Undercurrent Online Update
for Subscribers

For Subscriber David Denson Whiteside (with username 'dwhitesi' exp: 2024-08-20', at dwhite95815@hotmail.com )
May 20, 2013

After reading our April issue's article about a recall for Aqua Lung BCs with SureLock II weight pocket handles made after 2008, subscriber Fred Brown (Palmdale, CA) wrote that he has an Aqualung Pro QD from around 2004, and "I have replaced at least six weight pockets because the small locking tab breaks off, and there is no way to keep the pockets in after that. Do others have these same issues?" Actually, weight pockets have been a problem for many, so we're asking, have you experienced problems? If so, please let me know in detail about your problem. E-mail me at EditorBenD@undercurrent.org

Under H2O is a new PBS series appearing every other Monday here . The show focuses on Emmy-winning underwater cameraman and marine biologist Craig Musburger as he leads his team on underwater filmmaking adventures. Episodes so far highlight night diving with manta rays, and the eruptions of underwater volcanoes.

Our undercover travel writers visit New Caledonia, the Philippines and Indonesia's Komodo Island. . . our Part II about the when, why and how much to tip on your dive trip . . . shark baiting or eco-tourism: John Bantin gives his take . . . the scandal behind DEMA's refusal to give an award to dive industry pioneer (and long-time Undercurrent contributor) Bret Gilliam . . . the cost of losing your certification card . . . and much more.

Looking to save 10-15% for diving and accommodations on Little Cayman or Cayman Brac? Go to our home page and click on Special Offers to see special deals offered only for Undercurrent subscribers and friends.

The United Nations is warning the country that its Great Barrier Reef could be added to a list of endangered world heritage sites. When UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meets next month, it will recommend that the GBR be included on the List of World Heritage in Danger, ''in the absence of a firm and demonstrable commitment'' from the state and federal governments to take action in halting coastal development projects that could affect the ''outstanding universal value'' of the site. Australia's Environment Minister Tony Burke said the government had already taken steps and would work with the committee to protect the reef, and that Australia is committing $200 million commitment for reef rescue. Let's hope that money isn't coming too late.

We are regularly posting blogs that you can find by going here . The latest is by expert abalone diver Jack Likins, who explains why so many freedivers die on California's north coast (five in a span of 11 days last month) and another by Lada Simek on the impossibility of cleaning his favorite mask. Others are by diving pros and long-time Undercurrent contributors such as Bret Gilliam, John Bantin, Maurine Shimlock and Burt Jones, and Doc Vikingo. Get notified of new blog postings by email here

Phuket marine officials say that 650 square feet of coral have been damaged off Khai Nai island to create a pathway for tourists to walk on the sea floor. "Seawalking" -- walking on the sea floor while wearing a helmet supplied with air from a boat above - was banned from 2007 until the law lapsed last year. The manager of J&J Marine, the seawalking tour company, told the Phuket Gazette that seawalking is environmentally friendly and had not damaged any coral. But marine officials replied that coral reef had been cut to create a flat walkway, complete with a metal railing for tourists to hold, and that the cut coral was piled on top of living coral, and protected sea clams had been relocated. Police said they could not take action unless they witnessed the destruction in progress.

Khai Nai could use a "coral-bot" right now. That's the name for underwater robots created by researchers at England's Heriot-Watt University, which can repair busted coral reefs by gathering broken coral from the sea floor and affixing them to the remaining healthy reef. To put them in action, researchers started a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter , to raise $107,000 needed to have the demonstration coral-bots completed in six months and deployed in October 2014. Pledge money and the rewards range from having your name engraved on a coral-bot or, at the highest tier of $5,000, getting one of them named after you. All pledges must be made by May 27; researchers don't get any money if they don't reach their goal.

The dive industry has forever tried to find a way to make scuba competitive, gain an audience and increase participation. The latest attempt is by Red Sail Sports, Aqua Lung and DAN, which are sponsoring the Scuba Mile, a relay race to be held at Grand Cayman on June 15. Teams of four divers, along with two safety snorkelers, will combine to race a quarter-mile each through the water. The first team to cross the finish line will win bragging rights for a year, as all funds raised go the Special Olympics Cayman Islands, but there will be prizes and goodie bags. The entry fee per team is $200 in Cayman dollars (approximately US$240) and information is here . Registration closes on May 31. So far, no one has offered to build underwater bleachers for spectators on Hookah.

Laura and Rich Howard of Luz, FL, got the best present for their 20th wedding anniversary, when a pod of 20 killer whales showed up during their dive trip in La Paz and took turns jumping behind their boat for nearly an hour. Laura told the Toronto Star, "Each whale would surf for two or three minutes, then veer off to the side of the boat and other one would come in." There were four or five other boats in their group, but the pod would only chase the fast boat the Howards were in, with Laura hoping desperately she wouldn't fall overboard. See the highlights of their "Surfing Killer Whales" video at here

Ben Davison, editor/publisher

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