Sea Glass Jewelry: Recycling Ocean Gems Mexico Tech Talk

GLOBAL EDITION Choosing a April 2010 Number 35 Tech Instructor Profile Rich Walker Wrecks Treasure Canary Islands Stingrays d o m i n i c a Hot Rod Sea Sculpture Cris Woloszak Sperm1 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 Whales COVEr PHOTO By ErIC CHENg DIRECTORY X-RAY MAG is published by AquaScope Media ApS Frederiksberg, Denmark www.xray-mag.com PUBLISHER SENIOR EDITOR Interior of wreck, , Scotland. Photo by Lawson Wood & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Symes Peter Symes [email protected] [email protected] SECTION EDITORS contents PUBLISHER / EDITOR Andrey Bizyukin, PhD - Features & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Arnold Weisz - News, Features Gunild Symes Catherine Lim - News, Books [email protected] Simon Kong - News, Books Mathias Carvalho - Wrecks AssOCIaTE EdITOrs Cindy Ross - GirlDiver & rEPrEsENTaTIVEs: Cedric Verdier - Tech Talk Americas: Scott Bennett - Photography Arnold Weisz Scott Bennett - Travel [email protected] Fiona Ayerst - Sharks Michael Arvedlund, PhD Russia Editors & Reps: - Ecology Andrey Bizyukin PhD, Moscow [email protected] COrrEsPONdENTs Robert Aston - CA, USA Svetlana Murashkina PhD, Moscow Enrico Cappeletti - Italy [email protected] John Collins - Ireland Marcelo Mammana - Argentina South East Asia Editor & Rep: Nonoy Tan - The Philippines Catherine GS Lim, Singapore [email protected] CONTrIBuTOrs THIs IssuE Ron Akeson ASSISTANT EdITOrs Scott Bennett & rEPrEsENTaTIVEs: Mary Beth Beuke Malaysia Editor & Rep: Nick Bostic Simon Kong, Kuala Lumpur Mathias Carvalho [email protected] Eric Cheng Catherine GS Lim Canada/PNW Editor & Rep: Gareth Lock Barb Roy, Vancouver Rosemary E. Lunn [email protected] Bonnie McKenna Andy Murch GirlDiver Editor & PNW Rep: Barb Roy Cindy Ross, Tacoma, USA Robert Sterner [email protected] Gunild Symes ERIC CHENG Peter Symes ADVERTISING Carol Tedesco International sales rep: Chris Wolosjak Arnold Weisz Lawson Wood 24 30 36 53 plus... [email protected] Th e Tr e a s u r e s Sp e r m Wh a l e s Co z u m e l Se a Gl a s s Je w l e r y : EDITORIAL 3 MarkETINg MaNagEr: Within t h e Tr e a s u r e o f Dominica Me x i c o Re c y c l i n g Oc e a n Ge m s NEWS 5 Asia-Pacific rep: Yann Saint-Yves b y Ca r o l Te d e s c o b y Er i c Ch e n g b y Ma t h i a s Ca r v a l h o e d i t e d b y Gu n d i l Sy m e s a n d Simon Kong (Malaysia) [email protected] WRECK RAP 20 [email protected] Ca t h e r i n e G S Lim Further information: contacts TRAVEL NEWS 28 French speaking territories: page at www. xray-mag.com 58 74 84 BOOKS & MEDIA 35 Mathias Carvalho St i n g r a y s : Wi n g e d Pr o f i l e : Ho t Ro d Se a Sc u l p t u r e : EQUIPMENT NEWS 49 [email protected] Wo n d e r s o f t h e Ri c h Wa l k e r Cr i s Wo l o s j a k SHARK TALES 58 Canada Ca n a r y Is l a n d s b y Ro s e m a r y E. Lu n n e d i t e d b y Gu n i l d Sy m e s TURTLE TALES 64 Wendy Jankovic b y An d y Mu r c h [email protected] WHALE TALES 70 Not yet subscribed to PHOTO NEWS 76 SUBSCRIPTION columns... X-RAY MAG? Sign up now! X-RAY MAG International Edition in English is FREE It’s FREE! QUICK! EASY! To subscribe, go to: www.xray-mag.com 35 57 66 78 click here... COVER PHOTO: Pod of Sperm Whales, Dominica Bo o k Lo g Sc u b a Ma r k e t i n g : Te c h : Ch o o s i n g UW Ph o t o : PHOTO THIS PAGE: Sperm Whale, Dominica b y Ro b e r t St e r n e r Sp r i n g In t o Sp r i n g a Te c h In s t r u c t o r Fi l m & Digital Vi r t u e s Both photos by Eric Cheng (CONTINuEd ON PagE 4) b y Ni c k Bo s t i c b y Ro n Ak e s o n b y La w s o n Wo o d

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silver Legal matters

Case 1 tative and investigative press can be seen as co-defend- On page 10 of this issue, there that keeps an unbiased and ant, settled the matter out is an article about the lawsuit critical eye on the industry and of court with a large sum and being filed against ScubaBoard its service providers. It is sad that pulled out, leaving a string of by a Maldives-based dive tour the afforementioned despute manufacturers with operator over allegedly libellous has now come so far that it has a bit of a headache, as they comments posted and state- to be resolved in the courts, scrambled to find a replace- ments by users on ScubaBoard’s but as far as X-RAY MAG is con- ment. forums, as members discussed cerned, we will not be cowed. We cross our fingers that these and vented their opinions on We will remain critical as always. legal cases are just aberrations the incidents surrounding and and not the harbingers of a the subsequent handling of a Case 2 new trend in the dive industry in fatal accident that occurred It was only days prior to going which members just sue some- on a in 2008, when to press that we received body else for what is really only a young Russian diver tragically a conspicuously short press their own fault, or risk, that they lost his life due to contaminated release from Teledyne—the should have accepted in the air in scuba tanks. The case is manufacturer of sen- first place. still pending. sors used in many brands of As our societies seem to be While we are naturally both- —that they were growing steadily more litigious, ered by the lawsuit—which pulling out and ceasing delivery it is disconcerting. Clearly at first glance looks to be a to the dive industry effective manufacturers and other serv- frivolous one—on behalf of our immediately, no further reasons ice providers should be held media colleagues, it is the far- given. Several industry insid- accountable for their products reaching implications we are ers close to the magazine who and services, but this should more worried about. If at any have asked not be named, or be regulated by official bodies time a member of the dive directly quoted, have point- that test and approve products cinema of dreams industry, or somebody else for ed to the lengthy legal case according to quality standards that matter, feels miffed about Barrett v. Ambient set forth in legislation. If the offi- receiving bad publicity in the Diving, Ltd. (the manufacturer cial inspectors are indeed dong press when reports on defective of the Inspiration and Evolution their jobs—protecting consum- products or services appear—or, rebreathers) as the underlying ers from faulty products and as in this case, accidents—and cause of Teledyne’s exit. services—and frivolous or gold- thereafter tries to censor the The case, which APD won digging lawsuits are still allowed media, then there is a direct after a four-year trial, was in the already overloaded threat to our function and obli- brought by Stephanie Barrett, backed-up court system, then gation to readers and consum- widow of Robert Barrett, who we will undoubtedly see more ers as reporters of information claimed that a design defect manufacturers shun the dive and opinion, a threat that must in the Inspiration rebreather industry and take their business- be fought at all costs. caused her husband’s death. es, products and innovations While the dive industry media The details can be read here elsewhere. may be a far cry from the http://www.davidconcannon. Washington Post—and we do com/recentcases/barrettvambi- And who could blame them? not exactly uncover scandals of ent.html. Watergate magnitude or bring We haven’t been able to — Peter Symes down presidents—it is still our obtain a comment directly from Editor-in-Chief www.seacam.com function, duty and obligation to Teledyne, but it is alleged that act as an independent, authori- Teledyne, who in some respects

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4 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THE CHagOssIaNs exile, have expressed con- ment bought the company that the Immigration Order cern that the reserve may that employed them to was unlawful, and it was The native islanders, the in effect ban them from harvest coconuts into fibre said of the commissioner Chagossians, were evicted returning, since the pro- and lamp oil and then who issued it that he was to make way for a U.S. Air tected zone could prevent told them the business was supposed to govern, not wazzup base on the larg- them from fishing—their closed. remove the people. est island, Diego Garcia. main livelihood. The islanders were It withdrew the 1971 The former residents have The islanders, numbering dumped in Mauritius and order, and in fact, allowed News edited since fought a long-running about 2,000, were removed an Immigration Order islanders the right of return, by Peter Symes battle in the British courts by the simple means of preventing anyone from but nobody could exercise & Catherine G S Lim for the right to return. The denying them any sup- going back was issued in it because there was noth- NEWS islanders, who now live in plies. The British govern- 1971. In 2000, a court held ing to go back to. ■ Chagos Islands world’s largest marine reserve The UK government has designated an area around the Chagos Islands as the world’s largest marine reserve. Conservationists say the islands possess up to half the healthy reefs in the Indian Ocean. While no one lives there permanently now, people once did, and that could be a problem.

The Chagos archipelago, part of the Brit- taken to Mauritius and the Seychelles, rare crabs, birds and other vulnerable ish Indian Ocean Territory, is a group of 65 more than 1,000 miles away, where many species. tropical islands, spread over half a million have lived in poverty ever since. square kilometres of Indian Ocean, that Pollutant levels in Chagos waters are have belonged to Britain since they were In 2008, the islanders lost a long-running exceptionally low because of minimal captured from France in 1814 during the battle when the House of Lords, as the human influence. As a result, the ecosys- Napoleonic Wars. The islands include final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in tems of the Chagos have so far proven Diego Garcia, the site of a controversial favour of the British government by over- resilient to climate change and have joint British-American military base. turning the lower court rulings and find- been largely immune from threats to ing no right of return on the part of the other reefs worldwide. Since the 1960’s, they have been exclu- Chagossians. sively set aside for defence purposes, Despite a Fisheries Conservation Man- with no inhabitants except for military Most of Diego Garcia is a Ramsar site, agement Zone with commercial catches personnel and civilian contractors on and five islands and their reefs are Strict limited by licence, legal and illegal fishing Diego Garcia. As a consequence, be- Nature Reserves. The Archipelago pro- has impacted the area, for sharks, sea tween 1967 and 1971, an estimated vides important habitat for marine wildlife cucumbers, turtles and fish are 2,000 Chagossians were evicted from the and seabirds for all or parts of their lives. known to have declined archipelago to make way for the Diego as a result of illegal Garcia military base. The islanders were The Chagos archipelago boasts the fishing and by- world’s largest coral atoll and the world’s catch from legal cleanest, most pristine waters, which is fishing. ■ The new marine reserve would cover home to at least 220 coral species and a 544,000 sq km area around the more than 1,000 species of fish. The un- In 2004, the government made a new order that nobody had Indian Ocean archipelago, which derwater landscape of 6,000-meter a right to live in the British Indian Ocean Territory, and cit- is regarded as one of the world’s deep trenches, oceanic ridges and sea ing fears of terrorism in the post 9/11 world, it said a permit richest marine ecosystems. This will mounts, is also a refuge and breeding would be needed to go there. The image shows a U.S. B-1 include a “no-take” marine reserve ground for large and important popula- bomber taking off from the U.S. Air Force base on Diago Garcia. During the Gulf Wars, bombers based on the where commercial fishing will be tions of sharks, dolphins, marine turtles, Chagos Islands—including coldwar era B-52’s—conducted banned. bombing missions over Iraq and later over Afghanistan

5 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED PETEr SymEs news

Atlantic Octopus Mimics Flounders the Atlantic longarm octopus can shapeshift into the likes of a flounder. Several Atlantic longarm octopuses have been captured on video imitating the sand-dwelling peacock flounder, mimicking not only the shape of the flatfish but also its color and swim- ming style. Mimicking octopus were first reported the cephalopods folding their arms back The animal only assumes flounder form never seen another octopus off the coast of Indonesia in 1998, and into flounder shapes and undulating in a when it’s on the move, the scientists or a flounder, but it did this now, the first one has been found in the way that mimicks the peacock flounder, observed. Study leader, Roger Hanlon of flounder mimicry,” he said. Atlantic Ocean. It is the fourth octopus a common flatfish that shares a sandy the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) “We didn’t know what species known to disguise itself as a com- habitat with the octopus in Caribbean in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, thinks the that meant in the mid- pletely different species. waters. It swims along the contours of octopus uses flounder mimicry to avoid 1980’s. But it gives a hint the sea floor, even torquing its soft body predators, which might be alerted to that there might be an Normally, Atlantic longarm octopuses so both eyes move to the left, just like a potential prey by motion. “The animals innate component to swim with their arms trailing behind their flounder. have good camouflage, but when they this swimming behav- heads. But a newly released video shows move, motion gives away camouflage. ior ... that maybe this is Instead of trying to be camou- hardwired.” flaged while they’re moving, which is difficult if not impossible, Comparing still pho- they turn themselves into floun- tographs and video der.” footage from five Caribbean locations How exactly the octopus picked collected over the last up its flounder-like behavior is still decade, Hanlon and a mystery. When Hanlon saw the co-authors—MBL gradu- wild Atlantic octopuses “becom- ate students, Anya Watson and ing” flounders like the species in Alexandra Barbosa— observed uncan- Indonesia, he went back and ny similarities between the small and deli- looked at snapshots of the lab cate octopus and the peacock flounder, Interestingly, the animal taken in 1985. Bothus lunctus, one of the most common octopuses mim- sand dwellers in the Caribbean. They icked flounder only when swim- In the 1980’s, Hanlon had cap- compared not only colouration, which in ming, when movement would compro- tured Atlantic longarm octopus each animal resembled the sandy sea- mise their camouflage. How well the ani- larvae and brought them back floor, but swimming speed and form. mals blended in with their background to his lab, eventually raising one differed. The octopus showed more high- to adulthood. The captive animal The octopuses not only contoured ly controlled and rapid skin patterning displayed a weird swim pattern, their bodies to hug the wavy seafloor, than the flounder, whose camouflage but the scientists didn’t recognize but also swam with the same fits and was slower and less precise. ■ it as mimicry at the time. “It had starts as flounder at the same speeds.

Atlantic longarm octopus (Octopus defilippi) at the Blue Heron Bridge 6 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED EllEN EdmONsON aNd HugH CHrIsP 1927-1940 NEw YOrk BIOlOgICal SurVEy

Your new companion under water Do fish have personalities? UEMIS SDA news Fish with The most user friendly attitude Sticklebacks have different per- ferently from another. ably just a start. In and sonalities, a team of research- Classic traits include shy- some cases, personality Despite an envi- ers from University of Illinois led ness or boldness in response to traits might be inherited, while the environmental ronmental component, while by behavioural ecologist, Dr threats such as the presence in others they might develop component, personality can being more stable. “I would say Alison Bell, has found. Although of a predator, and aggression as a learned response to dif- be more than just a learned the key thing to personality is it sounds like an almost hereti- to other members of the spe- ferences in conditions of an response to environment, since that there is individual variation cal term to use for fish, “person- cies, but also how actively an organism’s life—the kind of a learned behaviour can be and individual consistency,” she ality” is nothing more than con- individual explores a new envi- parental care it receives. forgotten relatively quickly. said. sistent, individual differences ronment—curiosity, one might For example, the team has Scientists hope to probe the That variation and consistency in behavior, a co-researcher, say—or how sociable it is, or its demonstrated that sticklebacks genomic underpinnings of this might also explain why some Katie McGhee, explained. It general level of activity. raised by a father (the species’ behavioural variation. individuals might learn from their means that even if their envi- While these are the traits sole caretaker) tend to take Bell likens personality to factors environment faster than others. Dr Bell ronment is the same, one indi- most widely studied so far, Bell fewer risks with predators than such as height or , which ■ explains her vidual will consistently act dif- and others say they’re prob- fish raised in incubators. clearly can have both a genetic research Red groupers transform undersea landscapes ers watched red groupers the suite of species that remove sand from the sea depends on them are likely floor. Ala dam-building to suffer.” beavers, the fish excavate Working along the West and maintain distinct holes, Florida Shelf, Coleman and thus providing coral, spong- her colleagues observed es and other marine life a the red grouper’s excavat- place to congregate. ing activities during both “The research is incred- its juvenile stage in inshore ibly valuable because waters and its adult stage it demonstrates how at depths of 300 feet. interconnected spe- Coleman said, “We found cies are in the sea,” said through a series of experi- Dr Susan Williams, a pro- ments that they not only fessor at the University of dug the holes but also NOAA complex, California, Davis, who has maintained them by carry- three-dimensional collaborated with Coleman ing mouthfuls of sediment A new study led by Most abundant along structures on the seabed. on an earlier, related study. from the centre of the pit to researchers at Florida Florida’s west coast but Marine creatures like the spiny “Its sea-floor associates the periphery and expelling State University reveals also found on watery lobster and the vermilion snap- include commercially valu- them through their gills and the red grouper to be an ledges and in crevices per then use these structures as able species such as vermil- mouths, then brushing off and caverns from North their habitats. ion snapper, black grouper the rocks with their tail fins.” architect and ecosystem Carolina to Brazil, the red Led by Florida State University’s and spiny lobsters. If the ■ engineer at heart. grouper excavates and maintains Felicia Coleman, the research- groupers are overfished,

7 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Fish Communicate in Secret Certain coral fish use ultraviolet (UV) vision to tell the difference between their own and other similar species.

of the same and a differ- ent species (with similar overall body col- oration but different UV facial patterns) in condi- tions in which the UV markings could and could not be seen. Indeed, the They observed that there was only otherwise rather a difference in territorial reaction manner plain-looking Ambon when the UV facial patterns could directly The UV vision damselfish may even be be seen, demonstrating that these compara- able to recognise individuals patterns are necessary for the fish ble to the may act as a by their faces, in much the same to discriminate between their own face-based secret channel way as humans do, researchers and another species. recognition of communica- have found of individuals In further experiments, in which performed tion because it is The UV vision may act as a secret the fish were shown pictures of the by humans. invisible to the channel of communication different facial markings, the team However, because it is invisible to the fishes’ demonstrated that they were major pred- fishes’ predators predators. reacting to the specific shape atory reef “We observed that certain fish of the ultraviolet patterns on the fish like coral trout, wrasse and had very distinctive ultraviolet intruder’s face, not simply to their rock cod do not seem to have the markings on their faces—and we ultraviolet colour, she says. ability to see ultraviolet markings. wondered what they were using them for,” said “We came to the conclusion “This means the damselfish are Dr Ulrike Siebeck that the fish are using ultraviolet effectively exploiting a secret Ambon dam- of the Vision reflecting facial patterns to dis- channel of communication Centre and criminate between their own spe- among themselves and with other selfish may the University cies and other, similar-looking fish similar, but harmless species—one even be able of Queensland species—also that they are react- which cannot be detected by the to recognise (UQ). ing to the actual pattern, not sim- fish that prey on them. ply the ultraviolet light they were individuals In a series of seeing.” “It also means damselfish can by their faces, carefully con- see a wider spectrum of colours trolled experi- Differences between patterns on than we can, which is remarkable in much the ments, the team the faces of individuals suggest when you consider how colourful same way as exposed male that Ambon damselfish may also coral reefs are naturally. They must Ambon dam- be able to use the patterns for the find them even more colourful humans do selfish to males discrimination of individuals, in a places than we do.” ■

8 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Shrimp found under the Antarctic ice Scientists have expressed surprise over the discovery of a shrimp-like creature found beneath the Antarctic. The shrimps and a jellyfish were discovered some 200 meters below the ice where it was previously believed that only microbes could exist.

A team from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was sur- prised when they lowered a video camera to get the first long look at the underbelly of an ice sheet in Antarctica. A curious shrimp-like crea- ture came swimming by and then parked itself on the camera’s cable. Scientists also pulled up a tentacle they believe came from a foot-long jellyfish. ■ N ASA Lyssianasid amphipod found beneath Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf Click to view video New website for jellyfish affectionados A new website set up by Monterey In addition to tracking jelly blooms, Bay Aquarium Research Institute the Jellywatch site also allows visitors (MBARI) researcher Steve Haddock to report other unusual ocean events combines and social such as red or mass strandings networking to create a resource of other marine creatures. Haddock that both scientists and ocean lov- and his fellow researchers are also ers can appreciate. Visitors can not interested in historical observations only post their sightings and photos, of jelly strandings. “The historical they can also compare their sight- record is really hard to reconstruct”

ings with those of beachcombers said Haddock. He also encourages C O mm ON s around the globe. people to report the lack of jellies at

“People have been talking about times or places when they might be Cr E a TIVE jelly blooms increasing around the expected. “No-jelly observations are world, but we don’t really have a lot useful as well,” Haddock said. of data on this. So, it’s hard to know Designed with input from the how localized these events are. Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Jel- That’s why we created this website. lywatch site is kid-friendly and very The idea is that everyday people easy to use. Visitors can report can get involved in a real ocean sightings anonymously or register to

research project. Their eyes are simplify the entry of multiple observa- Clark AN d E rs ON/A qua I mag s - important instruments in this study,” tions. www.jellywatch.com ■ Medusa Jellyfish, Pt. Lobos, Carmel, said Haddock. California, USA

9 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED essay Welcome to Papua Text by Peter Symes Maldives , a Maldives-based company that organises dive trips to the Maldives sues Scubaboard over New ‘torts, injury — Assault, Libel, and Slander’ Guinea This tall tale has its beginnings in ScubaBoard caught wind of this, removed any the tragic events that happened they began to spread the word of the allegedly during a liveaboard trip in the on the forum, warning others libellous posts. Maldives on 28 May 2008 when about the owner’s history. 11 divers suddenly fell ill and one According to MSD—who claims The letter of diver—the 36-year old Russian they were nothing more than the the law national, Roman Rudakov—died travel agent for the diving trip As far as we due to contaminated air in the and the local crew was the one could ascertain scuba tanks. According to one responsible for the safety of their in most countries first hand witness, the levels of guests—the tone on the forum and jurisdictions, carbon monoxide were meas- crossed into libel and slander. the administra- ured to be ten times that of tors of online acceptable levels. Ten million dollars forum cannot be The incident was reported On 29 January 2010, MSD filed held account- by much of the global dive a libel suit against InterMedia able for utterings media and widely discussed on Publications, one of the forum’s of their users and many scuba diving forums and members—a Canadian they iden- bloggers. discussion boards, including tified as Brian Verbonac—as well Since this case ScubaBoard, which resulted in as one hundred “John Does” they has been filed in a great deal of negative pub- do not know the identity of. MSD a Florida court, the licity for the organiser of the is seeking an excess of ten million U.S. Communications trip, a company, which at that dollars for “damages“. Their law- Decency Act applies, time traded under the name, suit can be downloaded here. which in its section 230 Strictly Maldives. In response, members of Scuba- states that, “No provider or user of Click to read the full lawsuit Sometime after the incident, the Board have rallied around their an interactive computer service company either changed their administrators, raising money to shall be treated as the publisher name or the company’s owner, help defend the case, which they or speaker of any information Papua New Guinea Gundi Holm, who is an Austrian anticipate may cost them up to provided by another information national, started up a new com- US$100,000. The administrators at content provider.” is located in the pany named, Maldives Scuba ScubaBoard have not (as of the In other words, merely giving coral triangle of Diving (MSD). When members of date of publication of this issue) someone a platform that they use marine biodiversity with the highest diversitydi of tropical fish and coral in The boomerang and a ten million dollar the world. lawsuit brought against Scubaboard www.pngdive.com

10 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED essay Freedom of the press, is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles includ- ing various electronic media and Because you can’t stay underwater forever... to make a libelous statement does not boomerangs are published materials. While such duty by an employee of make one liable for those statements. on display, as a subcontractor. Join the World’s Largest Online Diving Community Libel cases are generally regarded as they will hope- freedom mostly implies the absence But as tour operators, very difficult to win even in the best of fully serve as a of interference from an overreach- they are expected to and you will never be without a buddy again. cases, as a heavy burden of proof rest reminder that vet their subcontrac- ing state, its preservation may be in the World’s Largest Online Scuba on the plaintiff. And after we have read these cases tend tors and vouch for their Imagine a resource that will answer Community and find the answers you through the posts and available back- swing around sought through constitutional or quality, too. So, when in- almost every question you ever had are looking for. It’s free, it’s huge, it’s ground information, there seems to be no and hit one in cidents do happen, the about diving: photography, gear, phys- other legal protections. ultra friendly, and we are waiting for meat on that bone. So, what motives re- the neck.” operator is left with an ics, flora, fauna, destinations, wrecks, you to show up! ScubaBoard.com is the ally drive the plaintiff to push forward with Indeed! Just by unpleasant and challeng- , and then imagine ultimate place to begin your research a case that seems largely frivolous and placing the complaint, MSD has now ing situation to clear up and public rela- this resource is but a click away. What and to find a host of dive buddies all unfounded? Hold on to that thought— cast the spotlight—and not a very flatter- tions to handle. That is just the nature of would you call it? Well, we call it around the world with a common goal: we’ll get back it shortly. ing one—on the incident and made sure the business, and one has to be prepared ScubaBoard.com to share our underwater heaven in a Typical lines of defence in libel cases that most of the global diving community to face the music and take responsibility. Join over 100,000 users, including 1200 safe and friendly atmosphere! See you would be: now knows what went down and how Scuba Instructors, hundreds of manu- on the ‘Board tonight! they handled the event. Secondly, it is Don’t shoot the messenger facturers and so many dive experts • Truth: The statements were derogatory generally perceived bad form to shoot Imagine if Toyata had sued the press for but were accurate. the messenger or blame members of the reporting the recent accidents involv- • Opinion: The statements were not public for forming an opinion. ing Toyota vehicles, some of which were intended to be taken as fact and were fatal, too—accidents presumably caused fatal accident on the liveaboard, is not Had MSD handled this incident prop- merely an expression of one’s beliefs. How not to handle PR by faulty pedals—and sued members of only paramount to protecting the com- erly from the onset, issued the required • Fair Comment on a Matter of Public In- This seems to be a classic example of the general public for airing their opin- pany’s good standing, but it can even statements to the press and the public, terest: Statements reasonably believed how not to handle public relations. ions or outrage? Instaed, the president of be turned into an advantage. That is why engaged in the necessary dialogue and to be accurate on a matter of public In real life, bad things happen also the carmaker apologized to the public businesses hire spin doctors and press of- responded professionally to the public interest, such as a scuba diving acci- to good people, conscientious profes- and to the U.S. Congress and took action ficers, and why executives get training in outcry, they would have eventually come dent. sionals and quality- and safety-oriented to correct matters. Nobody is perfect. how to handle the press. What it comes out on top and probably even won some • Statements Made in Good Faith: companies. So, let us assume, just for the Products will occasionally fail even after down to is that, in such cases, one must respect, too, for proper and professional Statements reasonably believed to be sake of the argument, that the plaintiff’s diligent and thorough testing—accidents assume responsibility for what happened, conduct, because that builds trust. In- true and can be supported, but later operations were indeed quality-oriented will happen. What really matters is how be humble and deal with the critics stead, they elected to pursue this matter turned out to be false (such as quoting and diligently-managed, and this fatal these situations are handled. tactfully, explaining what measures one by filing a case in court, which will only an incorrect news article). accident occurs nonetheless. Do we be- is going to take to prevent the problem serves to redicule the dive industry and lieve the plaintiff was at fault? Not really. PR 101 from happening again. Denial or blaming enriches nobody but the lawyers. The On all these accounts, it seems that Scu- Obviously, it was a case of dereliction of Handling situations correctly, such as the others are the worst things one can do. boomerang has indeed come around. ■ baBoard would have a pretty good case. A fatal accident did happen. Opinions will be formed and aired. The incident

was a matter of public interest and of d O ma IN public debate and so forth. A legal counsellor told to us that law- yers have a saying about libel suits, which goes approximately like this: “The one who thinks of suing for libel should make his/her deliberations at the ethnographic u . s CON s TIT u TION / P u B l IC museum’s Australian exhibit where the d ET a I l O f THE 11 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news

Purple Heart Dive Team develops dive program for Purple Heart recipients Purple Heart Divers, a non-profit Afghanistan. Regardless of your of underwater organization dedicate to supporting stand on the war issue, the fact is diving with wounded heroes—American soldiers that we are there, and that many camaraderie of wounded in action—have devel- brave men and women have been team efforts in a oped a dive program for Purple killed or wounded while serving our unique sub-surface Heart recipients who want to expe- country ... They are awarded the experience. rience scuba diving as part of the Purple Heart in appreciation of their Through these rehabilitation process. injuries.” programs, One of the organization’s goals is The organization is interested in those who to “give something back” to these the heroes’ stories and wants to have been national heroes and thank them for help them share their heroic experi- wounded their service and sacrifice, as stated ences and rehabilitation process in the line of on their website: “Over 30,000 of our with children and adults of the com- duty will take military have been wounded dur- munity. part in pro- ing the engagements in Iraq and The team finds funding for train- grams designed ing and certification of Purple Heart to accommodate heroes. First dives are reserved for their special needs divers who are already certified. while providing them a life- Purple Heart Dive Team was es- altering perspective often needed tablished in South Florida to provide to adjust to the severe injuries they an in-water scuba diving opportu- endured.” nity for Purple Heart recipients. They Purple Heart Dive Team’s primary provide the scuba experience as goal is to help disabled heroes get a self-esteem building and rehabili- “Back in Action” while readjusting tation program in a setting where skills to lead normal lives. boats are close to artificial and Divers interested in getting in- natural reefs. volved with the Purple Heart Dive “Our mission is to provide a unique Team and want more information or and memorable form of rehabilita- to make a donation can email Gary tion combining the physical exercise Levine: [email protected] ■ Three dive computers - Unlimited possibilities

www.OceanicWorldwide.com

12 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED DIGITAL UNDERWATER In the Future: PHOTOGRAPHY Architecture NEW on the ocean Flotating cities for the Maldives? The tiny island nation of the Maldives is under serious threat from rising sea levels caused by climate change as no part of the 1200-island republic is more than six feet above sea level. Now, in one of sev- eral counter measures, the tiny country has teamed with Netherlands-based Docklands/Dutch Watervalley to create a series of floating islands complete with leisure facilities like a nine-hole golf course, pools and a convention centre.

A NEW BOOK BY LAWSON WOOD The project will include a star-like and minimize changes to coastal For more information, go to: formation of floating cities, provid- morphology. ing the Maldives’ people with a www.lawsonwood.com place to live after the rising sea Gyre Seascraper levels have washed away their The Gyre by the Canadian vision- island nation. ary Keith Dewey, the man behind Gyre goes a step further by juxtapos- the Zigloo, is a conceptual float- ing that footprint to the ocean, and is Designed by architect Koen ing development that has been perhaps its greenest feature. Its unique Olthuis, the renderings for the designed as an underwater design permits the simultaneous appli- amphibious mini-cities with the skyscraper. The development cation of wind, solar and tidal energy Citadel floating apartment com- will bring scientists and vaca- generation technologies thereby mak- plex and the amazing floating tioners together to understand ing it truly ‘off-grid’. homes appear to depict star- the ocean, without polluting its shaped, tiered islands with indoor delicate ecosystem. Peaking at a The center piece of the design features spaces hidden under lush green- depth of 400m, the development a double-hulled vortex with both hulls roof terraces, complete with will provide space for a comfort- being clad in reinforced glass, where interior pools and beaches. While able living and working environ- each of the floor levels are essentially exact design details of these new ment, including space for shops, a layering of concentric rings ranging floating islands are still unavail- restaurants, gardens and recrea- in size from 30,000m2 down to 600m2. able, the Dutch Docklands has tion. Inclinators riding along the inner struc- built a special expertise in creat- tural ribs provide for vertical/diagonal ing water developments using As much as a skyscraper is an transportation between floors. Total methods and procedures that economical method of reducing floor area of the entire structure (levels, reduce impact on underwater life humankind’s footprint on land, radial arms, barriers) is approximately 212,000m2 (or roughly 40 football fields). The Gyre’s radial arms feature a pedes- THIS PAGE: Citadel floating trian upper level and a transit system apartment complex 13 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The Gyre’s radial arms feature a pedestrian upper level and a transit system on the lower level. The submerged The barriers create an inner harbor Water-Scraper sustains news a small forest, while the lower and a port big enough for even the world’s largest ships levels contain spaces for its inhabitants to live and work. The building is kept upright using a system of ballasts food. The surface of the submerged aided by a set of squid- skyscraper sustains a small forest, like tentacles that while the lower levels contain spaces generate kinetic for its inhabitants to live and work. energy The building is kept upright using a system of ballasts aided by a set of squid-like tentacles that generate kinetic energy. The building itself is kept upright using a system of ballast and balancing tanks. The tentacles also serve as balancing elements as they, in generating their power, are constantly moving with the rhythm of the . The and bal- last controls are placed at the low- est portions to create the proper counterforce for keeping the building upright. ■

evolo.us/competition zigloo.ca dutchdocklands.com

on the lower level to access to the outer generates its own electricity using wave, protective barriers. The barriers create an wind and solar power, and it produces its inner harbor and port of approximately own food through farming, aquaculture 1.25km in diameter, accommodating the and hydroponic techniques. The design, needs of even the world’s largest ships. which won a special mention in this year’s eVolo Skyscraper Competition, expands Water-Scraper the concept of a floating island into a full- Sarly Adre Bin Sarkum’s Water-Scraper is a fledged underwater skyscraper that har- futuristic self-sufficient floating city, which vests renewable energy and grows its own Water-Scraper 14 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED news

“Peek-a-boo” Capernwray Diving Centre has just created an incomparable new dive by sinking the larg- est underwater attrac- tion ever installed at a UK inland dive site

Airliner becomes new dive site in England ODEX 2011 5TH ANNUAL ™ A 70ft Hawker Siddeley 748 was submerged into a quarry at Capernwray Diving Centre UNDERWATER FESTIVAL in Northern England. RNA Showgrounds Brisbane Australia Australasia-wide Capernwray Dive Centre has created a new reason described the aircraft: “What is particularly impres- September 30th – October 2nd September 9th to 18th to head to the Lake District in the North West region sive is the size of this aircraft; she is simply huge! The of England, a newly sunken massive airliner, the larg- fuselage is 67 feet long, the wingspan is 100 feet and Brisbane Australia est underwater attraction ever installed at an inland the whole thing stands 25 feet high! The first divers • International Dive and Travel September 30th - October 2nd dive site in the United Kingdom. Months of prepara- have already visited this stunning wreck and have Resort Pavilion tions over the winter and some GB£25,000 invested by returned to the surface in awe at her sheer scale and • Australasia-wide underwater the center brought the Hawker Siddeley 748, a 1960’s visual impact underwater ... With a shining white fuse- • Marine Science and Conservation Hub photo and video shootout full-sized 48-seat airliner powered by two Rolls Royce lage, she is resplendent in her Emerald Airways paint • Paddle and Ocean Sports Zone Dart turboprop engines, to its final resting place. scheme and new ‘Northern Diver’ logo, added as • Marine Visions V - open medium In a recent press release, Capernawray Dive Centre a ‘thank you’ to a great Lancashire company who • Water sport events around Brisbane art competition kindly contributed to the costs of the project.” • Silent auction, prizes and giveaways • Festival Fringe events all over Australasia The aircraft, which is a series 2A • Over $100,000 in prizes HS748 having an official registration • Seminars, workshops and including $10,000 cash of G-BVOV, has an interesting history. presentations Built at the end of this aircraft’s pro- • Showcase of top 100 winning shots duction run in 1980, the craft was first • Underwater Festival Winners and videos at ODEX 2011 employed by a Portuguese airline, fly- Showcase ing between Lisbon and the Azores. • Awards Ceremony and Underwater Then, she was re-registered in the UK • Underwater Festival Awards Party Festival Party at ODEX 2011 and flew routes from Liverpool under the Emerald Airways banner until 2006 when that company finally closed its Submerge your senses Be part of it, wherever you are! doors. The craft experienced some adventures along the way including a dodgy landing at Guernsey Airport in early 2006 when the pilot had a bit of oceaniadiveexpo.com underwaterfestival.org a mishap and managed to run off the end of the runway. ■ SHOW ORGANISERS 15 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED dive in. explore. discover news

Diver badly burned by heat packs in freak accident

Surgeon warns scuba acetate, water and metal. About managed to ascend and com- divers against using heat 20 minutes into the dive when he plete stops, which was 80 metres below the surface, took about two hours to com- packs on deep dives his pads ruptured. suf- plete. He was airlifted by Coast after treating a man who fered deep chemical-related Guard helicopter to Cork Airport received severe burns in a burns to 35 percent of his body. and was rushed by ambulance freak accident off the Cork They were made worse by the to Cork University Hospital (CUH). fact that the polyester and nylon He has had seven operations but coast last year. in his dive suits melted. has since been discharged and is recovering well. A 31-year old diver was part Doctors believe that due to high of a team diving the Lusitania pressure and the high concen- “Air-activated heat packs should when the accident occurred last trations of oxygen in his suit, the never be used at high ,” September. Inside his undersuit he chemical reaction happened John Curran, the plastic surgeon had four air-activated heat packs, faster than normal, generating who treated the diver for his burns one at each shoulder and hip. higher . said in an article in the latest The pads generate heat through edition of the Journal of Plastic, a chemical reaction using sodium Despite his injuries and agony, he Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. “Because of the high pressure and high oxygen, auto- ignition started. The suit was dry on the inside and completely sealed.

“He was lucky that the fire burst his suit open and the in-flowing of sea water put the fire out and relieved his excruciating pain. That allowed him to make a controlled ascent in two hours,” Curran added.

IEditors note: We haven’t been able to ascertain whether the heat packs in question were intended or desgned for scuba diving activities. ■ RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by German U-boat U-20 on 7 May 1915 16 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Some pipefish are good fathers, PETEr SymEs some are not...

its young before giving birth, but later Snake pipefish Entelurus aequoreus birth, but it may not choose to make the effort. (Linnaeus, 1758). Pipefishes are found pipefishes The key factor for this attitude: How worldwide and are especially prevalent likely will never win any the male feels about the mother. in tropical and subtropical waters. They Father of The Year awards— “The bottom line seems to be, if the somewhat resemble a stretched-out their attitude towards their offspring male likes the mom, the kids are treat- version of a seahorse. Like the can range from total love to total ed better,” Paczolt explains. “Why this seahorse, the male pipefish becomes pregnant and neglect, according to new findings occurs, we don’t fully understand, but gives birth. Male from Texas A&M University researchers. our findings are quite specific about pipe- Kim Paczolt and Adam Jones, this relationship between the male fishes and their seahorse researchers in the Department of pipefish and its mate. If the male pre- cousins are the only males that Biology, found that the male pipefish fers the female, he treats their mutual actually become pregnant and give can be a nurturing father as it tends offspring better.” ■

Deep Sea Fish finish up Nestling right next to Advocacy group vows suit to the clear blue sea their Spinach Tasik Ria Resort & Spa stop swimming with manatees at is an intimate Scientists have for the first time cap- boutique-style Crystal River, Florida tured footage of one of the most dive resort in abundant species of deep sea fish Manado feeding on plant material. Though the fish were artificially fed—with spin- ach—it demonstrates they have much www.tasikria.com wider tastes than previously thought. Dr Rachel Jeffreys and her col- leagues of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research simulated Egypt creates its first marine a plant food fall by dropping spinach bait into the deep North Atlantic sea, reserve on its Mediterranean coast 185km off the coast of Portugal. At- tached to a rig containing the bait Egypt wants visitors to discover its Mediterranean was a video camera, which recorded coast at a newly declared marine reserve being any animals that ventured close. established near the border with Libya, the govern- Soon after the bait was dropped ment said. Falling within the Gulf of el-Salloum, the 3000m underwater, at least three 383 km2 protected area is home to over 160 species species of deep sea fish, grenadiers of birds and over 10,000 marine species. The reserve Citing record manatee to sue on Monday giving the U.S. temperatures fall. (Coryphaenoides armatus and C. falls under a number of international and regional deaths this year, an envi- Fish and Wildlife Service 60 days to A record 641 manatees were mediterraneus) and cusk eels (Spec- conventions, including the Convention on Biological close the spring or face a lawsuit. counted in Citrus and Hernando tunculus sp) began to attack it, eating Diversity along with the World Heritage Convention. ronmental watchdog group Annually, an estimated 100,000 county waters in January during the away at the spinach. The declaration of the protected area as a nature wants to close the popular tourists swim with manatees in and extended cold snap. By mid March, “We were very surprised and excit- reserve aims to protect it against the environmental Kings Spring in Crystal River around Kings Spring at the head- cold stress had driven the death ed by the results,” said Jeffreys. ■ problems. “The goal is to protect endangered spe- to swimmers and divers. waters of the Crystal River in Kings count to 431 for 2010, topping last cies ... and encourage ecotourism in the reserve Bay. The spring is one of the primary year’s record of 429 deaths for the area, putting it on the global ecotourism map,” Public Employees for Environmental sources for the river for the warm entire year. ■ Environment Minister Maged George said. ■ Responsibility filed a notice of intent water that manatees seek when

17 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HANDICAPPED DIVERS

The International Association of Handicapped Divers (IAHD) is a non-profit Training organization that or- ganizes training pro- bulletin grams for disabled Fraser Bathgate divers. The organiza- Inteview by Gunild Pak Symes Edited by tion offers a range of Photographs courtesy of IAHD & Flemming Thyge Peter Symes courses on different subjects very much Fraser Bathgate, Vice President exclusion for a lot of people that are And how did you get involved with like the PADI-system and Director of Training for the excluded anyway. It wasn’t just peo- IAHD? I had obviously been, being “New hope for divers with disabilities”of diver education. ple with spinal injuries in wheel chairs, in a wheelchair myself, interested in You can read more International Association of but also people with cerebral palsy, trying to give something back to the about diving for Handicapped Divers (IAHD), Down’s syndrome, muscular dystro- diving community which we felt was disabled people at tells X-RAY MAG what drives phy and spinal bifida… thingsDisabled like that very, very important because Divers a lot InternationalIAHD’s international him to dive off his wheel- which means that we getA the new freedom approach of times to diversteaching tend to people take out, with they disabilities to scuba dive is promised with the formation of a newwebsite: that everyone else experiences. don’t actually give back. And I felt it www.iahd.org chair and into the depths of Also one of the benefitsnon-profit of water organisation,was important Disabled to try to give Divers something International . the underwater realm, why is that it is a great back to the div- Fraser Bathgate will Founders of the DDI are two from traditional methods of work of Deptherapy, the Bathgate hopes that individ- therapy anyway, and ing community as a be at the January Shark Life launches he wants to teach other disa- men with a combined 30 teaching divers with disabili- charity Bathgate set up to ual diving professionals and also leaving the wheel whole. 2005 Danish Dive bled people how to dive and years of working with disa- ties.” help rehabilitate through div- dive centres will be quick chair behind. It’s the Show in Copenha- Shark Diver courses bled divers—Fraser Bathgate, ing Coalition personnel to take up the opportuni- Choose from seven different shark abled dive instructors how to only sport where we Was your disability gen where IAHD will its first president, and Vice- Scuba diving has been seriously wounded in the Iraq ties offered by DDI courses. species. Learn about feeding can leave the wheel something that came run a training pro- use alternative approaches President Flemming Thyge, shown to offer numerous and Afghani conflicts. “These training programmes behaviour, biology, habitats. Have chair behind. The later in life? Yes, I had gram over the week- and teaching methods that both previously leading benefits in terms of the social can help to differentiate a greater understanding of sharks. ■ other great thing is a climbing accident. end. To register for lights of the International and physical rehabilitation of “DDI programmes are them from their com- encourage disabled individu- it’s also the only sport I was never a diver the course, contact Association of Handicapped people with disabilities. Many designed to work in conjunc- petitors, and provide als to take the plunge. where we can go before, so I was the Flemming Thyges at: Divers (IAHD). All the DDI’s find that, given the correct tion with those of existing added value to their into a shop and buy first person in the www.thygesdykker- board members are volun- equipment and appropriate agencies,” said businesses.” Tell us about yourself and the organi- straight out of the world in a wheel- center.dk teers. training, the restrictions they Fraser Bathgate. “Our new zation… The IAHD was set up to help shop. We don’t have chair to qualify as an experience on land disap- layer of courses allows peo- For more information train people in to have instructor. So that is “Our intention with DDI is to pear with the near-weight- ple who would have difficulty on Disabled Divers scuba diving that things unique. ensure that our students and lessnes they experience fulfilling standard agency International, go to weren’t able to go custom able bodied again. It’s good. their needs always have pri- under water. requirements and standards www.ddivers.org or through the nor- made. The And how did your ority,” says Bathgate. “The to experience diving safely. contact info@ddivers. mal instructional only thing teachers respond So, you felt happier down in the Fraser Bathgate new training programme “Regular recreation involving We achieve this through org. ■ methods with that we Fraser Bathgate to you? It took me water? I felt a lot happier, a lot safer we’re offering moves away physical exercise engenders modifications and enhance- some of the major do have a long time to find and a lot more comfortable in the better physical and mental ments to standard proce- Cofounder and training agencies. to have custom made any- someone who would be willing to water. health,” says Fraser Bathgate. dures and equipment.” Vice-President We felt that was time is a wet suit because teach me. When they did finally start “Scuba diving is also a social Flemming Thyge the wrong thing, obviously body shapes are to teach me, it was found that I could Do you have pain above water and sport, and being able to Another set of DDI courses is has over the so we wanted to different. But everything do just about as much as everyone then less under? I know that some peo- interact with non-disabled available for training instruc- years worked introduce a meth- else can be bought directly else in the water. In fact, at certain ple that we have worked with have closely divers can have a tremen- tors. “For the professionals, od of teaching from the shop, so they’re points I could do things slightly better had things where they have pain on with Fraser dous positive effect.” we provide the tools and that would mean not being penalized for because my mobility came back when the surface, but when we take them Bathgate The official launch of DDI knowledge required to train there was no having a disability. I was in the water, so it is like you are under the water, the pain reduces. We on offering took place on 27 March at and certify disabled divers diving to the London International Dive safely, within the various limits the dis- Show, but Bathgate said he imposed by individual stu- abled had already gathered exten- dents’ ability. Work with disa- 53 X-RAY MAG : 3 : 2005 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL EQUIPMENT & NEWS sive ECOLOGY international supportPROFILES for bled divers PORTFOLIO is very rewarding, CLASSIFIED its formation. because the students share the excitement and joy of Its courses are designed to their experiences with their dovetail seamlessly with the instructors,” said Bathgate.

18 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Underwater CSI training course If you are a diver and are inter- ested in taking a new look at the underwater world through the eyes of a forensic scientist, then a novel 3-day course may be just evidence. The evidence is not dures in an effort to increase suc- the thing you’ve been waiting for. removed from the water until cessful prosecution of violators. Not only will you play a legitimate the underwater crime scene has part in conducting an actual been properly and completely The course is hosted by The underwater crime scene inves- documented, all facts and poten- Central Caribbean Marine tigation, but you will also learn tial information are obtained, and Institute (CCMI) Little Cayman how to analyze the data and the best possible way to remove Research Centre as part of its construct a proper defense, using the evidence with minimal dam- Dive with a Researcher (DWAR) forensic techniques that you will learn in the program.

So, what exactly is Underwater CSI? Essentially, it is a set of pro- tocols and techniques for investi- gating underwater crime scenes; as such, it can be quite useful in determining short-term violations that have had negative impacts on our reefs. The results of these in- vestigations can be documented, recorded and analysed in a sys- tematic fashion using tool kits de- veloped to support these types of investigations. Similar techniques age is determined. Program. CCMI, which is located are now being used worldwide by on Little Cayman in the Cayman marine enforcement officers, en- The objective of this study is to Islands, was established to create vironment assessment agencies, develop methodology to accu- a regional centre for excellence researchers, litigators rately describe unlawful activi- in coral reef science. With a pro- and natural resource managers. ties, quantifiable damage to the gramme of continuing education resource, and associate a mon- and outreach to school children, The application of the forensic sci- etary value useful in determining students and coral scientists, it ences to detect and document mitigation relevant to damage offers a base for the study and illegal activities related to coral inflicted to a reef in addition to monitoring of reef biology on Little reefs provides a tool to find and fines and penalties. The Cayman Island. prosecute suspects, assign mon- experimental design focuses in etary value to damages caused adapting and validating under- The lead diver and instructor to a reef as part of illegal activi- water forensic techniques cur- will be marine forensic biologist, ties, and to provide information rently in use in other areas of the Dr Hector Cruz-Lopez, who is a to the judicial system regarding forensic sciences. Further, divers professor of Forensic Science at the magnitude of some of these will look and discuss ways to uti- the Palm Beach State College crimes. lize this methodology to identify Criminal Justice Institute and human activities that affect coral serves on the National Forensic Unlike search and recovery reefs that are negligent or unlaw- Science Initiative at West Virginia operations, underwater forensic ful. The findings of this research will University. ■ activities focus on identification be incorporated into Coral Reef and documentation of potential Crime Scene Investigation proce- www.reefresearch.org

19 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED wreck Bronze age wreck found off Devon One of the world’s oldest shipwrecks has been discovered off the rap English coast after lying on the seabed for almost 3,000 years.

surveys of the site; given the closeness of the two sites (the des- ignated areas overlap) Edited by it seemed probable Mathias Carvalho that there was some connection between the two. The Bronze Age site was named 800-year-old shipwrecks the Salcombe B Site to differentiate it from the original 17th century found in Baltic Sea site. In total, 295 artefacts Swedish experts say dozens of centuries-old shipwrecks have been found by a have so far been gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany. recovered, weighing a total of more than SO u TH WE s T ar ITI m E M A r CH a EO l O g IC al G r O u P 84kg. The cargo re- The oldest wreck probably dates “We have managed to identify even be from the Middle Ages,” covered includes 259 back to medieval times and 12 shipwrecks, and nine of them he said, stressing that “this dis- Archaeologists have described the who were initially investigating a copper ingots and 27 could be up to 800 years old, are considered to be fairly old,” covery offers enormous culture- vessel, which is thought to date 17th century wreck, which went tin ingots. Also found was a bronze while the others are likely from Norman, a senior advisor with historical value”. back to around 900 B.C., as being down close by. leaf sword, two stone artefacts that the 17th to 19th centuries, said the heritage board, told AFP. a “bulk carrier” of its age, carrying could have been sling shots, and Peter Norman, of Sweden’s “We think many of the ships are The shipwrecks were discovered an extremely valuable cargo of In 2004, the team decided to con- three gold wrist torcs—or bracelets. National Heritage Board. from the 17th and 18th centu- during a probe by the Russian- tin and hundreds of copper ingots centrate on the southeast area, ries, and we think some could led Nord Stream consortium of from the continent when it sank. and a palstave axe head was The team have yet to uncover any the sea bed route its planned located in September that year. of the vessel’s structure, which is gas pipeline from Russia to Archaeologists believe the cop- No longer was the team looking for likely to have eroded away. the European Union will take per—and possibly the tin—was 17th century artefacts, but Bronze www.swmag.org ■ through the Baltic. being imported into Britain and Age ones. It turned out that the originated in a number of differ- pot handle and adze located in “They used equipment ent countries throughout Europe, 2002 are also from the Bronze Age, first and discovered some un- rather than from a single source, and following a re-assessment of evenness along the sea bot- demonstrating the existence of a the original assemblage at the tom ... so they filmed some complex network of trade routes British Museum, some of the origi- of the uneven areas, and we across the continent. nal artefacts recovered were also could see the wrecks,” Nor- identified as Bronze Age. man explained. Academics at the University of Ox- ford are carrying out further analy- Since 2004, SWMAG has located The Nord Stream project, sis of the cargo in order to establish and recovered a significant in which Russia’s OAO its exact origins. number of Bronze Age artefacts Gazprom holds a 51 percent that date to the Penard period stake, has uncovered scores The wreck has been found in just and are believed to originate of other objects during sea- eight to ten metres of water in a predominantly from France. This bed searches of the route, bay near Salcombe, south Devon, makes them contemporary to the including about 80 sea mines by a team of amateur marine artefacts from Moor Sand found and a washing machine. ■ archaeologists from the South West by Phillip Baker in 1977 and Keith S u PP l IE d Maritime Archaeological Group Muckelroy et al during subsequent

20 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED the dive news network presents The battle for Ancona’s bounty the 3rd AnnUAl Courts curb bounty hunters seeking torpedoed liner’s £15m bullion DIVE & TRAVEl EXPO It is still not very clear what exactly “preserving the administratively make money. The only accept- happened on 7 November 1915, closed status of the case”. She able project might be a ­non-profit​ between the German U-boat 38 stressed that, “There is no dispute -making one for scientific and May 21 -23, 2010 and the Italian-American pas- between Odyssey and the Italian historical research, with the agree- senger ship, the SS Ancona. The government.” ment of all the nations involved in tacoma, washington, U.S.A. U-boat attack, near Sardinia, sunk the disaster.” ■ the liner and sealed the fate of A foreign ministry spokesman, • 250 Exciting • Try Scuba FREE Exhibitor Booths more than 200 people, out of however, declaired that lawyers in • Try Scuba FREE the total 760 on board, when the America had taken action in the In June 2009, a Florida • 40 FREE Seminars transatlantic vessel went down. U.S. courts. That could mean that court judge instructed • Great Deals neither the salvagers nor the gov- Odyssey to hand over to • See The Latest On Travel What could be considered a war ernment could take any initiative the Spanish government grave also hides immense riches: without first giving 45 days’ notice about US$500m in gold Diving Products and silver coins, recov- • Meet Diving 12 barrels of gold and a silver ship- to the other party. ered from the “Black • Win Thousands Celebrities ment, a treasure estimated to be Swan” site, identified as Of Dollars In Prizes worth €17m (£15m / US$ 23.2m), a Italian officials view the site as the Nuestra Señora de loot that entices the imagination untouchable. Sebastiano Tusa, Las Mercedes—a Spanish of many bounty hunters around head of the government’s Marine frigate that sank off DISCOVER AN OCEAN OF POSSIBILITIES the globe. Heritage department on Sicily, Portugal in 1804. The firm declared to the local press: “It is is appealing against the The Italian government has a war cemetery that cannot be judgment. Future dealings www.diveandtravelexpo.com joined the race for the recovery. defiled by a company looking to with the Italian govern- Another heavy com- ment on the SS Ancona case will tell if the sal- petitor is Odyssey Marine vage firm will have a Exploration. A spokes- better outcome this time woman for the Florida- around. ■ based firm, currently searching for the lost treasure, said that it had filed a joint motion with the Italian government

The German U-boat 38 and the Italian-American passenger ship, the SS Ancona, on 7 November 1915 21 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED wreck rap Asterix – the Mighty Gaul Endures A rare sea-going Roman-Celtic barge sent to The Trust in England for found on Christmas Day in 1982 is con- preservation procedures. Rule is better sidered to be the largest, most intact known for her work on the preservation sea-going vessel of its antiquity found of King Henry VIII’s famous flagship. The outside the Mediterranean. First located preservation work is believed to be large- in Guernsey’s St. Peter Port, England, the ly completed by early this year, and the vessel’s remaining timbers were found by feasibility of relocating the wreck back to It is believed diver Richard Keen, lying in the centre of Guernsey in being considered. that a cargo ship the narrow entrance to the harbor, thus dated from 620 being exposed by the propeller wash of It is supposed to be a risky, costly opera- B.C. ran aground vessels passing overhead. tion. Monaghan declared that, “It would near Isla Farallon need to be displayed in a ‘giant goldfish and Isla Grosa, off The find is considered an opportunity to tank’ or glass tank to keep the bugs and La Manga, Spain. Now, 26 centuries expand the understanding of the trade dust off and keep the humidity stable... if later, archaeolo- routes used in the period, due to the it gets too dry it will fall apart or too wet it gists from eleven pottery found that could have been will go mouldy.” countries are bring- made in areas as far away as Spain and ing these antique Algeria. Dr Jason Monaghan, from the A monograph written by Rule and objects to the Guernsey Museum, said that the Asterix is Monaghan is available, describing all light of day once d E A rqu EO l O g Í a S u B a C ÁTIC “one of only two of its type surviving and facts and the exploration missions that again. The ship it is Britain’s largest Roman object”. were undertook: A Gallo-Roman Trading was carrying an Na CION al Vessel from Guernsey – The Excavation elephant tusk with Banked by the Guernsey Maritime Trust’s and Recovery of a Third Century Phoenician inscrip- private funding, the wreck was studied Shipwreck. ■ tions, copper ingots El M us EO and stones contain- and cleaned up before eventually being ing silver and lead J.M. RO dr Í gu E z | Wreck from 600 B.C. discovered off Spain

The discovery of a Phoenician wreck beneath the sea off La Manga del Mar menor in Murcia, is being hailed by archaeologists as one of the most important discoveries in the Mediterranean. The ship’s nick- The find, which has been described 1,400 objects have been collected. Even silver and lead. Ceramic pots, which name, created by as one of the most important of all some of the wood from the bottom of were used for transporting fish and oil, the media, refers archaeological discoveries, appears the ship has survived since the 7th cen- have been found, too, as well as plates, to a small and to be the cargo of a commercial ship tury before Christ (620 B.C.), and has bowls, combs, ivory knife handles, fearless French carrying ivory from African elephants, been recovered. It is believed the vessel bronze needles and chandeliers. comic book char- amber and lots of ceramic objects. The measured approximately 15 metres long. acter, from the discovery has been kept secret for the It is believed the ship crashed into rocks only remaining free past three years by the team of divers The ivory tusks found measure between off the island, which are just a metre and village in Gaul, led by the Spaniard Juan Pinedo Reyes 70 and 150 centimetres with Phoenician a half below the surface. The ship would when it was a and the American Mark Edward Polzer. writing inscribed. They have come from have set sail from Cadiz and was prob- part of the Roman The recovery is taking place around a race of elephants, which are now ably heading towards Guardamar to Empire. Grosa Island and El Farallon Island, just believed to be extinct. There are also a factory there, or to deliver items to a www.asterix.com off La Manga. Over the last three years, copper ingots and stones containing prince living in the area. ■ A Gallo-Roman Trading Vessel

22 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED New Underwater Archaeological Site Designated Off Polyaigos Island, Greece

A shipwreck located as well as fragments of the ves- to between the end of the 5th off the small uninhab- sel’s anchor. The ancient vessel century B.C. and the first half was loaded with amphorae, of the 4th century B.C. At least ited Cycladic island of which are scattered around the three types of amphorae were Polyaigos in the central wreck in two main concentra- identified, one of which origi- Aegean will be desig- tions in depths of 25-49 meters nated from ancient Peparithos nated as an “underwater off the coast of Polyaigos. (the island of Skopelos), while the others were closely identi- archaeological site” by In addition, the shipwreck was fied with Classical Era ampho- Greece’s Culture Ministry. photographed and filmed in rae workshops of the northern detail, which allowed the crea- Aegean. The Polyaigos ship- The shipwreck, which was first tion of a high-definition photo- wreck, according to the minis- spotted in 2004, was excavated mosaic, while procedures have try’s announcement, cited by in November 2009 by underwa- been set in motion to designate the media, sheds light in the ter archaeologists who recov- the area as an underwater study of sea-borne commercial ered valuable archaeological archaeological site. routes of the Classical period objects, including amphorae and the movement of goods and ceramic vases dating back An analysis of the amphorae in the southwestern part of the to the 4th and 5th centuries B.C., recovered dated the wreck Cyclades island chain. ■

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23 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED wreck rap

THIS PAGE: Examples of the The Treasures Within the Treasure rare 1 reale coins

Text by Carol Tedesco Since 1992, my life has revolved around has made “the world go boundless lust for riches—and glory shipwreck-recovered coins. I have around.” Today, we go as well as souls to convert—had Many people will say that helped to clean them, have docu- online to move money—some- resulted in the con- they experience their “a-ha” mented and authenticated them, and times lots of it—from place to place. quest of much of the for some time have been writing a book But not so terribly long ago, money Caribbean, Mexico moments, or flashes of sud- about them. As I’ve said, dreams of was transported on wooden ships, and the Americas. den insight while in the shower. coins wake me up at night. and though these ships are often Silver was the most These people are very fortu- Since people first began trading with romantically memorialized as abundant treasure nate. When I am in the shower, I one another for goods and goodies, “golden galleons”, prior to the of the “Indies”, and money­—in one form or another—truly California gold-rush of the mid- royal mints were typically think about how I need 1800’s, they established to control to clean the tiles. My insights were in truth and regulate a seem- occur at about 3:11 in the silver galle- ingly endless torrent of morning. With the rationale for ons. mineral wealth pouring With a from the mines. By 1622, doing so a complete mystery, desperate New World silver in the form I will suddenly sit bolt upright in need for money of the Spanish dollar was the bed, startling the be-Jesus out and a conviction most coveted and widely traded of entitlement to money on earth. of my partner Michael and cat acquire it at any Bleu. Then, I stumble off in the cost, the kingdom History dark to my office, bumping into of Spain’s approach The 1622, Tierra Firme Fleet galleon walls and furniture, muttering was to plunder the Santa Margarita was carrying almost resources of oth- 150,000 silver coins when she sank in about die-punches and assay- ers. By 1622, little the Florida Straits, but due to the widely er initials, to record whatever more than 100 years scattered nature of the wreck and the insight about shipwreck-recov- after the first voy- deep, rapidly shifting and treacher- ered coins has surfaced from age of Christopher ous sands that conceal her remains, Columbus, Spain’s only about a third of these have been the subterranean depths of my recovered to date. Therefore, when I subconscious. received a call that a conglomeration of encrusted silver coins discovered by A 16th century Keith Webb’s Blue Water Ventures of woodcut provides a glimpse into the workings of a mint; blanks being cut from sheets of silver, struck into coins, weighed and documented

24 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED A set of recreat- wreck ed coin dies help rap to illustrate the labor that went into crafting most money up until the 18th century. ® ® Photo by Carol legendsofdiving.com legendsofdiving.com Tedesco 2010 International Legends Of Diving 2010 International Legends Of Diving Key West had completed the conserva- the MexicoHonors City Western U.S. Pioneers Honors Western U.S. Pioneers tion process—and some of the coins were mint, another quite unusual—I was out the door and Tierra Firme Fleet headed to the conservation laboratory rarity. And, Aprilthey 12-19, 2010 April 12-19, 2010 almost before the call was ended. were old —some At the Key West, Florida, conservation of them among lab of Mel Fishers Treasures—Blue Water Wyndhamthe earliest coins Cozumel Resort & Spa Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa Ventures’ joint-venture partner, chief con- minted in the servator, John Corcoran, had carefully Americas. Cozumel, Mexico Cozumel, Mexico placed 35 shimmering, newly cleaned Their story was silver coins on a soft cloth. Among them epic. The desire $1133.00*to reach out and Seven touch Days at“When the we saw so many cities and vil- $1133.00* Seven Days at the were the expected eight reales value them wasFour irresistible. Star Wyndham Cozumellages Resort built in & the Spa waters of the lake and Four Star Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa coins minted in Potosi, Peru, (now Bolivia) In 1521, Spanish troops led by Hernán other large towns on dry land, and that during the reign of King Philip III, which Cortés laid siege to allTenochtitlán, your food a mag and- drinksstraight, level causeway leading into all your food and drinks have been the majority of Tierra Firme nificentTwo Aztec Dives city built a Day, on an Unlimited island in a FreeMexico Shore City, Diving. we were amazed, and we Two Dives a Day, Unlimited Free Shore Diving. Fleet coin discoveries. But marvelously, lake and connected to the mainland by said that it was like the enchanted things this discovery included seven small and a series of causeways. related in the book of Amadis because of delicate one reale coins—almost unheard The Spanish soldier and chronicler, the huge towers, temples and buildings of on shipwrecks of this period—that Bernal Díaz del Castillo, in his True History rising from the water, and all of masonry. were not from Potosi; they were from of the Conquest of New Spain wrote: And some of the soldiers even asked whether the things we saw were not a dream.” The conquistadors then proceeded to reduce Tenochtitlán to ruins. On that spot, they erected a new Spanish city. Here, Cortés built his own residence atop the S tJimtewar Bob Meistrell Dandead Orr Aztec rulerNick Moctezuma’s Icorn palace S tJimtewar Bob Meistrell Dan Orr Nick Icorn IScripps IScripps nstitute First Scuba Instructors President and CEO 1st CEO of PADI IScripps nstitute First Scuba Instructors President and CEO 1st CEO of PADI o Oceanog rf aphy class for L.A. County, of Divers AlertBlackened Network and encrustedLargest SCUBA silver ship- o Oceanog rf aphy class for L.A. County, of Largest SCUBA holds card #1. wreck recoveredcollection coins are in the cleaned world holds card #1. collection in the world Wet suit pioneer and Wet suit pioneer and founder of Body Glove. by a technique called electrolytic founder of Body Glove. reduction. First, coins are separated Surprise guest and come celebratefrom the the conglomeration, then Surprise guest and come celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nauisuspended individually from metal 50th anniversary of Naui alligator clips into a tub of soda ash and two Great legends from Mexico!!and water. The clips are secured and two Great legends from Mexico!! to rods with stainless steel wire, and Not just a dive trip...it'sthe a rods dive are wired event to a battery, with Not just a dive trip...it's a dive event voltage and amperage determined For More Informationby the number of coins in each For More Information batch. Next, the power supply is Go To www.legendsofdiving.comengaged, beginning a process of Go To www.legendsofdiving.com *Double Occupancy and Run of thereverse House. electrolysis. After cleaning, *Double Occupancy and Run of the House. If you pay by cash or check you can get an additional each 3% discount coin is withstudied, a $300 photographed, deposit If you pay by cash or check you can get an additional 3% discount with a $300 deposit if booked by February 28. Contact Gwen at 419-306-3923documented, or [email protected]. graded, and certified. if booked by February 28. Contact Gwen at 419-306-3923 or [email protected]. Photo by Carol Tedesco

25 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED LEFT: The Entrance of Cortés into Mexico, artist unknown. mExICO CITy mINT (Library of Congress Prints wreck A Mexico City mint eight reales and Photographs Division rap Washington, Jay I. Kislak coin (inset) from the reign of Philip Collection, D.C./Public III is the denomination and reign— domain) but not the mint—most widely represented on the 1622 Fleet shipwrecks. The shield side of a Mexico City mint coin is the front, and is called ruins; and here, the Appropriately- the obverse. On the first Spanish colonial sized dies were reverse are the lions of mint was established. made for each Léon and the castles of When it was origi- denomination of Castile, quartered by nally founded, the coin: a cross with four flared municipality was extensions each ending known as México ● Eight reales of silver in an orb, surrounded by a Tenustitlán. In 1585, equaled the one-ounce curving Moorish design called a it became officially silver dollar of approximate- tressure, or quatrefoil. known as ciudad ly 27.2 grams—which is less O above M to the left of the de México—Mexico than the troy ounce stan- shield is the Mexico City mintmark. City. The city’s mint dard today. The D below is the mint assayer’s was established in ● Four reales coins, at half initial, in this case Diego de Godoy. 1535, during the mon- an ounce each, are half To the right of the shield is an archy of Johanna the weight and were half Arabic 8, expressing the coin’s and Charles I (reign the value of the eight value. This value can also appear 1516-1556) and pro- reales coin. in the form of traditional Roman duced its first coins in ● At a quarter of an ounce, numerals, or in a manner that 1536. These earliest two reales coins are half reflected the handwritten style of issues expressed the the weight and were half the times. kingdom of Spain’s the value of four reales On either side of the coin, the expansionist ideol- coins. symbols are encircled with a bor- ogy symbolically: ● Lastly, at an eighth of an der of dots and a legend. Hand- Mexico coins pro- ounce, the exceedingly trimmed to achieve the correct duced from 1536 to rare one reale coin is half weight when it was originally circa 1544 display a pillars design with Around 1544, the design was appended Making money the weight and was half the value of the crafted, and later the motto Plus Ultra. The pillars represent to include the waves of Gibraltar beneath Money was valued by weight; it was spent two reales coin, having an eighth of the exposure to the Pillars of Hercules, portal to the world the pillars. Finally, a royal edict issued in by weight; and what is astounding to con- value of the eight reales coin. the elements, beyond Europe, and Plus Ultra 1570 (probably put into practice by 1572), sider is that every coin that came out of have left a is Latin for “more declared a new type—with a crowned every mint in the Americas until the 1700’s Blue Water Ventures chief archaeologist, portion of beyond”. shield obverse—compulsory. was made one at a time by hand. James Sinclair, commented concerning this coin To begin production, blanks were cut the rarity of one reale denomination coins legend vis- from strips of silver. A heated blank, or on shipwrecks of this period, “It was far ible. Obverse: The pre-conservation conglomeration planchet, was then sandwiched between more practical to ship large denomina- PHILIPPVS III that contained seven extremely rare double dies and struck with a hammer. tion coins—the full ‘piece-of-eight’ as they DEI GRATIA one reale Mexico City mint coin speci- Any silver in excess of the requisite weight came to be called. Small denominations 16Z0. Reverse: mens. Because of a chemical reaction was trimmed from the outer edges of would almost always have been personal HISPANIARVM ET INDIARVM REX. between the metal and the salt water, the coin until the weight was correct. This property rather than a merchant consign- The letter “U” is presented as “V” in a residue of silver called silver sulfide resulted in irregularly-shaped coins whose ment or royal revenue.” the classical Latin style. The Mexico formed, blackening the coins, and fusing them together into the shape insignia were frequently off-center. Sinclair then explained why it is that mint did not introduce dates into of the object (in this case probably a The dies themselves were made of Mexico City mint coins are uncom- the legend until the year 1607. pouch) that once held them. This fusing steel with insignia impressed into them by mon on the Santa Margarita wreck site, helped to protect and preserve the small direct engraving or by the sinking (stamp- “Every fleet had a specific purpose and Obverse and reverse of Mexico Mint and fragile one reale coins. Photo cour- ing) of multiple die punches, each punch route, and the Tierra Firme Fleet ships eight reales. Photos by Scott Neirling © tesy of Mel Fishers Treasures, Inc. being a component of the coin’s design. were loaded in Portobello, Panama, with Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society

26 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED The Conquest of Tenochtitlán, artist unknown. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, TyPEs Of rarE COINs Jay I. Kislak Collection, D.C./Public domain) wreck Assayer L, Luis Rodríguez, was rap The shield pictured below is the Habsburg Shield, assayer of the Mexico City the arms of King Philip III of Spain, and, with some mint circa 1548-1567. Visible variations, of the other Hapsburg Kings: Philip II, portions of the legend on Philip IV, and Charles II. The symbols that compose this rare 1 reale coin are the shield are the various individual arms of lands CAROLVS (of CAROLVS ET under Spanish rule at the time. So, the shield side of IOHANA REGS) and a portion the coin represents the power of Spain, and when the power changed, the shield changed as well. of the word INDIARVM. Between (Illustration courtesy of Walter Zacharchuk) the pillars, above the partially vis- ible PLVS ULTRA motto, a single dot represents the coin denomina- tion.

The assayer initial L may appear either to the left or the right of the crest. Here a portion of IOHANA REGS (i.e. Charles and Johanna Royals/Monarchs) is visible.

Though the reign of Philip II began in 1556, during the office of Luis Rodríguez the names Charles and Johanna continued to appear on South American treasures—hence, the the east coast of Mexico, and there, Cuba,” he said. Havana was the final 2010, published by SeaStory Press, Key coins into the term of the fol- predominance of coins from Potosi, consigned to New Spain Fleet ships. The port-of-call for all ships before undertak- West, Florida, USA, and may not be lowing assayer O, Bernardo Peru. Coins minted in Mexico City were owner of these seven coins may have ing the return voyage to Spain. In 1622, reproduced in print or electronically, in de Oñate. transported overland to Vera Cruz, on been from Mexico or had dealings with the Tierra Firme Fleet, which had joined whole or in part, without express permis- a business that paid with these Central forces in Portobello with a guard fleet sion of the publisher and author. The shield-type coin is American coins.” under the command of the Marquis Author Carol Tedesco is an interna- introduced during the Dr Eugene Lyon, Blue Water Ventures de Cadereita, was traveling far behind tionally recognized Spanish Colonial office of Bernardo de consulting historian and the foremost schedule. The New Spain flota—with coin expert and historic shipwreck Oñate, here authority in the world on the 1622 Tierra its cargo of Mexico City mint coins— professional who has worked with proj- with his ini- Firme Fleet shipwrecks, provided a reached Havana in advance of the ects in North America, South America, tial “O” to fascinating insight about Mexico City Tierra Firme and Guard Fleet ships. Africa, and the Pacific. A member of the right of the minted coins found mixed into chests With hurricane season and its dangers the Explorers Club, she is a popular shield. Portions of the of mostly Potosi coins on 1622 Tierra upon them, the New Spain flota chose radio guest and speaker through- words GRATIA AND REX Firme Fleet shipwrecks. “The Tierra Firme not to wait. It departed for Spain— out the United States on the sub- are visible on obverse and New Spain fleets had one port-of- unfortunately leaving its valuables ject of the 1622 Fleet shipwrecks. and reverse. call in common, the port of Havana, behind in Havana for the well-armed, Today, she consults for some of but ill-timed, combined Guard Fleet the most prominent historic ship- and Tierra Firme ships to transport. wreck search and recovery compa- Signature of Hernán Cortés on a nies in the world. She likes to relax by document appointing power of SOURCES: hula-hooping on the pier in Key West at attorney to his agents during an Portions of this article are excerpted sunset. Coins investigation into his administration, from the forthcoming book, Pieces of For more information about Keith here are shown larg- 1526. (Kislak 213 Cortes, Hernan Eight: Silver Treasure Coins of the 1622 Webb’s Blue Water Ventures Key er than actual size Power of Attorney 1526) (Library of Shipwrecks Nuestra Senora de Atocha, West and the treasures of the Santa Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Jay I. Kislak Santa Margarita and the Portuguese Margarita shipwreck, visit www.bwvkw. Collection, Washington, D.C./ Carrack São José, by Carol Tedesco com. ■ Public domain)

27 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED travel news UK operator Divequest offers tailor-made trips for solo divers Tired of paying the single supplement? UK of “adding in extra dives, night dives, and specialist tour operator, Divequest, is now trips to the world-famous Lembeh Strait or offering a selection of trips to Manado in the Bangka archipelago”. Indonesia with solo divers in mind. “These are special trips for solo divers Edited by Scott Bennett The 13-day holidays feature accommo- who would like to travel with like-minded dation at Santika Seaside Resort and div- solo companions,” said Divequest. “You ing with on-site Thalassa Divers of Manado, can meet new, like-minded friends and home to some of the world’s best diving. not have to worry about the hassles of S a NTI ka SE as I d E RE s O r T The diving package includes 20 dives, travelling or sitting in a restaurant alone. In which can be taken across a maximum addition, two of the departures will be for World airlines see blue skies of nine diving days, with the option locally female divers only. www.divequest.co.uk ■ ahead British Airways greenlights deal for UK jet Global airlines are undergoing a surprisingly strong recovery. biofuel plant

According to the International Air Deal will establish first plant in Europe to produce Transport Association (IATA), carriers jet fuel from waste matter. began bouncing back late last year after posting record losses during the Construction of the plant in east global economic crisis. London will commence within The group, which represents 240 two years and is set to produce airline companies worldwide, had pre- fuel from 2014 and create up to dicted in December that 2010 losses 1,200 jobs. Some 500,000 tonnes of would total US$5.6 billion. However, a waste will be used by the UK facility year-end rally in 2009 resultedin the to produce 16 million gallons of fuel group halving their 2010 loss forecast to annually. US$2.8 billion. According to BA, the plant will cut Flight management aids aviation emission cuts Leading the way are Asian and Latin the amount of waste that is sent to American carriers, whose surge in pas- landfill, reducing the Better air traffic control determining how, when and senger traffic has helped offset lagging amount of methane where planes fly could help quickly achieve signi- demand in Europe and the United that is produced. Methane States. is thought to be a more potent ficant emission cuts. Passenger demand should grow greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. An Oxford University study has was improved, landing and 5.6 percent for the year, while cargo It will be another four years before it starts producing fuel, discovered better flight man- take-off’s could be quicker, demand could jump 12 percent and it is unlikely to work at full capacity straight away. The agement may be the quickest stacking would be reduced and according to the IATA. “We are start- waste is fed into a high “gasifier” to produce route to reduce aircraft emmis- planes could fly closer together ing to see some blue skies ahead of BioSynGas. A chemical process is then utilized to convert the sions. These include more direct by taking advantage of prevail- us,” said IATA chief executive, gas into biofuel. Waste products from the process can be flight paths to airports and less ing winds,” Carey said. Giovanni Bisignani. ■ used to power the plant as well as supply electricity to the waiting to land, according In contrast, technologi- national grid. ■ to Dr Carey, aviation expert cal advances, such as better at Oxford’s Smith School of engines or reduced weight, Enterprise and the Environment. tend to take a long time before Better traffic control systems they have an impact. In addi- should also help aircraft reduce tion, investing in new technol- the time spent with their engines ogy is both expensive and risky.” running while still on the tarmac. Major technological innova- In addtion, the inaccuracy of tions are a massive financial risk current control systems means because you could be making planes must be given a wide a plane that no-one’s going to berth to avoid collisions. “If that buy,” he added. ■

28 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED

New Flight-Delay Rule in the US ����������������� ���

Airlines threaten more flight cancellations ahead of the new ban on extended tarmac waits

A new federal rule that takes prospect of getting stuck in a take- Continental Airlines (CAL) CEO Jeff effect April 29 aims to end such off queue. Smisek told an investor conference horror stories by imposing fines In response to the regulation, furi- on March 9. on carriers as high as US$27,500 ous airline executives are hoping A Transportation Department per passenger for flights that sit air travelers blame the Transpor- spokesman, Bill Mosley, said airlines for more than three hours without tation Department for increased can schedule flights “more realisti- allowing travelers to disembark. flight cancellations. “Many pas- cally” to avoid cancellations, and It should be good news for trave- sengers at two hours and 45 min- that the rules will help travelers lers, but some airline industry ana- utes, they really want to go to L.A. “choose carriers that do not have lyst warn the law of unintended or Mumbai or wherever, but the tarmac delays, do not routinely consequences is about to strike government, by God, says ‘We’re cancel their flights, and will provide air travel, as the seemingly helpful going to fine you $27,500.’ So, adequate assistance to passen- ������������������������������������� mandate prompts airlines to can- guess what we’re going to do? gers.” ■ cel flights that face a reasonable We’re going to cancel the flight,” How old is your plane anyway?

The average age of the fleet of Northwest had the oldest fleets, among the oldest in the world, the seven large U.S. passenger air- at about 16 years on average. As “I’m not really sure that people lines—including American, Alaska, of the end of 2008, a small per- should read that much into that,” Continental, the merged Delta and centage of the merged Delta/ Aboulafia said. “From a safety Northwest, Southwest, United and Northwest’s planes dated back to standpoint, a lot of the older planes US Airways—is about 14 years old, the late 1960’s. were built tougher and with proper ������������� according to The Airline Monitor. According to aviation analyst maintenance, there’s no reason It found American and Delta/ Richard Aboulafia, U.S. fleets are why a plane can’t stay safe for 25 to 30 years.” The United States and most of the developed world have superb standards and maintenance regulations, the result of decades of experience that have made the system incredibly safe, Aboulafia said. It’s also important to remem- ber that a plane may be 20 years ���������������� old, but its engines and other major systems could have been recently manufactured or upgraded, said ���� ��������� �������������� ������� ���� ���������� ��������� ����������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������� Todd Curtis, founder of AirSafe. ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������� ����� ����� ������ �������� ����� ���� ����� ������������ ��� ���� com. ■ ���������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������� American Airlines Douglas DC-3 used in filming a war film in 1943 N ASA 29 X-RAY MAG : 35 : 2010 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED