Diving The Red Sea – November 2010

Lynda and Jim joined 23 other rebreather divers, from up North, aboard Blue Melody to dive the wrecks of the Red Sea for some winter sun. Boarding at Hurghada the boat was loaded and a flurry of activity saw the rebreathers reconstructed from their component parts as they emerged from their travel bags. Over 40 stage cylinders containing nitrox or trimix quickly were added to the dive deck and the 12 litre ali cylinders, normally used for Scuba, joined them as air bailouts. We had to smile as the first check dives in 14m of water saw divers heavily laden on a shallow reef as weighting was confirmed and adjusted but better divers were to follow.

Day 2 saw us on the Brothers Islands diving the Numidia and Aida with depths of 83 and 60m respectively with beautiful wrecks covered in coral adding to the thrill of engine rooms and winches. Day 3 we were at Safaga diving on the Salem Express, a RoRo ferry lying in 32m. We were banned from penetrating the wreck as it is a grave and it took a great deal of restraint to only peer inside, especially with the loading ramp now on the sea bed. Day 4 was spent on the Rosalie Muller and although the vis was not at its best, cruising round this fantastic upright wreck, covered in fish life, at 40m on a rebreather was sheer bliss. However, the mood changed at the end of the day as the Egyptian dive guide, trying to release the shot got his hand trapped resulting in severe damage and a two hour detour to the nearest coast was needed to get him transferred to hospital. Day 5 saw us reef diving while some of the deep teckies tackled a dive to 100m and a near 3 hour run time.. The last dives were in Hurghada harbour diving a mine sweeper in around 35m, then swimming across to dive a fishing boat sunk close by: certainly an interesting backdrop to a wreck dive.

We had a great time, met many new friends, Lynda began to turn into a Northern teckie, and we would recommend the Blue O Two Company to anybody interested in diving the Red Sea. Thanks to Midland Rebreather Divers for organising the trip.

A selection of pictures are enclosed

Jim and Lynda