In this issue: Gas and oil platforms as artificial reefs, garibaldis, communicating while night diving, exploring the Fijan island of Taveuni and more. Explore the March/April 2018 issue below.
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FEATURES
“Contains Natural and Artificial Ingredients” Oil and Gas Platforms as Artificial Reefs
By Jesse Cancelmo
Artificial reefs are manmade structures created using bridge materials, military equipment, rocks, concrete culverts and other objects. This article examines various Rigs-to-Reefs programs in North America and across the globe, including what it takes to convert a platform to an artificial reef, and why some researchers contend it’s a bad idea.
The Little Ship in the Desert: The Adventures of Launching a Sea Scouts Ship
By Capt. Kathy Weydig
Most folks know about Boy Scouts of America, which has more than 2.5 million youth and 1 million adults currently involved in scouting and leadership activities. But chances are you might not know about its marine equivalent—which includes a scuba diving component—called Sea Scouts. In this article, the author offers a firsthand account of learning about and starting a Sea Scout Ship.
The Sea Hunters, True Adventures with Famous Shipwrecks: Clive Cussler’s NUMA Explores Maritime Mysteries
By Linda Lee Walden
Many divers are familiar with Clive Cussler’s adventure novels featuring stories involving scuba diving – either for recovery of sunken vessels, investigation of underwater anomalies or in search of lost treasures. However, some folks might be surprised to know Cussler’s books help fund a nonprofit corporation “dedicated to preserving American marine heritage by locating and identifying lost ships of historic significance before they are gone forever.” The author explains how works of fiction fund these non-fiction expeditions.
COMMENTARY
Editorial: Slated for Success
By Cathryn Castle Garcia
Buddy Lines
Say Cheez
Dive Observer: Feds List Oceanic Whitetip Shark As “Threatened”
Compiled by Betty Orr
No Dumb Questions: Sharks, Shipwrecks and Breath-holding Concerns
By Robert N. Rossier
DIVE EXPLORATION
Dive Geo: A Rainbow Paradise in the Pacific: Exploring the Fijian Island of Taveuni
By Matthew Meier
Destination News: What’s happening at diving hotspots
Compiled by Betty Orr
Passport: Dive travel deals from all over
Compiled by Betty Orr
Dive USA: Highlighting North American diving
Compiled by Betty Orr
EVERY MONTH
Scuba Skills: How to Light Up the Conversation: Communication Skills for Night Diving
By Barry and Ruth Guimbellot
Instructor Tips: Head in the Clouds: Teaching Your Students Situational Awareness
By Greg Laslo
Always Learning: The Dry Spell: Reflections on Returning to Diving
By Marty Snyderman
Dive Shop
Compiled by Betty Orr
What’s That?: California’s Daring Damsel: The Garibaldi
By Marty Snyderman
Behind the Lens: Target Practice
By Marty Snyderman
Premier Classifieds
Dive Training Classifieds
Dive Training Quiz
Final Check: What It Looks Like When…You Give Up Your Sea Legs
By Barry and Ruth Guimbellot
The Covers
Photos by Andy Sallmon and Allison Vitsky Sallmon
Submerged oil and gas platforms provide a habitat for all manner of marine life that divers and sport fishers enjoy. This month’s cover feature, “Contains Natural and Artificial Ingredients: Oil and Gas Platforms as Artificial Reefs” describes the complicated process of preserving decommissioned “rigs” once the drilling is done.
We’ve been publishing Dive Training magazine for over 25 years now. In celebration of our “Silver” anniversary, we’ve made a virtual library of every cover – front and reverse – from each year of the last two and a half decades.