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Adaptive Liveaboard Diving in Hawaii
Upon arriving at Kailua-Kona Airport one of the first things you realize is you are still in the USA with all of the requisite ADA accommodations. The airport is fully ramped, the airlines are adept at assistance, and taxi vans with lifts and the knowledge to use them are available from GIO Taxi.
If you are arriving prior to the week of spectacular diving or staying over to savor the beautiful town of Kailua-Kona, the hotels recommended by the Aggressor staff are ADA compliant and very convenient to the town and the pier. Most businesses on the main strip are barrier-free.
Arriving at the pier for departure is simple, as vehicles have access to the ship’s pier. The crew is there to welcome you with an easy transfer to the ship directly onto the main deck. You will notice immediately how flexible and accommodating both the boat and the staff are.
Right on the main deck through an extra wide (30 inch) doorway is the main salon, and the 6 primary double cabins open into the salon, which is the central point for meetings, meals, and entertainment. You will quickly realize you can spend your entire week on the main deck and in the water, as it is also the gearing deck and dive platform. The door on cabin #4 is lightly wider (24 inch vs 20 inch) which will more easily accommodate any mobility equipment. In the cabins, the bottom bunks are double with uppers the smaller singles, allowing plenty of headroom to sit up and transfer from the bottom bunk.
Heads in the cabins offer somewhat limited accessibility as you might expect on a small ship, but are doable. Plenty of room in the showers for a seat. All storage, sinks, etc. are at an accessible height and there is sufficient open space in the center of the room for turning. There is a more easily accessible head and hot shower right on the dive deck, which really helps to warm up immediately post dive.
The food may be among the best in town and it goes with you! Any dietary requirements are easily and deliciously prepared from fresh ingredients, provided you give enough notice for them to provision.
All dive operations are from a large staging area with only 3 steps down to a huge dive platform. Staff are willing and able to assist here, and once on the dive platform, entry is simple. The platform can even be lowered in to the water and raised up to facilitate the most demanding entries and exits. The dive staff is experienced with adaptive divers and are well versed in how to make it work for everyone.
The Kona Aggressor offers the opportunity for up to 5 dives each day, allowing the Iron Men all they can handle while also providing for a relaxing week. Dive conditions are very conducive to mobility adaptive diving as the dive sights are on the western side of the Big Island and are sheltered from more extreme elements, leading to light currents, small swells, light winds, and plenty of light underwater. Water temps were 75° – 79° F and any chills you get are melted away by the hot showers and fresh warm towels on the dive platform.
Dives sites can seem slightly repetitive, but the terrain is always varying due to the volcanic activity which created the island and is still ongoing, obvious from the black lava flows through the green verdant land. The prevalence of the majestic mantas and the resident spinner and bottlenose dolphin will keep you on the lookout both above and below the surface. An additional bonus is most dive sites have sandy patches for easy in-water equipment adjustments and for training opportunities. Special treats are the night dives which are also easily accommodating for the adaptive diver – manta dance dives along with a truly special “blackwater” night dive.
With all of this, the Kona Aggressor is clearly the leader when it comes to adaptive diving liveaboards. It offers all of the accommodations for the adaptive diver and has all of the ingredients for a very special dive trip that the entire group will treasure forever… and all at a very reasonable cost.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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