Wrecked n Reefed

by Tony Gilbert

A trip on M/Y Infinity, Northern Red Sea
19/01/2007

Imagine a warm azure sea drenched in bright sunshine, no boats other than the one you’re about to jump from, where 15m below, and seen from the surface, the 8000 tonne wreck of the Thistlegorm rests, in 30m+ visibility surrounded by a mass of shoaling barracuda, jacks, fusiliers & batfish. This was one of the highlights 21 lucky divers experienced during the January Red Sea northern liveaboard trip, on Emperor Infinity, a modern spacious vessel with rakish lines and a superb dive deck. The guides Anneke & Nick provided a great site selection, whilst the crew provided superb cuisine & entertainment, especially on the last night, when we all tried belly dancing!

The wind of the first two days died down, allowing Infinity to moor directly over the Carnatic and Giannis D wrecks. Shark & Yolanda reefs were dived, with some spotting sharks, while the Gubal Barge provided an exhilarating experience with several morays in one hole, masses of scorpion and crocodile fish.

Many were able to complete courses such as nitrox, deep, wreck and photography – the latter required the removal of ones lens cap! Night divers spotted Spanish Dancer nudibranchs; one night dive some encountered 3 turtles, and witnessed a gruesome act of a moray killing a fish.

Sadly, the trip was over all too soon, the last dive at Gota Abu Ramada, aptly named the aquarium. The last evening was spent in Papas pool bar some realising hidden talents of table football, and found different modes of transport to get back to the boat – including a pedalo! I am sure that next year’s trip will prove as popular and rewarding as this.