Photo Copyright 2007 by Terry Goss
Upon my last visit to Fiji, we were blessed with a visit by Scarface, always a wonderful and endearing experience, and a privilege on top of that. But this time, far from being her majestic self, she barged in fast and furious and it took several minutes for her to calm down and resume her habitual circular feeding pattern. Needless to say that we were intrigued and alarmed.
But now I think I know what's going on.
What I'm about to do may be considered to be highly "unprofessional".
Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass. Will it lead to unending aggro? Most certainly!
And for you out there who already feel the blood pressure rising: for once, please, use your brain and not your gonads. This is an opportunity for reflection and ultimately, for self-preservation - both of us as individuals and Shark Diving in Fiji in general.
So there: there's a controversial video clip out there.
Having now had to answer the fourth e-mail asking whether this is our dive (and Andrew having had to gone thru the same exercise), the answer is unequivocally:
No, absolutely not, this is not our Shark Dive by any stretch of the imagination!
I've blogged at nauseam about the need for unequivocal and stringent Safety Procedures, so I won't bother you with any further rants.
In our case, they encompass -to name but a few- the clear separation of spectators and protagonists, full dark body suits and gloves, steel mesh gloves for the feeders, safety poles to push away any trespassing Sharks and a choreographed and predictable routine so that the animals know what is expected of them.
Our Fijian staff, wonderful as they are, have a penchant for improvisation and exuberance and Andrew has been spending countless hours reinforcing the message that this is all about being professional, Respectful and safety-conscious - not some macho game by reckless village kids!
Thankfully, at BAD, the message is sticking.
As to the following, you be the Judge of it.
But now I think I know what's going on.
What I'm about to do may be considered to be highly "unprofessional".
Frankly, I don't give a rat's ass. Will it lead to unending aggro? Most certainly!
And for you out there who already feel the blood pressure rising: for once, please, use your brain and not your gonads. This is an opportunity for reflection and ultimately, for self-preservation - both of us as individuals and Shark Diving in Fiji in general.
So there: there's a controversial video clip out there.
Having now had to answer the fourth e-mail asking whether this is our dive (and Andrew having had to gone thru the same exercise), the answer is unequivocally:
No, absolutely not, this is not our Shark Dive by any stretch of the imagination!
I've blogged at nauseam about the need for unequivocal and stringent Safety Procedures, so I won't bother you with any further rants.
In our case, they encompass -to name but a few- the clear separation of spectators and protagonists, full dark body suits and gloves, steel mesh gloves for the feeders, safety poles to push away any trespassing Sharks and a choreographed and predictable routine so that the animals know what is expected of them.
Our Fijian staff, wonderful as they are, have a penchant for improvisation and exuberance and Andrew has been spending countless hours reinforcing the message that this is all about being professional, Respectful and safety-conscious - not some macho game by reckless village kids!
Thankfully, at BAD, the message is sticking.
As to the following, you be the Judge of it.
4 comments:
We would like to be the first to applaud your industry leadership on this issue guys.
Well said, well done. Without a critical and sometimes unflinching look our industry will suffer the long term effects of those who do not understand media, or the implications of videos like these on the Internet.
Thank you, appreciate!
Hey, talking about media, what are we now: "blog pals"?
Anyway, looking forward to meeting you at DEMA - our booth is 1436!
Cheers, Mike
Sorry to be such a sensitive ninny, but I feel the need to point out proper attribution for the photo of Scarface at the top (thanx for the tip, Bill!) - I don't mind that BAD Boys use the image in promotion of their fine services, but just for the record: copyright 2007 Terry Goss. Cheers!
Mea culpa Terry!
It will not happen again without proper copyright caption!
Sorry and thanks for your patience
Mike
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