Geologists from the Marine Geological Survey Division, together with representatives from different regional offices of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), concluded their training on scuba diving last April 2, 2019. They had two courses, namely, basic or fundamental diving and advanced course, where they had to dive at depths of 20 meters and 35 meters, respectively. The training for fundamental diving was conducted on December 13-22, 2018, while the advanced course took place on March 27- April 2, 2019.
The academic lectures for these courses were held at Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City, while the basic confined water dives and the actual open water dives took place at Matahari House Reef in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. The Dive RAID instructors and the examiners, led by Mr. James Omac and Engr. Jong David, guided the trainees. Lectures were done both in class and online.
During the training, geologists learned different diving skills, proper discipline, and techniques on how to execute safe and responsible diving plans. Aside from diving, lectures and demonstrations also include basic survival skills, as well as, ways on how to react in different emergency scenarios that may be encountered during marine surveys.
The trainees also enjoyed the remarkable seascape and underwater limestone walls; observed the active coral colonies and sea tortoise; and dived along with “Nemo”, the clownfish and other fishes in Mabini, Batangas (please see the link of the video here).
Because of their courage and perseverance, twenty (20) MGB geologists successfully performed the 20-meter and 35-meter depth dives, qualifying them as Dive RAID Open Water and Advanced Scuba Divers.
It is essential for geologists to learn how to scuba dive because it is important for underwater studies, be it in freshwater lakes or in a marine environment. Along the coasts or in deep seas, geoscientists usually conduct geophysical surveys and mapping, which require setting up or installing tools and instruments at the seafloor, study and monitor hydrologic activities, collect samples, tow mooring ropes/lines, and acquire underwater scientific information essential in the implementation of MGB’s on-going projects on “Geological Studies and Mineral Exploration of the Philippine Seas” and “Coastal Geohazard and Vulnerability Assessment”. These projects are geared to study the geology, mineral resources, and hazards of coastal and deep marine areas around the Philippines, particularly in the Philippine Rise and the Celebes Sea regions.
The dive instructor, coaching the trainees on proper diving at Selah Garden Hotel’s pool, Pasay City.
Donned in their dive gears, geologists plunged in the open waters of Anilao Bay. At the background is Tingloy in Maricaban Island and at the far center is Sombrero Islet.
By: Marine Geological Survey Division