News
Explorer Trains In Exosuit, New Advanced Diving System That Can Reach 1000 Feet; ‘Working In A New Frontier’
Ocean Opportunity, a Rhode Island based not for profit organization, is pleased to announce that its founder, Michael Lombardi recently became among the first to train in the new deep diving system called the Exosuit.
The Exosuit is the next generation Atmospheric Diving System (ADS) designed and constructed by Dr. Phil Nuytten and Nutco Research Ltd in Vancouver, Canada. The Exosuit keeps the pilot at surface pressure, therefore eliminating the physiological hazards associated with deep diving. The first production system was purchased and recently accepted by the JF White Contracting Company of Framingham, Massachusetts. JF White is a recognized leader in unique technology applications for underwater problem solving.
Lombardi participated in the weeklong training program at the invitation of JF White’s Diving Division, and recently commented “I am thrilled at the possibilities of this new found collaboration. Merging mutual interests in ocean exploration between industry, academia, and the private sector has been a formula at work – and putting the Exosuit to work for science uncovers an entirely new realm of unexplored ocean space. This could open several lifetimes of new marinescience opportunities.”
Lombardi is no stranger of the deep – his recent work, funded by the National Geographic Society, has taken science to thelower limits of Mesophotic (or ‘middle light’ ecosystems) to depths exceeding 400 feet with the use of his newly developed underwater habitat. This has resulted in numerous discoveries including a new species of fish, Derilissus lombardii, that is now archived at the American Museum of Natural History. He states, “working in a new frontier exposes tremendous potential for humanity. The fact that we can acquire vast amounts of new knowledge in just minutes of exploration is all the justification we should need to scale-up a renewed human presence in our oceans.”
The Exosuit affords dives to 1000 feet by protecting the pilot from the ocean’s pressure at depth. Special rotary joint technology allows the pilot to move and articulate to carry out human tasks.
Lombardi has assembled a team of multidisciplinary researchers to develop what will be an early use of the Exosuit for scientific exploration. Collaborators include Dr. Brad Seibel of the University of Rhode Island, Dr. David Gruber of the City University of New York, Dr. John Sparks of the American Museum of Natural History, and Dr. Winslow Burleson of Arizona State University. The group is planning an expedition to use the Exosuit in bluewater – the open ocean – to observe and document alien marine life in its natural environment at 1000 feet for the first time by human eyes.
The project is seeking sponsors and donors to contribute to making it a success. Michael is chronicling the project via Blog: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/tag/exosuit-project
News
Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
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