| October 3, 2003 | |||||||||||
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SCUBA
DIVING COURSES, DAY EXCURSION Introduction As
an ex-oilfield diver with over ten years’ experience deep saturation
diving in the North Sea, followed by several years as a dive superintendent
on projects in Southeast Asia before establishing Track of the Tiger
Co. Ltd, my tour clients often ask me to recommend good, reliable
and safe diving operators in the south of Thailand. I am, of course, not familiar with all of the operators, and there are many, but those people whom I have pointed in the direction of SEA DRAGON DIVE CENTER at Khao Lak have reported back that standards of safety, professionalism of the management and instructors, preparation of dive vessels and related equipment, and approach to marine conservation are of a high standard. SEA DRAGON is a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)5 Star Dive Center and and also a sponsor of DAN (Divers Alert Network). The company is affiliated with the Phuket Recompression Chamber service and as such has priority (and reduced fee) access should a therapeutic decompression be needed. We are registered with the TAT, license no: 33/0608 and a member of the DOCT (Dive Operators Club of Thailand). With ten years in business the company has established a good reputation and its services are attractively priced, especially for ‘non’-divers joining the live aboard dive trips. On that basis, Track of the Tiger Co. Ltd. has selected SEA
DRAGON
as its dive operator of choice. Sally
Burbage: British, aged 42; Director. Co-founder of Sea Dragon.
Runs the office, handles bookings, sales, marketing, accounts, etc.
Certified diver. (Her diverse background from bank clerk to teacher
to prawn trawler deck hand qualifies her for all that) Khao Lak is a coastal fishing village situated between the towns of Takua Pa and Thai Muang on the west coast of the northern part of Phang Na province. Viewed on a map, the village is the closest landing point, due east of the Similan Islands. The
Similan & Surin Islands - Similan & Surin Island National Marine Parks are uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea. White sandy beaches and tropical rainforest are surrounded by clear blue waters with visibility averaging 30 metres, and an average sea temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. Beautiful coral reefs, rock formations with numerous swim- throughs, hard and soft corals are all home to tropical reef fish of all shapes, sizes and colours. Turtles, rays, leopard and reef shark are frequently sighted. On Koh (“island” in Thai) Bon, you can dive along a submerged ridge of coral; and Koh Tachai, has three underwater plateaus often visited by manta ray. Richelieu Rock, a submerged pinnacle is renowned for its visiting whale sharks from February onwards. The abundance of marine life together with the unique underwater scenery combine to make these islands a divers and snorkellers paradise. Getting
to Khao Lak The cheaper option is to take a motorbike taxi to the main road junction 2 kms from the airport, then taking a bus heading north to Takua Pa. Get off in Khao Lak, 30 kms before the town of Takua Pa. Accommodation
in Khao Lak Thailand Hotel & Guest House Directory Sea Dragon Diving Courses
Course
selection Dive or Dive Trip selection You will notice that some diving courses may be taken whilst on a live aboard dive trip, and that on the dive vessel KORAGOT , a number of places for non-divers (or just snorkellers) are set aside. Booking
procedures The form allows you to request either a specific diving course, or dive trip (by booking code number) on a date that suits you. Use the ‘alternative period’ box to input your flexibility; e.g., (“I am prepared to take the course or dive trip between 07 Mar 04 and 12 Mar 04 if my requested start date is not available”). Use the ‘alternative options’ box to indicate which other dive, or live aboard dive trip (within your designated alternative period) you would take if your first choice was not available.
SEA DRAGON - DIVING COURSES
Note: Instruction in both English & German twice
weekly. Booking
Code: 001 Booking Code:
002 Booking Code:
003 Booking Code:
004 Booking Code:
005 Booking Code:
006 Booking Code:
007 SEA DRAGON SHORE-BASED DAY DIVE TRIPS Booking Code:
008 Booking Code:
009
LIVE
ABOARD DIVE TRIPS The NANGNUAN (13m x 3.5m) is a dedicated dive vessel (no snorkellers); she takes a maximum of 8 divers on 3-day / 2-night dive trips and offers 9 dives per trip. On the lower of the two decks is the wheel house (equipped with SatNav system), captain’s cabin, galley & dining area, toilet, fresh water shower, dive deck with Mariner compressor, scuba tank racks and the dive platform. The upper deck consists of the sleeping area, plus a 3m x 3m sun deck. There is a crew of 5: Captain, cook, boat boy and 2 dive masters/instructors The NANGNUAN is equipped with GPS, compass, 2-way radio, one 25kva generator and GPS, life jackets, oxygen, medical kit, safety equipment & dinghy. All bedding is provided; ice box and soft drinks are free; beer is US$1.50 per can. 3
DAYS & 2 NIGHTS AT SEA PRICING ON REQUEST; Total of 9 dives (see typical dive trip schedule below) Included in
the price: Full use of all diving equipment
LIVE
ABOARD DIVE TRIPS The ANDAMAN is a steel hulled vessel (21m x 4.5m). The ANDAMAN takes a maximum of 20 divers (including a maximum of 4 non-divers. The PADI ADVANCED DIVER COURSE may also be taken onboard). On the lower of the 3 decks is the air-conditioned sleeping area, which has 16 single bunks and 2 double bunks, 3 toilets with fresh water showers, dive deck with two electrically-run Bauer compressors. The middle deck holds the wheel-house, captain’s cabin, galley, and a large dining area and the upper deck is the sun deck complete with sun beds and hammocks. There are 10 crew members: Captain, engineer, 2 cooks, boat boy, and 5 divemasters / instructors. The ANDAMAN is equipped with two 25kva generators, compass, 2-way radio, life jackets, oxygen, medical kit, safety equipment & dinghy. All bedding is provided, ice box and soft drinks are free; beer is US$1.50 per can. 4
DAYS & 4 NIGHTS AT SEA Booking Code
: 011 Departure Schedule : Currently 40 scheduled departures between November 2003 and May 2004. Included in
the Price: Full use of all diving equipment,all National Park
entry fees, transfers to and from the harbour from the dive centre,
onboard accommodation in individual bunks (2 double bunk units also
available) all meals, snacks, fruit, soft drinks & drinking
water, services of 5 Dive master / instructors. Note - See typical dive schedule below. LIVE
ABOARD DIVE TRIPS
on “THE MARINER ONE” The MARINER ONE is a wooden vessel (23m x 6m) and takes a maximum of 16 divers. On the lower of the three decks are eight 2-berth air-conditioned cabins, Divemasters cabin, 2 toilets with fresh water showers, the galley and the dive deck. The middle deck contains the dining area, air conditioned salon, and the wheel-house with crew quarters. The upper deck is the sun deck with sun beds and hammocks. There are 10 crew members: Captain, engineer, two cooks, 2 boat boy and 4 Divemasters/Instructors. The MARINER ONE is equipped with two 25kva generators, GPS and depth sounder,compass, 2-way radio, life jackets, oxygen, medical kit, safety equipment & dinghy. All bedding is provided, ice box and soft drinks are free; beer is US$1.50 per can. 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS AT SEA TO
THE SIMILAN ISLANDS & KOH BON Departs Mondays and Fridays at 22.00hrs. Returns 18.00hrs. Included in the Price - Full use of all diving equipment, all National Park entry fees, transfers to and from the harbour from the dive centre, onboard accommodation in 2-berth private cabins all meals, snacks, fruit, soft drinks & drinking water, services of 4 Dive master / instructors. Note - See typical dive schedule below. LIVE
ABOARD DIVE TRIPS The KORAGOT is a wooden vessel and takes a maximum of 10 divers and 2 non divers. On the lower of the two decks is the air conditioned sleeping area, toilet with fresh water shower, the galley and the dive deck. The upper deck contains the dining and relaxing area, the wheel-house and the sun deck. There are 6 crew members: Captain, cook, boat boy and 3 Divemasters/Instructors. The KORAGOT is equipped with a compass, 2-way radio, one 25kva generator GPS, life jackets, oxygen, medical kit, safety equipment & dinghy. All bedding is provided; ice box and soft drinks are free; beer is US$1.50 per can. 3
DAYS & 2 NIGHTS AT SEA
Departs three times weekly Included
in the price: Full use of all diving equipment, all National
Park entry fees, transfers to and from the harbour from the dive
centre; onboard accommodation in air-conditioned sleeping area;
all meals, snacks, fruit, soft drinks & drinking water, the
services of 3 divemaster/instructor. Typical
Dive Trip Schedule After we collect you from the beach, we move to the 2nd site of the day and enjoy another dive, after which lunch is served. Again, you may either go to the beach or relax onboard. The 3rd dive commences at 16:00 hrs and in the early evening dinner is served. On the final day we depart for Thap Lamu or Khuraburi harbour immediately after the second dive and lunch is served on the way home. We arrive back ashore at app. 18:00 hrs and transfer you to your resort in Khao Lak. The NANGNUAN and MARINER ONE visits the SIMILAN ISLANDSand KOH BON only. As these boats do travel so far, there is more time for relaxing on the beaches between dives. Breakfast is served after departure on the first morning, and lunch is served before the first dive. The ANDAMAN visits the SIMILAN & SURIN islands,
KOH BON, KOH TACHAI, & RICHELIEU ROCK, weather permitting.
If it is not possible to visit some of the northern islands due
to weather, some more time will be spent diving the Similans. On the final evening at sea, onboard the Andaman and Mariner One, a BBQ and cocktails are served on the sundeck, instead of a night dive. Dive Sites & Dive Planning The maximum depth of any dive is 30m. Everyone dives with a buddy within a group and each group is led by an experienced Dive Master. Computer diving may be arranged for buddy pairs who both have their own computers. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SIMILAN & SURIN ISLANDS ARE NATIONAL PARKS. WE EXPECT YOUR CO-OPERATION IN PRESERVING THESE BEAUTIFUL AREAS AND INSIST THAT YOU DO NOT TOUCH OR DISTURB ANY MARINE LIFE.
Our
Diving Equipment There is no discount for using your own equipment and if you do plan to use your own BCD or regulator please check with the dive staff to ensure that it is compatible with our own. Deposits & Refunds Note - if you intend to fly within 24 hours of the last dive, you will not be permitted to make that dive and no refund will be given.
Diving
Requirements, Registration Forms, Before departure we will ask you to complete a Dive Trip Registration Form and a Liability Release Form. You will also need to show your divers certification card and your log book. If you have forgotten your certification card, you must contact your certifying agency to ask them to send us a fax confirming your certification details. We can do this on behalf of PADI divers at a cost of US$7.50. If you are unable to satisfactorily prove certification, you will be unable to join the dive trip. We insist that all divers on our live-aboard trips have dived within the past year (for the benefit of all divers onboard). If you do not meet this requirement we can arrange for you to participate in either a one-day / two-tank dive or a Scuba review course, with one dive before you depart for the islands. What You Need to Bring With You Health & Special Requirements |
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For Inquiries & Tour information: tours@track-of-the-tiger.com |