For the love of adventure, Traci Tay enjoys engaging in outdoor activities. Among her many interests is diving in the vast ocean in quest of another underwater story. As she listens to the fish ‘talk’ to each other, Tay also comes across a plethora of gems.
Getting a good dose of Vitamin Sea
Under the sea is a beautiful oasis just waiting to be discovered. With a variety of sea creatures roaming the open ocean, the city of fishes, decorated with corals and anemones, is a diver’s paradise. At the bottom of the ocean, there are stories waiting to be discovered by readers.
Such was the adventure that keeps many divers interested in venturing down under for an adventure. The same goes for Traci Tay who has been diving since 2006.
“I loved doing outdoor activities. So when my friends encouraged me to get a diving licence, I did not hesitate. We would often dive in Talang Talang island and the wreck dive sites in Santubong back then,” said the 43-year-old.
Tay also travels to other states such as Terengganu and Johor, as well as Indonesia, for diving adventures.
“The sea is endless. You have no idea what lies ahead of you. It can be scary, but when you love diving, you put all thoughts aside and just go,” Tay shared.
Tay said that she preferred the sea than the land. She also said that the quiet sea provided her with a way to let go of all the stresses she had built up on land.
“The only sounds you’ll hear underwater are the clicking noises made by fish as a form of communication. And it is so cute!
“So, when I’m stressed or need some peace and quiet to think, I just dive. I’ll just appreciate the 30 to 45 minutes of silence,” she added.
Experience in the sea oasis
Tay recalled how difficult it was for her to learn to dive in the beginning.
“It was a struggle. The challenge I experienced when diving was the need to equalise. People usually say to blow your nose until you hear a pop, but I found that I could only equalise when I drink seawater. Only God knows what bacteria I have in my stomach,” said Tay, adding that only after equalising can one dive underwater.
“Without equalising, a diver’s ears would be uncomfortable and painful. Some people can bear the discomfort, but others are terrified of going down under.”
Tay, who had been diving for 16 years, recalls countless nerve-racking experiences. Among the many, she mentioned that she had previously dived in risky situations.
“It happened during my dive with my instructor in Indonesia when the current was strong. We dove in only to realise that when I kicked, I couldn’t move. Then I spotted my instructor from a distance, reaching out to me by hitting his oxygen tank with a pointer,” Tay said, adding that the powerful current had almost separated them.
“As we swerved further away from the radar, my instructor motioned for us to go up immediately,” said the intrepid lass.
According to the diver, the current can change at any time. It can be slow and steady one minute and strong and restless the next.
“You’ll be able to tell when the current changes to become stronger if you experience a drop in underwater temperature. Another sign of changing currents is when you drop down but feel further away from where you should be,” said Tay.
The most terrifying part of diving is being separated from your group or partner. Although being at sea can be exciting, being alone in the big ocean is unnerving.
“I once got separated from my group because they were too preoccupied with taking pictures. I wasn’t a photographer, so I just kept moving. Before I realised it, I was by myself.”
Tay, though anxious and nervous, had done her best to remain calm in order not to waste the oxygen she had carried.
“What made things worse at the moment was the poor visibility underwater. I wanted to go up, but I wasn’t sure where it would take me.”
Nonetheless, Tay had located her group members after several rounds of diving around the wreck that they had visited in Santubong.
“I had followed the sounds of my instructor beating her oxygen tank with a stick.”
The need to guard the underwater treasures
Despite encountering risky situations while diving, Tay remains determined to explore the seas. She has always been fascinated by the history of what belongs underwater. She hopes that underwater antiquity can be preserved with every treasure trove.
“It is high time to prioritise the conservation and preservation of our underwater treasures, particularly in Sarawak. Our authorities should collaborate with dive operators and related non-governmental organisations to educate and raise awareness not only among the scuba diving community, but also among anglers and the general public. This is to safeguard the underwater treasures,” she said.
Tay had discovered countless antiquities underwater throughout her years of diving, the majority of which had been robbed over the years. Disappointed and dejected by the loss, the diver added that the ocean is dying in many different ways.
“What will happen in the next 20 to 30 years if we do not address the issues now?”
With adventure calling at her back, Tay does not limit herself to diving. Among her many other interests, she enjoys hiking. Who knows what she’ll do tomorrow? But in the meantime, Tay keeps having adventures and making memories.
