News
Scubapro Cares
One of the World’s leading scuba diving equipment manufacturers, Scubapro, have released a statement regarding their commitment to the marine environment:
For over 50 years, SCUBAPRO has been committed to protecting the oceans. From manufacturing processes and materials to reusable packaging to sponsoring conservation efforts, we at SCUBAPRO believe we have a strong responsibility to the very environments we love to explore.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
We encourage new and seasoned divers to not just dive in, but to experience, discover and protect the oceans. And we lead by example. SCUBAPRO was first in diving in 2012 to introduce X-Foam blend neoprene as part of our ongoing effort to better protect divers. This year, SCUBAPRO is the first to introduce solvent-free glue. We’ve tested it for over 400 hours – and we know it is better for you – and better for the environment. We’ve got some exciting products launching in upcoming months as well.
BUILDING AN OCEAN ETHOS
For over fifty years, we have a long history of supporting efforts of organisations like Sharkproject, SOS Seaturtles, Yaqu Pacha, Mission Blue, Galapagos National Parks, Shark Angels, Conservation International, WWF, Antinea Foundation, San Diego Oceans Foundation, REEF, and the National Marine Life Center, among others. SCUBAPRO believes in building bridges not walls – and working together to take on the biggest issues facing the oceans, while encouraging every diver to be conservation minded.
REUSABLE PACKAGING
We’re taking a deep dive on how we package things – and moving towards reducing our footprint. We believe the best packaging is not just using recycled materials, but rather, is actually reusable so you’ll keep it for years to come. For years, we’ve delivered a lot of products in reusable bags – which our divers have come to love. Many of our dive computers are also delivered in cases our divers use again and again. We’re continuing the focus on this area, from recycled materials to reusable packaging to reduced printing.
REGIONAL EFFORTS & OUR TEAM
At SCUBAPRO, we are avid divers who don’t just make the best dive equipment – we use it. And we personally recognize our responsibility to preserve and protect the very thing that our products allow divers to explore – the oceans. Many of our team members are involved in local efforts to protect the oceans and threatened species. The list of efforts is long and impressive and that starts at the top. Not only did Sylvia Earle sit on our board for many years, our president is on the advisory board of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Sanctuaries, and our director of marketing founded Shark Angels. The list goes on and on. Our regional offices regularly conduct beach cleanups, donation drives and contribute locally as well. We also want to get as many people in the water as possible, and contribute to many efforts – from underprivileged kids to war-wounded. We believe the more people who experience diving, the more people who want to advocate for the protection of this planet’s largest, and most important, ecosystem.
OUR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
We are committed to being vigilant and aware of ocean issues now and in the future. Our Deep Elite Ambassadors include such conservation visionaries as Sylvia Earle, WYLAND, Howard and Michele Hall, Stan Waterman, Kurt Amsler and Dr. Erich Ritter. These individuals have supported SCUBAPRO for decades, and in return SCUBAPRO has supported them.
For more information on Scupro’s products, visit www.scubapro.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.
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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