Once again diving operators with an environmental conscience were the winners of the prestigious Diver Awards 2007. The Awards, which are given according to votes received by readers of Diver, one of the UK’s leading dive magazines, were presented in a ceremony at the London International Dive Show in March.

Blue Horizon, flagship vessel for Blue O Two, won the Diver Liveaboard of the Year, beating Tornado’s Hurricane and Emperor Elite into second and third place. Jason Strickland, Director of Blue O Two said that award was “great recognition of what the team, in both Egypt and the UK, are achieving.”

Tony Backhurst Scuba Travel won Diver Tour Operator of the Year for an incredible fourth year beating off stiff competition from Regaldive and Longwood Holidays. Tony Backhurst commented on the vast range of products now offered by the company but stressed that “all clients are individuals who we must offer the right product to, so that they’re always satisfied.”

For the second year running, Red Sea Diving College were presented with Diver Dive Centre of the Year. A spokesperson told us that this was “Fantastic news! Certainly, we will not rest on our laurels - this award will encourage us to further develop our diving services and our projects in defence of the wonderful marine environment of the Red Sea throughout 2008”. Camel Dive Club and Emperor Divers were judged to be second and third in this category.

Egypt lost out to the Maldives for Diver Destination of the Year, whilst the all-encompassing Shipwrecks from the Egyptian Red Sea by Ned Middleton was awarded Diver Publication of the Year. Other big winners were Scubapro, Suunto with its Vyper 2 computer, Diver’s Warehouse and online service divepursuits.com.

All winners and nominees thank readers of Diver magazine for their votes.

It has been ten weeks since HEPCA’s installation of the new mooring system on the SS Thistlegorm. 32 mooring lines were placed around the wreck in an intensive operation that marked the first phase of conservation work. Air-escape outlets were also drilled into the wreck to help prevent internal damage.

Most diving operators are delighted with the new system but over the test period of the last few weeks it has become apparent that the system could be enhanced further for ease and safety. To this end, a consultative meeting was held on 24th February in Sharm El Sheikh. Managers of several of the larger dive centres, and representatives of the CDWS and SSDM, met with Amr Ali from HEPCA to review the system and discuss possible improvements.

Keeping the existing ropes and fixings on the seabed, it has now been proposed to fix a stopper-system of a shorter line, which will be attached at 45 degrees to the original line and also fixed by a Manta Ray drilling, to reduce the distance the line can move towards the wreck. This system has been affectionately called the ‘Miki System’, named after the Camel dive centre manager, Miki Clark, who designed and proposed it. Additionally, the ropes will terminate on a buoyed device located below the surface at a depth of around 14m to avoid theft and damage by fishing boats. This will also reduce the risk of DCS for guides and place the job of tying in at depths even shallower than tying onto the old positions on the wreck itself.

During the discussions, many other positives suggestions and solutions were aired including the provision of an external ring of moorings for the larger safari boats whose guests can easily reach the wreck by zodiac.

It is proposed that the SS Thistlegorm be closed to boats for one week from 6th to 12th March 2008 to enable phase two of the conservation work to take place. Further announcements will be made shortly with news of progress of the plans.

HEPCA thanks everyone for your understanding, cooperation and support.