The Sea Chart 1 shipwreck get’s explored by technical divers for the first time

Khao Lak, Thailand - Big Blue Tech conducted accelerated technical dives on the Sea Chart 1 shipwreck on the morning of January 9 2010. The purpose of this dive was to explore the recently sunk shipwreck and expose features to other divers who have been limited by recreational diving rules and restrictions.

Aided by a diving modified longtail the group of technical divers included James Thornton-Allan, Mark Slinn, Matt Payne, Emily Billingham and andy Cavell explored the entire shipwreck in a checkout dive to aid further surveys in the days to come.

The shipwreck lies on it’s starboard side in 40m with it’s highest point at 27m. The wreck itself is a staggering 85m and it feels like crossing a football field when finning from bow to stern.

Big Blue Tech have a strict policy againts removing items from wrecks and therefore didn’t disturb any of the items found on there. However, there were signs of items being removed which can only be recognized if you knew what to look for, items like the ships bell and compass have been removed by either recreational divers before us or the navy divers during their survey.

The next few days would be focused around this shipwreck with 2 dives daily on the 10th, 11th and 12th we will be updating this post with pictures as the dives are completed.

Today Big Blue Tech are busy planning and packing for the upcoming 3 week long technical diving expedition through Thailand.

Technical Director James Thornton-Allan leads a group of technical divers through some of the best technical diving Thailand has to offer. James leads a group consisting Matt Payne, Andy Cavell, Mark Payne and Emily Billingham.

The expedition is scheduled to visit Khao Sok Nation Park, Nam Ta Loo Cave, Sra Keow Cave, Song Hong Sink Hole, Sea Chart 1 Shipwreck, Similan Islands on a live aboard, Emerald Cave in Krabi and other undisclosed ventures that won’t be revealed until after it’s secured discovery.

During the expedition the divers will earn many certifications including their Cavern, Intro to Cave and Cave certification along with Extended Range, Compressor Operator Gas Blender and Advanced Gas Blender (Helium Blender)

The most daunting task of any expedition is the planning and logistics to allow us to dive everyday in several different locations covering hundreds of miles.

This expedition requires special equipment we don’t normally take with us which includes an Haskel Mini Oxygen Booster, Helium and Oxygen Analyzer, Portable Petrol Powered Compressor, GPS and Portable Sonar, Oxygen and Helium Filling Whips, Torches, Cameras, Satellite Phone and Emergency Oxygen, Dive Medic First Aid Kits, A 4 Door 4×4 Pick-up Truck and that doesn’t include the actual diving equipment or personal equipment.

This expedition is also a great opportunity to show new technical divers the essential foundation of this style of extreme diving which has it’s roots in exploring the unknown and going where the majority of other divers never venture. Not only that it’s all about going where we want to go diving and getting wet when it suits us. No boat schedule, no time table, just the open road and a lot of water to jump into.

You can follow our expedition as we’ll be updating the news from the road.

Our technical training team is comprised of skilled and experienced individuals who excel in their own field of expertise across the technical scuba diving industry in Thailand. No one can train divers to do everything, with that we have specialists who focus on their own personal interest in the area they’re responsible for.

Our team work and live in a very small community of technical scuba diving explorers who’s main goal is to train and expose divers to this ever growing style of technical deep water exploration and advanced scuba diving education in Thailand.

We provide technical diving leadership and education in English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Thai and Japanese.

James Thornton-Allan

Director Technical Diving Operations

James is responsible for the day to day operations of Big Blue Tech and the on going quality assurance of technical diving operations including the expanding selection of dive sites and training courses for Big Blue Diving branches across Thailand.

James provides contact and liaison through all facets of technical diving at big blue and provides on going consultation for other technical diving companies and agencies. For all course and diving bookings please contact him directly.

Contact: James@bigbluetech.net

Yvonne Fries

Manager Technical Diving Operations

Yvonne is responsible for supporting the Director of Technical Diving Operations by managing the finances, scheduling and accounts along with all other related activities for Big Blue Tech in Thailand.

Yvonne has been working for Big Blue Tech for several years and is one of the more senior and respected members of the team.

Falls Sie Interesse haben am technischen Tauchen, Hoehlentauchen oder Rebreather Tauchen in oder um thailand herum, bitte kontaktieren Sie mich per Eunter

Wir bieten alle Kurse auch in deutscher Sprache an.

Contact: Yvonne@bigbluetech.net

Ash Dunn

Diving Facilities Manager

Ash is our Advanced Gas Blender, Equipment and Oxygen Service Technician and Technical Divemaster. On top of these skills, Ash is responsible for the logistics and delivery of suppot services for all diving with Big Blue Tech.

Ash provides logistic support and serviced equipment for all our technical diving expeditions across Thailand.

Contact: Ash@bigbluetech.net

Andy Holdaway

Technical Divemaster

Andy is our technical divemaster. He is responsible for leading certified technical divers and conducting skill workshops for divers who have not been current with their diving.

When not diving Andy can be found travelling between Thailand and England or enhancing his education and skills to become a technical diving instructor in the future.

Contact: Andy@bigbluetech.net

Sonia Scott

Hyperbaric Services Manager

Sonia is responsible for the health and safety of all our divers as a dive medic and hyperbaric chamber operator.

Sonia supports technical diving by being an onsite representative for all diving related health concerns while working with other medical facilities and professionals in the region.

Contact: sonia@bigbluetech.net

Panos Iosifoglou

Technical Dive Manager Similans

Panos is our in house technical dive managers who’s responsibility is for the west coast technical diving in the Similan Islands and Khao Lak. He provides logistics, underwater guide, supervision and liaison through our shop in Khao Lak and on our liveaboard the Mv Pawara.

Panos is also responsible for Cave Diving and Gas Blending Facilities for the west coast on Thailand.

Contact: Panos@bigbluetech.net

Simon Garitty

Technical Instructor Trainer

Simon is our SSI (Scuba Schools International) Instructor Trainer providing instructor level course, cross-overs and general course development for the Big Blue Diving franchise. Simon is also heavily involved with the SSI-TXR curriculum of technical courses.

Contact: Simon@bigbluetech.net

Guillaume Fargues

Technical Instructor Development Coordinator

Guillaume is responsible for coordinating instructor development courses and assisting in their application. Regardless of what level you wish to complete be it technical diving instructor or open water instructor Guillaume creates an effortless process and private tutor beyond what is already provided.

Guillaume is also our in house French instructor and is available for translation or entire courses upon request

Contactez-nous pour en savoir plus sur les formations tech, ainsi que la plongee en cavernes et grottes et avec recycleur partout en Thailande. Nous offrons des cours individuels dans de nombreuses langues dont le francais pour tous les niveaux, de debutant a instructeur tech.

Contact:guillaume@bigbluetech.net

Dean Jenkins

Technical Internship Coordinator

Dean is responsible for the ongoing training and development of our Technical Dive Master Program. Those completing their tech dive master program will work closely with dean for all aspects from physics to water skills.

Dean overseas your entire development and insures that all student needs are addressed including accommodation and equipment.

Contact: dean@bigbluetech.net

Today Big Blue Tech completed a TDI Decompression Procedures course for Andy Holdaway, Panos Iosifoglou, and Steve Jeffs under the instruction of James Thornton-Allan. Additionally the course was joined by Nathaniel Weiss who is perfecting his skills under supervision of Technical Divemaster Christos Kardana

The TDI Decompression Procedures course, which was combined with TDI Advanced Nitrox, covers a variety of unqiue skills and training to allow the diver to complete decompression dives up to 45m using a variety of oxygen based gas mixes.

The course began with advanced buoyancy skills, equipment orientation, gas planning, task loading and handling advanced mixes of nitrox.

Today the students completed 2 accelerated decompression dives at Chumphon Pinnacle dive site in Koh Tao Thailand. The goal of all dives was to not touch the ground at any point or make contact with any object using their newly honed buoyancy skills. It was also essential to deploy a lift bag on every dive, the lift bag and reel can often lead to problems with loosing depth control or entanglement.

The students final dive exposed them to a 24 minute stop at 4.5m. Although they had already cleared their schedule according to their Suunto Vytec DS gas switching computer (provided as standard on all courses) it was essential for the students to build up tolerance to hanging in water in a controlled manner.

Tomorrow begins the start of the TDI Extended Range course which will begin with advanced oxygen handling, simulated in-water recompression procedures (full face mask), decompression buddy breathing and a variety of unique skills found only in the TDI syllabus. The TDI Extended Range course will then hit the road for Khao Sok where the students will complete their TDI Cavern Course and finish the deep dives on the sunken village in the middle of the national park. This option for training is only open to the most comfortable technical student due to it’s remote and challenging environment.

All images copyright Christos Kardana - Big Blue Tech

The gulf of Thailand holds many treasures for technical divers, some well known and documented, others still shrouded in mystery and yet to be discovered. When it comes to wreck diving in the gulf of Thailand and nearby regions, the MV Trident is the spearhead in technical diving and ocean exploration.

Based on Koh Tao Island, The MV Trident and its crew have direct access to the post world war 2 wreck infested waters of this region and Big Blue Tech was lucky enough to join a recent expedition to the infamous Thai Navy Vessel the HTMS Pangan (His Thai Majesty Service) for 3 days of technical diving.
A large military vessel, the HTMS Pangan was built in 1927. Weighing 2000 tons with a crew of 81, the doomed vessel sank at 10pm on July 19th 1961, apparentely due to a storm. It is argued that no such storm with enough power to sink a vessel of this size could have possible existed at that time of year, and other theories surfaced with time as signs of a large fire were discovered close to the wheel house. This theory was further exacerbated by the fact it was carrying old (unstable) ammunition with the mission of dumping it at sea. All the crew were rescued by a Japanese freighter the Ms Daisei.

This trip comprised of a group of technical divers from various dive schools from around Koh Tao, including Brian Wilcox and Christos Kardana who both completed their TDI Extended Range course conducted by James Thornton-Allan at Big Blue Tech. Putting their new found diving skills and knowledge to the test, the 3 day expedition would prove challenging and yet enlightening with respect to technical dive exposure within deep sea wreck environments.
Christos who is already a certified technical diver and was part of the June expedition when a sunken temple was discovered in Khao Sok National Park joined the trip as a Technical Underwater Videographer.

The MV Trident boat is not your normal livebaord-which is fitting because this is not your normal diving- and with that in mind the most important items were fully stocked; diesel, fresh water, oxygen and beer!.

With the ceremonial fireworks offered to Buddha to grace us with good seas and great diving, the typical goodbyes ensued to wives, girlfriends and friends as we started our overnight journey to the dive site which is about 50 nautical miles north-east of Koh Tao Island. The dive site is out of mobile phone range so it would be the last contact with the outside world for 3 days. There is a satellite phone on board afcurse, but its for emergency use only.

Isolated from the rest of the world, the divers on board could focus on setting up their gear, analyzing their gas, planning their dives and for some people packing there closed circuit rebreather. Making sure everything was sorted the night before meant you could wake up and just jump straight into the water…perfect
The Trident locates the dive site by means of GPS and Underwater Sonar. A diver is sent down using a shot line and anchor line to tie the vessel directly to the wreck making it easy for the divers to get on to the wreck with very little effort. Decompression is also made effortless with the decompression station; a trapeze structure suspended below the Mv Trident with 4 surface supplied oxygen regulators. This allows the divers to keep their bailout oxygen for the unlikely event they loose the wreck or get blown off the deco station if the weather was to turn.

The wreck is lying on it’s port side with many areas for penetration and exploration. Over the years of diving the wreck has been shifting and changing to the effect that the stress of the collapse has thrown objects out of the wreck and into the sand. Such objects like portholes and brass pieces have been recovered and stored for preservation leaving many intact and in place objects still to be seen. Our first dive here 3 years ago had divers exploring the wheel house which is now not possible as the structure is weak and collapsing. However there is still many areas to explore providing the diver has the training and experience to wiggle into the spaces.

Like many wrecks in this area, the corridors and doorways are smaller than expected. For many western divers this is a challenge as the ships are built in Asia for Asian men. You only need to look at a Japanese sailor and then an American sailor to see the difference. American and British vessels have typically larger spaces and doorways and are easier to get around. Thankfully this wreck has many openings and exits so if you do find yourself wedged in a room and unable to go back the way you came you just have to swim out through the deck.

The first dives of the trip were a real eye opener for many. For Brian “I don’t get Narked” Wilcox it was his first sense of narcosis and for Christos “I check everything” Kardana this was a great illustration of what happens to expensive video mounted underwater torches when you leave the caps out. Oh dear; no longer torches but expensive water holders. If you watch the video in future and wonder why some parts are dark then that’s why.

The most aggressive dive of the trip was a thirty (30) minute bottom time at sixty (60) meters one hundred ninety eight (198) feet. Below is a sample of that dive and what our decompression obligation looked like.
Descend to 60 for 3.0 (3.0) using 21/0/79
Level at 60 for 27.0 (30.0) using 21/0/79
Stop at 36 for 1 (33.0) using 21/0/79
Stop at 33 for 2 (35.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 30 for 2 (37.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 27 for 2 (39.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 24 for 2 (41.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 21 for 4 (45.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 18 for 4 (49.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 15 for 6 (55.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 12 for 9 (64.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 9 for 12 (76.0) using 36/0/64
Stop at 6 for 26 (102.0) using 100/0/0
*Simulated Profile, Do Not Use!

As the dives continued Brian was exposed to more challenges including wreck penetration and recovery skills. Brian was skeptical at first with regardS to penetrating the wreck but once inside he was impossible to get out; the true calling for a wreck diver.

During these dives Christos continued to film above and below the ocean and is in the process of putting together a video of this trip and the HTMS Pangan.

Once again it was a perfect trip with great sun, good times and narcosis induced diving, all with thanks to the MV Trident and its crew.

In 1980 EGAT, the Energy Council of Thailand built a hydroelectric dam in an area of Khao Sok National Park which caused the natural river that flowed through the valley to build up into a man made lake shielded by 3 dams and natural limestone cliffs called Cheiw Larn Lake.

As they built the hydroelectric dam it was decided to relocate several villages and towns, leaving buildings and structures behind to be flooded. As the water rose to above 60m it submerged, according to rumour from locals; a temple - otherwise known as a ‘wat’, fire station, houses, school and a police station.
Big Blue Tech have been doing Cavern and Cave diving monthly in Khao Sok this year and while looking for new caves we heard more and more about this feature.

On our last trip we took a translator to the administrative offices of the energy council for the dam in search of a map or survey prior to when the water rose. We we’re lucky to find an old comparative map of a submerged river, villages and the overlying lake we now dive in. With a few weeks of planning and consequent phone calls; a technical diving expedition was arranged in search of these villages and anything else of significant difference.

Diving in Khao Sok is unlike diving anywhere else in the world. For many at Big Blue Tech the thrill of coral reefs and their associated marine life isn’t quite the thrill it used to be. Underwater exploration and the discovery of something new and unique is the ultimate thrill for us.

For someone who has yet to dive in the Khao Sok national park, the best way to envision the experience is to imagine flying through the woods at night, around the trees, over the clearings, across a river and under enormous suspended vegetation covered in freshwater matter or “mung” as referred to in the NSS-CDS Cavern Diving Manual. And then, in the midst of it all: houses with chairs and tables, walkways with fences, buildings with roofs. A feeling much like finding Atlantis perhaps, although this is only about 20 years old of course and it’s pitch black conditions in 22 degree freshwater.

The expedition consisted of 6 team members: James Thornton-Allan, Hannah Lusby, Oskar Sjostrom, Tim Klein, Christos Kardana and Cory Lewis; all technical divers with different backgrounds, disciplines and diving styles. The logistics for this trip would require more technical gear than our usual trips to the same location, including an oxygen booster, double the amount of torches, shot lines and buoy lines and of course enough nitrox and oxygen for 6 dives to 60m, for up to 30 minutes bottom time. Although the oxygen booster is not essential, we needed it to get every drop out of our big 50L oxygen tanks, thus allowing every oxygen cylinder a fill of at least 130 bar.

We all agreed that this trip would be dry, which means no alcohol! Due to the remote nature of the diving and the lack of immediate or speedy emergency support, any risk of a diving related injury or illness had to be minimized. Despite a few grumblings all agreed that this is the correct attitude for such an expedition and this decision was kept until the trip home, which was messy by any standard.

The day of departure was much like normal; taxi fully loaded and off to the pier to catch the night boat to Chumphon. Once there it’s a mini bus ride to the resort with the big blue gear taxi following. Arriving at the resort there is a fury of activity with equipment checks, logistical and mission briefings and everyone kitted up and down to the lake for a check dive. The check dive would introduce conditions new to some team members and make sure all their skills and drills were sharp for the diving ahead. A short moderate dive exposed everyone to the conditions below the freshwater surface and brought everyone back on the longtail boat with laughter and smiles of which many haven’t shown in a while. This dive also allowed James to show Cory and Christos how to shot a mark and tie on. This was essential so our longtail could remain on the site and surface support could respond with short distance if needed.

This was a long first day in a new environment. The recent weather in Koh Tao had been rainy and cloudy, so quite a few were suffering from the new found heat and sun they were suddenly exposed to on the opening day. We finished the day with a quiet dinner and off to bed early in our spacious air-conditioned rooms with large balconeys facing the  stunning park view. Tim -our local multimedia guru- even brought his playstation 3 along just to pass the time while the compressor roared through the night, forcing every possible litre drop into the 6 twin 12L tanks.

Waking at 6am proved too much for some. It was clear Tim was not a morning person and needed a good couple of hours after waking up before anyone could talk to him…a charming chap indeed. A breakfast of eggs, toast and cereal was prepared by Cory and then it was off to the lake for an early morning dive. We brought the compressor with us this time so we could fill our tanks during lunch at a floating resort during the surface interval. During these dives we explored different areas of the villages, some found a hut while others found a chair but still had yet to find the large concrete structures reported by the locals. Although finding man made buildings was great, it was not exactly what we were looking for and it didn’t help us get closer to the centre of the village. We could have been 500m away, which at 60m might as well be 10 miles. With staggered diving for surface cover the day was long but with plenty of food and water it flew by quicker then most expected.

The next day we decided to explore a different mark of the map which indicated  a cluster of villages. Speaking to the locals we realised more and more that they have less and less of a definitive idea of what lies beneath and realized that a small village in a jungle over 20 years ago wouldn’t look the same as what we recognize Thailand villages today. With that in mind we lowered our expectations of submerged roads and shopping malls to simply looking for bamboo huts, pathways and woodland clearings and the new search patterns and mission briefings were completed. The dives that followed proved successful as we started to find, still at 60m in pitch-black conditions, wardrobes, chairs, simple man made structures, clearings of purpose cut trees and pathways. Unfortunately they were all surrounded by heavy forest and covered in freshwater detritus making it hard to follow an individual pathway. In agreement with the local stories, it was clear that they were all connected by a deeper path, in this case the old river that supplied the water to build the lake. By this time everyone was tired and a bit sun kissed but very excited and satisfied with the days diving. We still had one more place to look, which would be on our final day, consisting of a big dive with 30 minute bottom time.

The wind had picked up and the waves were crashing over the bow of the longtail as we arrived on site the next morning. Broken into groups to explore for one last effort, the divers’ descents down the line were staggered, with surface cover at the ready. After a 70minute exploratory Oskjar and Cory returned to the surface, while Hannah had a longer bottom time and was still doing her decompression on a lift bag. Retrieving the nitrox tanks the second group descended down the buoy line, while Hannah surfaced with good news, finding a concrete pillar and signs of a town. This definitive sign of man made dwellings, was what we have been searching for all along and Tim who had yet to dive could return down her reel line, and conduct a further search within proximity of all these newly found structures. Tim was successful; his sightings allowing us to positively identify the temple area.  Among other things Tim found a large water reservoir and concrete structures including a 10m by 10m square block with 3 steps rising to a plateau. On this plateau were steel pipe supports for a roof and a concrete pedestal.  Typically Thai temples in small villages have a simple concrete centre with a Buddha or relic where offerings are placed. In speaking with the locals they confirmed that we had found the village near the temple and that we needed to look further south in search of the old building. Further research and interviews with locals bought new information to light. The temple was primarily made of wood. This would suggest the intergrity of the temple is most probably reduced to its concrete foundations. However, the discovery meant we had an exact gps mark to the village that was home to the temple.

Despite the trip having a somewhat bitter sweet finish, our discovery leaves us with so much more to be explored and discovered. Returning to the resort, it was kit break down and equipment sorting. The usual farewells ensued before departure to Chumphon for the night boat back to Koh Tao.

For the team we head back to Koh Tao for more technical diving activities and expedition planning, as we look forward to more exploration and discovery in the future.

If you would like to join us on the next expedition to The Khao Sok National Park contact us at info@bigbluetech.net

More info here and here

Today is essentially the start of the Khao Sok Cave and Cavern Expedition Trip held monthly at Big Blue Tech in Big Blue Diving Resort in Sai Ree Beach, Koh Tao, Thailand.

Like every departure day, most of the staff and training teams time was spent servicing, packing and prepping all the equipment needed for the 10 person team heading off into the Khao Sok National Park for 5 days of Cavern Diving, Cave Diving and Decompression Lake Diving.

The many goals of this expedition included exploration of the lake bed in search of the sunken village built prior to the hydro electric dam 40 years ago which has been lost when the lake rose in excess of 50m.

Additionally it would be to certify several customers and students as Cavern Divers and to expose previously certified Cavern Divers to Cave Diving with Intro To Cave Diving. All that while enjoying a holiday at the 5 star resort just outside the national park.

Included on this trip would be the following:
-    All food and drink
-    All transfers and taxis
-    All equipment
-    Accommodation (Air con, TV, Hot Water, Lake View)
-    Laundry and drink Tab
-    Certification and Manual
-    10 dives
-    Boat Fees and Park Fees
-    Snacks and water

Members on the team are as follows:
James Thornton-Allan who joins as certifying instructor and supervising diving activities. He would later contract a nasty infection and be subjected to daily inter muscular anti-biotic injections to the buttock but remained for all the dives despite doctor’s recommendation for hospital admission.

Cory J Lewis who not only joins as a student of both his technical diving course but also his cavern diving course but also continues his role as facilities manager responsible for the compressor and equipment during the expedition. Cory would later reflect on this trip and wonder was 8 hours of filling tanks each day had a negative effect on his hairstyle.

Oskar Sjostrom who is also another member of staff of big blue tech comes simply for some experience dives and technical exploration. With more tanks than Sherman he would spend most of his time in the sunken forest at 50m searching for any signs of buildings. Being a former jazz saxophone player from Sweden (we didn’t know they had jazz either) he entertained us with constant whistling of old songs that never got on anyone’s nerves.

Christos Kardana was recently certified as a caver diver on the last course a month ago returns again to join the fun as only once is never enough. Christos built a special bond with our videographer Claire which means most of the good stories about him is not print worthy STUNNING

Claire Oei who filmed our last expedition and also earned herself her Enriched Air Nitrox and Cavern Diver certification at the same time returns again to film this expedition and generally get in everyone’s way with her camera. Also we’re not able to share most of the good stories since most of her time was spent with Chrisos.. STUNNING

Elena Bugrova, our resident Russian, is enrolled in her Dive Master Internship course with Big Blue Diving and decided to join us on this trip to get a different perspective on diving and some experience. She was shocked to find her self-ridding in the back of the big blue taxi but this time it was on the seat. Elena is quite quiet despite her appearance but performed well above expected.

Sara Schutzer who returns to Big Blue Diving after her rescue course and ski season in Canada to do her Dive Master Internship joins us from her busy running schedule and course work to see some real penetration. Soft spoken and with a strange Canadian accent since she’s Swedish.

Mieke Cubussen, a full time Dive Master at Coral Grand Divers returns to her family of Big Blue (where she was a Dive Master Trainee) to join her boyfriend Duncan on this trip. Mieke is a close friend of all and a welcomed presence on this trip. Although very much from Holland she’s adopted a strange posh/cockney accident. It’s about time you came Mickey.

Duncan Tyler who is the grandfather of the Dive Master Interns at Big Blue Diving and has been able to dodge the axe of the final signature for many months now. This trip gives him at least another 5 days extension on his course now.

Tia works for Big Blue Diving as the Taxi Driver and brings along Mrs. Tia to join him on this trip. Tia would help with transfers, trips to town and even a BBQ for everyone on the trip.

As the day progressed we packed the following.
18 TekLite Torches
6 Intova Torches
3 Halcyon Torches
2 UK100 HID Torches
9 Deco regulators
4 sets of technical regulators
4 Twin Sets
10 single tanks
5 smaller back up breathing cylinders
9 pairs of gloves
10 primary reels
10 finger reels
Oxygen and Nitrox Cylinders
5 gas switching Computers
10 computers for normal diving
1 portable compressors
2 Divator Full Face Masks
18 Fins
12 Wetsuits
14 Masks
10 Bcd’s/Wings
5 Backplates
1 Taxi
Gps and Sonar
2 Analyzers
1 Shot Line
1 High definition Under water video camera
3 cameras

Additionally, Filter chemicals, advanced first aid kit with sharps and airways, spares kit with hoses and regs, batteries, oil, petrol, tool set, 6 pelican boxes and finally an ancient map of the area before being flooded (essential)

All this and more was packed into the taxi with all the customers and headed off to the Talay Sub Night Ferry where we had already booked a private room with air conditioning giving all a quiet night and rest for the day to come. Many would sleep early aware the boat would arrive at Chumphon at 5 am.

Tonight Big Blue Tech instructors James Thornton-Allan and Matt Rolph depart Koh Tao with 6 keen and future Cavern divers for 5 Days in Khao Sok National Park. We’re also going to have Sonia from last months course come out to do some dives with us.

In packing for this event we made a list to give people an idea of what it takes to do this type of diving properly, safely within training standards and enjoyable for all types of divers.

10 Primary Torches
10 Backup Torches
3 Stage Light Sets
10 100m Reels
10 45m Finger Reels
20 Cave Arrows
12 11L Cylinders
6 7L Cylinders
6 Slim Decompression Regulators for the RBS or “PONY”
4 Twin Tanks with Manifold
8 Tech Regs
6 Recreational Regs
Military Spec first aid kit
Emergency Oxygen and Regulator
2 Taxi’s
2 Full Face Masks
2 Oxygen Decompression Tanks (for the big boys diving after the course)
Petrol Powered Compressor and Filters
10 Pairs of Gloves
30kg of Batteries
Beer Coolers
6 Padi Certification Card Forms
1 Underwater Video Camera
2 Digital SLR Cameras

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Big Blue Tech will be conducting a 4 day  Cavern Course in Kao Sok National Park. The following dates are available.

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL!

This trip will be open to divers from around Thailand.

Pre-Requisites: Must be minimum Advanced with 20 dives ( Redundant Breathing System Provided)

Conduct: The course will be done on site in the national park over a 4 day period of 6 dives with academic plus dry land skills. Certification as a Cavern Diver will be received after completing 4 dives and a final exam with 2 experience dives to follow.

Included:
- Ferry to and from Mainland Thailand (if required)
- Transport to and around Khao Sok
- 4 nights accommodation in a 4 star resort inside the the National Park
- Manual and Certification
- All gas and cylinder fills
- All equipment (Reels, Torches, Dive Gear)
- All food and drinks (non alcoholic)
- Park Entry Fee
- Boat Fees
- 4 Training Dives
- 2 “fun” Experience Dives

Not Included: Beer

Tekkies: Technical gear is available for those certified, included in the course price.

Certified Cavern Divers:
For those certified we will be running exploration trips in conjunction with this course, this will allow certified divers to use the boat and compressor to conduct 4 days of diving

Gas:
Nitrox, Trimix and boosted oxygen available on site, on request.

Prices: Contact Us.

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Past Events, look at these pages for images and video

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

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Today, amidst bad weather being strong wind and waves keeping us from our beloved dive sites, Big Blue Tech conducted some discover technical dives for keen and future technical divers.

Big Blue Tech took James Waller and Darran Jones out for a long shallow dive exposing them to the equipment and skills associated with technical diving.

We’re all waiting for the unseasonably cold and choppy weather to leave koh tao so we can get some depth. So for now, this will have to do.