News
Day trip to the Thistlegorm
The wreck of the Thistlegorm has to be one of the top attractions in the Red Sea, and also ranks as one of the most iconic wrecks in the world. This morning, we were up as the sun was just beginning to rise to make the 3 hour boat ride from Sharm to this fantastic dive site. The excitement was palpable; even at that early hour, everyone was buzzing as we boarded the Camel Tribe. Those that had dived it in the past, like us, were keen to return, and for those that had never seen it, their anticipation grew as we told stories about its history and our own previous experiences.
The Thistlegorm was bombed in 1941 and sank very quickly, along with her cargo of trucks, trains, motorbikes, and even aircraft. A huge hole was blasted almost completely through the middle of her as the bomb that hit her found the armoury section of the boat. You can still see shells & rifles in this section, and two intact guns are mounted on her stern. She now lies in 30m of water and is one of the most popular dive sites anywhere in the world.
We arrived nice and early, and jumped in as soon as the boat was moored up in order to beat the other boats that would surely arrive. There was absolutely no current and we had the whole wreck to ourselves. Just us and our Camel Dive Club private guide, Beth. We had planned the dive thoroughly, as we wanted some specific shots, and Beth led us right to the trucks that we wanted to shoot. The holds are a fantastic place to explore and take photographs. We decided to try out some remote strobe lighting, with Caroline dropping her camera rig inside one of the trucks to assist with Nick’s shots.
For the whole first dive, we did not see another diver – even the other Camel guests – and had the wreck to ourselves to explore in perfect conditions; amazing. After 45 mins, it was time to head back to the surface and review our images and plan for the second dive. This time we wanted to check out the bow section, with its rope room and bowsers, as well as trying to get external shots of the wreck. We had a great second dive, and just as we signalled to head back to the line, the current started to pick up and a large group of divers descended. Perfect timing, once again! We were keen to hear from the rest of our small group, as we had some very enthusiastic divers who had never been on the Thistlegorm before – they loved it, and the chatter was relentless.
Diving the Thistlegorm from Sharm is a great way to dive this iconic site. You do not have to spend a week on a liveaboard, you can come back and sleep in a comfy bed… oh, and it is the Camel Dive Club party this evening….
www.egypt.travel/diving-in-egypt
For more from Nick and Caroline visit www.frogfishphotography.com.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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