News
Divers to excavate mystery wall on Plymouth seabed
Divers are getting ready to excavate a wall on the seabed off the Plymouth coast in Devon in the UK which is thought to have been buried for thousands of years.
The 570m-long bolder wall is thought to have originally been put in place to protect the southern end of Jennycliff Bay from rising sea levels.
The origins of the wall are unknown, but initial investigations show it has a structure similar to that of a dry stone wall, suggesting it wall may have been man-made.
Peter Holt, project manager for the SHIPS (Shipwrecks and History In Plymouth Sound) group, said: “Thousands of years ago the sea level in the English Channel was much lower than it is today. Plymouth Sound would have been dry land and the river Tamar would cut across the valley and out to sea. When sea levels rose the Sound would have been slowly flooded, so the wall may have been built to protect what was dry land in Jennycliff Bay.”
The wall, which is 1.5 metres tall, runs north to south across the bay, and divers are preparing to dig trenches in the seabed to get more detailed information.
They will be working from the local dive boat Maid Maggie, which will be anchored over the site.
Mr Holt said: “The wall is partly buried on the deeper side because the Sound has partly silted up since the wall was been built, so the divers will excavate down this side of the wall to confirm that it does continue under the sand.
“On the shallow side the seabed has filled in up to the top of the wall, so trenches will be dug to find out the wall’s shape on this side.
“Samples of the sediment from the trenches will be taken at different depths and will be taken back to Plymouth University for analysis that may provide a date when the structure was built.”
The SHIPS project started in 2009 to investigate the maritime history of Plymouth and its estuaries. For more information about SHIPS, click here.
Source: www.plymouthherald.co.uk
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
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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