News
Diving Boats built in Mauritius
For years Mauritius dive centres have been unable to reach the Northern Islands where the more amazing dive sites lie. The boats available have been small fishing pirogues, unstable, unreliable and cramped. Or adapted cabin cruisers, with no safe stowage for tanks.
On 8 September, at the legendary Grand Bay Yacht Club Anders Heegaard, the PADI Pro Regional Manager for the Indian Ocean revealed the name of the prototype for the series of diving boats to be built in Mauritius in an ISO 9001 registered factory, and ultimately to the ISO 9001:2017 standard.
Chenolia Mydas licensed and ready for diving
Sleek, with a sharp shallow keel the boat is reassuringly stable in the water, which alleviates sea sickness. Standing on the deck is like standing on a rock. The boat planes through the water and waves with panache, and it is roomy and comfortable. Powered by two massive 3 litre Mercury engines, it’s a fast as a fishing boat and as stable as a catamaran.
Bryan Bernard the senior skipper and Ajegan, second skipper at the helm
A strong rigid canopy covers the boat and handholds in the roof allow divers to move around in safety. Comfortable padded seating specially designed for diving allows complete comfort reaching the diving destination.
Tanks are stowed in stainless steel tank racks in the kit-up area at the back, where divers can enter the water by backward roll, by giant stride or by seated entry. This makes it possible for disabled divers to become part of the group with confidence.
Anders Heegaard the PADI guest of honour is gobsmacked at the speed and performance
After the dive re-entry can be up the ladder, or onto the diving platform. Staff love it, because tank management is a breeze, and gear stowage is beneath the seats. You can take you book on board and stow it in the dry storage cubby behind the seat.
With the 12 tank racks at the back and a deep hold holding an additional 18 tanks, Chenolia allows for 3 tank dive safaris to the distant Islands in safety and at speed.
This is the first of many diving boats to be built in Mauritius specifically for the diving industry, and the prototype for the ISO standard for diving boats. With PADI going for an ISO standard for its diving centres, many of the safety concerns and the equipment failure problems that can spoil a great diving holiday have been taken out of the equation.
Words and Pics: Jill Holloway
Copyright: Ocean Spirit
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
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