Scuba Diving in Nasty, Polluted Water

Deep, murky water. That’s something that instills fear in a lot of people. Normal, sane people stay far, far away from the gloomy depths. Not my younger self. You see, for a year or so, I had a side hustle diving underneath boats and inspecting them. I’d get a call that a boat wasn’t handling…

The Legendary Dragon Moray

This is the dragon moray (Enchelycore pardalis), aka the leopard or tiger moray. With its impressive colors and mythical features, you can see where it gets the name. I mean, it looks like a legendary beast you’d find in a video game. Unlike typical morays, the dragon moray has curved jaws that prevent it from…

The Wreck of the SS Yongala

23 March 1911. The steamship SS Yongala is nearing the end of her 99th voyage in Australian waters. She departs the town of Mackay at 1340 (1:40 pm) en route to Townsville, Queensland. She’s carrying 49 passengers, 73 crew, and 617 tons of cargo, including the racehorse Moonshine and a Lincoln Red bull. As she…

Are Barracuda Dangerous?

With their sharp teeth and impressive size, barracuda are among the most feared fish in the sea. Some species, such as the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), can grow up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length, which is bigger than some sharks! But are these slender, sentient steak knives really as dangerous as they seem?…

My Top 5 Shark Encounters

I’m Tidewater Teddy, and I’ve spent a lot of time above and beneath the sea. In the deep, blue ocean, I’ve seen my share of sea creatures, but of all of them, sharks are my favorite. Over the years, I’ve had some incredible encounters with these toothy fish. Here are my top 5 shark encounters!…

This WW II Shipwreck is Home to 100 Sharks – SS Caribsea

11 March 1942. 0200 hours. The merchant ship SS Caribsea is steaming along the coast of North Carolina. She’s carrying 3,600 tons of manganese ore to Norfolk, Virginia from Santiago, Cuba. The night is cold and dark, but nothing is out of the ordinary. Suddenly, an explosion rocks the ship, and seawater starts flooding the…

Two Months in Australia.

Well, I’ve officially been in Australia for two months. Since arriving here, time has traveled at a strange pace. Sometimes, days have passed like weeks, and other times, days have blurred together into an unrecognizable mass. I’ve seen more of Australia than most Americans, but I still have a lot more to see. I just…

Giant Squid Filmed in Natural Habitat for the First Time

If you haven’t heard, Japanese researchers filmed a live giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time, and on Sunday, January 26, 2013, we’ll finally be able to see it. This is truly exciting. For decades, I had been hoping to see footage like this, and now, I will! I have my problems…