Photos: Cayman Islands Sink 1945 Submarine Rescue Vessel

The latest addition to Cayman's network of artificial reefs is the USS Kittiwake.

Contractors began flooding a decommissioned U.S. Navy ship Wednesday to sink it in the clear waters off the Cayman Islands, where officials hope the vessel will attract tourists and fish.

Plans called for the USS Kittiwake, a 1945-vintage submarine rescue ship, to rest on a sandy bottom off Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach. The 47-foot-tall (14-meter) ship will be at a depth of 62 feet (19 meters), so the top deck should be close to the Caribbean Sea's surface, making it easily accessible for snorkelers and divers.

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The ship, which was in commission from 1946 to 1994, was decommissioned on September 30, 1994 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register that same day. The Kittiwake's title was transferred to the government of the Cayman Islands for an undisclosed amount in November of 2008.

Check out the stunning Kittiwake Sinking Pictures by Elly Wray (via Sunset House Cayman)

Here are a few selections:

(click image to enlarge)










Let's dive!

Former Videographer Injured When Scuba Tank Falls, Explodes in Garage

Ouch.

A painful reminder to the rest of us to ensure tanks are stowed safely and securely.

A former NC TV videographer and his wife, a newspaper photographer, were hurt Monday evening when a SCUBA tank fell in their garage and exploded, WRAL-TV reported.

The incident happened in Fayetteville and involved a former WRAL-TV video photographer and a current photographer for the Fayetteville Observer, WRAL reported.

Rick Allen suffered severe burns and is listed as critical in a burn center in Chapel Hill, WRAL reported. His wife, Cindy Burnham, was hurt by flying glass, WRAL reported.

The incident happened when Allen, who is a scuba diver, walked between cars in his garage near midnight and knocked over a compressed air tank, fire officials told WRAL.

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Talking Scuba Interviews Grand Rapids Scuba Club President

In the latest episode, Talking Scuba host Bob Shoemaker interviews Grand Rapids Scuba Club President Mark Christy and discusses the local dive scene, some viewer mail, and the question of renting versus buying gear.


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Malta Scuba Divers Petitioning for Ċirkewwa Marine Sanctuary

The Ċirkewwa harbor is situated on a point at the northernmost part of Malta.

The Maltese diving community has begun circulating a petition and is organising an awareness-raising campaign urging the authorities to declare Cirkewwa a marine sanctuary.

Experienced diver Antonio Anastasi, who is leading the initiative, told The Malta Independent on Sunday that the area inevitably attracts both divers and fishermen because of two important wrecks − the P29 patrol boat and the Rozi tugboat, which attract large numbers of fish to lay their eggs there.

Although Cirkewwa automatically became a protected area when Malta joined the EU, divers still have to resort to calling the Police Force’s Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) unit to deal with infringements on an almost daily basis.

“Unfortunately, illegal fishing activities take place even during the night. Illicit fishing includes activities like spear fishing, as well as the laying of trammel nets (pariti) among others,” said Mr Anastasi.

“And the law does not protect this area as a no take zone. The law states that only spear fishing and the laying of trammel nets in the demarcated area of wrecks is prohibited, leaving huge gaps for other infringements such as the taking of sea urchins, octopus or lobster with one’s bare hands, or divers lifting souvenirs from the seabed,” he continued.

Other illegalities include dynamite fishing and the use of fishing gear including bottom lines, gill nets, entangling and encircling nets, demersal pots and traps.

Apart from destroying the habitats on which fish stocks depend, these activities can cause serious or even fatal accidents to divers in the area.

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Dive Lid

www.neutraldivegear.com

Dive Shop Spotlight: Channel Islands Scuba, Thousand Oaks, CA

Ladies and gentlemen, fellow divers.

We'd like to introduce you to our local dive shop and the very first Neutral Dive Gear Authorized Dealer, Channel Islands Scuba.


Founded by Mike Dahan in 1988, Channel Islands Scuba is the oldest SCUBA facility in Ventura County. Specializing in military, commercial, sport, and professional diving, Channel Islands Scuba rightfully boasts providing exceptional service and only the best products to a clientele that rightfully expects a level of unmatched quality.

Owned and operated by retired police officer, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and NAUI Instructor Trainer, Chris Emch, the professional team at CIS provides advice tailored to your individual needs, smaller class sizes, and the latest advances in scuba technology.

If you're of the belief that diving is a lifestyle that offers many years of enjoyment and endless opportunities for the entire family, you're among like minds when you step through the doors at Channel Islands Scuba.

Whether you're in or even around the area, be sure to swing by their new location(!) and say hello. A truly top notch shop, right here in Thousands Oaks.

CHANNEL ISLANDS SCUBA
3200 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (map)
www.cisdivers.com
805.230.9995
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 7pm
Sat: 10am - 6pm
Sun: By Appointment

The William Trubridge Hectometer Freedive Video

He's done it again.

You may remember back in April of last year William Trubridge set a "no fins" freedive world record at 92 meters.

On December 13, 2010, Trubridge set another world record when he became the first human to dive entirely unassisted to 100 meters -- one hectometer -- on a single breath of air using only his hands and feet for propulsion.

Below is the official -- not to mention stunning -- video released by Trubridge, directed by Matthew Brown with musical score by world-renowned German composer and producer, Hans Zimmer.


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The names listed during the descent were the supporters who each purchased a meter of the 100m rope.

For more information on William Trubridge, freediving and courses, visit verticalblue.net

The dive was done to raise awareness of the plight of the Hector's Dolphin. There are now only 100 remaining North Island (Maui) Hector's Dolphins - one of the smallest and most beautiful species of dolphin in the world. Hector's Dolphins are found only in New Zealand, and only in shallow coastal waters, less than 100 meters deep, putting them at the mercy of gill-net fishing that takes place in those waters. Their population has been reduced by 75% in the last 30 years, and the Maui Dolphin subspecies is teetering on the verge of extinction.

For more information visit whaledolphintrust.org.nz/​

Congrats on the dive, William, and good luck on whichever superhuman feats you have planned this year!