Scuba Diving

[Bad_Man]

Some bad news, which might be good news.

 

Hantu Blog only has 2 places avail for this month's Blog Dive.

 

glzco (and friends) and I have decided to charter a trip with them on a saturday instead.

 

Tentatively will be on 3rd July (Saturday)

 

We have 3-4 more spaces available.

 

Anyone interested ?

A little pricey considering there is no lunch...but since U guys can make it on a Sat.....I am in.

 

U guys let me know the confirmed date...I'll let U know my rental list...hee,hee

[jt79]

has anyone dive in bahamas? any operators to recommend?

[GoofRider]

just wondering.. any divers here have a marine reef tank set up at your home?

[davidtoh83]

A little pricey considering there is no lunch...but since U guys can make it on a Sat.....I am in.

 

U guys let me know the confirmed date...I'll let U know my rental list...hee,hee

 

count me in...i got my own equipment...

[maddog]

count me in...i got my own equipment...

 

sorry bro, too late. we've booked ourselves on their regular monthly trips.

 

we could try to organise another one in the future.

 

I already know that we have at least a DM in our midst.

[maddog]

From thestar.com.my 22 Jul 2010

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/22/nation/6713555&sec=nation

 

Top dive spots closed due to coral bleaching

By EMBUN MAJID

[email protected]

 

 

ALOR SETAR: Several dive sites at two of the top diving destinations in the world — the Pulau Tioman marine park in Pahang and Pulau Redang marine park in Terengganu — are temporarily off-limits to divers and snorkellers until end-October.

 

They are among three marine parks — the other being Pulau Payar in Kedah — which are affected by coral bleaching, a phenomenon caused by global warming that has increased sea water temperature by 2°C to between 28°C and 29°C.

 

Marine Park Department director-general Abd Jamal Mydin said the affected dive sites in Terengganu were Teluk Dalam, Tanjung Tukas Darat, Tanjung Tukas Laut, Teluk Air Tawar, Pulau Tenggol and Teluk Bakau; and in Pahang they were Pulau Chebeh and Batu Malang.

 

 

In Kedah the affected sites are Teluk Wangi, Pantai Damai and Coral Garden.

 

Three islands in the vicinity of the Tioman marine park that have been temporarily closed are Pulau Regis, Pulau Soyak and Pulau Tumok in Pahang.

 

“The closure means that no diving and snorkelling activities will be allowed at the sites.

 

“In Pulau Payar alone, the damage to coral is estimated at between 60% and 90%,” he told a press conference in Langkawi yesterday.

 

The department said it would limit the number of visitors to Pulau Payar from 400 to 200 daily during the closure.

 

Abd Jamal said it was necessary to close marine parks and islands to protect the coral reefs which had turned white.

 

“We are monitoring the extent of coral bleaching at all marine parks in the country. In the meantime, we are building artificial reefs and coral transplants,” he said.

 

Each year about 500,000 tourists, including foreigners, visit each of the marine parks.

 

Reef Check Malaysia general manager Julian Hyde welcomed the temporary closure of the marine parks, saying the corals needed time to recover.

 

“Corals are like the human body, Although the body can recover from a disease, it still needs time to rest,” he said.

 

Current climatic conditions have caused water temperatures to rise, thus affecting the corals, making them vulnerable to predators and disease, he said.

 

“Human activities will also have an impact on the reefs,” he added.

 

Malaysian Nature Society’s head of conservation Yeap Chin Aik said the department should actively get local universities and experts involved in saving the reefs.

 

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/7/22/nation/n_14corals1.jpg

[glzco]

we are back from hantu.. and i'm a happy diver despite poor vis.. the experience is reali different and i tink i can understd why some divers are willing to go back even though sometimes vis is reali bad or wt.. i wun mind goin back once more to experience evtin again..

[maddog]

we are back from hantu.. and i'm a happy diver despite poor vis.. the experience is reali different and i tink i can understd why some divers are willing to go back even though sometimes vis is reali bad or wt.. i wun mind goin back once more to experience evtin again..

 

Glad your enjoyed it.

 

here are my pics

[Guest floweradvisor]

Never done it before. But I heard we should licensed to do diving, is it true?

[glzco]

hi floweradvisor.. i just came back from hantu.. again.. you can check out my pics here... basically you do need a license to dive.. or can choose to take the discovery scuba lesson if u r not sure if you are ready or confident about diving..

[GuiNNeSS]

I was looking at getting my OWD this year. Is it too late with the dive site closed for the course in early oct-mid oct? Or should I wait for next year? Any recommendations where to go?

[glzco]

the diving season usually ends ard early nov or late oct.. depending on the season.. you could wait for next year until the season opens again.. usually ard march.. usually most ppl head to tioman or aur/dayang to take their courses.. you can take the course in pulau hantu also but it requires alot of confidence.. heh.. if not, you can head to more luxurious places like thailand or indonesia and take the courses there.. the view is unregrettable of cuz..

 

i just came back from a trip to tioman.. ha.. photos will be up soon..

[GuiNNeSS]

I think the main qns is: Is it still a good time to go diving in early oct compared to wait for next year..... The plans for this year got delayed due to arm injury in May. So now that I am feeling more confident putting some weight on the previously injured shoulder, I think I am ready to go for the lessons. Just wonder if its a good time to do so.

[maddog]

it really depends on what's your motivating factor to do now instead of next march.

 

do you have another dive trip from nov to mar ? even if u do, u'd probably need an Advanced Open Water (AOW) too.

 

if not, there's really no point in rushing it.

 

This being said, u could still squeeze in OW and AOW before the season closes in approx 2 mths.

[GuiNNeSS]

Main motivation.. something that I have been wanting to do but have been procrastinating.

Since I got leave to clear.. thought might as well just do it and pick up this long delayed project.

 

So main concern is if this is a good period as one of my gfs wanted to pick it up but procrastinating as she heard its not the right time.

[maddog]

ok, here's my take

 

around season end, you'll generally get rougher seas and poor vis, this can be a turn off to some. but conversely, you'll get the chance to see more pelagic animals like whale sharks.

 

you really dun need any leave for the usual weekend dive courses. theory and pool lessons are conducted week nights / weekends. you will leave singapore on friday night and be back by sunday night a diver.

 

So if you dun mind the possibility of rougher sea and poorer vis (which i think makes great training), there's nothing wrong with going for course now.

 

But if you're no gonnado any trips from now till mar, might as well take it then

[glzco]

i second maddog's suggestions..

[GuiNNeSS]

Cool.... Thanks... There is nothing planned so far for any trips since my friends are mainly non divers.

Any recommended training centres who can take care of us better for this rougher seas?

[glzco]

most regular dive centres generally do a good job.. depends mostly on the instructors who take you.. so cant really name any..

[zzback]

to all who wanna go scuba diving, please do check with your or which ever diving companies you go out with, if they indeed have an emergency evac plan incase of any DCS, and also do find out where's the nearest chamber available for civillians!

best regards

zzback#95

Edited September 13, 2010 by zzback

[maddog]

to all who wanna go scuba diving, please do check with your or which ever diving companies you go out with, if they indeed have an emergency evac plan incase of any DCS, and also do find out where's the nearest chamber available for civillians!

best regards

zzback#95

 

for anyone who's interested, the RSN Chamber number is 67581733

[Bad_Man]

to all who wanna go scuba diving, please do check with your or which ever diving companies you go out with, if they indeed have an emergency evac plan incase of any DCS, and also do find out where's the nearest chamber available for civillians!

best regards

zzback#95

Apart from it...make sure U have insurance coverage for diving...compression chamber treatment is not cheap.

[glzco]

i'm heading to tioman for project aware this friday night.. will be driving down.. anyone interested?! heh..

[maddog]

i'm heading to tioman for project aware this friday night.. will be driving down.. anyone interested?! heh..

 

Nice... Have Fun !!

 

I'm on duty this week, so no go..

[glzco]

ha.. anyone else interested?!