Miscellaneous Blogs
Book Review: Overboard!
Overboard (2010), by Michael J. Tougias is a true story. It brings together interviews and statements of those involved and weaves them into a compelling account.
It should have been a five to six day, six hundred mile, exhilarating sail from Connecticut to Bermuda. They would sail from the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean, through the warm Gulf Stream, to their destination. Captain Tom Tighe and his sailboat Almeisan, a forty-five foot, two masted ketch, had made the crossing almost fifty times. On 5th May 2005 he was again making the trip with his friend and first mate Lochlin Reidy and three passengers. The passengers were all sailors, with different levels of experience and all eager for the blue water experience. Tom and Lochlin would sail back to the US with a new crew, the passengers would fly home.
Sailors and non-sailors alike will appreciate the account of Captain Tighe’s preparation for the voyage as well as the anticipation and apprehension of the passengers. Tougias cleverly lulls the reader into a false sense of security as the sail boat departs. The lack of wind, and having to motor the first few days, merely delays the drama that unfolds. The drama, a storm, builds at the worst possible point of the crossing – almost equidistant between a safe US haven and Bermuda. The storm will become one of the worst in living memory. To head for the US coast will take them towards the storm. To continue to Bermuda seems the sensible decision; it isn’t. Tension builds as the storm develops. It is accompanied by an almost forensic account of the sea conditions and what it is like to be on board a small sailboat in violent, unrelenting storm. Few of us will have experience a storm of such magnitude. Indeed, I suspect few of us would wish to do so. The account is vivid.
Passengers and crew are washed overboard but amazingly recovered. The sail boat suffers irreparable damage, the life raft deployed and lost, a May Day broadcast. It is a drama that sees thirty, forty foot waves crashing onto the sailboat, turning it upside down and gradually destroying it. At the height of the storm, as an attempt is made to launch the life raft two people loose contact with the boat; three remain onboard.
There are several memorable sections in Overboard. Undoubtedly one is the super human way two people, alone in a vast ocean and pounded by massive waves, try to survive. The fortitude they display is truly remarkable – neither should have survived. Another is the ingenuity the three people on the boat display in their attempt to call for help. Also noteworthy is the self-sacrifice and dedication the US Coast Guard and US Navy display in their determination to rescue the crew and passengers of the Almeisan.
In addition to a gripping narrative there are fifteen photographs, maps and charts together with fulsome acknowledgements. If I have a criticism of the book it relates to the numerous back stories that are present. They detract from, rather than support the otherwise dramatic account. However, these should not prevent you from marvelling at the author’s account
Michael J. Tougias is the author of nineteen books including several true life marine dramas including: Ten Hours Until Dawn (2006), Fatal Forecast (2009) and Finest Hours 2015). He lives in Massachusetts, USA.
Overboard (2010) by Michael J. Tougias
- New York: Scribner
- ISNB 9781439145763
- 212pp
Find out more about the reviewer, Professor Fred Lockwood, who is also a published author at www.fredlockwood.co.uk.
If you ever wondered what’s the exciting buzz around the RAID Diver Agency, we can tell you right here!
The prestigious Royal Thai Marine Police have chosen RAID as their trusted agency for their Underwater Operations Course.
This intense and rigorous course is designed to equip the force with the specialized skills and expertise needed for all underwater operations, ensuring they are totally prepared for the challenges of their critical missions.
With RAID‘s comprehensive training, the Royal Thai Marine Police will be well-prepared to handle the demands of their underwater tasks.
Why RAID? Truly Different?
The RAID philosophy is we are divers, not Recreational or Technical, just divers.
We all start with our first breath underwater with limited knowledge and experience. How much theoretical knowledge individuals may want is a personal choice.
However, when it comes to practical experience, there should be no difference to the required skill foundation and learning the fundamentals of diving is crucial.
With the roots of RAID International being founded in a technical background, the ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy, hover & trim which provide a robust platform for any future training in whatever direction they decides interests them.
How do RAID do that?
RAID conduct all dive skill training how you would use it practically. Perfect buoyancy with good hover and trim position.
Other agencies teach you to sit on the bottom and do skills! Do you go to the bottom every time you want to clear your mask?
Dive training in a class of its own.
RAID FREe-Learning.
No smoke and mirrors with RAID, there is nothing to hide.
Everyone can access any and all of RAID course theory and skills manuals online and downloadable without any charge or commitment.
Truly FREe-Learning
You bet that wasn’t popular with the book selling agencies!
If that wasn’t enough, additionally, all the skills videos, are available on YouTube with FREE access.
The core of RAID‘s ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy with perfect hover & trim providing a robust platform for any future training.
To enable that, RAID Professionals must have skills honed to the highest level, always performed with consummate ease and completely naturally.
To access the whole FREe-Learning library completely without any commitment or cost, simply register with RAID by scanning the QR code.
No one will contact you, you are free to download and peruse whatever you want to.
Should you decide you would like to know more or would like to take a course contact James at RAID UK and he will direct you to your local RAID centre.
RAID UK
James Rogers
www.diveraiduk.com
info@diveraiduk.com
+44 191 4324644
RAID – A Global Agency
RAID has Regional Offices around the world all fully embedded in the governing bodies of diver training.
WRSTC Member USA, ERSTC Member EU, Worldwide ISO Certified, RTC founding member.
RAID Dive Centres are in all corners of the UK!
All ready to offer divers and beginners a friendly welcoming new standard of service. Whether you are ready to take your first breath or an experienced exploration diver, make visiting a RAID Dive Centre your next step.
Here are just a few suggestions.
Bay Divers
Swansea
www.baydivers.co.uk
+44-7859-018970
West Coast Diving
Kilmarnock
www.westcoastdiving.co.uk
+44-7904-539512
SevernTec Diving
Dive South
RAID – Holiday Destinations
Looking to take a dive trip with your club or personally, here are just a few popular RAID dive holiday destination ideas for the UK based diver.
Egypt
Maldives
Bali
Thailand
South Africa
Click to contact the Regional Office for a full list of dive destinations in that region.
EGYPT
Pharaoh Dive Club
Roots Red Sea, El Quseir, Egypt
info@pharaohdiveclub.com
www.pharaohdiveclub.com
+20 10068 22000
Multi award winning centre offering special ‘Dive & Stay’ packages
Scuba Dreamer Diving College
Park Regency, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
www.scubadreamer.it
info@scubadreamer.it
+20 122 7150550
Based at Park Regency & Beach Promenade providing a full 5* package
MALDIVES
Fehivina Dhangethi &
Dhodhi – Dhiffushi – North Male’ Atoll
www.scubadivinemaldives.com
scubadivinedhangethi@gmail.com
scubadivinedhiffushi@gmail.com
+96 07913075
Range of accommodation options available
Jerrys Dive Club
Rasdhoo, Maldives
www.jerrysdiveclub.com
hello@jerrysdiveclub.com
+960 772 7876
Stay at Jerry’s Guest House
BALI
Prana Dive
Kabupaten Karaangasem, Bali, Indonesia
www.pranadive.com
info@pranadive.com
+62 813 3877 5345
Why not stay with us at Teratai Boutique Resort
THAILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
Adventure Mania
Sodwana Bay, South Africa
www.adventuremania.co.za
info@adventuremania.co.za
+27 82 653 7824
Adventure Mania takes pride in providing personalised, eco-conscious dives that highlight the beauty of protected coral reefs and marine life. This family diving business, nestled within a Marine Protected Area, offers a diving experience that is as educational as it is exhilarating.
Adventure Mania’s expert instructors and staff have a deep-rooted passion for ocean conservation. They not only guide divers through breathtaking underwater landscapes but emphasise the importance of marine preservation. Teaching diving with Adventure Mania goes beyond imparting technical skills; it embraces fostering a respect for the ocean.
ScubaCo
Durban, South Africa
www.scubaco.co.za
info@scubaco.co.za
+27 79 779 4242
ScubaCo is a boutique RAID Dive Centre operating on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline of South Africa. ScubaCo are specialists in both shark and reef diving as well as featuring the annual Sardine Run migration as they are so well positioned to offer the best of the best.
Many clients enjoy our wonderful packages with ScubaCo Guest House accommodation coupled to amazing dive options – Shark Diving, Big 5 Safari & Diving the Sardine Run.
This destination is a must for every Diver and should be on your bucket list for dive travel.
Make sure to add Aliwal Shoal to your next Diving holiday and let Tamara and her team take fantastic care of you while in South Africa.
Dive & Travel the RAID way
When you see the RAID emblem at a dive centre around the world you can be assured that the highest standards of diver training are being provided, knowing all RAID professionals have met the testing criteria to achieve their professional rank.
Gemma and Ian chat to Dawn Kernagis. Dawn joined DEEP in 2023 as the Director of Scientific Research. DEEP is an ocean technology and exploration company with a mission to ‘Make Humans Aquatic.’ DEEP’s undersea habitat and submersible systems, combined with multi-phased diver and human performance training, will create the next evolution of subsea science, research, and exploration capabilities. Dawn is a NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut, Explorer’s Club Fellow and Women Divers Hall of Fame Inductee and who is also tasked to establish DEEP’s first US presence in North Carolina. Dawn has also been a diver with numerous underwater exploration, research, and conservation projects since 1993, including the mapping and record-setting exploration of some of the deepest underwater caves in the world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-kernagis-995383152/
The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90. “Beyond Technical” Narked at 90 If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements https://www.narkedat90.com/. There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is BIGSCUBA2024.
If you are interested in the INSTA360 action camera we discussed then please click this link: https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?utm_term=INRAI8S
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