Old shipwrecks discovered in Baltic Sea-03/10/10

 
A dozen previously unknown shipwrecks, some of them believed to be up to 1000 years old, were discovered in the Baltic Sea during a probe of the sea bed to prepare for the installation of a large gas pipeline, the Swedish National Heritage Board said Monday.

"We have managed to identify 12 shipwrecks, and nine of them are considered to be fairly old", Peter Norman, a senior advisor with the heritage board, told AFP.

"We think many of the ships are from the 17th and 18th centuries and we think some may even be from the Middle Ages," he said, stressing that "this discovery offers enormous culture-historical value".

The shipwrecks were discovered during a probe by the Russian-led Nord Stream consortium of the sea bed route its planned gas pipeline from Russia to the European Union will take through the Baltic.

"The used sonar equipment first and discovered some unevenness along the sea bottom....so they filmed some of the uneven areas, and we could see the wrecks," Norman explained.

The discovery was made outside Sweden's territorial waters, but within its economic zone, he said.

Due to it's low temperatures and oxygen levels, the Baltic Sea is known as an  ideal environment for conserving shipwrecks, which can remain virtually unblemished for hundreds and even thousands of years.

Story courtesy of Yahoo News, AFP

Cold Snap Kills Florida Coral-01/28/09

 
A cold snap earlier this month killed or bleached significant amounts of coral in the waters off South Florida and the Florida Keys, according to an analysis this week by Nature Conservancy scientists.

“About 50 to 70 percent of the entire coral reef is dead in the upper Keys,” said Meaghan Johnson, marine science coordinator with the Nature Conservancy.

The culprit was the 12 consecutive days of extremely cold weather from Jan. 2-14 in Florida, which included a near-record cold air temperature of 42 degrees in Key West on Jan. 11. Johnson said the water temperatures in some parts of the Keys during that time plummeted into the frigid upper 40s and lower 50s, far below typical lows of the upper 60s and lower 70s.

Although coral bleaching and death is most frequently associated with unusually warm water temperatures, coral also can’t withstand water temperatures below 60 degrees. Below that temperature, coral bleaching occurs when the coral undergoes stress and loses its symbiotic algae. Prolonged cold stress can result in coral death.

Unfortunately, the coral that was bleached during the cold snap will eventually die, said Johnson.

Other marine animals, such as manatees, turtles, sponges, and fish, also died or were injured in Florida due to the recent intense cold snap.

This is the first time since January 1977 that a cold-water bleaching and die-off has occurred in south Florida, according to the conservancy. That was the winter that snow was reported in Miami for the only time in its history.

Johnson reported that science divers from 13 federal and state agencies and non-governmental and academic organizations will continue to survey waters off South Florida and the Keys over the next few weeks to assess the health of the remaining coral.

Courtesy USA Today

World Famous Breakers Reef Thrown Under The Bus- 11/06/09

PALM BEACH, FL--

In a report dated November 3, 2009, Coastal Eco-Group Inc. (CEG), recommended the Town of Palm Beach allow critical habitat protection designation for the Bath & Tennis Reef staghorn coral, discovered by Reef Rescue volunteer divers. But, CEG proposes the northern boundary for staghorn coral habitat protection be established south of the Breakers Hotel eliminating the north end of Breakers Reef, Turtle Mound, Double Ledges and all reefs to the north from the protection zone. Some of the best diving spots in Palm Beach County and reefs that contain the features essential for the survival of the ESA listed staghorn coral would go unprotected.

The NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has designated staghorn and elkhorn coral critical habitat boundaries along the east coast of Florida from 6 to 90 feet deep. CEG argues the rules for the Town of Palm Beach should be different and recommends no shallow habitat protection in waters less than 45 feet deep. This effectively eliminates habitat protection for all of Breakers Shallow Reef, where mooring buoys were recently installed by Palm Beach County to help protect the reef from anchor damage. 

The report also uses the increasingly tiresome argument that since no staghorn coral has been documented north of the Bath & Tennis reef, no staghorn habitat protection is warranted for the reefs to the north. This is the same logic employed by the town’s former consultants who argued none of Palm Beach County should be designated as critical habitat because the only staghorn sightings were reported by recreational divers. It’s the old, if you don’t look for it, you can’t find it ruse. 

TAKE ACTION: Send an email to the Town of Palm Beach and ask them to stop the hair splitting and withdraw their objection to ESA listed coral habitat protection.

Travel Update!! (11/20/09)

In today's economy, it is great to still be able to get a short break away. We feel obligated to let you know about a hidden jewel right here in West Palm Beach.

We were offered a relaxing two night vacation to celebrate our wedding anniversary at Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast for what would have added up to one night at a hotel. Grandview Gardens B & B is located in the Historic Neighborhood of Grandview Heights, right across the street from Howard Park. Just 10-15 minutes away ( by car), you will find Palm Beach International Airport. The Palm Beach Convention Center, Kravis Center, Harriet Himmel Theater, and City Place are just a short walk away.
Grandview Gardens also offers two renovated Historic Vacation Rental Homes and.....they are ready and willing to accomodate divers! With parking for your boat, places to dry and store gear and tanks, this is a perfect place for both out of town and local guests!

For more about our stay at the Grandview Gardens B & B and photos, click here.

The Sinking & Salvage of Awesome Dives!! (04/30/08)

As most of you may have already heard, local 6 pack Charter Boat "Awesome Dives" sank on April 5th. Thankfully everybody made it off safely and all gear and personal belongings were successfully recovered.

Hospital to restore emergency Hyperbaric care-(7/13/07)

WEST PALM BEACH — Local scuba divers will soon be able to breathe a little easier.

Got Lobster??? - (9/07/07)

Check out the catch of the day! Congrats to Kevin Lanouette, a Wet Pleasures Open Water Graduate on one of his first lobsters......10.6 LBS !!!

 

 

 

Hospital to restore emergency Hyperbaric care-(7/13/07)

Hospital to end treatment for sickened scuba divers-(6/29/07)

WEST PALM BEACH — St. Mary's Medical Center is discontinuing emergency hyperbaric oxygen services next week, which means people suffering from decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning from scuba diving accidents now will have to travel to Miami or Orlando to be treated.

St. Mary's cited low demand and difficulty having staff available around the clock as reasons for its decision, which takes effect June 30. It had fewer than 50 emergency patients a year. The hospital will continue to offer hyperbaric services to wound care patients during normal business hours Monday to Friday.
Two factors that likely influenced St. Mary's decision was that many divers who get hyperbaric services are uninsured and the two physicians overseeing the hyperbaric services did not like being on call without being paid by the hospital, sources said.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is used to relieve scuba and deep-sea divers of a dangerous condition called decompression sickness or "the bends." While ascending from underwater, nitrogen gas bubbles may form in the lungs, tissues and bloodstream. Blood flow may be blocked, with disastrous results, and blood vessels may be damaged. Hyperbaric treatment neutralizes the effects of nitrogen

Introducing the new Wet Pleasures Dive Charter Boat, Bonehead Scuba! - (2/26/07)

Operated by Jeffrey Garten, this luxurious boat can take up to 6 divers at a time. For the utmost safety, Jeff is also a certified dive instructor!  This beautiful charter boat, is equipped with a spacious cabin with AC and Heat.  Also, this charter enables you to dive where you want to, whether it's to dive wrecks, catch lobsters, spearfish, or night dive. 

Call us or drop by the shop to book your dive!

Wet Pleasures Discussion Forum News - (10/18/06)

In an effort to help spread news about environmental concerns, charities, and the dive industry, the staff at Wet Pleasures Dive Shop will start posting select news articles from around the world into the Discussion Forum. Please continue to check back to see which news articles have been added. We are sure you will find a lot of good reading material in the Wet Pleasures Forum.

We encourage all to participate and offer your comments!

Archived News Articles

Wet Pleasures Dive Shop joins forces with UDT - (11/22/06)

Lemon Shark Research at Jupiter, Fl beginning in 2007 - (7/11/06)