DIVE TRAVEL NEWS ARCHIVE

HAZARDOUS WRECK PROJECT OPEN DAY
'Le Hazardeux' was built in 1698 at Port Louis France as a third rate ship of the line with 50 guns and 350 crew. In 1703 She was loaned by the French Royal Navy to the French nobleman De Beaubriand of St. Malo who used her as a privateer under the command of Captain De La Rue. The ship was captured by the British, refitted and commissioned as the HAZARDOUS. In 1706 the HAZARDOUS sank during a storm in Bracklesham Bay. The wreck was discovered in 1977 and the site has been surveyed and excavated by local divers.
On Saturday 16th September 2006, the Hazardous Project Team will hold an open day to commemorate the final voyage of the HAZARDOUS. The event will be open to the public from 11a.m. onwards. It will include the permanent exhibition of artefacts recovered from the wreck along with the new project base funded by the Lottery Awards for All Scheme. There will be displays by the Hampshire & Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, English Heritage and the Nautical Archaeology Society amongst others. Visitors can try their hand at “Hands on Excavation” for treasure, see marine paintings by a local artist and take part in face-painting. The Open Day will be held at Earnley Butterflies & Gardens, located at 133 Almodington Lane, West Earnley, Sussex, PO20 7JR.
AB
Monday, August 28, 2006

MALARIA RISK IN BAHAMAS
In June, 18 people tested positive for malaria on Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas. Of these, 2 were from the U.S., 1 from Canada, and 1 from Germany. The Centre for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/travel) is temporarily recommending that travellers to Great Exuma take chloroquine, an antimalarial medication, as a preventative (it requires a prescription), and use mosquito repellents containing 30 to 50 percent DEET. No cases of malaria have been reported beyond Exuma.
AB
Thursday, July 20, 2006

SMALL BOAT HANDLING IN EUROPE
From the 1st July British divers can obtain the certification needed to operate a pleasure boat in Europe from the BSAC (they need not be members of BSAC, its open to anyone). Formally this was only available from the Royal Yachting Association. This certification may be necessary to even tow a boat in some continental countries and certainly to drive one.
Holders of the BSAC Boat Handling and Diver Coxswain qualifications can contact BSAC to obtain the EU International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICOPC), known as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC). The courses themselves are open to any diver with BSAC as the governing body working with PADI (who don't offer boat handing), SSAC and SAA through the Combined Diving Associations (CDA). See http://www.bsac.org/techserv/icc/iccinfo.htm and http://www.bsac.org/learn/seaman.htm for further information.
CS
Tuesday, July 11, 2006

NEW TECHNICAL CENTRE IN HURGHADA
Diversâ€^TM Lodge Hurghada, one of the leading diving operators in the Red Sea, is delighted to announce that it is now a BSAC Technical Centre.
BSAC Technical Centres are authorised to train and certify divers in Nitrox, Extended Range, Rebreather and other BSAC Technical Diving skills.
Divers' Lodge were the first dive team to bring Nitrox and Rebreather technology to the Red Sea in 1993 and were responsible for introducing Trimix and Technical Diving safaris to the area in 1994.
Divers' Lodge is based at the Intercontinental Resort & Casino in Hurghada.
For more information about Divers' Lodge please see www.divers-lodge.com
Wednesday, June 14, 2006

FOREIGN OFFICE LIFTS "DON'T TRAVEL" ADVICE ON VANUATU
The recommendation against travel to Pacific Islands of Vanuatu following volcanic activity has been lifted. Still cautions both on earthquake and volcanic activity along with warning that crime rates in tourist areas appear to be rising. Recommends full travel insurance.
cs
Thursday, June 08, 2006

TRAVEL ADVISORY: SOLOMON ISLANDS
The FCO has issued a warning advising against all but essential travel to the Solomon Islands due to the political situation.
To get the latest advice, review the FCO page on a regular basis and monitor the situation closely
FCO Website
AB
Tuesday, May 09, 2006

DAHAB HIT BY EXPLOSIONS
Three explosions rocked the Egyptian resort city of Dahab today killing at least 18 people and wounding more than 150 at just one hotel, according to the doctor in charge of the Sinai peninsula rescue squad.
Police said the explosions hit the central part of the city where there are many shops, restaurants, bars and guesthouses. The blasts ripped through the town shortly after nightfall when the streets would have been jammed with tourists, mainly with Europeans, Israelis and expatriates living in Egypt.
In Israel, the country's rescue service said it had raised the alert level. Israeli Channel 10 TV reported that Israel had closed the border crossing at Taba, preventing vehicles from entering Sinai. It said a stream of Israeli vehicles were leaving Sinai.
Israel's ambassador in Cairo, Shalom Cohen, told Israel's Channel 10 TV that there were three explosions, hitting a hotel, a police station and a marketplace.
AB
Monday, April 24, 2006

EGYPT PROMOTES RED SEA CAUSEWAY!
Egypt is promoting a $3 billion causeway across the Red Sea linking Sharm el-Sheikh resort with Saudi Arabia's northwestern Duba port in the wake of another ferry tragedy. The causeway or bridge would begin north of Sharm and cross the Straits of Tiran.
The project was first made public two years ago when the Egyptian transport minister at the time said the two countries were planning to establish a causeway across the Red Sea to facilitate transportation of pilgrims, tourists and cargo. The minister added that the project would cost $3 billion and its implementation would depend on technical studies.
The building work involved would spell danger for reefs already under pressure from hotel building on the Sinai coast. The reefs around Tiran Island are currently the most pristine in this part of the Red Sea.
AB
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

BODIES SPOTTED IN SEARCH FOR "DISAPPEARED" RED SEA CRUISE SHIP
Bodies have been spotted in the Red Sea where an Egyptian passenger liner with 1,300 people on board disappeared from radar screens last night.
Saudi and Egyptian naval vessels and helicopters are conducting a search for the ship, Salaam 98, which disappeared from radar screens shortly after sailing from the port of Duba, western Saudi Arabia, at 7pm local time on Thursday night. The ship was due to have arrived at Egypt's southern port of Safaga at 3am local time, but did not arrive.
"We lost all contact with the ship shortly after it left the Saudi port," said one maritime official at Suez.
The ship is owned by the Egyptian company El-Salaam Maritime Transport and was carrying 1,300 passengers, the official added. Some of the passengers are believed to be pilgrims returning from the annual Hajj to Mecca, which ended last month. Egyptian maritime officials say lifeboats containing people have been spotted in vicinity of where cruise liner was last seen on radar. An Egyptian helicopter later spotted a lifeboat carrying three people, an official said. He added the search was being hampered by bad weather.
The sister ship to the Salaam 98 sank in October 2005 after a collision but in that case all passengers were rescued.
AB
Friday, February 03, 2006

DIRECT FLIGHTS TO NICOBAR AND ANDAMAN ISLANDS SOON!
Direct international flights are soon to be allowed to land in Port Blair which is being declared an international airport. Until now travel to these remote islands has necessitated flying first to India and then taking a very expensive internal flight. The move comes as part of plans to help the islands rebuild after the tsunami of December 2004.
AB
Thursday, January 19, 2006

BETTER CORAL REEFS - BAN FISHING
We hear coral reefs are endangered by global warming, disease, pollution and even divers. Now its been found in a study of the marine parks of Exuma, Bahamas by scientists, lead by marine biologist Peter Mumby of Exeter University, that banning commercial fishing allows larger fish, including top predator sharks and grouper, to mature. These keep the reef in balance allowing better coral growth. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0105_060105_reef_fish.html?source=rss
CS
Tuesday, January 10, 2006

SHARKS AND FISH BACK IN NEWS
Sharks are back in the news with the death of 21 year old Sarah Whiley while swimming in murky waters off Stradbroke, Queensland, Australia, but sharks are still more at risk from us than we are from them. Australia is battling with small fast boats raiding from Indonesia for shark fins in Australian waters (estimated 400 boats from Papela harbour currently, its worried other are likely to start from other harbours). Diplomatically this causing tensions between the two governments with Indonesia saying its accidental.
In Europe every countries fishing fleets catch sharks, traditionally France, the UK and Norway account for 75% of the catch (in the UK and France Piked Dogfish, widely known as "rock salmon" is the most common) and most has been used as food. Dogfish are now depleted enough in the EU we import. Shark fining (where the body is discarded with only the fins kept) has been growing in Europe, particularly from Spanish fleets (the EU now dominates supplies to Hong Kong with 27% of the market, 6.5 thousand tonnes of dried shark fins were exported from the EU to China in 2002). The EU Fisheries Minister, on 22 Dec 2005, announced fishing quotas well beyond what scientific evidence suggested was sustainable let alone low enough to allow for fish stock recovery and nothing seems to have been put in place to halt shark finning or reduce shark take. Shark finning has not been banned in the EU, but is in many countries.
UK Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett and Marine Affairs Minister Ben Bradshaw worked hard to keep quotas high and stop conservation measures taking full effect. This might be contrasted with the recent Egyptian governments decision on the Red Sea where all shark fishing has recently been made illegal with tough enforcement's put in place.
CS
Tuesday, January 10, 2006

REGALDIVE OFFER NEW RESORT IN EGYPT'S DEEP SOUTH
BSAC Preferred Travel Partner, Regaldive, are now offering holidays to a new resort in Egypt's deep south region - Hamata. 180km south of Marsa Alam, Hamata is the southernmost diving resort in the Egyptian Red Sea and offers divers immaculate, uncrowded dive sites and ultimate relaxation away from the crowds. Recommended for experienced divers, the pristine sites of the region are characterised by warm waters, excellent visibility and exquisite coral varieties. The legendary Fury Shoal is right on the doorstep of Hamata, offering guests over 35 recognised dive sites within two hours' boat ride of the dive centres. Once the sole preserve of liveaboards, the pristine sites of the region are still relatively undived. However, with direct flights now available into Marsa Alam throughout the year, the Hamata area is becoming more accessible to divers. More details in the next edition of BSAC Traveller, due out in February. Or visit Regaldive Here
Remember to quote your BSAC Membership to get a discount off the brochure price.
AB
Monday, January 09, 2006

HEALTH WARNINGS - WEST AFRICA
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a warning about the importance of taking anti-malarial medication when travelling to known malarious destinations. This follows two deaths and four other cases of malaria in travellers returning from The Gambia who did not take the appropriate anti-malarial medication.
Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal illness, which is passed on to humans through mosquito bites. Nearly two thousand cases of malaria are reported in returning UK travellers each year, of which around 1 in 100 die. Yet, it can be effectively and easily avoided by taking anti-malarial medication and other precautionary measures.
Anti-malarial medication must be taken prior to travelling, while abroad, and for a period after returning. In addition, simple measures to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing insect repellent and cover-up clothing and sleeping under an insecticide-treated net are also highly effective and add enormously to the benefits of drug protection.
JG
Friday, December 30, 2005

GRENADA BOUNCES BACK!
The Spice Islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique are open for business and greeting visitors with their traditional warm Grenadian welcome. Divers and non divers alike come to enjoy the white and gold sand beaches and of course the spectacular diving. Grenada offers a huge variety to the diver, both reefs and wrecks including "the Titanic of the Caribbean", the Bianca C. Read what Grenada can offer you for your next holiday at Our Grenada Page
AB
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

2006 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION - FANTASTIC PRIZES
Keen photographers should start submitting work now for the 2006 Photography Competition - full details here:
Photography Award 2006

We have some fantastic prizes this year. In the main category the first prize is a wonderful diving holiday for two people on the islands of Grenada and Carriacou including return flights, accommodation and full diving package. This superb prize has been donated by the Grenada Tourist Board.

In the newcomer's award, we have again a generous £300 to spend on camera equipment courtesy of Cameras Underwater.
AB
Saturday, December 10, 2005

GREECE TO EASE DIVING RESTRICTIONS
The Greek Government is preparing legislation to ease diving restrictions around the coast of the mainland and islands. In the past, diving has been restricted in order to protect shipwrecks and to deter antiquities smugglers. The new legislation will open up much more of the coastline for sport diving and may lead to the formation of
reserves in which marine life is protected from fishing. The revised laws should also allow for the recognition of a wider set of sport diving qualifications.
JG
Tuesday, November 22, 2005

THANK YOU UNDERSEA EXPLORER
Pedro Vieyra winner of the 2004 BSAC Travel Club Underwater Photographic Competition has just returned from The Great Barrier Reef trip sponsored by Undersea Explorer.
Read the full report here.
Tuesday, November 8, 2005

FCO TRAVEL UPDATE FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The FCO have updated their advice for visitors to Trinidad and Tobago. Four small explosions have taken place in public areas of Port of Spain since July, the most recent on 14 October. Ten people were injured in the latest incident. The police are investigating all four incidents.
While most visits to Trinidad and Tobago are trouble-free, you should be aware that there are increasing levels of violent crime, especially shootings and kidnappings. British nationals have been victims of recent violent attacks in both islands. Particular care should be taken when travelling from Piarco Airport, as there have been incidents of violent theft by gangs who follow cars and attack their victims when they reach their destination.
Crime against tourists in Tobago is a concern. There have been a number of serious robberies against tourists in Tobago in 2004 and 2005. Some of these incidents have been accompanied by violence, including rape, against foreign nationals. A number of these attacks have been targeted against privately rented villas in the south west of the island. You should ensure that security officers are present at such villas, to provide protection day and night.Be alert. Do not visit isolated beaches. Use taxis after dark. On 18 May, an Italian national was shot and British nationals were sexually assaulted at Englishman's Bay. You should exercise extreme caution when visiting remote beach areas without organised tour groups and appropriate security measures being in place. If in doubt, you should consult the tour operator or hotel staff.
AB
Saturday, October 15, 2005

FCO TRAVEL UPDATE FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The FCO have updated their advice for visitors to Trinidad and Tobago. Four small explosions have taken place in public areas of Port of Spain since July, the most recent on 14 October. Ten people were injured in the latest incident. The police are investigating all four incidents.
While most visits to Trinidad and Tobago are trouble-free, you should be aware that there are increasing levels of violent crime, especially shootings and kidnappings. British nationals have been victims of recent violent attacks in both islands. Particular care should be taken when travelling from Piarco Airport, as there have been incidents of violent theft by gangs who follow cars and attack their victims when they reach their destination.
Crime against tourists in Tobago is a concern. There have been a number of serious robberies against tourists in Tobago in 2004 and 2005. Some of these incidents have been accompanied by violence, including rape, against foreign nationals. A number of these attacks have been targeted against privately rented villas in the south west of the island. You should ensure that security officers are present at such villas, to provide protection day and night.Be alert. Do not visit isolated beaches. Use taxis after dark. On 18 May, an Italian national was shot and British nationals were sexually assaulted at Englishman's Bay. You should exercise extreme caution when visiting remote beach areas without organised tour groups and appropriate security measures being in place. If in doubt, you should consult the tour operator or hotel staff.
AB
Saturday, October 15, 2005

FCO ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR BALI/INDONESIA
The British FCO have issued a travel advisory warning against all travel to Bali and Indonesia following the bombings there on October 1st. There remains a high threat to Westerners and Western interests and extreme caution should be exercised at all times.
AB
Monday, October 10, 2005

FRENCH POLYNESIA DECLARED "DISASTER AREA"
The French Polynesia government's Council of Ministers will declare "a state of natural disaster" for islands and atolls damaged by last weekend's powerful swells. The swells were not caused by a cyclone or and were not part of a tsunami, the French meteorological service reported Tuesday. Instead, the swells, a series of waves gradually diminishing in size, were provoked by a strong tropical depression 2,000 kms (1,243 miles) south of French Polynesia a week ago.
Bora Bora was hit and the InterContinental Moana Beach has had to close its doors for at least six months. Other island groups including the Tuamotos were also affected when the seas rose several feet and flooded the low lying islets.
AB
Thursday, September 22, 2005

UK SHARK FINS TO BE EXPORTED
Reported in The Times is that a fisherman and fish dealer, Trevor Page, of Lowestoft, Suffolk through his company W.E.T. Mullender is planing on targeting sharks in British coastal waters for export. The dorsal fins will be sold to Hong Kong and the rest of China while most of the flesh will be sold to Sri Lanka.
European fisheries already supply about 27 percent of the fins to the world shark fin market but the UK has not generally participated. Most areas where sharks have been intensively fished for any length of time have seen populations seriously depleted due to the low reproductive rate of all the shark families. This is not sustainable fishing but quick buck economics without an interest in longer term consequences.
cs
Wednesday, August 10, 2005

TONY DOES IT AGAIN!
Our Photographic Correspondent, Tony Baskeyfield reports...
"I've just returned from the Seychelles, and I came back with two trophies from the SUBIOS competition, one for first place in the digital photography last year and I also won first place in the public vote this year with this shot of a clown fish and a trip back to Seychelles next year and a commended for the pic of the Giannis D.
So thats four first places with my photography in the last 6 months. Two trips to the Seychelles with two lovely glass trophies and a load of camera equipment.
Watch out for my trip report on Seychelles. I dived with 6 dive centres around Mahe and had world class diving at all locations.
The SUBIOS competition is more than just an international underwater photography competition. It's a week long event about education and marine conservation of their precious resource. The sea and all that is in it around their islands. They have made the whale shark a protected species in their waters. So there was art and poems about the sea and sea creatures for the young with swimming competitions, films and presentations in the evenings for all in Beau Vallon on Mahe with marquees and a big screen close to the beach. I gave a 45 minute presentation on underwater photography. It was a really friendly party atmosphere. We were given our awards on TV in front of the president and ministers including the environment minister in the capital Victoria (We were his guests for a meal later that evening).
So the little islands of the Seychelles are making a big statement about education and conservation of their marine environment.
What a great time we all had celebrating the sea..."
Wednesday, June 8, 2005

TRAVEL ADVICE - EGYPT
In Cairo in April this year, there were 3 separate terrorist incidents that resulted in the deaths of 3 tourists. This follows the deaths of 34 people in bombings in the Sinai in October 2004. As a result, the British Embassy advises that there is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. 2005 is also an election year in Egypt and it is possible that there will be political demonstrations and rallies later this year which may become associated with violence. However, the threat should be set in context against the 547,000 British nationals who enjoyed trouble-free visits last year. Travel advice can be found at www.britishembassy.gov.uk.
JG
Tuesday, May 17, 2005

TRAVEL ADVICE - TURKEY
The UEFA Champions’ League Final will be held in Istanbul on 25 May 2005. Over this period hotels in Istanbul will be very busy. The British Embassy travel advice for Turkey is that the threat from terrorism in Turkey generally remains high following the bomb attacks in November 2003 and a number of small-scale terrorist attacks that have subsequently been mounted against western interests. Travellers are also reminded that it is illegal not to carry photographic ID while in Turkey - the Embassy recommends carrying a photocopy of your passport at all times.
JG
Tuesday, May 17, 2005

SRI LANKA TOURISM
Tourism figures are almost back to normal in Sri Lanka following the tsunami disaster. March was the first time that sales figures returned to normal compares with the same period last year.
Meanwhile, more than 600 room swill be built in Colombo over the next two years, while new regions are being promoted in an attempt to attract a wider variety of visitors.
Work will soon begin on the Hyatt Regency Colombo whilst Sheraton is planning a new hotel and conference centre.
Tourism is the island’s fourth biggest industry generating $212 million last year alone while British visitors are the country’s number one market with 106,000 visiting last year.
Why not take a look at the BSAC Travel Club and make your trip to Sri Lanka this year? www.bsactravelclub.co.uk with up to 10% of holidays exclusively to BSAC members – it’s too good an opportunity to miss.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Post Tsunami Update - LATEST REPORTS FROM DIVERS
With many resorts undamaged or repaired local tourist workers are desperate for tourists NOT to cancel their holiday plans. Please visit our Post Tsunami page for the latest information. Hoteliers say the only way they can continue to support local economies is if tourists return. Every day they get new cancellations. Tour operators say about half of those with existing bookings have decided against travelling, offering a variety of reasons. Some feel it inappropriate to lie on beaches so close to the scene of human tragedy, others are concerned that bodies might be floating in the sea, or that staff at the hotels will be walking around with long faces.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Tourists will not see refugees in tents or families crowding around water pipes. The most noticeable difference from previous winters is that the hotels are less crowded and the atmosphere less “buzzy”.
BSAC Travel Club have set up a Tsunami Information Exchange to allow visiting tourists and divers to exhange information on which sites are unaffected. To find the latest reports from the official sources and from visiting divers click Here.
If you have holidayed or dived any of the Indian Ocean resorts and would like to tell other divers about what you found, please mail your report to tsunami@bsac.com
AB
Friday, April 13th, 2005

TRAVEL CLUB CORRESPONDENT WINS ANOTHER AWARD!
Tony Baskeyfield, Travel Club Photographic Correspondent, has won another top award for his photography. He scooped first prize at the Ordinance Survey Outdoors Show held at the NEC 18-20 March 2005. The competition was run in association with Dive magazine and was themed 'My Favourite Dive' and judged by Arctic Encounters adventurer Graham Dickson. To read more about this and see Tony's fantastic shark pictures click Here.
AB
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005

SCIENTISTS REPORT SEVERE REEF DAMAGE IN SIMILIAN ISLANDS
Scientists are calling on the Thai government to ban diving and other activities in the Similian Islands because it has been found that the tsunami has severely damaged coral reefs.
Surveys have found severe and widespread damage especially on the east side of the Similians. Experts estimate that up to 20% of the coral is dead. The scientists argue that other damaged areas could recover if they are sealed off and fully protected. Reefs that have been damaged are "The Wall", "Christmas Tree Point" and "Snapper Alley".
AB
Friday, January 14, 2005

REGALDIVE TSUNAMI UPDATE
Following on from the tragedy in Southeast Asia, Regaldive would like to reassure clients that they are continuing to operate to the region. There has never been a more important time to show support to this area.
Thailand
The team at Scuba Cat have advised that all their staff are safe and that both MV Scuba Cat and MV Scuba Adventure are in normal operation. The Dive Centre in Patong sustained minor damage and is expected to be fully operational again before the end of January. Early reports show that the corals and dive sites are largely undamaged.
The Maldives
All Regaldive islands and boats in the Maldives are operating normally. The airport at Male is fully operational with both boat and seaplane transfers running to normal schedules.
Other Destinations
Departures to Manado, Borneo, Pemba and all other Regaldive destinations are unaffected but clients are encouraged to call us on 0870 2201 777 should they have any questions.
Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this tragic incident. Regaldive has made a donation to the disaster fund and would like to encourage donations at www.dec.org.uk.
AB
Thursday, January 06, 2005

TRAVEL CLUB PHOTOGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENT WINS AWARD
Tony Baskeyfield, a former diving officer for Peterborough Sub Aqua Club and BSAC Travel Club Photographic Correspondent has travelled the world searching for his subject matter, a search which has paid off - he has won first place in the SUBIOS Seychelle Underwater Festival for digital photography.
The winning picture is of a porcelain crab which he took while diving off the coast of Indonesia. Tony (47), said: "I'm delighted to win such a prestigious award. It was a great surprise to get the news. It has taken six years to get recognised for all the pictures I have taken."
You can read Tony's guide to taking your own winning underwater shots in our Photographic Guide. Congratulations Tony!
AB
Monday, January 03, 2005

AFTERSHOCKS CONTINUE TO ROCK INDONESIA AND ANDAMAN AREA
Two quakes, measuring 5.7 and 6.1 on the Richter scale, jolted the Andaman and Nicobar island territory in the span of 10 minutes just after 0700 IST today. While the epicentre of the first quake was near Camotra in the Little Nicobar Islands, the second was centred near Car Nicobar Islands which witnessed widespread devastation caused by Sunday's giant waves. Another moderate quake, measuring 5.4, occurred at 0744 IST off the west coast of Andaman.
It was not yet clear whether any fresh casualty or damage was caused by the latest quakes. An earthquake measuring 5.1, epicentred near the south of Little Andaman islands, had shook the region at 2241 IST on Tuesday.
Aftershocks continued to jolt Indonesia too, with an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale being felt near the country's west coast at around 2019 hours on Tuesday.
Strong aftershocks from the Indonesian earthquake will be felt for "weeks and months" but more killer-magnitude tremblers and deadly tsunamis were unlikely, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey said on Wednesday. It was stated that some of the aftershocks would be "strong and severe" but that nothing of a magnitude of 9 was remotely anticipated.
AB
Wednesday, December 29, 2004

MALDIVES TSUNAMI RESORT UPDATE
The Government of the Maldives have issued the following statement this afternoon.
Most of the Maldivian tourist resorts have been fortunate to be spared the brunt of the Tsunami as a result of the earthquake off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on December 26, 2004.
The exclusive popular island resorts of the Maldives are open for business as usual, except for about 6 resorts that have registered considerable damage. Tourists who were on the affected resorts have been evacuated and they are now safe and secure. Many of them have now been flown to their home countries.
The Malé International Airport is operational except for landings at night. Charter flights are resuming their regular schedules to the Maldives. The seaplane transfer service from the Airport to the resorts is expected to be on track in the next 2 to 3 days. Whilst, boat transfers schedules are back to normal.
The Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives has worked closely with the resorts, tour operators, travel agents and the airlines to keep the tourism industry running smoothly.
There is a special webpage which details which of the tourist islands are fully operational/semi operational and not in operation. There would appear to be more than 6 is the latter category but this may not be due to the tsunami, or it may reflect the understandable communications difficulties of the situation.
http://www.visitmaldives.com.mv/mu/latest/update_situation_assessment.php
AB
Monday, December 27, 2004

KUONI ADVICE RE 2100 TRAVELLERS IN MALDIVES, SRI LANKA, MALAYSIA & THAILAND
Kuoni have issued the following statement to relatives and friends of the 2100 Kuoni customers currently on holiday in Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka and western Malaysia.
http://www.kuoni.co.uk/seainformation.html
AB
Monday, December 27, 2004

Q&A Regarding Travel to Regions affected by the Tsunami
The BBC has published a FAQ for travellers about to travel to areas affected by the tsunami.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4128413.stm
AB
Monday, December 27, 2004

GIANT WAVE KILLS THOUSANDS
BSAC members and others will be aware of the tragedy unfolding in SE Asia today following the Tsunami (giant wave) that has hit many low lying areas in the region stretching from Sumatra in Indonesia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The huge wave followed a devastating earthquake centred close to the island of Phuket in southern Thailand. Many thousands of people are feared to have lost their lives. It is inevitable that divers and the diving community will have been badly affected.
It is expected that there will be British casualties among the many lost. The UK Foreign Office has issues an emergency telephone number if you have need to check the situation or whereabouts of friends or relatives in the region. It is: 0207 0080 000
DSD
Sunday, December 26, 2004

TORCHES, BATTERIES AND SUCH ON FLIGHTS
Some travellers have reported that they have had difficulties with airlines and or airport security staff just recently (mid December) regarding diving torches. Some airports say they are prohibited (even dismantled), others are saying not in carry-on bags while others not in checked baggage. i.e. no worldwide consensus - the realistic worry is heat generated by a torch accidentally turned on. Best to travel with dive torches dismantled and batteries separate to at least reduce the likelihood of confiscation.
Batteries, particularly NiMH rechargeable, if shorted can produce a lot of heat. Again these are being occasionally targeted by airport security and airport to airport the instructions may be different whether to put in carry-on or checked bags. At least put them in strong plastic containers with no metal present, maybe it's time for those specialised holders. Don't put them loose in your pocket either, reports of burns when one has shorted against keys.
CS
Thursday, December 23, 2004

CARIBBEAN HURRICANE DAMAGE UPDATE
After some of the islands received a pounding from Hurricanes, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, the Caribbean is facing an uphill battle to get things ready for high season in December. Many of the islands were absolutely untouched but in some cases recovery will take a considerable time. Check the latest on your favourite destination here
AB
Monday, November 08, 2004

TOURIST HUNTING OF SEALS
Norway's fishery authorities consider coastal seals a predator for the fish population and proposed that visiting tourists be allowed to hunt them. This is due to start in January 2005. Environmental groups and some in the tourism industry are opposed but some package holidays are already being advertised. Some other rather less than ecologically sound travel ideas - Norway: trippers spend a day whale-watching ... then tuck into whale steak for supper. Faroe Islands: visitors go out in boats to watch local whale hunters.
CS
Wednesday, October 13, 2004

GREAT WHITES AND MINKE WALES
The UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) has put the Great White Sharks up to a listing on Appendix II which limits exploitation with permits required. They have been targeted by both commercial fishing and sport fishing for fins and trophy catches even though previously listed on the less restrictive Appendix III. The new regulation will hopefully preserve more of these animals. The Convention also turned down Japan's request to move the listing of minke whales from Appendix I to II which would have allowed more exploitation. The humphead wrasse, a favorite of divers on coral reefs but also a delicacy on far eastern restaurant menus, has also been listed in Appendix II.
CS
Wednesday, October 13, 2004

BOMBING ROCKS TABA HOTEL AREA
An explosion has torn through The Hilton, Taba, a resort hotel in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where Israelis were vacationing at the end of a Jewish holiday on Thursday night, killing at least 30 people and wounding more than 160, officials said. Some reports put the toll at 35. Hundreds have been injured.
Israeli security officials said a car bomb caused the explosion, which was followed by two smaller blasts at other tourist sites in the Sinai. The huge blast collapsed a 10-storey wing of the luxury Hilton hotel built by Israel when it controlled Taba from 1967 to 1989. Israelis described a chaotic scene as the explosion brought the top floors of the hotel crashing into the lobby
The timing of the night's bombings have coincided with the seven-day Sukkot Jewish holiday, which traditionally results in 10,000 Israelis crossing the border to the Sinai peninsula. Israeli security forces had warned Israeli travellers against visiting Egyptian resorts on the Red Sea amid concerns they could be targeted by Palestinian militants waging a four-year-old uprising or by Islamic groups.
But for many visitors, the allure of the five-star hotels, pristine beaches and diving locations that define the region, has proven too hard to resist. Tourists are routinely taken around the country in armed convoys, with extra protection given to visitors from Israel. The movements of independent travellers are restricted; they may catch only certain trains on the line parallel with the Nile, and no more than four may travel on a long-distance bus.
The economic consequences of last night's blasts for Egypt's fragile tourist industry will be serious. Visitor numbers had recovered after the attacks in the 1990s and the effects of 11 September. But given diplomatic sensitivities, it is unlikely that the Foreign Office will counsel against holidays in Egypt. About 350,000 British travellers are expected to visit Egypt this year, many of them to the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab and Nuweiba. Even after the Luxor attack in 1997, the UK government stopped short of warning against visits to Egypt.
AB
Friday, October 8, 2004

MALTA DIVE CENTRE LICENSING
To improve safety the Maltese Tourist Authority introduced a licensing system for dive centres on Malta, Gozo, and Calypso. With complaints from some centres who had obtained these licences the tourist authority is starting to crack down on ones who have not obtained them. Its best to check that any centre you might use is licensed as legally all diving has to registered. Their have been centres and instructors setting up just for short term summer diving without licences.
The requirements for a medical seem to have been relaxed so self certification may now be accepted at the centres discretion instead of the requirement for a local full diving medical. Also see the earlier MALTA report (Aug 18th) for other changes.
cs
Sunday, October 03, 2004

IVAN DEVASTATES GRAND CAYMAN
The residents of Grand Cayman are beginning to take stock after Hurricane Ivan smashed apartment complexes to bits. It reduced homes to rubble as it inflicted a near-direct hit on Sunday on the three tiny islands that make up the British territory of 45,000 people. No deaths have been confirmed although the damage has been severe. There was still no electricity or running water, residents said, and phone service was patchy.
"This is the first time in the modern history of the Cayman Islands that people have felt what it is like to be without modern conveniences for any extended period of time," Cayman Net News, an online news service, reported.
The eastern end of Grand Cayman appears to have been worst affected. Hundreds of homes are reported to have been flattened. Mariners Cove, a complex of 20 apartments, was "washed into the street,” "It was taken right off its foundations basically. Totally gone, not one unit left," a witness reported.
Aerial reports suggest that at some point the entire island – which is very low-lying – must have been underwater. "It sent a wave across the island. Some inland homes are showing a high water mark of around five feet. Fish were found three miles (five km) inland in people's homes," a resident said in a telephone interview, adding authorities had imposed a curfew as a result of looting during Sunday's hurricane strike. Before the line went dead, he said it may take weeks and maybe months for crews to restore power to all parts of the island. Authorities were using bulldozers and other heavy equipment in a bid to clear roads that had been under 20 feet of water when the waves rushed through the streets on the island.
Two British ships were off the coast of Grand Cayman, the HMS Richmond and the auxiliary fleet tanker Wave Ruler. Paul Parrack, a spokesman for the Royal Navy, said two boats from the HMS Richmond managed to go ashore at Grand Cayman on Tuesday afternoon despite very rough weather. The island's hospital is fully functional and it did not appear medical teams would need to go ashore, Parrack said. The airport is open and relief flights have landed with emergency supplies.
It is not yet known whether there are long term effects to the famous reefs and other sites that have made the island world famous for scuba diving.
AB
Wednesday, September 15, 2004

DEADLINE FOR NEW TIGHTER PROCEDURES AT U.S. AIRPORTS APPROACHES
With only weeks to go before sweeping policy shifts begin affecting foreign visitors at American airports, U.S. officials are intensifying their efforts to inform travellers from more than 20 industrialized nations to prepare for tough new entry requirements. At the end of September, travellers from 27 nations, including Britain, will, for the first time, be photographed and fingerprinted at American airports before being permitted to enter the United States. At the end of October, passengers from 22 countries, mostly in Europe, will have to carry machine-readable passports to visit without visas.
Officials at the Department of Homeland Security plan to start running advertisements in British and Australian newspapers this month, advising travellers that U.S. airport inspectors will start collecting digital fingerprints and photographs on Sept. 30.
Tourists from Europe and other industrialized nations are not typically required to apply for visas to visit the United States, but they will have to do so if they do not have machine-readable passports by the Oct. 26 deadline. Machine readable passports have been issued in Britain since 1988 but British passports issued overseas may not fulfil this requirement.
The following countries are affected by the requirement of machine-readable passports or a visa to gain entry to the United States: Andorra Australia Austria Belgium Britain Brunei Denmark Finland France Germany Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Liechtenstein Luxembourg Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal San Marino Singapore Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland
Biometric Passports:
US law originally required that travellers under the Visa Waiver Programme carrying passports issued after 26 October 2004 would need to hold biometric passports. The President has agreed a one-year deferral of this requirement, to October 2005.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and UK Passport Service (UKPS) have welcomed this decision, which will now enable British travellers with valid machine-readable passports issued before the new deadline to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme up to, and beyond, October 2005. The primary biometric identifier approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation is a facial recognition biometric (which can be derived from a passport photograph). The UKPS and FCO, in collaboration with international partners, (including the US), have a programme of work in place to implement this biometric in British passports from late 2005/early 2006.
AB
Friday, September 10, 2004

HURRICANE IVAN RIPS THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
Hurricane Ivan has brought widespread devastation to the Caribbean "spice isle" island of Grenada, damaging 90 per cent of homes and destroying a 17th century stone prison that left criminals on the loose as looting erupted. The storm, which has already pounded Barbados and is blamed for at least 12 deaths, is the most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in 10 years. It is now on course for Jamaica, Cuba and the southern United States.
"We are terribly devastated ... It's beyond imagination," Prime Minister Keith Mitchell told his people and the world — from aboard a British Royal Navy vessel that rushed to the rescue. Crews from HMS Richmond and the British supply ship Wave Ruler went to the island to help people stranded as Hurricane Ivan struck. A spokesman for the MoD said: "Officers on the ground have been helping providing relief and with the hospital."
Before it slammed into Grenada, Ivan gave Barbados and St. Vincent a battering damaging hundreds of homes and cutting utilities.
Details on the extent of the death and destruction in Grenada did not emerge until Wednesday because the storm cut all communications with the country of 100,000 people, and halted radio transmissions on the island. Mitchell, whose own home was flattened, said 90 per cent of houses on the island were damaged and he feared the death toll would rise. He said much of the country's agriculture had been destroyed, including the primary nutmeg crop.
"If you see the country today, it would be a surprise to anyone that we did not have more deaths than it appears at the moment," Mitchell said. Within hours, Grenada's Police Commissioner Roy Bedaau raised the death toll to 12, in an interview with Voice of Barbados radio, but he provided no details. UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said virtually every major building in St. George's has suffered structural damage. Grenada's once-quaint capital boasted English Georgian and French provincial buildings.
The United Nations is sending a disaster team, Eckhard said in New York. The Caribbean disaster response agency, based in Barbados, said its team arrived Wednesday afternoon along with US aid and Pan American Health Organization officials.
The storm strengthened to become a Category 5 on a scale of 5. It packed sustained winds of 160 mph (255 kph) with higher gusts as it passed north of the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
Ivan is expected to reach Jamaica by Friday and Cuba by the weekend, the US National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
"After Jamaica, it's probably going to hit somewhere in the US, unfortunately," meteorologist Jennifer Pralgo said. "We're hoping it's not Florida again, but it's taking a fairly similar track to Charley at the moment." Hurricane Charley killed 27 people in southwest Florida last month and caused an estimated US$6.8 billion in insured damage. All tourists and as many others as possible have already been evacuated from the Florida Keys in advance of Ivan’s arrival.
Jamaica posted a hurricane watch Wednesday afternoon and ordered all schools closed and fishermen to pull their skiffs ashore and head for dry land. Jamaicans living in coastal areas have been urged to move inland as a matter of urgency. Haiti's southwest peninsula was on hurricane watch and the city of Les Cayes had already suffered hours of drenching downpours last night. Over 800 tourists have been evacuated from Jamaica to the Dominion Republic.
The southwest coast of Haiti and Dominican Republic were under hurricane and tropical storm watch. Cayman Islands posted a hurricane watch. A hurricane warning remained in effect for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Colombia's northeastern Guajira peninsula and Venezuela's north coast were under hurricane watch and tropical storm warning.
Longterm damage to the diving infrastructure and reef formations is still undetermined.
AB
Friday, September 10, 2004

FLIGHT e TICKET PROBLEMS
A number of cases have recently come to light involving passengers being refused flights for which they have purchased e tickets. Most airlines require passengers when
checking - in to present the credit or debit card used to make the booking and may, in extreme instances, refuse to allow passengers to fly. In these cases, the cost of the
flight may not be refunded. The best option will be to play it safe and ensure that the relevant card is carried during check - in procedures.
Monday, August 30, 2004

REVISED REGULATIONS FOR DIVING IN MALTA
BSAC Direct reports that regulations governing scuba diving in Malta have been revised this year to the benefit of recreational divers. The requirement for a signed doctor’s certificate of fitness to dive has been removed and most divers will be able to self - certify their fitness. The previous minimum age of 14 for diving has been rescinded and divers will in future be allowed to dive at the minimum age set by their certifying agency. Under 18s will still need written approval from a parent or guardian. Nitrox and Trimix gasses have now been sanctioned by the authorities and many dive centres have installed the necessary blending equipment. Finally, the rules concerning diving independently without a dive centre guide have been relaxed and independent diving is permitted subject to providing proof of qualification.
JG
Wednesday, August 18, 2004

DIVING FESTIVAL, KALYMNOS, GREECE
Kalymnos Island in Greece, also known as the Sponge divers’ Island, will host a diving festival between 5 - 12 September 2004. The festival will provide the opportunity for scuba diving in 8.5 km of newly - opened, unexplored waters off the Kalymnos coast and for excursions with working sponge divers. There will also be helmet diving, free diving demonstrations and record breaking attempts by the world’s best free divers. Onshore, there will be a programme of films and talks, meetings with sponge divers as well as the chance to visit local sights including the museum, diving school and shipyard. Books and diving memorabilia will be on sale and there will be the usual Greek dance, food and drink at the end of the day. The Kalymnos website can be entered at www.kalymnos-isl.gr.
JG
Wednesday, August 18, 2004

FLIGHTS TO NORTHERN CYPRUS
Ercan Airport has recently reopened after extensive refurbishment and travellers can expect a slicker service than in the past although In bad weather flights are occasionally re-routed onto a nearby military airport.
Current restrictions mean that flights to Northern Cyprus are all routed through the Turkish mainland. However, the rejection of the UN backed reunification plan by the Greek-South and its acceptance by the Turkish-North has won Northern Cyprus international kudos and it is possible that direct flights to Northern Cyprus may be reinstated.
JG
Monday, July 12, 2004

SURVEY FOR POSSIBLE CONSERVATION ZONE, PLYMOUTH, UK
The UK and Europe's first artificial reef, the Scylla warship, has been attracting a steady stream of divers. It is located just outside Plymouth, near the older wreck of the James Egan Layne in Whitsand Bay, Cornwall. Their is some interest in setting up a permanent Marine Sanctuary (no-take) Zone around the Scylla Reef and Louisa Coleman is doing a MSc dissertation and carrying out a Survey on diver attitudes to this. The survey is at:
http://www.bsac-se.org.uk/Survey/MSZSurvey.htm
She would like as many divers as possible to fill in her survey and ASAP so data can start being analysed.
CS
Thursday, July 08, 2004

TANZANIAN TWO ARRIVE HOME
Grace Forster (18) and Robert Scott (20), the two British students injured when armed robbers attacked their dive group on Pemba last Friday, came back to the UK yesterday.
Arriving at Heathrow Airport, both refused to comment further on the incident.
Matt Mindham
Wednesday, July 07, 2004

SUICIDE BLAST IN COLOMBO
A bomb has killed at least four people in a police station near the Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s residence.
A female suicide bomber had been detained by the police for questioning when the device was detonated, although it is not clear whether the blast was accidental or not.
Suspicion has fallen on the Tamil Tiger rebels who appear intent on stalling the 2002 ceasefire agreement.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are advising against all travel to the Tamil held areas in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
(Matt Mindham)
Wednesday, July 07, 2004

FRONTIER PULLS OUT OF PEMBA
Frontier Conservation has cancelled its project on Pemba following the armed robbery and shooting that took place last Friday. William Hedley Miller, of Frontier, has said that they had taken all the necessary safety precautions although he did admit that an emergency telephone number in Dar es Salaam had been faulty.
The fathers of two members of the group attacked have been critical of Frontier for not giving parents enough information on the attack, in particular that no mention had been made of earlier attacks along the coast of Tanzania.
One of the injured divers, Robert Scott, has now been discharged from hospital and the Tanzanian police have detained two men for questioning in connection with the shooting.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004

DIVERS SHOT IN PEMBA
Grace Forster,18, daughter of Ian and Pauline Forster owners of Gildenburgh Water and Dive In Ltd near Peterborough, has been shot and injured along with Robert Scott, 20, from Bristol. The attack took place last Friday out on Pemba Island whilst they were away on a diving trip. The incident appears to have been motivated by robbery, as the culprits took the group’s boat and engine. The tour was organised by respected Frontier Conservation, who are not a mainstream dive travel operator. British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice has not changed on visits to Pemba, which lies off the coast of Tanzania. Outline details of the incident are mentioned on the FCO site, but travellers are advised to take normal precautions against crime. Further details are on www.fco.gov.uk under Travel Advice for Tanzania.
DSD
Monday, July 05, 2004

ENGLISH NATURE ASK FOR DIVERS CONSULTATION
English Nature are the guardians (or otherwise) of the coasts and seas around England. They have developed some policies on the use of these resources and are now looking at extending this. They have some consultation papers and want views of divers. If you are interested in our coasts, seas and UK diving it could be worth looking at.
This is not just a tick the box effort, but a pdf file download and read then sending in comments one. Site is: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/science/coasts_and_seas/default.asp
CS
Sunday, June 13, 2004

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The FCO website reports on the latest position in DR following severe flooding in the western part of the country in the past few days. Suggestions are that this has been a significant death toll. This follows two weeks of heavy rains throughout the country. However, the area affected is well away from the main tourist resorts. If you are travelling to the country over the next little while, you may wish to contact your tour operator for confirmation that your destination is unaffected. Travel trade press also suggests that the popular diving locations are unaffected.
DSD
Thursday, June 03, 2004

NEW FLIGHTS
Several new flight options have been announced that may be of interest to divers:
- new airline Phuket Air takes off on 1 July and flies direct from Gatwick to Bangkok in Thailand with 3 flights weekly each departing at 14:00 hrs. See www.phuketairlines.com
- look out for operators to Cuba who will be using the new charter service run by Excel Airways each Friday from 16 July to Havana and Santiago
- Gulf Air is now flying direct from UK to Muscat in The Oman, making a significant reduction in flying time to this rather interesting alternative dive destination to the Red Sea
DSD
Thursday, June 03, 2004

FUEL SURCHARGES NOW & PRICE RISES FOR 2005?
Don’t be surprised if when travelling this summer you pick up a fuel surcharge on your flight. Led by British Airways, several airlines have introduced these again in response to the substantial recent hike in oil prices. Fuel prices have reached the highest levels for quite some years, over 40% up on last year. However, many tour operators “hedge” against price variations, so not all will be affected this year. Nevertheless, if oil prices remain high, we can all expect higher prices for 2005. So budget ahead!
DSD
Thursday, June 03, 2004

TRAVEL ADVICE FOR TURKEY
Following 4 bomb blasts in Istanbul and Ankara in recent days, the Foreign Office has updated its website concerning travel to Turkey. The Foreign Office's advice to travellers remains to urge travellers to be vigilant and be aware of the high threat to terrorism. On the plus side, recent acts of terrorism have not occurred in the coastal areas frequented by divers and travellers may benefit from reduced prices as companies try to attract tourists to the country. Some companies are offering holidays for less than £200.
Up to date Foreign Office advice can be found at www.fco.gov.uk.
JG
Monday, May 24, 2004

UNCLE SAM’S WATCHING US
Despite European Parliament opposition, the European Commission has formally agreed that your airline data can now be given to the US. The US Congress passed regulations
requiring airlines to pass over data on passengers. This can be kept for three and a half years and the US Secretary for Homeland Security is even allowed to pass it on to "third countries". In practice this has been happening unofficially since March 2003. This breaks EU
(and UK) data privacy laws and may ultimately end up in the European Court of Justice.
Information required includes among its 34 data items: name, addresses, credit card number, telephone number and even dietary preferences. It’s of course being pushed due toAmerican air safety concerns, but the US contends this may also be used for "ends other than the fight against terrorism". Recently this data, along with hotel records,
income levels, and possibly other wide ranging information has been used with data-mining programs to make security risk assessments.
One worry has been the data often hasn't been kept secure, nor has it all been accurate.
CS
Friday, May 21, 2004

SINGLE ITEMS OF BAGGAGE LIMIT OF 32KG
Airlines at UK airports, notably Heathrow, are required to refuse single items of baggage that exceed 32 kg. This is an HSE requirement for the safe working of baggage handlers rather than anything to do with the baggage allowance for the flight.
If single items of baggage exceed 32kg, apart from excess baggage issues, they will require you to transfer the excess into another bag.
There are now so many gigantic diving bags available now; some divers might load all their diving kit and their personal items into the single bag. If they did have to transfer some weight, they may not have a spare bag!
BSAC advice is for members to always call the airlines and airports well in advance of packing bags to get the latest information on baggage restrictions.
BSAC Technical Department
Monday, May 17, 2004

RELIGIOUS WAR RESTARTS IN INDONESIA
Diving may be a problem again in parts of Indonesia as religious fighting has broken out again on Saturday, 1st May in Ambon. Fears are that the Maluku islands blood-letting of a Muslim-Christian conflict may not be short
lived. Ambon is the capital of the province comprising the islands known as the Spice Islands during Dutch colonial rule. They offer many excellent dive locations but now it would be prudent to check on safety before going.
CS
Tuesday, May 04, 2004

ACCOMMODATION AT SIPADAN
It has been reported from Sabah in north Borneo, where Sipadan Island is located, that plans are moving ahead for closing the island for residential use, possibly within the next 12 months. Sipadan is world-famous for its coral encrusted walls, fish life and turtles. However, conservation moves are important to preserve this. In future divers are likely to be accommodated at the nearby resorts of Mabul or Kapali, reaching Sipadan by day boat or liveaboard. So time seems limited now, if you want to enjoy a more complete Sipadan experience, living on the island for a few days.
DSD
Monday, April 05, 2004

HIGH DEMAND FOR MALDIVES
Recent reports in the travel media claim that there is currently high demand and a shortage of mid-range accommodation in The Maldives. Apparently this is making early booking vital for the coming few months if you are to avoid disappointment. Travel Weekly recently quoted one tropical locations head of product as saying, “capacity is absolute chocker. There is huge demand through April and May – it is very difficult to get beds.” It seems that The Maldives has increased in popularity as they are both exotic and apparently safe. Divers thinking about travelling to The Maldives are advised to book ahead and not rely on last minute bargains.
DSD
Monday, April 05, 2004

BSAC 2003 TRAVEL REPORT DRAW WINNER
BSAC Travel Club is delighted to announce that the winner of the draw for those submitting Travel Reports last year is Jon Gunns. The report that Jon wrote on Sardinia was selected at random and wins Jon a holiday for two in the Red Sea, which has been kindly donated by Regaldive the award sponsor. A prize cerificate was presented by Andreas Elia, Operations Director of Regaldive, to the winner at LIDS 27/28 March.
Left to right - Jon Gunns,David Dixon, Allan Bretherton and Andreas Elia of Regal Dive
Sunday, March 07, 2004

URUGUAY UNDERWATER
Divers have recovered part of the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee that was scuttled of Montevideo, Uruguay in the early months of World War II. Apparently an international team divers re-floated the 27 tonne, 10 by 6 metres range finder yesterday (25 February) from the wreck that lies in only 11 metres of water, 4 miles off-shore. The wreck is reported as broken into two halves, one 150 metres long and the other only 30 metres. A group of businessmen have said they would like to re-float the wreck and re-built it ashore as a museum.
DSD
Thursday, February 26, 2004

AIRPORT GLITCH THREATENS THOMSONFLY LAUNCH
TEMPORARY passenger terminal buildings at Coventry Airport may have to be pulled down, casting doubt on the launch of Thomsonfly.com.
A report by Warwick District Council found temporary terminal space built to handle Thomson’s low-cost airline passengers was too big and breached planning controls. It also found work done to the runway was carried out without permission.
Council chiefs are meeting this week to decide what to do, but a spokesman confirmed some of the building could be demolished.
Such a move would seriously hamper Thomsonfly’s planned launch from the airport on March 30. Thomson hopes 500,000 passengers will pass through Coventry this summer. The temporary terminal building was erected to handle passengers until a permanent structure can be built.
A council spokesman said: “Our officers have investigated the airport and found there are a number of areas where planning controls have been breached. For example, a turning circle has been added to the runway area without permission.”
A spokesman for Thomsonfly said: “We are aware of the issues and we have every confidence Coventry Airport will be able to settle them with the council. As far as we are concerned, we will be launching on March 30.”
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

FLYBLU SET FOR FLORIDA
Fledgling long haul carrier FlyBlu has finally conformed it will launch flights to Florida this summer.
It will operate six weekly flights from Birmingham to Orlando Sanford starting from June 3 and will begin services to St Petersburg and Forty Lauderdale the following month.
Plans for the carrier will be officially unveiled at the Destinations Exhibition in Birmingham at the end of this month.
The carrier originally hoped to be in operation by Easter, but the launch was delayed by problems in securing aircraft.
It will operate a two-class service - silver and gold - on a Boeing 767 aircraft
Tuesday, February 10, 2004

THE SECRETS OF MIDDLE EARTH
A new coach and train tour taking in all major film locations used in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy has been launched by taior made speciallist Anzcro.
The 17-day Middle Earth tour - which runs from Auckland to Christchurch - takes in the Wairarapa area, where the 'Hobbiton' film set was based, and the Tongariro Crossing, which formed the backdrop to the Blackland of Mordor scenes. Prices start at £1,725 per person including three-star accomodation, excursions, train and coach travel and inter-island ferry crossings.
Tuesday, February 3, 2004

DIVE TRIPS TO GIBRALTAR
Specialist diving operator Dive Worldwide has added Gibraltar for 2004. A four-day wreck diving weekend starts at £389 based at the Bristol Hotel and from £440 at the Rock Hotel, including flights.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004

ITALY BRACED FOR AIRPORT STRIKE
Staff at Alitalia, Italy's national airline, are due to strike against job losses on Monday, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
Alitalia has said it would cancel 364 flights, including 182 international ones; about 18,000 passengers will have their journeys disrupted.
Alitalia announced the flight cancellations on 15 January after talks with the workers' union broke down.
It is the third major stoppage by Italian transport workers this year.
Alitalia workers are protesting against the terms of a restructuring plan involving the loss of 2,700 jobs by 2006, according to Reuters news agency.
Alitalia, which has forecast an operating loss of more than 400m euros ($495m; £275m) this year, has said the plan will help back into profit in 2005 and enable it to join a merger of Air France and Dutch airline KLM.
The Italian government removed one hurdle to the tie-up in November 2003 when it passed a decree permitting the privatisation of Alitalia, which is currently 62.3% state-owned.
Alitalia's unions have called an 8-hour walk out from 0900 GMT on Monday and lasting until 1700 GMT.
Italian air traffic controllers held a one-day strike on 8 January to protest over pay and conditions which led to 334 Alitalia flights being cancelled and long waits for about 20,000 stranded passengers.
That strike also disrupted flights by other European airlines, including Lufthansa, KLM, Easyjet and Ryanair.
A stoppage over pay also caused chaos on Italian bus, train and metro services on 9 January.
Monday, January 19, 2004

VISITORS FACE US SECURITY CHECKS
New US security regulations are coming into force that will see most foreign visitors having their photographs taken and fingerprints checked.
The rules apply to visa holders and cover all but 28 countries.
Those arriving under the visa waiver programme - which includes most Europeans - are not affected.
The measures replace the old special registration programme, which was said to discriminate against Muslims and people of Middle Eastern origin.
But claims of discrimination are still being made by some of those countries whose nationals are affected.
Brazil has made formal complaints and started fingerprinting and photographing all US citizens arriving at its main international airports.
All 115 US airports that handle international flights and 14 major seaports are covered by the programme, under which customs officials can instantly check an immigrant or visitor's criminal background.
A similar programme is to be launched at 50 land border crossings by the end of next year
Monday, January 05, 2004

AIR ALERT DELAYS 'TO LAST YEARS'
Air passengers can expect delays caused by security alerts for years to come, says Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.
His warning came after a British Airways flight, cancelled for two days and delayed by an unknown threat, landed in Washington.
He would not discuss newspaper reports that UK intelligence believed al-Qaeda was planning to use BA flights for suicide attacks on the US.
Mr Darling said: "I fear that for many years to come we are going to be living in an age where there is going to be a heightened state of alert.
"Sometimes it will be quite severe, at other times perhaps less so.
"We are going to have to get used to increased security at airports. From time to time that will be noticeable and at other times maybe things will be going on behind the scenes."
This increased vigilance was evident on Sunday when flight BA 223 from Heathrow to Washington DC was again delayed for security checks.
The same numbered flight was cancelled on Thursday and Friday and delayed on Saturday before departure amid security concerns.
A BA spokesman said the US had asked for extra information about the flight "for security purposes" before the scheduled take-off at 1505 GMT, as had been the case on Saturday.
Mr Darling - speaking on BBC One's Breakfast with Frost programme - did not talk about what specifically led to the previous grounding of flight 223, and the cancellation of weekend BA flights to and from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
But he stressed the decisions were "justified" on the basis of intelligence warnings.
Sunday, January 04, 2004

THE CITY OF ATLANTIS, CAN IT BE FOUND?
On Wednesday, 5 November at 7.00 p.m. the leaders of the Titanic expeditions and a renowned pre-historic geologist will be speaking at the Royal Geographical Society, London.
They will analyse whether or not seven submerged Gibraltan islands could be the origin of Plato’s Atlantis and discuss their planned expedition there. The key to their approach is that it is based on sound scientific principles and actual geological and archaeological facts. Quite simply if they are right it will be the biggest archaeological discovery of the last 100 years at least.
The team of Commander P.H. Nargeolet, Jacques Collina Girard, George Tulloch, are an elite group of underwater explorers and archaeologists with decades of experience and an outstanding record that includes the discovery of Titanic and the subsequent salvage of its artefacts as well as Royal Captain in the Pacific, the Yamato in the South China Sea and the John Barry in the Indian Ocean.
The expedition will have access to the latest submersibles. These submarines can work for 6 hours at depths of up to 1000m. Their unique acrylic capsule offers unparalleled visibility; their external and internal cameras record every aspect of an operation whilst batteries of light produce ideal working and filming conditions even in complete darkness. The submarines carry a crew of two, one operator and one scientist, with remote arms combing incredible strength, agility and sensitivity. From these unique platforms the crew can operate all the tools of the modern marine archaeologist and practice all techniques.
Tickets will be available on the night priced at £10 each.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003

KOH SAMUI HYPERBARIC UNIT
Hyperbaric Services of Thailand, part of the Sub-Aquatic Safety Services network, has installed a hyperbaric unit on Koh Samui. The chamber is designed to hold one diver and attendant but can hold more if required. Three diving medical officers on the island ensure 24 hour cover throughout the year.
Many of the unit's patients come from the nearby island of Koh Tao where oxygen can be administered before evacuation is arranged using a special sea-ambulance.
The establishment of this hyperbaric unit will enhance safety in the area, which is expected to become an increasingly attractive diving location.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003

ATLANTIS FOUND?
It may be the answer generations of experts on the ancient world have been looking for. New research claims that the fabled ancient civilisation of Atlantis is located close to Cyprus.
After nearly 10 years of research using ocean mapping technology and accounts from ancient texts, an American explorer says he has evidence that Atlantis lies beneath the deep blue waters off the southern tip of the island.
Robert Sarmast, a self-proclaimed mythologist and expert on the ancient world, makes this claim in his book, Discovery of Atlantis - The Startling Case for the Island of Cyprus, published last week in America by Origin Press. Mr Sarmast uses maps to show the location of archaeological remains on a sunken strip of land just off the south coast of Cyprus, which he says is Atlantis.
Mr Sarmast said at his home in California last week: "This is going to rewrite the history books. We are set to make the biggest archaeological discovery of all time."
His research, which cost $500,000 (£312,000) and uses data collected by a Russian scientific survey vessel in 1989, was paid for by the Heritage Standard Corporation, an organisation involved in undersea surveys for oil and gas. He now intends to carry out an expedition to explore the sea bed, to find proof of his theory.
Monday, September 29, 2003

AUSTRALIA LIFTS SOLOMON ISLAND TRAVEL WARNING
Australia has lifted its travel warning advising travelers not to visit the Solomon Islands.
Australia now advises travelers to exercise caution while visiting the Solomon Islands.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns travelers to "maintain a high level of personal security awareness" and "be aware of developments that might affect their safety".
The latest advice warns that law and order problems remain, however, there has been a significant improvement thanks to the Regional Assistance Mission.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003

THAILAND TO RAISE DIVING POTENTIAL
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is embarking on a drive to promote the country's potential as a dive destination. TAT marketing manager for UK and Ireland Richard Hume said he wanted to push the resorts of Ko Tao, the Andaman Sea and the Similan Islands which where recently voted third best dive site in the world by DIVE magazine.
"Thailand hasn't really been seen as a dive destination, but over the next few months we will be taking steps to ensure agents are aware of the good diving facilities we have," he said.
TAT is currently working on an eight-page diving supplement highlighting the best dive areas and this year's stand at WTM will have a dedicated diving section.
In December TAT will invite seven agents and operators to attend the Phuket and Andaman Travel Mart and, while there, to experience Thailand's diving for themselves. The tourism board is also in the process of updating its website with an interactive trade-only section, allowing agents to search by holiday type.
Wednesday, August 06, 2003

HONG KONG WELCOMES 'ALL CLEAR'
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has welcomed the World Health Organisation's decision to remove the list of SARS-infected areas, but said controls were still in place to ensure the outbreak does not reoccur.
The announcement comes on month after the WHO cleared all but non-essential travel to Hong Kong.
To coincode with the country getting the all clear, this week sees the HKTB launch it's advertising campaign which will appear in national papers, with television advertising and poster campaigns on the London Underground to follow in the next few weeks.
Under the slogan 'Hong Kong Welcomes You' advertising will include sample prices to highlight any special offers now available. Among those deals will be Cathay Pacific's offer of return economy flights, transfers, taxes and three nights accommodation for two people from £579.
Some 300 agents will be travelling to Hong Kong with major tour operators, including Kuoni, between July and September on three separate educationals.
The WHO has lifted its advice against all but essential travel to Beijing, China.
Friday, July 04, 2003

HAYES AND JARVIS SLASH BROCHURE PRICES BY 6%
Long-haul specialist Hayes and Jarvis has dropped prices across its 2004 programmes by an average 6% thanks in part to a weak US dollar.
The cuts - which in parts of the Caribbean are as much as 10% - Have prompted the operator to give optimistic 2004 forecasts, including a revival in Far East sales by this Autumn.
New to the Diving programme is St Kitts, liveaboard trips in Grenada, and Port Sudan on the Red Sea
The Red Sea remains the operator's top dive destination, followed by the Maldives and Tobago.
Members of the BSAC qualify for further discounts for Hayes and Jarvis holidays, details and special offers can be found here.
Friday, June 27, 2003

CYPRUS CD-ROM PUTS FOCUS ON DIVERSITY
CYPRUS is trying to shed its stereotype as a sun, sea and sand-only destination by delivering images of special interest activities straight to agents.
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation has launched a CD-ROM illustrating activities such as golf and diving to encourage agents to promote the country to clients wanting more than a beach holiday.
The free CD-ROM features clips of activities and the island's different regions, such as the Troodos Mountains, as part of the organisation's plan to reposition the island in the market.
To receive a copy of the CD-ROM, e-mail steliosalesctolon@btconnect.com.
Friday, June 13, 2003

GOLDENJOY HIGHLIGHTS EGYPT DIVE OPTIONS
Goldenjoy has launched seven dive packages to Egypt which introduce five-star and boat accommodation for the first time.
The new packages coincide with a Red Sea Riviera advertising push by the Egyptian Thurist Board.
Goldenjoy, the diVing specialist division of Libra Holidays, claims Egypt has benefited from a bookings swing away from the Far East.
Diving co-ordinator Robbie Renalson said: "The SARS virus stopped people travelling to the Far East. Once the war finished, Egypt became a good destination to go to."
Renalson admitted the operator had to work to quash concerns of first-time visitors to Egypt during the war, while more experienced divers continued to travel there, with lower prices on offer and quieter destinations.
Prices for five-star accommodation at the new InterContinental Hotel Garden Reef resort in Sharm el Sheikh, start at £449 per person, including three days' boat diving, seven nights' bed and breakfast and return flights.
Prices have been fixed until the end of the programme in September.
Friday, June 13, 2003

NEWPORT WATER FESTIVAL
The Newport Water Festival is held on the water front in the city of Newport and attracts people from all around the area.
With attractions both on and off the water it is a good day out for anyone interested in water sports, for further information visit www.watersportswales.co.uk where you can find full details.
We look forward to meeting you at the event and hope you have an enjoyable day.
Thursday, June 05, 2003

MORE DIVING TO BE DONE IN GREECE?
The Greek Islands and mainland boast not only 16,000 kilometers of coastline, but also underwater treasures that to date have been in many cases off-limits for scuba diving.
The majority of this coastline is not open for diving. The limited areas where diving is allowed means there simply is not enough tourism for either the local municipalities to develop underwater parks, or support the various the tour operators, hotels, diving schools and enthusiasts that might otherwise call the coast home.
It is estimated that a potential four million European scuba-divers do not dive in Greece because of the strict regulations that govern the sport. The prime reason for the rules is to protect ancient Greek shipwrecks thought to be over 1,000 in number.
Divers are eagerly anticipating changes by the Greek government, which has announced it is making it's current marine tourism regulations into law. The new legislation is expected this month, and what will be most welcome for divers are changes in certification rules and provisions that encourage diving and designate and create underwater parks.
“If the international organizations that currently offer diving courses meet or exceed the European standard, the training system will be recognized by the Greek government”, says the merchant marine ministry's Yiorgos Vourekas. “So anybody from the European Union and even from other countries who has permission to work in Greece and has a recognized diploma can be an instructor.” Another change will be that at least two people have to go on a dive.
The day after the new law is passed, the number of diving centers will more than double, Vourekas, a port authority captain, believes. “If we have underwater parks, and if the ministry of culture opens the antiquity-laden seas, then we believe we're going to have between one and three thousand diving centres in Greece,” he said. Currently there are about a hundred.
The opening of underwater parks, ie, increasing the areas where people can dive, would comprise natural and perhaps manmade exhibits as well as shipwrecks less than a century old – there are an astounding 408 of them, says Vourekas.
The opening, however, of more areas will prove tricky, as Greece has to strike a difficult balance between preserving its vast archaeological legacy and meeting the demands of modern tourism.
The problem is that there are so many antiquities – more than 1,000 ancient shipwrecks were recently mapped in Greek seas alone – that the ministry of culture's underwater archaeological department is reluctant to open the seas.
“It can be every day that we receive information about newly-discovered antiquities in the sea,” said Dimitris Kourkoumelis, an archaeologist at the ministry of culture's Department of Underwater Antiquities. Some are indeed caught in fishermen's nets and are duly delivered to authorities, thus securing a Good Samaritan's reward for the finders. Still, much of Poseidon's bounty finds its way illegally to collections outside the country. “That's why, diving near antiquities, has been prohibited for so many years,” Vourekas said.
Kourkoumelis said it was in the culture ministry's plan to create more underwater diving areas, but that they would proceed with caution. Vourekas suggested that perhaps 1,000 or 2,000 of the most important areas could remain off-limits without anyone minding, while the rest could be opened, the idea being that removing the prohibition might deflate the impulse to steal and attract tourism income at the same time.
Further, some antiquities are not so interesting to divers because “they're so old, they've become one with the environment,” said Ilse Stroud, owner of the Aegean Dive Center in Athens. “They wouldn't even recognize it as an artifact… But if a site was made like an underwater museum… then it would be very, very interesting.”
The government clearly has a difficult choice to make when the parliament vote comes up. But whether hearts or minds tip the scale, the decision will be anxiously awaited by many interested parties.
Tuesday, May 27, 2003

LOST LUGGAGE: HELP IS AT HAND
Lost luggage is one of air travellers' worst fears.
But help is now at hand on the Web. For the first time, statistics are now regularly available on European airlines most likely to misplace luggage.
The most reliable operator, according to the Association of European Airlines (AEA), is Turkish Airlines, which only lost one piece of luggage per 1,000 passenger journeys.
But according to the AEA, the airline most likely to lose your bags is Luxair, the Luxembourg carrier, which lost 21.9 bags in 1,000 journeys.
The data, which includes statistics on 23 member airlines, will be published monthly, with the next installment due on May 28.
Other airlines that rank poorly in the AEA survey include Swiss International Airlies, mislaying 21.1 items of luggage for every 1,000 passengers flown, and Air France losing 16.8 bags per 1,000 customers.
On average, 85 percent of the missing bags are actually traced and delivered to the passenger within 48 hours.
The AEA statistics also show that airlines that carry mostly point-to-point travellers appear to fare better than the larger hub-based carriers. Enormous luggage volumes, short transfer times with delays are often cited as problems faced at hubs.
Europe's budget airlines are not members of the association and are not included in the lost luggage statistics.
According to the AEA, they have been systematically misusing the data to rubbish the major network airlines.
"Of course the budget airlines are not accountable. If they have a bad month they simply keep quiet about it," says Henderson.
Asia fares no better according to a report by the Sydney-based Centre For Asia Pacific Aviation, Asia-Pacific airlines lose a passenger's bag every 90 seconds, costing carriers in the region $125 million each year.
Where can you find your luggage?
And where does your lost luggage go?
In London, luggage and personal effects left in airports and on aeroplanes are firstly kept for several years by the airlines waiting for them to be claimed.
After a probation period, the remaining goods are shipped off to an auctioneer such as Greasby's Auction Rooms in south London.
Their Web site features mobile phones, travel guides, cameras and laptops all to be sold in lots.
"We sell the lost luggage on behalf of the airlines and take our commission for handling their goods," says Jayde Spencer at Greasby's.
So if you loose your luggage on an European airline at the bottom of the AEA table then you might be able to buy it back at auction after a few years.
AEA CONSUMER REPORT FOR MARCH
Wednesday, May 14, 2003

CARDONNA ISSUES ULTIMATUM: U.S.V.I. PIRATES FEST OR ELSE! (Planned July 24-August 9)
Caradonna Caribbean Tours announces that the US VI is putting on its first Pirate's Fest from Jul. 24- Aug. 9. It is a dive promotion that will bring pirates of all stripes to these waters.
The booty includes special discounts on airfare, hotels, diving and more. Viewing the crystal blue waters off the US VI. it's not hard to imagine seeing a pirate ship, with its black flag flapping in the breeze, firing a warning shot across the bow of a passing merchant vessel.
At Pirate Fest, visitors will experience the true flavor of the islands with parties, friendly competitions, excursions and prizes. The Grand Prize is two roundtrip tickets from any U.S. gateway back to the USVI on US Airways. Other prizes include new dive gear, like a Seaquest BC, hotel stays, dinners, T-shirts and more. Prizes and sponsors will be continually updated.
The USVI is a place where it's easy to step back in time, and with the pirates now long gone, the time has come to shiver the timbers with some good, clean peg-leg and eye-patch revelry.
Caradonna Caribbean Tours has plans to spread the booty in the near future with this type of cross marketing to include Puerto Rico to other destinations such as the Dominican Republic and the Riviera Maya.
Caradonna Caribbean Tours, 800-328-2288, Fax 407-682-6000, sales@caradonna.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2003

NEW BSAC RESORT FOR THE MALDIVES
Sea Explorer, the dive centre at Reethi Beach, which is situated in the Baa Atoll, has been named as the latest BSAC Resort in the Maldives.
Set up in 1998, the centre runs PADI courses. In order to become a BSAC Resort it had to go through a comprehensive series of checks. These included the condition and availability of diving equipment used by the centre. In this case, all the equipment is only one year old and there are 60 full sets of diving kit. There are facilities for changing, compressors, Nitrox blending, Oxygen first aid equipment and suitable classrooms for teaching. Other aspects checked were the number of instructors and dive guides, dive site accessibility, cleanliness, equipment storage and insurance details, to mention just a few.
Sea Explorer is a fine example of a dive centre operating in the Maldives and so BSAC is very pleased to offer them their BSAC Resort status. Once established as a BSAC Resort, the next stage is for Sea Explorer to become a BSAC School and offer the diver training programmes courses of Ocean Diver and Sports Diver.
Hayes and Jarvis run holidays to this island and more information will soon be available on the BSAC Travel Club website.
Meanwhile contact details for the resort are: Reethi Beach Resort, BAA Atoll, Republic of Maldives. The dive centre email and address is: Sea Explorer Educational Dive Centre Reethi Beach Resort, Baa Atoll, Maldives. Phone: (960) 232-626 Fax: (960) 232-727 E-mail:dive@reethibeach.com.mv Website: www.sea-explorer.net
Wednesday, February 26, 2003

NO CHOP FOR THE CHOPPER
The controversial plans to possibly move the Portland, Dorset, rescue helicopter 60 miles east to Lee-on Solent in Hampshire have been scrapped. This is good news for divers and other water users in the popular Weymouth and Portland region. See the news report on BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2777037.stm
CS
Saturday, February 22, 2003

AIRLINE LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES
Airlines in America or those flying to USA destinations used to universally offer baggage allowances far in excess of those expected in Europe and most of the rest of the world. Some of this is now changing though, with first United and now Delta starting to reduce limits.
This still seems to be 2 checked bags of 50 pounds weight (about 22 kg) each, plus one carry-on less than 40 pounds, plus a carry-on personal item. These limits remain higher than European limits and some other airlines in the USA, or going through the USA that allow the traditional 2 bags at 32 kg. This can still make it worthwhile travelling to the Far East or Australia via the USA. However, given the recent changes, it now becomes very prudent to check in advance exactly what the airline specifies.
CS
Monday, February 17, 2003

HOLIDAY TRAVEL MARKET SLUGGISH
The start of 2003 sees several tour operators reporting a sluggish market and bookings down. Clearly, divers and holiday-makers in general are wary of making bookings at present due to the threat of war with Iraq and the recent terrorist incidents. In the wake of the incidents in Bali and Mombassa there are unsurprisingly reports of a fall in bookings to Indonesia, Thailand and East Africa. However, there are some destinations that are not perceived to be under quite such a treat. Bookings to such areas as The Maldives are therefore buoyant. It is difficult for BSAC Travel Club to advise divers what their best approach might be, other than to shop around, as there are clearly some great bargains about. It may not always pay to wait for a last-minute bargain either. However, we would recommend that you do ensure you have good travel insurance cover.
DSD
Sunday, January 19, 2003

NEW UK NATIONAL DIVING CENTRE OPENS SHORTLY
The new National Dive Centre based at Tidenham Cove, near Chepstow,UK,has announced that it will be opening for business on 22 February. Three years in planning, it promises to be a major development for inland recreational divers across a wide range of experience levels. It will have a series of dive areas with depths ranging from 8 to 80 metres. Gas, training and equipment will be all available, as will refreshments. Safety is high on the list of important features and there will be a hyperbaric chamber on site. Access to the water will be via a series of pontoons. The Centre will be open 7 days a week from 08:00 to 15:00 in winter and until 18:00 in summer. Further details are on the site’s comprehensive website at www.nationaldivingcentre.soon2b.net
DSD
Sunday, January 19, 2003

END OF AN ERA FOR FORT BOVISAND
Following a recent court order, access to Fort Bovisand has been physically barred by padlock and chains to those involved in diving activities. The marine Fort, part of coastal defences, is based near Plymouth,Devon. After financial difficulties of Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre there in recent times, diving had been allowed to continue only due to its widespread reputation and in order to get the best out of the heritage amenity. However, another operator based there had latterly gone into receivership prompting the receivers to act to protect the Ministry of Defence’s interests. It is expected the Fort will now be sold off, although it is hoped dive operators might conceivably show an interest in possibly purchasing it.
DSD
Sunday, January 19, 2003

NEW DIVE CENTRE OPENS IN WEST COUNTRY
Vobster Quay, a new centre that is apparently larger than Stoney Cove and as deep, has recently opened its gates to UK divers. Located not far from Frome in Somerset, it is looks to be a valuable new inland dive location. It boasts air, nitrox and general equipment sales. There are various underwater features, including submerged buildings and a lined tunnel. A series of six training platforms have been installed, progressing from 6 to 30 metres deep. It is open every day from 09:00 until 17:00 (or sunset) during the week, but opens at 08:30 at weekends. Diving day tickets cost £10, but Vobster registered divers are charged only £7.50 although registration is £10. Instructors with 6 trainees get in free. Further details are on the Centre’s website at www.vobsterquay.co.uk
DSD
Sunday, January 19, 2003

AIRPORT STRIKES OVER CHRISTMAS PERIOD
Thousands of flights could be cancelled over the Christmas period if British Airport Authority staff strike over pay. Strikes are currently planned for 15 and 23 December and 2 January and could affect 7 UK airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
The Association of British Travel Agents advises prospective travellers to contact their tour operator. Airlines will do their best to reschedule flights but any strike is bound to lead to delays and confusion.
JG
Monday, December 09, 2002

REVISED TRAVEL ADVICE FOR KENYA.
Following the recent terrorist attacks in Kenya, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued revised travel advice for the country on 5 December. UK Nationals in Kenya are advised to be vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. British Nationals are advised to avoid the immediate area of the High Commission in Nairobi, which is temporarily closed.
Advice also covers the threat from conventional crime and can be viewed in full at www.fco.gov.uk.
JG
Monday, December 09, 2002

MASSIVE OIL SPILL THREATENS YEARS OF POLUTION
The crippled oil tanker Prestige sank earlier this week well over 100 miles off Galacia on the north West Coast of Spain. Bahamian registered, the vessel, which split in two in the early hours of 19 November, was carrying over 70,000 tons of crude oil. It is estimated that 60,000 tons still remain on the vessel, but that it is leaking from the wreck.

Although Galacia is not known as a leading dive destination, the damage will undoubtedly wreak havoc with marine life in the region for years to come. The oil has already affected 150 miles of Spanish and Portuguese coastline and also threatens France. Attempts have been made to survey the wreck underwater by submarine. It is hoped that the bulk of the oil can still be removed. However, experts have estimated that if the Prestige continues to leak her cargo, the disaster could be worse than the world’s largest oil spill from the Exxon Valdez in Alaska in 1989.
DSD
Sunday, November 24, 2002

SHORE DIVING OPENS UP IN SUDAN
Some of the world’s leading authorities on diving reckon that Sudan offers among the best diving available anywhere. Marine life is abundant and the environment is relatively untouched. However, due to regional unrest and the lack of infrastructure in the country, diving has been essentially limited hitherto to a few liveaboards.
This will be changing shortly with the opening of the highly accredited shore-based dive centre at the Port Sudan Hilton Hotel, some 30 minutes from the airport. The centre is within a two-hour boat trip of some of the most famous dive sites of the Sudanese Red Sea, including Wingate Reef, the wreck of the Umbria, Sanganeb Reef and Shaab Rumi Reef. Shore and day-boat diving will be supplemented by the 16 berth, 25 metre liveaboard ketch Elegante.
Long-established Emperor Divers, specialists in Red Sea trips, is opening the new centre this autumn. More details can be found at www.emperordivers.com or through UK operators Regal Dive.
DSD
Sunday, November 24, 2002

MORE MALAYSIAN MONEY
Worried about a downturn in bookings from anxious travellers in the wake of US, Bali and other bombings, Tourism Malaysia has significantly increased its promotional budget in the UK. Reputedly the budget is 50% more than in the previous history of the tourist board. Malaysia Airlines is also spending substantially more. The tourist board director in UK is keen to explain that it is business as usual in Malaysia.
There are many excellent dive destinations both in peninsular Malaysia and off the Malaysian island of Borneo. Locations such as Sipadan and Layang Layang are world famous. There is some evidence that bookings are being made rather later than usual, so that may mean there will be some bargains around. The General Manager of Sipadan Dive Centre was very upbeat about next year’s bookings when he talked to a representative of BSAC Travel Club at the recent World Travel Mart in ExCeL Centre in London.
DSD
Sunday, November 24, 2002

ANOTHER DOROTHEA DEATH
Dorothea Quarry, the infamous site in north Wales, has claimed another fatality. A technical diver breathing trimix apparently failed to surface after a dive there on 17 November. He was believed to have been diving in the region of 100m. Police and rescue services were reported as using a Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) in a search for his body.
Divers are reminded that this is a private site and the owner has made efforts to prevent diving in the flooded quarry, which is believed to be unsafe. It is known as a notoriously cold site. Over the last few years there has been a cluster of deaths at Dorothea that has been disproportionately high for the amount of diving done there. The BSAC made it clear some while ago that diving should not take place there.
DSD
Sunday, November 24, 2002

DIVE TRIP GOES OFF WITH A BANG
Several sources report a recent incident last week involving a female diver who removed what appeared to be a brass shell from the sea during a recent dive off Plymouth, UK. Measuring about 4 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, the diver drove over 150 miles home with it in her car, before she decided it would be more sensible to alert the police. The bomb squad arrived at her Swindon home a short while later and remove the offending object which they later blew up.
Divers are reminded that removing similar objects from the sea is extremely risky and jeopardises their safety and that of their buddies. It is recommended that they should leave all such objects where they found them and report them to the Coastguard. The waters around United Kingdom and various other countries are full of unexploded ordnance – mines, shells, bombs, cordite (may look like black spaghetti), phosphorus and other chemicals and such like. Tampering with or removing such materials risks a real tragedy. It is a question of remembering the old adage, “Take only photographs, leave only bubbles.”
DSD
Sunday, November 24, 2002

HOW MUCH WEIGHT?
I booked a flight with Air 2000 out of Stansted to go to Lanzarote on a rebreather diving trip.
The only seat I could get was a premium seat - this actually entitled me to 30kgs of luggage allowance. When I asked the retailer who gave me the booking what I should do about a sports allowance, she told me to phone Air 2000.
I phoned Air 2000 and they told me to turn up and show a diving qualification card and I would get another 10kgs! So I boldly packed rebreather, cylinders, wetsuits (3), clothes, rest of dive gear etc and went off to Stansted. I picked up my ticket and went off to check in. They weighed my two crates and it came to 51kgs (oops). The woman at the desk said that I would be charged £48 excess luggage as I could only have 30kgs. I explained about my phone call and they said that I should have had something in writing to confirm the sports allowance and that it is not their policy to just let people through on the day!
So I went into upset mode and explained that I was promised I would be allowed 40kgs, wasn't taking any hand luggage (5kgs allowance although we all know that everyone takes far more) and that I only weigh 53 kilos - unlike most of the people trying to check in along side of me! This clinched it and I got away scott free!
But the lesson is - get a premium seat if you can (more leg room and a free drink too!) and ask for the sports allowance to be confirmed in writing and put into the booking system so that it comes up on their screen when you check in!
By Sophie Rennie
Saturday, November 09, 2002

DVT CASE DELAY
The controversial Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) claim against airlines has been delayed in the English High Court. The group action case is being brought by some 56 persons, who are suing a total of 27 airlines, including American Airlines, Air 2000, Britannia, KLM, JMC, Monarch and Virgin Atlantic. The case has had to be adjourned with the delay has been caused by the judge in the case, Mr Justice Nelson, who has only just “remembered” that he owns shares in British Airways. BA is one of those being sued.
The claimants, who hope to prove a link between long-haul flights and DVT, are alleging negligence by the airlines, which often arrange rows of seating close together. DVT can have very serious affects, including death in some cases. It is hoped the trial will restart in the next week or so. If they loose, the carriers could face millions of pounds in compensation claims.
DSD
Saturday, November 09, 2002

FISH CONSERVATION ON THE MENU AT CITES
Conservation of marine species tops the agenda for the first time at this week-end’s world conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Santiago, Chile.
There is growing concern about over-fishing in certain regions, which has put a number of species at risk. Four large fish species – basking shark, whale shark, humphead wrasse and Patagonian toothfish – are all to be considered for monitoring and control to prevent over- exploitation. The Philippines government is calling for the protection of the sharks, which are mutilated for their fins for the lucrative soup market. The US wants humphead wrasse protected to prevent them being sold live to restaurants in Southeast Asia. Increasingly only smaller, sexually immature humphead specimens are seen in their natural reef habitats. Adults can grow to over 2 metres in size and live for 40 years or more. Finally, the Australian government is the champion of the large Patagonian toothfish, a cold water, Antarctic inhabitant that sometimes misleadingly appears on menus as sea bass.
Conservationists are pleased by start to the conference, which has blocked moves by Japan for a limited resumption of hunting for Minke and Bryde whales, and by Britain to allow the sale of shells by a Cayman turtle farm.
DSD
Saturday, November 09, 2002

MALTESE MARINE PARK
Comino, a popular destination for divers in Malta, may soon become an official Marine Park. This would mean automatic bans on fishing and spearfishing, as the area became an environmentally protected sanctuary.
There appears to be good political support for the idea proposed by Malta’s environment authority, including from the Green Party. A party spokesman on tourism has obviously been impressed by what the diving community brings to the island and they clearly hope to attract more divers to visit. The Malta press quoted the spokesman as saying, ”We should exploit this niche market to the full, especially in light of the fact that Malta is attractive to foreign divers due to good visibility, the presence of wrecks in our seas and the competitive prices offered by Maltese diving clubs"
DSD
Saturday, November 09, 2002

LOOKING INTO THE BLUE
This month sees a special UNESCO expedition start to explore and research the Belize Barrier Reef System, the world's second largest barrier reef. UNESCO granted this Barrier Reef System World Heritage status back in 1996.
The expedition team of research scientists, marine biologists and scuba divers will explore some 450 cayes, islets, islands and three coral atolls, as well as the world-renowned Blue Hole, some 128 metres deep. Julianne Robinson, one of the marine experts leading the expedition, is reported as saying, " The Belize Barrier Reef System offers many unique opportunities for researchers and visitors alike. UNESCO and the World Heritage Programme have emphasised the importance that this system has to offer not only to Belize, but also to the world. It is one of the few places left where you can observe nature at its best."
DSD
Saturday, November 09, 2002

WAVEDANCER FAMILIES TO RECEIVE $17 MILLION
An out-of-court settlement of US$17 million has been accepted by families of the 17 divers and three crewmembers who died last year in the tragedy in Belize. Those who died were on the Peter Hughes’ liveaboard Wavedancer, which capsized in Belize during "Hurricane Iris". Representatives of the families expressed some concern about obtaining payment, since apparently the Company has Lloyd’s insurance cover of only US$4 million.
Peter Hughes Diving agreed to the settlement without any admission of liability, thus preventing any further legal action. Meanwhile, the outcome of the official investigation by the Belize marine authorities is still to be concluded.
DSD
Saturday, November 09, 2002

HIGH STREET HIATUS
Over the recent few months there has been quite a battle going on between the major high street travel operators. A big debate has been to what extent they should discount prices and thereby reduce their margins. The debate has been acrimonious at times.
Reduced prices can of course attract more business, as travellers are keen to get good value. However, it can also cause major problems for the operators themselves, especially when there is general uncertainty in the travel world, partly caused by terrorist and other global events.
Although much dive travel has been traditionally organised by specialist firms, often smaller, independent operators, in the last few years some of the High Street majors such as Thomas Cook/JMC have launched travel brochures featuring diving options.
The fact that MyTravel is now facing a very uncertain future is there perhaps of concern to the less demanding dive traveller who likes to buy a package, perhaps for him and his family. MyTravel is a recently re-branded major, but includes well-know firms as Going Places and Airtours under their umbrella. They employ some 27,000 staff. Their demise would send shock-waves through the trade.
Dive travellers are advised to be perhaps a little more wary than normal if buying through the mass retail market. Check your insurance cover and shop around to ensure maximum choice and keenest prices.
DSD
Sunday, October 27, 2002

BALI – THE AFTERMATH FOR DIVERS
The morning after the Bali bombings, the Bali stand was near empty at the recent NEC Dive Show. One lone representative sat silently and forlorn behind large albums full of glossy photos, which depicted much happier memories. But was this knee-jerk reaction justified?
Bali is a gateway for many dive holiday-makers in Indonesia. In the days following the atrocity suggestions were made that this whole region might be unsafe and travellers should give a wide berth to Indonesia, The Philippines where there also have been recent bombings and also Malaysia. Other countries have also been mentioned.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw speaking directly to the travel trade gave a reassuring message. He said, “While the attacks on Bali are likely to have a wider economic impact, it is important to remember that British nationals make more than 56 million overseas visits every year.” Straw went on to say, “The vast majority of these trips are made safely and without trouble”
Some dive travel operators reacted quickly to give an appearance of business as usual. Peter Hughes Diving Inc (who suffered their own multiple death tragedy last year) put out a special edition of their electronic newsletter, saying that they will continue to operate their liveaboard to the Komodo Islands via Bali.
Divers will need to decide for themselves whether what has happened represents an unacceptable increase in personal risk. Some of course may see it as an opportunity to secure a good deal and visit a region of the world renowned for its fabulous diving.
Whatever you decide, you are advised to ensure good travel insurance. Make sure it has cancellation clauses suitable to your needs. You may not get your money back just because you change your mind about where you want to go. It may be necessary for your government to issue clear recommendations not to go to particular destinations before you can make a valid claim. We recommend you discuss safety and security aspects of your trip with your dive travel operator. If in doubt don’t book. Finally do check with official government sources on their latest destination advice. Advice from HM Government in UK can be found at: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo On this website home page, click on Country Advice in the menu on the left-hand side and follow the instructions.
DSD
Sunday, October 27, 2002

HOLIDAYS SIX TIMES A YEAR?
There has been a mixed reception to the idea by the Local Government Association to split the school year in England into roughly six equal terms, starting from the 2004/05 academic year.
We are all familiar with travel price hikes during peak season, but this new move could cause a good deal of confusion before prices and availability settle to a new “normal” pattern. Most affected will be families who hitherto have had only a few limited times a year when they could take their holidays. Some dive clubs deliberately avoided such times, although others had to be more flexible, recognising that members might be teachers or in other jobs when holidays were restricted to outside term-time.
In many cases there may be little or no effect on the travelling diver. Nevertheless, those visiting destinations which offer family holidays as well as catering for diving or other specialist interests may find it busier in traditional off-peak times. We could also be set to see a rise in demand for destinations that have good weather outside the UK summer months. The Red Sea seems one likely target.
Currently, it does look as though the proposals will get the go ahead as they are favoured in government circles.
DSD
Sunday, October 27, 2002