Tom Easop has spent a lifetime photographing the underwater world. From this experience, he has developed Cardinal Rules and Core Concepts to optimize underwater image-making. Using these rules and concepts led to unique, optimized practices, techniques and workflows. In this workshop I will teach you my rules and concepts as well as the resulting “hands-on” skills for optimizing your diving, underwater photography, post-processing and storage of your images.Organized chronologically through a typical dive trip the topics include:

• Preparing and handling your cameras and lights
• Focus tactics - not wasting depth of field
• Speed light vs. continuous light
• Exposure & white point(s)
• Tripod?
• Automatic vs. manual tactics
• Power tactics
• Safe capture storage
• Pixel geography, compression & The Color Dimension
• RAW development considerations
• DNG? & file types
• LR vs. PS and other applications for post-processing
• Combining digital tools
• HDR | image masking
• L*a*b* color & chroma variant spaces
• HRLA USM
• Backscatter tactics
• Sharpening
• Non destructive workflow
• Cataloguing images & session folders
• Plus planning, testing, and practicing.

This is by far the most valuable workshop I have ever developed, imparting the most important information I’ve learned through photography and retouching schools, shooting and print making workshops, research, underwater camera building, and most of all - 45 years of experience of underwater photography. It will be time well spent for any underwater photographer or videographer regardless of skill level.

The Career Opportunities in Marine Sectors (COMS) Symposium offers a series of dynamic presentations about the world’s oceans as well as discussion of Career Opportunities in Marine Sectors including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and the Arts.

Join us for the Virtual 2024 COMS Symposium – March 15, 2024 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Registration Link 

Steve Bigelow ran the MetroWest Saturday Shore Dive Program for the past 10 years, and will offer some tips on  how he plans and decides where to dive and all that.

• Resources
• Safety - Overview
• Site Selection Options - where to dive
• Site Decision Criteria - which one to choose on a given day
• Tools 
• Day Of Evaluation - picking a site, but playing it by ear once you arrive there; making the "Cape Ann Loop" to find good conditions
• Gear - a brief overview of what's needed / required and "good to have" for diving New England
• Site Etiquette - Respect the Locals! Obey Parking Regulations. Keep Gear Organized and Out Of The Way; Share The Beach
• Calling The Dive - monitoring conditions to ensure safety; know YOUR limits. There's no shame in driving all the way to a dive site, only to bail out if it's a mess and go dive into breakfast somewhere...
• Other
  • Sharing Your Dive - take and post pictures
  • Blogging - doing write-ups for dive club newsletters or social media

Have you ever looked at the photos and videos posted online of local dive sites and wondered how that's done?  Spend some time with Bert Perry, owner of Aerial 51 Studios, as he shows you how drones work, the various options available, how to fly them, and how to optimize the on-board camera to get the most out of your images.  We'll dive into a little post-flight processing too, so you can have great-looking pictures and videos to share.  Weather-permitting, we may be able to do some outdoor demonstrations as well.

Dive Computers - nearly all divers carry one, but does everyone really understand how they work and how to properly use them?  In this workshop, Dive Pro Monty Fitzpatrick will walk you through a brief history of the dive computer, and give an overview about how they "know" how much dive time you have left, and what your nitrogen loading is throughout your dive.  We won't dive too deep into the algorithms behind most dive computers, as that's more technical than this workshop intends to go.  But we will cover some of the basics:

• Why to use a computer vs. old-school dive tables
• How to decide which computer is best for the diving you plan to do
• Key features to look for in your computer
• Console-integrated units vs. wrist-mount options
• Air integration - its benefits and limitations
• Popular models that are available at most dive shops
• Understanding the important features and data shown on your computer
• Maintenance and care for your computer

Whether you're a brand new diver or have been salty for years, there's something to be learned about these little devices we've become so accustomed to wearing to dive.  Whether it's understanding how to simply use your computer, or interesting functions you didn't realize your unit included, you'll benefit from attending this workshop.  We will have an extensive Q&A session; feel free to bring your computer.  We may not be able to answer every question about every computer, but we'll do our best to make sure you're more confident and comfortable with yours before you leave.

71% of the Earth is covered by water and some of the richest and most diverse flora and fauna live under the waves.  Incorporating underwater imaging into your set of skills lets you take those experiences home with you and share them with others.  This workshop will cover the requirements, tools and skills necessary for underwater photography and will then dive into a hands-on, working session on how to bring out the incredible richness we experience when we dive from your images.   Attendees will be guided by the instructor through the editing process using a common image and will then have the opportunity to work on their own images. This session will use a 7-day trial version of the AI-powered Luminar Neo software (available for Mac and Windows).  Attendees will also be provided with the e-book: Blue to Brilliant: Diving into Underwater Imaging and be provided with the option to purchase the full version of the Luminar software at a discount.  The workshop is part of the PADI distinctive speciality: “Diving Into Underwater Imaging”.  Those interested in the certification can contact the instructor to arrange the required dives.

How often are you on a dive boat far from shore or in a remote area diving? Would you be able to perform specific life saving techniques until help arrives or you return to shore?This workshops will teach you to recognize, understand, and provide lifesaving treatments, even if you have no medical background.This workshop will include inserting airways, stopping severe bleeding, providing oxygen using various delivery devices, using chest seals, recognizing life threatening conditions experienced by recreational, public safety, commercial, wreck, and other diver specialties.

• Learn how to dive or instruct recreational divers on the popular instructor-specified specialty (ISS) NREC Recognition course and the theory behind it.
• Improve buoyancy and streamlining while introducing some new skills using NREC with all its attributes and efficiency, for single cylinder backplate and wing configuration.
• Ideal for recreational divers who wish to improve their performance and adopt an efficient way of diving proposed by this holistic and minimalist configuration.

This workshop will provide the diver with the skills and knowledge needed to gain experience and minimize risks while using NREC. NREC is based on the NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration (NTEC) concept adapted for a single cylinder along with water skills that will streamline the diver and teach a methodology that will reduce the learning curve should the progress toward earning technical certifications.

Instructor

Heison Chak #59648 NAUI Course Director, NAUI Technical Instructor Examiner

Heison Chak has been diving since 2002, he enjoys wreck diving in The Great Lakes and navigating the time capsules concealed within Florida's submerged caves. His dedication to the diving community extends to providing fundamental training for individuals aspiring to venture into technical and cave diving.

He served as the President of Ontario Underwater Council and was a valued member of the 2023 NAUI Technical Subcommittee. He contributes to the growth of the diving community by channeling his efforts into shaping the next generation of leaders through his involvement with NAUI and DAN instructor training programs to nurture the skills and leadership quality of aspiring divers.

Open to all NAUI divers and professionals, join us for an engaging information session and informal discussion of NAUI leadership training.  Come and find out what’s new and where we are going as an organization!

This workshop is open to all Public Safety teams, team members, and anyone with an interest in Public Safety Diving. Speakers are dive industry representatives, public safety diver trainers, current, and former team members. The workshop offers a platform for the Public Safety community to share ideas and experiences.  The 2024 workshop will also include an underwater challenge course hosted by Tim Andro.
The program cost for the day is $100.00 which includes a 2024 Boston Sea Rovers tee-shirt.  Check out the Boston Sea Rovers Public Safety Group Facebook page for up to the minute information.

This Visual Cylinder Inspection® certification course teaches the regulations and fundamentals of conducting visual inspections of solid wall and composite SCUBA and SCBA cylinders. The full day course is suited for those new to visual inspection as well as those who have been inspecting without formal training through its wide range of inspection subjects including damage limits, neck cracking, and laws affecting inspectors.  Additionally, this course meets the OSHA and DOT requirements for employee HAZMAT training and students completing the course are qualified to conduct HAZMAT training for other cylinder handlers. PSI-PCI remains the only training for Visual Cylinder Inspection that is formally endorsed, utilized and referred to by the cylinder manufacturers; and recognized by USDOT, Compressed Gas Association and NIOSH.  Join the team of professional PSI-PCI inspectors today and you too can be a part of the Cylinder Safety Solution!

Visual Cylinder Inspection® - Alumni. ($300) This discounted price point for the full Visual Cylinder Inspection® course is available to previously trained PSI-PCI Inspectors that have exceeded the Federally required three year recurrent training requirement and need to renew.

Register at https://www.psicylinders.com/regional-training

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to dive with no bubbles?  To be as quiet as the fish and sea life all around you?  Closed-Circuit Rebreathers (CCRs) let you do exactly that.  Unlike open circuit SCUBA, which we all are familiar with (breathe in from the regulator and exhale, watching your bubbles stream towards the surface), CCRs “recirculate” your breath, scrubbing out the CO2 you generate, while adding Oxygen to keep your breathing gas mix steady.  No more bubbles!  CCRs are a great tool for getting closer to the sea life we all love to see - you’re quieter, so the fish are less cautious and don’t swim off when you approach.  CCRs are ideal for photographers trying to capture elusive and skittish subjects.  

CCRs have come a LONG way from the early days, with better controls and electronics, more safety and redundancy built in, and more flexible form-factors to suit your needs and diving preference.  However, CCRs are still a more complex means of diving, requiring specialized training.  This workshop is an excellent way to get a brief introduction into how CCRs function, how to use them, how you could apply them to your diving plans, and most importantly, a chance to hop in the pool and try out a few different units.  You’ll be amazed at how quiet you can be underwater.

Due to the nature of this course, we have very limited-space.  As such, you must fill out and submit the required paperwork and forms at least a week before the day of the workshop so the instructors have all the information they need.  We will not be able to allow you to participate without the completed paperwork.  Below is a list of the rebreather units we’ll have available during the workshop:

Subgravity X-CCR

- Backmount unit design 

- Shearwater electronically or manually controlled, with cylinder pressure and CO2 sensor

- Expedition grade quality manufacturing

- Excellent work of breathing

- Open design accommodates multiple scrubber sizes, cylinder sizes, and different wing/backplate configurations

- https://iqsub.com/xccr/

Subgravity FX CCR

- Front/Chest mount unit design 

- Shearwater electronically or manually controlled 

- Lightweight and easy for travel(fits in a carry on size bag)

- https://ccr.sub-gravity.com/fx-ccr/

Subgravity Flex2 CCR

- Sidemount unit design 

- Shearwater electronically or manually controlled

- Streamlined designed for mission-specific low profile

- https://iqsub.com/flex2-ccr/

Hollis PRISM 2 CCR

- Backmount unit design

- Shearwater electronically or manually controlled

- constant PO2 

- modular

- closed circuit diving system.

- https://www.hollisrebreathers.com/ 

FREE ALL WEEKEND SEASHELL EXHIBIT
-second floor Mezzanine-Gloucester Room-

Saturday 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Drop by and see educational exhibits of seashells from the world over and learn about their habitats, biodiversity and ecology and their use in food, science, medicine, on stamps, and in art and crafts.

Bring your own seashells and learn how to identify it with the help of experts on mollusks who will be available to assist you and teach you how to use some of the best seashell identification books.

Choose your own seashells from one of the world’s beaches at our 'seashell adoption table' provided by our members.

When you visit the exhibit be sure to sign up for an opportunity to take home the special Door Prize -- a collection of unique seashells and a book about mollusks

Sponsored by the Boston Malacological Club
Founded in 1910

Join one of the world's oldest active seashell groups for fun and educational monthly meetings in Cambridge, Mass.  For information contact:
George Buckley – gbuckley@fas.harvard.edu

Please note the contact information below is for informational purposes only - No registration is required!

Scouts Oceanography Merit Badge

Sunday March 17, 2024 9:30 – 1PM

Merit Badge Councilors

Mark Fregeau PhD.

Woody Tinsley

Scouts should bring Blue Cards and printed out copy of Oceanography Merit Badge Workbook

Schedule:

9:00 AM Meet in Ticket Area

9:30AM – 1PM:   Merit Badge Activities – Newburyport Room on 2^ndfloor of Hotel

Questions? Email Mark Fregeau

Register (where you purchase tickets under BSR Sponsored Workshops)

This highly interactive workshop will provide a hands-on practical approach to writing for the dive community. By the end of this session, participants will have learned how to define their writing goals by evaluating examples of dive writing, practiced strategies for writing a dive story or article, and completed a practical writing exercise or use their own idea(s) for a story to develop, instead of our prompt.

Jeff Cinciripino is a principal owner of Scuba Shack Diving Services in Rocky Hill, CT. He is responsible for all marketing efforts, website content, and social media planning. Jeff also is the author of “Scuba Shack Weekly” – a blog to keep individuals updated on various dive shop activities. He is also the host of a bi-weekly podcast “Scuba Shack Radio”, now in season 6 supporting the overall mission of Scuba Shack. Jeff has also been published in Dive Center Business Magazine and is also the author of “Your Next Dive – My Adventures in Scuba Diving” published in 2022. In addition to his role at Scuba Shack, he is also the founder and president of Scuba Educational Alliance of Connecticut – a non-profit organization fostering a new generation of ocean stewards through scuba diving education. Jeff also serves on the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association’s Board of Directors having been elected to a three-year term in 2023.

Rob Robison, Ph.D., is a highly successful workshop presenter at the local, state, and national levels with 52 different educational workshops, 2 national institutes, and 20 articles on educational practice under his belt. Also, he is an equally respected education grant writer, having been awarded 3 competitive federal grants, 2 state grants, and 5 local grants. He is the editor of 6 volumes of multicultural writings for 2 school districts, and is the acclaimed former editor and publisher of “The Foreign Correspondent,” a newsletter for Columbus, Ohio foreign language teachers, “The Columbus Sea Nags Newsletter,” as well as “Soundings, Newsletter of the South Shore Neptunes” here in Massachusetts. Currently, Rob is the founding editor of “The Downline, Newsletter of the Bay State Council of Divers. In addition, he writes a near weekly column for his diving blog on Facebook, illustrates it with his own photography, and is a Boston Sea Rover and their workshop co-chair. Finally, he serves on the board of the South Shore Neptunes Dive Club.