Diving

FKCC students Kelly Burger, left, and Kyle Moran head back to the boat with a tray of baby corals from the underwater nursery. To see more photos, check out www.keysnet.com/photos/gallery/174589.html .
Photos by DOUGLAS RUDOLPH / FKCC underwater photography instructor

Coral restoration

What do a 14-year-old girl and a 4-H project have to do with saving the world’s coral reefs? More than you might imagine, especially when the girl’s dad, Ken Nedimyer, is the longtime proprietor of Sea Life Inc., a tropical fish-collecting business. But Nedimyer is no reef pillager; in fact, just the opposite.

Posted - Sunday, January 03, 2010 09:18 AM EST

For our island communities in the Keys, scuba diving is more than just a hobby. For many it is a way of life. Diving draws visitors and residents alike to the clear, warm waters that surround us.

Posted - Friday, December 25, 2009 11:00 AM EST

Erin Magee uses a scooter during a freedive ascent recently.

BENEATH THE SURFACE | By Erin Magee

In May 2009, I was in Grand Cayman for my first-ever freediving competition. I was there to focus on two weeks of serious training and wanted to go for depth. But after a few days of training at the beginning of the trip I had a day off and one of the other freedivers asked me if I wanted to take the underwater scooters out for a joyride. I thought it sounded like fun so I went out to give them a try.

Posted - Friday, December 18, 2009 11:00 AM EST

A well-fitting suit can keep divers comfortable when the water is cooler than in summer.

BENEATH THE SURFACE | By Erin Magee

It was mid-February and I was getting suited up to go diving. I wasn’t diving in Florida, mind you. I was diving in a rock quarry in Virginia where the water was probably in the high 40s. I was also a fairly new diver with only around 30 dives under my belt so I was ready to get in the water any which way was possible.

Posted - Friday, December 04, 2009 11:00 AM EST

BENEATH THE SURFACE | By Erin Magee

I’d been working on the dive boat for a few months. It was my second dive shop job and I was really excited about it.

Posted - Friday, November 20, 2009 09:34 AM EST

A model of the U.S.S. Vandenberg is sunk during a demonstration at a recent dive trade show in Orlando. (Photo by Andy Newman)

Model re-creates Vandenberg sinking at show

Crowds gathered to watch the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg sink - twice - miles away from the nearest coastline.

Posted - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 05:03 PM EST

Captains Joe Goddard and Jacob Swayze of Amoray Dive Resort accept the Blue Star vessel decal from Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary communications coordinator Karrie Carnes.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has awarded a new designation for ecosystem protection to Amy Slate’s Amory Dive Resort.

Posted - Friday, November 06, 2009 11:00 AM EST