Dear Team Member,
I hope this message finds you healthy and well. We bring you some big news about the latest developments in the Marshall Islands and our outlook on Bikini Atoll reopening. Letâs get straight to it!
BIKINI ATOLL 2021
The Marshall Islands has had one of the most successful COVID responses in the world, with only 4 confirmed cases to date. At the end of March 2021, they had already given vaccine doses to 71% of their population. They already received the single dose J and J vaccine and are heading out to the outer islands. 1000 people have been repatriated and their program is ramping up fast. The ministry of health and human services even requested a tender this week asking to make a traveler's health program for inbound visitors into the RMI.
With all these fantastic signals in place, it would seem like it would be more than likely we could operate in Bikini Atoll this summer. Although there is no guarantee the RMI is planning to open its borders this summer, the problem actually lies outside of RMI.
Once the borders open, it is more likely than not that all guests will have completed a vaccination program. The vast majority of our guests this season will not have access to a vaccination before their trip departs, or will maybe have received one dose.
Taken these factors into consideration, we decided for the best interest of our guests not to go ahead with our Bikini Atoll season in 2021. Despite the very disappointing news, we are striving to focus on solutions for the future. All our guests for this season have been contacted and rebooked onto charters leaving from 2022 so no one has been left at home.
We do have some uplifting news. We have secured 2 extra dates in 2022. How we got them we cannot reveal just yet. What we can say is in the next weeks we are able to offer availability for 2022, which is unheard of considering 2023 seats have been the nearest availability for a long time now.
The calendar above will give you some clues. Contact us now to reserve your seat and receive more information as soon as we have it available. While not being able to go this year saddens us, it is looking like next year will be one hell of a season.
#TEAMDD IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
We are proud to announce that our friend and team member Michael Biach had his piece â35 Years Of Silenceâ featured in National Geographic this month after our expedition to the exclusion zone in February.
In the reportage, Michael reflects on the history of Chernobyl and the exclusion zone, the state of it today and how the disaster is still very rooted in Ukranian culture. He discloses also our meeting with one of the few remaining settlers that live in the area, and the impression and stories that she told us.
All in all, a phenomenal experience and excellent article that we are glad to be a small part of. It is expected it should reach the digital edition of National Geographic this month.
You can visit Michael's Instagram HERE
TRUK LAGOON 3D DIVE GUIDE UPDATE
The interactive 3D Map of Truk Lagoon we have been developing with one of the teachers of Xavier High School in Truk is coming along well, with more of the wrecks getting stencil graphics and photos being added in daily.
The Aikoku Maru as an example has an impressive library now. Expect lots of photos to be added to each wreck in the future. Click the photo above to go directly onto the webpage. You can also access it from DD webpage under Truk Lagoon and â3D Dive Guide
That wraps it up for this week. We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, donât forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.
Best,
Aron ArngrĂmsson and the DDE Team