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Diving with… Tracy Leverett, Emperor Divers, Marsa Alam , Egyptian Red Sea

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In this ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer


What is your name?

Tracy Leverett

What is the name of your business?

Emperor Divers Marsa Alam

What is your role within the business?

Dive Centre Manager

How long has the business operated for?

Emperor Divers are celebrating their 26th Anniversary in the Red Sea this year 2018.  We have been in the Marsa Alam region since 2004.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

I have been diving since 2006, PADI IDC Staff Instructor.

What is your favorite type of diving?

My favourite type of diving is macro life diving, slow, no currents and the ability to take photographs and have time to do this.

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?

Friendly and professional staff instructor and boat crews.  Easy, fun, ‘no current’ diving (except Elphinstone!). Beautiful reefs of the Red Sea. If you stay at our partner hotel you can roll out of bed, to breakfast and on to the boat.

What is your favorite dive in your location and why?

This is a tough one. Marsa Mubarak (imbarak) best site for possible macro nudibranch, seahorses, nudibranch sightings but also is visited frequently by our resident Dugong ‘Dyson’.

What types of diving are available in your location?

We are mainly day boat diving but we have a house reef also. The boat diving is 2 or 3 dives a day but we spend all day out at sea. We have some fantastic reefs with amazing and immaculate hard corals. We have Elphinstone, which offers drift dives and larger pelagic sightings. Most of our sites are perfect for the beginner or photographers.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

I get to spend my time 50/50 in the office and in the sea teaching and guiding.  A perfect mixture. I have been in the Emperor team for eight years now and I enjoy everything about the job. I have a fantastic team and we all have very high standards. We see many guests return time and time again – we are like one big family.

What is your favorite underwater creature?

Frogfish

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary in the Red Sea, both day diving centres and diving Safaris.  We expanded our company to the Maldives three years ago where we have six boats and very recently we have expanded to establish Emperor Indonesia with a sailing schooner, MY Emperor Laut, for diving safaris in Indonesia.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

The perception that somehow the Red Sea is unsafe, which is simply not the case – certainly no more so than anywhere else in the world. Marsa Alam Airport does not have so many direct flights, so often people have to come via Hurghada road transfer.

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

We work closely with HEPCA (Hurghada Environment Protection Conservation Association) and try to support them with their training and activities, such as making sure all our guides are Samadai trained (dolphin code of conduct) and participate in clean-ups. We are also the centre doing the most for dugong conservation with daily tracking of our local dugong – who we identified and named as Dyson in 2009. We teach a PADI distinctive dugong speciality written by, and therefore exclusive to, Emperor Divers. We have also hosted many journalists and photographers to meet Dyson and therefore spread his image and story across the globe. He’s even a National Geographic category winner!

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

I believe, as an industry, it needs to reach out and make itself more attractive to the younger generation as the average diver is getting older every year. As a resort-based diving centre, we can deliver great training and service but we cannot advertise diving in general to the masses. This is necessary from the major training organisations, manufacturers and press industries related to SCUBA.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

The Red Sea has some amazing diving, from reefs to large pelagics. On our day boats, we are able to reach Elphinstone, which is in one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.  The drop in tourist numbers since 2011 has had a huge impact on the quality and quantity of life both big and small, which has just got better and better each year. Egypt is perfectly safe and the region we are based in is very quiet and relaxed. Come and try it and for sure you will love it.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business?

You can visit our website here

Find us on Facebook: Emperor Divers Marsa Alam

Email us at info.marsa@emperordivers.com or manager.ghalib@emperordivers.com

Whats app/viber/SMS: +20 122 737 2126

Gear News

Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD

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regulator

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

regulator

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.

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Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

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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.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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paul watson

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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