October 2008 Archives

Jeff Goodman, director and award-winning cameraman, is to lead a new series of courses aimed at improving the art of good underwater video production while at the same time realising the incredible wealth and diversity of our planet's marine life.

These new courses are being pioneered by Emperor Divers on Gold Fleet luxury liveaboards in May and November 2009. A maximum of 10 guests will be able to learn from one of the best underwater cameramen in the industry and will need their own video camera and housing for filming and a laptop with associated equipment for editing.

"This is ideal for divers who are competent in the water and have good background knowledge of how their camera works. We'll be looking at how to get the best out of their camera systems and exploring the techniques of observing and capturing wildlife behaviour with an end goal of producing a professional looking two-minute DVD," explains Jeff.

Robert Eagle and pal Henry from Melton Divers had such a good time in Hurghada recently that Robert wrote a little ode about their time on Emperor Superior...well done you!

In July it was my good fortune to be Aboard Emperor Superior sailing the Red Sea For our group it was the first trip Aboard this splendid live-aboard ship Fitted out no expense spared Luxury accommodation we all shared Lisa the Red Sea Belle And her partner Nick looked after us well Our destination two islands called The Brothers One much larger than the other Little Brother our first dive Proved to be a bumpy ride As the Zodiac rode wave after wave It was a dive fit only for the brave! Dive site reached without a blip We left the Zodiac with a backward flip What a treat this dive proved to be A panoply of sights to see Full grown Reef Sharks and a Thresher too Swimming out in the blue Two days we spent at this dive spot With strong currents and weather hot Finally we said goodbye And set off for other sites to try Salem Express and El Arish El-Tor Two wrecked Ferries on the sea floor An hour long dive at Ras Disha With all the life and fish a Diver could hope to see When diving in the clear Red Sea We finally docked at port Hurghada The crew and guides could not have worked harder To make our holiday one to remember When sitting by the fire in cold December All too soon the week was done As we flew home in the setting sun.

 

 

by Emperor Dive Guide, Daniele Zanoni

Since I started working in the diving industry, I have been asked many questions like, "Why do I have to urinate a lot after a dive?" or "Why do I need to drink more water whilst diving?"
So here is my explanation without using too many medical terms.

It's now a CDWS (Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Watersports) requirement that anyone who enters the water must wear proper gear and be observed by a dive master from the boat.

Mary Gleeson, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator for CDWS explains:

When clients join organised excursions; the operator has responsibilities and a few points must be considered:

• Clients must complete liability forms
• Clients must receive a proper briefing (to include planning, directions, precautions, emergencies etc) from a professional (certified snorkel guide or higher) - holding a CDWS ID Professional card who will have supervision over the activities.
• A snorkelling vest should be used when snorkelling
• Supervision maybe be from the surface or in water depending on the site, sea condition, competence, certification, abilities and needs of others

When swimmers go on their own (ie join a boat of divers):

• Clients must complete liability forms
• Clients should receive a briefing
• Guests may just swim with a mask and snorkel
• If swimming in the open sea, a personal floatation device is recommended

As told by Hannah

"My name is Hannah, I am 17 years old and currently attending a sixth form college in Cambridge. This summer I decided to do something different compared to my friends and travelled to Egypt to get some experience in the diving industry as I had decided a year ago that I wanted to become a diving instructor. I had completed my Open Water course two and a half years ago with Emperor Divers and I really trusted the company, that's why I decided to get the experience with them.

Not only was I going to experience a new adventure into the diving industry, but it was also my first time of travelling alone - a very exciting time for me. Before I travelled I worried about everything as I wanted to be prepared for the next six weeks. I got every drug in the chemist and packed all the clothes I could possibly fit in to my suitcase which was not so beneficial at the airport as I was on my own carrying everything!