Saturday, 2 February 2008
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| Swimming with Jeeps off Vanuatu Eb 18:19:32 |
| | I thought this was worth sharing.
Has anyone dove this area?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7219429.stm
By Nick Squires
BBC, South Pacific
Sixty years on from World War II, an act of environmental vandalism is
proving to be a valuable asset for the tiny South Pacific nation of Vanuatu.
Scattered on the seabed is what looks like the shattered remains of a
phantom army.
Peering through my diver's mask at first I could make out little more than
ghostly shapes.
But as I descended deeper into the green-tinged gloom, a bizarre sight
unfolded before me.
Resting on the seabed were military trucks, up-ended jeeps, and
powerful-looking army bulldozers.
There were twisted metal girders and rubber tyres, their treads still
clearly visible.
Half buried in the sand I found a vintage Coca-Cola bottle. I dug it out and
slipped it into my wetsuit as a souvenir.
Strange story
This is Million Dollar Point, one of the world's most unusual diving spots.
It is a vast undersea junkyard lying just a few metres off a pristine white
beach on the island of Espiritu Santo in the South Pacific nation of
Vanuatu. How it came to be here is one of the stranger stories of World War
II.
Before independence Vanuatu was an obscure Anglo-French territory known as
the New Hebrides.
From 1942 it became the focus of a massive military build-up by the
Americans.
Half a million or more US troops poured into the tiny colony in preparation
for the great counter-offensive against the Japanese.
Coconut plantations were cleared, local men were recruited as porters, and
the sleepy colonial outposts of Port Vila and Luganville were transformed
into bustling military hubs.
Once the war was won, the Americans were faced with the problem of what to
do with all the military material they had accumulated.
The high cost of shipping made it too expensive to send back to the States.
So the Americans offered to sell much of the equipment to the French and
British.
But the colonial authorities calculated that the Americans would have to
leave everything behind anyway, so why pay for it?
Their bluff failed in spectacular fashion.
Watery junkyard
In a fit of pique, the Americans decided to dump immense quantities of
supplies instead of giving them away for free.
Navy engineers known as Seabees built a jetty and simply drove the unwanted
Jeeps, trucks, and bulldozers into the sea.
Sixty years on these weapons of war have become a remarkably rich artificial
reef. The abandoned vehicles are encrusted with vivid red and yellow corals.
I swam idly past a bulldozer and noticed a pink and blue shrimp perched
delicately on the driver's metal seat, where once a GI would have sat.
The barrel of an enormous naval gun was inhabited by a cluster of clams.
As a couple of flipper kicks took me ever deeper, a lionfish emerged from
behind a rusted axle.
An enduring legacy of mankind's most deadly conflict, Million Dollar Point
is now an asset to Vanuatu, attracting divers from all over the world.
Acclaimed wreck
Many of them take in an equally spectacular dive site a little way along the
coast.
The USS President Coolidge was a luxury liner when it was converted into a
troop ship at the outbreak of war.
In 1942 it was carrying 5,000 men when it accidentally hit two American
mines.
The quick-thinking captain managed to ground it on a reef, allowing all but
two of its officers and men to wade ashore.
An hour later, it slid beneath the waves and is now one of the most
acclaimed wreck dives in the world.
Those who venture into its flooded decks and cargo holds encounter a weird
mixture of civilian luxury - chandeliers, a tiled swimming pool - and raw
military necessity, including gas masks and ammunition.
It is not just Vanuatu that is benefiting from the detritus of war.
In Papua New Guinea a guide led me into a patch of jungle which was once a
Japanese military airfield.
Lying crumpled amid the luxuriant foliage was a Japanese bomber, its ribbed
fuselage and skull-like nose cone resembling the skeleton of some great
prehistoric beast. Bullet holes showed where it had been attacked by Allied
fighter planes as it struggled to take off from the long-forgotten tropical
airstrip.
In the neighbouring Solomon Islands, one sea channel is so littered with
sunken American and Japanese warships that it is known as Ironbottom Sound.
Hellcat fighter planes sit on the ocean floor, their machine guns silenced
forever. Where once they were strafed by Japanese Zeros, now they are
circled by sharks.
Machines designed to take life have instead spawned new life in the South
Pacific.
Million Dollar Point may be an indictment of the appalling wastefulness of
war. But it has become one of Vanuatu's best known attractions. As such it
needs to be preserved just as it is.
As I shrugged off my air tank at the end of the dive, I reached into my
wetsuit and threw that scavenged Coke bottle back into the sea. Keeping it
just did not seem right.
Even underwater junkyards deserve some respect.
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| |  10 answers | Add comment |
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| Re: Recommendations for lodgings at Crystal River, etc? Brian 13:58:30 |
| | we too have used Birds Underwater when we went to get scuba certified in
Crystal River...we stayed at a Best Western. The rates were reasonable and
they have their own boats that go out and it is withing walking distance to
Birds.
"Ron Lee" <ronleenospam@pcisys.net> wrote in message
news:476d3c3b.3507734@news.pcisys.net...
thouse <evynathan@comcast.net> wrote: I plan a trip to Crystal river- for to see the manatee- and wonder if anyone has stayed somewhere charmingly old-school and reasonable there. We don't really enjoy staying at chain hotels, and snorkel I realize the manatees are there mostly until March, but is there a gradual drop off period or are they gonzo by April? Also, is the river snorkeling interesting from a naturalist's point of view or featureless beside the manatee? I did this a montha ago and it was great. I used Birds Underwater who was good and I would use them again. The first area was somewhat murky but plenty of interaction with the manatees. Then we went to a clearer river/stream which was interesting but only one manatee. Do a google search for manatee and crystal river and you will get answers about when they are best seen. No need for scuba gear. Just snorkel with them. Here is a poor pic taken with a disposable UW camera: Ron Lee
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| | 4 answer | Add comment |
Friday, 1 February 2008
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| red sea liveaboard Littlejackhorner 22:17:30 |
| | hi
anyone got any experience of a liveaboard on the northern red sea -
wrecks and reefs tour ?
could use some advice as this would be my first trip of this sort.
thanks in advance
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| | 4 answer | Add comment |
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| How to get from Denpasar to Sorong Jo Chang 05:15:50 |
| | "Dive Buddy" and I are planning on diving Raja Ampat from the Odyssea 1
which departs from Sorong, Papua. Does anyone have experience with airlines
that fly from Denpasar Bali to Sorong?
TIA,
Jo
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| | 7 answers | Add comment |
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| Best Places to Snorkel Bonaire 1/137 01:02:11 |
| | Hi, I am thinking of going to Bonaire in the next few weeks.
What's the best way to go about maximizing the snorkel experience?
* Ideally I would just like to get to it without having to book a
ride on a sail boat. So if I had a bike or car can I just go to
the beach/lagoon and get in?
* If I get a ride, which folks down there offer the best bang for the
buck? Should I book ahead?
My email above is bogus so please post responses here.
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| | 4 answer | Add comment |
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
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| Ecuador investigates Galapagos Islands slaughter of more than 50
sea lions Jer 06:37:35 |
| |
My guess is they'll investigate this as well as they've investigated the
shark finning operations going on.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4210987
--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'
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| | Add comment |
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
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| Re: Puerto Vallarta Suggestions Daniel Kessler 22:11:02 |
| |
nuMNdvr wrote:
Hey All, I'm heading to PV in Feb 2008, and I am looking for some suggestions. Mind you this is a vacation with scuba involved, not a scuba vacation. I am aware that PV is not a coral rich location,
Coral? Do they have reefs there?
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| | 2 answer | Add comment |
Sunday, 27 January 2008
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| recommendations for panama diving? Bill Fright 00:57:17 |
| | I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
Thanks in advance
bill
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| | 2 answer | Add comment |
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Thursday, 24 January 2008
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| Wetsuit for an invalid ? Self 01:01:58 |
| | An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks
advice.
For exercise he leaves his house and walks outside to and from his
heated pool.
For the cold weather he would like advice on what kind of jacket or
wetsuit top he could buy or have custom adjusted so that it would be
easy for him to get into and out of. [For example, zippers not only in
the front of the chest, but also up each arm.]
He would don the jacket in his house, swim with it on, and remove it
only when he had reentered the warmth of his house.
Thank you for your help.
--
Pat
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| | 20 answers | Add comment |
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| Re: Good day to head for Florida Ben Bradlee 00:21:00 |
| |
"George Cathcart" <george.cathcart@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:851cb32d-888d-4fae-bd55-bfb832af9da9@v17g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
So the snow started falling in the Baltimore area this morning and is veering between snow and rain now. My flight is at 7 p.m. and shouldn't be delayed too much by this. I get to FLL about 9 tonight, and it looks like I'll have great conditions for diving tomorrow and maybe most of Saturday. Sunday ain't lookin' too good, though. Hopefully I'll be back with a happy dive report and links to pics next week. Y'all keep warm now!
Have fun.
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| | 5 answers | Add comment |
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
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| Re: Diving in the Philippines ScubaMagazine.net 06:22:28 |
| | In article <7d10fd09c3edf@uwe>, "Constantine" <u40082@uwe> wrote:
Has anyone been diving in the Philippines who can recommend an area and resort? I may have a week to spend diving there and would love to find a place has large fish and wrecks...
We have lots of resort reviews and HD videos of Philippines diving, as
well as many members who live and dive there, and U.S based members
who've been there at our http://www.ScubaMagazine.net Photo, Video,
Travel & Dive Discussion Community website.
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| | Add comment |
Saturday, 19 January 2008
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| Dive recommendations for the St. Martin area? Tim McDonough 20:07:42 |
| | I'm finally certified! Did my open water diver certification dives this past
weekend at Octopus Hole, near Hoodsport, WA.
In Feb, my wife (certified many years back) and I will be heading to St.
Martin. Any recommendations for diving in the area? It is worth a day trip
over to Saba? Do folks recommend the ferry or by plane? Any dive
shops/boats to look for (or to run away from)? Any other general advice?
Thanks!
-Tim
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| | 7 answers | Add comment |
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
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| GoogleEarth List of Dive Sites and Services ScubaZine 01:34:50 |
| | Hi all here is a list of Scuba Dive sites and services from around the world
If you have Google Earth installed this link should open directly if not
then I recommend installing it 
http://www.scubazine.com/maps.asp
Lee
Web Slave
ScubaZine
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| | 3 answer | Add comment |
Monday, 14 January 2008
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| Re: Huge Philippines Dive Resort Report ScubaMagazine.net 08:40:44 |
| | Greg Mossman is the administrator of a competing scuba forum in case
anyone want sto know why he cares about us so much.
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| | 9 answers | Add comment |
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| Nice Dive at Broulee Australia ScubaZine 04:56:40 |
| | Had a nice Snorkel at Broulee on Sunday with my 10 year old son.
Took my new camera and tried to be a photographer but I need more work
there.
My dive log with pics can be seen at
http://www.scubazine.com/logs.asp?logid=37&userid=15
Have a great day
Lee
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| | Add comment |
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| Coco Beach, FL Jeff & Kathy Brown 03:49:04 |
| | I will be staying in Coco Beach next week. Is there any diving to be had
and how long would it take to get the Blue Groto and or Devils den? Thanks
for any help.
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| | 1 answer | Add comment |
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| Re: day trips to richelieu rock ? Chilly 00:39:03 |
| |
<almasy1939@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:64769efa-25b5-479b-9544-cf9b6bb99290@f10g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
I keep hearing rumours that there is a dive center in Khura Buri (thailand, phang nga province) that will do day trips to Richelieu rock. Nevertheless, I cannot find anything on the web about such a dive center. Other websites mention that day-trips to Richelieu rock are possible from Khura Buri, but provide no details. Has anyone made a day-trip to Richelieu rock from Khura Buri Pier (i.e. Ban Hin Lat ) ? Does anyone have any information on a dive center that can provide a boat and guide to Richelieu from Khura Buri ? I know all about the live-aboards from Phuket, I am not interested in those because I don't have the time. I am trying to put together a weekend trip so I can drive down from Bangkok with a friend. We only want to see Richelieu.
Sorry, you aren't getting any bites here either, almasy1939.
Have you done a google search in the archives of rec.scuba.locations? I
know that Richelieu has been discussed before over the years.
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| | Add comment |
Friday, 11 January 2008
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| Re: Tahiti diving Daniel Kessler 18:28:56 |
| | Bora Bora is a "must see"...that is...above water....but as for
diving...they take you out in the lagoon and there's not much there...
Greg Mossman wrote:
On Jan 10, 5:42 am, shawn <shawnab...@aol.com> wrote: Anyone had some passable diving in Bora Bora or Moorea? What outfit if I did a couple of passable dives with Moorea Fun Dive. Clear water, monotonous hard coral, very much like diving Hawaii except for the proliferation of "tame" black tip and lemon sharks due to widespread feeding. We also did a surface interval at a "stingray city" sort of spot, except that it was only waist-deep. Occasionally a boat with topless women aboard will cruise by and they'll wave to you. Very passable.
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| | Add comment |
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
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| Have people quit planning dive trips? Chilly 06:51:17 |
| | Why is there no traffic in here? Did the crap over at rec.scuba finally
manage to ruin this one good place?
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| | 13 answers | Add comment |
Friday, 4 January 2008
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| For sale complete gear Rm Ms 02:10:51 |
| | http://community-2.webtv.net/parika/SCUBAGear/
*************Southeast Michigan************
Wil not split up set. Reply email: piratebob$webtv.net
(replace $ with @ to email, I have picked up a LOT of spam in these NG's
and this helps to fool the bots and zombies)
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| | 8 answers | Add comment |
Monday, 31 December 2007
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| Re: M'I-5,Persecuti <=Troll Fletcher 16:14:26 |
| | Troll constantly changing e-mail addresses to defeat spam filters, a low
life of the lowest from.
Ensure you absolutly ignore anything this piece excrement posts!
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| | Add comment |
|
| Red Sea Mike Bergquist 01:59:14 |
| | Can anyone post recommendations for liveabords? I have heard that you need
to go to the southern part. What is water temp in Jan/Feb?
Thanks
Mike
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| | 1 answer | Add comment |
Saturday, 29 December 2007
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| dumb question..... Invisible68 18:13:55 |
| | ok just wondering I have not used my equipment in a year how important is it
to get it rebuilt every year... I am planning on using it in a pool before I
take a couple of deep dives. or should I have them serviced. they are both
less than 2 years old and have been taken care of very well (of course)
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| | 1 answer | Add comment |
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