Dear Team Member,
I hope this message finds you recovering from a fun New Years’ evening.
First of all, thanks for turning up, reading our emails, joining the conversation, and sharing the love on social throughout 2020.
We have worked hard to ensure that 2021 is going to be bigger and better than ever with our great line up of expeditions and special guest trips we have scheduled. It goes without saying you should stay tuned for more blogs, special guest announcements, and other exclusive DD content coming your way this year. If you are late to the party and missed any of our blogs in 2020 - you can find them here.
Since we have a fair few destinations to pick from in 2021, we thought it would only be fair to give you a full overview of the adventures and availability for The Dirty Dozen in 2021 in our first newsletter of the year.
BIKINI ATOLL
In total, 95 vessels were caught in the crossfire of the Able and Baker bombs dropped on Bikini Atoll during Operation Crossroads.
Today the nuclear refugees are still without their island home due to increased radiation levels and the only residents habiting Bikini are a handful of caretakers.
From the misery and destruction wrought by the nuclear tests, Bikini’s nuclear ghost fleet became the graveyard for some of the most significant naval ships in war history. The dangers of radioactivity and the remoteness of the area have created an extremely limited exploration of this scuba diving site for many years. The Dirty Dozen expedition to Bikini Atoll covers the best of these wrecks and is made specifically for OC/CCR Normoxic Trimix divers.
Although our 2021 calendar for Bikini Atoll is sold out there is always hope. We have spaces that come open every now and again and it’s really worth sending an inquiry to go on a waitlist for your date of choice.
We currently have 1 space open for 2021 for our 5-18 June 2021 trip and open availability in 2022 onwards. Email us here for more info.
TRUK LAGOON
It’s 05:14 am on the 17th of February, 1944.
35 Task Force 58 planes take off from the American aircraft carrier Essex. The planes are loaded with 500 and 1000-pound armor piercing bombs. The first raid is about to begin. Half an hour before, eleven Hellcats had already reached their target for an initial sweep at the 4th Fleet Anchorage, making the job of the bombers effortless.
At 7 am, a bomb with a delay fuse is dropped on the Nippo Maru, blowing a large hole in the ship, flooding the engine room, and sinking it immediately. Operation Hailstone has begun. The naval task force, armed with over 500 aircraft, attacks the lagoon for 48 hours straight, decimating over 50 vessels and 250 aircraft. The biggest wreck diving ghost fleet in the world is created.
Truk Lagoon is really a paradise playground for all divers, but with our classic customized technical and recreational itineraries, we have designed the most enticing way to explore this site. Putting our money where our mouth is, we launched a series of exclusive expeditions since 2017 with trips scheduled up until 2025.
As with all our expeditions, you can enjoy attractive payment terms and friendly booking conditions because we want you to get down and dirty with some of the most exciting wrecks under the sea.
We currently have 1 space open for 2021 for our Nick Hollis Charter 31 October - 09 November 2021 and open availability in 2022 onwards. Email us here for more info.
GALAPAGOS
Straddling the equator and spread out over 45,000 sq km (17,000 sq miles) the Galapagos Archipelago is home to some of the planet’s most remote dive sites and best big animal diving.
When we think of the Galapagos, the first things to come to mind are probably iguanas, sharks, and Charles Darwin. But the islands have a rich history and there are plenty of interesting tales originating from our earth’s closest approximation to Jurassic Park.
We currently have 1 space open for our 9-19 December 2021 trip and open availability in 2022. Email us here for more info.
CHERNOBYL
During our scouting expedition for this destination, which we explored Pripyat and the surrounding forest in a group of five, camped in the USSR Research base in the woods, and immersed ourselves in the Zone’s stark scenery resulted in an itinerary that will blow you away.
Let our expert private guide with ten years experience including working with the crew on HBO’s TV mini-series: Chernobyl, take you on a journey into this wild wilderness and out of your comfort zone.
From the Exclusion Zone to inside the newly opened and infamous Control Room Number 4, you are now able to experience Chernobyl in a whole new way with Dirty Dozen Expeditions. Check out these awesome new three-day itineraries here.
We currently have open availability in 2021. Email us here for more info.
That is us for the first newsletter of this year. I do not think many of us can digest more information today. Not to worry, we will be in touch, as usual, every Friday.
Finally, 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. Here’s to 2021.
Love,
Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team