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Liveaboard Diving and the Art of Speed Socializing

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Liveaboard Diving

I have to admit, even though I ignore it, the liveaboard is a potential backdrop for huge drama.  It is several days out to sea, so the first challenge is to arrive on time for the departure and with your gear.  The second challenge is that you have to like what you see in the first few minutes, because once the voyage begins, you will not be getting off.  I try to avoid the first problem by arriving to the departure point at least one day in advance, and the second problem, by using a dive travel agent who has been on the liveaboard he/she is selling.

I have seen drama unfold first hand; amazingly – a fire (on a rocky open sea crossing), a firing (as in losing a job), and clandestine meetings.  And one trip that I had reserved a year in advance, was cancelled not because of one boat accident, but because of two.  I had to seriously consider whether or not it was a safe way to experience diving with any dive company.

Janice 2The boat can be built in a traditional style, which conjures up adventurous storylines, ones that might even involve pirates.  Or romantic ones like Mutiny on the Bounty – which is a bit of both – because of the beautiful dark crew members. The social aspect is the one topic that non-diving friends are most curious about; what could be considered one of the best reasons for choosing a liveaboard may also be considered to be the worse part of being on a liveaboard – that you are forced to share a limited space and to be social.  Occasionally though, the boat will not be full, and you might get to have a great cabin all to yourself.

As a single traveler, it might actually appeal to you to have so many people around because ultimately you may feel as if you really are not traveling alone.  There is always something to talk about at the end of a dive day, as well as someone to talk to, and conversation including anything ending in ‘shark’ or ‘ray’ never becomes dull.  It is rather like a ‘speed socializing’ event where in 12 days, you can meet interesting crew and guests (about 30 people) from different countries, learn about the local culture, and maybe even pick up a few words of the local language or get your feet massaged by the crew member who is also the cook.  You have time to do this, and crew members are exceptionally gracious as well as usually eager to try to speak English.  I learned that “matahari” (I only knew it as the name of a famous spy) in Indonesian is the word for the sun.  The funny thing is that even though it seems like a lot of people in a small space, in the middle of the day after lunch, it is amazingly deserted.

I really have had only a couple of occasions out of over 600 dives to ever want to try to avoid any other person while diving. There is enough space in the ocean to do this. More often though, I have met people whom I plan new adventures with. But for the most part, the diving diverts all of your attention, or at least uses all of your energy, so that by the end of the day nothing will bother you except that you have to keep your head up until dinner is over.

Although the purpose of the liveaboard is to dive (…eat and sleep), it is also a cruise.  For this reason, I think some liveaboards are just as interesting for non-divers as well.  On a boat, you might be taken out to completely open water where there are only pristine reefs and no other boats or you can be cruising around diverse smaller islands, volcanic or otherwise, which makes for spectacular viewing whether you are above or below the water.  Pink and black sand beaches for sunset or maybe a game of volleyball on a palm tree covered island or even an island cave full of bats (really).  I am especially partial to any liveaboard where volcanoes are on the route.   The scenery is ethereal whatever your viewing perspective is, and scientific phenomena are happening both above and below the water.   Furthermore, the black sand makes it easy to spot virtually any kind of nudibranch, which are usually brightly colored, even without your guide.

A good liveaboard will have efficient boat tenders (or at least duckies with fast engines) so that not so much time is spent going to the dive sites from the main boat.  It is important, otherwise there is little time in between dives (and an earlier first dive) to eat and prepare for the next dive.  However, you do not have to do all of the dives.  I tend to forget this…

Janice 4It took a lot of courage for me to take my first liveaboard; Palau, which is better by boat than from land because of the distance to the dive sites.  After the first experience though, it was a bit like getting onto a diving circuit because from there I automatically planned the second one and the whole thing then has its own momentum.  I had never really considered that I might feel trapped on a liveaboard with strangers, but I did think a lot about whether my skill level would be appropriate for the cruise that I chose.  The diving can be at times more challenging, but the best boats really know their territory and the tides, and adjust the schedule based on the abilities/desires of the guests.

There have been a couple of times when I struggled (and I thought my heart was going to burst in my chest), but I did not panic.  I either successfully completed the dive or wisely chose to abort it because I could not swim into the current.  The best boats will have tenders that just know where you are so you will not be lost.

Janice 1One of the unexpected pluses of the liveaboard is the quality of the food.  It is hard to imagine that gourmet meals would be prepared in the middle of nowhere, but they manage and it seems like a major miracle that on top of everything else, the food takes a priority as well.  There is way too much of it, first of all, and if you ever thought it might be a unique 12-day strategy for losing a few pounds quickly, forget it.  Breakfasts, desserts, and some in between snacks kill that possibility even though each dive burns around 500 calories.  And you must try everything so as not to insult the chef, of course.  If you are lucky, the crew will sometimes even purchase a fresh fish (ok maybe this is a conflict of interest, but wahoo is my favorite), and sushi/sashimi will never taste quite that good again.

The crew in general is super-talented.  In fact, without you knowing it, mini-crises may be taking place, but they manage to fix everything and can even sing and play music.  I would never be hired for a job on a liveaboard.

Finally, you can even take courses on board: upgrade your skills with photography or nitrox, or even start at the beginning with open water diving!

It is an expensive adventure (make a lot of lunches yourself), but I always think more about choosing the right boat for me because I may only ever get to go once.  At the same time, it is a fun exercise to consider how the crew would evaluate you: would they even allow you to come back?

Janice Nigro is an avid scuba diver with a PhD in biology.  She is a scientist who has studied the development of human cancer at universities in the USA and Norway, and has discovered the benefits of artistic expression through underwater photography and story writing of her travel adventures.

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Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake

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halloween

Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.

halloween halloween

After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.

halloween

With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.

halloween

Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!

Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.

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Marine Life & Conservation

Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction

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After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.

People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:

https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.

The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.

One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.

Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:

https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24

Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.

Find out more here:

https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31

 Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”

Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction


Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden

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