The Scuba News Cayman Islands

“Ladies and gentlemen we are going to need to circle for a few minutes until we can get clearance to land.” For many, this announcement would be a frustration, a sign you would be late. For me it was a chance to get a bird’s-eye view of the waters I would be submerging in the next morning. Looking down, I saw Bell Island and Little Bell Island. In the waters that surround these islands lie four wrecks steeped in history.

Since the phenomenon of the 1997 hit movie “Titanic” the world, or the western hemisphere at least, has been enthralled with Titanic trivia and still thirsts, seemingly at an ever-increasing rate, for facts about the great ship operated by the renown White Star Line.

Beginning next week and running for 11 weeks, The Scuba News Canada will feature a shipwreck story from every province of Canada, as well as one in Canada’s north. Although both the east and west coasts, along with the Great Lakes, are best known for shipwrecks, we will feature a shipwreck from even the landlocked provinces. Stay tuned for our first shipwreck story from Matt Lerpiniere’s adventure in Bell Island, Newfoundland.

I would like all of our readers to join me in congratulating Kathryn, Managing Editor of The Scuba News New Zealand, who should have by now (not sure of the time difference with NZ), married her “man of the sea” Nicholas Curzon.

This was a tough decision we had to make. We chose black because of its superior properties over brown or green material. The tests showed that Black Viton compared to Green or Brown Viton, with all parameters constant except for the color, is favorable. It has higher strength, better stability and better elastic properties originally (brand new), and also after exposure to extreme situations that cause material fatigue. It also possesses higher resistance to surface damage.

Every diver has a favourite critter or ocean giant they like to find during their travels and dives. Sharks, nudibranchs, whales and dolphins are often listed as popular but what about seahorses? These unusual and delicate creatures are found around the world and new species continue to be discovered. New Zealand is home to one species of seahorse, the Large-Bellied seahorse and, as its name suggests, it is the largest species of seahorse – growing up to 35cm in length. It lives up to a depth of approximately 100m and as shallow as 10metres and, like other species, is under threat from pollution of habitats and exploitation in commercial industries.