Oswaldo Royett

  Basic display on the Apple Watch Ultra with Oceanic+ app The Apple Watch Ultra, which goes on sale on 23 September, can be used as a dive-computer at depths down to 40m with the addition of a new version of the Oceanic+ app already used with iPhones. The £849 Ultra is certified to WR100 (waterproof to 5 bar), twice the resistance of the Apple Watch Series 8, to allow it to be used with air or nitrox at normal recreational scuba depths. It is also certified to EN13319, the international standard for depth gauges and other dive accessories.  The watch has its own basic built-in Depth app, which shows current time, depth and maximum depth while under water (to a maximum 40m), but Apple has also linked up with Huish Outdoors, which owns the Oceanic brand, to turn the Apple Watch Ultra into what they both describe as a “capable dive-computer”. Safety stop guidance The Oceanic+ app is based on a Bühlmann decompression algorithm. The watch’s new Action button can be programmed to l...

  Building on the success of the Descent Mk1 GARMIN have released their eagerly awaited GARMIN Descent Mk2 and MK2i. As Divers we all love the latest shiny bits of kit and we will look to unpack what’s on offer and what its really like to dive with. This is a world class above and below water multisport watch. It’s based around the world class Fenix 6 multisport smart watch architecture with the added bonus of the dive computer and with the ‘i’ variant air integration. There aren’t many sports this watch doesn’t cover from Golf to mountain biking and running to name a few. It even has wrist-based heart rate monitoring including a Pulse Oximeter. Garmin have used premium materials such as Titanium and the added physical benefit of an easily detachable watch strap, it really looks the part either under or on top of the water. The watch benefits from an excellent surface GPS that is useful for entry and exit points and before anyone asks GPS still does not work underwater so it won’t ...

  Sports tech specialist Garmin has announced the launch of its latest watch-style dive computer, the Descent G1 Solar. Following in the footsteps of the Descent Mk1 and Descent Mk2/Mk2S, the new dive computer comes packaged with 24/7 health and wellness features, smartwatch functionality and optional solar charging, all packed into a rugged design. ‘Whether you are looking to purchase your first dive computer or wanting to support your active lifestyle, our Descent G1 Series is the ideal companion for all types of divers who appreciate having a multisport smartwatch for all other aspects of life topside,’ said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. ‘Descent G1 Solar builds upon Garmin’s innovative dive technology line-up with the addition of solar charging, allowing customers more time to enjoy their topside activities.’ Garmin Descent G1 design The Garmin Descent G1 features an easy-to-read, high-contrast display built into a 45mm watch case which is rated to...

- Bonaire - Curazao, Netherlands - San Andres - Malpelo, Colombia Link: Os-Travel

The Hilma Hooker is a shipwreck in Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands. It is a popular wreck diving site. In the summer of 1984, the Hilma Hooker had engine problems at sea and was towed to the port of Kralendijk, Bonaire. It was already under surveillance by drug enforcement agencies. Docked at the Town Pier, local authorities boarded the ship for an inspection when her captain was unable to produce any of the requisite registration papers. A false bulkhead was discovered, and held within was 25,000 lb (11,000 kg) of marijuana. The Hilma Hooker and her crew were subsequently detained while the local authorities on Bonaire searched for the vessel's owners, who were never found. The Hilma Hooker came to rest on a sand flat between two coral reef systems in an area known to divers as Angel City. The wreck has subsequently become a prime attraction fo...

He has spent the greater part of his life in Bonaire taking visitors diving and successfully campaigning to protect the natural underwater wonders. Among his many accomplishments, Captain Don lead the campaign to ban spearfishing on Bonaire, instituted the first permanent mooring system which eliminated the need for boats to drop an anchor, founded the Council of underwater Operators, and implemented a mandatory orientation dive for all people diving on Bonaire. He is also responsible for opening the first hotel on the island, Zeebad, (which is now the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, and in 1976 he opened Captain Don’s Habitat, which introduced capse concept of “diving freedom,” diving 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. His contributions have been recognised by DEMA with the 1998 Reaching Out award, and by Bonaire with a bronze memorial plaque placed at Don’s Reef. Research provided by Cathy Church. In the early days of recreational diving, inspired by spectacular underwater beauty...