BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE -
This will either be really cool or, for some of
you, your worst nightmare come true since it
involves me effectively having my own broadcast
channel. We're doing this trip through Baja
Expeditions, which is now owned by Nautilus Dive
Adventures. We've had long-standing
relationships with both. Nautilus/Baja sets the
camp up all tricked out with all the comforts of
home, including Wi-Fi. So I'm hopeful to be able
to post some photos every now and then. Check
out our FaceBook page for that. But it gets even
better. They've gotten a special satellite
uplink that allows them to webcast live from not
only the camp, but also from the pangas while
out on the water looking for whales. This should
be on their YouTube channel as well as my FB
page. Because they've asked me if I'd be
interested in doing some of these live webcasts.
Of course, I said YES!!!! I'm unclear at this
point as to how it's all going to work or even
if it's going to work at all. So again, check
the FB page for an update. But the hope is that
each morning and afternoon that we're there, you
can see what we're seeing (or not seeing) and
enjoy it vicariously with us. The best days will
likely be Wednesday and Thursday as those are
full days of whale hugging, with three 90-minute
forays into the protected areas over the course
of each day. So fingers crossed as it sounds
like fun. And regardless of how well this works
(or doesn't), there will be pix and a trip
report done after we get back Friday evening.
OTHER REEF SEEKERS TRIPS THIS YEAR -
We're basically going every odd-numbered month.
After this, we've got Roatan May 18-25 (they've
had some rooms open up if you're interested),
Indonesia (Murex Manado) July 8-19 (sold out),
Yap September 9-22 (I'm going to start talking
about that more because it's one of my favorite
places to go), and then we wrap up the year on
the Palau
Aggressor II November
1-11 (still three spots left on that). Great
diving to be had on all of these trips if you've
got the inclination.
CHAMBER DAY KEEPS CHUGGING ALONG -
Our evening table is sold out but there's plenty
of room at our Reef Seekers virtual table. And
we can always use your contribution to the
Chamber Challenge. Also remember that if/when
you sign up for the Flying Dutchman, be sure to
put "Reef Seekers" down as your affiliation.
We're usually #1 in terms of shanghaied divers
for that boat and I'm hoping that will be the
case this year too. Go to https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_88ko1OUej3lAYbI to
get registered.
TOBAGO/BONAIRE OIL SPILL UPDATE -
We told you a few weeks ago about a barge that
capsized in Tobago and was leaking oil that made
it all the way to Bonaire. The good news is that
they've gotten the oil to stop leaking in
Tobago. And it seems like they've been able to
contain the damage in Bonaire to a fairly small
area and have been able to clean up most of the
oil. The oil came ashore on the northeastern
side of the island and the dive sites are
primarily on the protected western side, so it
doesn't appear that the major dives sites were
affected. (Not sure about the eastern "Wild
Side" dive spots.) But it seems overall like
this could have been a lot worse and Bonaire
dodged a major catastrophe.
MORE NEW SPECIES -
Last week, we told you about a new fish species
discovered in Socorro. This week, we're going to
tell you about 100 new species found off of New
Zealand during some deep-water expeditions. It
all just goes to show that the ocean is vast,
there's still plenty to be discovered, and you
don't know if you don't go look: NEW
SPECIES DISCOVERED IN NEW ZEALAND.
SPRING WILL BE SPRUNG -
It officially starts this Tuesday, March 19 (the
same day the swallows return to Capistrano and
the buzzards return to Hinckley, Ohio) at
8:06PM. Don't party too hard.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week,
please support our Chamber, and let's go diving
soon!!!
- Ken |