The Crystal Skulls of the Bay Islands, SciFi Channel May 18th

[RoatanMan]

SciFi Channel World Premiere – Sunday, May 18th 9pm/8pm Central

Segments of this intriguing two-hour documentary were filmed in Port Royal and Helene earlier this year. Fans of legendary Bay Islands' treasure hunters, Mitchell-Hedges and Howard Jennings, won't want to miss this modern day expedition in their footsteps. Visit Mystery of the Crystal Skulls | SCIFI.COM for a few video clips and more info about the show.

Mitchell-Hedges, a British adventurer who frequented Belize and the Bay Islands in the 1920s and 30s, claimed that the Crystal Skull of Doom was discovered in Belize by his daughter, Anna. According to experts, this is unquestionably the finest of the world's crystal skulls, others of which are housed in major collections of the British Museum and Smithsonian. In his book, Danger My Ally, Mitchell-Hedges describes the skull as "the embodiment of all evil."

Legend has it that the ancient Maya possessed 13 crystal skulls which, when united, hold the power of saving the Earth. A version of this story is the basis for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," (starring Harrison Ford) which opens in theatres on May 22.

Enjoy the show! You're bound to see some people you may know – Lee Matute, the oldest resident of Helene; Doc Radawski, dive pioneer and local historian (CCV); Capt. Ron Ryan, cave expert; Tim Blanton, cameraman (CCV), and others.

[robint]

thanks! Its on our calendar to watch! Art history, ancient cultures and archaeology are my other hobby/interest besides scuba.

[Rule62]

What does this have to do with diving?

[RoatanMan]

Don't get your hopes up about Art history, ancient cultures and archaeology, it is after all, the SciFi Channel.

(insert eerie music here)

[robint]

yes, it is SciFi channel, but based on reality (not like little green men running around in fields). There really were Mayans who carved crystal skulls... and very cool legends about them.
Insert "ooooh aaaahhh!"

[RoatanMan]

uh oh.... on opposite the two hour season finale of DH.

[pword]

OK I watched the Roatan bit where they were diving and snorkeling in shallow water and they mentioned the current was cranking. You could actually see it rushing along when they surfaced and the guy had to hold onto the boat ladder. Yikes!

I didn't watch the whole show. Does anyone know what time of year they were there and what part of the island they were diving? I realize conditions change, but I was under the impression that there is not much current in Roatan. We are going in a few weeks and I'm just curious and cautious.

[mikerault]

Actuall there was very little fact lots of cranks and it was more frustrating than enlightening.

Mike

[vtminter]

Roatan is for the most part calm as far as current goes. I have been diving there though when the weather is bad and it's impossible to swim back to the boat if you lose hold of the ladder. But that can be the case anywhere.

[RoatanMan]

OK I watched the Roatan bit where they were diving and snorkeling in shallow water and they mentioned the current was cranking. You could actually see it rushing along when they surfaced and the guy had to hold onto the boat ladder.

Most dive sites that are frequented by Roatan dive ops do not feature current of note.

The one exception is Cara a Cara, where divers of lesser skills are attracted to in hoardes... it's the canned Shark dive. The currents there are ripping right along and one would do well to listen with care to the dive briefing. If you pay attention and do as you are told, there are plenty of lines provided to hang on. It is really no big deal.

There are occasional surface currents no matter where you dive, and Roatan is no exception. A seeming minor sounding 1/4 mile an hour surface current can sweep almost any diver away from the boat ladder. Better dive ops provide tag lines- 40' of line tied to a large float trailing off behind the boat.

Smart divers stay submerged and out of the current until the last possible moment. This also helps avoid sea sickness. Then they surface to hold on to the tag line, working their way toward the exit ladder.

The East end of the island, the one most often connected with pre-historic and Pirate doings~ there really isn't much diving done there by resorts... yet. I have seen some insane currents there. Why? It's shallow.

All in all, dive with a quality dive op that uses tag lines, pay attention to the DM's, and have fun.