Life feels better in a wetsuit

Chee-Kin Lau, Head of Asset Services at Clearstream in Singapore, has completed an impressive 1,200 dives in 20 years at some of the most fascinating dive sites in Maldives and the coral triangle of Southeast Asia. From the turquoise waters of Malaysia to the coral-rich reefs of Indonesia, the underwater odyssey has been nothing short of inspiring.

Chee-Kin tells us about one of his highlights. Whilst visiting the Fuvahmulah Atoll in the Maldives, he explains, “We went for a planned deep dive to almost 60 meters looking for tiger sharks – known to be aggressive and ravenous – and big hammerhead sharks. I was lucky enough to see a hammerhead right in front of me. This amazing shark sighting and the depth that we dived to made this one of the special moments in my life.”

Chee-Kin’s dive computer on the day of his deepest ever dive shows 58.2 m on 14 March 2017 in the Maldives.

Chee-Kin’s dive computer on the day of his deepest ever dive shows 58.2 m on 14 March 2017 in the Maldives.

Another memorable encounter was in Lembeh Straits, nestled in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, a haven for muck diving.

Armed with a Nitrox tank – the gas-mix of 32 per cent oxygen and the balance of 68 per cent nitrogen is safer and gives a longer bottom time than normal compressed air – Chee-Kin submerged for an astonishing 120 minutes, long enough to capture on video the hatching of two Flamboyant Cuttlefish.

Chee-Kin combines his passion for diving with another love of his: photography and videography. Using special equipment, he immortalises the beauty of the sea.

However, underwater photography poses particular challenges. Our experienced diver adjusts the camera and light settings to catch the most accurate colours underwater, compensating either for the bleaching effect of the sunlight filtering through the water or lack of light at deeper depths and at night.

Knowing the underwater terrain, currents, tides, and dive site conditions whilst at the same time anticipating encounters with marine life all contribute to a successful shot.

Keeping afloat at sea and in the office

To capture this wonderful realm, you must first master the art of neutral buoyancy – the delicate balance between sinking and rising. Too negative you sink and too positive you float up.

Buoyancy extends beyond coral reefs. When faced with difficulties at sea or at work, our mental buoyancy matters. Picture this: deadlines loom, emails flood our inboxes, and colleagues seek answers. Panic threatens to pull us under. But wait! Like a certified diver, we pause. We inhale, exhale – a slow, deep breathing rhythm that steadies the mind.

Interested in diving?

Chee-Kin imparts wisdom to fellow adventurers:

1. Listen to your body: even experienced divers must listen to their inner compass. If you feel uncomfortable, abort the dive. Safety goes beyond all shots.
2. Calm amidst chaos: when the current tugs and visibility fades, panic is the enemy. Slow breaths, careful movements, this is the anchor for the soul.
3. Underwater etiquette: don’t touch anything! The more colourful the corals or sea creatures are, the more poisonous they are.