News
Deptherapy Divers keep up conservation efforts online
With COVID-19 restrictions still in place worldwide, divers are taking to the internet for underwater inspiration and to develop new skills for when they can venture into the Big Blue again.
Team Deptherapy is no exception. With their May 2020 expedition to the Red Sea postponed and their July 2020 trip also in doubt, Deptherapy Programme Members are benefiting from the offer of free study materials from training agency partner RAID.
All current Deptherapy Programme Members are enrolled in the RAID Ecological Diver Academics Course. This course focuses on the goals and challenges of marine conservation and gives students a vital insight into the ecology of the oceans, which is so important to Deptherapy’s Protecting Our Oceans Project. Students learn proactive strategies and how systemic behavioural changes can really accelerate conservation efforts.
As well as a valuable learning tool, the chance to engage in this online programme as a group is a lifeline for those Programme Members who are struggling with their mental health during the isolation of lockdown. The charity has eight Programme Members, who were about to start their Open Water journey and continuing education courses within the next month, all of whom are experiencing differing levels of disappointment and need additional support.
Divemaster and Deptherapy Team Member Jon Beever says:
“I’ve really enjoyed the Ecological Diver Academics Course. It’s given me a much better understanding of conservation issues and it’s a great way to keep up my interest in diving while we have to stay dry. Although I’ve been working from home during the lockdown, many of the guys are at a loose end and the course has been pivotal in keeping them focussed and looking forward to the future. We all can’t wait to put into practice what we’ve learnt on expedition.”
Director of RAID (UK and Malta) James Rogers says:
“RAID’s FREe-Learning is proving incredibly popular with new and established divers and instructors alike. I get a real buzz from hearing about people using this to prepare well for future diving adventures. It’s brilliant to hear that it’s also helping individuals get through this difficult and worrying time. Having seen first-hand how beneficial these programmes are, RAID has pledged to keep our e-Learning programmes FREE once the current restrictions are lifted.”
Having learnt about the academics of ocean ecology online, Team Deptherapy will develop their practical skills underwater with a two-week Eco Course, run by Dr Deborah McNeill from the University of Glasgow, and a later liveaboard expedition, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. More details on this project will be shared soon.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit www.deptherapy.co.uk.
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
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.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
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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