We’re working to fix that, but in the meantime, please download directly from this site.

Keep an eye on this site over the next day or two…..

Under the guidance of PADI Course Director Des Paroz (Co-Host and Producer of the Surface Interval Show podcast), two candidates undertook a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Program. The 6 Day OWSI Program was conducted on a part time basis over 3 weekends, and included a free PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Instructor Course.

Candidate Teddy Haryjanto was certified as a PADI Assistant Instructor in Singapore in 2007, and the part time program appealed to his busy schedule as an accountant in a Sydney company. Fellow candidate,
John Chichkan, learned to dive in 1983, and has completed all diving courses from Open Water Diver through to Assistant Instructor in 2007 at United Divers Course. John’s hectic life as a professional marketer, father and graduate student meant the part time structure of the program made most sense.

Having completed the PADI Instructor Development Course, John and Teddy are now ready to take the final step to becoming a PADI Instructor – the 2 day PADI Instructor Exam.

Having pioneered many diving activities in the Wollongong area, United Divers directors Suzanne Fenwick and Leon Friend were proud to be able to host the program, commenting that they “were looking forward to
this next stage in their dive centres development and excited at the opportunity to be involved in training “quality” diving educators”. Established in 1976, United Divers offers a full range of dive equipment sales and service, training and regular boat and shore diving activities in the Illawarra. A hydrostatic test station,
United Divers offers clean air and enriched air fills.

Des Paroz became a PADI Course Director in 2008, after having originally become a PADI Instructor in 1996 and a PADI Master Instructor in 1998. Since his very first course, Des has taught at United Divers, and is proud to drive the professional development programs there now. Des stated that he “couldn’t be happier with the efforts put in by Teddy and John. Their excellent results were achieved through a lot of focus and attention to key points. I believe they both having the makings of being excellent dive instructors”.

United Divers has scheduled 4 PADI Instructor Development Courses in 2008, with a combination of full-time and part-time schedules to suit different lifestyles. Various PADI Specialty Instructor Training
Courses can be be offered on demand, along with EFR and EFR First Aid at Work Instructor Courses.

For more information on our PADI Instructor Development programs, please visit www.dive-instructor-training.com, or call United Divers on (02) 42285962.

We’ve actually recorded about three shows that technical gremlins have got in the way of and we couldn’t post.  One was recorded live and the sound quality was non-existant.  Another was lost on a hard drive crash.  You get the picture.

As producer and co-host, I (Des) have been off becoming a PADI Course Director.  If anyone is interested, I am offering PADI Instructor Courses in Wollongong, through United Divers.  I may be offering programs in other locations shortly, so please drop me a line if you’re interested.

The Podcast Network (TPN) has also had a number of major server difficulties.  Thanks to TPN CEO for his tireless work (and investment) in getting the network back up and running.

There are episodes now in the pipeline.  Can’t say too much at the moment, but I hope our return will be marked with a very very special guest appearance.

A blog post today discusses the 8 Most Poisonous Animals in the world.  The top 3 are marine animals found in Australian and other Indo Pacific oceans – The Box Jellyfish, the Marbled Cone Shell and the Blue Ringed Octopus. 

Number 5 is also a local marine animal – the Stonefish.

Continuing its dominance in the top 8, Australia also plays home to number 6 and 7 – the Sydney Funnel Web Spider and the Inland Taipan (Snake).

With all these dangerous creatures in our waters, and on our land, its surprising that Australians ever leave the house, let alone go diving ;-)

In reality, “attacks” by any of these creatures are rare.  But the mere presence of them adds more reasons why every individual should have at least a basic knowledge of CPR and first aid.

The 8 Most Poisonous Animals – Articles.

To be staged at Australian Technology Park in Sydney, Australia, over the weekend of the 21 – 22 March 2009, OZTeK’09 will again incorporate a full-scale dive exhibition together with a continuous programme of speaker presentations, seminars and workshops designed to enthral, educate and entertain.

Featuring an international cast of speakers whose contribution to diving exploration and knowledge is second to none, those overseas speakers who have already signalled their intention to attend OZTeK’09 and give presentations include: Leigh Bishop, (UK); Jill Heinerth, (USA); Jarrod Jablonski, (USA); Richie Kohler, (USA); Simon Liddiard, (Indonesia); Ron Micjan, (USA); Dr Simon Mitchell, (NZ), and, Rick Stanton, (UK):  While from Australia, the speaker line-up already includes: Samir Alhafith, Richard Evans, Dr Andrew Fock, Dr Richard Harris, Greg Hodge, John Lippmann, Mark Ryan, and Warrick McDonald, with, as one of the event’s M.C’s, Des Paroz.

With many more presenters to be announced in the coming twelve months, and a growing list of exhibitors keen to tap into a qualified and affluent audience of diving enthusiasts, OZTeK’s Tenth Birthday event will be much, much more than just a focal point for ‘technical’ diving adventurers and explorers; it’s for everyone – regardless of their individual level of diving experience – who’s ever looked at the ocean’s surface, considered all of its possibilities …. and dreamed.

For further information about all that’s happening at OZTeK’09, please visit the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au  or e-mail: admin@diveoztek.com.au

Called The Marine Life of Bootless Bay, this is a wonderful collection of over 900 images, featuring in excess of 850 species.

Developed through the Motupore Island Research Centre with support from the University of Papua New Guinea, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Biodiversity (PINBio), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Project AWARE, 3,000 copies of this book have been distributed to villages and local schools in PNG.

We’ve just received a copy of this book from Dave, and will be providing a full review shortly.

For more information see Dave Harasti’s website.

Featuring many of the world’s most informative and entertaining diving authorities as speakers – and building on the success of previous OZTeK’s – OZTeK‘09 will again feature a full-scale, Dive Exhibition, together with displays, breakout workshops, film and video presentations, industry updates, a photographic competition, a Gala Dinner and more.

Directed towards ALL divers, (regardless of their experience level) whose thirst for better knowledge and understanding of all that diving has to offer is matched only by their spirit of adventure, OZTeK‘09 is more than just another Dive Show, it’s the ultimate excursion into underwater excitement and the diving world of tomorrow; an international event that no person who takes their diving seriously can afford to miss.

A two-day spectcular that probes beyond the usual diving limits, details of the exciting OZTeK’09 Event – including the downloadable Exhibitor Sales Kit – are now available on the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au

More than 50 scientists of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies today declared the following statements unanimously:

• We call on all societies and governments to immediately and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Without targeted reductions, the ongoing damage to coral reefs from global warming will soon be irreversible.
• Ocean acidification due to increased atmospheric CO2 is accelerating, and will detrimentally effect the growth and skeletal strength of calcifying species, such as corals. Reducing CO2 emissions is the only way to prevent further damage to coral reefs. Loss of coral also impacts on many other species and reduces reef fisheries.
• Coral reefs are economically, socially and culturally important, and therefore need to be sustained. For example, the Great Barrier Reef contributes $6.9 billion annually to the Australian economy – $6 billion from the tourism industry, $544 million from recreational activity and $251 million from commercial fishing. This economic activity generates more than 65 000 jobs.
• Climate change, overfishing and pollution continue to cause massive and accelerating declines in abundance of coral reef species and global changes in reef ecosystems. Even remote and well-managed reefs are under threat from climate change.
• Coral bleaching has greatly increased in frequency and magnitude over the past 30 years due to global warming. For coral reefs, climate change is not some potential future threat – it has already caused enormous damage that will increase in coming years. Bleaching due to climate change has already caused widespread damage to the Great Barrier Reef in 1998 and 2002.
• The world has a narrow window of opportunity to save coral reefs from the destruction of extreme climate change. Substantial global reductions of greenhouse gasses must be initiated immediately, not in 10, 20 or 50 years.
• No-fishing reserves (green zones) are an important management tool for preserving targeted stocks of coral reefs, and the ecological functions they provide. To be effective, 25-35% of marine habitats should be no-take (no fishing) for long-term protection. In Australia, many coral reefs have yet to achieve this level of protection (especially in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, south-east Queensland, and the Coral Sea).
• Coral reef megafauna (e.g. dugongs, turtles and sharks) continue to decline rapidly, and are ecologically extinct on most of the world’s reefs. In Australia, current management practices are failing to maintain populations of megafauna, which are already severely depleted. Commercial harvesting and marketing of these species should be banned to allow the recovery of depleted stocks.
• Local action can help to re-build the resilience of reefs, and promote their recovery. It is critically important to prevent the replacement of corals by algal blooms, by reducing runoff from land and by protecting stocks of herbivorous fishes. However, reefs cannot be “climate-proofed” except via reduced emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Consensus declaration on coral reef futures – UQ News Online – The University of Queensland.

According to the article, the research shows that

acidification was now taking place over decades, rather than centuries as originally predicted 

Acidification of the oceans is not caused by global warming, but is caused by the same thing – the buildup of CO2 in our atmosphere.  By allowing CO2 emissions to continue, we are hitting the oceans with a double whammy – global warming causing the temperatures to rise, killing marine creatures (like coral) that are sensitive to heat, as well as acidification that itself kills marine organisms.

The oceans are integral to life on this planet.  An extraordinarily high portion of our Oxygen comes from the oceans, and the oceans are a source for many of the foodchains important for humanity.  The oceans also have an incredible effect on weather patterns.

We need to:

• reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere
• clean up the oceans
• protect the balance of life in this extraordinary ecosystem

Go to The Big Switch to find out how you can reduce emissions.  And go to Project AWARE and find out how you can get involved in cleanups and other activities to do your part to protect the oceans. 

Every individual can make a difference.

Scientists tackle acid buildup in oceans – Breaking News – National – Breaking News.

I think this thought provoking video has perhaps the best argument for action about climate change you’ll see.  And as a trained economist (which I am, but please don’t tell anyone), it makes perfect economic sense.

Watch this video, ponder and then pass it on to others.

I was looking through the Project AWARE website, and noticed something there about Project AWARE’s getting behind “The Big Switch”.  Intrigued I surfed over, and I was impressed by this simple, action oriented website.

The Big Switch is an informative site for all Australians who want to learn more about climate change, and what we as individuals can do about it.  It gives you action plans that you can choose to implement, and informs you on the issues surrounding those plans.

Running up to the Australian Federal Election sometime later this year (the date is yet to be announced), the site also rates all Members of Parliament and other candidates for their environmental policies and actions, and gives back ground into how the ratings have been calculated.

If you’re an Australian, please take the time to inform yourself.  Surf over to The Big Switch and think about your action plan!

Enjoy, and of course appreciate any comments or suggestions.

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

BlueBeyond Dive News & Blog Updates

• PADI Asia Pacific Announced 2007 Member Awards
• Solomon Airlines Awaiting Rights to Fly to Santo
• Midget Sub Not to be Salvaged
• Dive Blog: The Loader (Bass Point) 27 May

On the BlueBeyond.com.au site, I updated the Sydney Wreck Diving Pages, separating out the descriptions for the SS Undola, SS Tuggerah and the Valiant.  I also added a new write-up on a very unique wreck, the TSS Currajong.

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

• Course Announcement: Digital UW Photography Course (commences 27 May)
• The Surface Interval Show Episode 018 – Capt. Trev Interview Part 3
• Dive Log: Byron’s Drift Sunday 20 May

Over on the main BlueBeyond.com.au site, the Dive Courses section was updated with a new page and information on Tec Diving Courses available.  I can offer a range of TDI programs, including Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures and Nitrox Gas Blending Technician.  I can also offer the DSAT Enriched Air Gas Blender program.

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

• I love my Oceanic V12 fins….
• New Book Review on BlueBeyond.com.au: Dark Descent
• New Book, Scuba Diving Safety, Published
• Barrier Reef voted best travel spot

On the main BlueBeyond.com.au site, I started the process of splitting various dive site descriptions into separate pages, starting first with the various sites of the Illawarra, NSW area.

I’ve also updated the Dive Courses page with dates for upcoming courses, which include a PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course commencing on 19 May 2007, and a PADI Assistant Instructor course commencing on 16 June 2007.

There was also a new book review for a great book on diving the wreck of the Empress of Ireland, Dark Descent.

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

In the tradition of books on wreck, diving, and the divers who dive wrecks, Dark Descent relates a fascinating story of the sinking of this magnificent ocean liner in 1914, the initial salvage operations on it, the early divers who located and dived it, through to the modern tec diving activities on it.

This book is certainly recommended for all interested in wreck diving.

Read the full review.

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

• Solomon Airlines launches new plane and services
• The Cause of Global Warming: CO2 Emissions or Ocean Currents
• saveTheDivers Game
• Diving Company Fined Over Diver’s Death
• Photo of Solomon Airlines/SkyAirWorld Embraer E-Jet
• UwP Magazine Issue 36 Available for Download
• Bass Point and Wollongong Diving – 5 & 6 May

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

I’d appreciate any comments you might have…..

Book Review – Shadow Divers Exposed.

BlueBeyond Dive News and Blog | BlueBeyond.com.au | The Surface Interval Show podcast

In Episode 067 of PodDiver, Joe talks with Dr Richard Vann of Divers Alert Network on the topic of inert gas narcosis (among other great topics).

This was a great discussion, and Dr Vann explained narcosis in one of the simplest, most straightforward way’s I’ve heard, describing narcosis as being an intermediate state between full consciousness and being anaesthetised.  Consciousness is affected but you’re not totally unconcsious.

Dr Vann also talks about the narcotic effect of carbon dioxide, and how CO2 also plays a role in narcosis when diving on air (in particular).  Essentially, CO2 can be narcotic when at depth when at work or with heavy breathing resistance.  This explains why we can be diving at intermediate depths where we may not normally be narced, and still experience narcosis if diving in a current or with poorly tuned regs.

Narcosis is an important topic for all divers to get a handle on, especially recreational deep divers and technical divers.  Go and download PodDiver Radio Episode 067 and listen to this great interview, plus a good discussion on wreck diving and the technique of progressive penetration.

Tsunami Photos from Gizo | SolomOnline.com.

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-d7b2823653f202f5e39f646772468e97}

From its official opening through to the post-show Gala Awards Dinner, the two-day event buzzed with a passion and enthusiasm that has seldom been seen at recent diving events.

Based around the core component of a conference, OZTeK’07 featured thirty-two speakers presenting forty-six diving related topics. Ranging from wreck and cave explorations, underwater photography and film-making, equipment technologies and configurations, oxygen handling, decompression theory and modelling, and Closed Circuit rebreather workshops through to diving physiology and risk management procedures, the programme featured something of interest to everyone who dives.

Reading like the “Who’s Who” of modern diving exploration, and with many presenters considered to be leading world authorities in their respective fields of diving expertise, the speakers included: Samir Alhafith (Aus); Leigh Bishop (UK); John Chatterton (USA); Kevin Deacon (Aus); Kevin Denlay (Aus); Richard Evans (Aus); Dr Andrew Fock (Aus); Dr Mike Gadd (Singapore); Lloyd Godson (Aus); Lamar Hires (USA); Paul Hosie (Aus); Simon Liddiard (Indonesia); John Lippmann (Aus); Richard Lundgren (Sweden); Pete Mesley (NZ); Dr Simon Mitchell (NZ); Richard Nicholls (Aus); Paul Nielsen (Hong Kong); Martin Parker (UK); Geoff Paynter (Aus); Paul Raymaekers (Belgium); Kim Smith (Canada); Tim Smith (Aus); Carl Spencer (UK); Dr Mark Spencer (Aus); Rick Stanton (UK); Alan Studley (Canada); Steve Trewavas (Aus); Neil Vincent (Aus), and Tania Yarra (Aus), supported by M.C.s Peter Fields and Christopher Deanes.

With, at any one time, three – and in several instances four – presentations running simultaneously, sessions were streamed to allow attendees with specific diving interests to concentrate on those speakers and topics of particular appeal.

Of equal attraction was the exhibition itself. Catering to divers at every level of experience and interest, OZTeK’07 featured a full-scale international exhibition showcasing the very latest in equipment technology and accessories; underwater photographic equipment; training, safety and marine conservation organisations, dive associations, and exotic dive travel destinations.

A clearly targeted event aimed at people who are passionate about diving, OZTeK’s knowledge-based format and busy schedule of speaker presentations ensured an interested audience that, while small when compared with many other broad-based dive Shows, comprised an affluent and influential sector of the total dive market.

A visionary concept that – while still retaining a strong emphasis on emerging diving technologies and techniques – has broadened its appeal to give equal emphasis to the adventure and excitement inherent in all aspects of diving, the OZTeK event has grown in international stature to become one of the premiere – and best regarded – diving events of its type held anywhere in the world.

The ‘Ultimate Underwater Adventure’, one that’s received high praise from visitors, exhibitors and speakers alike, dates for the next OZTeK Diving Technologies Conference and Exhibition are expected to be announced soon.

Please monitor the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au for further details, or contact the Convenors at: admin@diveoztek.com.au

Supported by Rolex Australia, sponsors of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society, (OW-USS) and with the OW-USS President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Corry, in attendance to introduce Mathew Kertesz, a 22-year-old marine biology major and the first Australian to be awarded the prestigious scholarship, the more formal part of the evening also included the announcement and presentation of the OZTeK Awards.

Celebrating the achievements and endeavours of Australia’s leading Divers and Dive Industry personnel – those people who have helped push back the boundaries of knowledge and exploration, and whose efforts are leading to the development and use of new diving technologies – the OZTeK Awards are intended to acknowledge those people who have made a significant contribution to the development and advancement of diving within the Asia Pacific region, the individual efforts of each of these people have often had a far-reaching impact throughout the world.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION AWARDS

In previous years, recipients of the OZTeK Industry Recognition Award have included: Rob Cason; Dr Simon Mitchell; Richard Nicholls; Barry Hallett, and Tony Davis.

This year’s recipients are two people whose contribution to recreational diving – and encouragement of technical exploration diving – has had a profound impact on the development and growth of the activity.

Terry Cummins

A graduate of the University of New South Wales, Terry Cummins exchanged a promising academic career for the challenges and uncertainties of the diving industry.

Appointed, in 1981, to be the first Director of Training of the fledgling PADI Australia – and later its C.E.O – he played a leading role in the eventual amalgamation and re-structuring of the various regional offices that now form PADI Asia-Pacific.

An active member of those leading industry organizations and government committees that have helped to shape recreational diving throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Terry Cummins is now a member of the PADI Board, and International Vice President of Marketing Metrics & Performance.

With a history of interest in Technical Diving stretching right back to his early involvement with the sport, he has been a very keen cave diver; was one of the early explorers of the Mount Gambier cave system in South Australia; and – as a member of the CDAA – previously held Instructor credentials with that organisation.

With a keen interest in wreck-diving and a passionate advocate of marine conservation and environmentalism, Terry Cummins played an instrumental role in ensuring the success of Andrew & Liz Wight’s award winning television series, “The Adventures of the ‘Quest’”; a programme that did much to popularise diving during the ‘90’s.

An accomplished diver whose views on the development of diving transcend agency affiliations, his support for the introduction of technical diving played a vital role in attracting the highly adventurous person into diving.

(Travelling on business and therefore unable to attend the Dinner, the award was accepted on Terry’s behalf by PADI Asia Pacific’s, Richard Evans.)

Barry Andrewartha

A person who, for more than four decades, has chronicled the changing face of diving and, in the process, given the Asia Pacific diving community an established and respected ‘voice’ in which to share adventures, discoveries and concerns, Barry Andrewartha’s commitment towards the development of recreational and technical diving is evidenced in the pages of the diving publications that he, (together with his wife and business partner, Belinda Barnes) produces.

With an interest in diving initially sparked by the television documentaries, books and films of Hans Hass; a growing passion that was further fuelled by the exploits of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Barry began writing for the Australian Skindiving and Spearfishing Digest in 1960.

Between 1966 – 1970 he authored and co-wrote five books on diving and, in 1970 in response to a growing interest in diving, he launched, Skindiving in Australia, a publication that underwent several minor name changes to reflect its growing circulation and sphere of influence throughout the Asia Pacific region and the forerunner of today’s Sportdiving Magazine.

Maintaining an interest in all aspects of diving, Barry Andrewartha is a co-director of, Mountain, Ocean & Travel Publications Pty Ltd, a company that – together with, Belinda Barnes – he founded in 1987. As the ‘hands-on’ co-publisher and co-editor of, Sportdiving Magazine, Dive Log Australasia and International Freediving and Spearfishing News, he continues to actively support and promote an activity that has dominated his life.

(John Lippmann, of DAN Asia-Pacific presented Barry with his award.)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Previous recipients of the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Awards include, Kevin Denlay; Ron Allum; Andrew Wight and Chris Brown. This year’s winner, Dr Mark Spencer, was acknowledged for his efforts in the discovery and on-going exploration of the WWI Australian submarine AE2 and received his award from long-time colleague Colin Willcox, of Eagle Rebreathers.

Dr Mark Spencer

Taking up diving in 1975 and taking photographs underwater since 1978, Mark eventually realised that photography was not only a means of sharing his experiences with others, but of conveying his feelings of the sea and our special relationship with it. His interests soon extended to shipwrecks and subterranean caves.

An assignment photographer for Australian Geographic and also production photographer for the Adventures of the Quest television series, Mark has been published in many major journals, including Geo, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife and Living Planet magazines.

In 1997, he was elected a Fellow International of the Explorers Club, based in New York.

In 1997, Mark led an Australian contingent on the first of two expeditions to Turkey to examine the alleged discovery of the Australian WW1 submarine AE2. In 1998 his team confirmed the wreck as indeed the AE2, and a full report of this project was submitted to appropriate Government and Defence departments, as well as major maritime museums and archaeological establishments.

A qualified tri-mix rebreather diver who regularly dives and photographs in depths over 100 metres, Mark has, in the past few years, been working with maritime archaeologist Tim Smith and the Submarine Institute of Australia to return to Turkey. During this trip, which has recently been given financial support by the Australian Government , the team plans to undertake scientific investigation of the wreck’s condition providing information for future management considerations including the remote possibility of raising and conserving the WWI submarine. Another major objective of this expedition is to further document the wreck to inform the world of the AE2’s and the Australian Navy’s effort during WWI.

TECHNICAL DIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Previous recipients of the Technical Diver of the Year Award have been David Apperley, Paul Hosie and Trevor Jackson. This year’s award winner is:

Samir Alhafith

Founder and team leader of the, The Sydney Project – an association of technical divers involved in researching and discovering important historical wrecks in depths between 75 and 135 metres on the NSW south coast of Australia – Samir Alhafith (born in Baghdad, Iraq) began diving in 1995.

Quickly progressing from his early role as Divemaster at a Sydney dive store, he is an accomplished diver who uses both rebreather technology, (the APD ‘Inspiration’) as well as open-circuit mixed gas to advance scientific knowledge of the underwater world.

Apart from cave diving in Mount Field, Tasmania, as well as the Jenolan Caves west of Sydney, Samir’s major interest is in furthering The Sydney Project’s on-going mission to discover and document the historically significant wrecks lying off the New South Wales coast.

These have included the Liberty ship, William Dawes, lying in 135 metres, (the second deepest wreck to be dived in Australia) as well as the recently discovered, ‘Iron Knight’, sunk in 130-metres of water by a Japanese submarine during WWII.

A gifted filmmaker whose videos and images document cave and wreck exploration – and whose work was recognised with the First Place Award in the OZTeK4 Video Competion – Samir is regularly called upon to film underwater events for various TV news and current affair channels.

Based on a policy of sharing information about their discoveries, The Sydney Project enjoys a strong working relationship with many government departments such as the NSW Heritage Office, the Water Police and the Navy. It’s a policy that, in 2005, culminated in the Sydney Project receiving an Award from the Heritage Office for their exploration work on the South Coast of New South Wales.

Now currently working with other Sydney Project members to uncover two new wrecks, Samir is also involved in work on a documentary film due for release within the next year. Later this year, he will be the main underwater cameraman on the expedition to explore and document the ANZAC submarine, AE2, sunk during WWI in Turkey.

Presented with his Award by diving colleague and Sydney Project member, Paul Garske, Samir also received a state-of-the-art VR3 Dive Computer, a uniquely programmable and upgradeable computer that can be programmed with multiple gases, air, oxygen, nitrox, trimix or heliox, and that can calculate open-circuit, semi-closed or fully closed circuit decom-pression that was generously donated by UK company, Delta P Technology.

PRIZES

Throughout the evening everyone attending the Gala Awards Dinner had an opportunity to win one of the magnificent prizes that included:

• A KISS rebreather Diver Surface valve with Mares second stage regulator – donated by Jetsam Technologies of Canada.
• An Oxygen Analyser – courtesy of DiveTek
• A Beuchat, ‘X-Contact’ mask – donated by ZSports
• And, from Lissenung Island Resort, a 10-night accommodation, meals and diving package in fabulous Papua New Guinea.

An event open to everyone and a magnificent finish to two action-packed days of excitement, the OZTeK’07 Gala Awards Dinner provided ample opportunity to meet and talk with speakers and exhibitors, renew old friendships, meet new ones and enjoy the social side of diving in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

I’ve played around quickly with this, and have created a Map of Bass Point Dive Sites.  I’ve marked 7 or so of the commonly dived sites, and put brief annotations about them.

Enjoy.

• People at the beach should leave the beach, and any areas exposed to surf, and move to higher ground.
• People in boats in shallow water should immediately return to land, secure vessels and move to higher ground.
• Boats and ships at sea should move to deep water and not return to harbour until advised that it is safe to do so.
• If you see the sea go out like a very low tide then immediately go to high
  ground.
• People should keep listening to the local media for updated information and advice and follow instructions and advice from emergency services

NSW Tsunami Warning.

Read The PLACEBO Principle for Underwater Photography.

Certainly some big names behind this one.

Today, it looks like Ridley Scott is out and Peter Weir, who directed Witness, Master and Commander and a personal favorite of mine, The Year of Living Dangerously is now at the director’s helm.

Peter Weir To Direct Shadow Divers Movie – Divester.

But, Bear, Andrew and Des are going to get the next ep out very soon.  Next day or 2 in fact.

We want your input.  So please post a comment to this post if there are any topics you’d like us to discuss in future episodes.  Or let us know if you’d like to be a guest on the show.

If there’s any (diving-related) topics that you want to discuss, you can also leave a message on our comment line.  In Australia dial (02) 90189302.  From O/S (if you’ve got SkypeOut), make that 61–2–90189302

Speak to you soon.

A major component of the OZTeK’07 Diving Technologies Conference & Exhibition – to be staged at Australian Technology Park, Sydney, Australia over the weekend of the 17th and 18th March 2007 – the competition is open to everyone who resides in the Asia/Pacific region.

Offering underwater photographers enormous scope in subject matter – and with separate judging criteria for both the Professional and Novice sections – the OZTeK’07 Underwater Photo Competition invites entries in any (or all?) of the following four categories: 

Cave and Wreck Diving images are often overlooked in traditional photographic competitions.  These two sections allow specialist photographers an opportunity to compete on an equal footing with other competition categories. 

The Open category allows underwater photographers to use their creative spirit – and desktop imaging software – to manipulate and enhance their images to the limit of their imagination.  This category is unique in underwater photographic competitions and calls for creativity and technical expertise along with photographic skills.  The Video categories will allow entries of up to 5-minutes on any subject and will be judged on Creativity, Videography and Editing.

(To qualify for the major ‘Best Of Show’ Award – open to professional and novice alike – the entrants must submit images in at least two of the individual categories.)

Chaired by Kevin Deacon, internationally renowned as one of Australia’s most experienced, and accomplished underwater photographers, the judging panel will include a number of invited OZTeK’07 Guest speakers.  In addition the viewing public will also have the opportunity to cast their own votes for those images that they deem best in each category. 

Prizes – including dive trips and equipment – will be awarded on the Sunday 18 March 2007 during the OZTeK Conference Afternoon Sessions.

Full details of the OZTeK’07 Underwater Imagery Competition – including the downloadable entry form – can be viewed on the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au

Television personality and environmentalist Steve Irwin has died after being stung by a stingray while filming off north Queensland.

Known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter, the 44-year-old was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry “Crikey!”.

The Queensland Police Service issued a statement saying Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung at Batt Reef, Low Isles off Port Douglas about 11am. He had been filming a documentary.

“Steve was hit by a stingray in the chest,” said local diving operator Steve Edmondson, whose Poseidon boats were out on the Great Barrier Reef when the accident occured.

Steve Irwin was passionate about the environment and about educating people about the natural world.  Whether or not you liked his approach, the world has lost a great educator who brought awareness to the world of animals.

RIP, Steve Irwin.  And condolence to his family and friends.

(Thanks to Cameron Reilly for the tip-off)

Steve Irwin killed by stingray – National – smh.com.au.

The D80 features a new 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, bringing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail to the class while also providing plenty of freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon’s DX Format sensor and Nikon F bayonet lens mount design assure unprecedented compatibility across the comprehensive assortment of AF Nikkor lenses and DX Nikkor lenses designed exclusively for Nikon digital SLR cameras.

This looks like a sweet camera, with a 10.2 megapixel sensor, great autofocus and other great features.  For topside use, I reckon this would have to be high on the list for serious amateurs.

Underwater, I am not sure.  The SD card is a great storage technology, and probably better than CF as a technical design.  But the sizes of SD cards are limited, with 2GB about the top of the line available now (I know that 4GB have been announced, but I haven’t seen much availability yet).  OTOH, 8GB CF cards are available.  Not having to change cards as regulalry is a big thing for UW photographers, especially with the huge file sizes of the 10.2 megapixel images.

Not withstanding, the D80 should be a strong contender for anyone considering a first DSLR.

Now reprised in its third edition, author Martin Edge has embraced the digital era, giving succinct and usable information pertinent to every underwater photographer – seasoned or novice, using digital or film, compact or SLR.

Practical information is provided right from the outset, with Martin providing “thoughtful and considered” information. This is the crux of why I like this book so much – Edge focuses on his “think and consider” approach, and provides insights into his thinking as he makes an image. Technical information is provided to support the TC Approach, and is not in itself the central theme of the book.

Having embraced the digital revolution, Edge shares his own thoughts about the pro’s and con’s of digital imaging, equipment and settings. Practical, pertinent guidance is provided in an easy to understand way.

One of the impressive things about Edge is that shows how his own photography has changed over the years. As an example, he has openly modified recommendations about strobe positioning between the 2nd and 3rd Editions. An open mind is the hallmark of success in many endeavours, and Edge clearly displays this attitude as a leader in the world of marine imaging.

For me, The Underwater Photographer – Digital and Traditional Techniques is a book that should be on the reading and reference list for all aspiring and experienced underwater photographers.

Buy The Underwater Photographer, Third Edition: Digital and Traditional Techniques from Amazon.com

No word on what the camera is going to be, but rumours position it as a D80 or D90 – a higher end replacement of the D70/D70s. It is known that the camera will have 10.2 megepixels.

Only yesterday I read an interesting speculative roadmap for Nikon on Thom Hogan’s bythom.com site.

Nikon to announce new 10.2mp dSLR :: Wetpixel.com.

David Bright, a leading researcher into underwater shipwrecks, has died after diving to the site of the Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria off Nantucket where he was working in preparation for the wreck’s 50th anniversary. He was 49.

No official word on his blog or the website of his Nautical Research Group.

Condolences to David’s family.

David Bright, researcher of Andrea Doria sinking, dies after dive at the wreck site.

1. Global Warming doesn’t exist. It’s not happening.

2. Okay, it’s happening, but humans are not causing it.

3. Okay, humans are causing it, but there’s nothing we can do about it, we can’t go back to the stone age, it would ruin our economy, it’s worse to act than not to act, etc.

4. Okay, it is possible with technology, efficiency/conservation and smart planning to do something about it, but it’s going to hurt the bottom line of “dirty” corporations.

Kind of reminds of a Yes Prime Minister episode where the public servants were briefing about the four stages of diplomatic intervention in the event that one country might invade another

• Deny its going to happen
• Admit it might happen but emphasise there’s nothing that we should do about it
• Admit that maybe we should do something, but claim there’s nothing we can do
• Admit that maybe there was something we could have done, but it’s too late now………

The sad thing is that there are parallels between these too, and I worry that number four on the YPM list is the way we’re heading……

(Thanks to Musings of an Eco Entrepreneur for the link)

Originally posted on BlueBeyond.com.au

To be staged at Australian Technology Park in Sydney, Australia, on 17th and 18th March 2007 – and already attracting strong interest from leading equipment manufacturers, distributors, training agencies, diving companies and organizations keen to tap into a focussed, passionate and committed audience of divers drawn from around the world – exhibition space at OZTeK’07 is selling fast.

The Exhibition

With something of appeal to divers at every level of experience and interest, the OZTeK’07 event features a full-scale exhibition showcasing the very latest in equipment technology and accessories, liveaboards, dive trips and exotic diving destinations.

Showcasing all of the latest equipment trends and innovations, OZTeK’07 is the region’s biggest dive shop. From cameras to compressors, regulators to rebreathers, snorkels to scooters and facemasks to fins, the world’s leading equipment brands and accessories can all be seen at OZTeK’07.

The Conference

Keeping alive that pioneering spirit that has been the hallmark of explorers and adventurers throughout the ages, OZTeK’07 will again feature one of the most distinguished casts of diving celebrities to ever be gathered together at the one time in the one place.

With a full and continuous programme of theatre presentations complemented by seminars and workshops, all of the speakers and presenters at the OZTeK’07 Dive Exhibition & Conference are internationally acknowledged as being among the world’s leading authorities in their respective fields of diving expertise.

Pushing back the boundaries of diving knowledge in often-remote regions of the world, their underwater exploits include investigation of the some of the world’s deepest and longest caves; the search for and exploration of historic and mysterious shipwrecks; the advancement of our better understanding of diving physics, physiology; and the unlocking of many of the secrets that still lie beneath the ocean’s surface.

Complemented by magnificent films and images, Gold and Silver Pass Holders to the OZTeK’07 Conference will be offered a unique opportunity to meet, listen to, and learn from the very best of the world’s diving best,

The OZTeK’07 Adventure

From shallow tropical reefs to deep wrecks and caves, there’s a diving adventure waiting to be discovered. Catering to every level of diving experience and interest, OZTeK’07 has it all.

Promising an action-packed two-days focussed entirely on diving, further information on the OZTeK’07 Diving Technologies Conference & Exhibition is available on the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au or by contacting the organisers at: admin@diveoztek.com.au

The distortion from using a wide angle lens is interesting here – near objects (Bear) pulled closer and made larger, and smaller objects (Cat) pushed away and made smaller. 

\Pearl.

Hundreds of meters of coral and turtles have been wiped out at Sipadan in a tragic accident involving a large barge and the local irresponsibility of whoever is managing the island. It is incredible ironic that dive resorts were pushed off of the island in an attempt to preserve Sipadan’s amazing marine life, only to result in the destruction of the very resource they were trying to protect. The beached barge was carrying steel and concrete mixing supplies, and so far, no one has reported why so many building supplies were on their way to Sipadan. FiNS Magazine has posted a stirring report written by Andrea and Antonella Ferrari:

Global warming has had a more devastating effect on some of the world’s finest coral reefs than previously assumed, suggests the first report to show the long-term impact of sea temperature rise on reef coral and fish communities.

With the world being 70% water, I can’t imagine the impact on so many food chains that the destruction of one of the most magnificent life forms on the planet – the coral reef – is going to have.

Underwater Times | Study: Global Warming May Have Damaged Coral Reefs Forever.

starsofthepodcast

Originally uploaded by Andrew Newton UW.

Nice of Andrew Newton to put together this image for us. The image shows me, Bear and Dr B.

This is always a fabuolous magazine that is jam packed with info for uw photography nuts.

Issue 30 contains an interview with Martin Edge, author of The Underwater Photographer, product reviews on Sealux and Subal housings for the Nikon D200, and techniques for deep wrecks, muck and macro, moving sharks and more.

Ever wondered what your hosts on the Surface Interval Show look like?

Here’s Andrew Bowie, Greg “Bear” Blair and Des Paroz altogether on board MV Esperance Star.

I bet you’re sorry you asked….

There is no mention of what will be happening with their PNG based liveaboard boat, MV Paradise Sport (which has just completed an extensive refit). However, I would speculate it may relocate to Australia and base out of either Cairns (alongside Spoilsport), or Townsville and resume the Coral Sea/Yongala destination that was suspended when Spoilsport moved to Cairns.

Its sad news for the PNG dive industry, as Paradise Sport has played an important role in building up international recognition. However, there are many many land based resorts and liveaboards in PNG that will continue the tradition.

Mike_Ball_Dive_Expeditions_Hotnews.

Long stories, involving 17m surfboards, being rear ended while stopped by someone doing 70 and more.

But, we’ll be back soon. A show is going to be recorded tonight, and should be up in the next couple of days

Thanks for the patience, gentle listeners….

Scary Shark: Real or Not? – Divester.

You’ve got to check out this image at Divester.  If its real its an amazing photo.

Firstly, about environmental hotspots and the extinction of species.  Some chilling thoughts:

I met with visiting British Professor Norman Myers. He was featured on ABC radio last week, where he argues that “we are well into the opening phase of a mass extinction of species. There are about 10 million species on earth. If we carry on as we are, we could lose half of all those10 million species.”

Secondly about the impact of deep sea trawling.

It is probable that there are a number of rare or endemic species in some of these locations, and the risk is being run of destroying something before we even know it’s there.

I encourage readers to read (and subscribe) to Andrew’s blog and this post, and to think through the issues presented.  In short, we’re killing our planet, and even worse, we are completely ignorant of some of the species we are killing.

In a bold move, Nikon has announced today that they will no longer sell most of their film cameras. The only film cameras that will continue to be manufactured are the F6 and the FM10. The F6 will be the only one sold in Europe. All large format lenses, and many manual focus lenses are as of now discontinued too.

According to this article on Wetpixel, Nikon has announced that they are out of the film camera market, with the exception of the very high end professional camera, the F6, and the FM10, popular with enthusiasts.

The F80, F90x, F100, F50, etc are all going.

Now the whole argument about whether lenses are Full Frame (i.e. 35mm) essentially goes away. Because digital is the standard

If youre interested in keeping up to date with the latest developments in the corporate blogging world, then you may want to subscribe to The BizBlog Show on TPN! The multi-faceted Tyme White will be your guide to the new look version of the show!

The decision to do so was arrived at after numerous discussions with key diving organisations and an across-the-board range of dive industry sectors. While a number of companies remained committed to the concept of a broad-based consumer-driven dive show, several majors were of the opinion that attendance at the event would place too great a strain on their significantly reduced marketing budgets; especially given the economic down-turn presently being experienced by the entire global diving industry.

With many core organisations unable to make a firm commitment of support, the organisers, Richard Taylor and David Strike, believe that to have continued with the production of a broad-based Dive Show, (one that may not have lived up to the expectations that both exhibitors and visitors have a right to expect) would be irresponsible and not in the best long-term interests of the region’s diving industry.

Having previously staged the enormously successful and highly acclaimed, OZTeK4 Diving Technologies Conference and Exhibition, held in Sydney in March 2005, Taylor and Strike believe that their decision – while disappointing to so many – is, under the circumstances, the correct one to make. Now considering reverting back to a clearly focussed event based on an OZTeK-style format, the organisers have advised all of those organisations booking space at OZPac 2006 of the decision to cancel, and are refunding in full all deposits received.

For further information, please e-mail the organisers at: admin@ozpacdiveshow.com.au

The Convenors
OZPac Dive Show 2006 featuring OZTeK5
Melbourne, Australia 20-22 October 2006
www.ozpacdiveshow.com.au
admin@ozpacdiveshow.com.au

PO Box 1128 Dee Why NSW 2099 Australia

The Podcast Network is conducting a survey about podcasting It would be great if you could find a few minutes to take it.

I am currently part of 2 podcasts on TPN the Surface Interval show about scuba diving, and The Personal Productivity show.

Japan’s whaling fleet has set sail for Antarctic waters where it will make its biggest catch in 20 years.

The boats will aim to catch nearly 1,000 whales over the coming months.

A global moratorium on commercial whaling has been in place since the 1980s, but Japan describes its programme as “scientific.”

Thanks to Kevin for this link.

A big call out to Japan to stop this crap Who needs 1,000 whales for scientific reasons.

I’ve lived in Japan, and have a deep connection to Japan through my martial arts training I know that whale meat was once a part of the cuisine of some traditional communities. As I understand it, whales were hunted and caught by groups of men in small canoes, and 1 whale was captured and taken back to a community for a feast

This type of hunting was very different than the modern fleets that change the balance of power to be decidedly anti-whale.

The international community needs to put pressure on Japan (and Norway and all other countries) to limit scientific whaling to a set and small limit, and only where specific programs can be justified. 5-10 of these animals, per country per year, is more than enough.

These magnificent creatures of the ocean need to be protected and preserved.

LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES IN THE BENEATH THE SEA 2006 WORLDWIDE UNDERWATER PHOTO/VIDEO COMPETITION

December 31st, 2005 is the last day for submitting entries to the 2006 Beneath the Sea Worldwide Underwater Photo/Video Competition.

Underwater photographers, digital and film, will compete for the coveted David Doubilet award for excellence in underwater photography
- the Grand Prize is a trip for one on either of Mike Balls live aboard boats: The Spoilsport sailing from Townsville, Australia
across the Great Barrier Reef into the Coral Sea, or the Paradise Sport in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

Underwater Videographers will compete for the distinguished Stan Waterman award for excellence in underwater video – the Grand Prize
is a trip for one aboard the Nai’a in the beautiful waters of Fiji.

Underwater Photographic Artists will compete for the celebrated Jim Church award for excellence in underwater creative photography -this
year’s Grand Prize is a trip for one aboard the M.V. Telita in dramatic Papua New Guinea.

Wherever you live in this wide world, submit your underwater photographic entry to the Beneath the Sea 2005 Worldwide Photo/Video
Competition. For contest rules and entry blank visit Beneath the Sea at their Internet site: www.beneaththesea.org. There you may
see the images of previous winners, get a set of rules and regulations, and download an application form for this year’s competition.

The winners of the Beneath the Sea 2006 Worldwide Photo/Video Competition are announced at the Film Festival the weekend of Beneath
the Sea’s Dive and Travel Exposition, March 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2006, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
In addition to the awards that the Grand Prize winners of each category will receive, there will be prizes for all First, Second and Third place winners.

Here’s a piccie of the hosts of Surface Interval – in diver specific “Smell No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil” mode.

From the left
- Andrew Bowie
- Greg “Bear” Blair
- Des Paroz

I should also mention that I’ll be diving with my co-hosts – Bear and Andrew.

We’ll be aboard the MV Esperance Star, cruising the sites of Moreton Bay.

We hope to record Episode 002 on board the boat, and post that next weekend.

In many respects, the Nikon D100 was the turning point for many underwater photographers switching from film to digital. I continue to use the D100 as my primary camera, even though newer models (D70 and D50, and not to mention the D2X) have hit the market. But none of these have yet tempted me as being the right combo of price point and feature set to enduce me to switch.

I won’t be switching for some time yet, but the Nikon D200, I believe, could be another turning point device, and I will be watching its uptake carefully.