The Comebacker

I'm back with Johnny (aka El Gato) for another Bottom Dwellers Dive Shack after some time away, and we're covering two stories that have been making local news.First is the deaths of two young commercial divers at the Norfolk International Terminals. The investigation is ongoing, so I'm sticking to public information. I'm sharing one detail that many divers don't know about: this happened in the dry, not during a dive. We talk about the hidden dangers of the work around diving, why training and mentorship matter, and why veteran divers need to look out for the new guys.Then we get into the turmoil at DIT, including the instructors who walked off and the planned sale of the school. I lay out what's public, what's still unconfirmed, and why I think the school should speak up. We also talk about what losing another school would mean for the industry, and how accreditation and ADCI cards affect where a diver can work.Later in the episode:Upcoming events, including Underwater Intervention, DIMA and the Scuba ShowA live Hall of Fame interview I'm planningGuests in the works, including Ross GarciaA possible episode on harassment in divingPlenty of off-the-rails banter with JohnnyThanks for listening, and I'll see you on the next episode.#BottomDwellersDiveShack #CommercialDiving #DivingPodcast #DiverSafety #UnderwaterWelding #DiveIndustry #DivingNews #Norfolk #DiveTraining #DiveLife #ScubaDiving #DiveSchool

In this news report from Bottom Dwellers Dive Shack, Johnny AKA EL GATO covers the sinking of the Prospector 5. Boar Drilling operated the jack-up drilling rig. It sank off the coast of Gabon, West Africa, near Moyumba, on Saturday, October 24th.The rig was preparing for drilling operations for BW Energy. It reportedly suffered a seabed punch through during preloading. Johnny explains what a punch through is and why it can cause a sudden loss of stability.What's covered:Casualties: 115 people were aboard and 110 were accounted for. Gabonese authorities report one death and four people missing. As of October 27th, the missing include three Gabonese nationals and one Croatian national.Search and rescue: Gabonese naval vessels, aircraft, helicopters and drones are involved, with help from the Republic of Congo. About 100 survivors were taken to Port Gentil.Possible underwater work: An ROV has been assigned, but no inspection of the wreck has been confirmed. No commercial diving contractor has been publicly confirmed. Johnny outlines the roles divers, ROVs and salvage vessels could play.Investigation and environment: The cause is still under investigation. About 280 cubic meters of diesel were aboard. No oil pollution has been observed, and environmental monitoring continues. BW Energy's nearby Mabomo production facility was suspended as a precaution.

It’s soooo hot! Water is warm and brings its own dangers. We talk about how to stay safe and protect yourself from brain eating amoebas and necrotizing fasciitis. Listen as we have a hilarious conversation about keeping cool.

Blake Riddle finally officially comes on the show to talk about the job everybody knows about but can’t talk about! Many know what we are doing there but we still can’t talk about it. It was an amazing trip!! While it was a great interview with Blake on what to expect when moving to Hawaii for work. Many companies are hiring and this is a great episode to listen to if you are thinking about moving to Hawaii for work. While I was out there working during Fourth of July, I was able to see a lot of friends and former crew mates, it seems like everyone is here! Even Tommy from @15fathoms was here on vacation!! So listen in for a great conversation and welcome to “Hush Island”.

Learn about the wonderful wholesome career as a Navy Diver. Please do not listen. Only those that may be interested in being a Navy Diver, current and former military divers, this episode is for you and should be the only ones listening to this episode. Most know our show and how we run things, remember, “any comments or views expressed by the guests on this podcast are that of their own and in no way, shape, or form, do they reflect the policy or position of, The Bottom Dwellers Dive Shack. Recorded live at a Marriott in Downtown Long Beach, CA.

Like Indiana Jones but underwater. “It belongs in a MUSEUM!” Learn about the exciting world of Dr. Melissa R. Price, in episode 2 of the Bottom Dwellers Dive Shack, “UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY”. Dr. Price, like the fictional Dr. Jones, ispassionate about preserving our history so that future generations of divers may enjoy it! Listen as she tells us her journey into the underwater world of the past! Many thanks to the Florida Bureau of Archeological Research with the Florida Department of State for making this interview happen! A bit about Dr. Price: She was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2018She earned a BA in Anthropology from James Madison University in 2012 and her MA in Maritime Studies from East Carolina University in 2015 (Thesis title: Intellectual Treasure Hunting: Measuring Effects of Treasure Salvors on Spanish Colonial Shipwreck Sites) She received her Ph.D. in 2023 from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Her PhD research examined marine transgression of a submerged precontact site in the Gulf of Mexico (title: Tracing Marine Transgression at Manasota Key Offshore (8SO7030) using Crassostrea virginica)She currently serves as an Underwater Archaeologist and Diving Safety Officer at the Florida Bureau of Archaeological ResearchNot as cool as Harrison Ford but pretty darn close!Stay tuned for more episodes of underwater diving adventure! We cover everything from commercial diving and underwater aliens to scuba diving with alligators! We are also an educational show covering dive equipment, history of diving, diving accidents, and diving safety with top divers and instructors in the business. We are your number one source for commercial diving news and information!

Did we die? Get arrested? Get Deported? We catch you all up on our comings and goings. More on the going less on the coming. Great to be back! This season starts off great! Our quest for cancellation starts today! lol! Join us for a new action packed season! The only show that gives you an inside look into the industry and what it’s about!

Recorded while at the Professional Diver Training Center after school hours. We talk with current students, Regina, and visiting friends. A great add on episode to the previous dive school episode. Recorded in Texas.

Recorded in Alvarado, Texas at The Professional Diver Training Center. A dive school that centers on education and puts it’s students first! A refreshing truthful conversation about diversity training and what new grads can expect. Some hard truths some may not want to hear, but we also talk about why this is such a rewarding career! Listen as we speak with owner Don Moore and instructor Mark Allen as we talk dive school!

Enjoy this episode with Myles, a recreational dive instructor from the Free Descent podcast. We have an educational conversation recorded on location at Ocean Enterprises dive shop located in San Diego, CA. A great conversation that helps others understand the importance of proper training and continued diving education. We also share experiences in our two different diving careers. Please like and follow Free Descent podcast if you would like to know more about the recreational diving world.