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Archives
12th January 2010 : INDIAN OCEAN EXPLORER II NEARS COMPLETION
It is with great pleasure that we announce the near completion of the Indian Ocean Explorer II. For those of you who followed the drama relating to the hijacking of the Indian Ocean Explorer I last year will be pleased with this news. With this news comes the exciting prospect that the destinations of The Eparses Islands and Madagascar will come back on line for 2010. We have announced dates for these destinations and all the information may be seen on the destination pages. At this stage we will be looking at starting Aldabra in The Seychelles in 2011 once we are sure that security is optimal again in these waters. At this stage, Indian Ocean Explorer II, an ex Canadian Coast Guard vessel, will be coming out of a complete refit in The US in May 2010.
Abyssworld would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Thierry, our partner and owner of the vessel, for his passion, dedication and enthusiasm at moving onto his next project after the loss of the Indian Ocean Explorer I to Somali pirates in 2009. It can truely be said that there are not too many people who would bounce back from such an event bigger and better than before. Abyssworld is fortunate to be involved with people with the passion and know how to move forward. Go Thierry....
28 September 2009 : PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009
We would like to remind our clients of the importance of gaining information relating to H1N1. There are two main important points that need to be taken into consideration.
Insurance: Please verify the conditions if you have taken travel insurance. Certain insurance companies have decided to exclude coverage for this PANDEMIC.
Precautions: We would advise our clients to inform themselves of all measures helping to stop the spread of the current virus. For information from the World Health Organisation please follow this link.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
25 June 2009 : Cancellation of the Expeditions to the Eparses Islands
After a wait of several months, we regret to announce that our expeditions to the destination of the Eparses Islands will not be maintained for the month of September 2009.
The vessel Indian Ocean Explorer was unfortunately taken hostage by Somalian pirates off the coast of the Seychelles, in April, with her crew aboard. After several months of negotiations between the owner of the vessel and the pirates we were hoping for the return of the Indian Ocean Explorer the week ending June 19. For this reason we made the decision to hold off communicating the situation, in the hope of a positive outcome and to transfer the departure point for our expeditions to Beira in Mozambique instead of Madagascar.
It is with great relief that the members of the crew were released and returned home June 23. The vessel, however, remained in the custody of the pirates and we have learnt (25 June 2009) that she was set ablaze the weekend of June 20.
This is tragic news for all involved, notably for Thierry Thevenet, the owner of the vessel.
Please note: The Eparses Islands have not been subjected to security problems. Both Thierry and Team Abyss have already begun our research to find another vessel which can navigate to the Eparses Islands in 2010, with the same levels of comfort as the Indian Ocean Explorer. Please be assured we will keep you informed.
29 January 2009 : Minimal Effects of the Global Financial Crisis
Abyss Scuba Divers S.A would like to inform clients that we have seen a minimal impact to our business so far relating to the current economic crisis. To date no trips have been effected and it is business as usual for us. Although there has been a slight decrease in enquiries, we are not seeing any cancellations for the moment. We have in some locations, reduced slightly the number of trips proposed for this season as responsible tour operators. We would like to take the opportunity to remind you that we have been in business since 1991 and have lived through many different difficult times. Due to the nature of our business we are well equipped to weather the storm, and have seen such things as, massive airline strikes, a tsunami, terrorist attacks, financial crisis and other unhappy events. Please be assured we are working as normal to provide our valued clients with exceptional diving excursions.
15 December 2008 : Paris Dive Fair
Abyss Scuba Divers S.A would like to remind all of our European based clients that, as per each year, we will be present at the Paris Dive Fair. This exhibition is one of the larger shows in Europe with certification agencies, travel providers and equipment manufacturers releasing new products. For those of you planning to visit the show the dates are from January 9 to 12 2009. Dont forget to come and visit us at our stand, say hi, and have a coffee. We would love to give you info on all the exciting projects planned for 2009 and 2010.
15 November 2008 : New Booking Agents Announced
Abyss Scuba Divers S.A is pleased to announce a new partnership relating to reservations and logistics for the markets of : The United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Blue Ocean Marine Pty Ltd, of Australia, is an accredited Marine Company run by one of our Team Abyss guides, Andrew Laughlin. As of January 1, 2009, Blue Ocean Marine will be the exclusive agency for the regions mentioned. We are very excited by this new association and look forward to a long working relationship. In addition to the substantial product knowledge and first- hand experience, Blue Ocean Marine also has access, in association with World Marine Travel, to Marine Class fares worldwide providing excellent rates and fare classes for our clients. On our agency page you will find all the contact details as well as access points for our international call centres.
02 October 2008 : New Expedition Association
It is with great pleasure that Abyss Scuba Divers S.A would like to announce an increased working arrangement with the vessel M.V. Indian Ocean Explorer. This vessel is an ex oceanographic research vessel owned by Thierry Thevenet, and will run exploration expeditions to remote areas of the Eparse Islands, Seychelles and Madagascar. Thierry has recently received exclusive authorisation for the Eparse Islands, which until recently has been reserved for scientific research. Expeditions will be exclusive to Abyss Scuba Divers S.A clients and, as per all trips, accompanied by a Team Abyss guide. We are very excited about these upcoming expeditions for 2009 and 2010 and are of course at your disposal for any additional information.
