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Scuba Diving Magazine’s 11th Annual Photo Contest Winners

Aggressor Fleet & Dancer Fleet, Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo, Macro Diving, Mares, Rebreathers, scuba diving news, Scuba_News, SeaLife Cameras, standards, Teach First Aid/CPR, Tec, Tec Diving, Technology, TecRec, TecRec IT Crossover, UW Photography, Wrecks /

It’s been 11 years, yet somehow we never tire of the photo contest here at Scuba Diving magazine. But every now and then, there comes a time for change. Ansel Adams once said, “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” In that spirit, we tweaked our submission categories to recognize photographers adept at conceptual and compact-camera photography. And although the structure might have changed, the heart of our contest has remained the same: viewing the underwater world “Through Your Lens.” We hope you enjoy the show.

To view all photo submissions, click right here.

ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE:

Live-aboard trip to Pulau Weh, Indonesia, aboard the Thailand Aggressor and $1000 cash prize

FOUR (4) FIRST-PLACE PRIZES:

1st Prize Macro: Live-aboard trip on the Turks & Caicos Aggressor
1st Prize Wide-Angle: Live-aboard trip on the Red Sea Aggressor
1st Prize Conceptual: Live-aboard trip on the Carib Dancer
1st Prize Compact Camera: SeaLife Micro HD+ Camera

FOUR (4) SECOND-PLACE PRIZES:

2nd Prize Macro: Scubapro Chromis DC dive computer and Travel Bag
2nd Prize Wide-Angle: Scubapro MK 25 EVO / G260 and Synergy 2 mask
2nd Prize Conceptual: Mares Instinct 12S reg, X-Vu LiquidSkin mask and Ergo Dry snorkel
2nd Prize Compact Camera: SeaLife Sea Dragon 1200 Lumen Light

FOUR (4) THIRD-PLACE PRIZES:

3rd Prize Macro: $250 Backscatter Certificate
3rd Prize Wide-Angle: $250 Backscatter Certificate
3rd Prize Conceptual: $250 Backscatter Certificate
3rd Prize Compact Camera: SeaLife Aquapod Mini and Sea Dragon Mini Lumen Light

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Divetech Enters New Phase in Dive Travel and Service to Grand Cayman

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Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (Aug 31, 2015): Divetech, one of Grand Cayman’s premier dive operators, is moving its headquarters to their Lighthouse Point dive shop, home of the Guardian of the Reef. At the same time, Divetech is launching a dedicated dive travel department as part of a 2016 expansion plan to accommodate growth, development and customer demand. The company is partnering with a number of hotels, condos and bed & breakfasts on the island to offer more package choices for divers this coming year. The plan also includes ending Divetech’s relationship with Cobalt Coast and closing its dive shop there on December 1st after 15 years.

“We’ve enjoyed our partnership at Cobalt Coast, but for some time, our customers have asked for other properties on the island, and we’ve listened to them,” said owner Nancy Easterbrook. “To all of our customers, we want to let them know to contact us directly for their diving, but they can also now book dive and room packages with us.”

The company is hiring additional staff for its reservations department and introducing new software to make bookings more efficient. Divetech has also launched a new website, which includes some of dive packages and services, plus a new toll-free number (1 877-946-5658).

Divetech’s 2016 dive packages include rooms, diving, and unlimited shore diving, with options for breakfast, meals, airport transfers and concierge services. Quotes for individuals & groups will be provided with the same Divetech attention to detail and commitment to excellent dive service.

“We want to be a one-stop shop for both industry travel professionals and consumers,” says Easterbrook. “Divetech is going into this wholeheartedly, and we’re serious about providing excellent travel services, as we have done with diving for more than 20 years. This is the natural next step for us and we are excited! We value our relationships with our travel partners, dive shops and Wholesalers, and will continue to offer customers their choice on how to book their diving vacation. Divers wishing to stay at alternative hotels or condos are welcome, as always of course. Complimentary shuttle service is available for boat diving, and now for shore and night diving too.”

Divetech’s headquarters will include a new 75-foot x 30-foot sea pool now being built at Lighthouse Point and opening Dec 1st. This will introduce a new level of dive training adventures and the pool will be open to all Divetech divers. The sea pool is ocean fed, and will be a unique one-of-a-kind training pool for diving, providing calm waters and access to the incredible shore diving off Divetech’s Lighthouse Point oceanfront condos.

To book a dive package with Divetech, e-mail us at reservations@divetech.com or call our toll-free number, 1-877-946-5658.

About Divetech
Divetech is a IANTD Platinum Facility / TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer Facility / PADI 5-Star Resort / PADI TecRec Facility / PADI Project Aware Center / SSI Resort / IANTD & SSI Free Diving Center / BSAC Resort / National Geographic Center/ Scuba Rangers Club / Universal Training Facility / PADI Swim School / DAN Technical Field Research Station with full-service dive operator headquartered at Lighthouse Point on Northwest Point Road in West Bay just a few miles north of the hustle and bustle of Seven Mile Beach. Considered one of Grand Cayman’s leading dive operations, Divetech has been providing quality dive services since 1994. It has earned a reputation as the place to go in Grand Cayman for quality training — from kids to trimix — with 18 Instructors on staff.

Divetech offers great dive and room packages with a number of Grand Cayman’s hotels, condos and B&B’s with daily complimentary shuttle service for pickup and drop-offs for diving.

For more information, call toll free, 1-877-946-5658, in Grand Cayman, (345) 946-5658, or visit www.divetech.com.

Divetech Enters New Phase in Dive Travel and Service to Grand Cayman Read More »

The Sea Turtle Conservancy: Helping Endangered Turtles since 1959

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A young sea turtle near the surface.

David Doubilet / National Geographic Creative

Troubled Turtles
Of the seven species of sea turtle, four are endangered and two are listed as vulnerable.

Mission: Ensuring the survival of sea turtles in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific through research, education, training, advocacy and protection of their natural habitats.
HQ: Gainesville, Florida
Year Started: 1959
Contact: stc@conserveturtles.org
Project: The Sea Turtle Conservancy is the world’s oldest conservation group of its kind; it works to protect these ancient reptiles through local initiatives and global expeditions in the areas of the world where turtles are most in need.

1. ADOPT A TURTLE
Not to worry, you won’t need to find space in your house for this kind of adoption. But for $30 or more, you can symbolically adopt a sea turtle for yourself or a friend to help ensure that turtle’s survival. Once you’ve adopted your turtle, you’ll receive a host of gifts, including a personalized adoption certificate, a guide to sea turtle conservation, a window cling and other turtle-related memorabilia.

2. GET TRASHY
The abundance of plastic garbage in the ocean is detrimental to all marine species, but this waste plagues turtles in particular. Reduce, reuse and recycle plastic materials topside — especially balloons, which sea turtles often eat by mistake — and encourage your community to do the same. Divers have the opportunity to take this a step further by removing trash and plastic waste found below the surface.

3. BE ADVENTUROUS
Need an excuse to travel? Reserve a spot on an Eco-Volunteer Adventure to Costa Rica! By participating in one of the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s volunteer programs, you’ll have the unique opportunity to locate, tag and record data on leatherback or green sea turtles during a session that lasts between one and three weeks. Prices for these all-inclusive trips range between $1,439 and $2,549 per person.

For more information, visit http://conserveturtles.org/

The Sea Turtle Conservancy: Helping Endangered Turtles since 1959 Read More »

Search Called off for Foreign Divers Missing in Indonesia

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JAKARTA (AFP) — Rescuers have called off the search for four foreign tourists who went missing while scuba diving off Indonesian Borneo nearly two weeks ago, an official has announced.

A full-scale air and sea search was launched to try and locate the three Italians and one Belgian, but the effort was abandoned after no trace of the divers was found.

“The search should have been called off after seven days by law, but we decided to extend it by three more,” East Kalimantan search and rescue chief, Hendra Sudirman, told AFP.

The missing Europeans were part of a group of six tourists — four divers and two snorkelers — who set off for Sangalaki island, a popular dive spot in East Kalimantan province, on August 15.

After the four divers surfaced they asked their guide to swim to their boat and request the captain collect them from the water.

But on the way he encountered trouble and blacked out, Sudirman said. He was plucked from the water by a passing boat and taken to a clinic on shore.

The divers’ boat, having taken the two snorkelers back to shore, returned to the area to search for the divers after it became apparent they had not returned.

“When he (the motorboat driver) went back, the divers were gone,” Sudirman said.

He said there were strong currents and large waves in the area at the time.

For more on this story, click here.

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Save Our Sharks: Becoming a Shark Angel

Marine Life, Rebreathers, scuba diving news, Scuba_News, standards, Teach First Aid/CPR, Tec, Tec Diving, Technology, TecRec, TecRec IT Crossover, UW Photography, Wrecks /
Julie Anderson Shark Saver Underwater Photo

Courtesy Scubapro/Neil Andrea

JULIE ANDERSON

A random encounter with a hammerhead led to one woman’s lifelong crusade to protect sharks.

I have always been drawn to sharks. Their powerful grace and presence has fascinated me since we first met. Solo on a safety stop, I suddenly felt I was not alone. Much to my initial terror, a huge scalloped hammerhead appeared next to me. But gazing into the eyes of the animal, I saw life — not a cold, cruel stare. That day sealed my fate. This shark exemplified all that is beautiful on Earth: the extraordinary power of nature, and a vital reminder of what we must respect and protect.

Hooked, I traveled to dive in places famous for sharks. Everywhere I went, I saw the effects of shark finning. I quickly realized I was watching sharks disappear before my eyes. Fueled by passion, I sold my house and business to start Shark Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to giving the world a new view of sharks.

I spent years undercover documenting the heartbreaking destruction. I walked among 7,000 bloody sharks landed in a tuna fishery in Japan, and watched a starving fishing village in Indonesia fin the last of its baby sharks — having decimated the population.

Seven years later, I’m still fighting. And I am filled with hope. Together, we are making a difference. From passing legislation that makes shark fin an illegal substance to developing campaigns to stop the demand in Asia to educating thousands of children, Angels around the world are giving sharks a chance.

Anyone can become a guardian angel to the sharks. Lobby for their protection, vote with your dollars, volunteer, educate, go shark diving to prove their value — just get involved. After all, it’s not just about the sharks — it’s about the oceans and our collective futures.

To learn more, visit sharkangels.org.

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Save Our Sharks: Becoming a Shark Angel Read More »

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