WWF maps coral reefs in Arabian Gulf June 22, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Conservation , add a commentThe WWF reports that it has helped prepare the first map of coral habitats in the southwestern Arabian Gulf, which highlights some of the most extensive and biologically important reefs around the offshore islands and banks of the United Arab Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Qatar’s harbour. This is all part of the Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar project, which aims to help resource managers assess the quantity and quality of marine resources. From the WWF website;
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Port Ghalib to become Red Sea’s next resort? June 22, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : Travel , 1 comment so farPort Ghalib, on the Southern Red Sea Coast, looks like it will be the next resort to attract scuba divers in search of pristine Red Sea diving. 220 km south of Hurghada, Port Ghalib is now marketing its first prime residential units on what is called the Sun resort. From a report at DiveNews;
This Sun resort will sit alongside Port Ghalib’s Corniche and Khan area in the heart of the Port Ghalib International Marina. Already in operation is the Port Ghalib Coral Beach Diving Hotel, a dedicated diving resort that opened in September 2005. This hotel with its quay-side location in the Port Ghalib marina is already becoming a favorite destination of European and regional divers…
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Mark Threadgold breaks blind diver depth record June 21, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : News, Rebreathers , add a comment
I reported a while ago about Mark Threadgold and his preparations for a 100mtr trimix dive to take place in the Red Sea, in order to raise money for St Dunstans. Well, we have received news that he has successfully pulled it off and completed a 103 mtr dive at the Blue Hole site in Dahab on June 16th 2006.
From Divemagazine;
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Two 18th century shipwrecks found by British Scuba Divers in the Caribbean June 20, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : WreckDiving , 1 comment so farIn 2005 the Bristol University team were trying to locate the HMS Nymph, a warship which sank in the British Virgin Islands in 1783. They found not one wreck, but two, a vessel of 80-100 tons, built for trade, and originating in Bermuda or the Caribbean region, and a 250-ton vessel, also built for trade, and constructed along the eastern North American seaboard.
The team plan on returing to the site and using a robot to collect video data which will then be catalogued.
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USS Lagarto found in Gulf of Thailand June 19, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : News, WreckDiving , 1 comment so far
During the last months of World War II the USS Lagarto, an american submarine, was lost on a mission to attack a Japanese convoy. The US Navy now says that a wreck they have found at the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand, may be the lost sub.
From a report in the Timesleader;
“I have never in my life, unequivocally, felt such a high,” said Kenney, who was 2 years old when her father and the submarine did not return from their mission in May 1945.
“We can just feel a sense of relief and a sense of peace in knowing what happened and where they are,” said Kenney, of Lake Leelanau, Mich.
New Scuba Park coming to Texas? June 17, 2006
Posted by Andy Carroll in : News, Trivia , 2commentsA 70ft (21mtr) deep sand pit which contains remains of a mammoth and a sabre tooth tiger may soon be flooded and open to divers, according to LocalNewsLeader. The owner wants to flood the 50 acre pit and will be helped by local Dive Center owner, Mike Cryer;
“This is a dream come true,” Mike Cryer, who runs a dive shop in nearby Lake Jackson, said as he gazed over the hole up to 70 feet deep that by next year could become Mammoth Lake. Cryer and his wife will help with the project‘s design and manage the operation.
