The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of Baleen whale, which are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than teeth. Baleen or whalebone is a filter-feeder system inside their mouths. Adults range in length from 12–16 metres (39–52 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is often seen breaching and slapping the water. Males produce a complex song which lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. They only sing when in their calving grounds and only in the mating period. The purpose of the song is not yet clear, although it appears to have a role in mating. It has been suggested that the songs are used to communicate male fitness to female whales.
Humpbacks are found all around the world, they typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres (16,000 mi) each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, humpbacks do not feed, they live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish.
Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpbacks are now sought by whale watchers all around the world, and the first humpback in Irish waters for 2012 has been spotted three miles south of Hook Head Co Wexford.
The Humpback whale
There is an Article in Divernet about diving with Oceanaddicts in Kinsale
Last May John Liddiard from Diver Magazine cane to Kinsale to dive some of our sites. He wrote an article which appeared in the October issue of Diver. It is also now online. You can read it for yourselves by following this link http://diver.net-genie.co.uk/Travel_Features/atlantic/1082041/in_cork_kinsale_with_the_addicts.html
Oceanaddicts are Exhibiting at Dive 2011 at the NEC Birmingham
Graham and Anne of Oceanaddicts travel to Birmingham next Friday to set up their stand at the NEC in Birmingham for Dive 2011 which takes place the 22nd & 23rd of October. There are over 300 exhibiters at the show this year, ranging from dive travel & holidays, to the latest equipment companies, so it promises to be a great show.
If you are going to Dive 2011 please do call to meet Oceanaddicts at our stand number 1352, we would love to see you.
This year Anne will be giving a presentation in the PADI Seminar Theatre in the PADI village. The presentation is on Diving Ireland’s South Coast and will take place at 3.30pm on Saturday. The presentation is a mixture of information, images and short video clips showcasing some of the diving on offer along our beautiful South of Ireland coastline. Anne will talk about Cork’s historical ship wrecks, WW1 Submarine the UC-42, and the gunrunning ship scuttled by it’s crew, The Aud, to mention just two. She will also talk about the wonderful marine life you can expect to encounter if you come to dive our Cork coast, warmed by the gulf stream which flows from the Gulf of Mexico unhindered across the Atlantic. This warm current brings with it an abundance of life making the South coast of Ireland one of the best diving locations in the world.
If you would like to hear more do come to the presentation 3.30pm Saturday at the PADI Seminar Theatre in the PADI village you will be very welcome.
DAN ONE course will be held on Oceanaddicts Liveaboard
Oceanaddicts are delighted to announce that we are now a DAN Partner and in association with James Stockdale DAN Instructor, we are hosting a DAN ONE course, on board Embarr, on Thursday 28th July. The ONE course is a combination of OFA (Oxygen) & NEU (Neuro).
The cost of the course is €260 and includes all materials, certification and lunch. If interested you can contact Anne at anne@oceanaddicts.ie phone 087-7903211 or James at james.sharkbait@gmail.com phone 085-7103330
OFA (Oxygen)
Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries represents entry-level training to educate the general diving (and qualified non-diving) public to better recognise possible dive-related injuries and to provide emergency oxygen first aid while activating the local emergency medical services (EMS) and / or arranging for evacuation to the nearest available medical facility.
Course Objective
The course is designed to train and educate the general diving public in the techniques of using oxygen as first aid for a suspected dive injury. In addition, this course will introduce novice divers to the fundamentals of recognizing diving injury signs and symptoms, response and management. This program also provides an excellent opportunity for experienced divers and instructors to continue their education.
The DAN Oxygen Provider course is not designed to train lay persons to provide oxygen to the general public. While the medical standards and equipment are the same regarding the emergency use of oxygen for both divers and non-divers, the DAN Oxygen Provider course does not prepare individuals to respond to the ill or injured member of the general public by using emergency oxygen.
NEU (Neuro)
This course, On-Site Neurological Assessment for Divers, is an advanced-level program that provides additional training for those individuals who have successfully completed the DAN Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries course within the past two years (24 months).
Course Objective
The DAN On-Site Neurological Assessment for Divers Provider (“DAN On-Site Neuro Provider”) program is designed to:
Refresh the knowledge of the warning signs of a dive emergency
Identify when it is appropriate to conduct an on-site neurological assessment
Conduct an on-site neurological assessment
For more information about the ONE course visit the DAN web site, links for the OFA is http://daneurope.org/web/guest/training/ofa and the NEU is http://daneurope.org/web/guest/training/neuro.
Day One of Diving
Our day started at 7.00am with a breakfast before hauling anchor and heading for Sheep’s Head to dive the Bullig. There was a bit of a swell at the dive site so we headed in the bay and anchored at Dooneen Pier and headed to the Bullig by Rib. None of the divers had dived the Bullig before and were all well impressed. The Bullig is a Pinnacle rising from the seabed of 60M to 12M. It could be referred to as a high energy site with the rock covered with life, shoals of fish patrol it and cray fish are often seen. Our divers were so impressed that they wanted to dive it again after lunch.
I'm going for a swim
Tonight we are back in the safe anchorage of Lawrence Cove where we had a Bar-B-Q on board and some of the divers have now gone for a night dive on the Bardeen Reefer, a small wreck in the channel between Bere Island and the mainland. The conditions are super for it with clear skys and flat seas. We had a beautiful sunset so lets hope it’s a promise of nice weather for tomorrow.
Happy Divers return from the Second Dive
Anchored in Lawrence Cove Bere Island
We arrived in Lawrence Cove Bere Island in the early afternoon after we had a lovely relaxed trip from Baltimore. It was a beautiful day with perfect sea conditions as we passed the distinctive shape of the Fastnet Rock. Rounding the Mizen the coastal scenery was breathtaking bathed in warm summer sunshine. We passed by some old diving haunts, Three Castle Head, The South Bullig, Dunmanus Bay, The Bullig, Sheep’s Head before heading in the bay to Bere Island. Previous dives were relived and new ones anticipated, but today we were picking up the remainder of our guests for the weekend, so diving will have to wait until tomorrow.
Embarr’s Westward Bound
Galley Head
Our Liveaboard, Embarr, with our 6m rib, Up To Something left Kinsale this morning heading West for some multi location diving. Conditions were ideal with lovely summer sunshine and a kind sea. We plan to overnight in Baltimore and continue west tomorrow picking up our first diver tomorrow night. Our dive plan at the moment is flexible with all sites between Castletownbare and Cahersiveen up for grabs.
The first land mark we passed was the Old Head of Kinsale where today her lighthouse watched over a calm blue sea. On board at the moment are Skipper Graham, Chris, John and GDB (General Dog’s Body) your’s truly Anne. There was plenty of time for chat, and morning coffee passing the seven heads, with lots of discussions on different dive sites along the way.
By lunch time we were passing the Galley Head, and making good progress. We were shadowed on our Journey by a beautiful Dutch boat that had been moored in Kinsale for the last few days.
Passing the Stags we spoke of drift dives through them and diving the Kowloon Bridge, past the Kedges and we headed in bast the distinctive Baltimore Beacon to tie up at the pier in Baltimore.
Now to try and catch a few mackerel for our dinner…….
Underwater Photography Workshop
After the success of our last Underwater Photography workshop with we are delighted to announce that this year we are running two workshops with renowned underwater photographer and videographer John Collins. The first workshop will take place on board our liveaboard, Embarr on the 11th and 12 of June and is aimed at Divers who use compact cameras. The cost for the workshop is €300 and includes B&B and lunch and all your dives. Dives will take place on board our 8.8m Rib Oisre. John will be available throughout the weekend to offer help and advise on how to improve your photography.
For further information or to Book please contact Anne 087-7903211 or email anne@oceanaddicts.ie
The Second workshop will be held in September and will be aimed at divers who dive with an SLR camera
John Collins Photographer
John Collins is an award-winning photographer, based in Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland. Originally from Limerick, he discovered photography as a teenager and with it a life-long passion to capture images of the world around us. While studying Pharmacy in Trinity College Dublin, he learned to scuba-dive with Dublin University Sub-Aqua Club and went on to gain experience both in Ireland and abroad, eventually becoming a diving instructor in 1991.
John is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography course in professional photography. On land, John continues to work on landscape and documentary photographs, producing unique images of the beautiful areas around Kinsale and west Cork.
John specializes in Underwater Photography, particularly in his home waters and other temperate seas that are less visited and appreciated than the coral seas of the tropics. A collection of these images have been published in the book, Cool Waters Emerald Seas, published by Atrium in 2006. Many of John’s photographs have been successful in competition and are widely published internationally. As Divers we can really appreciate John’s ability to capture glimpses of our unique underwater landscape, the life that inhabits it and the ships that have been wrecked in it.
Fantastic site.
Hi Graham & Anne, I spent the last few hours reading your website and am truly amazed at the innovative business in which you have created.
I really look forward to spending some time with you both in the very near future.
Paul.
All inclusive 3 Day Special €400
If you fancy a short trip on Ireland’s first and only Scuba Dive Liveaboard now is your chance. We are offering an all inclusive 3 day trip for just €400. This includes 3 nights B&B, lunch and Dinner. It also includes all your dives and air. Nitrox up to 30% is free to all qualified to use it. Embarr will be going into port each evening. If you are interested drop me a mail anne@oceanaddicts.ie