Find the expedition you are looking for at: www.mikeball.com/compare-expeditions
News
The Captain’s Blog: Safety First!
Another Blog from Mike Ball Dive Expedition’s Captain Trevor Jackson…
It’s important, occasionally, to take a good long hard look at yourself. As an individual, you might do this sitting in front of a mirror, or with a spouse. You might want to review your career, your finances or your fitness level (especially after New Years). Sometimes this exercise might seem pointless and then in the process, you discover some things that might need a bit of a tweak. Companies do the same thing all the time, sometimes its a scheduled thing, other times as a result of an external event that requires a company to adapt or strategize in a new direction.
Collecting marine debris on Stanley Island by Gary Farr
For us, such an event took place in California in September of last year, when the dive liveaboard, MV Conception, caught fire in the middle of the night. 33 lives were lost. I think I can say with some certainty that there isn’t a single dive boat in the world that didn’t do some type of self-examination following the Conception fire. Every one of them would have asked the same questions: Could it happen here? What can we do to make it safer?
The answer to the first question has to be yes… otherwise you’re just kidding yourself. The second question is where the thought and effort are needed to be applied.
Coral Hermit Crab by Gary Farr
At Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, the first thing we did was ensure that every system for fighting or preventing fires was compliant with the current legislation and functioning in perfect condition. Spoilsport is immaculately maintained, so that was a fairly straight forward process with all boxes being ticked. Next, we checked procedures, documentation, and training, again finding we were shipshape and squared away across the board.
There wasn’t a single person in the company however, that was willing to accept that we were perfect. There must be room for improvement, a way to make it even SAFER. There was. After some serious, ‘what if’ style reflection, we found that, in exceptional circumstances, there were two areas on board that offered only one escape path should a fire erupt. For us, this presented an opportunity to not only improve ourselves and our vessel but also to make everyone who comes on board even more safe. Some procedures were changed, some new ones were invented, equipment bought and tested, engineering solutions applied. We soul searched… ‘Are we as safe as we can be?’
Indigenous artwork on Stanley Island by Gary Farr
I take Spoilsport to sea for a week at a time. We go 100s of miles offshore. There’s no quick fix for any issue out there. I’m responsible for the ship and its crew. We, in turn, are responsible for you. It’s our job to constantly ask that question of our ship, its crew, its procedures… Are we as safe as we can be? The answer is no. The answer will always be no. If we were ever to say yes, we’d be letting you down. It’s our pledge to the people that dive with us, our duty in fact, that we never stop looking into that mirror and asking, ‘what can we do to make it safer?’
Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.
Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities
With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.
Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators
This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.
Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure
Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.
Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages
This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.
It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.
For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
-
News1 month agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs3 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News2 months agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Gear News2 months agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News2 months agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News2 months agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
News3 months agoComing Soon – 52 Assignments
-
News3 months agoSave £200 per person per week at Pole Pole Lodge with Dive Worldwide