M 2 The Presidents Corner

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1 FAIRFIELD COUNTY DIVING ASSOCIATION Febuary 2009 Volume 16 Issue 2 Inside this Issue M 2 The Presidents Corner Presidents Corner Events of Interest page 1 page 2 Raffle Winners page 2 Eco-Friendly Bonaire page 3 FCDA Donors I page 3 FCDA Donors II page 4 New Members page 4 Ideas For Meetings page 4 FCDA Donors III page 5 Manatee Trip page 6 Jan2009 Atlantis Dive Charters Winter Schedule page 7 Believe it or not, spring is almost here. It s time to dust off your dive gear and prepare to get wet. Prior to our January meeting, club elections were held. In a surprising twist, all of the club s current officers were re-elected to their posts despite vehement opposition from the current club officers (just kidding). Don Brown of Ski and Scuba Connection was our featured speaker. He shared photos from a recent trip to the USS Oriskany off the coast of Pensacola, Fl. If you ever wanted to dive an aircraft carrier this looks like an excellent opportunity. The meeting overall was well attended. Afterward, a strong contingent of FCDA members gathered as usual at Luigi s. FCDA member Charlie Blanchette is scheduled to present slides from a recent trip to San Salvador. At present, our remaining meetings are being scheduled and, as always, if you have footage from a recent trip and would like to share it with the club please let Matt or me know. As dive season is rapidly approaching, get your gear serviced. It s never fun to realize that your regulator needs service in 60 plus feet of water.mike Trip Report page 7 FCDA Member Ads page 9 Next FCDA Meeting page 10

2 Page 2 Events of Interest to FCDA Members Feb 28, 2009 March 6 8, 2009 Boston SCUBA Show Boston Sea Rovers March 27-29, 2009 Beneath The Sea 2009 Meadowlands Exposition Center April 26, 2009 May June 13 July 25 August 22 July :00 AM - Underwater Easter Egg Hunt/Beach Cleanup DUI Demo Day Bethlehem, PA Dutch Springs Wreck Charter with Bill Palmer Wreck Charter with Bill Palmer Wreck Charter with Bill Palmer Cape Ann weekend September Cape Ann weekend For more information on the wreck charters and/or the Cape Ann weekends please contact: Mel Rich at / divermel@optonline.net. P.O. Box 3005, Fairfield, CT Internet mail: fcda@aol.com Presidents Vice-President Secretary Treasurer 2009 Board Matt Rownin & Mike Cassetta Mark Shannon George Sharrard Paul J. Gacek Raffle Prize Winners at the January Meeting After an exciting presentation by Don Brown of Ski and Scuba on diving the wreck of the USS Oriskany we held our monthly raffle to benefit DAN. New member Elizabeth McGann cleaned up. Beginner s Luck could be. But, maybe Kevin should be planning a trip to Vagas and let Elizabeth do the betting. Elizabeth had the winning numbers for the pink regulator necklace donated by New England Dive Center; Sun glass neck ring donated by New England Dive Center; an O ring kit donated by New England Dive Center; and, finally, a tank banger/fish clip donated by New England Dive Center. Andy won the tank light donated by Rex Dive Center. Mike had the winning number for the Mares mask donated by Rex Dive Center Charlie won the mesh bag donated by New England Dive Center and Doug won the dive site map of Catalina Island donated by New England Dive Center. Vincent won the Spa dive Kit, Spring fin straps and Dive emblem; all donated by Orbit Dive. Remember, to win you have to be at the meeting.

3 Page 3 Bonaire Strives To Be First Caribbean Island Powered By 100% Sustainable Energy Author: Matt J. Weiss / February 17, 2009 DivePhotoGuide.com The island of Bonaire continues on its path toward becoming the first Caribbean island powered by 100% sustainable energy. In 2007, the island government, which takes pride in the islands beauty and nature preservation, agreed to a multi-faceted project to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel energy by developing an energy system comprised of an 11MW wind farm, 14MW biodiesel plant, and a 3MW backup battery. Ecopower Bonaire BV, a consortium consisting of Evelop, Enercon, and MAN, is spearheading this project that is expected to complete its first phase by the end of The project developers have already completed the installation of a pilot 330KW wind turbine, whose current energy production exceeds any initial expectations. Accordingly, 12 additional 990 KW wind turbines are being installed on the north coast of the island, where wind and surf conditions are most ideal. By the end of 2009, these wind turbines should produce 44% of the islands energy. The remaining 56% will be produced by the planned 14MW biodiesel generators, utilizing fuel derived from algae, which will enable the island to shift to 100% sustainable energy Continmued on page 5 New England's Tech Diving Center! New England Dive Center 476 North Colony Street Wallingford, CT The region's foremost source for scuba and technical diving gear, training and everything for the recreational or serious tech diver. FCDA Donors The business listed on this page has donated dive gear and dive services to help support the Fairfield County Diving Association Fax Dealer for OMS, UWATEC, Oceanic, Mares, Dacor, Cressi-Sub, P o s e i d o n, Scubapro, Bare, O'Neill and Henderson. Draeger Atlantis I Rebreather training, certification and rental. New England Dive Center offers complete training for all levels of diving, from Open Water through the most advanced technical courses. Our instruction provides certification through SSI, PDIC, TDI and IANTD. Visit us on the Web:

4 Page 4 New FCDA Welcome aboard to the following individuals who have recently become a new members of the Fairfield County Diving Association: Kevin & Elizabeth McGann 4 Hillside Pl Norwalk, CT H: W: kevinmcgann@gmail.com Do You Have An Idea For A Meeting Topic/ Guest Speaker? Is there something you would like to see a presentation on? Maybe you would like to do a presentation on one of your dive trips? We are always looking for ideas. We are planning at least one Members Present nights over the winter. This is an evening of short (5 10 minute) presentations put together by our members. FCDA Donors The business listed on this page has donated dive gear and dive services to help support the Fairfield County Diving Association. Orbit Marine Sports Center, Inc 3273 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT (203) 333-DIVE (800) 395-DIVE Capt. Noel s Diventures!! The Spirit of the Good Life! Dubai & Maldives..March 11-22, 2009! Bonaire.. April week or April wknd! Little Cayman..May, 2009! Info Soon! North Carolina..Aug..'09.."Graveyard of the Atlantic!" San Salvador, Bahamas!..Sept. info soon! Cairo & The Red Sea!..Oct 27-Nov 7. Wait list only! PLEASE BUY LOCAL! Mail order/internet sales hurt all local retailers. We re the ones who fill your tanks, service your gear, train you to dive, take you out diving and REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU! SUPPORT US SO WE CAN SUPPORT YOU! Orbit Marine is 36 Years Old! Orbit Scuba Courses listing Open Water Advanced Open Water Rescue Diver Underwater Photography Wreck Diver Divemaster Assistant Instructor Instructor, Nitrox Advanced Nitrox Cylinder Inspector DAN O2 Provider Deep Diver Night diver Underwater Navigation Visit Orbit Marine on the Web -

5 Page 5 Continued from page 3 supply within five years. All electricity generated will be delivered to WEB (Water and Energy Bonaire). After completion of the entire project, Ecopower Bonaire BV will remain owner of the windbiodiesel system. FCDA Donors The business listed on this page has donated dive gear and dive services to help support the Fairfield County Diving Association. Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. Bonaire was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008), and as the Favorite Dive Destination in the World by About.com (June, 2008). In 2009, the island will be Celebrating Bonaire's Commitment to Conservation, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Washington- Slagbaai National Park and the 30th Anniversary of the Bonaire National Marine Park. There will be a variety of festivities and events throughout the year, celebrating these combined years of nature protection for the island. We Have Holiday Gift Certificates for your favoriate divers Weekend Wreck Charters Rex Dive Center will be offering various Charters for the 2009 Dive Season. A NEW "Shallow to Deep Wreck Program" that will allow you to progress from the Shallower Inshore Wrecks to the Deeper and more Advanced Offshore Wrecks while maintaining the highest level of Safety and having Fun! Get your materials and get Started Today! Call for Upcoming Dates and Schedules!

6 Page 6 Manatee Trip Jan2009 By George Sharrard It s often times very easy to over look the great diving opportunities right in out own backyard. Pretty much, everyone knows about my passion for NorthEast wreck diving. But years ago, when diving was new, I read a story about the manatee that gather each winter in Crystal River, Florida. From that time to this day I ve been interested in manatees. So whenever I find myself in northern Florida I make an effort to float around in Crystal River for a day or two. There are many things you need to know about manatee if you want to have a successful encounter. Most of the information you ll come across will emphasize how shy manatee are. It s a federal crime to harass a manatee and this includes holding on to, chasing, or simply crowding these floating blimps. Every legitimate snorkel operation in the area will require you to watch a Fish and Wildlife Service video on how you are to conduct yourself. What the video fails to mention is that left to themselves manatee like snorklers -especially young manatees. Over the years, I found that almost every manatee has itchy skin. Following the rules, it s OK to use one hand to scratch a manatee that approaches you. The little guys with the bumpy skin will approach you and allow you to rub their back. They respond to your touch by stopping and floating next to you. You scratch, they roll over. Many of the larger manatee (and they are LARGE!) will make circle patterns. They swim next to you and let you scratch them but instead of stopping they swim by only to return a moment later for another scratch. Photographers will find that a friendly manatee is often too close to get a good picture. You back up they follow. I had one little fellow who kept giving my camera a nose bump. This is a trip for the whole family.

7 Atlantis Dive Charters announces a winter dive schedule I received the following from Capt. Gary Chellis Greetings divers, Atlantis Dive Charters now has the use of a very nice boat for this winter season. It is a heated 38 ft custom lobster hull boat set up for diving. The boat is located in Mystic,CT. Charters will run on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Because of the unpredictable weather in this area in the winter. The charters will be kept to the Fishers Island area.the boat will either go to the Volund,Onondaga or Valve Wreck. If the weather is real nice we can run to the Snug Harbor or Grecian. These will be one tank dives and the depths are kept to 100 ft. max. The charter fees are $80 for the Volund,Onondaga and Valve Wreck. $120 for the Grecian and Snug Harbor. Most departure will be late morning to let things warm up a bit. Feb 2, 2009 Atlantis Dive Trip report by FCDA member Robert Witter Got out yesterday. Nice weather although the wind had a bite. Nice viz feet. Chilly on the bottom (37 degrees) although I only felt it in my hands. I layered the lighter undergarments under the heavier ones (both Fourth Element) per their website instructions and I was completely fine. I had a chance to try out my new xmas/birthday present a Greenforce umbilical LED which I liked a lot. The boat is comfortable for 6 (and heated) although it is not really set up as a dive boat. Page 7 It has a heavy duty plastic table in the back to set up on. The table handles two divers at a time. The key to happiness is to stay in the cabin where it s warm and move to the table when there is an opening. There is plenty of time to get things organized while the crew gets the boat tied in. There were five divers yesterday a group of four that dive with each other a lot and me. I was the last one in the water and made a 30 minute dive. I shadowed the reel line of the other group (although I laid my own for practice and for safety). The reel was handy in that as I was taking my line in, the current pushed me out of visible range of the wreck (even though I tried to stay low and sheltered on the lee side) and so the line was my guide back. Love my reel! FCDA Member Ads Hey - have you got a non retail-diving business that you d like to share with fellow members of FCDA? Get your business card size ad in the FCDA monthly newsletter Surface Interval for only $50.00 for one year. Give your business a boost and help support the production of our monthly newsletters. For more information, write to FCDA, P.O. Box 3005, Fairfield, CT or to fcda@aol.com.

8 Page 8 Next FCDA Meeting Friday - Febuary 27, :00 PM Coast Guard Cottage - South Benson Marina - Fairfield, CT "Diving San Salvador" The island above and below; from sharks to lionfish and everything in between. a slide presentation by Charlie Blanchette Fairfield County Diving Association P.O. Box 3005 Fairfield, CT Address Service Requested Don't Forget To Pay Your Dues 2009