How to enter the game?

Upload your picture about M/Y Cassiopeia or M/Y Andromeda into our Facebook Cassiopeiasafari Group and win a free stay onboard Cassiopeia from 04th until 11th August, 2010 (including transfers between Hurghada airport and boat, 7 nights fullboard accomodation onboard, diving, taxes and sisha/waterpipe onboard). The winner can be anyone who uploads a picture of either of the 2 boats. You can upload more than one picture, but it will count as one participant in the game.

The winner will be notified by e-mail until 31st of July.
The deadline for submitting  your photos is 31st of July 2010 20:00 pm

Remarks:
- The price is not transferable to another person and can not be exchanged for money.
- Who is already registered and booked for the same safari is not eligible to enter the game.

Small Gota is a small circular shaped reef. Deep walls drop away vertically on all sides into the abyss and the upper reef is absolutely covered in colourful soft coral. Long pink and red whip corals stretch out into the blue and there are some magnificent gorgonian fan corals between 20 and 30m. The upper 20 metres of this reef is teeming with small marine life of all descriptions and tuna and trevallie cruise past, looking for any opportunity of a meal.

Large shoals of blue lunar fusiliers venture cautiously away from the reef only to dart back in tight formation at the first sign of danger. A whole family of humphead napoleon wrasse swim majestically around the reef perimeter. Current normally runs from north to south so if your dive boat is equipped with a zodiac or RIB the best option by far is to get dropped at the northern most tip of the reef and then spend up to an hour cruising with any current or gently swimming back to your boat mooring on the south side.

Finishing the dive in the top few meters of water, there are small fissures in the reef which are well worth exploring during your safety stops.

Some of my students I remember fondly as their enthusiasm, their love of the sea and their personality made teaching them a joy. There are also some, who should have never gone underwater or even climbed off the tree – their memories are hidden by blissful ignorance. But in the few rare instances there are one or two students whose lack of talent joins forces with amazing diligence and thirst for knowledge – and they are real challenges an instructor could face.

This is the story of such an individual:

The lady (Julia) of a vacationing Austrian couple represented the intellectual side of the family, being a psychiatrist, tough weighed only one fifth of the couple’s gross load despite her dress size number 36 and not the slim kind either. The man, Hans, a former heavy lifter, must have been an impressive sight during his peak period but the glory days had long gone. Nowadays he looked more like a rising dough spilling out of the baking pan. With the help of numerous aids like a shoe horn, industrial press, wooden spoon I squeezed the man into the largest diving suit available at the diving centre and we were off into the water. As we were waddling down to the beach, Hans slapped me on the back with gusto and shared with me his earlier diving experiences:

You knows, I been scubaing before but not like this with this boiler on my back. Just you know like with the frog paws and the fishnoculars. I needed the pipe ‘cause I was just getting my head out of the water the whole time like an emu. But I didn’t have no pipe. Hahaha! – he concluded his technical summary with a deep laugh.

There were really not that many problems with Hans but poor Julia gathered some experiences during the diving course that really hit home for a shrink. Back home she specialised in the treatment of panic disorders. She was a practising psychiatrist but by her own admission, during her Hippocratic activities she relied only on the materials she had studied at university and on her patients’ accounts. This time she finally took a trip to the other side of the wall that separates doctor from patient.

There are people who are like fish in water. Julia without a doubt did not belong to these people. After getting her head under the water following a 20-minute begging session, I could tell from the panic in her eyes which by that time had grown to the size of saucers, that we would wave each other good-bye soon. I could not have been more wrong.

The first diving attempt was over quickly. She was threading out of the waist-high water jumping to heights that would put any water polo goalkeeper to shame, flapping her arms wildly and every bone in her body said that she wanted to be any place in the world given that place was dry. I think she was leaning towards the Sahara. Despite everything, she told me with still bulging eyes that she was alright, she liked the diving thing only that thingy in her mouth and the air and the bubbles – well she just had to get used to them. We took a rest for 20 minutes, gathered our courage and went under the water again. After a few seconds it occurred to her that she was under the water again and slowly emerged the usual show: water polo water threading, flapping, drowning. After two and a half hours and with purple lips I tried to tell her that there was nothing wrong if she decided that this whole thing just was not for her but my hopes were built on quick sand. Julia was more persistent than the Russian winter.

This went on for long days. And during this time myself had become a practising psychiatrist. During the breaks out of the water I tried to calm her and at the same time boost her confidence while mumbling a few words about how different people can be and about the importance for tolerance, then we continued our underwater adventure. The cherry on the cake was Hans’s helpfulness – becoming my assistant instructor. Using his excellent analytical skills he quickly recognised the root of the problems and he was quite vocal about his opinion.

A short excerpt from one of our numerous short over-the-water breaks when the couple tried to talk to me all together at once:

H: She’s always like this. She makes up things and then you know the little engine in her head starts to work. But not that correct way you know just kinda funny…
J: And then suddenly I felt there was water in my mouth and I couldn’t breathe…
H: … and then she gets all brainy abut things she don’t need to. Julia, blow out that water like a normal person don’t just be hissing here!
J: … and I’m trying to calm myself but when this breathing thing doesn’t work…
H: … ’cause you know she already has this thing in her head that everything will go bad and start panicking already…
J: … this is what I always explain to my patients that they have to take deep breaths…
H: … if she wasn’t this brainy she’d do everything good the first time just she always thinks and that’s what she shouldn’t do!

And so on. Meanwhile my diving course hit the 7th hour, the sun met a purple death over the horizon and my dinner in the kitchen quietly started to decompose.

Translated by Anita Riberdy, based on the original short story “Hétköznapi kihívások” by András Szepesházi

Our old new favourite. Yes… There are days when we wake up and everything goes well. And there are days when we feel, before even we get up – so much for this day. If we had to put into words what we are feeling in moments like these, we would pretty much get a dramatic, tearful, who-cares kind of a story. Except, of course, if you can have a good laugh at yourself!

Believe it or not, some people actually do this! And in such a way that we are left with tears in our eyes and unable to continue reading on. And as we are reading these sad stories, all we can think of – if only I could be there…

Whatever happens, happens, does not it?

The authour lived an orderly life in the first 30 years of his life, working in an office in front of a computer, doing his weekly shopping at weekends, and diligently swearing his way through the Moscow Square area Monday traffic with his fellow sufferers.

And on a lovely early Sunday afternoon with his fresh scuba course certificate in hand from the Adriatic Sea, something snapped in him. He tried to convince himself near Karlovac that there is nothing strange about an IT specialist becoming a diving instructor.

By the time he arrived back to Budapest, the idea had turned into a detailed plan. And exactly a year later, the suits and ties moved to the back of the closet and the author, with a packed diving bag in hand, left the country. Eyewitnesses say he was headed for South-East with a big smile on his face…

Translated by Anita Riberdy, based on the original short story “Békalábnyomok” by András Szepesházi

Heading further south to the Sudanese border is an unexplored region which has a few surprises in store for divers. This is the true deep south and this is virgin territory. The charts are fairly inaccurate and many non-marked reefs suddenly appear out of nowhere, making navigation particularly hazardous.

The first immediately noticeable fish are the huge humphead parrotfish.

Among the hard corals are a profusion of brightly coloured chromis and damselfish. Every now and then a huge expanse of hard coral is broken by clumps of red-footed anemones and the attendant clownfish. In deeper water there is the usual Red Sea life, with nothing particularly different. A noticeable exception, however, is the sea bed, where cone shells appear to be thriving.

The main dive sites are about a day’s steam away from St John’s Reef with the season virtually all year round, but the challenge lies in persuading a like-minded group to join you on a trip with so few certainties.

The presence of sharks in this region is unique with encounters of some species not usually seen in the Red Sea such as the Mako. It shows that this unexplored region still has a few surprises in store for divers.

Sudan has proven to be once more one of the unsurpassed gems of the Red Sea for divers with its unique underwater sites, friendly atmosphere and superb climate.

During her 16 weeks in Sudan, Andromeda has sailed to the Northern dive sites 14 times and has spent 4 weeks at the Southern sites. She spent a week in the Port Sudan harbour due to the situation of the Iceland volcano eruption when a German group had had to cancel their tour because of airspace closings.

All in all, 346 divers have toured with us this season from 17 countries including the US, the UK, Slovakia, Belgium, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Holland, Spain, Finland, Portugal, France, Sweden, Russia and
Slovenia.

The most visited site was Shaab Rumi which Andromeda had visited 17 times. Thanks to the frequent presence of grey and hammerhead sharks, Shaab Rumi has provided the most exciting underwater adventure for the divers and at special requests, the boat has returned to the site seveal times during a tour.

This is the only place in the world where these amazing animals can be found in such great schools. At times hammerhead curtains have swum by us, counting up to 2-300 sharks.

All the outstanding underwater sites divers were able to see and their satisfaction with their holidays have helped to make these past 4 months in Sudan a great success. We extend our special thanks to our partners, tour operators and all those divers who have chosen us for their Sudan diving holiday this season.

Thank you for your support, the countless photos, Web links and appreciation we have received in the past weeks and months!

Next we are continuing our shark adventures in February, 2011 and we look forward to welcoming all diving instructors, diving schools, diving tour operators and individual divers who have not had the chance to join us this year or would like to make a repeat tour next year again.

Book your 2011 Sudan tours by 31.12.2010 and take advantage of our 2010 rates for 2011 as well! Contact your tour operator, tour organiser or send us an e-mail!

Here’s your chance to pick up photo pointers from a pro and improve your underwater photography at our Digital Underwater Photography Workshop. No previous knowledge is required!

Find out how to get the best from your digital underwater camera. The safari will be full of hints and tips regarding settings and technical features. No camera is too big or too small!

Date: 14 – 21 July 2010.
Onboard: Cassiopeia.
Route: From Hurghada to Hurghada (wrecks and Safaga)

If you are thinking of buying, upgrading or perhaps buying lenses or flash units, this will also be a great chance to check out the latest products.

Places may have to be limited depending upon the uptake, so please book early.

We hope to see you there! For any further details or with your booking requests, please e-mail us. Thank you very much.

That it is for know… join your dives!

Until next time happy bubbles és safe travels! All the best!

Please help to stop shark finning and keep sharks in the sea! Spread this message on the web!

This Yemeni fishing boat has been spotted in the southern Egyptian Red Sea, de-finning sharks! Please report any sighting of this vessel immediately!

Shark de-finning and fishing are criminal offences, prohibited and punishable by law in the Red Sea, in accordance to regulations set by the Governor of the Red Sea and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in 2006. This vessel has also violated international and Egyptian law by by transgressing into Egyptian waters.

The fishing vessel was observed at Zabargad and Brothers Islands by several safari boats, it was last observed near St. John’s at N 23° 24.945′ E 035° 59.282′ It is believed to still be in the area.

Do not approach the boat! Document any activity using photography or video and contact us immeddiately.

This is the time to collectively work together to end a direct threat on our ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on the Red Sea.

Please report any sighting immeddiately via:

HEPCA Office: (+2) 065 344 5035, 065 344 7728
HEPCA Mobile: (+2) 010 635 5011
E-mail: info@hepca.com
VHF Channel: 16

The wreck “Umbria” was built in Hamburg 1912 and started life as a freighter. Umbria has a cargo of 360.000 bombs that makes the exploring of the wreck still more exciting. The “Umbria” is one of the most famous sunken ships in the world. Lying in the shelter of Wingate Reef, just outside Port Sudan and largely unaffected by currents and tides, it is within easy reach of Port Sudan harbour.

The wreck lies at an angle on her port side with her starboard davits breaking the surface. At a maximum depth of 36m, the Umbria is shallow by most wreck divers’ standards. With plenty of light and good visibility, entering most of the ship is easy. The hull itself is completely intact, if heavily encrusted with marine life, and can be explored internally and externally along its entire length.

One of the most popular liveaboard diving itineraries in the Red Sea is again part of our diving program in June. Places are available right now to book onboard M/Y Cassiopeia! Amazingly beautiful wrecks, sharks, mantas, turtles and dolphins have made these diving spots deservingly popular.

Date: June 16 – 23. 2010
Route: Brothers / Daedalus / Elphinstone

Boat: Cassiopeia – Safety and luxury in one place

The spacious lounge area is air-conditioned and well equipped with an LCD TV / VCR, DVD and CD player and furnished according to European style. Arabian cafe The spacious room follows the original Oriental coffee shop design with shisha (waterpipe) smoking possibility, coffee, tea and original Arabic music.

The comfortable 100-square-metre sun deck provides plenty of space for sun seekers, as well as shaded area. Comfortable deck chairs and cushioned seats make time more pleasant. There is a smaller sun deck in front of the captain’s bridge. In front of the salon is a comfortable open but covered area for resting and chatting between dives and in the evening.

The large dive deck and dive platform area ensures more-than-adequate space for divers preparing for their next plunge into the Red Sea. 2 hand-held showers on the platform allow for a rinse after diving or snorkeling. A bathroom with shower and marine head leads directly off the dive deck. Equipment Rental of diving equipment can be arranged but should be booked well in advance. We do not keep rental gear on board. Tanks: 20x 12lt and 10×15lt aluminum tanks, K valves, DIN and INT with international adaptors. Weights are provided at no charge on the boat. Zodiacs: 2, each equipped with a 40HP engine.

Diver search and locate system is available onboard!

Now offering at an unbeatable price!

We hope to see you there! For any further details or with your booking requests, please contact us. Thank you very much.

That it is for know… join your dives!

Until next time happy bubbles és safe travels! All the best,