News
Carpe Diem Maldives launches Dive with a Purpose Marine Expedition
Carpe Diem Maldives are excited to announce a second marine conservation expedition in collaboration with Coral Reef CPR. From 10-17 September 2017 up to twenty recreational divers can join Chief Scientist Dr Andrew Bruckner and his team of researchers as they conduct a Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) removal, quantitative reef surveys, and data analysis while staying on board Carpe Vita liveaboard.
Furthering the research support Carpe Diem Maldives began with Coral Reef CPR last year, Director of Marketing and Operations Agnes Van Linden says, “We are thrilled to be part of this crucial marine environment research programme, conducting hands-on conservation to rescue and protect the reefs in The Maldives. Our guests, our crew and myself thoroughly enjoy working with Dr. Bruckner and his team. His extensive knowledge makes each dive all the more rewarding while at the same time acting on our responsibility to take care of our reefs.”
Coral Reef CPR Chief Scientist Dr Andrew Bruckner
The first collaboration between Carpe Diem Maldives safari cruises and Coral Reef CPR saw a dedicated crown of thorns starfish removal in May 2017, involving seventeen recreational divers from nine countries. Over a one-week period the Carpe Diem safari vessel collected a total of 900 COTS from 15 reefs on North Malé and South Malé Atolls. The team was able to remove all of the starfish seen on twelve of the reefs, while three reefs with larger outbreaks require additional return clean-up efforts to fully eradicate these predatory starfish.
Expressing appreciation for the opportunity in May, Swedish diver Mr Blomfeldt said, “We really enjoyed the trip, it was something different. The workshop in the evening was interesting and it made the diving even more fun when you learn more about the environment and the fishes and it made us see the reefs in another perspective.”
To join September’s second dedicated “Dive with a Purpose” trip with Carpe Diem Maldives and Coral Reef CPR, divers must have an Advanced PADI qualification, excellent buoyancy control and ideally a minimum of 70 dives to assist with COTS removal. Priced at just USD 700 per person for the week, the trip from 10 – 17 September includes:
- 7 nights aboard Carpe Vita vessel
- 3 meals daily, plus between-dive snacks
- Up to 4 dives daily (except for on day of arrival and day before departure) including one or two night dives
- Use of tanks, weights and belts
- Non alcoholic beverages
- Airport transfers on the days of embarkation/disembarkation
- Evening workshops on marine ecology, coral reef importance, marine life and more
- On-board marine biologists
- GST 12%
Divers with an avid marine conservation interest should not miss out on this unique opportunity to work alongside expert marine biologists. In coordination with Coral Reef CPR, an additional contribution of USD 150 p/p will be added to the final bill, payable before or at the end of the trip.
For bookings and further information please click here.
Find out more about Coral Reef CPR here.
Today we are diving one of the outer reefs from an inflatable. As we reach the bottom, a reef octopus eases its way into the cover of a small crack in the coral while displaying it’s incredible ability to change colour. They are arguably one of the most charismatic of reef dwellers and it is always exciting for me to simply hover and watch. I would have spent longer and waited for it to come and investigate me, but as dive time is limited we wanted to move on and find a turtle.
The waters around Somabay are well protected and hold a rich variety of marine life. The reef edges are thriving colonies of coral and shoaling fish, while nearer the sea bed plenty of wildlife is still to be found.
Then we located the turtles. They are very used to divers and so show little concern when slowly approached. In fact occasionally one will come over to see what you are doing. There is always huge excitement when diving with a turtle. The shear thrill of sharing a moment with another species.
What a fantastic way to finish a wonderful few days diving and I would like to thank SOMABAY, ORCA DIVING and THE BREAKERS for making my stay such a good one.
I had a great time, with diving everyday either on the house reef or on one of the offshore reefs by inflatable or larger day boat. Orca diving provided high quality equipment and facilities while the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The Breakers was right on the coast with nice rooms, good food and once again friendly staff making the whole trip a real pleasure.
Soma Bay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds.
As well as scuba diving, Somabay caters for many other sports and activities, and so is perfect for families as well as individuals and/or groups. And of course there is always time to lay peacefully on the beach under the Egyptian sun.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
Day three of my trip to Somabay and we were spending the day on the Lady Christina and diving on the wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving wrecks for me is always one of mixed emotions. The excitement of diving a wreck is more than often tempered by the thought of loss of life when she sank. The Salem Express was a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry travelling from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt. Most passengers were of poor class travelling home from their holidays while around 150 people were returning home from their pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ship struck a reef and sank within 20 minutes. Passengers were trapped below deck and the ship was filled with fear and panic.
The wreck area is strewn with personal belongings from the crew and passengers such as a transistor radio and a flat iron for clothes. A diver at sometime has put them in a prominent place to be seen.
Tragically only one life boat was launched while the others went down with the ship. More than 600 men, women and children lost their lives here.
It’s a stark reminder that the sea can be unforgiving and so when we dive on such wrecks we should do so with humble regard.
Returning to the surface, shoals of fish are gathered under our boat and seem to be welcoming us back into the light.
Back at the Breakers I sat in the dining area with a beer and a very good meal while my thoughts still remained with the day’s dive on the Salem Express.
Check in for part 3 tomorrow for Jeff’s last day of diving with Somabay on the off-shore reefs looking for turtles.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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