Win
a USN Mark V Helmet
The Historical Diving Society USA (HDSUSA) is holding an end-of-the- century fund raiser for the last Mark V Helmet of the millennium. The helmet is a fully functional Desco USN Mark V numbered 1 of 1 and comes with a custom commemorative plaque dated 12-31-99.
Other prizes include an HDSUSA Limited Edition Desco Abalone Helmet #1 of 20; a Limited Edition Morse USN Mark V Divers Knife #1 of 250; and an antique US Divers Royal Aqua Master double-hose regulator.
The winning ticket will be drawn on January 21, 2000, at the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) convention. Winners need not be present to win. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Please send a check or money order payable to: HDS Mark V Fund-raiser, PMB 405, 2022 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109; E-mail: HDSUSA@aol.com. All proceeds benefit the HDSUSA and other diving-related nonprofit organizations.
Changes
at Casino Point Make Diving Park Easier
Concrete steps now lead directly into the water across the rocks at the Avalon Underwater Park at Casino Point. A popular shore dive site on Catalina Island, divers have for a long time scurried over the rocks to reach the water. Built during an extreme low tide, the steps not only lead to the water, but under the water as well with platform areas in shallow water. The steps can easily accommodate up to six divers across although some "traffic jams" have been reported during busy weekends. Handrails will be added in the near future.
At the top of the stairs, a large passageway has been cut into the seawall so that divers no longer need climb over the wall for access to the water.
Another improvement is the new air fill and gear rental van operated by Catalina Divers Supply. The van has a new large output compressor with a bank of storage bottles for quick fills. A full repair facility can help divers on site with any immediately needed scuba gear repairs. The van also offers full gear rentals. Although in operation for several months now, the van was recently moved to its new permanent location up against the Casino building itself. This provided more room, a more aesthetically pleasing view of the Casino Point, and full phone access for the van so that credit cards can now be taken for rentals, repairs and air fills.
Diving Concepts Begins Local Dry Suit Production
Diving Concepts announces that they have started production of dry suits at their Santa Barbara, CA location. Offered will be 2mm and 4mm compressed neoprene dry suits, polyester/nylon stretch trilaminate dry suits, and 6.5 mm neoprene dry suits. They will specialize in custom-cut dry suits utilizing state-of-the-art CAD/CAM system and cutting table. Eleven stock sizes are available (many of these are available on a quick ship basis). The Diving Concepts production staff includes master pattern makers, CAD/CAM specialists, grading specialists and a production manager, all with at least 12 years of experience in their respective fields.
President and CEO Jim Roberts states that, "In order to improve product quality and delivery times, it was necessary for Diving Concepts to start production in Santa Barbara to serve our customers better. Local production of our dry suits allows us full control over the entire production process. Meeting our customers' needs is our top priority."
Any questions or inquiries can be sent addressed to Diving Concepts Inc., 6326 Lindmar Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, Telephone (805) 692-2001, Fax (805) 692-1651.
The scheduled Nov. 13 sinking of a Canadian Naval destroyer Yukon, off the coast of San Diego, has been postponed until spring. The announcement was made today by Richard Long, chairman of Project Yukon.
"We have decided that this postponement must be made because of scheduling conflicts in the approval process," said Long. "I want to emphasize that this is a temporary delay in our plans, not a cancellation." A sink date will be determined by the San Diego Oceans Foundation/Project Yukon, which is coordinating the project. The location of the ship's sinking - 1.8 miles off Mission Beach in an area designated by divers as "Wreck Alley" - will remain the same.
Due to weather considerations, the sink date must be postponed for up to six months, most probably until May 2000, said Long, a life-long undersea diver and owner of Diving Unlimited International, a San Diego-based diving supply firm specializing in dry suit manufacturing.
The Yukon, a 366-foot decommissioned Canadian Naval warship, was purchased earlier this year by the San Diego Oceans Foundation/Project Yukon. The nonprofit organization arranged for the Yukon to be brought to San Diego from its former home port of Vancouver, for the purpose of forming a City of San Diego underwater recreation area off San Diego's coast for undersea diving and fishing. The ship arrived in San Diego amid much media fanfare in May. Long praised the environmental consulting firm of URS Greiner Woodward Clyde for its technical assistance in preparing the ship to meet all local, state and federal environmental regulations.
"Our schedule turned out to be overly optimistic for a November sinking," said Long. "However, looking ahead, we are even more determined to make this dive site a reality for the thousands of ocean explorers who were eagerly looking forward to this event." Added Long: "I realize that our many volunteers and supporters are disappointed. But given the time constraints we faced and perhaps could not have overcome, this is the best decision for the project." According to Long, current plans call for the Yukon to be berthed along the Embarcadero starting in mid-September in cooperation with the San Diego Maritime Museum. Until that time, the ship will be located at the 24th Street Marine Terminal in National City.
The popular Ventura based dive charter boat Peace now offers Nitrox fills on board. An Underwater Breathing Systems membrane Nitrox air fill system, the same system proven aboard the San Diego based charter boat Lois Ann, Aggressor Fleet and other boats, is now providing Nitrox fills of up to 3500 p.s.i. and in ranges of 32 to 40 percent oxygen. According to Peace Captain Eric Bowman, dive equipment used need not be oxygen clean before use. Nitrox fills are available on all trips including open boats. Custom charters are, however, available for Nitrox divers exclusively. There is an additional charge for the Nitrox fills but a package can be purchased for multiday trips. Nitrox divers are welcome to bring their own tanks or Nitrox tanks are available for rent from an independent dive store dockside from the Peace.
The Peace serves all the Channel Islands with single and multiday charters, including many open boat trips. The boat is 65 feet long and 22 feet wide and can accommodate up to 32 divers with amenities such as two compressors, full galley, hot showers, full bunk room, inflatable chase boat, color TV/VCR, and a hot tub. To contact the Peace, call (805) 984-2025, or visit their website at www.peaceboat.com.
