News
If you’re feeling a little chilly, warm up with these great deals from Scuba Travel
Fed up with feeling cold? It’s time to book your next diving trip to warmer seas. Whatever time of year you want to make your escape UK-based Tour Operator Scuba Travel have a deal for you.
Whirlwind I Red Sea Liveaboard I 14 April I Save £100, only £1175
Join one of everyone’s favourite Red Sea Liveaboards on the popular Wrecks and Reefs itinerary which allows you to see the best of the Red Sea whatever your level of experience. Dive some of the most iconic dive sites Egypt has to offer alongside a few of the lesser known beauties.
Whirlwind is a generous 36m and there is ample space for all 20 guests. She has everything a modern diver could want including a spacious dive deck for kitting up.
Standard package includes 7 nights full board, up to 22 fully guided dives, 12 ltr tanks and weights, return flights and transfers.
Mermaid II I 18 March I Raja Ampat Discovery I Save £300, only £3850
Grab yourself one of the last three spaces on this Indonesian Liveaboard. Dive the wish list destination Raja Ampat with one of Scuba Travel’s hand picked liveaboards. This is the ultimate Indonesian dive adventure, packed with big fish to macro and mind-blowing bio diversity.
Mermaid is a dive friendly and comfortable 32m steel hulled liveaboard with a highly experienced crew.
Package includes return flights and transfers, 8 nights full board (incl. soft drinks) and up to 26 fully guided dives
Turks and Caicos Aggressor Specials I Save up to £600 I From £1495, boat only
The Turks & Caicos Aggressor offers a special kind of diving holiday in the Caribbean. Sail between the endless cays and islands in complete comfort, breaking up your day only to dive the outstanding deep walls and lavish corals and experience the big and small marine life.
No creature comfort has been forgotten on this boat. With a large saloon, a perfect sun deck for relaxing in between dives and a spacious dive deck, you will not be disappointed.
Package includes 7 nights full board including soft drinks and a selection of local beer and wine, and up to 5 fully guided dives per day.
ScubaSpa Summer Savings I Save £300, from £2195
Welcome to the world of ScubaSpa – a beautifully styled floating resort in the Maldives that welcomes divers and spa lovers alike for the ultimate in luxury cruising and diving. Divers will love ScubaSpa. There are never more than 22 divers on the liveaboard at any one time so you get all the benefits of the vast mothership with small dive groups, split between the experienced dive guides. Spoil yourself by booking a trip today to discover the wow factor of this stunning vessel.
The Best of the Maldives does just what it says on the tin – you dive the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives in a single week of sublime liveaboard diving across Male and Ari atolls.
Package includes 7 nights full board, 3 fully guided dives per day, 12tlr tank and free nitrox.
Maldives I Book Now for December 2018
If you’re thinking of escaping to the Maldives this December, then now is the time to book your trip to make the most of one of Scuba Travel’s cracking deals and save up to £300. Flight prices will only go up from now… so don’t delay
There are several boat options to dive The Best of the Maldives Itinerary which dives the seasonal hot spots and aims to mix up big fish, manta and shark dives, with scenic reefs and macro life. This is an ideal itinerary for any first time visitor to the Maldives and yet is a route that can be dived time and time again due to its diversity.
December 2018 Boat Only Prices: Leo from £1245, Virgo from £1295, Emperor Atoll from £1095 – Package includes 7 nights full board and fully guided Dhoni diving.
To find out more about Scuba Travel and the dive holidays they offer call 0800 0728221, email dive@scubatravel.com or visit www.scubatravel.com.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
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.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
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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