The Silent World

I love the part where they dynamite the coral reef to get the boat through. For science! They also run over a baby whale, and kill the poor thing. At least they didn't fondue it. I have so say though, science was manlier in those days, and scientists weren't afraid to wear short-shorts.

What a blast from the past! I remember when I was a kid, the whole family would watch Cousteau's semi-annual specials on TV. Back then, they only showed things once, and if you missed it, you missed it! Not like today, kids will probably never understand how a TV show could be special. And I don't remember them killing any whales, honestly it was a little shocking to re-watch it now, after all the years.

Calypso in 1980
Calypso was BYMS-26, a Royal Navy minesweeper built in Oregon, 1942


light

Unlike ( or just like ) the Caribbean, diving in New Jersey is actually better at night in many ways. That's obviously not true if you are out to survey a shipwreck, but for inlet diving, there is no comparison. During the day, the day critters will be wide awake, and you won't be able to get near them, while the night critters will be down in their holes where you'll never see them.

At night, you can go right up to the sleeping day critters and pinch them, even the fish. Some even seem mesmerized by your light, which will also draw in many small invertebrates by itself. Meanwhile, the night critters will be out prowling around, including the king of all night critters, the lobster. And if you shut off the light and wave your hands vigorously, the bioluminescents will put on a show for you.

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