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Hidemi 'Demi' Yokota
Dive Instructor - 5 years
Demi has been chief Dive Instructor aboard
Nimrod Explorer for 5 years and is always a highlight of the trip for our guests.
"Dive Instructor Extraordinaire on Nimrod Explorer"
By Molly Goldie, Australian Operations
My introduction to Demi happened back in February 2002. We were docked in Cairns and this very serious Japanese man was following our Japanese Dive Instructor around the boat frantically taking notes on a little writing pad. He stayed on board for the following two weeks "learning the ropes" and filling in where needed. During this learning period, Demi had limited command of the English language, although other crew tried their hardest to teach him plenty of wholesome Aussie slang in the short time he was onboard. That was all we saw of Demi for eight months. In October 2002, he was back on
Nimrod Explorer and this time for good!
I recall one morning, Demi and I were washing dishes in the galley and I asked where he had learned to speak English. "On Nimrod" was his reply. Now this didn't make sense to me, he had been able to speak English on his first trip with us many months ago..... sort of ....but still, it was English and was considerably better than my Japanese! I mentioned this fact to Demi and quickly saw a wise expression on his face followed by "ah....but that was only language school English, I come to Nimrod and crew teach me Australian English!"
Over the past five years, Demi has become one of
Nimrod Explorer's greatest assets. His sense of humour and antics have become world famous, with guests and crew, yet this comes second to his workplace professionalism and tremendous knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef.
Here are a few questions we ask Demi and his responses....
Q. What was your first impression of Nimrod?
A. "Wow! They are very relaxed, both guests and crew. I am looking for such boat!" I had been doing a Dive Master Trainee course on a day boat in Cairns, where crew were working every second, and I was fed up with business life in Tokyo.
Q. Did you think you would be with Explorer Ventures this long?
A. Yes, I thought I would work here for at least five years.
Q. How many dives have you done since being with Explorer Ventures?
A. I don't know exactly, about 300 - 350 dives a year. This number is much smaller than the average Japanese Instructor. I am maybe the laziest Japanese instructor in Cairns.
Q. Of all the Explorer Ventures destinations which dive sights are your favourite?
A. I think Galapagos. I haven't been there yet. But perhaps the boss will let me one day soon? Within Australia it would have to be on our Far Northern Itinerary, we go to a dive sight called "The Pinnacle."
Q. In your personal opinion what reef life would you consider most unique and precious to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea? And why?
A. Of course the Dwarf Minke Whales! Swimming with a whale is a once in a lifetime experience for most divers. I've seen Japanese girls shed tears after snorkelling with whales. Do you know any other place where people can interact with wild mammals in such close proximity and relaxed conditions?
Q. What are some of your most memorable moments under water?
A. I was putting in a temporary mooring when I suddenly felt like I was being watched. I turned around and two Orcas were staring at me. They were about 5 meters away. I was in blue water with only the mooring line to hide behind. They swam over to the boat and then turned around and came back to me but now there were five, all looking at me! The biggest one, about 6 meters in length, came up very close and looked me in the eye. I was trying really hard to hide behind the mooring rope; his mouth was definitely big enough to swallow my whole body! All I could think of was the BBC documentary Blue Planet, where the Orcas toss seals into the air. When I was back on board, my first words were "I am alive!" after that it was a very long time before my hands stopped shaking and I spoke again.
Q. What are some of your most memorable moments above water?
A. I have been honoured to have my voice recorded by a customer who wanted to have my words "Diiiivvvve Tiiiimmmeeee..." on his alarm clock. I think this is very special.
Q. Where else in the world have you dived?
A. Of course in Japan, Red Sea, and Komodo. I went diving in Tasmania in March 2005, and was impressed by not only the richness of marine life but the variety of diving such as sponge gardens, cave, kelp, seal, and wreck dives. Apparently the best season to dive is winter....I cannot go it would be too cold for me - maybe dangerous!
Q. There has certainly been a great variety of personalities aboard over the years both customer and crew. Is there anyone that comes to mind as being extra special?
A. Aaron & Alison repeat NEX passengers. They always bring their little friend - a stuffed bear. One time they came on board and they asked us if she could also go diving with them. This was no problem, we quickly modified a mask, reg, fins & tank to fit and away she went! We named her "ScubaBear."
Q. What has been your most embarrassing moment on board?
A. It was just recently; I woke early one morning and got dressed. I wandered down to the Saloon and greeted a passenger. Demi: "Hi, good morning." Passenger: "Hi, how are you?" Demi: "Yah, wonderful, thank you." Passenger: "Oh, good, and today your name is Kelly?" as he pointed at my shirt. Kelly is the other instructor, and I had put her top on with name tag. Another time I made a spelling mistake on the dive plan. Cattlefish (sounds like a fishy cow), "Everyone gave me a big clap. (pronounced "crap" in Japanese-"Engrish").
Q. Can you recall anyone else's most embarrassing moment?
A. It was when Skipper Ian Stapleton took us to Ribbon Reef No.5. Ian told me. "Okay, Clam Garden (that's Cram Garden in Japanese-"Engrish"), we'll dive here." I did the dive briefing, I mentioned about wonderful shallow coral gardens and lots of giant clams. When the divers came back to the boat, I asked about the coral garden and "crams," the first diver; "Good dive! But, I didn't see any clams..." I thought "oh! What the h-- was this guy looking at?!" The next diver then boarded and said, "I didn't see any clams either, and it was more wall than shallow coral garden!" My thought was "Did they open their eyes?" Skipper Ian came back last from the dive and said in a whisper to me "Demi-san, we are not at Clam Garden mate. Sorry"
Q. I hear Nimrod Explorer Crew have been a bit notorious for practical jokes in the past, what's the best one that's been done on you?
A. I was nicely taken in by DI Ben Robinson's joke. He called me to the dive deck, and pointed to the reef. When I looked out, he pulled my shorts down. My shorts were down to my knees. Then, he pointed at my video camera which was strategically placed and filming my embarrassing moment. Thankfully most everything was hidden by my long shirt.
Q. Have you ever fallen in love on board?
A. Not at all on board.... is not so easy for me.
Q. You have eaten a lot of meals on board
Nimrod Explorer over the years, if it was your choice, what would you declare the "Signature Dish" on
Nimrod Explorer?
A. Jen often dished up mashed potato to look like a great tower, and named it "Pixie Pinnacle."
Q. Have you always been into fancy wigs and musical instruments? Or is this just something that evolved over time on board Nimrod?
A. Actually, apart from my "Jaboriginal" talent for playing the didgeridoo, I have no other musical talent, it is all pretend and my collecting of such souvenirs definitely started on Nimrod.
Q. What does the future hold for Demi?
A. I'll keep on working as a dive instructor and will be the oldest active dive instructor in Australia!
