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Barbados – Piers & Jetties

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Most people, when you mention Barbados will think of beautiful beaches, tranquil blue sea and colourful coral reef scenes. You might, if you have read our previous blogs, or know about the region, think of ship wrecks too. But, would you think of diving any of the piers and jetties that dot the shoreline? We did. In fact, it was one of our specific requests when we heard we were heading to this iconic holiday destination. Why?

Piers and jetties offer something a little different. Their upright legs make the underwater photography change their view to portrait and as a diver you start looking more closely at your surroundings. We are not going to lie to you…many of these structures that are still in use are often a dumping ground, with trash and waste lying on the sea floor. So why the attraction? Marine life flourishes under these structures. They can provide a moody atmosphere to dive in and photograph, often with wonderful beams of sunlight bursting through the gaps above.

We dived two jetties on our recent trip, and were enchanted. The legs of each pier were covered in hard corals and bright sponges. Schools of Sergeant Major fish darted in the shallows, being pursued by barracuda. Shrimps, crabs and lobsters hide under fallen debris at the bottom, some 15m below the surface. Porcupine and squirrel fish try to blend in with the encrusted jetty posts. But the jewel in the crown of these sites are the seahorses.

We had to look hard, carefully examining each bit of coral and every discarded bit of metal work, and we were nearly out of luck, with air and time running low, when Caroline found a pair, one pink and one brown, clinging to a bit of old metal on the sea bed. It was fantastic! Having called over Christie, our guide, she then got her eye in and found 8 more in the same area! It was a real treat for our last dive in Barbados.

You need good weather conditions for these jetties, and you have to be very careful, as boat traffic will pass overhead while you are diving, so it is important to ascend close to the pier legs and then swim out to where the boat will be waiting. We loved diving the piers of Barbados, as they gave us atmospheric dives full of superb marine life. As we toured the coastline on our final day, our small group pointed out several more that looked well worth exploring. So, it might not be the first thing you think about when you are headed to Barbados, but you should certainly give the jetties and piers a go when you get there.


https://www.divebarbadosblue.com/

https://www.visitbarbados.org/

https://www.divefestbarbados.com/

For more from Nick and Caroline, visit www.frogfishphotography.com

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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Dived Up Publications announces the release of The Diver and the Cookby Lasse Spang Olsen

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The Diver and the Cook

A ship lost. No survivors. A grim recovery mission begins, pushing a team of commercial divers well beyond their comfort zone.

Braving treacherous conditions, saturation diver Nico van Heerden single-handedly combs the cramped, debris-strewn, zero-visibility Jascon 4 shipwreck searching for any sign of the lost crew.

Then, in a scene akin to a horror movie, while exploring a small, isolated compartment, Nico feels a tap on his shoulder. Could someone have survived underwater for over sixty hours?

The Diver & the Cook is the incredible true story of a seemingly impossible underwater rescue. With first-hand accounts, authentic images and detailed reconstructions, author and documentary maker Lasse Spang Olsen brings this gripping tale to life. The book is the result of over four years of work, including intensive interviews, access to previously unknown material, and deep study of conversations and film recorded during the actual incident.

Witness the unwavering determination of the human spirit as Jascon 4 galley chef, Harrison Okene, fights for survival after his ship goes down. Meanwhile, rookie saturation diver Nico van Heerden faces a daunting challenge: spearheading the rescue mission in a perilous underwater environment. With time running out, what rules must the dive team break to save Harrison before it’s too late?

An unprecedented operation, this story provides a unique perspective on the dangers and challenges faced by divers, showing the importance of teamwork and communication in high-risk situations. An incredible survival story against all odds, with an equally surprising aftermath.

Quote from the author, documentary-maker Lasse Spang Olsen:

“There are a whole lot of different versions of this story out there. But I believe that by speaking directly to the key people involved, creating meticulous reconstructions and doing original research we have dug much deeper and got far closer to the truth about the rescue and the sinking than anyone has ever managed to before.”

About the author

Author and veteran filmmaker Lasse Spang Olsen – in a 40+ year career – has participated in stunts and FX on over 600 films, directed eleven features and filmed extensively underwater. He’s led expeditions uncovering historical mysteries like the Flying Enterprise wreck and documented adventures worldwide. He’s also a producer and lecturer. Originally published in Denmark as Dykkeren of Kokken (February 2024), this is his fourth book.

The Diver and the Cook (ISBN 978-1-909455-61-0) is released on 12 November 2024 in paperback and ebook. It is available via online retailers, bookstores, from DivedUp.com and to the dive trade via Nautilus UK.

Dived Up Publications website: www.DivedUp.com
Facebook @DivedUpPublications / Insta @diveduppubs / X @DivedUp / TikTok @divedup

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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.

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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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