Ocean Explorers Society
June 2003
Sponsored by Ocean Enterprises

 

Contents

Monthly Meeting
Thursday, June 5th, 6:50PM at Ocean Enterprises. We'll have two speakers this evening. There will be some video footage from Hawai'i, and the Rigs to Reefs people will return to give us an update on their efforts to convert oil platforms into artificial reefs.

If you get to the meeting after the store closes, go around to the side door nearest the fitness center. We'll have this door blocked open.

Meet for dinner at Appleby's across the street at 5:30.

Club Diving
No formal shore dives planned this month. The water is just starting to warm up, and conditions have been pretty good lately. As always, if you want to go dive, send an email to the list.

The Lois Ann trip for June 14th looks like a good candidate for a jump-on trip; Yukon, NOSC Tower, and kelp beds for $75. The boat leaves at the civilized hour of 11AM, returning at 5PM. We already have 2 people going. Sign up directly with the Lois Ann.

Flotsam
Curacao was awesome. Great diving, good friends, and nice accomodations made for an outstanding trip. Many thanks to those who came along, and especially for Jon and Eileen for organizing the whole thing. I'm still assembling the Curacao article and I would really like to get more photos, video, stories, or even just little impressions and hints. i.e. What were the good restaurants? Were there any good places to visit? Where the h*ll was the good shopping? Where were the good shore diving spots besides Habitat Curacao? If you have any pictures, stories, or tidbits from the trip, send me email!

There will be another DUI demo days here in San Diego. It's slated for September 27-28 at La Jolla Shores. If you didn't go last year, make sure you go this year. Everyone I talked to, including myself, had a great time. This year, they've added a field repair seminar for an extra $15. $5 covers drysuits and stuff, expert advice, commemorative hat, and lunch. Just don't blame me if you really really really have to get a drysuit.

OE is sponsoring Find a Buddy potlucks in the upstairs classroom at OE. They're scheduled for May 30th, June 13th, and July 11th. We could use a couple of people to attend the gatherings and informally talk about the dive club. RSVP to Dawn Tosta at dawn@oceanenterprises.com

Something unique at the Birch Aquarium - The La Jolla Chamber Society is presenting the world premiere of Oceanophony at the aquarium on Sunday, August 10th. I'm going to guess that the music will be in the modern classical style. Tickets to this event are $15 for adults, and $5 for children. Visit ljcms.org or call 858-459-3728 for ticket information. The rest of Summerfest 2003 looks very interesting too.

As many of you know, Scripps Institute of Oceanography is suffering under major budget cutbacks. One of their most important resources is their specimen collection. They are asking interested members of the community to donate money which will maintain the present collection until the State's finances improve. Their collection is a national treasure, and it would be grossly foolish to lose it. Contact 858-822-1865 if you want to make a donation.

Bottom trawling is an extraordinarily destructive fishing method. Senate Bill 236 would ban bottom trawling from all California waters. Both sport fishermen and divers can agree on this issue. Write your state senator today. See http://www.stoptrawling.org/ for more information.

Sea Hunt is back on the air - The TV show that got many of us old ummmmm, salts interested in SCUBA diving is finally hitting the airwaves again. Outdoor Life Network will be showing old Sea Hunt episodes several times a week, starting June 2nd, at 10 pm.

See http://www.olntv.com/htmlpage.asp?htmlid=4 which will open a new browser window with their schedule. At the bottom of the page, enter "sea hunt" in the keywords and search. Sea Hunt airs several nights at 10PM and 1:30AM. It was interesting reading through the cast list and finding names like Zale Perry, Jeff Bridges, and Beau Bridges, Larry Hagman, and Leonard Nimoy.

I wonder if I'll find these shows as interesting now, as I did when I was 6 years old.

Regulator Recall
Zeagle Systems, Inc. is recalling 931 first stage Scuba regulators sold between January 20, 2003 andMay 19, 2003. If you have one of these regulators it is essential to take it to your dealer for immediate repair. Do not attempt to dive with this regulator again until the regulator has been inspected and by an authorized Zeagle dealer.

The first stage regulators affected are the following models:

The serial numbers are stamped on each first stage body. Zeagle regulators that have been serviced since January 20, 2003 may also be affected.

These first stage regulators may have a defective high-pressure seat that could cause the first stage to over pressurize. If this occurs, the air supply to the diver could be interrupted, making it impossible for the diver to breathe from the regulator. This type of failure is most likely to occur upon initial pressurization of the regulator and is unlikely to occur underwater.

If you own one of these regulators, take it to your authorized Zeagle dealer for a free inspection and repair. Call 1-800-771-5568 or contact any authorized Zeagle dealer for information on obtaining a free repair. Zeagle Systems, Inc. is located at 37150 Chancey Rd., Zephyrhills, FL 33541. Further information is also available on Zeagle's web site at www.zeagle.com.

 

SCUBA Show 2003 -- June 21 & 22
Saturday, June 21, we'll be making our usual excursion to the SCUBA show. Meet at the Starbuck's at the Factory Outlet Center in Carlsbad at 9AM. We'll carpool to the show. After the show, we'll probably stop at the Macaroni Grill for dinner. For those not interested in the show, the Aquarium of the Pacific is nearby.

SCUBA Show 2003 diving exhibition will take place June 21 and 22, 2003 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. This is the 16th year of this popular event. Over 10,000 have attended every year for the last 13 years and it is the largest convention of its kind in the Western U.S. The show will consist of a 57,065 square feet of diving related exhibits including new gear, travel pros (many offering show discounts), and diving experts. In the exhibit hall will also be a demo tank with equipment demonstrations and trials (bring your swimsuit!) and free intro scuba courses. Additional activities at the show include a continuous underwater film festival featuring premier films, seminars by top diving experts, exhibitor presentations, door prizes and a Saturday night Casino party benefiting the Catalina Conservancy Divers. Exhibit hall hours are Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $9 and includes admission to exhibit hall, film festival and exhibitor presentations (seminars are an additional charge). Discount coupons are available at California dive stores, on dive California dive charter boats and through California dive clubs. Age 10 and under are admitted free with paying adult. For information on SCUBA Show 2003 call (310) 792-2333 or visit the web site www.saintbrendan.com.

Diver Lost
Michelle Davies died on May 17th in a diving accident. Michelle was on our mailing list and came to a few meetings, but never joined the Ocean Explorers. She was diving off the Horizon at Farnsworth Banks. On their first dive, Michelle signalled her buddy at 80 feet that she wasn't well and wanted to abort the dive. When her buddy got to 15 feet, he noticed she was missing, went straight to the surface, and signalled for help. The Horizon's divemaster geared up and found her at 143 feet. The boat crew and passengers started CPR as soon as she got to the surface, and continued until she was transferred to medical personnel at Two Habors.

You're invited to join her family and friends in a commemorative gathering to celebrate her life. Saturday, May 31, 2003. 7:30 pm at Alexis Davies' house, 729 Deal Court in Mission Beach; then make the short walk to the beach where anyone who wishes may say a few words or share a story about Michelle. The family asked that you please bring a flower, which will be placed in the ocean in Michelle's memory.

The San Francisco Chronicle ran Michelle's obituary.

Condolence cards may be mailed to 24 Aqua Vista Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901

Nota Bene -- This is not the Michelle who went to Curacao and dives with us regularly.

Rocks, Rips, and Reefs
Every year, the San Diego Council of Divers and the San Diego City Lifeguards sponsor a series of in-the-water seminars at local shore diving spots. The protocol is the same as previous years; snorkelling gear only, wear no more than half your normal diving weight. The cost is $5 per person and includes drinks and snacks afterwards. Registration and waivers start at 0800 and you should be suited up and ready by 8:15. This is a fun way to get familiar with our local waters. If you haven't done any of these, be sure to do Goldfish Point. It's one of those neat places that go unnoticed.

May 31 La Jolla Cove
June 21 South Casa Cove
July 12 - Shell Beach (Seal Rock)
July 26 - North Bird Rock
August 9 - Marine Street
August 23 - Goldfish Point (La Jolla Caves)
September 13 - Hospital Point

There is an email list for reminders and cancellation notices. To subscribe, send a blank email to rocks-rips-reefs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Each 3R's session is on a Saturday morning. On the Thursday two days before each session, the lifeguards send out reminders to the 3 R's e-mail list. Each reminder has the date, time, and location of the 3R's session, some comments regarding the dive site, and information regarding current and expected ocean conditions.

As with any water activity, weather and surf are always factors. Organizers won't be taking people out in six foot breakers. If we know for certain that large surf is expected, the Thursday reminder may tell you that the 3R's has been cancelled. This would be unusual. It is more likely for the reminder to warn you of our concerns about the weather and ask that you to monitor further developments, such as by checking your e-mail before leaving home on Saturday morning. Cancellations are also posted on our web site. Sometimes, there's just no way to tell whether ocean conditions are conducive to diving other than to go down to the beach and take a look. Part of what we hope to teach in the 3R's program is what the ocean looks like when diving conditions are marginal.

The San Diego Lifeguard beach conditions recording -- (619) 221-8824 -- is updated in the morning, usually just before 7 am. We try to include cancellation information in that recording.

If the session is going forward, we will have a volunteer on site no later than 8 am to register participants. We try to be there earlier. Look for
the small dive flag. Each participant must sign a liability waiver before each session. Participants 17 and under need a parent or legal guardian to sign the release. Let us know and we can e-mail you a release to print out and have signed. 3R's is free.

Bring a mask, fins, and snorkel. The ocean is cool and rocks can be sharp, so a wetsuit is strongly recommended. Bare feet and full foot fins are not a good idea. Weights are unnecessary. Scuba gear (regulator, BC, tank) is not used during the 3R's.

If you have not been diving or snorkeling recently, please check your gear before Saturday. Mask straps and fin straps deteriorate over time, even if not used.

The lifeguard starts the briefing at 8:15 am. We try to be in the water by 8:30 am. We are in the water for about an hour.

Marine Conservation
The Pew Oceans Report will be released on June 4 and they encourage that the word be spread to all who would like their own copy. It appears to be available at no cost. If you order it, they will send you a print version and a CD-rom. It will also be downloadable from http://www.pewoceans.org/forms/publication.asp

If you are unfamiliar with the Pew Oceans Commission, go to their home page to get familiar with their previous projects and mission at http://www.pewoceans.org . You can also subscribe to an email subscription.

This is all related to John's work with the MLPA and learning what is necessary to sustain our marine resources.

Shifting Baselines -- Birch Aquarium at Scripps is presenting a special public forum about the state of our oceans on Wednesday, June 4, from 6-8:30 pm. This public forum will be moderated by director Dr. Nigella Hillgarth and features Dr. Jeremy Jackson of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and panelists of Shifting Baselines project. Dr. Jackson is the lead scientist in the multi-media Shifting Baselines project, a unique partnership of scientists, environmental groups, and the entertainment industry dedicated to increasing public awareness about ocean decline.

Please click on the link below for information about Shifting Baselines Public Forum, June 4th, at Birch Aquarium at Scripps:
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/special/shiftingbaselines.html

Declining Fish Populations - It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that local fish populations are way down. Unhappily, this seems to be a worldwide phenomenon. CNN recently carried an article on declining pelagic fish populations. The CNN story was based on a letter in the science journal Nature. It seems that industrial fishing practices can now clean out a fish population in little more than a decade. It seems we're approaching an environmental crisis bigger than the one we faced in the 60's. But, J. Q. Public can't see it happening. As divers, we see this every time we get in the water. It's going to be incumbent on us to bring this awareness to our friends.

Marshall Islands Sharks
I recieved the following letter about illegal shark fishing in the Marshall Islands was forwarded to me. I decided to include the entire letter.

Dear Fellow Divers,
In the past two months Bikini Atoll's world famous Shark Pass [once the subject of a cover story for National Geographic in 1995, and in 1998 the subject of a 2 hour live shark program on the opening show of Discovery Channel's Shark Week] has been devastated by Chinese fishing vessels fishing out of the Marshall Islands. While Shark Pass has not been completely fished out, the reduction of the number of sharks has been staggering.

The company's name is EDGEWATER, which operates out of Hong Kong and has seven boats stationed here in the Marshalls. Under the agreement they signed with the government here they were not supposed to go within 5 miles of any atoll and were only supposed to fish for oceanic sharks, but strong evidence [including videotape and digital photos] proves that this company has repeatedly violated this law and has fished for gray reef sharks on the reefs of various atolls, including Bikini and Jaluit. I have attached in this e-mail our head divemaster's recent report regarding what has happened on Bikini Atoll, and also an article about when the deal was originally signed with EDGEWATER in 2001.

Below is a link with a news story regarding these most recent events:
http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2003/May/05-20-11.htm

My goal is simple: to put EDGEWATER out of business here in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

HOW TO HELP: By the simple use of your own words and your fax machine we still have a chance to save these beautiful, extraordinary animals on Bikini and on other atolls here in the Marshalls.

The board of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority [MIMRA (this is the government agency that licensed the company and the ships to do this fishing)], will be meeting next week to decide the fate of the EDGEWATER shark fishing company. As of today the entire fleet has been called into port and they are now under investigation. Please tell them in as profound (or profane) terms as possible what you think about EDGEWATER and the damage they have done here in the RMI.

What I would like people to do is to FAX any of the following numbers with your thoughts/complaints, etc., to any [or even better, all] of the
following fax numbers:

FAX [from the US you would dial "011" then any of the following numbers]:
692-625-4021, 692-625-6221, 692-625-5218, 692-625-3649, or 692-625-3687

Address the fax to:
The Honorable John Silk, Minister of Resources & Development [he was the one who signed the agreement on behalf of the RMI with EDGEWATER, see attached article] and Chairman of the Board of MIMRA

Please keep trying if the numbers are busy. Your views on this issue are extremely important, please let these government officials here know what they have destroyed. And most importantly, pass this e-mail on to others who you know who may be concerned about this issue.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards,
Jack Niedenthal
Trust Liaison for the People of Bikini
PO Box 1096
Majuro, MH 96960
Phone: (from U.S.) 011-692-625-3177
Fax: (from U.S.) 011-692-625-3330
E-mail: bikini@ntamar.com
Visit The Official Bikini Atoll Web Site at:
http://www.bikiniatoll.com

 

San Diego Council of Divers
The next SDCD meeting will be Tuesday, July 8th; location and program to be determined.

Currently the OES does not have a Council of Divers delegate. We need 3 more people to join before the OES gets a vote on the council. SDCD membership is only $15/year. If you want to support both the council and OES, please contact John Leek, and be sure to list your affilliation as the Ocean Explorers Society.

If there are issues you think the council should be addressing, please let me know. I'm on the board of directors now, and can take your ideas directly to the council leadership.


Dive Travel
La Paz
We have been gathering information on a trip to La Paz in October. The water is warm (about 78 deg. or so), and it's "Hammerhead Season." We 're looking at staying at the place the original "Spew Crew" went in 1999. It is a great little resort outside of town, and you can view it on the web at www.clubcantamar.com We were thinking of a four-night trip, with three full days of diving. October 9-13 looks good, because some people have Oct 13th off from work. We have to make sure flights are available for this time, but I think they will be. We need to get this done within the next month or so, because the resort will fill up quickly. Right now they are more than 50% booked for this time period (at least that is what they tell me). I will be looking into flight information in the next few days.

We need some feedback as to how many of you think you might want to go, and also if those dates work for you or not. Please E-mail responses to a1turkey@cox.net

Cool Travel Tip - Anyone who's been temporarily marrooned in the Miami airport will appreciate this one: If you get stuck with a long layover in Miami, go the top floor of the hotel that sits smack on top of concourse E (I think). For $8, you can buy a day membership at the spa, and have use of the pool, racquetball courts, locker rooms, sauna, etc. They give you towel, and there is a decent grill snack bar and bar there as well. 8th floor. Very convenient but a bit noisy with al the jets going past. -- From a Usenet posting by John Henry:

Channel Islands
The SD Underwater Photographic Society has invited OES members to join them on their Truth Aquatics and Horizon trips. They need to fill these trips in order to keep the dates. Send an email to Cindy (ccoppert@qualcomm.com) or you can call her at W: 858-845-6632 or C: 858-775-8590 if your're interested in going.

Truth Aquatics - Conception - out of Santa Barbara - Sea Landing - 301 West Cabrillo Blvd - 805-962-1127 July 25 & 26 ( Friday/Saturday) Cost: $295 ($200 Deposit) Destination: Outer Channel Islands Boarding Time: 7PM Thursday (7/24) Departure Time: 4AM Friday (7/25) Return Time: 6PM Saturday (7/26)

Horizon - out of San Diego - H & M Landing -2803 Emerson Street 858-277-7823 Oct 25 & 26 (Saturday/Sunday) Cost: $280 ($200 Deposit) Destination: Santa Barbara Island. Boarding Time: 7PM Friday (10/24) Departure Time: 9PM Friday (10/24) Return Time: 8PM Sunday (10/26)

La Bufadora
Once again, the Dive Animals are organizing trips to La Bufadora. These are very cheap, and fun.Reports have been universally good, and you can't beat the price. Trips are schedules for June 21 - 22, Aug 2 - 3, Sept 13 - 14, and Oct 25 - 26 (tentative). The trip is open to everyone, not just Dive Animal members, so bring your fun, adventurous friends. (think "Summer Camp"...)

Frances San Clemente writes:
We stay at the rustic half-star accommodations provided by Dale's Dive Shack and dive from his trusty pangas (fishing boats). This is much more fun than it sounds! Some folks sleep in the much sought-after bunkroom. Others camp in the front yard, which is on a cliff overlooking the bay. Both have the same incredible ocean-view.

We have room for 15 in the bunkhouse (that's where you'll find me!). Any number can camp. We have room for 26 divers. These always sell out, so sign up early. Maximum number on the trip? We've had as many as 40 campers....! The more the merrier! This is a great way to meet people.

Each morning you'll awake to a buffet feast prepared by yours truly, John and Jean, and whoever else we can recruit when they get up early when they small the bacon cooking and the coffee brewing.

We leave the non-divers behind to clean the kitchen, and take off for a morning of diving the gorgeous walls, pinnacles, coves, arch, caves, and sea lion rookeries.

Afterward, we head for a hot shower before we relax, unwind, nap, visit the famous blow-hole, shop and have lunch at the nearby mercado, whatever. Dinner arrangements are made for a group dinner at one of the restaurants nearby. Some folks like to bring their dinner grills or otherwise do their own thing. There are several inexpensive, yummy and reliable restaurants in La Bufe.

We end the day swapping tales over a big campfire. And prepare for a repeat performance the following day. Folks pack up shortly after diving on Sunday and head back to San Diego, most vowing to return on the next trip.

The diving in La Bufadora is none short of spectacular. Bring your camera (or a friend's) for some amazing macro photography. The nudibranches here are like nothing you've ever seen. Also, lots of sea lions, occasional dolphins, and a regular assortment of the same type of fish we see locally, as well as others (corvina, species of rockfish, etc.) we don't see much of around here.

The cost for the expedition is such that just about everyone can come.

$30pp covers a weekend of lodging, parking (whether you stay in the bunkhouse or camp), buffet breakfast, snacks, water, sodas, other necessities (such as toilet paper, paper towels, etc. We bring it all for you!). This is paid at the time you sign up to reserve your spot.

The cost for a 2-tank dive has been $25 for many years. There may be a slight increase this year due to the high cost of gasoline. Don't know yet. Last year Dale charged $30 for the trip to the far southern pinnacles. So 2 days of diving (2 tanks a day) has been $55. Darn good deal...!!

Tanks/fills - You can bring your own (Dale charges $4 for a fill) or rent one of his ($5 per tank). Is it worth the dollar to haul your own tank? Only you can decide. Dale has both AL80s and steel 72s. No HP steels. No problem with Dale's air fills. He's been taking care of US divers for years (he is one!)

Meals - Breakfast, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages are included. Other meals: For lunch, you may want fish tacos from a local place (2 for $1.50 or you may want a Mexican combo plate $5.00) Either way, it won't break the bank. Dinner is about $10 per person. On the way down, I've stopped at La Fonda for a $20 scallops platter, but also stop at roadside stands for tamales (75 cents each) or carne asada torta ($1.50). That gives you some idea.... $40 should fee you well for the weekend.

Shopping - That will depend on you. The mercado is right there, a few steps away, and has some great deals on Mexican arts and crafts. Some places take credit cards, most want cash.

Getting there - Carpooling is best so you can split the cost of insurance, tolls, gas. In my 4Runner, I can fill up here and not need gas till I get back. So that's about $30 right now. Insurance at the border costs me about $20 for the weekend. And tolls are about $8 each way. So that's about $60
per car.

Alcoholic beverages - BYO. The Mexican beer is wonderful, as most of you know. (try Negra Modelo, if you never have). Stop at a Gigante market for your best prices, rather than a liquor store.

 

Membership
Renewal rates are $20 single; $30 for a family. If you can't make it to a meeting, send your renewal to Mark Clausen; 1862 Willow Way; Vista, CA 92083.

OES Info
OES members can receive $30 off the regular OE price for specialty classes.

For more information: