Those who have known me for a bit probably won’t expect me to make a big fuss about digits on the calendar ticking up every 365 or so days. However, the past year has brought quite a few changes in my life as a diver. I’ve continued to invest in myself and my skillset, there have been a couple momentous events (both good and sad), and I would like to take this opportunity to give you guys an update.

Casablanca Project

In May, I took part in an expedition to dive the Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Ommaney Bay. The carrier was sunk by a Japanese kamikaze bomber in January 1945 and rests on the bottom of the Sulu Sea at a depth of 115 meters. My friend Karl Hurwood, our project leader, made a short video about the wreck, which can be viewed here.

This was my first time participating in a proper expedition. It was immense fun, with some unexpected obstacles, and I learned a lot about how such projects are conducted.

Being in charge of gas logistics for our team of six CCR divers (a large number of tanks with rather specific and expensive mixes), I was quite relieved when it turned out that I hadn’t messed up anything. After months of preparation and a week at sea, the dives themselves were unforgettable and felt very rewarding.

FATHOM mCCR instructor

In August, I became an instructor for my rebreather of choice, the ingeniously designed and ever dependable FATHOM Mk3/5 mCCR.

Becoming a CCR instructor was a long-term effort that I had been working toward for several years with continuous skill practice, diving the unit in a range of challenging conditions, and further educating myself on the mechanics and science of CCR diving.

It is no exaggeration to say that passing the evaluation after teaching a full course to three students was among my proudest moments of 2025, and I am beyond happy to report that bookings are coming in.

TDI/SDI instructor trainer

In November, I took part in a TDI/SDI instructor trainer workshop. Unlike training tech divers, I must admit that climbing the ranks in my training agency hadn’t been very high on my personal list of priorities. It took a bit of prodding by my friend (and TDI regional manager) Phil Jennings to get me to sign up.

Once I was enrolled in the program, I found it unexpectedly rewarding and educational. I look forward to representing the agency and helping to mentor the next generation of scuba instructors, both recreational and technical.

Michael Menduno’s passing

For me and many others in the technical diving community, 2025 was overshadowed by the death of Michael Menduno on October 3rd.

After a chance meeting at a Tulum cenote in 2020, Michael and I quickly became friends. We went cave diving together and had long conversations with plenty of laughs over meals and mezcals.

You’ve made a friend for life were his words when we parted ways, back to California and Taiwan, respectively. It wasn’t empty talk. A few weeks later, he had brought me into the editorial team at Alert Diver, and we were in contact on a regular basis.

Covid ran its course, the continents drifted further apart for a while, and while we had numerous online work meetings and random phone calls during that time, I only got to see Michael once more in person: at Rebreather Forum 4 in 2023.

RF4 was Michael at his very best – a beacon of charisma, full of positivity, with a kind word for everyone, bringing people together and relentlessly working for the common good in an industry that doesn’t exactly suffer from a shortage of competing interests.

Despite having known him for only five years, I am among the many people whose lives were changed for the better by Michael’s presence. I owe him a debt of gratitude that I cannot hope to repay, except by carrying on in his spirit and doing my humble best to bring people together, share knowledge, and make the world of technical diving a welcoming environment.

Now, this has been long enough.

Happy 2026 everyone! May your dives be full of joy, your successes lasting, and your failures hilarious.

As before, you can find me in Puerto Galera, Philippines. For diving and course inquiries or questions about FATHOM rebreathers, please shoot me an email at bluemonkeydiving@gmail.com.

Stay safe, always.
Tim