Global Adventures, LLC » Scuba diving

Russian bathyscaph can dive to 19,685 feet

Bernd — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:26:02 +0000

Kaliningrad (Global Adventures): Russia has developed a new submersible capable of diving to 19,685 feet (6,000 meters). Designed and build for the Russian Navy by the JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard in Kaliningrad, the vessel has successfully passed a set of factory tests, the news agency Itar-Tass reports.

Further dives are currently under way in the Baltic Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean off the Azores Archipelago. They are scheduled to continue to the end of 2010. The autonomous manned bathyscaph named Consul is designed for geological exploration of the ocean bottom, the shipyard says in a press release.

The submersible is 26 feet (8 meters) long, 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) high, and weighs 25 metric tons. Special tools attached to the hull made of Titanium alloys will allow the vessel to collect samples from the ocean floor. The bathyscaph travels at a speed of 3 knots and was originally scheduled to be delivered at the end of 2009, one news report says.

Lake Tahoe: Divers fight clams with tarps

Bernd — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:16:44 +0000

Lake Tahoe (Global Adventures): In an effort to eradicate non-native freshwater mollusks known as Asian clams, scuba divers started to place long rubber mats suspended underwater by flotation devices across the bottom of Lake Tahoe. The clams promote so much algae growth that they can turn the blue lake water green.

Asian clams have been introduced into many parts of the world, including North America and Europe. They can self-fertilize and release up to 2,000 juveniles per day, and more than 100,000 in a lifetime. Juveniles are only a fraction of an inch (1 millimeter) long when discharged, and take one to four years to reach maturity. At this time they are about 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) long. They can reach populations of 5,000 per square yard.

Divers have already covered a south shore bay with the rubber mats in an attempt to suffocate the clams. They are planning to cover another half-acre soon. Scientists overseeing the project that will cost $1.4 million plan to keep the mats in place all summer long.

Asian clams were first spotted in Lake Tahoe in 2002. Researchers believe that the invasive species either hitched a ride on boats or trailers or originated from residential aquariums. They hope that the rubber mats will prevent the clams from reproducing and starve them of oxygen.

The mats will be removed in fall. At this time, scientists will re-evaluate the project and decide if they seek further financing to cover other sections of the lake floor in 2011. While there is little chance to eradicate the clams, they hope the efforts will help to control the species.

The economic impact of clams adds up to billions of Dollars. They can grow in such numbers that they clog water intake pipes and contribute to the decline and replacement of highly vulnerable, already threatened native clams. The species is native to Russia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and parts of Africa.

Hal Sloane did upload a short video to vimeo that shows divers installing the rubber mats on the clam infested lake bottom.

Photo: Laeschke

Russia: Dachshund on discover scuba course

Bernd — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:11:01 +0000

Vladivostok (Global Adventures): A Russian scuba diver started to train a dachshund in the art of diving. He even built a special hardhat out of what seems to be acrylic material and a dry suit to keep men's best friend comfortable under water. To achieve neutral buoyancy, a short weight belt is wrapped around the dog’s torso.

Sergei Gorbunov, a professional diver who lives in the town of Slavyanka 31 miles (50 kilometers) from the city of Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East, is shown in a short clip teaching his dog Boniface to scuba dive. While Gorbunov says that his dachshund doesn’t show any signs of stress while under water, a movie posted on YouTube seems to tell a different story: While underwater and trying to cope with the unknown environment, the dog starts whining.

This is clearly a discover scuba course taken to the extremes. The YouTube video shows both Gorbunov and a safety diver present during the stunt on Russia's Pacific Coast.

Florida Keys: Wreck Trek Passport

Bernd — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:52:52 +0000

Key West (Global Adventures): In an effort to attract more divers, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council has developed a "Wreck Trek Passport Program" that highlights the Florida Keys shipwreck trail. Certified divers can explore sunken vessels and artificial reefs according to their experience and certification level and receive an Official Florida Keys Wreck Trek logbook.

The dive passport highlights nine shipwrecks from Key Largo to Key West including the Spiegel Grove, Duane, Bibb, Eagle, Thunderbolt, Adolphus Busch Sr., Cayman Salvager, Joe’s Tug and Vandenberg, the shipwreck trail's southernmost addition. Since each dive requires different skill levels, divers are encouraged to research the wrecks they want to visit before signing up for an outing.

After exploring five wrecks, divers receive a personalized collage of "Keys wrecks." Upon completing nine wreck dives, qualifying divers are entered into a drawing for one of several grand prizes including dive equipment and dive-and-stay lodging packages.

The program runs from now until January 1, 2012. Divers and tourists should check the Florida Keys website, which can be accessed here, for coupons to get better deals on accommodations, diving, and watersports.

Recovered: Lake Erie Watersnake

Bernd — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:37:07 +0000

Arlington (Global Adventures): The Lake Erie watersnake, a non-venomous species once threatened with extinction, has rebounded to the point that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to remove the snake from the list of federally endangered and threatened species. The Lake Erie watersnake is a subspecies to the Northern Water Snake that inhabits offshore islands in western Lake Erie in Ohio and Ontario.

The well-known snake has responded well to measures aimed at restoring its population and eliminating or reducing threats to the snake. Recovery efforts included protecting the snake’s habitat and conducting outreach to island residents and visitors about the snake.

"As with the bald eagle, the American alligator, and many other species, the delisting of the watersnake demonstrates once again how effective the Endangered Species Act can be in bringing species back from the brink of extinction when we work hand-in-hand with states, local communities, and other partners," said Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks in a press release.

Lake Erie watersnakes were listed as threatened in 1999. Threats to the species included intentional killing and loss of its shoreline habitat to development. A recovery plan, developed by a range of agencies and interest groups, was finalized in 2003. The plan called for protecting habitat and providing outreach to reduce threats. Recovery criteria include a combined population of at least 5,555 snakes on the U.S. islands, sustained for six years, and protection of key habitat.

"As with most conservation success stories, the comeback of the Lake Erie watersnake is the result of different groups of people working toward a common goal," said Tom Melius, the Service's Midwest Regional Director. "All partners - local citizens to government agencies - worked hard to address threats to this species and ensure its long-term survival."

Through habitat protection and public education, the snake population grew to about 8,600 in 2008, and has exceeded the minimum recovery level since 2001. About 300 acres of inland habitat and 11 miles of shoreline have been protected for the snake since it was listed.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires that a species be monitored for a minimum of 5 years after delisting, to ensure that the species remains stable after the protections of the ESA are removed.

Photo: Patrick Coin