Undercurrent Online Update for Subscribers

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

October 20, 2019  

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Photo: Bret Gilliam

Komodo Island Closure Cancelled

The U-turn was announced after the environment minister said populations of the ancient lizard remained stable despite influx of visitors. In July, authorities in East Nusa Tenggara province said that the island would be closed for one year from January 2020 to stop tourists interfering with the natural behaviour of the largest species of lizard on earth. Now that move is off. Although the ban has been scrapped, the environment minister said the island “is only for extraordinary people.” That’s because a $500 visitor’s fee will apply.

Your Reader Reports are Important

Your Reader Reports are Important because they tell both the good and bad. These reports help make our monthly newsletter a unique source for serious divers. They join more than 10,000 others in our online database and our annual Travelin Divers’ Chapbook (available in December), which is easily searchable by any other subscriber. Don’t forget to file your report of your last dive trip at: www.undercurrent.org/SubRR

More Expensive California Dive Trips

The U.S. Coastguard is considering new safety regulations following the disastrous Conception fire. One big change under consideration is to eliminate double bunks where one occupant is against a cabin wall, making it difficult for that person to exit in an emergency. While current regulations demand one crew-member is on watch at night, this might be increased to two. The price for overnight boat trips would increase accordingly. More in Undercurrent (November).

Beachgoer’s Shark Bite

A woman needed 29 sutures in her foot in September after a suspected shark bite while swimming in the water off Isle of Palms, near Charleston, South Carolina. Erica Hedrick, 22, was with her cousin Kate Isbell. On September 19, Lexington Herald Leader reported that there was still a tooth embedded in her foot and she was suffering from an infection. We remind readers to avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are most active, and to never swim where people are fishing. Dead and dying fish ring the dinner bell for hungry sharks and sharks close their eyes with a nictitating eyelid when they attempt to bite prey.

Traveling to the Galápagos?

We suggest you avoid the capital of Ecuador, Quito, where riots have broken out over several days following economic problems and cuts in fuel subsidies. Travel instead via Guayquil, further south with connections to Baltra island.

Lithium Batteries in the Dock

Be aware that Li-ion batteries can catch fire if they come into contact with water and be very difficult to extinguish. Use a CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder, sodium carbonate or foam extinguisher. Never leave a Li-ion battery charging unattended at night.

No Freshwater Rinse?

Undercurrent subscriber Harry Haley (Yorktown, VA) wisely suggests that in the absence of a freshwater rinse on a dive boat, it’s better to keep your underwater camera in bucket of seawater between dives. Failing that, wrapping your camera kit in a wet towel will stop it drying out before you get a chance to give it a proper rinse in fresh water later.

Jellyfish Lake in Tennessee

You don’t need to go to Palau. A quarry use by divers in Bellevue, Nashville, is now home to thousands of freshwater jellyfish. First observed a few years ago, these Craspedacusta sowerbii reproduce both sexually and asexually so the population has boomed. They are not considered dangerous to humans.

Another Danger Lurking in a Drawer

Common 9v batteries have endless applications, but even they can cause a fire. Unprotected terminals that come into contact with metal can cause the batteries to both overheat and ignite. So never put an unprotected 9v battery in your pocket or throw it loose in a drawer where metal awaits. Keep batteries in their packaging and dispose of them sensibly after use.

Big Prizes for Underwater Photography

The closing date for entries to this year’s World Shootout competition, with prizes worth $20,000, is the end of October. Photographers are invited to submit a set of their five best images shot during the last 12 months. worldshootout.org

Coming Soon in Undercurrent

The mysteries of tipping unravelled (part II) . . . Some unwelcome surprises regarding divers’ insurance . . . Surface marker buoys and how to deploy them . . . After the Conception disaster, what about other liveaboards and what you can do to protect yourself? . . . Diving and how politeness can impact what you do . . . The hidden danger of war wrecks . . . and much, much more.

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
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