AWARE Week: A Floating Tank, a Dirty Beach, and the Power of Small Actions
When we think of ocean pollution, we picture plastic bottles, straws, maybe the occasional food wrapper. But what if I told you we once found a massive black water tank drifting miles offshore—something that belongs in a backyard, not the open sea?
This AWARE Week, I didn’t just hear about marine pollution—I lived it. And it reminded me that small actions for the ocean really can ripple into something big.
🚤 A Giant Surprise in the Middle of Nowhere
It started like any other dive trip. Calm seas. Blue skies. Good friends. We were cruising along when something caught our eye—a huge black shape bobbing on the horizon.
We got closer and stared in disbelief: a full-sized water tank—the kind used on land to store clean water—was floating freely in the middle of the ocean.
It was surreal. How did it get here? Where did it come from? But those questions could wait. We had a problem on our hands. The tank was large enough to smash into coral reefs, trap marine life, or damage passing boats. We knew we couldn’t leave it behind.
💪 The Ocean Clean-up We Didn't Plan For
It took teamwork, rope, muscle, and sheer determination, but we managed to haul that beast of a tank out of the water and onto our boat. It wasn’t glamorous—but it felt incredible. We knew we had just removed a real threat from the ocean.
But here’s the kicker: that tank shouldn’t have been there in the first place. It was a floating symbol of everything wrong with how waste ends up where it doesn’t belong.
🏝️ The Beach That Looked Perfect—Until It Wasn’t
Later, we took part in a local beach clean-up. From a distance, the beach looked like paradise—framed by lush trees and crowned with a peaceful seaside temple.
But take a few steps closer, and the illusion shattered. Bottles, broken wood, faded plastic bags… scattered like confetti after a forgotten party.
Side by side with local volunteers, we got to work. We picked up trash, sorted recyclables, and cleared driftwood. As the trash bags filled, something unexpected happened: a feeling of unity, of shared purpose. This wasn’t just a clean-up. It was a restoration.
🌱 Small Actions for the Ocean = Big Results
Two very different clean-ups—one at sea, one on land—but the message was the same: every little effort matters.
You don’t need to be a diver or marine biologist to help. You can:
• Say no to single-use plastics
• Use your own water bottle
• Pick up trash on your next walk
• Join a local clean-up—even for 30 minutes
• Share stories like this one to raise awareness
These are small actions for the ocean, but they add up. Trust me—I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
🌍 Let’s Make AWARE Week an Everyday Thing
The ocean gives us so much: oxygen, food, wonder, life. It’s not just a scenic backdrop. It’s a vital part of our planet—and it’s hurting.
So this AWARE Week, I’m inviting you to do more than scroll past another post. Do something. Anything. Because when we act together, our small choices become a powerful movement.
Let’s protect what we love—not just for AWARE Week, but for every week.
🧭 Ready to Take Action
Start here:
✅ Join Blue Project by AMD-B
✅ Bring your own bag, bottle, and straw
✅ Talk to friends about ocean protection
✅ Follow #AWAREWeek and share your own small action
The ocean is calling. Will you answer?
By Alfari, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Internship
