18-November-2006
It all really began when I met Kak Jam, the President of Malaysian Coral Reef Conservation Society (CoRal Malaysia) at her office back in Kuala Lumpur. She told me that the society is organising a record setting underwater painting activity. As a diver, I was naturally interested in the project and instantly signed up. In conjunction with this year’s Merdeka month celebration, we were to paint the first ever Jalur Gemilang underwater! It was my very first participation in a CoRal Malaysia project.
So here I am. Kapas Island is beautiful. The people here are friendly, the environment is refreshing, and the atmosphere is calm. After a short introduction to the rest of the divers for this project (there were almost 50 of us!), we went for an orientation dive – my first dive in the waters of Kapas Island! – and discovered many interesting marine specimens. That evening, we were briefed on the more intricate details of the painting project itself by Ajis Mohamad – Malaysia’s first underwater artist. There were to be three dives all together, two to complete the flag itself and the last one to work on the marine creatures surrounding the flag.
Everyone was excited the next morning. After the project was officiated by the Menteri Besar of Terengganu, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, we headed out to the site for our first dive. It wasn’t very deep. Just about five meters. However, some unexpected guests had turned up to witness our activity – a large school of jellyfish. Everywhere I turned, there were jellyfish. Safety came first of course, considering that we were quite a big group, so everyone looked out for each other. Personally, I found the first dive really challenging, as I also had to constantly watch out for my dive buddy.
Doing the painting itself was a unique experience. I spent about an hour underwater on the first dive. The task was tricky because all this while, we were used to painting straight up. This time however, it was done downwards. It was a fun experience. The divers of the project were a great bunch. Everyone was like a family and there was a lot of respect for each other. You need that as divers. Everyone was constantly helping and looking out for one another.
I recalled an incident involving one of the divers underwater. A jellyfish stung him on the leg. He panicked and started convulsing. With the help of a divemaster, we managed to help him surface and got the paramedics who were on a stand by. Thankfully, the sting was not poisonous.
The flag was completed in record time. By the time I went for the third dive of the day, some of the marine creatures were already painted and the flag looked fabulous. There was an air of satisfaction after the task was completed. I was very proud of everyone for accomplishing the project. The flag was the result of our co-operation and hard work, so that made it special. I am definitely keen to participate in future CoRal Malaysia projects.
In a victorious dinner that night, we watched videos of our project and everyone was laughing and joking. Projects like those initiated by CoRal Malaysia is important to spread awareness of environmental issues of the underwater world, but there is also so much we can do on land. Cleanliness is important and everyone should play their part in it. The Merdeka Dive is a fine example of what we can accomplish if we work together.
Source/See more : http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/community/travel_experience/
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