Red Sea - Tempest
Not a Shakespearean Tragedy

by Andy and Fiona Boorer

Ok, guys! Tony Backhurst excelled themselves.

We rang on Tuesday - flew on Saturday - now that's what I call last minute..

Tempest is one of the "smaller" boats in the fleet. Only 12 guests - actually 10 of us on this trip. We'd always done the bigger boats, and wondered how this would be. We were on a later flight with BA (a bigger baggage allowance, I shall have to consider bringing the ball frocks next time..) and arrived after everyone else was on board. An interesting experience getting into Tornado Marine's new moorings in the docks across from the usual Travco marina. You all get off the boat, leaving your hand luggage behind, and solemnly walk through a metal detector, accompanied by (I think) SOME of the baggage.. Not sure what it achieved, especially as I handed my jacket ROUND the detector, and they did not stop anyone who went "beep", but I'm sure someone somewhere has an explanation.

Morning, and we met our fellow divers. Check out dive on Ras Katy - Andy and I won the prize for fastest in the water and AWAY!!! We then went up the straits, and had several dives on the reefs. Andy starting to pine for the ferrous stuff, but I reminded him that this way his encounter with mainly reefs was over. We saw a reef shark in the distance, but none of the hammerheads and whalesharks that have been there recently (mutter mutter).


We then went down and did the Dunraven and crossed to Abu Nuhas (yes, WRECKS, greatly appreciated by Andy - OK then, and me). Enlivened by a group of Italian divers..... I'm saying nothing. We managed to zoom down into the engine room of the Giannis D between waves of them, by utilising the skylights.

Across to Gobal and a lovely dive on the Ulysses. DOLPHIN!!! Lots of them, and so friendly. I was so busy looking at one lot I nearly missed the one who zoomed up just behind me! We didn't do the barge at night (decompressing with beer, but really saving ourselves to do the Rosalie the next day - at least that's our excuse), but I understand it was lovely. The Rosie is becoming a friend - we're getting quite good at the "round the wreck before breakfast tour" and were only sorry we only had one dive on it (dare I say we're coming back in August, tee hee?).




Up to the Kingston and no current on it - so we spent ages having a really good look. Then the Italians arrived..... Andy's back was giving him a bit of trouble, and our thanks go to Army Peter for lending him a harness weight belt for the rest of the trip. It really saved his diving, and he has had to eat humble pie for being nasty about them in the past........

Thistlegorm - WOW, it's really starting to disintegrate....... Can really see the difference. Would help if people were a bit more choosy about mooring spots - but then, as a dive guide having to do my nth dive of the day, would I want to hang around...... Our dive guide took my suggestion of putting a T-shirt on our line!!! Enlivened by - the Italians AND the Russians.... Our peaceful swim through the holds was rudely barged through, ho hum.... Night dive was excellent, and we nipped in hastily in the morning, just missing the start of the current.... and the Italians!


Back to Small Crack, and Andy's back looked doubtfully at the waves outside the lagoon - we went for a gentle poddle inside and had a lovely time. Others were a bit shaken about, we heard! We had an evening and then a morning on Shark/Yolanda - we did both, for a change, but loitered on the wreck bit both times. Bit of a current, especially in the morning, but I spotted my friend the turtle and got some nice shots - he's had an encounter with a propeller, and has a fixed up gouge in his shell, but seems happy munching. Last dive on Ras Ghazlani - very pretty.

We had a super time, and recharged the batteries nicely. Just shows, you don't need oodles of planning! Thanks to the Team at Tony Backhurst, thanks to Khaled the dive guide, and all the crew of Tempest - so friendly. I like the little boats! Roll on August - we're doing Dreams out of Hurghada, which will be a change.


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