I was put here to save Sharks…
I was born on October 22, 1996 in White Plains NY. I currently reside in Westchester County.
My interest in diving started at the age of 4. At the age of 5, I participated in the PADI Bubble Makers Program. At the age of 8, I participated in the PADI Seal Program and then advanced to the PADI Seals Master Certification. At the age of 10, I received my PADI Junior Open Water Certification in Marathon Key, Florida. At the age of 12, I received my Junior Advanced Open Water Certification. That same year, I also received my Jr. Nightdiver Certification, Jr. Digital UW Photographer, and Jr. Diver Propulsion Vehicle and I also received my Emergency First Response Certification. At the age of 13, I became a Jr. Rescue Diver, and my biggest achievement yet, I achieved my Jr. Master Scuba Diver rating. I also just achieved my Dry Suit Certification.
I am an associate member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and also the recipient of the 2011 Women Divers Hall of Fame/ Ocean Pals Scholarship.
I love to teach my friends about shark conservation and about saving the sharks. I also love underwater photography, I hope with my photos, I can show the world how precious the worlds oceans are.
The afternoon workshop will consist of four lecture modules, each about 30-45 minutes, self-evaluation and discussion will be included with each module. The modules will address topics such as:
· Medications and diving; Viagra, Sudafed
· Pulmonary oxygen toxicity
· Convulsing underwater
· Discussion of the new guidelines for rescue of underwater seizure
Both DAN workshops are open door, no registration required. Come for one topic or for the entire workshop.
The morning workshop will consist of four lecture modules, each about 30-45 minutes, self-evaluation and discussion will be included with each module. The modules will address topics such as:
· What does conservative diving mean?
· Nitrox versus Aid
· Official UHMS Guidelines
· Deep stops and safety stops
· Dive profiles
Both DAN workshops are open door, no registration required. Come for one topic or for the entire workshop.
Shark diving is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of diving around. More people are booking trips to locations around the world to experience a shark encounter. We will be discussing some of the best places to visit and how to capture great images. We will look at types of cameras available and various angles to get the most out of your next shark encounter.
Do you want to shoot better video with your system? Are you interested in learning secret shooting techniques to get the best out of your system? Do you want to be entertained and laugh while you learn? Then sign up now for this workshop with Annie Crawley! Whether you are shooting GoPro, SeaLife, DSLR Cameras or a have a dedicated video system, this workshop is for you! In three hours, producer and inspirational speaker, Annie Crawley, will walk you through the ten shots you need for every story, video lighting techniques, five things everyone needs to avoid doing when in the field, plus give you editing techniques that you can use with any editing software. With the proliferation of video, she will help you shoot the best video for what ever system you choose. By the end of the workshop, Annie guarantees the class will shoot and create a video that will be posted to YouTube.
Class will be limited to 24 people
Please preregister.
Are you planning a dive vacation? The United States has some of the most diverse dive locations in the world. Come with us as we travel the country exploring both coast lines from cold water shipwrecks to tropical reefs and so much more, Underwater USA will take you across the country and show you some of the best diving in the world.
Peter Venoutsos has been a certified diver since 1976 and a commercial diver since 1983. His experience includes working with private underwater engineering firms, the Federal Government and the US Navy. He is an active member of the Connecticut Underwater Archeology Committee and his interests include underwater photography, shipwrecks & cave diving. He is the founder of American Scuba Adventures a underwater video company with the goal of promoting diving in the United States and around the world.
FROGMEN author, Richard Hyman was a Cousteau diver who worked on multiple films, including beavers, coral reefs, grouper, manatee, spiny lobsters, stone crabs, and shipwrecks including the USS Monitor.
FROGMEN is an inspiring adventure of a young man who pays homage to Jacques-Yves Cousteau, one of the greatest explorers and visionaries of all time, and the co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung.
First time author of FROGMEN, Richard Hyman worked for Jacques Cousteau from 1973 to 1979. Raised in Weston, Connecticut, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Furman University of South Carolina, where he wrote a weekly environmental column for the school newspaper. During summer jobs, including an internship at NASA, he also attended Yale, Georgetown, and Fairfield Universities, where he studied environmental engineering, non-fiction writing, and business. His career has been in business, primarily in the telecommunications, technology, and software industries.
Sgt. Blake Gilmore will review some of the lessons learned during 2012 operations of the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team’s missions.
Jeff Rotman (world reknowned UW photographer, winner of the BBC underwater photographer of the year and two time winner of the best science photograph of the year in the National Press Photographers competition will share the stage with his long time dive/photography partner Sal Tecci. Both Photographers have been diving NE waters for 40 years and both are from Boston. They will present their best work from the cold temperate waters of the North Atlantic. Gorilla diving at its best. You will be blown away by what is possible to capture in the chilly waters of New England.
Every picture tells a story — but maybe not be the story you expected. Join Jerry Shine for the stories behind the pictures. From fish in unexpected places, to mass nudibranch gatherings, to overly curious snapping turtles — you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wish you’d been there with a 50mm lens.
There is a hidden world of intense color lurking beneath the sea of ambient sunlight. We can visit and document this world of fluorescence by diving at night with special lights and filters. This talk will describe advances in the science and technology of underwater fluorescence, illustrated with images made by divers from around the world.
Experience the Revillagigedos Archipelago a series of 4 islands 300 miles south of the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Here you encounter large creatures on a daily basis. Several species of whales and large sharks, including hammerheads, silvertips, and Galapagos sharks, gather around these islands. A highlight of many dives are the huge mantas that seek out divers’ bubbles to play in. Close encounters with these gentle giants is an experience you will never forget.
Peter Hunt, author of Setting the Hook, offers a personal perspective of a unique period in the amazing evolution of wreck diving. Travel back to a tipping point in the popularization of deep diving as the Andrea Doria is explored in a time before mixed gas or formal technical training
Peter Hunt crewed on five Andrea Doria expeditions in the early 1980s before hanging up his deep sea fins to become a Navy pilot. A critically acclaimed writer (Angles of Attack, Ballantine 2002), and former airline pilot, Hunt holds a history degree from Brown and a University of Washington Masters.
The Indo Pacific is often referred to as the “Ring of Fire” and Indonesia is right in the middle of that ring. Learn all there is to know about the different diving regions in Indonesia and what makes each one special and a little different.
Jenny has worked in the travel industry for 26 years. She received a degree in travel and tourism in 1986. Her interest in diving began in the frigid Canadian waters. Jenny is President and owner of Reef & Rainforest and was elected to the DEMA Board of Directors in 2012
Swim through massive schools of tropical fish and dolphin pods while eagle rays hover by. Turtles and seals play amongst divers surrounded by thousands of Galapagos, Silky, and Scallop Hammerhead sharks. And occasionally mammoth whale sharks swim by, just taking your breath away. All featured in our underwater video by Deb Greenhalgh, www.ScubaMadeEasy.org .
Since their introduction into the commercial world in 1970’s, unmanned vehicles have become essential not only in the exploitation and development of deepwater oil and gas reserves – far beyond the reach of divers -but also in many other areas. Robotics technology developed primarily for the ROV industry has also been adapted for a wide range of other applications, including research, homeland security, search and rescue missions and commercial inspections.
Become a 21st century explorer, going where no person has ever dived before. Deep in the heart of the Coral Triangle, reefs are still undiscovered…until now!
Imagine a land lost in time, forgotten by Westerners for hundreds of years. A land inaccessible eleven months of the year and so remote a passing ship is both a strange and celebrated sight. With only charts and ideas of prevailing winds and currents, Nancy explores this unique and never before dived area of southeastern Indonesia.
St. Vincent, a naturalist’s and photographer’s paradise, is located in the southeastern Caribbean. Last summer Andrew Martinez brought a small group of underwater photographers to enjoy the beautiful and fascinating marine life. From batfish, and electric rays, to unusual nudibranchs see why St. Vincent is known as the Critter capital of the Caribbean.
Polar diving is a unique adventure. And the Arctic and Antarctic are surprisingly different. Faith Ortins has led expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctica and will share her experiences with you. If you ever want to do polar diving, this is a must see! If you just want to share in the wonder of the Polar Circles, well, this is also a must-see!
Discover an incredible destination in the Caribbean. Visit six islands, learn about the musts that nobody talks about and experience diving on fabulous reefs with a few surprises: want to pet a shark, a grouper, a turtle or an angelfish in the same week… or dive amongst Caribbean reef sharks that are not brought there through feeding… come and dive with us as we explore the Turks and Caicos you have not seen.
In 1975, an international team deployed the Helgoland saturation habitat on Jeffreys Ledge off Massachusetts to study herring. This pioneering mission overcame numerous obstacles and revealed many challenges of working in the ocean. Recent dives located remains of the project and provide valuable insights into the health of this area.
Rebreathers have become flavor of the month and there seem to be more units available every week. One side-effect has been radical changes to design features; however, what are the real-world implications and how might these “innovations” play a role in keeping you safe?
Steve Lewis has been an active technical diver, instructor and expedition leader since the early 1990s when diving was an antidote to a career in marketing and brand management. In 2002 he retired from the corporate world and became a dive bum full-time, and is currently a training, and product consultant for a major rebreather manufacturer and design consultant for a leading open-circuit dive equipment company. As a speaker, educator, and blogger, he is best known for promoting safe diving practices to technical divers using both open and closed-circuit kit, in caves, on wrecks and in open water environments.
Throughout 2012, the Sharks Count Program has reached out to recreational divers in the Pacific and along the U.S. Atlantic coast to initiate the collection of ‘citizen science’ sightings of sharks to begin to understand where sharks are regularly seen. Initial information suggests that areas that have been fully protected such as Palmyra Atoll, maintain healthy populations of sharks while areas once known for more common shark sightings, without protected areas, such as popular dive sites in Florida provide less opportunities for divers to see the variety of sharks once common in those areas. In partnership with Scuba Diver Girls, OTS Guardian Full Face Mask, and Shark Reef Marine Reserve, month-long ‘survey’ counts were conducted in Fiji to collect important shark sighting data and to help promote both the conservation value and adventure of loggin g shark sightings. In combination with conservation outreach initiatives in Massachusetts, via JawsFest- 2012 and Sea Rovers 2013 Clinic, the Program is reaching out to Massachusetts’ divers to join the Sharks Count team of divers and log their dives for shark conservation.
This presentation will include exclusive photos from Palmyra, two conservation/field videos, and Sharks Count Program information for divers.
The presentation that Nick will be offering will be an insight into the world of freediving and all of the different activities that people partake in whilst holding their breath. With a range of videos and photos you will experience everything from Scooter racing, freefalling into blue holes and a first hand commentary on what it’s like to compete in a freediving competition.
North Pacific albatross are the focus of recent studies examining marine pollution impacts on wildlife populations. Albatross, top marine predators, whose exposures to plastic pollution and toxins indicate how man-made pollutants infiltrate the marine food web. Here we examine current understanding of marine pollution levels learned from using albatross as a model.
Travel from Raja Ampat to Lembeh Strait on a video and imaging expedition with Annie Crawley. You will virtually dive with hairy octopus, walking sharks, and dancing with manta rays. Annie spent three years living and working throughout these 17,000 islands and spent January of 2013 enjoying island life on the best reefs in the world. You will see the most up to date images and video from one of the top dive destinations in the world!
Malta’s maritime history stretches from the time of the Phoenician’s to present day. In particular, Malta had significant strategic importance during the first and second world wars as a central island located in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1942, during the Second World War, Malta became center stage in a show-down between Britain and Germany. As a key location for the Allies, Germany sought to overtake Malta. Malta was relentlessly bombed and war ships and convoys were attacked in an attempt to break the resupply lines. Malta and the Allies prevailed, and today Malta is a time capsule of war history. Join us as we explore Malta and some of its most notable shipwrecks.
On board of the nautilus explorer started an incredible adventure of ecotourism in the remote island of Isla Natividad. This became the beginning of a film about a community of diver-fishermen who decided to save the sea working in close collaboration with marine biologist and ecotourism.
An inspiring human adventure.
Join photographer Amanda Cotton as she shares her experiences of documenting several species of whales including humpback, fin and blue along the Baja coast of Mexico. Learn how her team of divers overcame the challenges associated with shooting these gentle fast moving giants, as she takes the audience on a visual buffet of stills and video collected during their most recent expedition.
This presentation will describe the historical background research and field search operations, which led to the discovery and subsequent exploration in the Atlantic Ocean of the wreck of the transitional steamship S.S. Newcastle City. The wreck was positively identified on the second expedition to the site. Methodology used in the exploration and documentation of the site will be discussed as well as methods used in the identification process.
The SS Newcastle City was lost on a voyage from England to New York in 1887. Built at a time when steam was replacing sail as a means of propulsion, and iron and steel was replacing wood for hull construction the Newcastle City represented a narrow period of time in the history of oceangoing cargo ship development. The Newcastle City was one of the first five ships built for the Furness Withy Steamship Company. Furness Withy later became one of the largest shipping companies in the world and is still in existence today.
The wrecks discovery in 2008 opened a complete and extraordinary window into a very narrow period of maritime history. This is the story of that discovery and subsequent exploration.
Captain Eric Takakjian a professional mariner has been sailing ships and oceangoing tugboats to various corners of the world since 1978. Presently Captain Takakjian is employed aboard an ocean going tugboat based in New York Harbor. He and his wife Lori also own and operate the research vessel QUEST conducting oceanographic and shipwreck research in the North East United States and outer continental shelf waters.
Captain Eric has conducted extensive historical research on New England shipwrecks. Since 1985 captain Eric and his team have conducted expeditions resulting in the location and exploration over 70 previously undiscovered shipwrecks in the waters around New England and outer continental shelf waters. A diver since 1972 and an avid shipwreck diver since 1975. Captain Eric has been a fellow of the Explorers Club since 1997, a member of the Steamship Historical Society , and is an associate member of the Boston Sea Rovers.
A discussion of what Global Climate Change is and how it affects the world’s oceans.
The warming and acidification of ocean waters is of major concern for the biodiversity, habitats and sustainability of the world’s oceans. The presentation will focus upon three case studies and the impacts of Global Climate Change on coral reefs, snails and shipworms. with a discusssion of what we can do to lessen these impacts.
For some divers, travelling half-way around the world is only worth it if there are big animals, fabulous coral reefs or spectacular shipwrecks to explore. But Indonesia’s Lembeh straight, between Lembeh Island and the mainland of North Sulawesi, is a world away from home and presents a completely different type of experience. Here, divers explore a sandy, silty, muck bottom to search for the tiniest of creatures. Garishly colored Nudibranchs, myriad species of shrimp, and other invertebrates unique to these waters beckon divers from all around the world to come and find what lies lurking in the muck! Join Eco-Photo Explorers as they search for Pygmy Sea Horses, Dwarf Frogfish, tiny Cuttlefish and numerous other surprises in these fascinating waters. Along the way, experience the mating of the gaudy but shy Mandarinfish and uncover the secrets of Lembeh at ni ght. And just when you thought Lembeh was only about muck, Eco-Photo Explorers will describe coral reef and shipwreck opportunities as well. This program will also detail the travel logistics necessary to maximize your experience in Indonesia.
For many years, team members feverishly researched and dreamed of exploring the elusive U-550, culminating in two offshore survey trips over the past two years. On July 23, 2012, near the end of a grueling round the clock side scan survey, the final resting place of the grey wolf was located. Join us for a presentation on searching and exploring U-550.
This seminar presents a review of the causes and contributing factors in dive accidents from DAN accident data with recommendations on how to reduce risk and improve diver safety.
This presentation is a compendium of travel tips and advice for your next trip – no matter how big or how small. Thoughts on how to prepare for all of those travel triumphs and travails!
Filming an epic natural history even or a once in a lifetime location requires a professional cameramen to have an “image survival checklist” looping over and over in their mind. Similar to a aircraft pilot, it’s the mental checklist that kicks in when an underwater event goes from normal to unexpected to unbelievable. Professional image maker Berkley White will share his top five mental checklist items as well as recent footage of sharks, stunning caves, and giant mantas. Berkley’s techniques will focus on the unique advantages and limitations of DSLR video, however all divers will find that his mental checklist is relevant to cameras from point & shoot to professional. Learn how to get the best video footage out of your next lucky dive.
“Underwater Cinematography Techniques” with Joe Romeiro
Joe will discuss what it takes to film sharks and other pelagic species underwater. He’ll cover the necessary planning, equipment, dive skills, and logistics, and also be screening some of his latest underwater footage.
Technical Divers venture into environments that require techniques and equipment beyond the needs of a sport diver. Venturing into overhead environments or diving at depths beyond sport limits requires management and planning. Adding a camera into the mix can greatly change the thought process of the entire team. Pete will discuss the process and techniques used when diving in these situations and how the average diver can use these techniques to enhance their own images.
The shear profusion of sharks at Cocos Island has always made it a World Class dive site. Stan has visited Cocos Island every year for so many years that he has lost count. This last time, fall of year ’12, a whale shark took up residence and proved very friendly to photographers. At dusk, a feeding frenzy of white tip reef sharks were in hair-raising proximity to the camera positioned in the very middle of the madness. In addition, large schools of jacks and curious hammerheads, also hallmarks of the Cocos scene, were present.
Paul Cater Deaton joins an expedition with old friend and mentor, Stan Waterman, to celebrate Stan’s 90th birthday by filming the Great White Sharks of Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Heart-stopping footage includes the world’s only known underwater shot of a Great White breaching. Special appearances by Howard & Michele Hall, Ernie Brooks, Dan Orr, Leslie Leaney, Valerie Taylor and more.
In 2012, Massachusetts Marine Fisheries scientists teamed up with engineers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and The Discovery Channel to track white sharks using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) off the coast of Cape Cod. This multimedia presentation reveals the groundbreaking results of this innovative research.