Dec 21, 2004

Dear Friends,

Someone just reminded me winter only starts Dec. 20th. Please tell that to the guy who already dumped a foot of snow on us and took the temp way down. Last night I had a dream. I was back in Turks and Caicos, it was warm, the diving was great, the scenery hot and the party was definitely on. Oh, well it is only a dream from the twisted mind of a northeast wreck diver.
Although it is winter diving is on the agenda here every day with projects/planning happening.

VULCANO EXPEDITION: A few months ago we told you of the locating of the vessel Vulcano. Here is the story to date. She was registered in Genoa, Italy. 3450 net tones. On Oct. 8, 1927 she was rammed by the S.S. Union and sank off of Rimouski. No loss of life. Cargo was wheat. Lies at 115 meters (380 feet) to the sand (more likely mud). Appears upright. We have good numbers from sonar.
We are conducting research to mount an expedition. We have been in touch with the governments of Canada and Italy as well as the shipyard that built her and the owners of record.
Getting all the info in Italy has been a bear of a job. It appears a small event called WW II sort of hurt the archives.
The depth alone is not so much of an issue as is the location and water temp. For those who have done this before, putting a good hook in, even with good numbers at this depth and in these seas can take a day, a week or a month.
Time at depth, especially when one does not know where the hook has taken, is short.
Deco will be very long in zero degree water. Any issue can become very serious when faced with a choice of the bends or freezing.
To do this with any chance of success will take very careful planning, risk management and some balls. Rewards are not all that clear.
If we decide to do it we will need guys who have proven they can do the depth and the cold. Divers that are ready to work real hard on a TEAM PROJECT, as in the true meaning of Gung Ho, Work Together. This means not everyone gets to the wreck i.e. safety divers ect. Finally, everyone pays their way, no freebies. I will keep people advised by Newsletter.

NEW FACES AT PROFESSIONAL SCUBA ASSOCIATION: Hal Watts, PSA International founder and CEO, is pleased to announce Joe Odom as President of PSA International. Joe was formerly the International Training Director for Technical Diving International (TDI), Scuba Diving International (SDI) and Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI). Joe has been diving since the mid 1960’s and teaching since the late 1970’s. He came to the forefront of the industry due to his contributions in cave and mixed gas diving. He is internationally recognized for his numerous understandable textbooks in the various areas of technical diving. Joe has served two terms as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society. He remains an active instructor for the cave community through NSS and NACD. Joe is highly regarded for first developing widely accepted and understandable recreational rebreather training. Joe is probably best known for his unmistakable voice and unique teaching style.
Hal Watts says, “I am so thrilled to have Joe leading PSA International. I have been a friend, dive buddy, panelist and an educator, side by side with Joe for many years. For just as many years, I had secretly hoped for this day. I have the utmost respect for Joe and his abilities. I have no doubts that with Joe in this leadership role PSA will be innovative and progressive with exciting programs for all divers.”
Joe simply said “How could I turn down such an honor from one of technical diving’s founders? It will certainly be a pleasure to be a part of developing the enhanced PSA offerings.

TECHNICAL SCUBA TRAINING IN BAHAMAS FEBRUARY 12th-26th: Due to the overwhelming demand for technical diving courses over the winter, we have decided to organize an expedition to San Salvador Island Bahamas. The expedition’s mission is to provide upper end training in the off-season. Many divers are just too busy diving to take further courses in the summer; hence, this is an ideal situation. You will learn new skills and experience true adventure in the best warm water diving in the world.
As a NAUI TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER we can offer a full range of advanced courses: Intro to Technical Diving, Technical Nitrox, Staged Decompression Techniques, Helitrox, Heliair, Tri-mix I & II, Gas Blender and Tech. Support Leader. Recognition programs will be available for NTEC (NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration). All courses will be offered at both the diver and instructor level. NAUI Instructor Training Course and Instructor Crossover Course are also offered. GAP (Gas Absorption Program) software employing R.G.B.M. (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model) workshop will be featured and used for all dive planning.
San Salvador Island, in the southern most Bahamas, is one of the last real diving frontiers of the world
For more info please go to www.technicaldivingops.com, clique on Bulliten Board, clique on Newsletter Archives clique on 2004-12-09 Baha.

NONHUMAN BONES: A while back I wrote about Capt. Heinz Wahl’s dive with John “Doc” Krake. At first it was nothing but the Wonderful World of Zebra Mussels. Then they stumble on the super weird. Large bones chained to cement blocks!! Now the bones have been there a good while and are sort of messed up. It is not clear exactly what or whom they belong to. These they recovered and turned them over to the U.S.C.G.
Well, we just heard back. NONHUMAN, what a bummer I thought the boys had found Hoffa.
Oh, well that will definitely not be the last discovery. Now is the time to start planning your expeditions to the Thousand Islands and Lake Ontario for next summer. We have chosen to offer trips and training here because of the truly unbelievable diving. I do not exaggerate when I say that it is the best north of Dixie. In summer we have surface temperatures of 76 to 80 and 68 to 70 even at 100 feet. From a depth of 100 feet you can count the prop blades on the boat so great is the visibility. History has added thousands of wrecks, great artifacts and nature has offered superb natural aspects hence we have an ideal location be it for training or excursions. We use countless sites that can give us any depth that we may need and all of these in a small geographical area. We operate both liveaboard and day charters and in either case can arrange 100% all-inclusive trips with or without training.
You will not regret booking your dive needs with us today.

HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL: It sure will tell your age if you remember this TV show. It comes from the time of black and whites (yes there was a time TV had no color) and you only had two or three channels. Believe me you do not know what you missed. I still remember the show and I sort of think of one part of Alp’s business as HAVE TRAINING MATERIALS WILL TRAVEL.
This old western had Richard Boone cast as a “traveling hired gun”. Well, the reality is that a lot of you folks have need of courses. All too often the impediment is the time/cost needed to just get to where we are. We have often solved this obstacle by doing the traveling and going to where the courses are needed. Especially, at this time of year we have the time to go to where you are and deliver such courses (or parts of courses) right in your hometown. We have gone all over the world as needed so virtually anywhere is possible. We can work around your daily schedule and get you the training with the minimum of disruption to your daily lives.
Ideally, you get together 3 or 4 buds and decide what you all want. Give me a shout and we’ll work out a mutually agreeable scenario. Remember we do only custom work and so your needs are our guidelines.

LEWIS AND HUMBLE NAMED TO T.D.I. TRAINING ADVISORY PANEL: I love it when great divers, good ole boys and friends of mine get recognized. I am thrilled to see Steve Lewis and Dan Humble as members of our Training Advisory Panel at TDI.
Steve Lewis brings with him an expertise in cold-water Trimix and wreck diving and has been with TDI since its formation. As well as a strong background in education, Steve is a talented writer with many publications to his credit. So many long years ago I met Steve at one of the first TDI “get-togethers” ever since he has always impressed me with his professionalism and integrality. It does us all a great deal of good to see the right guys helping steer the training agencies.
Dan Humble brings a very well respected background as a successful scuba retailer and a highly sought after instructor-trainer. Dan’s addition will solidify the company’s interest in recreational diving because of his years of experience in this particular area of the diving industry. How best to describe Dan? First thing comes to mind is that NO ONE KNOWS DIVE GEAR BETTER THAN HUMBLE. Still to me Dan is first and foremost a great guy who always smiles and always does what is best for his clients.
CONGRATS GUYS!

LEST WE FORGET THE HEROES: Well, a few days ago I went out in the bush with my kids and cut us a tree, we decorated it, and in a few days I’ll be celebrating Christmas in the bosom of my family. I guess I’m not unique in this; most of you will celebrate in much the same way. Still I never forget that this privilege is bought by those who will not be home and paid for by those who’ll never come home.
I have many old comrades that are right now “in country”; in fact just today I got word that another just left. “Hey, Eddy keep your head down and come home, ya hear.”
Every time I see the CBS news and they show a “Fallen Hero” I am thankful it is not a friend. Still I know that they all had families and they will be missed this holiday season and forever.
Why not take a momentary break from the eatin’ and drinkin’ and partying this yuletide season. Bow your head, say a prayer for those overseas ensuring our right to freedom. I know that me and mine sure will.
For the boyz in the bush, I’d like to say “Peace on Earth, Good will toward men”, well maybe one day, for now, Semper Fi.
For all our diving friends at home I wish you, health, good vis, easy deco and great dives in 2005.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Capt. Gary Kulisek and the entire Alp Crew

Dec 9, 2004

ALP-MARITIMES SPORTS

TECHNICAL SCUBA TRAINING IN BAHAMAS FEBRUARY 12th-26th

Due to the overwhelming demand for technical diving courses over the winter, we have decided to organize an expedition to San Salvador Island Bahamas. The expedition’s mission is to provide upper end training in the off-season. Many divers are just too busy diving to take further courses in the summer; hence, this is an ideal situation. You will learn new skills and experience true adventure in the best warm water diving in the world.

As a NAUI TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER we can offer a full range of advanced courses: Intro to Technical Diving, Technical Nitrox, Staged Decompression Techniques, Helitrox, Heliair, Tri-mix I & II, Gas Blender and Tech. Support Leader. Recognition programs will be available for NTEC (NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration). All courses will be offered at both the diver and instructor level. NAUI Instructor Training Course and Instructor Crossover Course are also offered. GAP (Gas Absorption Program) software employing R.G.B.M. (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model) workshop will be featured and used for all dive planning.

San Salvador Island, in the southern most Bahamas, is one of the last real diving frontiers of the world. For many years, the island was leased to the United States Military and in effect “closed” to the world. When diving operations began first at Riding Rock Resort and later at Club Med it was virgin territory. Today, San Salvador is still one of the best-kept secrets for the quality and diversity of the diving.

The co expedition leader and host will be Jean Paul Morales. Jean Paul is a NAUI Course Director and is a NAUI Tech Instructor for virtually all disciplines. He has dove all over the world. He came to San Salvador just about the time it was being opened to the world. Morales has without a doubt more diving experience on this island than anyone else. JP knows the most spectacular sites, which will thrill the most jaded of northern divers. On top of that, he is our “man in country” who will ensure a smooth expedition.

There are over 50 dive sites to choose from. These are best known for their incredible visibility and great natural aspects like caves and super fauna, especially schools of Hammerhead sharks. All the sites are only a short boat ride away. The average dives start on a 40’ shelf and then drop over the wall at 60‘-100’. This yields ideal training and deco local in an unbelievable setting.
Reset assured you that these walls drop several thousand feet and hence hold an entirely different world from that which the recreational diver ever dreams of. Jean Paul and I have explored many of these sites down to the 40-50 fathom range. This is the world of helium based diving. We will in most cases be exploring virgin terrain. We will be using gas mixtures that have not been used here since the days of Navy exploration of the island’s wall. We will be using new tools to go to new places.

Nov 18, 2004

Dear Friends,

Well, November 5th was our last day of charter for this season. All our boats are out of the water and in their winter berths. Right now we are cleaning up the paperwork, doing inventory but most important are planning for next season. Let me remind you that it is not too early to book for next season. This is particularly true for our expeditions on the Empress of Ireland. We already have several weeks sold out and the rest of this short season will go fast.
Although we have greater flexibility in the Thousand Islands/Lake Ontario the start of the season in May is really not that far off and this is the best time for upper end courses.

NAUI TECH OPS. UNVEILS NEW STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES: All of us are aware of the standards that guide each training agency’s courses. What you may not be aware of is these are constantly under review and modification. Our sport is very young and hence evolution is at times at a rate better termed revolution. Tim O’Leary, Director of NAUI Technical Ops, along with an advisory group has been hard at work for over a year modifying and improving NAUI’s technical diving courses. They have done a huge job, both in terms of scope and benefit.
Some of the significant changes are a reduction of age requirements to 18, reduction of deep gas training depths open circuit, Level II mix is no longer mission specific, and modification of logged dive requirements to enter the courses.
All instructors will use technical check off list and gear configuration requirements will be clearly outlined. This will ensure greater standardization in tech course content.
Tech instructor authorization is time limited and will be extended as long as the instructor meets update requirements; CEU’s and PDU’s with updates are a requirement. The result being that all tech instructors are up to speed.
The following is a tech course list: Intro to Technical Diving, Technical Nitrox, Staged Decompression Techniques, Helitrox, Heliair, Trimix Level I and II, Ice Diver, Wreck Penetration, Technical Wreck Penetration, Cavern Diver, Cave Diver Level I, II and III, Closed and Semi-Closed Circuit Rebreathers, Mixed Gas Closed Circuit Rebreathers, Gas Blender and Tech. Support Leader. Recognition programs will be available for NTEC (NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration).
In the next month we will be redoing our website and have complete and up to date descriptions of all these courses.
Now is the time to plan to get on board with some of this training. We will be starting our tech courses in May. Why not get with us now and let us design a custom course package for you and reserve your spot.

NAUI AUTHORIZES EMPRESS COURSES AS INSTRUCTOR SPECIFIED:
Our goal was to set out very clear and detailed course outlines to diving this world-class wreck. While it is true any good and well taught wreck course “might” prepare you these courses, one for external survey and one for penetration, will definitely have you ready for the Empress. There is no question that the Empress can be an extremely daunting dive but with the right approach it can be a whole lot easier. The course outlines were submitted to NAUI Tech Ops. and have been approved as instructor specified courses. For info on diving the Empress please go to www.technicaldivingops.com scroll down the front page to the Letters of Introduction and clique on the Empress button.

CAPT. TODD BISSONETTE’S OTHER LIFE: When he is not taking care of operation of the best dive trips on the St. Lawrence and the Empress of Ireland, Capt. Todd makes his way as a freelance photographer based out of Lake Placid, N.Y. With an Olympic heritage of having hosted two Winter Olympic Games Lake Placid is host to multiple world cup sporting events and home to one of only two Olympic Training centers in the U.S. This keeps Todd busy covering many events for clients such as the Associated Press and the Olympic Authority, as well as some for many diverse publications.
Between events he keeps himself busy shooting anything from Adirondack Scenics, Environmental Portraits, and even the occasional wedding. “Being a photojournalist primarily brings this into all facets of my photography. I like to tell the story of a situation and not just take mug shots. I hate when wedding photographers say they shoot in a photojournalistic ‘style’, I don’t think about making pictures in a style, I just shoot what I see. You shouldn’t have to make things happen to photograph them, just photograph what is happening.”
In the next weeks we will be posting some of Todd’s work as it relates to dive expeditions. You’ll see he has a flair all his own.
Todd also loves the technology of photography. “I come from a computer background so the transition into digital photography was a natural progression for me. I haven’t shot a roll of film in almost two years. Digital has really changed the landscape of the business. It is great to be able to preview what you are doing to see if you are going in the right direction.
Of course this is no excuse for poor technical ability, I have had people ask me what takes a good picture, the camera or the lens? My take on that is this, my equipment is like a hammer to a carpenter, you can’t do the job without it, but just having one doesn’t make you Bob Vila.”
If you have any event, sport, social or personal get with Todd: Has Camera, Will Travel.
You can see some of Todd’s work on his web site at www.rtbphoto.com.

BREATH A BETTER BREW: We have said it many times that air is not a great breathing gas in the modern world. For a long while our teams have used other mixtures that are so much friendlier, replacing Nitrogen with Helium as the inert gas. Tim O’Leary and Bruce Wienke have written a super article on the subject, it is clear and concise yet complete. Go to our website www.technicaldivingops.com, clique on Bulletin Board, clique on NAUI and read Deep Helium (not a great title as Helium is not only for deep but a good read). Do yourself a favor and get with modern diving and get with Helium. BTW, I continue to hear all kinds of horror stories about the costs associated with Helium. Believe me Helium is not gold and hence should not cost the same as gold. Nor is a Gas Blender course a degree in nuclear physics that takes 5 years and cost thousands. Think about getting with us for a Gas Blender Course over the winter, we’ll get you all up on the theory and practical and advise you how to hook yourself up.

SPECIAL REMINDER TO NAUI INSTRUCTORS: I would like to remind all NAUI members that your vote for the Board of Directors is not only a right but also an obligation. As NAUI is a “members driven” organization you the dive leaders can steer your future by castling your vote for the candidate you feel will best represent your interests.
If you are not familiar with the candidates go to http://www.naui.org/index-side.html and read up.
If you do not have an official ballot please contact NAUI immediately to get one.
BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 23,2004.
Now everyone who knows the Ole Cappy knows I speak my mind even at the risk of being flamed. So here I go. If you need guidance on voting, cast one vote and cast it for Scooter Sellers. FYI, I do know that Scooter is the poster boy for the forward thinking top of the food chain.
Why one vote? Cause one vote for one candidate does that candidate the most good, rather than diluting your vote.
Why Scooter? Cause he has what it takes to grow the agency in the future. He comes from a strong business background and has for the last decade been exclusively in the Dive Business. He continues to teach a lot of courses so he’s down with the “boots on the ground”. Sellers has contributed a lot of his time to the agency. He’s a good thinker and will continue to make the time to be available for the good of the agency.
But maybe most of all he’s a good listener. He has an open mind and will weigh diverse opinions and help to make an informed decision for the greater common good.
BTW, if you have any question feel free to email Scooter at scooter@underseaadventures.com .

Always at your service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

Oct 21, 2004

Dear Friends,

Well, I look out over the marina today and I watch the leaves get blown off the trees in ever increasing numbers. Fall has really come to the Thousand Islands but with it some of the very best in diving. The vis this last week was pretty well in the 80’ range. The weather has been sunny but cool. The key to really great diving at this time of year is to be using boats with all the luxuries of home. Right now the only vessels we are operating are our big cruisers. These all weather vessels have full heat, full on hot food and hot showers. Since you can’t really sit in the sun as in summer, our audio/visual entertainment centers will keep you distracted during surface intervals. Think of it this way, it is like sitting at home watching the big game on the tube but during half time you can get up and go have a great dive and be back for the end of the game.

DEMA: Last week marked the annual dive industry trade show, this year in Houston. For the first time in a decade I did not personally attend. It was a very difficult decision not to go personally but logic dictated staying here.
First and foremost were my responsibilities as regards our clients. Last week we not only had several charters but also we were running an instructor course for a group, which came from all over the world. It was the only week they all could make it. Hence, my time was best spent here making sure that this critical training was top notch.
The other factor that helped make my decision easier was that the staff who I sent to DEMA were all veterans of this show. With careful planning and guidance they were able to pretty much get every thing done without me. In fact, at least one mentioned it was easier to get things done without the boss looking over your shoulder. We’ll see about that when they get back here in a few days and we debrief.
Although am sure we’ll have all the new info needed to offer our clients the very best next year, still I am sad. DEMA is a place where I get to see and meet with so many friends and associates. For those of you who I did not see this year I send my best regards, See you next year for sure.

MCMURRAY EMPRESS EXPEDITION HUGE SUCCESS: In the last week of August Kevin McMurray once again organized an expedition to the Empress of Ireland. For the third year in a row we had the privilege of working with Kevin on what I hope has become a yearly event.
Most of you know that Kevin is the author of two of the very best books on diving. His first book, Deep Descent, diving the Andrea Doria, has become a classic and must read for every diver and especially wreck divers. His newest book, Dark Descent, diving the Empress of Ireland, is flying off the bookshelves and surging toward second printing. The book is getting some really great reviews. If you do not have a copy, why not ask Santa. On the other hand you can play Santa to a “good little diver”.
This year saw Kevin’s group grow to a number that required the use of two vessels. Of course we used Capt. Jean Pierre Bouillon’s Marie A B. In addition we used Capt. Robert Parent’s Majeur. Robert’s vessel is a brand new state of the art, huge, crab boat. The coolest part was the fact we never climbed a ladder. Robert and First Mate Louise developed an incredible boarding system. Using the booms and tackle of his vessel they designed a first class diver recovery tool. Basically all we had to do is swim to the side of the boat, sit in a swing chair and were hoisted aboard and set on the deck like kings on our thrones. Now I know a lot of you rate dive boats by their ladders. Believe you me; once you have had this service no ladder will ever be good enough.
I have run a lot of expeditions and the greater the number of divers there are the better chance for strokes. In the case of this expedition nothing could be further from the truth. Kevin put together a group of a dozen plus of the very best divers I’ve ever seen. Every one on this trip was a Top Gun! Every one was a hell of a great person. You know in the Navy, at the end of a dive course, the question is asked of the trainers, “will you dive with this man”. Tell you what, my answer on every guy on Kevin’s expedition would be a resounding, “Sir, Yes, Sir”.
Kevin has already started to take reservations for his expeditions in 2005. Most of the usual suspects have already deposited up. Do yourself a huge favor and get with Kevin, kfmcm@rcn.com or directly with us and treat yourself to what many are calling the best wreck diving trip possible. I am not kidding, space will be at a premium all next year so do it now, book early and avoid a downer.
CAPT HEINZ WAHL: Most of you know my associate Capt. Heinz Wahl. In fact many of you have chartered on some of Heinz’s boats and others have had the treat of being on expeditions co-operated by Capt. Wahl and Alp Maritimes.
Now there is one thing for sure, Heinz loves diving. In fact the only thing that Heinz loves more than diving is finding cool stuff. I sort of see him as the King of Cool Underwater Finds. He is really what I call an explorer.
Many are the time Heinz will suggest diving in some obtuse location. I will always ask, “Why, what is there?” His answer is usually “I do not know but we’ll find out.”
A while back Heinz is diving with John “Doc” Krake, on one of these “looky see” dives. At first it is nothing but the Wonderful World of Zebra Mussels. Then they stumble on the super weird. Large bones chained to cement blocks!! Now the bones have been there a good while and are sort of messed up. It is not clear exactly what or whom they belong to. BTW, around Montreal when we find bones and blocks underwater they are usually in a sleeping bag along with motorcycle gang crests.
Heinz and John carefully recovered the “artifacts” and have turned these over to the U.S.C.G. We have not heard back yet but we’ll keep you advised.
Not all our finds are as exciting or as gruesome as these. Still the Seaway has countless treasures that are still to be found. Why not give us a call and charter up with Alp Maritimes and Capt. Heinz Wahl for some really different locations. You may have already dived the Thousand Islands with other cattle boat operations diving the same old, same old. Why not try us; maybe it will be the Wonderful World of Zebra Mussels then again might be pirate treasure. As Heinz says, we won’t find new stuff till we dive new places.

NEW R.G.B.M. DOCUMENT POSTED: Every so often I receive questions from divers on numerous subjects but the majority has to do with decompression. Sometimes these are quite simple other times they are very complex. Sometimes the things going on out there are down right scary to me.
Although decompression is still very much theory and not law, some theory is better than other. For decades we relied on Neo-Haldanian decompression models dealing only with dissolved gases. Then Dr. Bruce Wienke developed R.G.B.M. (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model) this causing us all to see decompression in a dual light. Or more accurately as dual phase that of dissolved and free phase inert gases (bubbles).
Now much of the time the best advice I can give anyone is to consider R.G.B.M. Further I council those who question me to read everything that they can on the subject. These are heady subjects and not always light reading. As time has gone on better and clearer documents have become available. Recently, Wienke and Tim O’Leary created a new R.G.B.M. Overview text. Although it is not a short document it does answer all the queries that have been most recently addressed by other theoreticians and myself.
I have posted the article to our website, www.technicaldivingops.com, clique on Bulletin Board, then clique on NAUI and see the Article R.G.B.M. Overview 2004. Now that the weather may be a bit less conducive to diving maybe take the next weeks or even months to review it.

Well, the storm that has been forecast for several days seems to have arrived. Even on a 44’ cruiser tied to the dock I can feel the force of the gale. I’d better take a quick look around and be sure everything is tied down.
What is for sure is that this weather will pass and we’ll have calm water soon enough. Still we all known down under the surface it is calm, so why not book one last great dive adventure before the freeze. The boats are still in the water, heat’s on, Rosa’s Acadian chowder is hot and the vis is great. We remain ready for your late season adventure.
Always at your service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

Sept 19, 2004

Dear Friends,

About two weeks ago most of our team returned from our last Empress expedition of the year. It was without a doubt one of our best expeditions with some really great divers and some very interesting new developments. Now all the staff are concentrated in the Thousand Islands and Great Lakes. Over these last weeks we have been running a very large number of courses from Basic to Instructor. The summer vacations are over and the tourists have left. The weather gives us cooler nights but still some super warm days. The visibility is getting better every day. I really believe this is the best season to dive here.

SINK IT AND THEY WILL COME: Once again the waters off of Ste. Luce and Rimouski have yielded another wreck. Just over a month ago a new wreck was located in the same waters that hold the Empress of Ireland, Germanacus, Volcano, Briar Mist and Nipigon. A schooner that sank in 1938 has been found and has begun to yield a large variety a of artifacts. Her name is a bit of a mystery, either he was called Lianne Gagne or was owned by a person of that name. Preliminary dives have been affected and a survey is being under taken. She lies in some 80’ of water with strong currents usually present.
With this discovery the region is really becoming a wreck diving center. While the big deal will always be the Empress now there are so many other options.
Before Christmas we will establish our Empress Expedition Schedule. Be sure to book early to avoid the sold out situation of this year.

CHEF ROSA LEBRETON TEMPTS YOUR PALETTE: Man does not live by Trimix and Oxygen alone. While diving is the main reason to join our cruises great food can make it even better. This season Rosa LeBreton joined out team in the capacity of Chief Purser and Chef. While our crews in the past were able to whip up some really great fare this season has seen a true chef gracing our boats.
Rosa, whose aristocratic ancestors came from Bretagne (Brittany) France, she hails from the coast of New Brunswick, the area known as Acadia. The Acadians are the same stock that populate the deep south in Louisiana. There “Acadian” has been corrupted to “Cajun” and has yielded some of the best food and chefs in the world.
The Acadians can whip up some really super meals using ingredients that most chefs do not really understand. Cooking on board a vessel can be a challenge but Rosa has met this challenge with a special flourish.
Do yourself a favor this fall. Come dive the Thousand islands and Lake Ontario, great wrecks, great vis and just maybe you’ll be lucky enough to be on the same vessel as Chef LeBreton.

DID ALL MY STOPS AND STILL GOT BENT: Well, for the 1001st time I have heard this line. You know what? For the 1001st I believe it. We must remember that we are dealing with decompression THEORY and not decompression LAW.
Who says that the deco you planned was the right one for that diver, on that day and that dive. Regardless of what deco algorithm you decide to use and regardless of the platform (paper tables, wrist computer or PC generated) there are a number of assumptions that the authors made. These assumptions may just not be in tune with your body and the dive. Remember the theorician has to work with some kind of mean variables. It behooves you to know your “theory/platform” very well. It is key to understand those elements which we refer to as “conservatism factors/settings”. Further to use these to adjust the deco schedule to the “mood” of your body.
Hence, why is it that the same profile bends you one day and not the next?
The answer may lie inside your body. Not every day is the same, your body in constant flux. The key is to listen to your body sending sometimes subtle messages.
It is important for us to try and “feel” what is happening at deco. First, dive as much as you can. The more you dive the more comfortable you get in the water and the more we can be in tune with our bodies. Bear in mind that every dive (even those so called NDL dives) involves decompression no matter how shallow or short.
Second, try and sense what is going on during your ascent. Most divers are in tune with the descent, as forces are on the “attack”. Pressure is increasing (clearing ears), volume is decreasing (gas consumption) and most senses are being blurred (sound, light). We are reacting to increasing external forces being imposed on the body, “defending”.
During the ascent the forces are in “retreat”. The mechanical tasks of diving become simpler. Our body is on the “offensive”, internal drives are being experienced
Each time you head back to the surface try and “imagine” what is going on in your body. Along with any computer or schedule your senses can guide you on the ascent. This is not an easy skill to learn. It is very subtle. It takes years and 1000’s of dives. You can of course steepen the learning curve by putting your greatest asset to use, your brain.
Try and dive with those of us who have 1000’s of deco dives and do these every day. Listen, to how we interpret the subtle messages we get from the ole bones.

BUILD IT AND IT MAY FAIL: I notice that another manufacturer has issued a recall of a particular piece of gear. Now this is not some third rate knock-off artist in South East Asia. In this case it is a first rate domestic builder of high repute.
I have a very personal involvement with sports gear recalls. About a million years ago when I was primarily in the alpine ski business I was responsible for the first voluntary recall of a piece of ski equipment. Prior to that no one had ever done it in sporting goods. It was a very difficult decision to recall thousands of an item, at a huge cost and at the risk of our reputation.
Although the product in question was well designed, well tested it was found after deliver to end users that a subcontracted part was not up to spec. The risk was in the order of one in 20,000 that a screw “might” get loose due to an error in its thread angle.
Despite the low risk we decided to recall all the products. We planned it well and in twenty-one days had found and corrected all the defects.
Strange thing is that in the months to follow every one of our competitors also found some defect in their products and followed suit. Weird that they only found these after we’d had the nerve to recall ours.
It seems that at any given time there is at least one piece of scuba gear under recall. As a diver I believe it is your duty and in your best interest to stay in touch with the industry just in case you end up with a problem item. First be sure to fill out that warranty card with a good permanent address. Second, be sure to subscribe to at least one of the dive news groups, this is the high tech way that the news it spread.
It is never fun to pay good money for gear and have it fail. There was a time that failure of scuba gear was the norm, today it is rare. Most failures are isolated but every so often it is general. In these cases stay informed and you may just save your life.

In closing, let me remind you that all the hurricane weather is having a very very minor effect on our “inland seas”. Despite seeing on the weather reports some bad weather along the east coast we are very protected here. The worst we will get here is a touch of rain. So why not come up here for some great diving and/or training. One thing is sure you’ll not have to rinse your gear.
Now is the ideal time to get together with your buds and dive or take that course you’ve been putting off.
You’ll not regret booking with us today.

Looking forward to being of service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

Aug 29, 2004

Dear Friends,

The last weeks have been super hectic with all vessels and crews in constant operation. The weather has been very good and the dives have gone great. Through to the 27th of August we will remain heavily booked but then space opens up. Should you be looking for charter or training expeditions we are ready willing and able to fulfill your needs.

CAPT. TODD BISSONETTE HAT TRICK: About a week ago our own Capt. Todd was able to locate three large anchors in three dives. We all know that the Seaway has been the “highway into the continent” for 300 years and those of you who have dove with us can attest to the huge number of wrecks. Still, who’d believe that in three dives in a row a diver could locate three major anchors?
Todd was out surveying the outer debris field of a wreck. As it thinned out he decided to keep going. After a few minutes he found a large navy type anchor. He tied off and started his ascent. As luck is fickle, his line broke. No problem Todd blew his bag and did a floating deco. When he was picked up we punched the numbers and we had a “rough” idea of the anchor location.
Next day we go back. Todd splashes in. He searches a bit and finds “an anchor” but not his anchor. This one is a late 1700’s fluked anchor. We mark and record it for later dives for our guests.
Third day we are out again. Todd is fixed on rediscovering his anchor. A 40 minute search produces a navy anchor. Resembling closely the first anchor we realize it is not the same one. It lacks the marker line the first one had.
The story is not yet finished. Todd had to go back to captaining his vessel. As we’ve been busy he has not yet had time to relocate the No.1 anchor. He plans to do so next week.
BTW, Todd hails from the mountains of the Lake Placid region of New York and is a professional sports photographer in his other life (http://www.rtbphoto.com ). He has done a lot of archeological dives most notably the Valcour Bay Research Project in Lake Champlain. (Find out more about this at http://www.historiclakes.org )
Why not come out on a charter or course and Todd can let you in on a few of his secrets to finding neat stuff.

NEED MARINE ENGINE PARTS?: Many of you out there own boats. Boat diving allows you the mobility to get to all the good sites. Unfortunately boats tend to break down just when you need them most. Most of us have very short seasons and hence can not tolerate any down time. All too often the worst problem is parts. How many times have you been told by your local boat service people they can’t find the “kazoo for your 1970 Puddle Hopper 302” and hence you have a 35’ immobile house rather than a dive boat.
Better remember French Creek Marina, www.frenchcreekmarina.com, (315) 686-3621. This mega huge marine parts operation is run by Capt. Wilburt Wahl. He maintains a staggering inventory of marine parts; new, rebuilt and used. They are the largest supplier of Volvo Penta parts in the universe (O.K. maybe not the entire universe, but close). As well they stock mountains of parts for just about anything else from just about any year.
BTW, they ship all over the world, so do not worry you live too far to use this resource.
If you are not sure what you need call Wilburt, talk to him, the man has forgotten more about marine stuff than most boat service people have had time to learn. His knowledge is HUGE.
O.K. so you’ve given up on your local mechanics or are planning a major winter overhaul or repower. Get with Hans Wahl, head of service, he can handle what ever your needs may be. Ship him your old tired engine and in short order you’ll get back a motor better than new.
Do not loose this number, even if your boat is fine that won’t last forever, French Creek will be your marine parts lifesaver!


HESS AND YORMACK YOUR ADMIRALTY-MARINE LEGAL BEAGLES: This last week I had the pleasure to collaborate anew with two amazing lawyers: Peter Hess and Steve Yormack. Admiralty/Marine Law is a very specialized field, there are not many attorneys willing to touch these cases and even fewer that can do the job for you.
Why should you as a diver care? I do not know if you noticed but we dive in the marine environment from boats, see the link, these are the branches of the legal tree which we may be hung from.
Peter, a Wilmington, Delaware attorney and solo practitioner, enjoys combining his vocation and avocation. He has been an avid shipwreck diver and amateur underwater archaeologist for more than twenty five years. In his many cases concerning historic shipwrecks, Hess has represented finders and salvers, the state government, the sport diving public, and even a federal admiralty court. His clients have been engaged in the salvage of wrecks ranging from Spanish galleons, paddle-wheelers, windjammers laden with Oriental porcelain, twentieth century luxury liners, private yachts, warships, to sunken warplanes.
Yet Hess’ maritime practice ranges far beyond salvage issues: it encompasses all facets of admiralty law, including vessel arrests, marine insurance disputes, shipboard injuries sustained by passengers and seamen, waterfront injuries sustained by longshoremen, cargo claims and disputes, marine pollution, and maritime trade development. His clients include major international marine underwriters, foreign and U.S. shippers and vessel owners, recreational marinas, and the injured victims of maritime accidents.
Steve, is the Canadian side of the team based in London, Ontario. Hence, no matter which side of the line your needs fall the Hess/Yormack Team is ready to go to bat for you.
The day will come when you find some real good and valuable stuff under the waves. If you are not careful you’ll be the “finder/weeper and the powers at be will be the keepers”.
If you find some thing: one; keep your mouth shut, two; get with Peter or Steve. It will be the best dime you ever dropped. Hessians@aol.com and yormacklaw@aol.com.

GAP RGBM DECO SOFTWARE: This summer has seen a record number of upper end, read deeper deco, courses. Each of these courses includes a lot of time spent on deco theory. On the practical side we teach the use of GAP Deco Software. At the end of each course almost every client picks up a copy of GAP. Still it is not only our own direct clients that are buying into this superior algorithm. In the last few months we have been electronically delivering tons of keys for GAP, Gas Absorption Program, with RGBM, Reduced Gradient Bubble Model algorithm. I am sure more and more of you are appreciating that dissolved gas (Haldanian) deco theory although well known have now been superceded by much more modern thoughts. If you need to brush up on the reasons why you want to follow this theory please go to www.technicaldivingops.com and clique on Technical Articles. These will point out the benefits to all divers. Once you are comfortable go to the front page of the Alp site, scroll down and clique on the GAP button. You can down load a trial version good for several days. At this point you will have been convinced that this is the ticket; super easy and stable platform with the most advanced deco theory.

I’d love to keep writing but duty calls and I have to head out on another expedition. Please keep in mind that September and October are really outstanding times to dive in the Seaway and Great Lakes. The water will remain warmer than the air and the vis will get constantly better. With summer vacations at an end there will be a lot less divers and we’ll have most wrecks to ourselves. Our staff is ready to provide both great day and liveaboard charters. Further , this is a super time to take additional training, your skills are sharp from a summer of diving and you’ll be able to learn quicker and more.
Looking forward to serving you all.
Regards,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

July 29, 2004

Dear Friends,

First off I’d like to thank all the people who wrote back to me after the last Newsletter. While it is true that each edition does provoke a few compliments the last one actually caused quite a flood. Your kind words were much appreciated. If you missed this last Newsletter you can get it at, www.technicaldivingops.com , clique on Bulletin Board, then on Newsletter Archives.
During one of the latest expeditions I captained, one of the divers asked me “exactly where are you when you write these things”. It seems that I make it appear that the weather is always great, sunny and warm. Well, for everyone’s information, today is pouring down rain, it is cold and a truly miserable day tied up in the marina. To be perfectly honest, I am glad I have no scheduled charters and can catch up on paperwork.

STILL GOING STRONG: Last year my man, Hal Watts, owner of Forty Fathom Grotto, www.MRSCUBA.COM , was up diving the Empress of Ireland. This year he notched the Lusitania on his regulator. With two of the big three done, what will be next summer, the Titanic? May be call Bob Ballard and see what he’s up to.
Press release: “Wreck of The Lusitania, revisited by Senior Citizens. On June 25, 2004 a historic scuba diving event occurred. Gregg Bemis of Santa Fe, New Mexico, age 76, and Hal Watts of Ocala, Florida, age 69 dived to 300 feet on The Lusitania Wreck off the SW coast of Ireland. Hal Watts is a World Record Deep Air diver, a scuba instructor and CEO of The Professional Scuba Association. Gregg Bemis is on the board of directors of Ocean Corp. of Houston, Texas, and owns the rights to The Lusitania. This is the wreck which prompted the USA to enter the war against Germany. What made this a Historic Event is the age of both divers, showing that senior citizens can still participate in Extreme sports.”
FYI, before anyone thinks that this was a spur of the moment lark let me assure you that the training and planning was more than a year in the making.
BTW, Hal’s wife Jan would have also made the dive but due to the incapacity of some crewmen, Jan passed up the dive in order to act as topside personal. This shows that even well planned expeditions can throw you a curve at the last minute and that a real team player, like Jan, is always ready to pass on personal goals in favor of the team’s mission. Most important we see a good example of the Team Approach to extreme dives being a key to success.

VULCANO LOCATED ?: We have received very preliminary reports that the wreck of the Vulcano may have been located by side scan sonar.
The Vulcano was a 400 foot plus cargo that sank in the late 1920’s in a region some 15 kilometers northwest of Rimouski, Quebec.
The sonar image shows a vessel of about the right size laying in some 300 feet of water.
No, Capt Jean Pierre Bouillon and I are not offering charters to this wreck, yet.
Further research will be needed to better establish the identity of the image. Rest assured we will keep you posted on the research and developments as regards an expedition to this wreck.
Wow, with the artificial reef of the Nipigon, the world class wreck of the Empress and now a possible real deep wreck, the region will truly be a wreck diving Mecca.

NOVICE COURSES OFFERRED: From time to time I feel it is important to remind everyone that we offer virtually every dive course there is. Too often I get caught up in talking about extreme dives and top of the food chain courses. Although we are best known for “Tech Diving” (what ever that means) we are happy and eager to furnish all levels of training.
A perfect example is that in July we have run about a dozen Resort Courses. That’s right, we offer an intro to scuba for persons who have never dove. This has been a hot item especially with families on vacation.
Just remember that almost all our staff worked at one time or another at Club Med and that we know all about intro to scuba. Further, we pioneered teaching diving to kids. I can remember a time when more than one agency put a “price on our heads” for teaching kids. Now they are almost all “gung ho” like they invented it. Sort of reminds me of the Ole West. Many a marshal was recruited from the ranks of bandits and gunfighters.
Given the conditions here in the Thousand Islands, warm/super clear water, it almost makes one think they are in the Carib.
So if you need any training, or know of anyone who needs training, let us hook up.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: Ah yes, memories of the tropics! Coming soon to a region near you is another tropical item. Alexandria Bay New York’s, Pirate Week, August 13-22.
This is the real thing! Mardi Gras, Carnival, Woodstock, Disney World; all wrapped into one!
This is a great time to charter with us for some great diving during the day and some serious partying at night.
The bad news is the weekends are pretty much sold out with all operators and hotels. The good news is the middle of the week has space open and the carnival continues.
You can step back into the 1600’s or just back to the 1960’s (if you get my drift). Go watch the movie Pirates of the Caribbean “Secret of the Black Pearl” and I‘m sure you’ll get in the mood.

DARK DESCENT GOES TO SECOND PRINTING: Kevin McMurray’s book on diving the Empress of Ireland has sold so well it is in second print. This book is quickly becoming a classic in the scuba/adventure genre. This book is a great source of info and a must have/read for very diver. Just last night a diver dropped by the boat and bought my last copy in stock, time to reorder. You can check with your local bookstore as to when they will be getting in their shipment or you can order on line at www.Amazon.com . Once you will have read the book I know you’ll want to dive her yourself. In the meantime reading the book is an adventure.
BTW, it is a great book to give as a gift to a non-diver. We have received many reviews from non-divers who loved it. If you are a wreck diver, like maybe give it to your mom so she’ll better know your passion. My mom loved it and she does not even swim.

MARINE SERVICES: On the subject of boat safety why not check out BOAT U.S. www.boatus.com. I know most of you have AAA or CAA for your automobile breakdowns. Did you know that the same exists for boats? Yes it does. Tow Boat USA has a number of marine towing plans to cover you for most of your needs. Just like the auto version it covers the member and not a particular boat. I am sure that most of you have had a day of diving ruined or worse risked life and limb due to a boat failing. Well, here might be a real lifesaver. The plans vary in price but bare in mind that towing and salvage start at $150/hour and the average bill is $500/tow.
Speaking of marine service, the Tow Boat USA service provider for the eastern Seaway and western Lake Ontario is Jeremy Kellogg out of French Bay Marina, Clayton, New York www.frenchbay.com . Jeremy is one very cool person and will be there at a short notice if you have any boat problems in the area.
Plus if you come to the marina Jeremy will show you his 75’ LCM (Landing Craft Mechanized). You know, one of the huge landing craft used to storm the beaches on D-Day, and you can pretend being in Private Ryan. See photos at www.technicaldivingops.com clique Photo Album.
Now once you get towed you’ll need top-gun mechanics, well French Bay is the place. Mike Davis is the head of French Bay Service and along with his crew of excellent gnarly mechanics, can find the problem and get it straight and get you going in the shortest time possible.
O.K. so your boat isn’t broken but you need to go to shore eventually for a cheeseburger in paradise and draft beer. You got it, French Bay Marina, a super place to tie up.
Oh, you don’t have a boat yet, no problemo, call John Kellogg (315 686 5574) he is the best yacht broker I have ever met. Tell him what you need and he will search the country to get you the right boat, this guy really works for his clients. BTW, he happens to have a few excellent dive boats listed right at this time. I have spent a lot of time in marinas and boat yards but this has to be the best, most honest and friendliest marina I’ve ever seen.

Well, looks like the rain stopped, wow just like in the tropics. Might just go out with the kids for a personal dive. Remember what ever you scuba needs we are a quick call or email away.
Remain at your entire service.

Capt Gary Kulisek and the Crew

July 8, 2004

Dear Friends,

Well, our season is in full swing and expeditions are progressing at fever pitch with all getting in some great diving. Last week we finished up a number of courses, most notably a mixed gas course. This type of course is always the most gratifying as it means that there are a few more divers that are not using air on deep dives. Other exciting activities included a film shoot by Capt. Dan Crowell on the Jodrey, an enviormental mapping expedition in the Seaway and the installation of new moorings.

EMPRESS SPOTS: We have just been able to open up space on an Empress Expedition. The dates are July 26-29 inclusive. Many of you have expressed clear interest in an Empress Expedition and have been waiting for an opening. This is your chance. These places will go on a first come first serve basis. I do not want to appear pushy but please act quickly if you intend to dive the Empress, as these will be the last open spaces.

HOMEMADE GEAR: Every so often we see divers show up with gear they built themselves. There are times that this equipment works quite well but other times it really is not up to snuff. I do realize that equipment does at times appear a bit costly for the item. Remember part of what you are paying for is R&D and the testing. A company that has made thousands of an item would clearly have the advantage over a “garage mechanic”.
To be honest I have tried my hand over the years at building a better mouse trap, in the end all the best gear I’ve ever had came from a front line manufacturer.
I know that some of you will fault me for this statement as I am a member of the dive industry, while this may be true, gear sales to end users account for very little of our business. Our main goal is to provide training and diving. Since, most of our actions are all-inclusive, we often supply all/most of our clients’ gear, and hence we are also an “end user” and have found that manufacturer gear is always best.
On the scary side, my work as a coroner’s investigator has all too often meant that I’ve had to study a diving death where homemade gear was a contributing factor. Several times the gear in question was being “tested” by the builder at the time of the accident.
Now I am not against persons developing new ideas but all too often the motivation is nothing more than cost. This to me is not a good reason to stray from designed and validated gear.
I remember a few years ago a diver on one of our courses came to me with a piece of “homemade gear”, it was beautiful, best I’d ever seen. I imagined it cost a fortune to make but offered to buy it at his named price. What was weird is that the guy was only proud of the fact he built it cheaper than a manufactured version.
In the end, this betrayed a mindset and a pattern for this diver, who was not successful on that course.
Diving is not a cheap sport, diving does involve mortal risk. Do you really want to take the chance based on a “cost driven” item? To paraphrase Hollywood, “what is the life of a diver (yours) worth to you?”

MORE THAN ONE OPINION: The preceding article brings to mind another concept originating from my investigations of accidents. In the most horrific cases there appears to be a trend that the victims had gotten all their training from one instructor. In fact, many of theses had taken this instructor and placed him on a pedestal and created the ultimate guru relationship, that of a mentor. You have of course heard the saying, blind leading the blind.
To me getting all your training from one person is like getting your entire medical advise from one doctor. Not all instructors are equal and there is often defacto specialization. Do not ask us for a photo course, sure we could teach it, but there are much better people around. We will walk away from a course we do not feel that we are the best at but not everyone is as esoteric as we are. In fact, we get lots of referrals from good instructors for courses like wreck penetration that they know we do best.
Listen, if your doctor told you that you had a real bad sickness you’d get another opinion, right? Well diving is a very serious “medical condition”, check out the options.
BTW, always diving with the same buddy can even be worse. We get dependant on a skill and mind set over time and this can lead to a skill deficiency.
No matter who you decide to trust ask for their philosophy on the subject. If they do not have one, pass, they are strokes that have not thought enough on the matter. You can check out our Training Philosophy by going to www.technicaldivingops.com and hitting the appropriate button.

WAR AND PEACE: Most of this newsletter is about how you think about diving or simply thinking about diving. Dive planning is something we do before every dive, or not? Everytime a pilot takes off into an alien enviorment he writes out a “flight plan”. Do you write out a dive plan every time you venture into an “alien environment” ? You should!
Two thousand years ago in Egypt it was a dictum, “so it shall be written so it shall be done”. I feel that a verbal dive plan is just that, noise in the wind. By writing it down, even if they are just notes on a slate or scratches on a drink coaster, it causes you to think, it is clear, it is a record and it is serious.
I am running a course this weekend and the whole issue is how to make a dive plan. Not the plan but to develop the skills to do the framework.
If there is one set of guidelines I can give you here is, Plan for Peace and Prepare for War. We should always plan that things go ever so smoothly but we must be ready when the worst case scenario happens, as it will one day. Most dives are no more than a paddle about, but even these can go south and have some pretty scary results. Planning makes the difference between an event and a disaster.
Last thought on this subject. We all know that anyone can call (cancel) a dive, for any reason, at anytime, no questions asked. But how do you decide when to call it? My old buddy Mike Fowler told me of his RULE OF THREE. You make a detailed plan and the minute three (even minor) elements do not match the plan you scrub and retire to a nice cold drink and dive another day.
FYI, our Motto (see www.technicaldivingops.com on the front page) tells why we choose ours, Fortitudine Vincimus. Shackleton planned for the best but prepped for the worst.
I have always said the best diver is often the live one who never made the dive.

Well, the rain just stopped and my bud Capt. Heinz Wahl has a new drysuit to test. So I guess we’ll motor out to one of the many great wrecks close by for a quick dive. But not before we have a pizza and draw up a plan on the paper carton.

Please remember we have space at virtually anytime for your charter and training needs. The crews are ready, the clear warm water is waiting and no one has moved any of the wrecks. Get with us anytime (best by email) so we can schedule your custom expedition in the Thousand Islands. Of course do not miss the chance to dive the Empress.

Always at your service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and all the crew

June 7, 2004

Dear Friends,

Some dive industry guru once told me that the biggest dive day in America is Memorial Day. I do not know if it was the biggest but it sure was some great diving in the Seaway. The vis is coming up to the 60’-70’ level and the water is just about the temp when we can forego the hood.

REBREATHERS-FUTURE OR FAD: A few weeks ago at a gathering the question was posed; What does the future hold for diving, will rebreathers totally replace open circuit?
Since then I‘ve given this query a good deal of thought. For the record I do not reside solely in either camp. I use the “right tool for the mission”, some times it is OC others is CCR.
First off, rebreathers are not something new they have been around for along time and in fact predate scuba, as we know it.
I do not think that we will see the day when there is only one-way to dive scuba, I see that both options will co-exist, despite the fact that the split will vary. Look at other technologies. When the first automatic transmission came out many said that it was the end of the manual transmission others said it was a fad, both were wrong. Over the years we have seen the ratios change to favor one then the other. This evolution continues today, depending on the mission, depending on personal bias, depending on 1001 factors some will drive an automatic and some a standard.
When the first automatic pistol was developed many saw it as the end of the revolver. The next 20 years saw a see/saw of preference but both technologies remain and almost a century later both systems still co exist.
True some new technology obliterates the old technology; some new technology passes as a fad. Still. it seems to me that the OC/CCR dichotomy will continue for a good long while.
So choose the tool you/the mission favor then most important dive as much as you can.

JODREY OPEN TO DIVERS: As many of you know the wreck of the Roy A. Jodrey, at Alexandria Bay New York, has been closed to divers for about two years while ecological work was being preformed.
This spring the United States Coast Guard invited interested parties to apply for dispensation to dive this wreck. Alp Maritimes and our associates Capt. Danny Crowell and Capt. Heinz Wahl have been granted permission to dive on the wreck!!
This is really great news! We applaud the USCG’s approach in granting permission on a case-by-case basis. This wreck is not always the easiest to dive from logistic point of view and so it is best that it be treated as a special case. Further, it is not a dive for every diver and so by “filtering” who dives it we can avoid unpleasantries or disaster.
BTW, our permission is based on some very precise conditions and obligations.
FYI, as per “general regulations Title 33. Code of Federal Regulations. Section 165.23. entry into or movement within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of Port. Persons violating this regulation are subject to a civil penalty up to $27,500.” Hence, be very very sure that you have a written permit before you even think of diving here.

QUEBEC DIVING REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT: As most of know, two years ago, the Government of Quebec penned legislation to regulate diving within its boarders. This last April the entire mechanism was put into effect to make these regulations come into force. This means that in order to “legally” dive in Quebec you must have a “diving permit”. Further, if you wish to teach diving in Quebec you must have a “teaching permit” in order to issue the diver license along with the agency cert.
I guess the best way to describe this situation is like a hunting license. Despite the fact that you have one state’s hunting permit if you cross the state line then you need that jurisdiction’s permit.
On May 25 the first seminar was held to qualify those who could issue the diver permit. Alp Maritimes was part of this first group to be mandated to deliver the license. Over the next month similar seminars will be held in various locations to nominate other such instructors.
Fundamentally, if you are a certified, practicing diver with nordic experience it is a simple matter of contacting a mandated instructor and getting equivalence. In the same way those traveling to Quebec to dive can obtain a “visitor’s permit”.
Rest assured that Alp Maritimes along with our associates, Jean Pierre Bouillon and Dany St Cyr will take care of all these issues for our clients coming to the Empress. No worries Mates!
One word of caution, if you are taking a dive course in Quebec please be sure that the person who is teaching you has an instructor permit. This will avoid any unpleasant circumstances.

DARK DESCENT WELL RECEIVED: It has been about a month since Kevin McMurray’s new book on diving the Empress of Ireland has been out. The reaction from wreck diving aficionados has been great. Just about all of readers I have spoken to love the book. Of course a book covering decades about wreck diving and especially in Quebec is bound to cause some controversy. Not everyone is thrilled with they way they/events/places are described. That is life, “as you sow so shall you reap”. Hell, nothing makes for a better read than some cloak and dagger diving intrigue.
BTW, I know that a lot of divers along the New England coast are pretty proud of their wreck diving feuds, just remember, the wreck divers of the Empress invented the wrecker feud (that is my Quebec pride shining through.
Hey, do not take my word for it. A few days ago on Memorial Day we honored our “fightin’ men” who bought for us freedom of the press. Go out there and exercise that freedom and read Dark Descent, trust me, it is a worthwhile endeavor.

SPACE AVAILABLE ON EMPRESS: There are still some spaces available on Empress expeditions. Now after you’ve read the book you can come and dive the wreck and meet many of the personalities in the book. Believe you me, truth is stranger than fiction and many of us are very strange pirates indeed.

Well, I never like to write too much so I’ll sign off. Anyways I have a P.M. dive trip to run and the only thing I prefer to writing about diving is doing it.
Just a quick reminder if you have not booked a dive trip with us we still have very good availability for trips and courses. Allow us the pleasure of serving you.
Best Regards,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and all the Crew

May 13, 2004

Dear Friends,

Well the dive show season is finally over. It was great to get out and meet so many new people and to hang with old friends. We are just about finishing up our last details on all our boats and are just about where we want them. We have actually done a few courses and are in the midst of others. Please remember it is now the time to book.

GIVE OUT ONLY GOOD ADVICE: Not too long ago Capt. Jean Philippe and me were running back from the eastern Great Lakes. The weather was real bad; high winds, big waves, driving rain not fun but that’s the lakes in spring. We are pounding our way when we get a distress call from a private dive vessel that ran aground, luckily they can give us their GPS. So J.P. punches it in his unit, drops the hammer and starts booking to the coordinates. Meanwhile I go below to plot it on the chart to get an idea of what they hit. I find that they had gone into area that had like no water, like two feet, any wonder they were grounded.
Well we get to them and realized we have to pull them off. Luckily, we can hook them and get them off the bar before they are driven on the rocks. But that is not the story, once off we asked how they got there and were told that they had followed the GPS coordinates for a wreck given them by a dive operator. They had made no mistake, later they showed us an email they had received with coordinates for several dive sites, all of which were WRONG, like on the rocks.
I know of a fella that wrote a book on dive sites and was given bad GPS “numbers” by operators who “didn’t want anyone to dive “their” wrecks”. A dive operator has even told me he always gives out bogus numbers when asked.
Listen here boys, if you don’t want to give out numbers that is your business but bad numbers can ruin a day or a boat or a life. If you don’t want to give numbers be man enough to say so! To those who get numbers, be sure you get them right (i.e. dd mm ss.s or dd mm.mmmm or dd.dddddd ect.) then be sure to check them on a chart. If you can’t read a chart then you’d better learn cause GPS is not a solution for poor seamanship. If you want I’ll teach you to read a chart.

A BREATH OF FRESH HELIUM; I think that it is time to look at what we breathe and give it some thought. You all know that I like to use the words “best gas for the mission”, and I submit that if the mission is on land at sea level then Normoxic Air (21% O2) is the best gas, several million years of evolution have proved that. For all of us, our missions are underwater at increased pressure and what we breathe on land is not the best. I know that there will be a great protestation from some that goes like this. “Air diving is fine cause I am not a techie, I do not go deep, when I do I can use air cause I did 20 years ago, plus I am used to narcosis and have a super high tolerance to it, Oxtox only happens to bad divers, further mixed gas is real complicated and expensive”. Did I cover all of it in one sentence?
Realize that diving on compressed gas is a very new activity and development is virtually daily. For those who have been diving a while think of the improvements you see every few months, for you new divers remember that a lot of what you just leaned will be superceded real soon.
NASCAR season is in full swing, in the 60’s you roared down the straight away and turned left on Bias Ply Tires, there are drivers today who remember using Bias Ply Tires, but there is not one that will roll on Sunday on anything less than the best Radial Tires, best equipment for the mission. BTW, if the driver has his way air would be replaced as a tire inflation gas.
Think about Everest, twenty years ago only the best in the world climbed her and yes at times on air. Today many different types of people go but one thing is common and that is use of O2, best gas for the mission.
You all have heard of “Martini’s Law”. I guess we can all remember a time when 24 beers, a fast car, and 5 saloons spread on 40 miles of blacktop meant a good Saturday Night (remember the days when you had high tolerance to alcohol?). Today, for whatever reasons virtually none of us would roll those dice, best plan for the mission.
My crew and I have been diving a long time, (back when diving was dangerous and sex safe) and we all have been on some great dives. Problem is when diving on air we too often came up and asked our buddy a question like, “Yo Billy, was that one wreck or two we just dove?”
One last thing no one ever died of OxTox, whenever the bodies were recovered the cause of death was always drowning. I guess you get my point. You really got to get into the new century. There is no good reason to dive air! Oh sorry, the last argument, the cost of mixed gas and O2 deco. I’d love to say something like “this could be your very last argument” or “what is the life of a diver worth to you” but actions are better.
On all of our expeditions ALL & ANY GAS ARE INCLUDED, it just is not a cost issue when you dive with us. Further we can conduct training for you so that you can take full advantage of modern diving elements. Remember that any course on our liveaboards can be affected in a shorter time frame than on land due to the increased time in a day availed by our floating institute, fewer days more training.

THE EMPRESS IS WAITING: For those of you looking for an Empress Expedition now is the time to act. Places are filling up real fast and the only way to get there this year is to book now! BTW, we have renewed our deal with a major on hotel side of things for some excellent accommodations without ridiculous price increases. The days of “camping” at the Empress are now gone. As to the Nipigon, this is a real bonus, another great dive in the region. Many thanks to all those who have helped in getting it sunk, your contributions are greatly appreciated.

THE PIRATES ARE LANDING: Along with great diving the Thousand Islands offers a great deal more. Quaint towns and beautiful scenery to go along with the super diving. One event stands out “Alexandria Bay Pirate’s Week” August 13th to 22th. This is a great time to come and dive but also to party in an incredible atmosphere. Believe me, I have seen Pirate’s Week in Grand Cayman and it is tame and boring compared to A Bay’s version. If you think you were born 300 years too late come on along and live your fantasy. Actually, if you think you were born 30 years too late come any ways cause I’m not sure if it is more like the 1660’s or the 1960’s. Last year I think I saw Hendricks, Joplin and Blackbeard all on the same night.

COLL REGS BALLS & FLAGS: As I am writing another good ole boy drops by to tell me he’s just put his boat in the water and is ready to dive. I’d like to make a point about identifying a vessel engaged in diving.
Let us start with the “diver down flag”. While this maybe recognized by many and where it maybe required by state and local laws it is not enough. The real big guns are the United States Coast Guard; they will want you to respect the “Collision Regulations”. This will mean that you must also fly the “Alpha” flag.
So if you fly both then all is good? Not really! The “Alpha Flag” denotes a vessel with limited ability to maneuver, not necessarily due to divers in the water.
To be completely in accordance with the regulations you need to fly a vertical combination of “black ball/black diamond/black ball”. If your vessel is over 20 meters you must also identify the “diving side” and the “passing side”, with balls and diamonds. Normally, the balls should be .6 meters across and the diamonds 1.2 by .6 meters. Now it does state that the size may be reduced for smaller vessels but does not give other dimensions. BTW, an Alpha flag should be a meter square.
I do not want to complicate your life but if you wish to obey the letter of the law this is the way to go. We do it and it is no big deal. Remember, if you are boarded and inspected this could be a citation.

One last thought as I sit here in beautiful French Bay Marina watching a great T.I. sunset sipping a spiced rhum with mango juice. I do not know how many brave soldiers died overseas today. I do know that all the great things we enjoy in this country are in large part due to the sacrifices of those in the military that protect us. I am sure many of you had a good day so when you are chilling remember to say a word of thanks to those who are defending our rights and freedoms.
Always at your diving service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

Apr 16, 2004

Dear Diving Friend,

Well Easter is by us and this is a sure sign that the summer diving season is upon us. This week most of our vessels have hit the water or will be there pretty soon. Lake Ontario is ice free as is the upper Seaway and we are ready to go diving, the vis might be a bit ruff but soon enough we’ll have those 100’ vis and warm conditions the area is known for. Down in the Gulf it will be another few weeks before we start diving the Empress and Nipigon but we are getting ready and are stoked.

DARK DESCENT RELEASED TODAY: Well at long last Kevin McMurray’s book on diving the Empress of Ireland is starting to be shipped out. The finished book looks real good and reads great. Up till now we’d only seen drafts without any pictures but still we were impressed. The final product is just beautiful and a must have/read for very diver. You can check with your local bookstore as to when they will be getting in their shipment or you can order on line at Amazon.com. Once you will have read the book I know you’ll want to dive her yourself. Do not be disappointed with a sold out situation and book your expedition now.
BTW, Kevin will be at the 34th Our Underwater World, April 23, 24, 25 2004 at the Rosemont Convention Center, Chicago http://www.ourworldunderwater.com/index.shtml . You can meet Kevin and get your book signed at the OxyCheq Booth #822.
There you can meet with Patrick Duffy a tech dive gear-designing wizard. Just about every month some new product is coming to light. The really exciting news has been the wings. The reception has been just outstanding. The other hot mover is the HS Explorer Trimix RGBM computer. Check these and all the other products; go to www.technicaldivingops.com scroll down the front page and clique on OxyCheq.

DEEP SEA DETECTIVES AIRS APRIL 20TH: As we told you a few months ago we were very pleased to have participated in the History Channel’s show, Deep Sea Detectives, and this episode on the Empress of Ireland. On April 20th at 20:00 the show will air. Do not miss this incredible show on an incredible wreck. This was a real group effort because in addition to the regular cast just about all the people involved with diving the Empress collaborated. Capt. J.P. Bouillon, Kevin McMurray, Capt. Dany St.Cyr, Serge Lavoie and many others plus myself tendered what services were needed to help make this a truly great episode.
For many of us it will be a memorial to co-host, Michael Norwood, who tragically passed on shortly after the filming. Do yourself a favor next Tuesday, get a big bowl of popcorn, a cold one and kick back and enjoy.

TDI to HOST OTTAWA TECH CONFERENCE: The good people at Technical Diving International Canada http://www.tdicanada.com/ are putting together a tech conference in Ottawa, Ontario, May 1st. This is going to be a great event for all. They have invited some pretty cool speakers from all around the continent and there will be lots of good stuff to learn. A number of dive related service providers will be on hand to present their wares for your approval. Please be aware that this is a “non denominational” party and everyone interested in tech diving is welcome no matter what alphabet soup you put after your name. We applaud our associates in this action, as it will only help the sport in general. BTW, yours truly will be there to present GAP, Gas Absorption Program with R.G.B.M., Reduced Gradient Bubble Model, the world’s best deco software. Further there will be a show special on this product for attendees.
One last reason to come, I’ll be bringing two cases of signed copies of Kevin McMurray’s Dark Descent. Bring a bat and fight to the front of the line and be the first on your dive boat to have read it.

90TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMPRESS SINKING: On the night of May 29th 1914 the Empress of Ireland rolled over after being rammed and sank in just 14 horrifying minutes taking 1022 persons to their watery here after. Ninety years have passed since but the events of that night still stir all that are involved with the Empress and especially those who dive this ice water mansion. The Musee de la Mer (Museum of the Sea) at Pointe au Pere (Father Point) will be organizing a super day to commemorate the sinking and subsequent events. This is an incredible chance to start your own exploration of the greatest peacetime marine disaster that is actually diveable. Check it out at http://www.sea-viewdiving.com/shipwreck_info/empress_home/90thanniversary.htm.
BTW, the Titanic sank just last week (April 15th), 92 years ago, but the present technology does not yet allow you to dive her.
Depending on the break up and spring run off, this maybe a bit early for really great diving on the wreck itself. We will see. It is definitely not too early even now to book with us for some “primetime” diving on the Empress.

STRATGICIS ALLIANCE STRUCK WITH CROWELL: It is with great pleasure that we can announce a very important liaison between Alp Maritimes Sports and Capt. Danny Crowell. Most of you know Capt. Crowell as the skipper of the Seeker, legendary charter vessel to the Andrea Doria. On top of that Dan is a leading explorer of many other wrecks and has for more that two decades led expeditions to some of the most important wrecks in the world. Not only has he found and dived them he has filmed his exploits in a truly artistic fashion. Crowell’s many film making assignments and subsequent awards speak volumes to his skills with a camera and in the director’s chair. Add to this the fact that Dan is a superb technical diver trainer having coached and guided many great wreck divers.
Parallel to running the Seeker, Dan will be leading a number of wreck diving expedition and training sessions to Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands. We are so very pleased and honored to have hooked up with Dan to collaborate on his outstanding exploits. You can reach Dan directly at deepexpl@aol.com.
I really hope that many of you will be able to take advantage of our services and especially at the times when Dan will be there. It is important to note that now is the time to reserve your available time for the best in fresh water wreck diving.

FOR GIRLS ONLY: From time to time many of you have expressed a desire to organize a “girls only dive trip”. We think that this is a great idea! It has be a pleasure for me and my crew to host such Thousand Islands Mermaids liveaboard trips in the past. Imagine a get-away with nothing to do but relax, kick back, and make some gnarly dives. You all have enough responsibilities in your day-to-day lives and you all need a break. Rest assured that on this trip you will have nothing to do but enjoy yourselves, we will wait on you hand and foot. All our expeditions are 100% all-inclusive so all you need is a party attitude, a big smile and your topside summer cloths. Remember that we have all the gear you could want so no need to even think about gear issues if you are short an item or two. Ah yes, decide when and where you want to dive, no significant others to deal with, no kids to deal with, you can all be princesses for a few days (I promise the toilet seat will always be in the right position). If you’d like to toss in a quickie certification we should be able to arrange this to fit in. This first trip can take place in late June, if we get the interest, so set aside the time to pamper yourselves; if you don’t do it for yourselves, no one will do it for you. Right now I have real good availability but we are booking up quickly so you need to make plans now for your adventure.

Let me take this moment to thank all those who have booked courses and expeditions with us to date. For those who are still contemplating an action I urge you to contact us as soon as possible with your needs or desires. The rate of reservations is quite high and space is getting to be tight, we do not want to miss the opportunity of serving you simply due to tardiness. As you know we do only custom work so let us know what you need in the way of diving services. I am sure that you will not regret choosing us to provide your scuba-related needs and reserving now.

Always on standby for your underwater needs.
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

Mar 24, 2004

Dear Friends,

It is with a very heavy heart that I open this Newsletter. I hate to be the bearer of sad tidings but the realities of diving are often harsh. Hence, it is with no joy I write the first two articles.

JOHN BENNETT MISSING IN SOUTH PACIFIC: Our Southeast Asia associate, Joe Kaiser writes: We have just received the following report from a very reliable source close to John Bennett.
I’m sorry to say, that as of 12.45 Monday the 15th, while doing a salvage dive, John Bennett went missing.
QUOTE
His buddy on the dive said they were both at 45m on top of the ship; water temp 7c visibility one to two meters no current. The (sic) were on a 29% helium mix, bottom time 20 minutes total time 73 minutes to the surface.
His buddy noticed some unusual behaviour (sic) from John and gave John the OK sign, to which John returned the OK.
Again his buddy noticed John was acting differently and gave John the up sign. John returned the up sign, so he (sic) buddy proceeded to the up line and then noticed John wasn’t behind him. Going back to find John and seeing no sign of him, the buddy went back to the shot line and noticed bubbles. Thinking that John was there, the buddy proceeded to ascend. At his deco stop, the buddy noticed bubbles ascending past him, but then the bubbles stopped. When the buddy got out the water, he informed the leader of the job what had happened. Searching the surface, they spotted some bubbles a distance from the boat. The assumption was that John had lost the line until a few minutes later when the bubbles stopped. When John did not surface, anoter (sic) diver proceeded to do a twenty minute search, but there was no sign of John. A surface search was then performed for hours, but still no sign of John Bennett.
ENDQUOTE
Further information will be released as received and an official statement will be issued soon.
John was a true pioneer and an icon in the world of adventure diving.
For my part John was a real unique person. He was one of those few who when he talked to you, you felt like you had his undivided attention and that he was truly interested in your point of view.
We extend our condolences to Gabby, Joshua & Katie and the rest of their family. And all of John’s associates.

CLEMENT POULIOT NO LONGER WITH US: Last week while cave diving in Mexico, Clement Pouliot failed to surface from a dive. Initial reports are sketchy and the autopsy is being performed today as I write. Clement was a very accomplished diver and had a great deal of experience in many varied diving locals. For me personally it is a real shock. If I close my eyes I can see Clement standing there last summer telling me this joke all the while waving his arms to make the story even more hilarious. He was a very friendly, cool guy and that is how I will remember him. Our entire team extends our most sincere sympathies to all of Clement’s family, friends and associates. If you wish to know about the funeral arrangements please go to: www.nepteau.com. Should you wish to send a note to the family please send it to Clement’s associate, Eric, and he will see it gets to them: postmaster@nepteau.com.
We were also advised of a second death in the same cave system on the same day. Although we did not know this other diver we extend our condolences to family and friends.

EMPRESS COURSES COMPLETE: After several months of very hard work we are pleased to announce that our specialized courses on diving the Empress of Ireland are now complete. Many thanks must go to my associates Dany St. Cyr and Tyler Bradford who did legion duty on this project. I was incredibly fortunate to have two of the best and most experienced instructors currently diving the Empress help me with the project.
Our goal was to set out very clear and detailed course outlines to diving this world-class wreck. There is no question that the Empress can be an extremely daunting dive but with the right approach it can be a whole lot easier. The course outlines have been submitted to two leading agencies to be considered as instructor specified courses. For info on diving the Empress please go to www.technicaldivingops.com scroll down the front page to the Letters of Introduction and clique on the Empress button.
As most of you know the Empress season is short and boats limited. Our bookings are well advanced so please contact us as soon as possible to book charter and training space.

BTS THIS WEEKEND: Come to the 28th Beneath the Sea show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, the weekend of March 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2004, and allow us the pleasure of meeting with you, discussing your dive charter and training needs and proposing solutions. We will be in booth #540.
Do not forget OxyCheq will be right next to us at # 542.
Both Saturday and Sunday Kevin McMurray, world-renowned dive author, will be doing presentations on the Empress of Ireland. Kevin’s book Dark Descent, The Deadly Allure of the Empress of Ireland, will hit the bookstores April 12th. You can of course order your copy right now at: :http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/007141634X/qid=1074462022/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-8437922-5278324?v=glance&s=books .
Be sure not to miss these super presentations. World famous underwater filmmaker Danny Crowell will have some very interesting footage of last year’s expeditions will support Kevin. In addition Dany St Cyr “King of the Empress” will be on hand to add color commentary. Finally yours truly will lend a hand in making this a MUST SEE EVENT.
Outside these presentations Kevin and the entire cast will be at booth #540 to preview the book and answer all questions on the Empress.

DUAL PHASE MODELS & DEEP STOPS NOT NEW: At this time of year I am out doing a great many conferences and shows. One of the main topics that I am asked to speak on is decompression theory. More in point of fact, Reduced Gradient Bubble Model, which employs dual phase mechanics of dissolved and free phase gas. Most often people ask me to explain this NEW DECO THEORY. The reality is it is not exactly new. Way back in the late 60’s Brian Hills was already postulating his thought on the subject. Many of us were using deep stops in an ad hoc manner but Brian was approaching it from a sound scientific angle. Recently he wrote to Dr. Bruce Wienke commenting on the current state of the art/science of decompression. I have added this exchange on our website, go to www.technicaldivingops.com clique on Bulletin Board then NAUI then on Father of Dual Phase. This article will illuminate the reality of how slow it is for info to get out in this sport.
The reason that this article so impressed me is that for almost thirty years there existed a much better approach to decompression than the theories of Haldane and the Buhlman application. For three decades divers were not using the best theory they could, all be it there was one. Further anyone who understands particularly Buhlman knows that his algorithms do not work well with Helium. The result was doubly sad, divers were not decompressing as efficiently as they could and Helium was as a result not being used as much as it could. The result was countless injuries and deaths.
It makes me sick when I think of this. Look at Nitrox. Its growth was retarded for over 10 years by a group of deceitful powerful people in diving not because they had any proof against it but because of a hidden agenda fueled by greed (thank God one of these groups is no more).
My point is this. I can’t understand why advances in diving by the leaders take so long to be accepted by the masses. Look at any other sport; whatever innovation or revolution occurs at the top it is literally used by the masses in months if not weeks.
I urge you all to get out there and learn as much as you can. Do not ever use a phase like “it has served me well for a decade” or “I know all about that”. Diving is a very young sport, we venture into an environment as foreign as space. Move with the times, keep learning.
Remember we are at your service with educational programs to enhance your performance. We can hook you up to use Helium, teach you to decompress on R.G.B.M. and supply the tools, GAP deco software and HS Explorer Computers, to make your diving experience the most modern, efficient and pleasant it can be. GET WITH US IN THE 21ST CENTURY OF DIVING.

Time to get all packed up for BTS. I want to see as many of you there for a rocking good time. And for those of you who asked; Yes, the MONKEY will be there! As I leave for the show I do realize that some of you will not make it. Not cause you do not want to but cause you are away making it possible for things like BTS to happen. As another wave of Marines goes “in country”, this time to Haiti, I stop and I think. I give thanks to those far away from home fighting to ensure our way of life, our quality of life and our freedom, especially to dive.
God protect the armed forces cause they protect us.
Always at your service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Crew

Mar 6, 2004

Dear Underwater Adventurer,

Man, am I ever in the mood to dive. We have been busy attending recent dive shows and our agenda is full over the next month or so with shows. Every time we speak at any of these underwater events it makes me more eager to go out and do it. If you missed the show list in our last newsletter just go to www.technicaldivingops.com, clique on Bulletin Board then Newsletter Archives and see the 2004 list.

DARK DESCENT AVAILABLE SOON: I am really one lucky guy, for the last two years I have had the good fortune to help out Kevin McMurray on this next book, Dark Descent, story of diving the Empress of Ireland. A few weeks ago I was privileged to read the “galley” or proofing copy. I got the book at 18:00 and started to read, next thing I knew it was 03:00 the next day. I guess that first read was not much of a proofing cause I just could not stop and put it down. GREAT DIVE BOOK!!!! All the people I know who proofed it loved it, among them guys who know a lot about diving but also people like Clive Cussler who knows a great book when he sees one.
As of yesterday the people at McGraw Hill hit the “save” button and will shortly hit the “print” button” then on April 20th you will be able to read it for yourself.

BENEATH THE SEAS SHOW: This show has always been the big deal eastern dive show and this year will be no different. Alp Maritimes crew will be at our usual booth #540 and it will be our pleasure to meet with you all. We will be able to discuss your dive charter and training needs and advise as to how we can help.
Kevin McMurray will be doing presentations every day on the Empress of Ireland. He will be giving you a preview of his book as well as very useful information and interesting stories about this world-class wreck. Do not miss his very cool talks. 28th Annual Beneath the Sea Show, the Meadowlands, Secaucus, New Jersey: March 26.27,28 2004 www.BeneathTheSea.org.


OXYCHEQ TECHNICAL DIVE GEAR: As you may know our associate Patrick Duffy is just a designing wizard. Just about every month some new product is coming to light. The really exciting news has been the wings. We started out with a 50 lbs double and a 70 lbs double. The reception has been just outstanding. We have been getting back incredible reports as to their performance that only confirm our own results. For me the mark of a great wing is how well it “swims” (let’s face it even junk will float you on the surface). Our workhorse tanks are twin 95’s and the 50 lbs is a dream; streamline, well distributed and flawless filling and dumping. This week I got a report of two good divers whose trim had always been too much “head up”, no matter what they did. While on a course they both got the chance to try OxyCheq wings and things got real level real quick. Now we all know that it will always be the “gunner and not the gun” but why fight with your gear.
Check these and all the other wings; go to www.technicaldivingops.com scroll down the front page and clique on OxyCheq.
The other hot mover is the HS Explorer Trimix RGBM computer. While we will always cut tables on PC and carry deco slates, this tool makes life a whole lot easier. The super technology of the instrument coupled with the best algorithm in the world makes for a great combination. The resent demand took us by surprise and has been so high that there was about a month delay in delivery up till now. Gene Melton at HS ensures us that production improvements will now allow us to meet the demand in a timely manner.
Pat Duffy’s OxyCheq booth at BTS will be #542, right beside Alp Maritimes. Gene Melton, head guru at HS, will also be there to answer even the minutest details. Since our team dives exclusively OxyCheq this way we will have lots of pro divers who use the gear every day, they can talk the talk cause they walk the walk. Drop by and we will be able to answer all your gear needs.

MCMURRAY & KULISEK NAMED TO BOD: Kevin McMurray and Capt. Gary Kulisek both accepted positions on the board of directors of the Société des Récifs Artificiels l’Estuaire du Québec, R.A.E.Q. (Artificial Reef Society of the Estuary of Quebec). BTW, you pronounce the French acronym “WRECK”. The R.A.E.Q. was founded to undertake the sinking of the destroyer Nipigon. Once that mandate was full filled last July 24th the organization took on a new mission. Its mandate is to render the wrecks of the Nipigon/Empress easier to dive, safer to dive and to promote the wreck diving in the region. Both Kevin and myself have been closely associated with these projects and given our very close relationship to the wrecks and divers we are pleased to render our services. We along with the entire board feel that these wrecks represent incredible untapped potential for divers.

THOUSAND ISLANDS VESSEL IMPROVEMENTS: This week marked the finalization for our planned improvements to all our vessels, most particularly our liveaboards. Meetings with shipwrights have yielded a tight schedule to render our boats as diver friendly as possible by May 20. We will be paying special attention to gear stowage, means of entry and exit and “kick back” space. On the dive/deco gas production/storage scene we will revamp our gas racks and supply/storage cylinders to ensure quicker fills and less manipulation of tanks. Our day boat capabilities will be augmented by long-term leases to enhance that part of our services.

GAP RGBM DECO SOFTWARE: In the last few months we have been delivering tons of keys for GAP, Gas Absorption Program, with RGBM, Reduced Gradient Bubble Model algorithm. I am sure more and more of you are appreciating that dissolved gas (Haldanian) deco theory although well known have now been superceded by much more modern thoughts. If you need to brush up on the reasons why you want to follow this theory please go to www.technicaldivingops.com and clique on Technical Articles. These will point out the benefits to all divers. Once you are comfortable go to the front page of the Alp site, scroll down and clique on the GAP button. You can down load a trial version good for several days. At this point you will have been convinced that this is the ticket; super easy and stable platform with the most advanced deco theory.

QUEBEC DIVE REGULATIONS IN FORCE: In 1997 the Government of Quebec enacted legislation to govern diving in Quebec. Although these laws were on the books since then they will actually go into force on April 01 2004. This means that to dive in Quebec and to respect the law you need another dive card. Yeah, Yeah I can see the eyes rolling; the hands thrown up and hear the assorted profanities. What it really means to the serious divers coming up here to dive the Empress/Nipigon is you will show your C-Card/documents, pay $5.00 CDN and you’ll have the permit. In fact since more than likely you’ll be diving with Alp Maritimes Sports and our associates we’ll take care of this for you and you’ll never even notice you signed one more form. BTW, no matter what, get the card this year, a sort of a transition year, and in the future it will mean a no hassle renewal. Trust me, do it. It sounds simple enough for the diver and it is but there are a few more hoops if you want to teach diving here ect. but I will not go into that here. It should be mentioned that at this writing we have yet to be advised exactly when, where and how those of us who will be authorized to issue the cards will be brought up to speed on the mechanics.
Before anyone asks, there are no “Scuba Gestapo” named as of yet, not sure who, if anyone, will do the checking of cards. I guess it is the way of the world; laws to tell us what to do are all over the place we just got to chill out and soldier on.
I wonder if the best place to be is not on the high seas with only a rolling deck as a country and a black flag off the stern. What is it Buffet sings, ”born two hundred years to late”?

MIA CULPA: In our last newsletter I listed a number of northeast dive shows, it was by no means meant to be a complete list, I did omit one very venerable event. It was pointed out to me that I didn’t mention the Boston Sea Rovers 50th Anniversary Clinic, which we all agree is worthy of inclusion in any show list. The whole program is available on www.bostonsearovers.com. My apologizes to all my friends in the Rovers, no insult intended.

Well it is time to pack up the displays and off to another dive show. Please remember that we are in the busiest part of our reservation season. To date our bookings are very strong but we have the resources to answer the charter/training needs of many more friends. It is critical that you indicate to us the dates and services you will need. That way we can reserve space for you and have the pleasure of diving with you.

Always at your diving service,
Capt. Gary Kulisek and the Alp Maritimes Crew

Feb 14, 2004

Dear Divers,

Despite the cold northern weather we have not been hibernating but been in high gear getting ready for next season. The last month has been very hectic with a lot of new developments not the least is a bit of new look to this newsletter.
Website Update: We are proud to direct you to the improvements on our site, www.technicaldivingops.com. Despite the general layout not changing new info has been added to almost every page. The first big news is that we have added a slide show, clique on Contact/Photos. Here we have assembled 150 plus photos we felt were of interest. We tried to give you a bit of the flavor of our expeditions and our approach.
Up until last year we were very shy on photos, we just did not take very many, as we were too busy diving and taking care of our clients. Last year our old friend Joe Ifi, Director of Sales and Marketing, at SeaLife Reefmaster www.sealife-cameras.com helped get us into the digital age. With his guidance and expertise we were able to record our adventures a lot better. We will be expanding our efforts and will try to add to our slide show in the months to come. BTW, 99% of all photos were shot with Sealife cameras, easy to use, good quality, no hassles; a great product.
Finally we got tunes! I have wanted for a long time to have music on our site as tunes make it all better. Our web guy, Steve O’Collin, http://www.aoadesign.qc.ca laid down one of my favorite songs, I hope you will enjoy it. It may take a minute or two to load (I should know cause my line here is the slowest of the slow) but I think it is fun.
Jan Watts Saves Life: For once I can report on the diving death that never happened, a happy story. Most people in diving know Hal Watts, www.fortyfathomgrotto.com, this time Hal has got “second chair” as his wife Jan is the hero. A couple of weeks ago a group is diving at the Grotto, something goes wrong for one of the divers and she ends up on the surface unconscious. A couple of minutes later she’s on the deck pretty much in a “tag her and bag her” situation, no pulse, no respiration, no vitals!
Enter Jan ‘Super Women” Watts, using her classical training as a nurse and her knowledge of diving she leaps into the breach. Taking charge and administering a sound but bold approach she begins to work on the women. Within in a short time there is pulse, then respiration then consciousness. By the time the fire department and E.M.T.’s arrive, the diver is lucid and more worried about her cut wet suit than her brush with the reaper. After a precautionary chamber ride we are told all is well. Congrats to Jan for a super job of bringing one back.
BTW, speaking of nurses, I spoke with Billy Deans; he’s fine, got a new rebreather and is busy as ever at the Key West Hospital.
Upper End Courses in June: We have had an unprecedented call for top end courses in early June aboard our liveaboards in the Seaway and Great Lakes. A surprising number of divers have requested particularly instructor and mixed gas courses at this time. Despite the fact we will basically run any course at any time it would make sense to combine students as one often learns from others on a course as well as the staff. I suggest that if you are in anyway considering upper end courses you get with us as soon as possible. Taking a course at the start of a season really makes a lot of sense, as the benefits are immediate and will make the rest of your season more profitable. Please be advised that we will fill up fairly soon so act now.
Alexandria Bay Pirates Week: If you are looking for a rocking good time you got to be in Alex Bay August 13-22 for Pirates Week. You can step back into the 1600’s or just back to the 1960’s (if you get my drift). Go watch the movie Pirates of the Caribbean “Secret of the Black Pearl” and I‘m sure you’ll get in the mood. This is a great time to come and dive with us on our day charters (we’ll handle a shore based hotel/meal package for you) get in excellent dives during the sunshine hours and be able to get in some gnarly partying after dark. This is a chance to combine the Ole Cappy’s two favorite things: diving and raising hell. BTW, bail bonds arranged at an additional fee.
Three Great N.E. Dive Shows:
28th Annual Beneath the Sea Show, the Meadowlands, Secaucus, New Jersey: March 26.27,28 2004 www.BeneathTheSea.org. A really great show, a must for divers. More info on special attractions in the next Newsletter.

3rd Annual Mid Winter SCUBA Expo, Ramada Inn, Watertown, New York: Feb. 28 2004 (to see flyer go to www.technicaldivingops.com clique on Bulletin Board, clique on Winter Scuba Expo). A worthwhile day of dive activities in up State New York.

Great Lakes Underwater 2004, SUNY Oswego, Lanigan Hall, Oswego, New York: March 6, 2004 www.oswegomaritime.org/glu.html. A great update on what is happening in the Great Lakes.

Troisième Colloque Québécois de la Plongée Sous-marine (3rd Quebec Underwater Symposium) l’Hôtel Gouverneur de l’île Charron, Longueuil, Quebec: March 20 2004 http://www.diablesdesmers.qc.ca/colloque.htm. A great French language event held in one of the great French cities of the world, Montreal: great people, great food and old world ambiance.

Empress of Ireland Specific Wreck Course: As you may know we having been planning on creating some specific wreck courses for the Empress. It is a long over due project and finally we have made the time.
My plan is to have three; External Survey, Penetration, and Deep Penetration. The first two; External Survey and Pen 1 are don