features
CONTENTS
spring 2014
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SPRING 2014
68 The Revillagigedos
Islands
A Socorro cruise diary
Text and photos by Stephen Frink
If you like being dwarfed by
marine life, Socorro is the place for
you. This seasonal destination offers
incredible opportunities for
communing with whales, mantas,
sharks, dolphins and more.
76 Cozumel
A Caribbean icon
Text and photos by Brandon Cole
Cozumel isn’t just close and easy to
get to, it’s stunning. Whether
you’re topside or drifting along some
of the Caribbean’s most dazzling
reefs, variety and coolness abound.
82 Mangroves and
Seagrass
By Sarah Egner
Mangrove forests and seagrass
beds are vital for protecting
coastlines and promoting healthy
coral reefs, but they’re also
fascinating habitats in their own right
and worthy of exploration.
88 Back to Basics
Understanding decompression
illness
By Nicholas Bird, M.D., MMM
No issue of
Alert Diver
would be
complete without a harrowing tale
of decompression illness (DCI). But
what is DCI, and what is it not? Cut
through the misconceptions; here are
the facts.
92 Ocean Views 2014:
The Power of Imaging
According to Ocean Views 2014
judge David Doubilet, this year’s
contest showcases “extraordinary
images that will stop you in your
tracks.” See the sea as portrayed by
some of the world’s most talented
visual artists.
16th PLACE
Sperm Whales
Dominica
By Phil Sokol
After several days of fruitless
searching we finally came
upon a group of sperm whales
socializing on the surface.
Moments after I entered the
water I saw another small
group diving under me; the
largest whale rolled over as if
to inspect the strange, gangly
creature that was now in
their world.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Sigma
15mm fisheye lens, 1/160
sec @ f/8, ISO 320, Nauticam
housing;
ON THE COVER:
Pedro Carrillo’s “Atlantic
Bobtails” is the grand-
prize winner of the 2014
Ocean Views Photo Contest.
Congratulations, Pedro! For
more about this image, see
Page 94.
