Egypt's Legendary Diving Sites
With this years opening of Egypt's legendary off shore diving sites specially licensed and equipped live aboard vessels can now offer divers the chance to join special two week expeditions to dive four world class areas all in one trip. This area of the world has always been special to me; somewhere I will never tire of. It gave me enormous pleasure to join MY Greta as a guest of Diving World: The Southern Red Sea pioneers, for this pioneering cruise and another breath of fresh compressed air...
MY Greta is one of a new class of all-weather steel Safari vessels plying the Red Sea waters, capable of extended expeditions with a range of over 2,000 nautical miles. She is equipped with every conceivable navigation aid, which includes state of the art GPS plotter, depth sounders, Sat. phone/fax, a quality SSB and two FM radios. This equipment allows safe night navigation, which is a huge bonus when long distances have to be covered in one go, divers waking up the next morning already at the dive site. Marine Park.
The new Marine Park legislation covers all of the Egyptian offshore Islands, namely: Zabargad, Rocky Island, Daedelus and the Brothers. Strict rules ensure only able, seaworthy offshore vessels are eligible for operating consideration. These eligible vessels are then awarded area licensing termed area 1 and area 2 respectively. The logic in the division of these two areas is however strange and complicated.
Greta is one of only two vessels with Area 1 & 2 licensing and authorisation, which means it can legally operate in all of the new marine park sites. The new Marine Park is strictly managed too, and more often than not a Marine Park Ranger will travel with the boat as in this instance. Egyptian Navy Helicopters randomly patrol the Park reporting directly any vessel travelling or moored inside the protected areas. Any unauthorised vessel caught in these areas will be boarded, impounded and taken to the nearest Naval Base. These measures are a welcomed step in the right direction regarding conservation, ensuring both reef and marine life gets the chance to develop without the over-interaction of 'Homo Aquarian'.
Each of the Parks Rangers are well-trained knowledgeable divers and Photographers. 'Yasser' our Ranger was no exception, taking his job very seriously with a firm belief in the protection of a natural marine environment. He quickly became known as the 'Lone Ranger', his camera: 'Tonto'. Entry into the Marine Park costs the individual Diver $35.00 per week or $65.00 for two weeks and remember this is not included in your holiday price, it is paid before the boat sails.
The trip began with great debate and anticipation as old friends were reacquainted, and new ones were introduced. Everyone onboard sharing a common excitement about the voyage ahead...
