eaters. While there are many shark supporters who would vehemently debate against this point, there does seem to be some slight behavioral differences between tiger sharks in the Pacific Ocean vs. those inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean. Pacific tiger sharks are viewed to be generally more aggressive than Atlantic tiger sharks; however tiger sharks in Bahamian waters seem to be more cautious and wary. At one point on our second day when all my fellow divers were topside enjoying lunch, I alone remained in the water with our shark wrangler. We had one tiger with us, a “player” who had remained by the boat since the day before. As the shark wrangler would entice the shark close to the bait, I would snap off some pictures. My
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www.papua-diving.com 25
BAHAMAS
SHARK DIVING
Savvy Shark Diving Protocols
Not unlike the sport of skydiving or mountain climbing on dangerous peaks, shark diving does have some inherently potential risks. Hence, shark diving without the protection of cages is reserved for divers with advanced levels of scuba certification and experience in order to keep the diver as safe as possible: • Research and study the behavior of the shark species you plan to dive with. • Stay aware of where the bait bucket may be and if a shark happens to chomp down on your camera housing, let them have it and go retrieve it later. • Position yourself upright or vertical in the water column as much as possible in order to show the shark that divers are a foreign object and should not be mistaken for being a marine living species. Ensure there is nothing dangling off your person such loose hoses, lanyards, etc. • Wear black wetsuits and fins, or blue fins, so as not to attract the shark’s attention. Avoid wearing contrasting colors -- high-contrast or brightly colored swimsuits may confuse sharks. Even differing tan lines are thought to lead to mistaken identity bites. • Always allow the shark to have easy access to the bait, as well as an easy escape route. • Never lose sight of the sharks in your immediate vicinity and be sure to do a 360-degree scan of your surroundings to detect any new sharks that may have arrived. Where possible avoid staring directly at the shark and watch it from “the corner of your eyes.” • During any shark encounter, avoid making any erratic or rapid body movements. This often frightens a shark into fleeing, or may even initiate a defensive attack. • If you must surface while a shark is in your immediate vicinity: move slowly and deliberately, never lose sight of the shark. Swim directly to your pre-planned exit site. • Observe the sharks’ behavior. If it appears excited or agitated (pectoral fins held stiffly downward; abrupt change in swimming style) or otherwise begins to swim in an inconsistent manner, leave the water immediately. Also notice the behavior of fish in the immediate area: if they suddenly dive for cover, appear to behave erratically or in an agitated manner, leave the water immediately. • Always trust your instincts - if something just doesn’t “feel” right about the situation, abort the dive and exit the water immediately.
Caribbean Reef Shark. Photo by: Jett Britnell. 26
Local divers DO IT MORE OFTEN!
TROPICAL DESTINATION
BAHAMAS
Tiger Beach. Photo by: Jett Britnell.
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jaw dropped in wonder when I saw the shark wrangler, or shark matador as I prefer, allowed the tiger to swim between his legs. While tiger sharks may be the Holy Grail for some, dedicated shark diving expeditions allow divers to get close to other shark species such as Caribbean reef sharks, great hammerheads, bull sharks, black tips, nurse sharks and lemon sharks. Caribbean reef sharks are one of the most photographed and abundant sharks that patrol coral reefs in the Bahamas. Deemed to be non-aggressive, this is the shark that is most often the star of organized shark feedings. They routinely swim within touching distance and seem to pay no mind to divers in their midst. At a fabulous dive site called, “The Arena”, I counted more than twenty of these five to six foot long sharks during one dive. Sharks are not the angry dragons of the sea, nor are they the terrifying malevolent killing machines of myth and legend. They are apex ocean predators who have evolved to do what they do in the extremely well in order to survive. Sharks help maintain a healthy balance in the marine ecosystem by culling the genetically weakest members from the stronger ones. Remove sharks from the food chain, and we could see an imbalance or population collapse of other marine species. A Bahamas shark safari offers shark worshippers an opportunity to experience sharks in their own element. Best of all, you don’t need no stinkin’ cages to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. ■
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Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
27 27
GEAR BOX TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY Waterproof Wetsuits Trade-in Program
Waterproof is beginning a new program that will benefit the diver who wants to trade-in his older gear for an upgrade. The company has announced a trade-in program that will allow scuba divers to upgrade to a newer suit. With finances being an issue for everyone this is yet another way to save money and upgrade your equipment/ gear. The upgrade program, available for a limited time through authorized Waterproof dealers, involves three Waterproof models, the W1, W2, and the W3. In order for divers to participate, bring your existing wetsuit to a dive store, select one of the qualifying models and receive a 20 percent discount immediately. Waterproof suits have an exclusive design that provides exposure protection in a fashionable and comfortable way and now…they are upgradable. For more info visit www.waterproof-usa.com
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Oceanic VT 4.0 A Full-Featured Wrist-Mount DC
Oceanic’s VT4.0 is a wrist-mount dive computer that’s loaded with features. A hose-less air integration, with the ability to read up to four transmitters and the ability to track three gas mixes. It has a three-axis full-tilt digital compass and a choice of two algorithms, one relatively liberal, one relatively conservative. There’s a Deep Stop feature, a Buddy Pressure Check feature and the ability to customize the data presentation. The VT 4.0 has a nice-sized display screen which allows Oceanic to include a very intuitive on-board menu system. An easy to program system as far as both dive settings and personal preferences, divers don’t have to refer to the owner’s manual. For more info visit www.oceanicworldwide.com.
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Cressi BCD
Cressi has introduced a new back inflation travel BC designed to help make dive travel more affordable and enjoyable. The new Air Travel BCD has started shipping to Cressi-affiliated dive centers. The Air Travel BCD was developed in response to divers wanting a lightweight BC that would be more appropriate for travel – specifically ‘Air Travel.’ The Air Travel is light weight, extremely durable and it folds up into its included travel bag. To help introduce the Air Travel to the dive industry, Cressi has launched a national advertising and promotional campaign. For more details, visit Cressi at www.cressi.com.
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Hella Marine SeaVision 0754 Lights
Hella Marine 0754 series surface-mount SeaVision LED underwater lights are heavy-duty lights specifically designed for permanent submersion below the waterline. Ideal for smaller vessels, the powerful, energy-efficient LEDs are available in luminous blue or white options. Hella Marine SeaVision 0754 lights are completely sealed to IP 68 standards in nylon, thermally conductive housing. The thick convex Borofloat glass lens offers clarity and reliability under extreme heat and pressure, and will not blacken or crack. The six LEDs generate a light output of 1,000+ lumens at 10-28V DC. Power consumption is less than 18W. Easily surface mounted on fiberglass or wood hulls, each light measures 6.46” L x 2.98” W x 1.14” D, weighs only 1.3 lbs. and is pre-wired with 6.5’ of twin core marine cable. Recommended installation position is 5-6” below the waterline, with each unit set 3-6’ apart. For more info visit www.hellamarine.com. 28 28
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An alphabetical listing of participating dive shops, charters, live aboards and resorts in tropical locations around the world.
To be listed in our Tropical Dive Directory call 360.240.1874 or email us at nesales@divenewsnetwork.com
BaHaMaS Caribbean Dive Shop 504.831.7017 www.caribbeandiveshop.com
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
Divi Resorts 954.545.0269 www.diviresorts.com Villa Makoshi Lower Level 780.483.0044 www.BonaireDiveVilla.com
CaYMan iSlandS
Southern Cross Club 800.899.2582 www.southerncrossclub.com Sunset House 800.854.4767 www.sunsethouse.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 800.346.6116 www.divetrip.com Scuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com Sea Robin 951.824.9073 www.searobincozumel.com
CUraCao
Ocean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com
FiJi
Beqa Lagoon Resort 800.542.3454 www.beqalagoonresort.com Beyond the Reef 691.350.3483 www.diveyap.com Dolphin Bay Divers Retreat 679.992.4001 dolphinbaydivers.com Qamea Resort & Spa 649.360.0217 www.qamea.com Wananavu 679.669.4433 www.wananavu.com
Florida Amoray Dive Resort 1-800-426-6729 www.amoray.com Coastal Marine Diving Supply 954.815.7914 www.coastalmarinediving.com
Florida (Cont) Conch Republic Divers 800.274.3483 www.conchrepublicdivers.com Crystal Lodge Dive Center 352.795.6798 www.manatee-central.com Crystal River Watersports (352) 795-7033 www.diveorlando.com Horizon Divers 305.453.3535 www.horizondivers.com Key Dives 800.344.7352 www.keydives.com Narcosis Scuba Center 727.934.6474 www.narcosisscuba.com Off The Wall Adventures 863.709-9253 www.offthewalladventures.com SpruceCreekScuba 386.767.1727 www.sprucecreekscuba.com The Dive Station (407) 843-3483 www.divestation.com The Scuba Center (561) 278-7020 www.scubadelray.com Walker’s Dive Charters 561.253.4294 www.walkersdivecharters.com
galaPagoS Divencounters Alliance 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com
HaWaii Maui Dreams Dive Co 808.874.5332 www.mauidreamsdiveco.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 Island DreamsTravel 800.346.6116 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 Puri Wirata Dive Resort & Spa/Bali Reef Divers
62 (0)363 23 523 www.puriwirata.com
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. 998.206.9365 www.aquanautsdiveadventures.com Maya Palms Resorts & Dive Center 888.843.3483 www.mayapalms.com
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY nortH Carolina Aquatic Pleasures 704.734.1174 www.divenowworklater.com Aquatic Safaris & Divers Emporium 910.392.4386 www.aquaticsafaris.com ATLANTIS Atlantis Charters 252.728.6244 CHARTERS www.atlantischarters.net Cape Fear Dive Center 910.458.7390 www.capefeardivecenter.com Discovery Diving Co. 252.728.2265 www.discoverydiving.com Diver Style Scuba 704.289.2089 www.diverstyle.com Divin’ Dawgs 252.638.3432 www.divindawgs.com Olympus Dive Center 252.726.9432 www.olympusdiving.com Outer Banks Diving 252.986.1056 www.outerbanksdiving.com Rum Runner Dive Shop 252.439.4390 www.rumrunnerdiveshop.com Under Pressure Diving (June-Aug) 757.537.6524 www.capt-jt.com The Blue Dolphin Dive Center & Travel 336.760.9226 www.bluedolphindive.com
PHiliPPinES Island DreamsTravel 800.346.6116 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
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
tHailand
Sairee Cottage Diving 667.745.6126 www.saireecottagediving.com
tUrkS & CaiCoS
Oasis Divers 649.946.1128 www.oasisdivers.com Dive Provo 649.946.5040 www.diveprovo.com
get your business listed here FOR $20 - Call us today! 360-240-1874
29 29
A listing of participating dive shops, charters, resorts, and independent instructors NORTHEAST
CONNECTICUT Divers Cove LLC Just Scuba!!!
Essex
(860) 767-1960
Store
NORTHEAST
NORTHEAST
DIVE DIRECTORY
Ed’s Pro Dive Center
Elmira
(607) 368-2096
Shop
Lockness Dive Boat
Freeport
(516) 298-2633
Charter
Pawcatuck
(860) 303-4612
Instructor
The Scuba Shack LLC
Rocky Hill
(860) 563-0119
Store/Instr./Training
Capt. Saam’s Scuba School
Stamford
www.capt-saam.com
Store/Charter
Central Sales Scuba
Thomaston
(860) 283-9239
Store
Garloo
New England Dive Center
Wallingford
(203) 284-1880
Store
DELAWARE Scuba World
Dover
(800) 861-3483
Store
MAINE
Kingston
www.scubadms.com
Mobile Air Fills
Dive Right Scuba
Dive Master Services Inc.
Lagrangeville
(845) 803-4260
Private Instructor
Long Island Scuba
Lindenhurst
(631) 225-8450
Store/Charter
Long Island
(845) 735-5550
Charter
Aqua Visions Scuba
Mamaroneck
(914) 381-1884
Store
Abyss Scuba Center
Mount Kisco
(914) 244-3483
Store
Anything Underwater
New Paltz
(845) 590-9721
Store
Leisure Pro Ltd.
New York
(212)645-1234
Store
Barclay’s Skindivers Paradise
Auburn
(207) 784-7300
Store
Oceanblue Divers
New York
(347) 497-3483
Club
Maine Divers Scuba Center
Portland
(207) 775-3467
Store
Pan Aqua Diving Inc.
New York
(212) 736-3483
Store
Port Diver Scuba Center
Pt. Jefferson Station
(631) 331-9609
Store
Baltimore
(410) 668-6866
Store
Hampton Dive Center
Riverhead
(631) 727-7578
Store
Cockeysville
(410) 666-2326
Store
Swim and Scuba
Rockville Centre (516) 872-4571
Store
MARYLAND Divers Den MD Aqua Ventures, Inc.
MASSACHUSETTS
Seascapes USA
Syosset
(516) 433-7757
Center
Vestal
(607) 757-2930
Store/Charter
Wantagh
(516) 826-SCBA
Store
(716) 326-2773
Charter
Diver Jim’s / Belmont Scuba
Belmont
(617) 484-5246
Store
Blue Ocean Divers
East Coast Divers, Inc.
Brookline
(617) 277-2216
Store/Charter
QCScuba.com
Burlington Scuba
Burlington
(781) 272-5164
Store
Westfield
Boston Harbor Diving Co.
East Boston
(617) 846-5151
Charter
Fitchburg
(978) 343-6330
Store
South Shore Divers Inc
North Weymouth
(781) 331-1144
Store/Charter
Buzzards Bay Diving Ctr.
Onset
buzzardsbaydivecenter.com
Store
Andy’s Sport Shop
NEW HAMPSHIRE UW Sports of New Hampshire Central NH Divers
Keene
(603) 357-4430
Store
Meredith
(603) 279-9099
Store
NEW JERSEY Gypsy Blood Dive
Brielle
www.gypsyblooddive.com
Charter
The Dive Shop NJ
Cherry Hill
(856) 751.0308
Store/Charter
East Hanover
(973) 887-0194
Store
Egg Harbor Twp
(609) 641-7722
Store/Charter
Hoboken Dive Center
Hoboken
(201) 795-3483
Store
East Coast Diving Supply
Northfield
(609) 646-5090
Store
Lakeland Divers, Inc. Atlantic Divers
Atlantic Spear & Scuba Ocean Spirit Aquatics
Point Pleasant Beach atlanticspearandscuba.com Thorofare
(856) 202-5402
Store Store
NEW YORK Seguin’s Scuba Center
Albany
(518) 456-8146
Store/Charter
Lake Erie Diving Center
Angola
(716) 549-4112
Store
Finger Lake Scuba
Auburn
(800) 764-3483
Store/Charter
Jeanne II Diving Charters
Brooklyn
www.jeanne-ii.com
Charter
Kings County Divers
Brooklyn
(718) 648-4232
Store
Stingray Divers
Brooklyn
(718) 384-1280
Store
Buffalo
(716) 837-3483
Store
City Island
(718) 885-1588
Store
Depew
(716) 685-4557
Store
Pisces School of Dive Inc.
East Rochester
(585) 381-2842
Store
National Aquatic Services
East Syracuse
(315) 479-5544
Shop
Dip ‘n Dive Captain Mike’s Diving Discover Diving Dallas
30
Osprey Charters
PENNSYLVANIA Bainbridge Scuba & Snorkeling
Bainbridge
(717) 426-2114
Store/Quarry
Bethlehem
(610) 759-2270
Store
Lehigh Valley Dive Bethlehem (610) 746-4016 www.LVDive.com next to Dutch Springs
Store
Dutch Springs
Uncle Joe’s Scuba
Coraopolis
(412) 262-2664
Store
Erie
www.scubaerie.com
Store
Harleysville (215) 256-6000 www.IndianValleyScuba.com
Store
Diver’s World Indian Valley Scuba B & B Diving - 2 quarries
Hillsville
(724) 667-9448
Store
Pittsburgh Scuba Center
Homestead
(412) 461-3181
Store
Underwater World Inc
Horsham
(215) 672-4180
Store/Charter
Randy’s Dive Shop
Irwin
(724) 863-0752
Store
Lancaster Scuba Center
Lancaster
(717) 397-2822
Store
Willow Springs
Richland
(717) 866-5801
Quarry
Simply Scuba
Tri-State Area
(401) 787-1517
Instructor
A Water Odyssey Scuba
Williamsport
(570) 326-2091
Store
RHODE ISLAND Newport Diving Center
Newport
(401) 847-9293
Store
Jamestown
(401) 560-0280
Store/Instr./Training
East Bay Dive Center
Warren
(401) 247-2420
Store
Giant Stride Dive Shop
Warwick
(401) 732-8808
Store
Portsmouth
www.cbdcscuba.com
Store
Lynnhaven Dive Center
Virginia Beach
(757) 481-7949
Store/Charter
Under Pressure Diving (Sept-May)
Virginia Beach
(757) 537-6524
Charter
Woodbridge
(703) 878-4365
Store
ScubaMadeEasy@Cox.net
VIRGINIA Chesapeake Bay Diving Center
Woodbridge Scuba
get your business listed here for $12.50 - Call us today! 360-240-1874
WaterfrontDiving.com
Burlington
MIDWEST
VERMONT
West End Diving
(802) 865-2771
Store
Bloomington
(309) 826-1080
Store
Bolingbrook
(630) 209-2445
Charter
Enterprise Marine
Des Plaines
(847) 640-8113
Charter
Sealions Dive Center
Hanover Park
(630) 289-1680
Store
Haigh Enterprises
Kankakee
(815) 939-7797
Quarry
Southern Ohio Dive Academy
ILLINOIS Bad Leo’s Diving Windy City Diving
Odyssey Scuba and Travel
(314) 209-7200
Store
Waynesville
(573 )774-DIVE
Store
(419) 352-9203
Club
Scuba Unlimited
Portage Quarry Rec. Club Bowling Green
Cincinnati
(513) 793-4747
Store
Holiday Dive Charters
Cleveland
(216) 771-2628
Store
White Star Quarry
Gibsonburg
www.whitestarquarry.com
Quarry
Aquatic Adventures
Hilliard
(614) 889-2822
Store
Kettering
(937) 298-2999
Store
Lake Zurich
(847) 540-7211
Store
Dive Right In Scuba
Plainfield
(815) 267-8400
Store
Skokie
ScubaSystems.org
Store
Northland Equipment
Scuba Systems
St. Louis/St. Charles OHIO
Chicagoland Scuba Center
WISCONSIN Apostle Island
NorthlandEquipment.net Store/Charter
Scuba World, Inc.
Swansea
(618) 277-3483
Store
Wazee Sports Center Llc
Black River Falls
(715) 284-5181
Store/Charter
Mermet Springs
Vienna
mermetsprings.com
Quarry
Aqua Center of Green Bay
Green Bay
(920) 468-8080
Store
Diver Dan’s Scuba
Kenosha
(262) 652-9399
Store
INDIANA Goose’s Scuba Shack, Inc. Hart City Scuba ASP Diving Lake County Divers Supply Indy Mph Watersports
Dyer
(219) 322-7222
Store
Adventure Charter Boats
Milwaukee
adventurecharterboats.com
Charter
Elkhart
(574) 264-3528
Store
Len-Der Charters
Milwaukee
(414) 588-6764
Charter
Fort Wayne
(260) 207 2773
Store
Hobart
(219) 942-0016
Store
Indianapolis
(317) 842-1988
Store
IOWA
CANADA
MIDWEST
MIDWEST DIVE DIRECTORY
ONTARIO Marlins Scuba
Burlington
Scuba Shack
Gravenhurst
(705) 687-5879
Store
Orangeville
(416) 458-5845
Charter
Scuba Adventures QCA, Inc.
Bettendorf
(563) 324-8771
Store
Diver’s Nook
Parry Sound
(705) 746-9757
Store/Charter
Matt Leydens’ Dive Shop
Des Moines
(515) 288-6312
Store
Scuba 2000
Richmond Hill
(905) 771-1500
Store
West Des Moines
(515) 255-7282
Store
Adventure Diving, Inc.
MICHIGAN
Advanced Diving
www.marlinscuba.com Instruction/Charter
Thousand Isl. Pleasure Diving Dan’s Dive Shop
Thunder Bay Scuba
Alpena
(989) 356-6228
Store
Divers Den
Divers Incorporated
Ann Arbor
www.diversinc.com
Store
Aquarius Scuba Diving Centre
Bruno’s Dive Shop
Clinton Township
(586) 792-2040
Store/Charter
Anchor Bay Scuba
Fair Haven
(586) 725-1991
Store
Enveco Diving
Farmington Hills
(248) 478-6400
Store
The Dive Shack
The Dive Shop
Flint
(810) 732-3900
Store
Grand Rapids
(616) 531-9440
Store
Advanced Scuba & Paintball
Holland
(616) 392-4433
Store/Charter
Isle Royale Charters
Kalamazoo
(855) DIVEIRC
Charter
ZZ Underwater World
Lansing
(517) 485-3894
Store
Great Lakes Divecenter
Shelby Township
greatlakesdivecenter.com
Store
Traverse City
(231) 947-2520
Store
Burnsville
(952) 890-3483
Store
Duluth
(218) 624-7285
Store
Scuba North
MINNESOTA Fantasea Scuba & travel Lake Superior Divers Supply
(866) 659-2334
Charter
DansDiveShop.ca
Store/Charter
Tobermory
(519) 596-2363
Charter/Store
Toronto
www.aquariusscuba.com
Store
NEW BRUNSWICK
Sea the World Great Lakes Dive Locker
Rockport St. Catharines
Bereford
(506) 542-1011
Store
Saint John
(506) 634-8265
Store
(902) 345-2215
Store
(808) 324-4668
Charter
NOVA SCOTIA Easy Dive Canada LTD
Cape Breton Is. Hawaii
Kona Honu Divers
Keauhou
Advertise Your Business Here!
MISSOURI Bonne Terre Mine Captain Nemo’s Dive Shop Y-kiki Divers Extreme Sports Scuba, Inc Y-kiki Divers Ozark Dive Company Y-kiki Divers
Bonne Terre
(888) 843-3483
Mine
Columbia
(573) 442-3483
Store
Creve Couer
(314) 469-8722
Store
Joplin
(888) 565-3483
Store
Lake Saint Louis
(636) 240-3870
Store
Popular Bluff
(573) 778-3483
Store
St. Louis
(314) 843-0354
Store
To be listed in our Dive Directory call (360) 240-1874 or email us at sales@divenewsmag.com
get your business listed here for $12.50 - Call us today! 360-240-1874
31
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