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August 07, 2007

Be part of 'first-ever' Red Sea ReefCI project

As we reported in our last newsletter, Reef Conservation International (ReefCI) and Emperor Divers have recently signed a unique agreement to provide valuable research and conservation to help to protect the Red Sea’s marine eco-system.

Emperor Divers has long been involved in environmental projects (having been a founding member of Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association). However, this is the first time ReefCI has operated in the Red Sea, having already proved to be successful in Belize. The project gives the two companies, and their diving guests, a chance to make even more of a difference to the sustainability of its reefs and marine life.

"We want to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem, and are working with ReefCI on a conservation and protection programme. And the best bit is that any diver of any ability can take part," explained Denise Fletcher from Emperor Divers.

From October 2007, Emperor and ReefCI will be conducting year round Reef Check surveys and co-operating with Red Sea NGOs to provide data for ongoing local projects. Initially, this will be operating from Emperor Hurghada only, but with a view to pushing it out to the other Emperor centres.

As one recent guest wrote, "We love Egypt, its people and the diving, it has given us so much pleasure over the years, so please spare a thought for the future for one of the 'Seven Wonders' of the diving world." Which is exactly what we are aiming to do.

Click here for more information on how you can join in www.emperordivers.com........

For immediate enquiries contact reservations@emperordivers.com

Emperor supports Whale Shark Awareness Project

The Whale Shark Awareness Red Sea Project, in collaboration with Project Aware, is now established. The project aims to increase awareness locally, create a Red Sea Whale Shark network and encourage divers and snorkellers to report their sightings to assist with the global research of Whale Sharks. Sightings of the gentle giant cruising through Red Sea waters have been on the increase in the past few months, several encounters being with Emperor guides and guests so Emperor are really pleased to join the project.

The Whale Shark Awareness Red Sea/Project Aware T-shirts are on sale now in the Emperor Diver shops at Hurghada and Marsa Alam and on board South safari routes! Proceeds go towards awareness, global research and conservation.

Have you seen a Whale Shark in the Red Sea? Contact info@whalesharkredsea.com or call +2 0111 926 898 with details

Tekstreme comes top in Middle East

Tekstreme Diving, the technical division of Emperor Divers, has recently been rewarded for its outstanding performance within the 'Middle East & Russia' area 2006. Tekstreme Hurghada & Sharm awarded more student certifications than any other facility covered by this large regional office.

The latest TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer workshop was held in Hurghada at the Steigenberger Hotel. Aaron Bruce, Tekstreme Manager based in Sharm, and Paul Vinten, Tekstreme Hurghada Supervisor, were present to accept the awards for their respective centres. The awards were presented by Paul Montgomery from TDI HQ in America who had come over run the IT workshop, assisted by Aaron, himself an Instructor Trainer examiner for TDI/SDI.

It was very rewarding to know that Tekstreme is at the top of the facilities in this region.

Red Sea Bash proves another winner

Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam had some great fun with guests joining in with the spirit of the Red Sea Party. Activities included 'Meet the Gang', raffles, quiz nights, treasure hunts and BBQ! As well as some fabulous prizes.

The Hurghada team

Many congratulations to the winners of the Liveaboard holidays -

Hurghada: Kevin Burden (pictured above) and Lucy Andrews

Ian Langston, winner in Sharm El Sheikh

Marsa Alam Pirates Team

Lots of guests won dive packages, dive magazine subscriptions, dive gear - in no particular order here are just a few of the winners...Markus Koch, Rose Dale, Kurt Edegger, Rosanna Dale, Steve Milson, Manuela Molnar, Michael Welker, Rene Schneider, Tomasz Ciesclak, Marco Schneider, Stuart Murdoch, Jacquie Talbort, Zachary Mason, Mandy Barber, Andrew Pearce, Andrea Potts, Simon Dawson, Ian Passmore, Charlotte Reid. Dan Kohn, Alasdair Brown, Darren Smith, Andy Phillips, Philip Parker, Catherine Wilding, Roy Rentes, Steven Barnard, Chloe Poole, Gregory Allon.

Extremely enjoyable and competitively priced

"Our group, Rebel Divers, has just returned from Sharm. This is our sixth visit to Egypt and the second year with Emperor. We were extremely impressed, once again, with the professional standards of the dive operation and the quality of the boats.

We particularly enjoyed the overnight trip to Tiran and agreed that the trip was well worth the supplement. Our dive leader, Brian, was excellent giving us exactly the degree of guidance that we required whilst not treating us like children (unlike some I have known in the past).

All in all an extremely enjoyable and competitively priced week's diving and we will undoubtedly be returning to Emperor Divers in the future."

Jonathan Belsey, Suffolk, England

Fraser and 'new Red Sea species'

According to dive guides Ann Peeters and Anna Miasek, the following proved to be the perfect recipe on a recent liveaboard safari on Emperor Fraser;

1 x wonderful crew
2 x ace dive guides
Large helping of fabulous weather
Equal measure of amazing dives
8 x guests from all over the world

Says Ann, "These were the ingredients for a picture perfect safari. The guests might have arrived as couples or individuals but every one of us left as friends. The international language of diving and the love for diving formed a strong bond between all on board. We had Ronald and Natalie from Holland (Natalie saw her first manta),
Matthias and Alex from Switzerland (they completed their 100 and 200 dives), Javier and Manuel from Spain, Tim from Belgium (on his first diving trip ever) and Shiori from Japan who, along with the prerequisite camera, captured the rest of the group either diving or relaxing and made a slideshow entitled 'New Red Sea species'. Sometimes also the guests and the crew deserve a thank you from us. And this is one of them thanks guys for a picture perfect safari."