News
Emperor Divers’ awards third Covid Diver Hero with a liveaboard trip
In February Emperor Divers launched the Covid Diver Heroes initiative, where they aim to recognise 8 people who have stepped up in the pandemic with free liveaboard trips in the Maldives and the Red Sea. Here, they share the story of their third hero Megumi Gotada, who wins a free Red Sea liveaboard trip. Megumi was nominated by two different people showing the effect she has had in her community, and so here is the nomination from her friend and colleague Katharina Berger:
“My name is Katharina. I want to nominate my friend and colleague Megumi Gotada as a hero. She is working as a music therapist in a hospital in Berlin at the covid department, playing the lyre for people who are suffering of severe complications. It was her free choice to accept to work in the covid department, and she decided to do so, although her family and friends strongly tried to prevent her from doing so. What she is doing is very important, because the music gives warmth, hope and care for the soul. Most of the patients, who are isolated in their rooms in order to prevent any spread of infection, are elderly people, suffering from shortness of breath, and also from anxiety, depression and loneliness, which are states of mind that are really not helpful in the process of recovery. The beauty of the tender sound of the lyre and Megumis’ warm-hearted presence strengthen the people to gain hope and health again.”
Nominations are still pouring in daily and so far Emperor Divers have awarded three of eight heroes, and are welcoming more nominations from anywhere in the global diving community. Megumi was judged to be the deserving winner of a Red Sea liveaboard trip and she has already been in contact to say how pleased she is.
Emperor Divers still have 2 Red Sea and 3 further Maldives liveaboards to award to other heroes already nominated or yet to be nominated. Anyone who would like to nominate a Covid Diver Hero should visit here for the information: www.emperordivers.com/blog/2021/02/thank-your-covid-hero.html (terms & conditions apply)
Nominations, questions and enquiries to heroes@emperordivers.com
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 3
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.
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 2
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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