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Scuba Diving Explore Underwater® Magazine Online Editorial
by Monte Lee Thornton
In 1996 when the internet was still young, I created Explore Underwater Online Magazine. Over the last 12 years
it seems that now everyone has been captured into the wonder of information technology.
As I reflect over the dreamers and heroes, who became founders and leaders of the underwater world, I realize
that they would embrace the internet as a means of getting information to a worldwide audience. It is my vision that
that this online magazine web site communicate knowledge for you to explore underwater.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a co-inventor in the creation of self contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA), which
fulfilled his vision and desire to make it possible for others to share in the adventures waiting under the sea. With the
creation of his television series, he shared the insight of his discoveries and changed forever the perspective that we have
regarding the sea. We learned from him that it must be protected for future generations.
Some of us will remember now the use of Rod Sterling's voice to narrate the series, reminded us of his
famous television series the Twilight Zone. I believe his voice certainly intrigued us to go beyond what is seen and into the possibilities of the
unknown. Each person that had seen one of the series either consciously or unconsciously felt from the narrator's voice, a
certain mystical draw, and great anticipation for the information forthcoming.
Whether it was intentional or not, it instilled the desire to uncover mysteries, that for so long were hidden,
and people began to seek out the beauty of God's creation in the oceans of the world.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau is for the diving population what Picasso was to the art world. He forever will be an explorer that
shines a light and leads us from being uncaring about the underwater world, to preserving it for many generations to come.
Because of his television series many newcomers to the diving world sought out opportunities for ocean experiences and
possible employment in tropical places.
They hungered to be like Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and to find discoveries of their own to share with the world.
As a young boy I longed to learn to scuba dive, and to explore the Underwater world. For years my mother would not give me permission
to learn. So I joined the US Army with a quaranteed station in Hawaii. I still didn't have her blessings, but I began what has led me
to becoming a PADI 30 Year Member, Underwater Photographer, a diving career, and experiences that exceeded my dreams.
In the articles section of Explore Underwater you will have the opportunity to read about my diving with whale sharks,
dolphins, sharks, and other marine life
encounters. I hope that by taking you on my adventures it will instill in you the desire to experience your own. The
oceans of our world hold
so many species to see. Underwater explorers are able to see more species in ten minutes on a coral reef, than they would spending ten days in the
forest.
Explore Underwater Online Magazine, is our way of sharing our explorations with friends around the
world. We hope that you will visit often, and send us news of your explorations, and favorite discoveries. We'll share
them with others through this online magazine. Together, we'll all promote the adventure of exploring underwater.
Get up and go diving this weekend if possible. If you venture to Grand Cayman on vacation, I'll go diving with you, just give me a call, 345-925-5725.
Monte Lee Thornton
Our 10 year old son Alec, who loves movies, especially the Disney productions of Pirates of the Caribbean, was facinated
when we showed him the hull of an old shipwreck at 35 feet, at the Eden Rock dive site. It had been uncovered due to the
waves of Ivan. Irene pointed out a Cleaner Shrimp hiding in the wreckage to Alec, and later explained to him that it is now
a cleaning station for fish. After that experience Alec determined that it was in fact an old pirate shipwreck, and who are
we to correct a ten year old. Afterall they know more than the parents, right?
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Web site first created 14 March, 1996
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