29 replies to this topic

[Dive_Girl]

Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures
Catch episodes every Wednesday at 8pm - started April 5th (local channels should make re-runs available the week of the original episode run)

Set sail and explore dangerous and spectacular locales traveling to the Northwest Hawaiian Island archipelago, the most remote island group in the world with Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures, a multi-part HDTV series premiering on PBS April 5 at 8PM with the first of the 6 hour specials Voyage to Kure, narrated by Pierce Brosnan.

Using state-of-the-art technology and accompanied by marine scientists and ecologists, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his acclaimed diving teams will explore a thrilling array of natural phenomena, investigate little known territories and ecosystems hundreds of feet beneath the ocean’s surface, and come face to face with the friendly and ferocious inhabitants of the deep in each episode of Ocean Adventures. Through Jean-Michel’s and his team’s observations, the series will illuminate the great need for better understanding and sustainable management of the oceans’ rich natural treasures.

Click here for a Series Synopsis

Voyage to Kure I
Voyage to Kure II
Grey Whale Obstacle Course
Sharks At Risk
America’s Underwater Treasures I
America’s Underwater Treasures II

[source: Ocean Futures Society]

You should also check for local listings. For those in Oregon (or the Southwestern part of Washington):

Episode 1: Voyage to Kure I will be encore aired on OPB (Channel 10) at 9am this Tuesday, 4/11 (I caught it this morning and was very impressed).

[Dennis]

Nicolle,

Thanks for the synopsis. The first show was pretty nice. I'll probably watch them all, especially since they are right before Lost.

[drbill]

I think the first episode was pretty interesting. Of course I prefer more U/W footage than the topside story, but it was all relevant. My only concern was the sponsorship by Dow Chemical. I guess we all have to seek out funding where it is available. Maybe I should approach them for a grant!

[Capn Jack]

I have to ask - what was with the 3 tank rig? Looked like a single valve on the manifold, so I'm not sure what the benefit is from safety or weight? The little shield was cute, but would that amount of streamlining be that beneficial?

[Dive_Girl]

I don't know the answers to that - but I always find the ocean blue wetsuits interesting.... I did see half the dive team was diving with inspiration rebreathers and HMS Explorer dive computers.

[drbill]

They've used three tank set-ups like that for years. When I worked with them in the mid-80's on the TBCS series they had a cover that went over them which made the tanks look like a rebreather setup. They also dove with silver wetsuits back then.

[Capn Jack]

They've used three tank set-ups like that for years. When I worked with them in the mid-80's on the TBCS series they had a cover that went over them which made the tanks look like a rebreather setup. They also dove with silver wetsuits back then.

Thanks Dr Bill, during your time with them, did you hear or learn what the rationale is? I'm still curious - I would think there must be a reason behind the setup - there is so much about the universe of diving that I don't know - this has piqued my interest. Alll I can think of right now is a slightly thinner profile, and with the cover in place some reduction of snaggable points plus less parasitic drag,

[scubafanatic]

...yeah, it was wierd, half the team used hi-tech gear (rebreathers/ etc.) the other half used the same gear configuration as they used in the 60's ( that triple manifold with 3 thin tanks) , no BCD's, not sure I even saw consoles/SPGs! as usual, the French do things their own way.

...that triple manifold supposedly streamlines their profile......but the manifold isn't the 'modern' isolation style, so there's no added safety factor to using 'their' manifold.....but again, back in the 60's this was a normal/accepted technology.

Karl

[drbill]

Just got a reply back from Dr. Richard Murphy, Director of Science and Education for Ocean Futures. I may not have been clear in my question because he replied that the triple tank set-ups were actually rebreathers. I thought the ones they used in the special were open circuit but will ask for a clarification just in case.

Thinking back to a dive Dick, Jean-Michel and I did in the northern Channel Islands (Santa Cruz) about 17 years ago. Dick loaned me his son's wetsuit and I put it on backwards! Wasn't used to rear zippers at the time, all mine were front zippers.

[Dive_Girl]

Oops drbill - I just noticed the post you previously made reagding this series - you have much more direct connection than I do!! Click to read drbill's post!

As usual drbill -

[drbill]

Oops drbill - I just noticed the post you previously made reagding this series - you have much more direct connection than I do!! Click to read drbill's post!

As usual drbill -

Yep, I guess I'm still considered part of the "family..." probably one of the black sheep, of course.

No sweat with your thread... the more that see one of ours, the more who may watch it.

[Capn Jack]

No sweat with your thread... the more that see one of ours, the more who may watch it.

Episode I is on again tonight on our local (D/FW - KERA) PBS channel. No idea when episode II will air.

[Dive_Girl]

I caught Voyage to Kure II last night on PBS. Yet again another excellent episode. There was an intense scene on a night dive where the current was just ripping. Open ocean diving can be so intense! Then there was another scene where the divers went down to 180+' (their max planned depth was 198', a 1.5 as they said). The visibility was incredible! It's nice to watch an informational show that talks about protecting the oceans and has decent diving going on as well. Somehow I don't think 6 episodes will be enough for me. Looks like I'll have to pack up and go join a research vessel!

[Capn Jack]

I caught Voyage to Kure II last night on PBS.

arrrgh - me looked at the listing, and thought it was v1 again. Damn their black hearts & me incompetent eyes.

[drbill]

Watched episode two last night and liked it better than episode one (which I also liked). Had to tape it since the guy who replaced me at the Conservancy was giving a talk on his work in Costa Rica and Florida which was live and interesting.

While I still would enjoy more underwater footage, I thought the topside segments (especially Laysan and Midway) made important points about protecting both the terrestrial and the marine environments.

It was fun to see old friends like JMC, Nan, Don, Ed and others do their thing. I just wish they'd extend an invitation to this old fart to join them again. I guess with folks like Holly and Mike they are looking to draw a younger crowd as well. Gee, I still attract some of the twenty- and thirty-somethings (but prefer the generally higher maturity of those closer to my age)!