News
New Red Sea liveaboard: M/Y Scuba Scene
Introducing M/Y Scuba Scene, the latest diving liveaboard setting the highest standards for liveaboards in the Egyptian Red Sea, with regards to comfort, safety, attention to detail, honesty and transparency. M/Y Scuba Scene is available exclusively in the UK through Oyster Diving.
Beautifully laid-out and appointed across her four decks, the 43m, steel hulled Scuba Scene is both spacious and comfortable – with each cabin affording guests their own fridge, en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning.
Other on-board facilities include two large ice machines, sundecks, bar, professional coffee and espresso maker, camera tables, as well as lots of international power charging stations and places to store valuables. While a washing machine and dryer mean guests can bring fewer clothes to reduce their luggage weight or bring more of their diving kit!
When it comes to safety, Scuba Scene is fitted to the most rigorous safety standards, including life jackets, life rafts, oxygen and medical first aid, as well as smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishing systems across the boat.
But what really sets this liveaboard apart is the team who run it, two of the most well-known faces in Red Sea Diving, Ahmed Fadel and Dr. Elke Bojanowski.
Ahmed, an experienced Tech instructor up to Advanced Trimix, has been a guide on liveaboards for over 21 years and is the author of the book ‘Southern Red Sea Dive Guide’.
Elke, having completing her Ph.D in marine biology, set up and now runs the Red Sea Shark Trust, which today boasts the biggest database for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks in the world. Little wonder she is better known to many as ‘The Shark Lady’.
Elke’s shark weeks are renowned for her fascinating talks; underwater she seems to attract the sharks and is only too happy to share her passion and knowledge.
Since January 2019, all dive guides working on Liveaboards in the Egyptian Red Sea have had to attend a mandatory seminar on guidelines and safe diving practices for interactions with Oceanic Whitetip Sharks. The seminar was written and presented by Elke and has been attended by more than 1400 guides and other dive professionals to date.
Both Ahmed and Elke will be running trips focusing on their respective specialities, Tech and sharks, offering additional information and education for their guests on-board Scuba Scene.
A week on Scuba Scene is about having an experience you can cherish and remember forever. Itineraries include Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone, Daedulus & St. Johns, Shark Weeks, photography weeks with Duxy, and classic North & Tiran trips. All itineraries are tech-friendly, and special Tech trips are on offer.
Prices start from £1,000 per person for a week including transfers to/from the airport, 7 nights’ accommodation in a twin room, meals and snacks, water, soft drinks, tea & coffee, 12ltr tank and weights, marine park and port fees.
Mark Murphy, the Managing Director of Oyster Diving told us:
“We are thrilled to be working with Ahmed and Elke, and Scuba Scene. We have run many trips with them over the years and customers always tell us how fantastic they are and what an amazing experience they’ve had. The fact that they now manage their own liveaboard means they can introduce all of the finer details that customers have told us they would like over the years but aren’t on existing Red Sea liveaboards. We can’t wait to start sending people on their incredible adventures so they can experience the best way to see one of the world’s greatest diving destinations.”
Due to the still fragile situation of the travel market – even after implementing the new traffic light system with its three-weekly reviews, Oyster Diving are opening up bookings for their dive safaris on board M/Y Scuba Scene in Egypt from October 2021 only.
Divers making bookings at this point are not required to make any deposits, but will be expected to honor their reservations, unless Egypt’s status changes from amber to red at any point from their booking until the departure of the trip.
Divers are encouraged to arrange any bookings through Oyster Diving, giving them the option to book packages including flights while enjoying the financial protection of a fully bonded tour operator.
As Ahmed Fadel, technical instructor and manager of M/Y Scuba Scene explains: “We strongly feel, that this is the most honest and fair way to deal with our valued guests in this period.”
The 2021 & 2022 schedules are published on the Scuba Scene website at www.scubasceneliveaboard.com/trip-schedule.
Or visit www.oysterdiving.com/trip/scuba-scene-egypt or call 0800 699 0243 for more information.
News
Dived Up Publications announces the release of The Diver and the Cook by Lasse Spang Olsen
A ship lost. No survivors. A grim recovery mission begins, pushing a team of commercial divers well beyond their comfort zone.
Braving treacherous conditions, saturation diver Nico van Heerden single-handedly combs the cramped, debris-strewn, zero-visibility Jascon 4 shipwreck searching for any sign of the lost crew.
Then, in a scene akin to a horror movie, while exploring a small, isolated compartment, Nico feels a tap on his shoulder. Could someone have survived underwater for over sixty hours?
The Diver & the Cook is the incredible true story of a seemingly impossible underwater rescue. With first-hand accounts, authentic images and detailed reconstructions, author and documentary maker Lasse Spang Olsen brings this gripping tale to life. The book is the result of over four years of work, including intensive interviews, access to previously unknown material, and deep study of conversations and film recorded during the actual incident.
Witness the unwavering determination of the human spirit as Jascon 4 galley chef, Harrison Okene, fights for survival after his ship goes down. Meanwhile, rookie saturation diver Nico van Heerden faces a daunting challenge: spearheading the rescue mission in a perilous underwater environment. With time running out, what rules must the dive team break to save Harrison before it’s too late?
An unprecedented operation, this story provides a unique perspective on the dangers and challenges faced by divers, showing the importance of teamwork and communication in high-risk situations. An incredible survival story against all odds, with an equally surprising aftermath.
Quote from the author, documentary-maker Lasse Spang Olsen:
“There are a whole lot of different versions of this story out there. But I believe that by speaking directly to the key people involved, creating meticulous reconstructions and doing original research we have dug much deeper and got far closer to the truth about the rescue and the sinking than anyone has ever managed to before.”
About the author
Author and veteran filmmaker Lasse Spang Olsen – in a 40+ year career – has participated in stunts and FX on over 600 films, directed eleven features and filmed extensively underwater. He’s led expeditions uncovering historical mysteries like the Flying Enterprise wreck and documented adventures worldwide. He’s also a producer and lecturer. Originally published in Denmark as Dykkeren of Kokken (February 2024), this is his fourth book.
The Diver and the Cook (ISBN 978-1-909455-61-0) is released on 12 November 2024 in paperback and ebook. It is available via online retailers, bookstores, from DivedUp.com and to the dive trade via Nautilus UK.
Dived Up Publications website: www.DivedUp.com
Facebook @DivedUpPublications / Insta @diveduppubs / X @DivedUp / TikTok @divedup
Blogs
Scubaverse Christmas Gift Guide 2024: Day 1
Welcome to Day 1 of Scubaverse.com’s week-long Christmas Gift Guide!
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that special scuba diver in your life? Read on for Team Scubaverse’s pick of this season’s must-have Christmas gifts.
Every day this week, we are publishing a special Christmas Gift Guide full of different gift ideas that are all ideal for divers, so you’re sure to find something that’s perfect. Take a look at today’s selection below…
Bigblue Dive Lights
by Liquid Sports
info@liquidsports.co.uk / Bigblue Facebook / Liquid Sports Facebook
Bigblue lights are high performance lights from 250 to 64,000 lumens. From back up to main lights and an extensive range of video lights, Bigblue brightens up your dive.
With advanced designs and unprecedented affordability, Bigblue offers the most affordable and technologically advanced LED lights on the market. We incorporate the latest technologies, producing the most efficient portable illumination. In addition to brilliant design features, we offer the most ideal lights for underwater illumination, night diving and underwater videoing.
Whether you are looking for a simple recreational dive light or a full-blown technical underwater illumination system, Bigblue has a light for you! Bigblue is a recognised brand that divers all over the world prefer.
info@liquidsports.co.uk / Bigblue Facebook / Liquid Sports Facebook
AP Diving Gift Vouchers
sales@apdiving.com / www.apdiving.com / AP Diving Facebook / AP Diving Instagram / AP Diving TV
It’s November, the nights are drawing in and it’s time to start thinking about what present to get the dive buddy in your life…
Who doesn’t love a voucher?
Why not get your diver a unique personal GIFT VOUCHER from AP Diving? Printed on quality textured card (145mm x 75mm), each voucher can be personalised with your own message. Just let us know what you want to say in about 10-20 words.
Keep your someone-special supplied with their diving essentials (cells, sofnolime, etc…) or a shiny new piece of kit of their choice by creating a line of credit to any value you like, £25, £50, £100… Call the AP elves on 01326 561040 or email sales@apdiving.com today.
sales@apdiving.com / www.apdiving.com / AP Diving Facebook / AP Diving Instagram / AP Diving TV
SlipIns
Team@slipins.com / www.slipins.com / SlipIns Facebook / SlipIns Instagram / SlipIns Pinterest
DiveSkins are perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, paddling, surfing, and all water sports. It shows up beautifully in pictures under water.
This tight-fitting, tailored lycra suit offers maximum comfort. stretchy, breathable, fast-drying fabric with the world’s best sun and stinger protection.
SlipIns are:
*Ultimate 50+ UPF sun protection
*Abrasion protection.
*Quick dry, breathable, soft fabric
*The ultimate stinging critter protection
Save 10% on your order if you mention you saw this ad in Scubaverse in your order note!
SAVE YOUR SKIN…WEAR OUR SKINS
Team@slipins.com / www.slipins.com / SlipIns Facebook / SlipIns Instagram / SlipIns Pinterest
Aqualung i770R Dive Computer
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
Experience the future of diving technology with the Aqualung i770R Dive Computer. This state-of-the-art device combines an ultra-bright TFT colour screen and wireless Bluetooth connectivity, all within a durable and compact design. Navigate through your dive information effortlessly using the intuitive 3-button interface.
The Aqualung i770R comes with a rechargeable lithium battery, and full-tilt compass, and offers multiple gas capabilities across its 4 operating modes. With Bluetooth connectivity, you can wirelessly manage your dive data and settings on your mobile device, and then share your dive memories, stats, photos, and dive sites via the free DiverLog+ app.
- Dive into the future of scuba technology with the Aqualung i770R Dive Computer.
- Long lasting rechargeable lithium battery.
- High-visibility Thin Film Transistor (TFT) colour screen.
- Easy-to-use interface.
- Colour screen, ultra-bright, high-contrast, full-colour TFT display.
- Battery savings when a high-intensity screen is unnecessary.
- Easy-to-use interface with intuitive menu structure.
- Intuitive 3-button navigation interface allows for easy settings preview and updates.
A 3-axis full-tilt compass allows for easy-to-read compass graphics.
FREE Transmitter with the i770R Black Dive Computer!*
*while stocks last
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
Fog-X: Anti-Fog Film for Dive Masks
info@fogxsolutions.com / www.fogxsolutions.com / Fog-X Instagram / Fog-X Facebook
Fog-X is a new anti-fog film that is inserted once into the dive mask and will provide fog free diving forever! The hydrophilic, anti-scratch film protects your mask and prevents fog from forming. Six mask designs and a swim goggle design are available.
Fog-X is the perfect gift for the diver you know! If they hate fog as much as we do, Fog-X is what they have been looking for.
Use code “SCUBAVERSE” for 20% off your order!
Free USA shipping if over $20 order.
info@fogxsolutions.com / www.fogxsolutions.com / Fog-X Instagram / Fog-X Facebook
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