Da Cape

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Shark Dive - cage match

This is the info for our cage shark diving !!! The company info is at the bottom

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Below is a little more information on your day at Shark Alley:

At 5:00am this morning you will be met at your hotel to begin your two hour journey to Gansbaai, a mere stones-throw away from the most southern tip of the African Continent. You will be transferred from Cape Town in either our Mercedes Sprinter or Toyota Quantum bus. During breakfast, your tour guide will give you a safety briefing.

After breakfast you will depart from Gansbaai Harbour for a 30 minute boat ride to nearby "Shark Alley" where you find two islands situated next to each other. We have a 57 foot motorised catamaran that was built especially for shark viewing and cage diving. This is the largest boat in operation in the Shark Cage Diving Industry, offering you the best in safety and comfort. Unlike other operators (who do 2 to 3 tours per day) we only do 1 tour per day thus maximising viewing and diving time out at sea. Hot and cold running water are available on the boat.  Due to a number of geographical reasons - one being the shallow and narrow channel that runs between these two islands - Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark, are exceptionally high.  Other wildlife species such as Cape Fur Seals, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, Jackass penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted. Once ancho
 red in the channel, we make use of a specially designed, secure, six man steel cage, which floats on the surface, with our divers no more than 1m below the surface.

You do not require any diving certification to do the cage dive. Diving takes place on a rotational basis and on good diving days, it is possible for each diver to take more than one dive. Duration of each dive depends on the diver and the activity of the sharks, but could be up to half an hour per dive. We use a cage that is 3.5 m (10.5 feet) wide. On average there will be 5-6 divers at a time in the cage.  You have 2 options available for the cage dive. You can either hold your breath and just dive down when a shark is close to the cage (there is a 60 cm area of the cage above the water where wait before diving down) or you can use air that is supplied from the boat via a hose and a regulator. Both options will be available. Normally clients stay in the cage for about 30 minutes at a time, there is no time limit we rotate clients as they want to get out of the cage.

White sharks are indeed surface feeders, providing brilliant surface viewing from the safety of the shark-viewing deck of the boat.  Our non-divers have a great opportunity to view the feeding sharks from the safety of the boat, where exhilarating photographs and video footage may be captured, at close range.

The boat is comfortable and provides the ultimate stability at sea.  The boat is fully licensed to South Africa safety standards and has a spacious cabin, comfortable seating inside and outside, private lockable toilet and fresh drinking water.  The vessel is equipped with 2 radios, radar equipment, navigation equipment, depth finder, echo sounder, medical first aid kit, current safety equipment, 2 life rafts and life vests for all passengers.  We are in possession of a valid White Shark Cage Diving Operators Permit (issued by government), enabling us to work within the Dyer Island nature reserve area (copy of permit available upon request).  Only long-standing operators, who are in compliance with certain safety regulations and code of conduct, are entitled to this permit.  All facilities are closely inspected by authorities on an annual basis, ensuring maximum safety for all guests.

The experienced crew (5 crew per tour) looks after every detail to ensure you have a safe trip. Around noontime, you will be served refreshments of snacks, fruit, and drinks to hold you over before returning to Gansbaai Harbour.

You will be transferred back to the lodge where you will have lunch and also watch the DVD that was made of the day. During this period you will also be presented with a diving certificate and then return to your hotel in Cape Town. During the whale season we see whales in the same Bay as we see the Great Whites. On the way back to Cape Town we will stop in Hermanus for some land based whale watching. The coastal resort of Hermanus offers spectacular land based whale watching. About 600 to 1000 Southern Right Whales visit the bay from mid June until December every year. Visitors are often treated to close up displays as these creatures often come to within 10 meters of the coast. The cliff tops in Hermanus offer the tourist great views and the ability to watch the whales close up.

The cost including return transfers from any address in the Cape Town area will be R 1,650 PP (R 1,350 pp self drive). We offer a free cage diving trip (open ended) in the extremely unlikely event of us not seeing any Great Whites on the day out at sea.

Please click on the link below to enter your credit card details to confirm the booking details. We will only use your credit card to secure the dive - you can do full payment on the day of the dive.

http://ww7.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=99118746&product=Abbie&price=1350       - Including return transfers from Cape Town (This includes a R 300PP discount for SAS Students)

5.00am           Pickups in Cape Town
8.00am:                         Meeting at De La Mer Restaurant in Gansbaai Harbour
8.00am - 8.45am:          Breakfast, payment and briefing (overview of day)
8.45am:                          Transfers to Gansbaai Harbour
9.00am:                          Safety/Dive briefing and launch
9.45am:                          Anchor at dive spot and start diving
1.00pm - 2.00pm:          Return back to Gansbaai harbour
1.00pm - 2.00pm:          Transfers back to Restaurant
2.00pm - 3.00pm:          Lunch, handing out of certificates and watch DVD of day
4.30pm - 5.00pm:          Back in Cape Town

                                Boat and Equipment:

·         57ft Lee Cat, largest and most comfortable in industry
·         Cage is 3.5m x 1.5m
·         Hot and cold water/showers available
·         220V available on boat
·         Charging of phones, cameras and cell phones possible
·         Coffee and Tea facilities
·         7mm wet suits with hoodie and booties
·         Towels available on boat (included in cost)
·         Videographer on every trip
·         Wireless PA system
·         DVD/CD/Tuner with 12 speakers throughout boat
 
Crew on boat (Min on every trip consists of):

·         Skipper
·         Dive Master / Guide
·         2 x Deckhands
·         Videographer

Meals:

·         Breakfast
·                     Toast / Bread (as much as you want)
·                     Tea and Coffee
·                     Cereal
·                     Yoghurt
·                     Fruit
·                     Juice
·                     Muffins

·         Snacks on Boat

·                     Chips
·                     Water (Still and Sparkling)
·                     Fruit
·                     Coke and Diet Coke
·         Lunch (They can choice lunch meal at breakfast, menu changes daily)
·         Choice of non vegetarian meals
·         Choice of vegetarian meals

·         Soft Drink / Beer / Wine
 
What makes us different?

·         Largest and most stable boat of all operators
·         We mostly only do 1 trip per day, unlike other operators that do 2 or 3 trips. 
          We can thus offer you maximum time out at sea.
·         Only operator that meets at a restaurant where you can have a substantial
           breakfast as well as a choice of 6 different meals for lunch
·         Only operator with their own videography team - others are all outsourced
·         Most experienced skipper (more than 20 years experience in the Gansbaai
           area)

As all other operators we have:

·         Boat that is SAMSA (South African Marine Safety Association) Surveyed
           annually
·         MCM permit to operate as an Shark Cage Diving Operation
·         Qualified skipper, dive master and Level ll medic on board
·         All diving equipment required for cage dive

You are guaranteed an unforgettable experience!!

Please contact us if you require any further information.

Best regards,   Paul
UnrealDive Expeditions
Cell: 083 273 4920
email: paul@unrealdive.com

YouTube - Videos from this email

Nicholas Alan Tomkins Semester at Sea Spring 2010 1/17/2010 - 5/5/2010

Check out our current position or other info about my voyage:

http://www.semesteratsea.org/current-voyage/overview/

Email me at Nicholas.a.tomkins@gmail.com Check out my blog as well! nick-sas-spring2010.blogspot.com

Crossing the Equater

 

Yea! No class today, its called Neptune Day. An ancient seaman's tradition triggered when we crossed the Equator for the first time. They came down the halls at like 7:00 am, banging on pots and pans, waking us all up. Then we went up to the ship's pool where they poured fish guts all over us and made everyone swim across the already disgusting pool. Then after kissing a real fish, we kissed King Neptune's ring (our Dean's) and then his Queen's ring (Dean's wife). 

 

Some people shaved their heads, including10 girls and of course I did. You know I love my short hair (LOL).  All in all It has been an extremely fun event and to top it off later on we had a BBQ with free Hamburgers.

Now I am going to lay out by the pool..., after which I may do some Homework and Reading/Studying.

Link to info:

King Neptune Ceremony

Love you! hope all is well!!!!

Nicholas Alan Tomkins Semester at Sea Spring 2010 1/17/2010 - 5/5/2010

Check out our current position or other info about my voyage:

http://www.semesteratsea.org/current-voyage/overview/

Email me at:   nicholas.a.tomkins@gmail.com

India

India sure is an interesting country! All the different sights and smells are incredible...and believe me I'm going to enjoy them to the MAX!

We are currently in Agra, India ~ home to the majestic and beautiful Taj Mahal. We are headed back to New Delhi tonight and then on to Cochin in the morning! India has been amazing so far and I cannot wait to see some more!

With our Group Leader and Global Studies Professor Don..., he's the man! (LOL)

Some Vietnam Pics...

Both of my Mothers

In the Chu Chi Tunnels

Enjoying a wonderful MV Explorer meal

A group of us in Hong Kong

On the Beautiful Ha Long Bay

Hector and I

Coming soon - Vietnam with the rents

Oh the drudgery of being ship bound...

 

Hello All ! 
 
As you may know, we have been on the ship for about 8 days now. And believe me the days have been jam-packed with craziness.  I'm talking super fun mixed with a bunch of miserable, topped off with very rewarding. And actually it all just flew by!  

I was sick for a couple days, but am feeling much better now thank you. We had our Sea Olympics, which went off perfectly. I have watched a lot of movies, read some books and found some time to just relax a bit. On Monday (3/8), I got my badly needed post Olympics massage.(hahaha).  The change to a warmer climate makes slack time on the ship seem a bit unreal. Everyone goes out on deck after and between classes to tan and/or swim. It's CRAZY too think we are at school on a cruise ship. (LOL). Most everyone is busy with their school work and extra curricular activities, but they all  seem to find time to relax and catch some rays.

 
Here's an example of my typical day at sea:   
Wake up at 11:30 and go to dining room to work on my Communications homework. Meet up with friends at noon for lunch. Go to Communications Class at 1230, Global Studies at 1400, after which I get a burger by the pool, relax, read and swim, not necessarily in that order. At 1700 ish (depending on the day), we play some V-ball, then go to dinner followed by the nightly Explorer’s seminar and then hang loose for rest of the night. Now that I am not jammed packed with meetings for the Sea Olympics, I have a lot more down time. So to keep busy I'm getting involved in the Shipboard Drive. We are raising monies through different events for a number of worthwhile SAS charities.  

 This morning we turned off all our engines for 4 hours and just drifted in the Bay of Bengal. Floating towards India was an incredible view as we watched the crimson sun rise in the sky…absolutely beautiful..., or so I'm told…, I wasn’t quite up out of bed yet (LOL). 

 
We get to India in a few hours, and I have a jam packed 6 days of touring. I am anticipating seeing a very different and interesting culture and country. I get one day in Chennai to just walk around and explore. At  3:45am on day 2,  I leave for my 3 day SAS trip to the Taj Mahal!  A day and a half spent in Cochin before our departure on the 16th. That’s India in a nutshell. I am still working on my China and Vietnam blog posts…. so after India I'm going to be pumping them all out…, I hope. 

Nicholas Alan Tomkins
Semester at Sea
Spring 2010
1/17/2010 - 5/5/2010   
 
Check out our current position or other info about my voyage:
http://www.semesteratsea.org/current-voyage/overview/   
Email me at Nicholas.a.tomkins@gmail.com
 

Spring 2010 ~ Sea Olympics

As of the halfway mark, the RED SEA (my floor) is in 2nd place! Our Tug of War victory has given us a slight edge over the Med Sea for the 2nd place spot.  We owned the Tug, My buddy Gram (another big guy) and I just anchored down and demolished the competition!  Sooo much fun and everything is running smoothly. I am running around (with a walkie-talkie) making sure it runs smoothly. I will update after the closing ceremonies.

Well..., we were victorious! 

It came down to the end, we were in second place on the leader board going into the closing ceremony.The outcome of the last four events was kept a secret, even from me! So that made it even more crazy when we won. I put so much work into the Olympics and everything ran very smoothly. It was an absolutely amazing day.  I got to announce the awarding of the medals for the team banner contest during the ceremony so that was pretty cool as well as I  emceed a few events and carried the "Torch" to start the Olympics in the Opening Ceremony. Man what a day!

 

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DEANS MEMO
Monday, March 8, 2010
 
BRAVO!

Yesterday’s Sea Olympics were outstanding! Congratulations to the Red Sea -- you will be

the first sea off the ship in Florida. From the whole shipboard community: Thank you,

Stacey Steinbach, the Olympics Committee Chairs of Amy Bishop, Lauren Brock, Juliana Falls,

Nick Tomkins, and everyone who had a role in making this year’s Olympics such a

tremendous success. Spring 2010 rocks!

~ The Dean ~

The Olympic Chairs

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Below is the The Email Our LLC (our version of an RA) wrote to us: 

From: Janelle Rahyns at Semester at sea
Sent: Sun 3/7/2010 1:49 PM
Subject: Great Job Red Sea Olympians!!

Greetings Champions!
 

I want to first say how proud I am of each and every one of you today! You all did an amazing job during our Sea Olympics, whether singing, dancing, or crawling - you each gave 110% representing the Red Sea. You may have realized that we are at the halfway point in our voyage and I hope that today you have truly made amazing friends and built great community throughout our Sea. Overall, Semester at Sea is an amazing life-changing experience, a true voyage of discovery, and many alumni fondly remember that the Sea Olympics was one of the highlights of their voyage. I have to say that as the winners of the GOLD! I hope that today becomes one of your SAS highlights as it is mine. I want to specifically give props to our Sea Captains, Connor and David for leading us to victory! I also want to thank those of you who created and participated in events making way for the Red Sea to be the best, expessially Nick Tomkins and Lauren Brock our resident Olympic Chairs! Throughout the remainder of the voyage, and for years to come, I would like you all to remember our Sea and how we were unified today for excellence. We all came together for a common goal - VICTORY, and blew it out of the water. Thanks to you all for making today for me very special. We will have a victory celebration after our Indian Port. Be on the lookout for the date and time.
 

Our Team is R.E.D. H.O.T. Red Hot!

 

Janelle Nicole Rahyns
Living Learning Coordinator
Leadership: Red Sea

Singapore, Malaysia

We stopped in Singapore briefly to Bunker fuel and provision the ship. We were not allowed off the MV Explorer

 

Pirate alert for the Straits of Malacca
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/04/singapore.malacca.terror.threat/index.html
We were made aware of this alert before we departed Singapore

Mekong Delta

Some of our tasty food while visiting the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Sorry for no recent update...but we have 8 nights on the ship in between Vietnam and India so I should be able to catch up!
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