DATELINE: 14th December 2000

PLANET OUT OF ORBIT
Planet Submarine, the project launched in 1997 to form group-owned dive centres in various parts of the world, is folding, according to its organiser Martin Hoffmann.
The project attracted 19 founder-members from the UK, says Hoffmann. Each paid an entry fee of between £1800 and £3600, in return for which they expected to receive discounted diving, training, travel and accommodation.
"The concept was sound and viable," he says. "Unfortunately, with a few natural disasters and the failure to realise the full funding, the concept has failed." He says he has begun to contact the founders with a view to refunding the amounts paid.
A number of founder-members had contacted Diver, expressing concern that they had received no benefits after three years and were not being kept informed of developments.
The project was reportedly beset by difficulties. The first planned centre in Egypt was foiled by the Luxor massacre, the second in Eritrea by fighting, and two in Honduras and Belize by hurricanes George and Mitch. Failure of a recent bid in Belize was blamed by Hoffmann partially on damage to a resort caused by hurricane Keith.

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