Project AWARE – 100% PIC Online Pilot Scheme paperwork

Why not take part in the new Project AWARE 100 % PIC Online Pilot Scheme.
By joining this new programme you ensure that all your students whose cards are processed online receive the Project AWARE version of their PADI certification card. You will also show your commitment to the protection of aquatic resources by raising vital funds to help Project AWARE complete its mission.


How the Pilot scheme works:

* You will need to sign and return a copy of an agreement letter to Project AWARE Foundation (International). This confirms your commitment to forward the c-card donation for each student certified online on a quarterly basis. Project AWARE will send out a Donation Received Invoice, which is to be paid within 10 working days
* From the date you join, all c-cards processed online by your store will be Project AWARE cards
* The current donation amount for each card is £5 (this will be the amount billed for, for each student). Please encourage additional donations, by using the Project AWARE Collection box (if in the UK), a Project AWARE donation form, encouraging students to donate online via projectaware.org or your own website, the patron brochure or by using an AWARE brochure that includes a donation form*
* If used, send in any paper PICs (with donations) per usual procedures

Please be exact in your advertising as to the amount given to Project AWARE with each card process, i.e. £5 (if you'd like this amount to be higher, please let us know)
Your student divers' donations support conservation initiatives such as beach and underwater cleanups, coral health monitoring and shark protection.

To apply for the scheme, please send an email to Suzanne Pleydell, suzanne.pleydell@padi.co.uk asking her for the 100% PIC Online Pilot Scheme paperwork.

PADI Recieves the Tauchen Award at the Dusseldorf Boat Show

For the eleventh time consecutively, PADI EUROPE were awarded with the prestigious TAUCHEN award. The reader’s choice award is given yearly in 17 different categories of the diving industry - from dive-centers through resorts to equipment categories - and diving education.

PADI is and has been the only winner for all the eleven first prizes since the creation of the award.

The award of the title “Best association for education in diving” by the German diving magazine “Tauchen” is one of the most traditional events during the exhibition “Boot” in Düsseldorf. This year PADI has won it for the eleventh time consecutively.

On Thursday of this year’s exhibition, the magazine “Tauchen” organized its traditional gala event and as with every year all key persons of the diving industry have assembled. Alexandra Jahr, editor of “Tauchen” and Carolyn Martin, editor-in-chief celebrated the presentation of the 17 winners. Being once more chosen as the winner in its category for 2008 was a proud achievement for PADI and its representatives: it is a renewed testimony to the quality of PADI’s educational programs and ongoing successful campaigns.

According to Jürg Beeli, Chairman of the board of PADI Europe, the award of “Best divers training organization“ represents a true recognition of the great job done by more than 30 000 active members of PADI Europe and in particular by the 1 100 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts: “It’s not enough to put on the market new and fascinating offers. It is necessary to have motivated partners at the front, who know how to offer these products and services in a frame of high customer satisfaction. This role is played by our Dive Centres and Resorts, to whom I am particularly thankful“

Prof. Dr. Hans Hass diving Pioneer, celebrates his 90th birthday at the Dusseldorf Boat Show.

Members of the world wide diving community honoured Dr Hans Hass during celebrations for his 90th birthday. Prof. Dr. Hans Hass’s wife Lotte Baierl was also present during the event. Hans Hass (born January 23, 1919 in Vienna, Austria) is a diving pioneer and mainly known for his documentaries about sharks the energon theory, and his commitment, later in life, to the protection of the environment.

Member Forums 2009

Join Us for PADI Member Forum 2009

Are the Enriched Air tables going away?
What is this 120-page instructor manual I heard about?
Do all PADI Instructors have to be EFR Instructors?

These questions and more will be answered at PADI Member Forum 2009!

Network with other PADI Members, brush up on recent standards changes, and check out the new Risk Management videos filmed on PADI's virtual island in Second Life.

The program runs about two hours and is offered at no charge. Coffee and sodas will be provided. If you're working towards Master Instructor, it counts towards your three required seminars.

Egypt
Dahab,10th February, Dahab Hilton, 19:00 – 21:00
Sharm El Sheikh, 13th February, Sheraton, 19:00 – 21:00
Hurghada, 5th March, Intercontinental, 19:00 – 21:00
Cairo, 2nd April, Hilton Nile, 19:00 – 21:00

Russia
Moscow, 20th February, Golden Dolphin Show, 12:00 – 15:00

Eastern & Central Europe
Poland, 13th March, Warsaw, Wind & Water Fair, T.B.A.
Hungary, 14th April, Budapest, Novotel Centrum, 19:00 – 21:00
Czech Republic, 16th April, Prague, T.B.A, 19:00 – 21:00
Bulgaria, 7th May, Sofia, T.B.A.

Please note that you do not have to register before attending.

Egypt - Wreck Adventure "Rosalie Moller"

The Rosalie Moller is fast becoming one of the most famous wrecks in the Red Sea. Slightly larger than her close neighbor the "Thistlegorm", this remarkable wreck lies at 50 meters with her forward mast reaching vertically up to 17 meters below the surface. She was 108 meters long, displacing 3960 tons.

Launched in 1910 as the "Francis" she was built in Glasgow, Scotland by Barclay Curle and CO. She was later sold to another company, Moller Line and renamed "Rosalie Moller". The vessel was used to assist merchant and allied Navel vessels by supplying "Best Welsh" coal to all the coal fired ships during the WWII.

Her final voyage started out uneventfully, loading what would be her last consignment of "Best Welsh" in late July 1941. Bound for Alexandria, in Northern Egypt the Rosalie Moller finally entered the Red Sea and on reaching the Gulf of Suez, was assigned "Safe Anchorage" where she was to wait for further instructions.

The Final Resting Ground of the Rosalie Moller
On the night of the October 8th 1941, two days after the sinking of the Thistlegorm, she was attacked by Heinkel bombers and heavily damaged on the starboard side, resulting in her sinking. There were two deaths, with the survivors taking to the lifeboats. The Rosalie Moller now is home on the western side of Gubal Island, north of Hurghada.

Diving the Wreck
Intact, upright and in pristine condition, she now lies on the bottom with her bow down in the sand. When you drop down the forward mast from the mooring you are filled with tremendous excitement and immense anticipation as the remains of masthead lamp form in the distance.

Descending further, the sharp outline of the deck can be seen, with the bow located at around 39 meters. The starboard anchor is deployed with the chain running down to the seabed and then out of sight. The port anchor remains fully retracted. The railings are relatively still in place, as is much of the deck paraphernalia such as: winch houses, blocks and hawsers. Almost eerily, everything still appears tidy and intact.

Over numerous visits, I had managed to find the entrance to the crew's quarters, via a small hatch on the main deck. Aft of the bridge, the funnel is still standing. On the leading edge is a small ladder to a magnificent copper steam whistle. Moving towards mid-ship, the cargo hatches are gone, revealing the full cargo of "Best Welsh" still in place. Amazingly enough, although the wooden decks have rotted away, all the portholes are still present either in position or littered on the floor below.

Swimming towards the stern, access to the interior is made possible via two internal gangways running parallel through the vessel, providing access to rooms either side. The signal room and galley are present in this area where pots and pans still hang in the galley, currently fused to the walls. Access to the engine room is also possible from this area. Beyond that, the rear mast is

apparent and the lifeboat davits are swung out at about 35meters at the stern. Below is an impressive rudder at about 45meters. Curiously, one of the four propeller blades is missing. There is external damage to both rear quarters, which is slightly more extensive on the starboard side.

The visibility is not what is usually expected of the Red Sea, with 15-20 meters being normal. However, coral life drapes the upper areas with plentiful marine life swamping the wreck. My last visit to the Rosalie Moller allowed for a brief encounter with a dolphin during my decompression stop on ascent. The wreck also provides numerous photographic opportunities, although sometimes-heavy sediment movement can play havoc with exposures.

How to Dive the Rosalie Moller
Due to the location of the wreck she can only be visited by safari boats or specialist daily boats from Hurghada or El Gouna. Because of the limited bottom time it takes several dives to fully appreciate this wreck. Great care must be taken due to the depths, currents and often-reduced visibility. Good planning and surface support is required for this challenging and eventful dive. A technical diving approach will allow for safer and longer exploration of the wreck. The Rosalie Moller is a significant discovery and one, which will continually enhance Egyptian waters. So if you are looking for something new and exciting book, your wreck safari now!

Regional Manager Meeting at PADI International Limited

The PIL Regional Managers along with PADI Staff Members from PADI International Limited, PADI Europe and Drew Richardson PADI President all came to Bristol to discuss ways forward for 2009.

We will bring these messages and ideas to the field during store visits and Member Forums.

The wealth of information and ideas from an international base should allow you to grow your business. I would also like to encourage you to visit the blog regularly, as several of these ideas will be published.

Egypt - Wreck Adventure "Thistlegorm"

Perhaps the finest wreck dive in the entire Red Sea, the Thistlegorm, a British ship, which sank with a full consignment of war supplies, including tanks, jeeps, and guns, after being bombed during WWII (1941). Discovered in 1956 by Jacques Costeau, rediscovered in 1993, lying on a sandy floor at a depth of 14 to 33 meters to the northwest of Ras Mohammed, it is currently the wreck to explore in the Red Sea.

The Past

The Thistlegorm was built by Joseph Thompson & Sons of Sunderland and launched in June 1940. She was 126.5 meters in length and displaced 4,898 gross tons. Thistlegorm was carrying a multitude of supplies bound for North Africa, including land mines, shells, ammunition, weapons, Bedford trucks, armored cars, Bren-Carriers, BSA motorcycles, trailers, vehicle spares, aircraft, aircraft parts, radios, rubber thigh-boots and a great deal more. At 22:50 on 6th October 1941 two German bombers, aided by a clear moonlit night, spotted a ship at anchor. They came in low over the sea and approached the bow of the Thistlegorm, released two bombs right over her bridge. Both bombs penetrated hold (5), aft of the bridge, detonating a great deal of ammunition. The resultant explosion sent the two locomotives flying into the air, as the ship was ripped open like a huge tin can. Even to this day, the rear decks are peeled back towards the bridge leaving many divers wondering what exactly they are looking at.

The Ship Today

The ship itself however, remained undisturbed until the early fifties when Jacques Cousteau discovered her. Cousteau, however, did not reveal the ship's position and once again, the Thistlegorm passed into obscurity. Since being re-discovered in the early nineties, the Thistlegorm has consistently remained "The World's Foremost Diving Attraction", it's cargo a veritable underwater "World War II Museum."

Diving the Thistlegorm

Despite the manner of her sinking, the Thistlegorm is still in remarkable condition. The front section remains largely intact and sits upright on a sandy seabed at a maximum depth of 32 meters. On the main deck there is a railway water carrier on either side of hold (1) with the one on the port side resting precariously over the edge of the hold. There are Bedford trucks and a number of motorcycles. Various airplane engine howlings and portable boilers can be found on the lower level. Back at deck level, there is a Railway Tender on each side of hold (2) beside which are two "torpedo" shaped mine sweepers. On the first deck you will discover two large armored cars. The starboard side of hold (2), however, is where an incredible journey begins. Swimming gently above the vehicles, there is plenty of room to explore and inspect the various lorries, trailers, motorcycles and other items as you journey below the bridge and pass through hold (3). Here are the small arms; weapons of various caliber in packs of six or eight and each pack now concreted together as a single entity. Beyond this, is the fuel store. To one side, there is a large gap where you are able to exit through the bulkhead which once formed the bulkhead between hold (3) and hold (4). Emerging into the daylight, you are confronted by the devastation that surrounded the sinking. In this area rests an up-turned tracked Bren Carrier. Pointing towards the stern is the broken drive shaft and some 20 meters further on is the remainder - sticking out of what remains of the stern. Below, are a number of very large shells - approximately 14 inches. The stern itself is leaning over at an angle of 45 degrees and is as interesting as any other part of the ship. The two deck-mounted guns are still in place, where they make excellent silhouettes against the distant surface. By now it is time to head back - swimming back over the wreck we arrive at the bridge and although stripped bare long ago, it is still well worth a visit. A gentle current generally prevails from bow to stern, large grouper, batfish, jacks and tuna are amongst the largest fish encountered.

Few, however, would disagree that the Thistlegorm is amongst the very best, a spectacular shipwreck, it is easy to see why she was catapulted from obscurity to become the "World's Foremost Diving Attraction" - virtually overnight. The mighty Thistlegorm is a legend amongst divers and her place will be forever remembered in diving's own "Great Hall of Fame."

Project AWARE - Don't forget to ask your students to upgrade their C-Cards

Project AWARE - How to become an Official Partner