DJL Latest News

DJL would like to welcome a new member to the team, Peter.
Peter a Dutch native will run IDC programs in English, German & Dutch. He has 27 years of Diving experience including specialist skills in tech diving and ice diving, as well as working as a tug boat captain in Holland.

We wish Peter all the best for his future with us, helping the next generation of diving instructors achieve their goals.

This morning, divers from DJL Diving Koh Tao got to dive with a 5 metre long whale shark at the Chumphon Pinnacles.



On the boat to enjoy the experience was Christy, making the final two dives of her PADI Open Water course with DJL Instructor Alex. Also diving was Luke, with a group of certified divers.

Tech wreck expedition with Davy Jones Locker [PADI 5* Gold Palm Resort] & Worldwide Dive & Sail

Read more: Wreck Diving Expedition, Tech Liveaboard, September 2008

Written by Tim Lawrence, Gary Bain & Darius Moazzami

Introduction
Throughout the Second World War, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysian peninsular was the scene for much naval conflict, with the loss of many military and cargo vessels.

The relatively shallow depth throughout this region means through the application of deep technical diving techniques, we can explore the seabed, revisiting these lost ships and investigating history.

During March 2008, a team of divers from Davy Jones Locker [Koh Tao, Thailand], organised an expedition to locate and identify a military vessel with a lot of history in this region - the Imperial Japanese Navy Minelayer Hatsutaka.
Here are our findings:

Historical Perspective
The Japanese Minelayer HIJMS Hatsutaka was completed in October 1939. Built by Harima & Co. Hatsutaka gave it’s name to that class of ship. Measuring 90.9 metres in length with a 11.3 metre beam, the Hatsutaka class had a fast, sleek design displacing 1608 tonnes. Engineered with a dual shaft, three boiler power plant, 6000hp was delivered to the propellers giving the minelayer a maximum speed of 20 knots.

Read more: DJL Diving Team Identifies WW2 Japanese Minelayer HIJMS Hatsutaka

After discovering a small wreck south east of Koh Tao Thailand a couple of months ago, this morning, a team of divers from DJL returned to the wreck to make a survey and get a better idea of the wreck.

Read more: Workup dives survey small wreck South East of Koh Tao

Working as a professional Dive Instructor can be one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs a person can have. In addition to the inherent joys of introducing others to an environment with so many hidden wonders, today’s dive instructors find themselves in an ever-expanding and diversifying market with new opportunities arising almost daily.

Read more: James completes his IDC to qualify as a PADI Diving Instructor

Following up on the previous whale shark story, BSAC divers Jane & Nigel from sunny Norfolk have kindly sent us images from their whale shark sighting at the Chumphon Pinnacles, Koh Tao.

Read more: Images of Whale Shark at the Chumphon Pinnacles Ko Tao

When we head out for our late afternoon dives on the RIB, being the only boat at the dive site we expect surrounded by sharks, but yesterday afternoon we got a special treat at the Chumphon Pinnacles. Descending down the buoy line, the guys got to see a whale shark hanging around the pinnacle.

Read more: Whale Shark encounter diving at the Chumphon Pinnacles

After completing their Divemaster Trainee internship here on Koh Tao, Luke, James, Christian & Ceilidh have qualified as PADI Divemasters.

Read more: 4 PADI Divemasters graduate from DJL Diving Internship

Congratulations to Franky & Clare who have recently qualified as technical divers with DJL Diving.

Both came from Koh Tao Dive professional backgrounds. Clare did her PADI Divemaster training with Island Dive Club, before working as a freelance Divemaster for several dive shops. Franky has been teaching as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor with Coral Grand Divers at the north end of Sairee Beach.

Read more: Tim certifies two new BSAC technical divers