Klubaand Vrydag 15 Augustus

Vrydagaand is klubaand!

Hamburgerbraai by die klubhuis. Bring jou eie burger “patties”, ons voorsien die broodjie, tamatie, ens.

So vanaf 6.30.

Laat weet asseblief as jy saam kom kuier, sodat ons genoeg bykosse kan voorsien.

O ja, onthou jou eie drinkgoed!

Groete

Dive Zero

Hierdie is 'n oulike TV formaat joernaal oor duik die hele wêreld vol.

Freak wave hits Durban beach

News 24

Durban - One man drowned and 18 others had to be rescued after being swept into the sea after a freak wave hit the main beach on Sunday.

The Durban NSRI and the Vodacom Netcare 911 surf-rescue helicopter were called out just after 15:19 after reports of a large number of bathers in difficulties at the beach.

The helicopter crew found lifeguards and police doing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on a man of about 40, but without success.

He was declared dead at the scene.

Lifeguards reported at that stage that one person might still be missing in the surf.

While the helicopter was searching for the person suspected still to be missing, it was confirmed that all those who had been swept into the sea were ashore.

Unexpected waves

Lifeguards had restricted bathers to wading in the surf because of rough sea conditions.

It appears that, with the rising tide, a set of waves unexpectedly swamped the beach, sweeping 19 bathers wading in ankle-deep water off their feet.

Lifeguards quickly pulled in most of them, apart from a few who had been swept further into the sea.

One lifeguard was taken to hospital after getting lacerations while rescuing victims. He is reported to be in a satisfactory condition.

Scuba in your Car

An Even Stranger "Boat"

Submitted by glenjustice on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 02:36.

For a week, a story about the Rinspeed Splash, a Swiss-made car-boat-hydrophoil that looks like a Miata and is fast enough to tow a skier, graced our home page. We thought it was funny – the strangest boat of all.

Then this crossed my path: the same company is making an car that can dive. According to the company's website, the Rinspeed sQuba will be capable of traveling more than 30 feet below the surface. Inspired by a scene in the 1977 James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me" (the Roger Moore era), the car is expected to debut in the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The sQuba, according to the company, has three motors – one for driving and two for the screws – and jet drives on the front...or should I say bow? The entire cockpit fills with water – apparently, you drive into the water, the car floats and then you literally open the door and let the water in. This eliminates unwanted bouyancy, and occupants then breathe via SCUBA tanks. The car sports an open top for emergency exits.

Why am I writing about this? Because it is insane...extreme...mad, even. Like mega yachts and $75,000 infrared cameras, it's not my cuppa joe but I'm glad it exists. Rinspeed chief exec Frank M. Rinderknecht, the architect of these insane little not-for-sale projects, clearly has some vision, odd as it is. As Rinderknecht explained it, he's had this on his mind since he saw the Bond film.

“For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water," he said in a statement. "Now we have made this dream come true.”

Well, boats – even those of the strange, driving, submarine-line variety – are all about dreams. Go Frank.

Rinspeed

Underwater Digital Camera Mask

Related Pictures Neonode N2 - Follow Your Intuition Laser Turntable

The Liquid Image company, based in Sacramento, CA (formerly known as Zocker Toys), has unveiled a 5.0 MP underwater digital camera mask. The company presented the new device at the 2008 CES show, currently taking place in Las Vegas. Unlike other underwater cameras that require the diver to hold the camera while taking pictures, Liquid Image's camera mask is hands free. The camera is integrated into a diving mask, allowing one to take pictures of marine life while swimming freely.

When the user wishes to take a picture or a video, all he or she must do is make sure that the crosshair marks on the mask are in line with the object and press the 'capture' button. The LED lights inside the viewing area indicate the camera's current mode. A short video taken with the Camera Mask can be found here. The digital images can be downloaded to a computer via a USB cable. One can edit images and videos by using the included ArcSoft software. The digital underwater Camera Mask is available in a 3.1 version, capable of taking pictures in a 5M depth, and in a 5.0 MP version that works in a 30M depth. The camera is equipped with a 16 MB SD RAM internal memory that can be upgraded via the Micro SD card slot. The 5MP model offers High Res (5.0 MP) and Low Res (3.1MP) shooting modes, as well as a 18-25FPS VGA video mode. The camera's minimum photographic distance is 1.2m (5ft) and it is powered by two AAA alkaline 1.5V batteries. The Underwater Digital Camera Mask will be released for sale in spring 2008 at a price of $99. TFOT previously covered a few innovative digital cameras, including Zigview - the world's first digital angle viewfinder for digital and film SLR cameras, POV. 1 - a durable, waterproof, dustproof and shock resistant video camera, and a wireless USB (WUSB) technology for cameras developed by the semiconductor company Artimi. More information on the Underwater Digital Camera Mask can be found on the company's website.

CMAS One Star Diver Training Programme

A briefing will be held on Thursday 31 January at the PSA clubhouse (at the Tjaart van Vuuren swimming pool - entrance in 31st street between Hertzon and Haarhoff - Waverley Pretoria) to discuss the next PSA one star training programme with all interested parties. The course will be approximately R1100 per person. For more info, contact Andre Botha at 082 564 4110.

CMAS – ONE STAR DIVER TRAINING PROGRAMME – FEBRUARY 2008

DATE	TIME	VENUE	ACTIVITY	REFERENCE TO FRAMEWORK
Thursday 31/01/2008	19h00	PSA Clubhouse	Meeting of all interested parties	N/A
Tuesday 05/02/2008	19h30	PSA Clubhouse	Classroom	Module 1 : Training Programme Module 2 : Diving Equipment Module 3 : Diving Physics
Wednesday 06/02/2008	19h30	PSA Clubhouse	Classroom	Module 4 : Diving Anatomy and Physiology Module 5 : Dive Planning
Saturday 09/02/2008	14h00 – 17h00	PSA Clubhouse	Swimming Pool	Introductory Confined Water Training Session Confined Water Training / Assessment Session 1 Confined Water Lesson 1
Sunday 10/02/2008	1400 – 17h00	PSA Clubhouse	Swimming Pool	Confined Water Training / Assessment Session 2 Confined Water Lesson 2 Confined Water Lesson 3
Tuesday 12/02/2008	19h30	PSA Clubhouse	Classroom	Module 6 Open Water Environment and Open Water Diving Module 7 : Rescue and Resuscitation Module 8 Further Diving and Development Opportunities
Saturday 16/02/2008	14h00 – 17h00	PSA Clubhouse	Classroom Swimming Pool	Open Water Diving Planning Session Training / Assessment Session 3 Confined Water Lesson
Sunday 17/02/2008	12h00	De Jong Pool Roper Street	Swimming Pool	Training / Assessment Session 4 Confined Water Lesson 5 Training / Assessment Session 5
Sunday 24/02/2008	14h00	PSA Clubhouse	Classroom	Theoretical Work Assessment
Saturday 01/03/2008	07h00	Miracle Waters		Open Water Training Dive/Assessment Session 1 Training Dive 1 Training Dive 2 Training Drive 3
Sunday 02/03/2008	07h00	Miracle Waters		Open Water Training Dive / Assessment Session 2 Training Dive 4 Training Dive 5

Vriendelike verpligte braai - 1 Feb 2008

Aangesien die juniortjies en sommige senior dames uitstedig is weens nationals en daarom valentynsdag gaan mis, het ons dit goed gedink om ‘n “valentynsbal” te hou, maar op die PSA manier!

WAAR: PSA klubhuis by die Tjaart van Vuuren swembad in Villeria. (sien p.3)

WANNEER: 1 Februarie

KOSTES: Ons was so vriendelik om geen ingangsfooi te vra nie, maar daar word ‘n versoek gerig om wel geld saam te bring vir pryse wat gewen kan word.

KOS: Dis ‘n bring en braai.
UPDATE: Graat maak 'n potjie. So jy hoef nie te bring nie
Bring asb eie versnappings, drankies en eetgerei

Indien daar ouers is wat hul kinders wil saambring, laat weet asb vroegtydig vir Eddie (0823205477), sodat daar spesiale reëlings getref kan word.

Daar is egter een kinkel in die kabel: Om by die tema aan te sluit moet almal iets rooi, pienk of as dit rêrig nie anders kan nie wit of swart klere aantrek.

Daar sal ‘n prys wees vir die couple wat die oorspronklikste aantrek.

LET WEL: Almal is welkom! Gesinne, couples en enkel persone…daar sal genoeg geselskap wees!!

Good chance for newies to get know everybody, and for everybody to get to know newies.

Please make use of the entrance in 31st street and not through the gym in Hertzog street.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Marlie with any questions and requests (0823899384)

Perlemoen nou 'n nee-nee

http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/&articleid=323237&referrer=RSS

Fishermen 'bewildered' by new perlemoen ban

Traditional fishermen and coastal communities are confused and bewildered by the perlemoen ban, the Masifundise Development Trust said on Friday.

It was reacting to the Cabinet announcement on Thursday that all wild perlemoen harvesting will be suspended indefinitely from the end of this month.

"The announcement ... has been met with confusion and bewilderment by traditional fishers and coastal communities throughout the Western Cape," the NGO said in a statement.

The move has, however, been welcomed by environmental organisations.

Masifundise said it recognises perlemoen stocks are under serious threat of over-exploitation, but said to "punish" traditional fishers for this is "discriminatory, foolhardy and will most certainly backfire".

The crisis in the fishery, including rampant poaching and associated social problems, is a product of past inequitable economic and social policies, it said.

Masifundise works with small-scale and traditional fishing and coastal communities along the Cape's south and west coasts.

Environment and Tourism Affairs Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk's office said on Friday that warnings the fishery might be closed were issued as far back as 2004.

In his budget speech earlier this year, the minister had again warned of a ban if stocks continued to head towards extinction, spokesperson Riaan Aucamp said.

"For the past few years the recommendation from our department's managers and researchers has been that the fishery is in crisis and that the closure could not be avoided," he said.

The total annual allowable catch of perlemoen, also known as abalone, has dropped rapidly over the years to the current 100 tonnes.

The Cabinet has said there will be an increase in policing to try to stop perlemoen poaching, which is widely blamed for the removal of thousands of tonnes of the expensive shellfish along the Cape coast and for the collapse of the sector. -- Sapa

Korale op die Rooi Lys

http://www.xray-mag.com/article/453/Three_corals_added_to_Red_List_of_Threatened_Species

Three corals added to Red List of Threatened Species

For the first time, corals were added to the annual report of IUCN's (World Conservation Union) 2007 Red List wildlife going extinct.

Floreana coral. Photo by Paul Humann/www.fishid.com.

Two of the corals – Floreana coral (Tubastraea floreana) and Wellington’s solitary coral (Rhizopsammia wellingtoni) – as Critically Endangered, while a third – Galapagos coral (Polycyathus isabela) – is listed as Vulnerable.

These three species of corals, unique to the Galapagos Islands, could soon disappear forever.

“There is a common misconception that marine species are not as vulnerable to extinction as land-based species,” said Roger McManus, CI’s vice president for marine programs.

“However, we increasingly realize that marine biodiversity is also faced with serious environmental threat, and that there is an urgent need to determine the worldwide extent of these pressures to guide marine conservation practice.”

Galapagos coral. Photo by Cleveland P Hickman, Jr.

Scientists blame climate change for more frequent and increasingly severe El Niño events that have caused dramatic rises in water temperatures and reduced nutrient availability around the Galapagos Islands in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, off South America. The warmer water harms corals and algae, both of which constitute the structural foundation of unique and diverse marine ecosystems.

Corals build reefs that are habitat for fish and other marine life, and also are a major attraction for divers in the Galapagos, where tourism makes a significant contribution to the local and national economy.

“Marine ecosystems are vulnerable to threats at all scales – globally through climate change, regionally from El Niño events, and locally when over-fishing removes key ecosystem building blocks,” said Jane Smart, head of the IUCN Species Program. “We need more effective solutions to manage marine resources in a more sustainable way in light of these increasing threats.”

The recovery of algae species following strong El Niño events is harmed by over-fishing of the natural predators of sea urchins, which feed on the algae. Mushrooming urchin populations scour rocks clean of algae, depleting a major food source for other species such as the Galapagos marine iguana.

Wellington's solitary coral. Photo by Paul Humann/www.fishid.com.

Other coral and algae species lacked sufficient information to determine their IUCN Red List status, so they received the designation of Data Deficient. Researchers believe many of these species are likely to be listed as threatened with extinction when more detailed information becomes available.

The Red List also includes 74 Galapagos seaweeds, or macro-algae, with 10 of them receiving the most threatened status of Critically Endangered. Prior to 2007, only one algae species had been included on the Red List.

PSA Dagboek

Goeie more

Dagboek solank die volgende datums en laat weet my of Lynette as jy/julle belangstel:

10 November

Droë duik: tot 50m diepte. As gevolg van die kostes vir die duik, benodig ons 10 persone, minimum 18 jaar oud, verkieslik 2-ster kwalifikasie of soortgelyk. Duik neem ongeveer 2 ure, met ‘n “briefing” vooraf. Jy kry ook ‘n sertifikaat en kan die duik “log”.

24 November

Kersfees ete: Meer volledige inligting sal later deurgegee word. Hou solank die aand oop

5-8 Desember

Interklubs – onderwaterhokkie – sterkte vir al die spellers. Daar is 3 spanne ingeskryf, waaronder ‘n dames kombinasie span.

21 April – 5 Mei

Worlds – onderwater hokkie toernooi

20 tot 31 April (of daarrond)

Mosambiek – Inhambane omgewing. Die klub wil in Mosambiek gaan duik. Die datums is gedurende die skool vakansie met Paasnaweek tussen-in – 21 tot 24ste.

Laat weet my of Lynette as jy belangstel om saam te gaan, dank an ons meer reëlings begin tref rakende plek, kostes en selfs datums – as jy dalk langer of later wil gaan.

25 April tot 4 Mei

Mosambiek / Plettenberg baai – as gevolg van die vakansie dae – Vryheidsdag en Werkersdag, is dit dalk ook ‘n goeie tyd om iets te reel. Laat weet asseblief as dit jou dalk eerder sou pas en of jy enige voorkeure het.

Februarie 2007

“Full face” duik. Ons wil reël vir ‘n duik met die vol gesig maskers. As jy sou belangstel, laat weet my dank an ons aangaan om ‘n duik te reël

Groete

Mireille

083 285 2983 of mirb @ ccarchitects. co. za

1 Ster Kursus Oktober 2007

Hallo almal

Andre beplan ‘n 1 Sterkurusus vir Oktober Maand. Die inligtings aand is op 16 Oktober 2007 om 19h00 by die klubhuis sal julle asb persone wat belangstel laat weet.

Groete

Lynette

Klub aand 7 September - Graat die bobaas wildspot kok!

'n kursus vir die's met sterre in hul oë

Hi Daar

As julle weet van persone wat belangstel in 'n 1 ster kursus, laat weet asb vir Andre Botha.

Groete

Lynette

Potjiekos Vrydag 7 September

Goeie more

Die wêreldbeker rugby begin en het natuurlik ‘n invloed op van die duikers ook! Dus:

Die klubaand van die 14de skuif na hierdie Vrydag 7 September by die klubhuis. Graatjie gaan vir ons ‘n wildspotjie (koedoe) voorberei.

Tyd is van 7uur af.

Koste: R10 per persoon

Bring jou eie drinkgoed en eetgerei.

Laat weet asseblief vir Lynette (012 333 8109) of Mireille (083 285 2983) sodat ons weet hoeveel mense om voor te berei.

Geniet intussen die week.

Mireille

mirb@ccarchitects.co.za

This information is also available in English, for those that can’t read Afrikaans. One of the other indigenous languages can also be done if so required.

PSA Projekte

Onthou asseblief die volgende datums:

Saterdag 1 September - Lentedag duik(e) by Miracle Waters

Selfs al dink jy die water is dalk te koud, kom saam en hou piekniek, braai 'n worsie of kuier net saam. Ons bespreek 'n lapa vir PSA. Laat weet my egter asseblief sodat ons 'n idee het hoeveel mense gaan opdaag. As jy nodig het om juou silinder vol te maak, kontak asseblief vir Andre Ferreira sodat daar 'n pomp-aand gereël kan word in die week. Andre 082 781 3277.

Vrydag 14 September - Klubaand by die klubhuis.

Ons gaan bietjie saam kuier en braai, probeer nog iets reël, sal laat weet. Daar gaan ook 'n paar buite gaste wees. Dagboek solank die datum en kom kuier saam, veral aangesien dit bietjie warmer al raak

"Chamber" duik - Alhoewel daar altyd heelwat belangstelling is, sukkel ons om hulle bymekaar te kry as daar 'n duik gereël word. As gevolg van die koste van so 'n duik, raak dit baie duur as ons nie 10 persone bymekaar kan kry vir die duik nie. Ons moes dan ongelukkig weer die droë duik afstel na 'n volgende poging.

Geniet intussen die naweek, sien julle die 1ste!

Mireille