News
Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report: Day 3
Read the prologue to this trip report here.
Read Day 1 here.
Read Day 2 here.
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Richelieu Rock
Today for me was going to be the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Thailand’s diving: three dives on Richelieu Rock. Richelieu was our most northerly dive site on this trip, located east of Koh Surin at 09 218N 98 013E. It has a pinnacle that breaks the surface at low tide; other than that it is in the open seas. My previous visits to Richelieu have always been very productive when it comes to photography – it is covered with life of all shapes and sizes, and I was hoping things hadn’t changed. I even changed the memory card in my camera so I had plenty of space.
“Dive Briefing!” It was 7:30am already. As Mats started with the briefing for dive number 9, all I could think was “Hurry up and let’s get in!” My camera was at the ready and itching to get wet.
Descending on the mooring line was a must in case of any currents, however there didn’t seem to be much of one. My first sight was of two large groups of long spined sea urchins on the sea bed at around 29m. If they cannot find places to hide they travel in large numbers to create as much protection as possible. On this occasion, a hundred or so could not find a home!
Our first mission was to find seahorses. We scoured the area where they normally hide but couldn’t find them, so moved onward.
It seemed almost everywhere we looked there were ornate ghost pipe fish, lots of them, some even in pairs. Moray eels were sticking their head out of nearly every crack, and scorpion fish lay in camouflage, especially in the shallows. Dancing Durban shrimp and banded cleaner shrimp laid waiting for their next job. “I think I’ll have my nails done please,” I thought to myself. I reached out my hand and out they came, seeing what they could pick out from under my nails. Mantis shrimp were spotted scurrying along (they always seem so busy).
As we got shallower you could sea shoals of barracuda and big-eye trevally. Finally it was time to get breakfast out of the way so we could get back in!
Dive number 10
“Dive Briefing!” It was 10:30am. It was time for dive number 10, and again, I couldn’t wait. Our group went in first. I had been set a challenge by Mats to take a photo of a two colour blenny; he had tried and failed to get a shot of one himself, but they always shot off before he got close enough. I did try to look for one, but they are small and fast… and all the ghost pipe fish were looking like they wanted to have their picture taken. At least 12 ghost pipe fish were spotted on this dive! More morays, clown fish in every anemone, a spindle cowrie, and at last a two colour blenny that stayed still. I did try to take a photograph of a small thin black fish that was hiding within the spines of a long spined urchin. It was shooting up and down near the other side and very hard to get a photo of – I did get one, but it’s not clear enough to see what it was.
All in all, another great dive. I needed a decent surface interval to get the most out of the last dive on Richelieu, so I didn’t hang around in the shallows too long and came up.
Another huge lunch; I scoffed down what I needed, went back to my bunk and sorted out my photos, prepared the video camera for the next dive, then took a small nap.
Dive number 11
“Dive Briefing!” Dive number 11. What was in store this dive? I took another look for the seahorse, and, at last, it was there. A large shoal of squirrel fish swam past; as I pursued them I noticed something moving behind a large shoal of glassfish above me, and as they parted I could see a turtle making its way looking for something to eat (it should have been on our boat – it wouldn’t have had any problem finding food there!). There were angel fish of every kind, more scorpion fish, and more lionfish than you would ever want to take pictures of. One more nudibranch – that made a grand total of two for Richelieu. I like nudibranchs, because they don’t swim away when you take their picture.
I was done – or at least my air was – which meant the end of my dives on Richelieu.
As we motored away I looked back; I was sad to leave what is probably the best dive site in Thailand, and probably one of the best in the world when it comes to variety of marine life and colours – a top dive site.
Dive number 12
“Dive Briefing!” 6:30pm. Dive number 12! Still another seven to go – phew!
We had arrived back at Koh Tachai for our night dive. We were going to dive a reef off of the island rather than the pinnacle this time.
We entered the water at 7:00pm. It’s funny how things can affect you; I didn’t write down much about this dive, and I can’t remember much about it either. Compared to the rest of today’s dives anything was going to be second class. I have to look at my photos to remind me what I saw! Parrot fish hiding in reefs with their protective mucous bubbles, a reasonably large red crab backing itself under a piece of coral, a tiny young devil scorpion fish laying on an open piece of sea bed, and a puffer fish that didn’t swim away. I hadn’t even taken many photos. Oh well – tomorrow is another day.
To be continued…
Blogs
Jeff Goodman Launches Underwater Moviemaker Course with NovoScuba
Transform Your Dive Experiences into Cinematic Masterpieces
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Jeff Goodman: A Legacy in Underwater Filmmaking
Jeff Goodman brings over 40 years of experience in underwater film production for television to this course. Reflecting on his career, Jeff said:
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EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba
NovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
The diving world thrives on passion and adventure, but for many dive store owners, the financial and operational challenges can be as deep as the ocean.
NovoScuba, an emerging force in the diving world, is on a mission to transform this landscape for the better. With a revolutionary approach to dive store and training agency partnerships, NovoScuba is setting new standards for how dive stores can thrive while keeping their focus on delivering exceptional diving experiences.
A New Paradigm: NovoScuba’s Bold Mission
NovoScuba’s mission is straightforward yet profound: to disrupt the traditional dynamics between dive store owners and training agencies. Traditionally, dive stores have been subjected to substantial fees charged by training agencies, for membership, materials and certifications. These costs have often placed a heavy financial burden on store owners, cutting into their profits and limiting their ability to offer competitive prices to customers.
NovoScuba flips the script by offering a model where dive stores earn money, instead of paying high fees. Dive stores receive commissions for every student they register, and their certification costs are covered. This new model not only boosts profitability but also ensures clients get top-quality training at unbeatable prices.
Financial Upsides: Earn From Student Registration
NovoScuba’s approach is simple yet revolutionary. Dive stores partnering with NovoScuba can earn commissions for every student they enroll.
Here’s how it works: For every student enrolled through NovoScuba, dive stores receive a commission. Each student enrolled will receive their e-learning materials and certification credit included in their subscription. This arrangement is a significant departure from the traditional model, where dive stores often struggle to manage high overhead costs related to training fees and certification expenses.
NovoScuba’s approach ensures that dive stores can focus on what they do best—providing top-notch diving experiences—without being bogged down by excessive financial burdens, and the need to carry large stocks of materials.
Quality Training at a Great Price
NovoScuba stands out by offering high-quality, ISO certified, training that doesn’t break the bank, in fact our students will pay less than with most competing agencies. Clients benefit from top-notch education and safety standards at competitive prices. Dive store owners can confidently promote NovoScuba’s programs, knowing they’re offering fantastic training at affordable rates. This balance of quality and affordability helps dive stores build a strong reputation and attract more customers.
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At NovoScuba, we understand that your brand is your most valuable asset, and we’re committed to putting it front and centre. Unlike agencies that charge high fees to promote their own brand, we believe in investing in yours. With NovoScuba, you won’t be paying to advertise someone else’s logo alone, — our focus is on showcasing your unique identity. Certifications prominently feature your brand, as well as the training agency, reinforcing your store’s image and brand every step of the way. We’re here to support and elevate your brand, ensuring that your investment directly benefits your business.
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Why Is NovoScuba Doing This? – Fair Profit Sharing for Greater Access and Growth
At NovoScuba, we’ve taken a bold step by paying commissions to stores rather than following the traditional model of training agencies charging high fees. Our mission is to make diving accessible to everyone and to foster a growing community of new divers and continued education. By redistributing profits more equitably between stores and training agencies, we aim to create a more supportive and collaborative environment within the industry. We believe this approach not only helps individual stores thrive but also stimulates overall growth and innovation in diving. Our commitment to fair profit sharing reflects our dedication to the long-term health and expansion of the diving community.
Getting Started: Join the NovoScuba Revolution
Ready to revolutionise your dive store experience? NovoScuba is here to support your journey toward reduced costs, increased profitability, and enhanced operational efficiency. Get in touch with our team to learn how NovoScuba can transform your business.
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Gear News
Get 10% off a Seacraft GO! Scooter if you order before Christmas
Nautilus UK are offering a 10% discount on the Seacraft GO! scooter until Christmas (or until 5 units are sold) due to a slightly better exchange rate. Nautilus UK say this is a not to be missed offer on a very low margin product and unlikely to be repeated.
The Seacraft GO! is a revolution in the segment of compact underwater scooters. Weighing only 9,7 kg, the GO! offers exceptional performance and power.
Apart from that, the new Seacraft model is based on modular Li-Ion batteries with a capacity of 582 Wh which may be split up into several segments, approved to be transported in hand luggage aboard a passenger plane! This is, why we call them “air travel-friendly” batteries, since they offer you even more flexibility than every other Seacraft scooter before.
This makes the GO! the perfect companion for recreational divers, freedivers and technical divers looking for a reliable backup unit.
You can find out more about the Seacraft GO! scooter on Nautilus UK’s website here.
Call Nautilus UK: +44 (0) 333 444 0104
Email Nautilus UK: info@nautilus.uk
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