Three New Destinations Expand Aggressor`s World of Diving
Transcription
Three New Destinations Expand Aggressor`s World of Diving
Scuba Excursions · Private Charters · Eco-Adventures · Family Vacations A GGRESSOR F LEET ®® the Ultimate in Live-aboards ®® (800) 348-2628 Fall 2005 inside: OR ( 9 8 5 ) 3 8 5 - 2 6 2 8 • FA X ( 9 8 5 ) 3 8 4 - 0 8 1 7 • E - M A I L : INFO @AGGRESSOR.COM Three New Destinations Expand Aggressor’s World of Diving Blue Hole Golfing Digital Photo Tips Fond Farewell to Truk Lagoon Tax Deductible Dive Vacations Good Times at Vegas Dive Show Magical Mantas Exotic Critters, Muck Diving, Ship Wrecks and more Tahiti Aggressor Moves to Society Islands Beginning May 6, 2006 the Tahiti Aggressor will base all charters from Bora Bora in French Polynesia’s Society Islands, a move that will provide more convenience for guests and crew with the same amazing diving experiences. For the past three years, the Tahiti Aggressor has operated out of Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Islands chain, and Captain Dan Ruth is confident that the move to lessremote Bora Bora, will be a positive one for guests, crew and the vessel itself. On a recent Society Islands exploratory trip, Captains Gavin and Brian both saw many of the same animals, corals and water clarity experienced in the Tuamotus, but with healthy currents of two knots in the passes, as compared to the six-seven knots experienced near Rangiroa. Other benefits to the Bora Bora itinerary include: • Availability of food, fuel, fresh produce and seafood • Easy access for vessel maintenance and repairs • Docking adjacent to Air Tahiti transfer station • Eight to ten flights per day on Air Tahiti • No day-room rental or airport taxi shuttles required The North Sulawesi Aggressor will offer seven-day charters from Kungkungan Bay Resort beginning December 3, 2005. The Aggressor crew will guide guests to remote sites near Bangka Islands and the Lembeh Strait, home of the famous “muck dives.” North Sulawesi is a very safe and quiet portion of the large Sulawesi region. For many years, this predominately Christian area has treated divers to some of the most unique diving in the world. Direct flights into Manado from Singapore are available weekly. Special $800 introductory discounts are now being offered on the new Tahiti Society Islands itinerary! May 6 - August 19, 2006 charters are now $2,195 p.p., dbl. occ.! Whale Sharks, Macro Critters and Seamounts, Utila Has It All Utila, one of Honduras’ brightest jems, offers divers sheer walls, spectacular wrecks and offshore sea mounts. These pristine sea mounts represent a Caribbean frontier rarely explored by divers. Utila is also world-famous for whale sharks and guests may have the opportunity to swim with these migrating mammoths. Divers aboard the new 14-passenger Utila Aggressor will sample this region’s beautiful marine environments in Aggressor comfort and style. If you think you’ve seen everything the Caribbean has to offer, think again and reserve your spot aboard a Utila Aggressor adventure. Utila boasts magnificent stands of Elkhorn coral. Reserve your vacation online at www.aggressor.com A Fond Farewell to Our Friends in Truk Lagoon After many incomparable years of diving and operating in beautiful Truk Lagoon, the Truk Aggressor II, sailed out of the south pass of the lagoon at 2:00 pm, October 12th, for the last and final time. She will make her new home in Lembeh Strait, dockside at the Kungkungan Bay Resort. As Capt. Niall Lawlor, Alan Lawlor, Capt. Brian Stephenson, Capt. Kurt Jensen and Craig Ellis departed the docks in Chuuk, all were saddened to be leaving friends and local crew that had worked for the Aggressor for more than 17 years. There were many memories made in Truk Lagoon by the likes of Klauss Lindemann, Jim Church, Stan Waterman, Dan Bailey and Kimeo Aiisek. All of these diving pioneers had one big thing in common–they loved Truk Lagoon, the wrecks and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia. While Chuuk has had its infrastructure problems over the years, the one constant attraction has been the diving. It is a truly magical and mystical experience the first time a diver drifts into depths of a WWII wreck, or sees the gigantic hulk of the Rio or the Fijikawa looming in front of them. It is an experience that only happens once in a lifetime, that first dive into history. The crew, operators and owners of the Aggressor Fleet are sad to leave the lagoon behind, but are equally as excited to be destination: COCOS ISLAND, COSTA RICA moving to a new, exciting area in Indonesia. As mysterious as Truk Lagoon once was to our divers, we are all looking ahead to discovery and adventure in the remote waters of Lembeh, Bangka and Gangga Islands in North Sulawesi. We wish all the best to those who The late Jim Church considered remain in Truk Lagoon and look forward with anticipation to returning Truk his favorite destination. He is seen here with native Chuukese to Truk one day with a new Aggressor diving legend and franchise boat and franchise. partner Kimeo Aiisek. Once again, thank you to all of the fine people who have worked with us for 17 great years, and to all of the divers, dive shops and wholesalers who have supported us in Truk Lagoon. We hope we have fulfilled your dreams and met your expectations! Safe diving, and see you all in Indonesia. - Capt. Dan Ruth, Capt. Niall Lawlor, Capt. Wayne Hasson Photo Essay: A Day in the Life of the Okeanos Aggressor Crew Read more about the day-to-day adventures aboard the Okeanos Aggressor in the “Captain’s Log” reports at www.aggressor.com. Okeanos dive master Onditz Calparsoro was not at Cocos Island during this photo shoot. She was at the Las Vegas DEMA show, pictured here with Dive Training Magazine’s Jerry Beaty. Sign Up for the Hot News and Save Big Bucks! The Aggressor staff shows the names of the 24 lucky clients who were randomly chosen for FREE Vacations. See all the winning divers on the News page at www.aggressor.com If you have not signed up for Aggressor Fleet’s online newsletter, the Hot News, you may be missing out on some generous money-saving offers, like Gold Weeks for repeat Aggressor clients. This brief monthly newsletter also contains interesting crew notes, special marine life encounters and dive industry news. All Aggressor clients are automatically signed up for the Dive the World Club, which rewards travelers with on-board discounts, special Gold Week rates and inclusions in the annual free trip drawings. UPCOMING GOLD WEEKS: Tahiti: December 24-31, 2005 - Save $400 Kona, Hawaii: January 7-14, 2006 - Save $200 Turks & Caicos: (Provo to Grand Turk diving itinerary) January 28-February 4, 2006 - Save $200 North Sulawesi: January 28-February 4, 2006 - Save $400 Cayman: February 25-March 4, 2006 - Save $200 Cocos Island: March 21-31, 2006 - Save $400 Galapagos I: April 6-13, 2006 - Save $400 Dive With a Purpose Imaging Foundation’s goal is to create fun, educational productions. Aggressor Fleet provides access to the world’s richest underwater locations via world class live aboard ships. Join this unbeatable team and dive with a purpose! Imaging Foundation expedition team members help complete a mission project. Participation requires a willingness to learn, to meet great people, and to work as a member of a motivated team. Past expedition teams have built web sites, designed real time virtual classrooms, and helped organize the Imaging Foundation’s collection. This imagery is available for use by other non-profit, educational organizations. Each expedition mission is different. Over the next year we will be visiting Palau, Indonesia, Utila, and Galapagos, where our team will be met by Aggressor's expert crew. They will provide top notch destination: TURKS & CAICOS Join over 14,000 divers who have already discovered the valuable information in our Hot News. Sign up today at www.aggressor.com. guidance as we learn about the local flora and fauna, dive like crazy, and complete our mission project. Our imagery and productions will teach an entirely new generation that the ocean holds both mystery and adventure. Let’s join together to help show our children the beauty of our oceans before they inherit them. As with all Imaging Foundation Expeditions, this trip can be tax deductible. Check with your professional tax consultant. For more information on Imaging Foundation goals and future expeditions go to their website at: www.imagingfoundation.org or contact their staff at [email protected] or their California office at (310) 458-0210. IMAGING FOUNDATION EXPEDITIONS Galapagos Aggressor - April 20 - 27, 2006 North Sulawesi Aggressor - September 23 - 30, 2006 Palau Aggressor - March 4 - 11, 2007 Utila Aggressor - September 8 -15, 2007 A Step Forward for Us, Means Better Service for You The crew of the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II are taking their careers to the next level. For example, Christopher Guglielmo, who has been with the TCA II for nearly 3 years as the Photo-Pro, is now Captain Christopher after undergoing examinations for both the MCA and USCG 200-ton Masters licenses. And Chef Dave recently attended an IDC/IE to become a PADI Instructor. Matt is about to undergo advanced firefighting training, and Gary will complete his STCW-95 and MCA engineering certifications in the near future. Our crew’s professional development equates to higher levels of safety and comfort for you! The sharks are back at French Cay! French Cay in the Turks & Caicos Islands was long known as one of the premier shark diving destinations in the Caribbean, but those of you who have traveled with us in the past year or so may have noticed a steady decline in the shark population. Was this due to climactic change? Over-fishing? Whatever the reason they left us, we have some great news – the sharks are back! Once again, you need to watch where you giant stride because landing on a dorsal fin can be a fright for both human and fish! Today, you can expect to see up to ten reef sharks swimming within ten feet of you, and often times much, much closer, like in this photo by Capt. Christopher Guglielmo from six inches away! Stan Waterman’s Long-awaited Book Now Available “Sea Salt,” a hard-back memoir published by New World Publications, includes essays written by Stan Waterman over the years for “Ocean Realm” and other dive journals, in addition to personal letters and editorials. With over 300 pages and more than 65 pictures, the book spans the dive legend’s life, from his childhood years growing up in Maine by the sea through a half century of diving adventures around the world. Many of the adventures recounted destination: K ONA , H AWAII were unique experiences with the Aggressor Fleet. Forewords are by Peter Benchley and Howard Hall. “Sea Salt” may be purchased online at www.fishid.com. You can hear Stan tell his stories in person and enjoy a dive with him during upcoming “Waterman Weeks” on Aggressor Fleet yachts. STAN WATERMAN CHARTERS Tahiti Aggressor Feb. 4-11, 2006 Utila Aggressor Apr. 15-22, 2006 Cayman Aggressor IV July 22-29, 2006 North Sulawesi Aggressor Oct. 14-21 and Oct. 21-28, 2006 Turks & Caicos Aggressor II Apr. 21-28, 2007 Cayman Aggressor IV July 28-Aug. 4, 2007 Belize Aggressor III Aug. 25-Sep. 1, 2007 *Dates are subject to change. Stan’s trips do not include a photo course. The Manta Ballet The sun drops below the horizon, day turns into night and as darkness falls, the stage is set. This however, is no ordinary show. The theater is a channel of black sand surrounded by lava rock 35 feet below the ocean surface. The audience is a group of divers who have traveled from all over the world to see tonight’s performance. The performers are none other than the Manta Rays of Kona, Hawaii. The divers gather and kneel in the sand as their lights begin to attract plankton. Suddenly from out of the shadows, the mantas appear and the show begins. With names like Lefty, Big Bertha and Calamity Jane, graceful might not be the first word that comes to mind, but once you see the underwater ballet these 12-15-foot mantas perform, that is one of the few words that can describe them. For the next hour, the mantas glide effortlessly, turning loops over the diver’s heads, sometimes within mere inches. Every so often, a pair of mantas will appear to be on a collision course, but at the last second, they arc away from one another in such perfect form, it seems like it must be choreographed. The show can be so intense. One minute you are not sure where to look next for fear of missing something, while the next minute you can be so captivated by one manta, you do not notice anything else. Although there is no orchestra, you are sure you can hear the music to which these rays are dancing. Finally, the divers must return to the surface. As the divers and their plankton-attracting lights disappear, so do the mantas and tonight’s show has come to an end. Don’t worry though, tomorrow night, the mantas will be here again. Where will you be? -Capt. Rob Clayton While on board, guest Gene Brown (left)celebrated his birthday at the Belize Aggressor III driving range. Gene - an avid golfer - enjoyed a few swings of the club during one of his surface intervals. Belize Dominos. Guests Roberto, Jesus, Andy and Peyton have such a love for dominos that they took it to the next level. Or should we say down a level? These guys played “underwater dominos” for an entire hour at a time, or until Andy was too low on air. (above) They could also be seen playing dominos on the sun deck 8 a.m. until 3 a.m.! So who won? According to the guys, their game isn’t finished. They are still playing back home in Monterrey, Mexico. Fore! A Blue Hole In One Captain Wayne Hasson & Guy Harvey Go for High Definition Artist Guy Harvey, photographer Stephen Frink and Aggressor’s Wayne Hasson were aboard the Cayman Aggressor IV during an HDV shoot. Wayne and Guy have teamed up to create new and exciting Aggressor Fleet destination videos in High Definition (HDV) that will be available on DVD in 2006. Using the latest Gates Underwater HD System, which includes the new Sony HDRFX1, they are shooting at 1080 lines horizontal resolution / 60 interlaced frames per second frame rate for the HDV specification. The unit records to standard MiniDV tapes. High-definition underwater video looks sharper and clearer than regular video, especially on big-screen displays. Wayne and Guy will be streaming their HDVs on the Aggressor Fleet web site, so get ready for some really exciting short destination videos showing the latest dive sites and many land-based attractions. HDV editing will be performed using the newest version of Final Cut Pro V on an Apple G5 computer; however, most of the capture work is being done on board using a G4 laptop. If you happen to see Wayne or Guy on a diving and HDV-shooting trip this year, ask them to show you how it’s all done. And don’t forget to smile for the camera––you could be featured in one of these new Aggressor HDV’s. Where is the Next Aggressor Destination? Searching for new and exciting locations is part of Aggressor Fleet’s mission as the “Ultimate in Liveaboards®.” Our clients’ input is very important, that’s why every post-trip questionnaire begins with the question, “Where else would you like to see an Aggressor?” Let us know your comments by e-mailing [email protected]. Want to own an Aggressor Fleet franchise? E-mail [email protected] for franchising information. Safety and Quality are Always a Priority Aggressor Fleet welcomes Shane Oubre on board. Shane has been affiliated with Aggressor for many years overseeing construction, repairs, upgrades and regulatory inspections of many of the Aggressor vessels. Shane will be assisting Aggressor franchisees with making sure that all Aggressor vessels are maintained to Aggressor's high operational and safety standards. Capt. Alan Roberts will continue traveling aboard all Aggressors to conduct training and inspections. destination: FIJI ISLANDS Fiji Aggressor II Vessel Upgrades Recently, the Fiji Aggressor II underwent modifications and upgrades to make your vacation more enjoyable. 1. Installed new Perkins 50KW generator. 2. Installed new Poseidon 10CFM air compressor. 3. Re-caulked deck. 4. Built new tank rack for stern platform. 5. Replaced all zincs on ship hull. 6. Re-varnished entire salon area (tables, walls). 7. Re-upholstered couches and chairs in salon area. 8. New wall-to-wall carpeting throughout entire boat. 9. Honeymoon suite rebuilt (new curtains, new varnish, carpet, molding and window trim, wall paneling, removed windows and resealed). 10. Refit bathroom in honeymoon suite (retiled entire bath room and shower, revarnished counters). 11. New battery charging station for cameras and dive lights. 12. Extended current camera table and built additional camera area. 13. Cleaned and repaired holding tanks. destination: GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR A Diver’s Paradise, An Artist’s Inspiration, A Marine Biologist’s Dream by Guy Harvey I have been very fortunate over the years to travel to virtually every major dive destination in the world. I have traveled to these locales wearing several different hats: diver, artist and marine biologist. And, in all my travels, I have never found a destination that compliments my various personalities as perfectly as the Galapagos Islands. For me, the Galapagos Islands are the ultimate diving destination because they allow me to indulge in all of my passions. As a diver, I am able to witness the grandeur of the undersea world in its entirety. And, as an artist and marine biologist, the islands of the Galapagos offer ample subjects for recording the images and behaviors of the underwater world’s most fascinating creatures. To me, the Galapagos Islands are an undersea Disney World. My first trip to the Galapagos Islands was with the Aggressor Fleet. The knowledge and professionalism of the Galapagos Aggressor staff was as impressive as the underwater sights in the Galapagos. So impressive, in fact, I booked not one, but two return trips with the Aggressor Fleet. Please join me in the Galapagos Islands for a fabulous week of discovery. Galapagos Aggressor II: July 17-24, 2008 Galapagos Aggressor II: July 24-31, 2008 Learn more about Guy and view his art at www.guyharveyinc.com. From Aggressor’s Kitchen to Yours Make Your Vacation Reservations Online at www.aggressor.com/onlineres destination: PA L A U Palau Crew Promises the Best Each week, our guests call the diving in Palau, “The best EVER!” and the crew agrees. In addition to the common whitetip, blacktip and gray reef sharks, cuttlefish and mandarin fish, there have been three rather unique sightings. A couple of dugongs were spotted on two different occasions at the Malakal mooring. A dugong, also called a sea cow, is closely related to the manatee. The guests and crew alike enjoyed these gentle creatures from the boat. On another occasion, Hector jumped in to check the current at the Blue Corner dive site when he was surprised by an eight-foot Shark Ray. This creature is actually a ray that looks like a shark. It has white spots all over its body, a broad head, dorsal fin and tail resembling a shark, but with wings that flap like a spotted eagle ray. Whether it be for the diving, the crew or the Survivor Palau experience, come visit the Palau Aggressor II and have the “Best week EVER!” - PA II crew Dave’s Banoffee Pie A h, everyone loves Chef Dave’s Banoffee Pie when dining aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II. As Dave explains, “Banofee” is the product of “banana” and “toffee,” and the combination makes for one delectable dessert. Here’s the recipe for making this vacation favorite at home: • 2 – 3 cans condensed milk • 1 pack pre-baked biscuits • Melted butter • 1 – 2 sliced bananas • 1 cup cream • Melted cooking chocolate Place cans of condensed milk and cook for 2 1/2 – 3 hours in a pot, completely submersed in simmering water. Do not let the pot boil dry. Let cans cool. Blend pre-baked biscuits with melted butter in a food processor until the mix can be pressed into place with the back of a spoon. Spray a light coat of cooking oil in a spring mold. Drop the biscuit crumb mixture into the mold and press lightly with the back of a spoon to spread around the base of the mold. Layer sliced bananas onto the biscuit base as deep or shallow as you like. Gently spread the cans of cooked condensed milk (toffee) over the bananas. In a small pot, warm one cup of cream and mix in the melted cooking chocolate. The proportion should be 1/3 cream and 2/3 chocolate. Cook until all is melted and set aside for about 5 minutes. Pour over the pie and spread evenly. Place the complete pie, uncovered, in the refrigerator to set the last layer. Serve on its own or with cream, strawberries or other fresh fruit. Enjoy! Attention Traveling Digital UW Photographers: Pack Extras! Shooting with digital camera equipment adds some items to your packing list. Here are some tips on just a few of the “extras” you should take along. by Mike Mesgleski and Mike Haber 1. Batteries. You can never have enough. Today’s digital camera equipment thrives on battery power. Our advice is to bring at least one additional battery or set of batteries for each piece of equipment. For example, we use four high-capacity NiMH batteries for each of our strobes and pack at least two sets for each strobe along with extra battery chargers. Our cameras require a special battery and we usually bring at least three of those. During the week,we always have a set of batteries charging for each piece of equipment. Check with the manufacturer on any special care or storage requirements for your batteries. Although batteries are rechargeable, they will not last forever. 2. Memory. Enough memory is good and more is better. Take along at least two high-capacity memory cards for your camera. Mike & I usually bring four each. Mark each card with your name and a unique color or label like “A” “B” “C” to keep track of your cards. It’s a good idea to swap cards between dives even if they are not full. This allows you to keep your camera system on the camera table loaded and ready to go for quick access. 3. High-speed card readers. We bring a high-speed card reader to transfer images instead of connecting the camera directly to our computer. This way, the camera does not have to be removed from the housing. Once the images are safely stored, either in a laptop or portable storage device, the card needs to be cleared of old images. We prefer re-formatting the card in the camera rather than using the option of erasing the images. According to some card manufacturers, erasing individual images instead of formatting the card may leave behind some data that could corrupt a new image file written to the card. There is a lot more information we will share with you in upcoming issues, in our classes aboard the Aggressor Fleet, and on our website, www.jimchurchphoto.com. E-mail us at [email protected] if you have any questions about underwater photography. Jim Church School of Digital Underwater Photography Workshops Additional 2007 and 2008 dates are listed on the Itineraries page at www.aggressor.com Tahiti Aggressor Belize Aggressor III Mar. 3-10, 2007 $3,345 Mesgleski & Haber July 22-29, 2006 $2,545 Mesgleski & Haber Cayman Aggressor IV June 17-24, 2006 $2,545 Mesgleski & Haber Galapagos Aggressor Oct. 12-19, 2006 $3,445 Mesgleski & Haber Palau Aggressor II Mar. 9-16, 2008* $3,045 Mesgleski & Haber Truk Odyssey - Jim Church Memorial Charter Mar. 16-23, 2008* $2,945 Mesgleski & Haber *Palau and Truk charters are back-to-back. Turks & Caicos Aggressor II May 20-27, 2006 $2,545 Mesgleski & Haber Aug. 19-26, 2006 $2,545 Mesgleski & Haber Dates are subject to change. Crews and Staff Enjoy Las Vegas Lights at DEMA, and International Dive Shows Throughout the year, members of the Aggressor Fleet team greet divers in their home towns during dive and travel shows. Aggressor participates at shows in the U.S., Russia, Spain, Germany and Great Britain. destination: CAYMAN ISLANDS From Aggressor Fleet, Limited With the launching of the North Sulawesi Aggressor, Aggressor Fleet’s own Shawn Exnicious had the chance to travel to Indonesia, Cambodia and Singapore. While in Singapore, she toured many hotels and famous attractions and even learned the secrets of Chinese tea. Her travels to Cambodia allowed her to explore the historical temples in Siem Reap. The highlight of the trip was visiting Bitung and Manado, Indonesia. During her visit to Indonesia, she met with various hotel owners and staff as well as toured the Kunkungan Bay Resort and the Tasik Ria Resort. She also had a chance to hike the jungles of the Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve, which is the home to the taursius monkeys and the black tailless monkeys. This experience will prove invaluable when assisting our customers in planning their adventurous vacation. Shawn has been an Aggressor employee since 1997, assisting clients with their dive trips, airline arrangements and tours. Call her at 1-800-348-2628 to hear more about her travels and let her help you plan your next dive vacation. Fuel Surcharge Now in Effect Aggressor Fleet has control over many factors that contribute to great vacations. Some things, however, Aggressor cannot control and one of these is the cost and supply of fuel at our destinations. Due to current extraordinary fuel prices, we are now forced to institute a $100 per guest fuel surcharge. This surcharge was put into effect on September 15, 2005, and is paid onboard each yacht. We thank you for your understanding and hope that we are able to reduce or eliminate the surcharge in the future if and when fuel prices return to normal levels. There is no fuel surcharge at this time on either Galapagos Aggressor yacht. Aggressor Fleet, Limited 7810 Highway 182 East Morgan City, LA 70380 USA 800-348-2628 or (985) 385-2628 Aggressor Fleet live-aboards are independently owned and operated franchises. Diving, A Family Affair This summer, Anne and Wayne Hasson spent a week on the Cayman Aggressor IV with friends and family, including 10 kids ages 10-15. The “Family Week,” as they call it, is an annual tradition. “Where else can you spend quality family time without all the interruptions?” says Anne Hasson. There was constant laughter and non-stop fun while the teenagers enjoyed diving, kayaking, sport fishing, and cave exploration. They started diving at 8 a.m., and at 9 p.m., were ready for board games. Fourteen-year-old Emily Roberts has spent every summer attending “Kid’s Sea Camp” or a private family charter. “Going on the ‘Kid’s Sea Camp’ weeks has been fun and exciting. Growing up and sharing these experiences with my friends has been awesome. It is something that I will remember and enjoy for the rest of my life. I’m sure it has changed the way I look at how we treat our oceans and marine inhabitants,” she says. At the end of the charter the Hassons reported, “The trip was fantastic, awesome! The diving in Little Cayman was the best we’ve ever seen with 150-foot visibility.” You too can reserve a private charter for your family, or you can join a hosted Aggressor “Kid’s Sea Camp.” KID’S SEA CAMPS Turks & Caicos Aggressor II: July 1-8, 2006 Hosted by Shirley Brown. Kona Aggressor II: July 1-8, 2006 Hosted by Alan Roberts. Belize Aggressor III: July 29-Aug. 5, 2006 Hosted by Shirley Brown. Cayman Aggressor IV: July 14-21, 2007 Hosted by Alan Roberts. *More dates at www.aggressor.com