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 All the holiday news...
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Maritime archaeologists from Lochaline and the University of St Andrews are inviting divers to get involved with the Sound of Mull Archaeological Project in Scotland from 29 July to 5 August. They will be helping to survey the Shuna wreck and unknown sites in Tobermory Bay, with all findings to be passed to the National Monuments Record. There will also be lectures on archaeological techniques. Attendance costs £449 per person, including diving and gas, accommodation, hardboat hire and course literature. You need at least CMAS two-star-equivalent certification.
• 01967 421627, lochaline.divecentre@virgin.net
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Down south, divers are being encouraged to join submarine specialist Innes McCartney and the Nautical Archaeology Society to survey the protected wreck Holland V, the Royal Navy's first submarine, out of Brighton Marina on 17-18 and 23-25 August. McCartney is running
a Submarine Research (NAS Part 3) course in Portsmouth and Gosport from 21-23 August, and anyone needing qualifications to take part
in this high-profile archaeological project is encouraged to attend. The cost is £275 for non-NAS members. But any diver can dive the 30m-deep Holland V under a visitor's licence on 19/20 August (£70).
• 023 92818419, mark@nasportsmouth.org.uk
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A dedicated service for underwater photographers is the latest offer from Red Sea Diving College in Sharm el Sheikh. You join a small, photography-focused dive group accompanied by a photographic guide for up to three slow-paced dives a day, giving you ample
time to get your shot. The guide will take you to the best locations to point out photo-opportunities, and rates are as for standard two-dive days - around £40.
• www.redseacollege.com
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Red Sea Rentals aims to provide an economical alternative to Hurghada's hotels with the self-catering and serviced one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios it has for short-term let in the Egyptian resort. Accommodation starts from £75 per week and transfers and excursions can also be arranged if required.
• www.redsea-rentals.com
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Euro Divers has taken over management of the Hotel Sedona in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Built on a 24-hectare site, the resort has 247 rooms and a dive centre with three boats going out to Bunaken National Park, known for its rich marine life and wall dives. Hotel and diving package prices start from US $998 (around £540), including seven nights' half-board accommodation and 10 dives, including tank and weights.
• www.euro-divers.com
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Have you ever forgotten your logbook, medical certificates or anything else you might need to allow you to dive while away from home? New service My Diving Info stores all your necessary diving records on a secure website so that you can access them at any time from anywhere in the world. It will also remind you when your kit needs servicing or your certificates updating. Annual charge is £17.
• www.mydivinginfo.com
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London Diving Chamber is offering free online video consultations for divers who suspect that they may have decompression illness and can access the necessary facilities. Its worldwide service uses Skype Video Chat, available in Internet cafes, to allow divers far from home
to talk directly to a doctor and demonstrate any symptoms they may be experiencing. Call the number below.
• +44 (0)7940 353 816, www.londondivingchamber.co.uk
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The first PADI Five-Star dive centre on the Isle of Man is up and running. Mann Scuba Divers,
in conjunction with Diving Air Services, provides PADI qualifications up to Divemaster level and is offering free Discover Scuba Diving lessons for anyone who subsequently enrolls on
a full course.
• www.mannscubadivers.com
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Snooba Travel has a nine-night trip to Cebu in the Philippines on offer, taking in dive sites such as Pescador Island in the Moalboal Marine Park and the Tanon Strait, which offer current, wall and reef diving. The package costs £990 per person, including international flights, full-board accommodation and 15 dives.
• www.snooba.com
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Global Vision International is offering free placements on its coral and marine-life conservation projects in Mexico and the Seychelles. The catch is that you must first pay to participate in a 10-week expedition, giving you the chance to take part in the next 10 weeks for free as an intern, either on the same expedition or another of your choice. Rates for a 10-week period start from £1350.
• www.gvi.co.uk
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