Dear Team Member,
I hope this message finds you healthy and well. What a newsletter we have for you!
Our 2025 Bikini Atoll season is off to a flying start, and #teamdd is having a blast exploring one of our favorite dive destinations. Read on for trip updates from Expedition Leader, Aron Arngrimsson.
We also have an exciting announcement as we confirm there will be a 2028 Bikini Season - dates below!!
LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL JUNE 2025
8th June 2025
Calm seas resulted in a record 23-hour crossing! The team is well-rested and ready for an epic season in the nuclear ghost fleet! Tomorrow we start with the awesome USS Saratoga.
9th June 2025
The penetration lines on USS Saratoga have reached a critical state. It was disintegrating and snapped like a twig when we stressed it.
Luckily, #teamdd member Kevin Pang had spools of Dyneema line with him, which is rock solid. We went on a nice 2-hour dive this morning and replaced the line in the dentistry so that the rest of the team can explore safely.
We will be surveying and replacing all the penetration lines on USS Saratoga on this trip (until the Dyneema line runs out) to ensure a sustainable and safe long-term replacement for future explorers.
10th June 2025
While replacing the dentistry line yesterday morning, a line in the scullery snapped at the beginning of a penetration in the afternoon. The urgency to seriously survey and replace the lines has increased dramatically.
First thing this morning, Eleanor and I went into the scullery and created a new entry/exit point through the AC Vent. That tie-off now connects to the staircase on the lowest step, which now acts as a hub for a permanent line to the mess hall, officers’ room, and both galleys.
The galley by the staircase, mess hall, and officers’ room have all had new Dyneema line replaced and old line cleaned out. Tomorrow we plan to tackle the dive locker, although we are running out of Dyneema, so it might only be Helmets and Drysuit penetrations for now.
Awesome teamwork, which made an otherwise tedious and high-risk objective a breeze! I'll share the survey results on the condition of penetration lines at the end of our trip, including what's been replaced/not and the current condition.
The rest of #teamdd had a great dive on the Saratoga this morning with 60+ foot visibility. Diving the USS Anderson this afternoon.
11th Jun 2025
#teamdd went on a fantastic dive on the USS Saratoga in the morning, followed up by a relaxed dive on the USS Lamson in the afternoon. We finished the last Dyneema spool on the morning dive. Here's the current status from our survey:
CIC: All Lines Replaced and cleaned up.
Scullery: 1 Galley, Messhall and Officers Lounge lines replaced (Dyneema) and cleaned up. Galley 2 line OK.
Main Line: Dentistry replaced (Dyneema) and cleaned up. Main line OK.
Dive Locker: Helmet line replaced and cleaned up (Dyneema)
Drysuit and galley line in Dive Locker - no changes, but line OK.
Machine Shop: No Changes
We will continue the work in September as we return to progressively bring every single penetration up to a uniform standard.
12th June 2025
#teamdd had an amazing dive on the Nagato in the morning, followed up by land exploration and a BBQ on Bikini Island in the afternoon.
We recorded a lot of footage, which we hope to present to you in an episode on YouTube, as the land tour is absolutely fascinating.
Tomorrow brings more penetrations on USS Saratoga, followed by the submarine Apogon in the afternoon.
14th June 2025
#teamdd explored Saratoga and Apogon yesterday. This morning we are having a morning session on the Nagato as in time of writing. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest updates from the first Bikini expeditions of this season!
JUST ANNOUNCED: 2028 BIKINI ATOLL EXPEDITION DATES ARE LIVE!
The wait is over. Dirty Dozen Expeditions is officially returning to the legendary Bikini Atoll in 2028. Dive into history with us to explore the world's most iconic ghost fleet. From battleships to aircraft carriers, these war machines lie frozen in time beneath crystal-clear Pacific waters, waiting for only the most adventurous divers to descend.
Our 2026 dates sold out in record time due to the uncertainty surrounding whether our expedition vessel would return. We committed to a large portion of the 2028 season in order for it to happen but 2027 is still cancelled.
Don't miss your shot at diving one of the most remote and awe-inspiring destinations on Earth. The next chance is an unknown for now but could be as late as 2030!
We are starting with these 2 dates and those exclusively will be sold at 2026 pricing. Which means if you book now, you have big savings coming to you as a early bird and you only have to make a 25% deposit.
That is it for this newsletter.
We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty
Best,
Aron ArngrÃmsson and the DDE Team
