News
Divetech Offers Thrilling Dive Expedition to Remote 12-Mile Bank Often Called the 4th Cayman Island
Tech Industry Leader Curt Bowen to Document Diving for Conservation Foundation
Twelve miles west of Grand Cayman is a pristine coral bank that rises from the depths of the Caribbean, but doesn’t break the surface of the water. The top of this isolated kidney-shaped reef formation, often called the 4th Cayman Island, is 90 to 100 feet below the surface, and like the other islands, it features dramatic drop-offs that plunge thousands of feet to the ocean bottom. Depth and distance make the 12-Mile Bank inaccessible to most divers, but Divetech is taking a select group on a dive expedition August 19 -26, 2017.
“Divetech is always looking for new and exciting adventures for our clients,” said General Manager Tony Land, who led the initial exploratory dive trip to the banks last year. “12-mile is unique in that it is remote and seldom explored. Our divers were probably among the first humans to lay eyes on sections of those walls. There aren’t many places you can do that in the world anymore, especially this close to civilization.”
Documenting the expedition will be Curt Bowen, CEO of Advanced Diver Magazine. Bowen is also on the board of the ADM Exploration Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to underwater exploration, discovery, and education.
“We support groups with conservation efforts and exploration of the ocean,” said Land, who is thrilled with, and inspired by, the pristine nature of the reef. “The top of the bank is filled with thriving coral heads that rise to 50 feet from the surface and abound with turtles, sharks, reef fish and pelagics, like wahoo and grouper. The area is virtually unexplored!”
https://vimeo.com/180456203
Land says other dive operations run occasional trips to the 12-mile bank, but they are confined to the recreational diving depths of 130 feet or shallower. Divetech’s technical dive profiles allow advanced divers to uncharted depths of 250 feet.
Price of Divetech’s Expedition Package to 12 Mile Bank
King Room (single) $3200
Twin Room (share) $2900
Package includes:
- 7 nights’ accommodations at Divetech’s Lighthouse Point Condo
- All Taxes
- Round Trip Airport Transfers
- 5 Boat trips to 12 Mile bank
- Unlimited shore diving at Lighthouse Point
- Gas & Scrubber
- Breakfast each day at VIVO
- Lunch will be served on the boat
- Divetech’s Dine Around option for Evening Meals including farewell BBQ at Lighthouse Point
Condos are based on triple occupancy. This is a rebreather-only trip, and divers must hold a minimum certification of CCR Normoxic Trimix. A minimum of 8 divers is required for the expedition to run. Deposits are fully refundable up until June 1st, 2017. For inquiries and bookings, email the Divetech reservations team at info@divetech.com, call 1-877-946-56581, in Grand Cayman call (345) 946-5658, or visit www.divetech.com.
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and 
the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
The most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.
- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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