News
Truk Master Liveaboards – What lies beneath paradise
Are you a wreck-fanatic and/or a tec diver and ready for exciting wrecks? Come and join Master Liveaboards aboard the new and luxurious Truk Master yacht to explore some of the best WWII wrecks in history. Operations in Truk Lagoon have now commenced with both 7 and 10 night itineraries available.
Diving in Truk (also known as Chuuk) Lagoon is quite unlike any other destination you probably have ever been to. A historically important site: the sunken Japanese Imperial fleet of war and merchant vessels that has, over time, developed into a beautiful coral reef. This combination makes for a unique diving experience. Many war and cargo relics remain on the vessels, creating an exceptional atmosphere and an extraordinary diving experience.
In February of 1944, during WWII, the Americans launched Operation Hailstone on the Japanese naval base in Truk. They effectively eradicated 61 ships with a combined air/naval and submarine strike. The result of this attack is a collection of shipwrecks closely packed into a coral lagoon, many of which lie at depths easily reached by recreational divers. For tec & wreck specialist divers, Truk is a diving delight, and many of the wrecks can be explored and penetrated in deeper waters (40+ meters).
Highlights:
- Fujikawa Maru – An armed cargo ship measuring 132m and featuring a 6-inch bow gun. She was carrying several parts of a Zero Fighter Aircraft, such as propeller blades and engine parts, still visible today. Deeper down into the ship there are 4 more disassembled Japanese fighter planes: Mitsubishi A5M and Mitsubishi A6M.
- Submarine 1.169 – Submerging quickly to avoid damage during the attacks in 1944, the crew omitted to close the valves causing the submarine to sink completely. She is now at her final resting place at 38m depth.
- Nippo Maru – This 118m long cargo ship carried a tank and Howitzer guns and lies at a depth of 18-48m.
Truk Master crew and boat
The crew of the Truk Master will provide you with the top-notch service that Master Liveaboards is known for. The yacht has undergone a complete re-fit through 2016, to meet all specific requirements of divers on a liveaboard holiday; i.e. luxurious cabins with en-suite bathrooms, plenty of space to stow your diving gear and personal belongings, and a special camera set up area.
Contact Master Liveaboards for more information and bookings at: bookings@masterliveaboards.com or contact your preferred agent.
Underwater photos: Aaron Wong
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.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
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
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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