Adelaide - South Australia
From Jade’s Diary
Back home in Adelaide and I’ve got a couple of days to put my “Round the World” trip experience to paper before I need to help dad (Stephen) bring Temptation out for it’s annual survey. Then in my spare time I have to learn for my Master’s V, which I need to operate my recently purchased boat “Conquest” (an ex-police inflatable that I have put into survey to do my own dolphin swims). My company is called Adelaide Coastal Dolphin Research.
I have taken Conquest out about 20 times to see if I can get the dolphins to come over and play, but so far I have had no success. However, Dad wants to try towing Conquest behind Temptation for a couple of months – just to get the dolphins use to it. He also wants to make some modifications to the way Conquest looks, that is with colour and a large bimini top. Then, hopefully, the dolphins can distinguish Conquest from other outboard operated vessels.
It is amazing how dolphins will come from great distances to play with Temptation and totally ignore my boat, even though I use the same techniques. I know it takes time to get the dolphins trust but I just hoped it would be easier.
Conquest will also be used for dolphin research and to help in other areas by government branches.
P.S. Dad’s boat Temptation has never been out on a dolphin swim and not seen dolphins. He has an average swim time of over 50 minutes – note: this is usually made up from swims with five different pods of dolphins. Not bad for a 3-1/2hr cruise.
P.S.S. I have swam with other operators in other countries but I have spoken about the ones in my diary because you have a good chance of seeing dolphins and the operators have a lot of respect for the marine environment.
Other areas of the world that do dolphin swims that I have not been to are: Japan, Eygpt and South Africa (note: must speak to Dad about this).
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