Oceans of Opportunity

Tag: field dispatches

delta P | dealing with pressure, under pressure

This past week marked the continuation of a field project that I have been involved with since early in the fall involving dam repair work. Aside from tight tunnel penetrations, in my opinion, I’d say dams are among the most hazardous of working dive environments. This is to to one thing – pressure. In commercial…

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Expedition Underway | in TOTO deep – November 12-22

 A small but critical part to fueling content for this Blog and its related sister projects is getting in to the field, and partaking in expeditious journeys to gain a unique perspective on the far corners of the planet. For nearly a decade now, a priority geographic region of interest for me has been…

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dispatch 060309 | training day

Last night I slept on my trusty hammock on the top deck of Tortue. I was awakened at 3AM by what felt like 30kt winds. I felt like I woke up inside of a wind tunnel. I moved inside, and crashed on the bench seat in the galley for a few more hours rest before…

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dispatch 060209 | Leg 4

This morning we refueled in Nassau Harbor, did a small grocery shop, and connect with our liaison at the Department of Fisheries to pick up a small boat that we would tow to the Berry’s for use during the forthcoming research project. Our final indulgence was a stop at Starbucks, which amazingly was kept very…

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dispatch 060109-2 | in port

The day was spent crossing the bank. During my time at the wheel, I saw a small pod of dolphins off the bow. That was about the only excitement that broke up our near 7 hour cruise today. At 2PM we just pull into Nassau Harbor on the north side of New Providence. The Atlantis…

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dispatch 060109 | like an oasis

Leaving the Land & Sea Park yesterday was faced with some weather challenges. We thought we had sat out the worst of it, but some choppy seas kept us from attempting our long awaited fun dive to break up the journey. We continued northwest along the bank side of the cays with a target destination…

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dispatch 053109 | when the thunder rolls

Tortue’s early AM departure was delayed due to some rolling thunder and a few flashes of lightening out in the direction we were headed. After a leisurely breakfast, we continued northwest along Exuma Sound to Warderick Wells Cay, home of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. We took up mooring to ride out some…

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dispatch 053009 | Underway

After a late night of orientation on the boat, we were still eager for an early start. At 6AM, I hopped in the water for some minor adjustments to the M/V Tortue’s anchor. While warming up the engine, we blew a fuse, which caused a minor delay. Better to work out these small kinks before…

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Dispatch 052909 | it’s better in the Bahamas

Flying across the short stretch of Atlantic, the turquoise water and white beach sands emerge from the horizon and guide the way to this home away from home. Every time I see the islands in the distance, it is an instant reminder of how simple life can be, and free from distraction. It’s better in…

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dispatch 052809 | here we go again

Some say I have it made, others think my journeys are a bit on the crazy side. In either case, I consider myself fortunate. From hardcore expeditions to random boondoggles, the stuff that crosses my desk is surely unique. Tonight, as I write this, I’m wrapping up packing (last minute) for an 0430 departure to…

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