ATSA has Guidelines for Air Travel with Scuba Gear but Some Carriers are More Strict
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has clear guidelines for air travel with scuba gear. Regulators, Buoyancy Compensators and mask, snorkel and fins are all acceptable as checked or carry-on baggage. Knives and tools are prohibited from carry-on luggage. Spear guns are also prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage.

Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in carry-on or checked baggage ONLY if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e., the cylinder has an open end). The cylinder must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection inside. TSA Security Screeners will NOT remove the seal/regulator valve from the cylinder at the checkpoint. If the cylinder is sealed (i.e., the regulator valve is still attached), the cylinder is prohibited and not permitted through the security checkpoint, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator.

Jet Blue, however, is not allowing compressed gas cylinders onboard even as specified in TSA guidelines either in checked bags or carry-on.

Conditions Excellent
The summer of red tide is finally over. Excellent visibility has returned to local island waters and showing signs of spilling over to the coast.

Manny Koch, skipper of the dive charter boat Aquatica, reports visibility at Catalina Island upwards of 80 feet and 70 degrees F surface water temperatures.

Giant black sea bass sightings are abundant and barracuda, yellowtail and bonita are schooling the islands as well.

Large Number of Angel Sharks Reported; Your Reports Needed
Ron Clough of www.SharkAndRayCount.com out of Ventura College has reported an unusual number of angel shark sightings and wanted confirmation from any other California divers observing the same. Please e-mail biolab@earthlink.net with your report.

Angel sharks are flat bottom-dwelling and feeding animals that look more like a long ray than a shark. They can reach up to six feet in length and, while considered harmless, will bite if provoked or threatened. While not rare, they are only occasionally seen by divers