ScubaVisions

Ok, diver friends. The Aggressor Fleet has generously agreed to donate a trip for 2 on board the lovely Turks & Caicos Aggressor II as a raffle prize to help the TCRF raise money to support its moorings project which it is leading with Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs. Tickets are $25 and only 500 will be sold. Drawing to be held on 2 November 2013. More info at http://www.tcreef.org/aggressorraffle.html — in Providenciales. Please share this on to all your diver friends.

A friend is trying to assess is new lighting in a large pool-like structure and they want to measure light intensity inside the structure. I have looked but cannot find an underwater light meter. Do such devices exist? If not, since the pool is only 23 feet deep, would it work to put a light meter in a waterproof pouch like those made for iPhones? Thanks. Don

15 November 2011, Providenciales, TCI – The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) announced today that David Bowen and Heidi Hertler, Ph.D. have joined the organization’s Board of Advisors. David Bowen is a widely recognized Turks & Caicos Islander who was born and raised in Grand Turk. Bowen began his career in 1977 as a Professional Dancer and Choreographer in Freeport, Bahamas and later New York. He returned to the Turks & Caicos Islands in 1997 to become the first Turks and Caicos Islander to hold the post of Entertainment Manager at Beaches Resort and at Sandals Jamaica. Since 2003 David has been the Turks & Caicos Director of Culture with the Cultural & Arts Commission under the Ministry of Education. He is also a member of the Consultative Forum. “Joining the TCRF Board is an honor for me as their efforts are directed toward helping to maintain the beautiful environment we have here in these islands that I have enjoyed all my life,” said Mr. Bowen about joining the Board. Heidi Hertler, Ph.D. holds the position of Center Director at the School for Field Studies (SFS), Center for Marine Resource Studies (CMRS). As an SFS alumnus, Dr. Hertler was attracted to the Turks and Caicos Islands program and the ongoing center research. Her personal research focuses on relationships between land use and the coastal marine systems. This includes the integration of science and research into environmental strategies and policies for the conservation of biodiversity and coastal resources. Prior to her position at CMRS, she was appointed as Distinguished Research Professor at Inter American University of Puerto Rico. “I am delighted to join TCRF Board because they share my passion for educating the public about coral reef preservation,” said Dr. Hertler. Dr. Hertler has a BS in Biology from Bates College, M.S. in Biological Oceanography from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Drexel University “We are very excited about David and Heidi joining our Board of Advisors” said Don Stark, Chairman of the TCRF. “Heidi brings scientific expertise that meshes with our mission and David brings a strong local and cultural perspective to our efforts.” More info at www.tcreef.org.

The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (www.tcreef.org) has just completed its first fiscal year and had quite a success. We have 3 projects that are now funded (snorkel trail restoration, mooring buoy installation and Blue Flag Beach certification) and a couple more in the works. Thanks to all the divers who helped make our first year a success. If you didn’t get a 2011 TCRF dive tag, you can still get one before they become collector’s items when the 2012 tags are issued shortly. A $10 donation (PayPal or check) will get you one of the lovely blue plastic tags. Contact me directly or go to our website (check out the donations page) if interested. Don Stark Chairman Turks & Caicos Reef Fund

If you are heading down to the Turks and Caicos, look for the new Turks and Caicos Reef Fund dive tags. Most of the dive operators carry them. It's a voluntary program ($10 for an annual tag) and all the money goes to the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund, a non-profit set up to support marine environmental programs throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands. 85% or more of the money raised goes directly into the groups projects since it is run completely run by volunteers (me and another fellow at this time). We also have a raffle going on right now - $20 for a chance at a 3 day, 2 night stay at the exclusive Parrot Cay Resort (airfare, lunch and dinner not included). Check out what we are doing at www.tcreef.org Don Stark Chairman TC Reef Fund

LMI also frequently uses laptop batteries for their lights and I was able (with some difficulties) to find replacements for an old set on ebatts.com Not sure if it was easier than getting the batteries repacked since I had to troll around somewhat blindly since the e-batts site is easier to search if you know the laptop model you need to replace. Suspect I got lucky on that one. Don Don Stark www.ScubaVisions.TV Boston, MA and Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands