Welcome to the November 2023 edition of TheScubaDirectory newsletter, where we explore the incredible world beneath the surface of the ocean.
In this month's edition:
Dive sites added for Aruba
Circle H Scuba YouTube channel
Spotlight on smartphone camera housings
Coral farming robots
DIVER magazine hangs up its fins
New on TheScubaDirectory
Dive Sites added for Aruba
🌴 Aruba is a beautiful Caribbean Island located just off the coast of Venezuela. Scuba diving in Aruba offers a diverse underwater ecosystem with rich marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and fascinating shipwrecks. Aruba boasts a variety of dive sites suitable for divers of all levels, some of the notable dive sites include:
🚢 Antilla: This is one of the Caribbean's largest shipwrecks, a German freighter scuttled during World War II. The Antilla rests in relatively shallow waters making it accessible to both novice and advanced divers.
🚢 Pedernales: Another World War II wreck that sits in just 20 to 33 feet (6 to 10m) of water offering excellent bottom time. This site is ideal for snorkelers and divers of all levels.
✈ Renaissance Airplane Wreck: Two sunken airplanes that can be reached by either shore or boat. The planes were purpose sunk for recreational diving near Renaissance Island.
Circle H Scuba aims to inspire and educate a wider audience about the joys and benefits of scuba diving, and to encourage more people to take the plunge and explore the underwater world!
On their YouTube channel you’ll find videos for both new and experienced divers, whether it’s tips and tricks for divers, gear reviews, travel experiences, or information on dive sites, Circle H will have the topic covered.
Be sure to check out their channel and subscribe so you never miss an update.
Over the past year many new smartphone housings have hit the market and with advanced cameras already in our pockets, it's easy to consider the benefits of using your smartphone as a dive camera. Just think of it, no need to lug bulky camera gear on your next dive trip, photos and videos can be instantly shared from your smartphone, and no need to buy an expensive dive camera. Sign me up, right?
Hold on – in my 18+ years of diving I’ve had multiple camera housings flood. Evan after carefully examining and cleaning O-rings, mistakes and the unthinkable can still happen. Is it worth the risk of losing your connection to the outside world while abroad?
In a poll of 448 divers, 71% voted they would not risk it.
I look forward to seeing how this technology progresses as well as the mobile software component that can be paired with it. Perhaps the best idea would be to use your old smartphone and not risk losing your primary.
Industry News
Coral farming robots
CHARM (Coral Husbandry Automated Raceway Machine) aims to automate repetitive tasks when growing and caring for corals in a coral nursery or lab. CHARM’s creator and president of the Beyond Coral Foundation, Stephen Rodan, is passionate about the protection, conservation and restoration of coral reefs.
In land-based coral restoration facilities, tanks are often filled with many identical coral frags. These frags require repetitive tasks involving cleaning, removing algae and visual inspections. With CHARM, users are able to select a function based on coral species, the robot then gets to work cleaning corals within its raceway. The software also has the ability to identify and track color changes, signs of disease, or harmful pests.
CHARM is still a prototype but holds the potential to scale up the production of nursery-grown coral fragments for restoration.
The longest established scuba diving magazine in North America will stop publication after 48 years. DIVER also indicated the closing of their website and digital edition in the coming months.
Understandingly not an easy decision, DIVER mentioned the passing of Phil Nuytten, the publisher and owner in its decisions around the publication’s future.
👏 Thank you to the DIVER team for putting out informative and entertaining content for nearly 5 decades. Truly an an amazing run!
