Recently in Liveaboards Category

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has awarded Emperor Divers' liveaboard, the Emperor Superior, a tourism "Certificate of Appreciation " in recognition for its 'outstanding role in enriching the tourism industry in Egypt in 2011'.

Superior and her crew gained the award for being one of the best boats that helped 'with its excellence' to revive tourism in Egypt.

Mike Braun, General Manager, said, "This was unexpected but well deserved by the entire crew and guides of Superior who work hard on all our liveaboards. Our thanks to the Ministry of Tourism and we continue to invite tourists to Egypt knowing they will enjoy a first rate service in a beautiful country."

For more information, visit www.emperordivers.com or email info.safaris@emperordivers.com

'Dreams of happiness'

With pleasant odours drifting from the familiar kitchen, a warm fire and a comfortable seat, DJ started to study the diary. He had always tried to follow Donna's advice and record every detail; so important after each dive. Trying to reflect on all the adventures - Thistlegorm - 'Grandad is asleep', whispered Sally; astride the Matchless bikes, flashes back to the early 50s climbing Mamore near Kinlochleven the Loch; Stoney Cove and that awful helicopter dive; well done that was a super landing, I will pass you for flying, now train for IMC. John Hart's face blurs into the dream of a sea cow, why? Dressing on the shore and entering the sea with Janice to find one but with no luck until the very last moment there is one grazing on the sea grass; trying to get back through the swell...tired. A flashback to sitting on toilet seats where? Yolanda. And watching the grouper and batfish. The first night dive again with Donna down the rope fastened to the pinnacle; lion fish in all their splendour lit by the torchlight.

The Jolly Rodger - what? (The Jolly Rodger was the destination of a promotion when DJ initially launched his Vauxhall Dealership prior to learning to dive in the mid 80s.Walking the Plank as a result of being the youngest dealership and plunging over 50 feet into the waters of the Caribbean, that was when he first saw a lion fish! Now the 100th Dive at Benel Gebel,101 at Banana Reef. Derek! Wake up! Dinner is served! You have been asleep for nearly an hour! Pick up your diary!

DJ reluctantly does so and, recovering from what has been a dream of reality, realises that, though distorted by time, the events of the past years will be in his memory for life.

It is the most grateful thanks that Derek, DJ, offers to all those who contributed to making these events possible; Janice, Terrence, Donna, Emperor Divers for their professional approach to a not so young diver, to the crews of those superb boats, and last of all to Bryony of Emperor Divers who has put up with the old guys ramblings on a monthly basis. To all divers, just breathe slowly, keep calm, don't touch and ENJOY the wonderful experiences.
Yours, Derek Oldham

Derek Oldham continues his memories of Red Sea diving - his last will feature just before Christmas.
This penultimate episode sees DJ diving the sombre wreck of the Salem Express and wishing he could have held his tongue...

The mask was clear. Weights just right and with an intake of air DJ was able to rise, exhale and we descend! The nearest thing to flying under water! The reef lay in front, the rest of the group above; Terry signals up and DJ realises he is over 30 metres deep! Wrasse, Parrotfish and Surgeonfish cruise the reef, whilst the photo enthusiasts take shots of the Emperorfish, Bannerfish and Sweetlips hanging around the pinnacles. Dive 64 is really turning out to be one of the best. Keeping well out of the range of the Trigger Fish DJ follows the others now at a sensible depth (for him) around the reef into the current! 42 minutes and yet another dive with the normal safety stop, into the Rib and back to Superior.

Join Annelie Pompe, one of the world's best freedivers and instructors, on November 25th and become more efficient with the air in your cylinder, hold your breath longer and dive deeper on one breath. Annelie will teach you the secrets to succeed with breath-holding, becoming more confident in the water and how to use less gas while scuba diving.

Onboard Emperor Elite, you will learn basic freediving skills, breathing techniques and safety while freediving.  These skills will help both sport and technical divers to minimize their air consumption and increase their safety margins.

Each morning there will be the opportunity to practice skills while diving with dolphins (if nature permits) and to get close to the fantastic marine life of the Red Sea, all on one breath of air. 

During the second half of the day, you may choose to dive with scuba gear, and hopefully use less gas during your dive than normal, or choose to freedive.  Scuba divers are most welcome to only dive with scuba gear throughout the trip.  Annelie will be available to teach a full AIDA freediver course to those who are interested.

The first trip with Annelie will depart from Hurghada on November 25th and head towards the northern Red Sea onboard the high class Emperor Superior. 

This trip is open to UK divers. Simply book with Scuba Travel Scandinavia and arrange flights to Hurghada to meet the group at Emperor Hurghada. The rest is all taken care of!

The price is just 899 Euros (ex flights) with the AIDA course costing 260 Euros.

For more information contact: info@scubatravel.se or read more on: www.scubatravel.se or email us on info.reservations@emperordivers.com

 

Derek Oldham shares his escapades, and no, we didn't pay him! 

Yes we were on the way to Little Brothers; the gentle throb of Superior's diesel motors had subsided and DJ could not resist the temptation of an inspection of the motor during the short trip. The attendant proudly showed off his pride where copper and brass sparkled in keeping with the rest of this magnificent boat. We had anchored and Little Brothers lay some 500 metres away loaded with all the invitations and anticipation that tomorrow could bring. Buffet supper and the inspection of the equipment AND the wrist computer converted to Nitrox!

Joining the others on the deck now that night had closed was the perfect opportunity to lie on the spotless deck, gaze at the stars and give DJ and Bob the chance to reflect. There was no doubt that, although the main purpose was to dive the "package" that Emperor was providing, what we got was, without exception, a lifetime experience. DJ wondered if Emperor as a company knew REALLY how good they were, possibly swept along in their endeavours to succeed, did THEY realise the contribution THEY were making to provide people with unforgettable events. Did THEY realise that excellent food, absolute attention to safety, cleanliness and total commitment of the crew contributed to this in ADDITION to the adventures of diving? Both DJ and Bob agreed and expressed their deep-seated satisfaction.

So dive 61. DJ had had long fruitful discussions with Bob Terry and Janice with an introduction to Nick. Conditions were rough and it was hoped that DJ could break the 45 minute "barrier" re kitting up - and now very 'professionally' suited up (that overcame his nerves!) he managed to get into the pitching RIB. Heading for the reef to slightly calmer conditions, the other more experienced divers had braved the rougher more distant conditions.

A quick check on the mask, air on (!) one two three and peace! That experience never ceased to amaze DJ. Yes, by now weight was OK, mask clear, regular SLOW breathing; OH we are getting there! Nick, my Buddy, signals OK and turns pointing to the Blue. My first hammerhead shark! AH! Reef sharks also! I had done my homework, yes Sphyrna lewini and Triaenodon obesus. Many cornet fish and very large parrot fish descending now to just 25 metres. With visibility now clear and the mask clear (!) very slowly the magnificent colours registered. We really are in 'black and white' on shore compared with this colour emphasised by the shadows, which are constantly moving in the currents. Blue spotted stingrays, Taeniura lymma disturbed burst into a sandy shower and flee from the bubbles of the divers, whilst the anemone fish guard their chosen plant with an aggressive attitude far beyond their capability.
 
Forty five minutes and the dive is coming to its end. This Nitrox IS better or is it that DJ is calmer? We meet the others and, knowing that although we left on the RIB, it was really a drift dive. The shape of Superior is above us. The spare cylinder and flag is comforting! Slowly we ascend, remember now it's five metres and a quite lengthy safety stop. Bob, Janice, Terry and Nick - all OK signals all around and it's 47 minutes (!) Oh the expertise of this old guy. Up we go, fins off, up the ladder and into those helping hands of the crew.

Lunch awaits; the second dive awaits. Little Brothers is living up to its expectations. Next month we visit Big Brothers, visit the lighthouse and reflect on the week so far and the fact that these memoirs will culminate in time for Christmas and for an 'old hand' diver to have enjoyed re-living some of a relatively youthful past! Thank you!

They're back and we know you love them.

Our Dive Show Specials at the NEC, Birmingham, on 22/23 October this year include:

• Buy one get one half price on day diving
• Buy one get one half price on selected dive courses
• Take a luxury liveaboard on Elite or Superior - Reefs & Wrecks or Classic just 600 Euro pp
• How about South & St Johns - just 700 Euro pp
• Or Simply the Best - just 799 Euro pp

Book yourself a treat when you visit us at Stand 821

OR

BOOK ONLINE - ONLY from 1 - 25 October*

This year, you can book our Specials online from 1 October until 25 October (*except for El Gouna and Marsa Alam, which can only be booked online or at the Dive Show on 22/23 October).

Click here for the full details and how to book.

 

This episode, Derek flies in and comes undone at Stoney Cove then heads for a superb islands safari on Superior

"India Charlie you are cleared to land two eight." DJ (that's me) was returning from a 'fly-in' in Alderney and had been faced with poor visibility throughout the Cessna flight. It was good to see Runway 28 at Leicester clear and whilst parking up an excited assistant approached and asked, "Do you Scuba dive too as we've received a call from Melton Divers that you are booked to go to Big and Little Brothers. We really didn't know what they meant!" After a brief explanation, they understood that they are islands in the Red Sea and generally the focal point of a week's Liveaboard Safari.

Report by Jamie Hull - PADI MSDT 109809

It had been over four years since I had dived open-water...four long and very painful years!

Even though I have been a qualified diver for over 15 years now and a PADI Instructor since 1998, plus a former Emperor Divers' Instructor and dive-guide, I was terribly afflicted by fire as a result of a light-aircraft accident in 2007 - the type of accident that people refer to as 'life-changing!'

19th August 2007 was a day that I shall never forget. I was solo-piloting a light-aircraft in Florida, USA. I sustained an engine fire during flight, whilst on approach to land, leaving me with very little time to react. I followed an emergency procedure - according to protocol - for an in-flight fire, however the flames breached the fire-wall, which should ordinarily protect me from such an incident. Instead, flames quickly began to engulf the cock-pit, working its way up my lower-limbs towards my upper-body and face. I was forced to act fast or meet my demise.

Join us for three nights aboard top-class Emperor Elite
from 20 - 23 September.

Leaving from Port Ghalib, we sail to Small & Big Brothers with wonder-wall diving, large pelagics and kaleidoscopic colours.

20.09.11 Check in at 9 am. Set sail 10 am
23.09.11 Return. Check out 9 am

Price includes: Transfers from Hurghada or Marsa Ghalib, 3 nights onboard, 3 days diving (1st day 2 dives, 2nd day 3 dives, 3rd day 3 dives), full board, soft drinks, snacks, guides, tanks, weights, Nitrox, Marine Park/Port fees, tax.

Not included: Alcohol, diving equipment, tips, flights/visa, hotels.

Book your place today at info.safaris@emperordivers.com

See more on Elite and what she has to offer here

 

Continuing the memoirs of Derek Oldham. Derek recently turned a grand age and has now hung up his fins but asked if he could relive his love of diving through some poignant memories...

30/7/07     Dive 33     SS THISTLEGORM (2)

Oh yes! Derek (DJ) was full of confidence now; after all he had dived Thistlegorm. Donna brought him back to earth on her check. "You intend to dive without turning on your air then?" A crestfallen DJ then followed her into the blue. The dive decks hustle and bustle, in one goes and, apart from the air, no sound but uncanny peace, superb. Down the now familiar rope to the deck with visibility a lot better. marine life abounded with every type of fish who, in the main, took no notice of divers. Skirting the anti aircraft gun, which at the time was not fired for the crew thinking the low flying aircraft were British, to the Bren gun carrier and one of the steam engines. The rope room was pointed out whilst the rest of the group concentrated on the coal and water tenders.