Diving with a Purpose, volunteering with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program

by Bill Mashek According to Wikipedia, the whale shark is the largest extant fish species and a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 18.8 m (61.7 ft) Volunteering as a diver for any marine conservation project is a wonderful opportunity for passionate divers. My passion is working as a … Read more

The Raja Ampat Explained

There were so many fishes around me in the water; at times I had trouble getting a clear view. Nothing was arranged in any orderly fashion. There were no neat schools, just thousands of fishes positioned chaotically and darting about without any common factor. I had difficulty concentrating my camera on anything in particular and … Read more

The Perils of Veracity in Dive Reporting:
Undercurrent is unique in diving media

In the early ‘90s, I was so financially secure I gave up my otherwise successful career at the age of 45 to get involved in the diving industry. I was able to manufacture my job as Technical Editor of the British Diver Magazine because I could make them a financial offer they couldn’t refuse, working … Read more

Welcome to Hawaii and Your Long Awaited Dive Trip: Now Get in the Patrol Car

“Why don’t I just call the Maui police?” After 15 hours of travel with a sodden mask on my face, the words “Go ahead and call the flippin’ Maui police” were on the tip of my tongue. Fortunately, they remained unspoken. Our flight from LaGuardia to Dallas had left an hour late. When we got … Read more