Linda Grobman presents the Table of Contents of the Fall 2017 issue of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER in video format.
from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2zgfF7s
Thursday, November 2, 2017
SUPPLY CHAIN TAKE-AWAYS FROM THE SMI FALL FORUM
The Strategic Marketplace Initiative (SMI®) is a non-profit, member-driven community of healthcare supply chain thought leaders. The group gathered recently to discuss problems in the supply chain and find real solutions. They have two forums a year, and I just attended the Fall Forum in Dallas. Other than the fact that this whole group amazes me with their esprit de corps, I had three take-aways from this meeting.
from CME Insiders http://ift.tt/2ynRa9n
Five Off-the-Radar Tech Dives
Most tech divers have heard of the Andrea Doria or the Britannic. These world-famous dives require a high level of technical diving experience and are beyond the reach of even many tech divers. Here we’ll look at five off-the-radar tech dives. In different regions and environments, these are largely accessible to even recently qualified tech divers.
Pumpkin Hill Bank: Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras
This site is different from most tech dives in the Caribbean in that it’s an offshore seamount rather than a wreck or a wall. It’s also one of Utila’s most biodiverse and densely populated sites for marine life. While visibility can be 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 m) and water temperatures 82 to 88 F (24 to 28 C), this site does have challenging currents. Downcurrents can form on the sides of the seamount. Because of this, it’s best to dive around slack high/low tides.
The site is like a hill, with slopes of a gradient 45 to 60 degrees. The top of the seamount is approximately 100 by 100 feet (30 by 30 m) and the sides drop to depths of 400 feet (120 m). Large vase sponges and barrel corals sit on top of the mount at 120 feet (36 m) and, on decompression stops, rays, marlin, reef sharks and other pelagics often come in for a curious look.
The Arch at Blue Hole: Dahab, Egypt
Most recreational divers who visit Dahab will dive the Blue Hole and know of its notorious reputation for claiming divers’ lives. But for trained, well-prepared tech divers, the Blue Hole shines thanks to the famous archway, which connects the blue hole to the open ocean at a depth of around 165 to 185 feet (50 to 55 m). The passageway leads out of the hole and onto the reef walls, which plummet to extreme depths. The site is excellent for technical-diver training since it’s shore-based with minimal currents. Visibility can be up to 130 feet (40 m).
Empress of Ireland: Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
The Empress of Ireland sank in 1914 with the loss of 1,012 lives, and it’s well-known as “Canada’s Titanic.” Despite its fame, the wreck is unknown to most newly qualified tech divers, attracting few of them due to the short window of opportunity in the Canadian dive season. Those planning to dive the Empress should plan accordingly and meticulously, as the currents can be very strong on this wreck. Visibility can be low as well, depending on tides and rainfall. In addition to the currents and low vis, the frigid waters of the St. Lawrence River mean divers must have cold-water experience as well. July to September offers the best conditions for diving the wreck.
Much of the Empress lays at 130 feet (40 m), but its sheer size — 570 feet (175 m) long — and many opportunities for artifact spotting and penetration, mean decompression and a local tech guide are necessary to get the most from this dive. This wreck is a designated archeological site and protected under Canadas Cultural Heritage Act, so look but don’t touch.
One of the halls of Dos Ojos cave
The Pit: Yucatan, Mexico
This site requires cave certification as well as trimix training due to the depths of the pit and the added hazard of an overhead environment and navigation. The Pit is part of the Dos Ojos cave system, on record as the world’s third-longest underwater cave. The site is located in the jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula. A diver must have a good level of stamina and fitness as access to the water, as doing so requires a 1,000-foot (300 m) hike over a rough path. The fresh water is crystal-clear, with sunlight beams penetrating down to the depths. At 90 feet (27 m) in open water there are fallen trees, suitable for a primary tie off. Divers can make a secondary tie-off close by and approach the mainline at a depth of 160 feet (48 m) after a 165-foot (50 m) swim from the initial tie-off.
At around 200 feet (60 m) there is a light sulpuric layer in the water. The bottom is below at around 400 feet (120 m). More advanced trimix-cave divers have explored passageways at this depth, but most stick to the interesting shallower geological formations. On decompression, slowly ascending divers should stop to admire the enchanting nature of the sunlight and stalactites in the Pit.
Blue Hole and The Azure Window (now collapsed into the sea): Malta
Divers consider this one of Europe’s top 10 sites, located by the former Azure Window in Gozo, Malta. The Window unfortunately succumed to a strong storm and fell into the sea in March 2017. The Blue Hole reaches a maximum depth of 200 feet (60 m). In addition to interesting geology and stunning light piercing the hole, an abundance of fish life inhabits the shallows. Divers can also navigate over to the collapsed remains of the Azure Window on decompression. Disclaimer: The Maltese government has issued warnings about the area’s stability and advises divers to use extreme caution until further surveys are conducted.
The post Five Off-the-Radar Tech Dives appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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Wednesday, November 1, 2017
We speak up to end violence against journalists
from World News Publishing Focus by WAN-IFRA - World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers http://ift.tt/2z7z20L
Rise up storytellers: killing of journalists cries out for our attention and action
from World News Publishing Focus by WAN-IFRA - World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers http://ift.tt/2xNrpel
The hottest lots of Fellows’ Nov 9th auction!
You’re familiar with Fellows, aren’t you, my darlings? They’re a well-respected London auction house known for its spectacular selections of jewelry. Many of us follow them on Instagram, despite the severe temptation that sometimes presents. We’ve looked at a Fellows sale at least once before here on DitL, the day we talked about alternative engagement rings.
Lot 414 / Lot 213 / Lot 137 / Lot 477
Fellows has a jewelry auction coming up next week, and it’s a fantastic one.
Continue reading The hottest lots of Fellows’ Nov 9th auction! at Diamonds in the Library.
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Scuba Diving in Kavieng
The province of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea sits along the eastern rim of the Bismarck Archipelago. Its long, thin shape forms a natural barrier between the rich, deep waters of the Pacific Ocean to the east and those of the Bismarck Sea to the west. Because of this location, the island’s coastline is exposed to a complex mix of oceanic, equatorial and regional currents. The provincial capital sits on the very nexus of these powerful water flows, and thusly, the scuba diving in Kavieng is fantastic. Read on for how to get there and what not to miss when you do.
Getting to Kavieng
The only viable way to get to Kavieng is by air from Port Moresby. Both Air Nuigini and PNG Air (APNG) serve the town on a regular basis. Air Nuigini flies both direct and via Rabaul (Kokopo) in New Britain, while all APNG’s flights are via Rabaul.
Where to stay
There are a few options, ranging from well-outfitted resorts like Nusa Island Retreat and Lissenung Island Resort at one end of the scale to homestays at the other.
Nusa Island Retreat is located a short boat ride across the harbor from the main part of Kavieng and offers a full range of amenities, while Lissenung Island is a dedicated dive resort, located about six miles (10 km) southwest of town.
Logistics in Kavieng
The Papua New Guinea currency is the Kina, and $1 USD will buy you about three of them. Most visitors to PNG get whatever money they think they’ll need at the ATM or currency exchange after arrival at the international airport in Port Moresby. There are, however, a few ATMs at the banks in Kavieng so you can get additional cash if necessary.
Things to do in Kavieng
Kavieng is often described as a typical “Somerset Maugham South Sea island port,” which means it’s a friendly, laidback and quiet destination.
The German colonial administration founded the town in 1900 around the large and picturesque harbor of Balgai Bay. Kavieng is sheltered from the sea by two Nusa Islands (Big Nusa and Nusa Lik) to the west.
Other than scuba diving in Kavieng, there’s a golf course, plus a few restaurants, general stores, bakeries and supermarkets. There’s also a large local market that’s a colorful hub of activity most days of the week.
Scuba diving in Kavieng
The scuba diving in Kavieng falls into two main areas: sites around Kavieng on the Pacific Ocean side of New Ireland and those to the south on the Bismarck Sea side of the island. When one side is at its best the other is probably not, so you’ll want to choose wisely. There are also up to six tides per day, so good local knowledge of the dives sites and when to safely dive them is a must.
Sites around Kavieng
There are numerous sites around Kavieng, but highlights must include the wreck of the Der Yang and the aircraft wrecks that are a legacy of the town’s Japanese occupation during WWII.
The Der Yang
The government seized this Taiwanese long-line fishing boat in the early 1980s because of suspected of “illegal activities” – code for falsifying the size of its catches.
The authorities eventually scuttled the ship in 1988. It now lays on its starboard side at the edge of the Echuca Patch reef, just offshore from the main entrance to Kavieng Harbor. This is right in path of the rich currents from the Pacific, which have turned the ship into a safe harbor for the very species it used to catch. Although a relatively small wreck, it is remarkably intact and photogenic, gracing many magazine covers.
WWII aircraft
There are six wrecks in and around the harbor, ranging from the remnants of one of the illustrious RAAF PBY Catalina flying boats to the “Deep Pete” – the wreck of a Japanese Mitsubishi F1M floatplane.
The F1M was a biplane with a single large, central float. The name “Pete” comes from the way the Allied Forces nicknamed Japanese aircraft during WWII. Located on the western side of Nusa Lik, the plane is on its back on the flat, white sand. It lays in 130 feet (40 m) of water, hence the nickname “Deep.” A large resident school of yellow sweetlips streams in and around the wings.
Albatross Passage
Over on the Bismarck Sea side is Albatross Passage, often called Kavieng’s signature dive.
Named after the German gunship that helped subdue the local population and establish colonial rule in the late 1800s, Albatross Passage is a channel between the tip of New Ireland and Baudisson Island. It’s one of the main passageways through the 14-mile (22 km) gap between New Ireland and New Hanover.
Dive Albatross Passage on an outgoing tide and you will wonder why you bothered, but return on an incoming tide as the clear waters from the Bismarck Sea sweep the site clean and you will quickly understand why it rates so highly.
It’s a big site, shaped like a large, semicircular amphitheater. It faces out in to the Bismarck Sea, with walls that slope down in terraces to the depths.
The upper terrace, below the ledge that forms the actual passage into the islands, is the spot for most of the action. It descends to a sandy plateau at 100 feet (30 m) and there always seems to be something happening, wherever you look.
A large school of yellowtail snappers lives on the sandy plateau, while above and out in the blue water you will see reef sharks, large dogtooth tuna, schooling barracuda and eagle rays patrolling in the current.
Cathy’s Eels
One unique Kavieng experience is not a dive site at all, unless you count partial submersion in a shallow stream as a dive.
“Cathy” is Cathy Hiob, a former Air Nuigini flight attendant who has retired back to her village of Laraibina, (56 miles) 90 km down the east coast of New Ireland from Kavieng.
Her 22 years with the national airline gave Cathy a string of one-liners she seems to relish using while you chat with her in the shade of one of the many trees in the village. But amusing as they are, coming from the feisty lady with the shock of white hair, the one-liners are not what you have come down the coast for. Rather, Cathy’s flock of freshwater eels are the star attraction.
Around 10 to 12 large freshwater eels inhabit the local stream, and Cathy has trained them on a diet of tinned mackerel to appear on demand when they hear her rattling the feeding pot.
Usually you’ll stand in the stream and let the eels swim around your feet as Cathy doles out the mackerel but if you want a close-up underwater shot of the eels feeding, total immersion therapy is the way to go.
When to dive Kavieng
Kavieng is a year-round destination, but you’ll find optimum conditions from April through to July and from September to November. December to February is the rainy season.
Who to dive with
There are two very well-established dive operations in Kavieng: Lissenung Island Resort and Scuba Kavieng.
Lissenung has the advantage of being a self-contained operation located halfway between the two main dive areas. Scuba Kavieng is in Kavieng itself and recommends that guests stay at Nusa Island Retreat where they pick up each morning.
Don Silcock is an Australian based in Bali. He has dived many of the best locations across the Indo-Pacific. If you are interested in learning more about Kavieng and New Ireland province, check out the complete guide on his website.
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