Monday 31 October 2011

Let's hear it for M.V Mistral



Farzi Bantin- “No matter how long you have been diving nothing can replace a dive-guide who loves their job, is observant and enjoys the pleasure it gives his/her group to delight in the beauty and profound life that the Red Sea has to offer. We had not one but two of these professionals on board.”  Well done Val & Reda.

Rose and Paul – “Giannis D: Then a shriek from Val – DOLPHINS playing. Five of them (two mothers and babies and one other) stayed for over five minutes, swimming around and in amongst us – fantastic!!!”


Sandy and Andy – “Overall the trip has been wonderful and one of the best holidays ever.”

Andy, Pete, Gary, Chris, Neill and John  “The food was well presented, tasty and obviously freshly cooked. A varied menu throughout the week catering for all tastes with snacks in the afternoon and welcome hot drink after each dive.”

Sandra and Andy – “Shark and Yolanda Reef.  The most amazing dive ever.  The conditions were perfect.  A fantastic guide (Val).  Beautiful sun shining through the water making it electric blue.  The current gently pushing us along until we hit the vertical wall when we got an exciting ride over the 800m abyss! “

John, Andy, Pete, Neill, Gary and Chris -  “Thistlegorm: A fantastic penetrating dive guided by Reda. It was a unanimous thought that we would never be able to see as much as we did without our guide.”  

Rose and Paul – “Mistral is a really powerful and more importantly stable boat, especially in some of the rough seas we experienced. Our cabin was a double on the upper deck – queen size bed, very firm mattress, lots of pillows to choose from. Plenty of towels were provided and extra towels were readily available. Bathroom small but perfectly adequate – good quality fittings, rain head shower – works really well, plenty of hot water as long as everyone else isn't taking a shower at the same time! Cabin was cleaned every morning during the first briefing and tidied during the day when we were diving. Being a photographer, Paul was very impressed to see a separate camera room with dedicated rinse tanks.”

Andy, Pete, John, Neill, Gary and Chris our best dive of the day was a drift dive at Shark and Yolanda Reef, if anyone wonders why we dive then this is it. Everything a diver could wish for in a reef dive. Once again an excellent guided dive by Reda.

Rose and Paul – “Ulysses: Another lovely wreck, not too crowded. Found (with help from Val!) nudis called Fabilina – completely new to us, very pretty, under hull near prop.”

Farzi Bantin -  If cleanliness and hygiene are your priority, this is the boat for you, if food is on top of your list, this is the boat for you, if you want it to be all about you, this is the boat for you, if copious amount of water for your shower is what you crave, ask for a room in the bottom deck!”

Sandra and Andy – “The boat is lovely. Spacious, immaculate and one of the most stable out of the fleet. Excellent for first timers like us – especially when one suffers from sea sickness.” 

Farzi Bantin -  “A good guide is worth their weight in gold, we had two of these wonderful and professionals. Reda; quietly watchful always jovial. He was able to get everyone in out of the boat safely and quickly without stressing you out. Valeria, so competent and knowledgeable about EVERY site with minute detail in every briefing that gave you such insight and made you feel you have been there already; thus feeling totally in control. The two were like guardian angels on your shoulder in every dive! The boys on the dive deck were competent and attentive they will come to your aid if you unable to dress or undress yourself. They seem to recognise your gear from the first dive and keep a watchful eye on you, your gear and your needs! Marvellous.”

Rose and Paul – “Food was very good – plentiful, hot and tasty. Special requests were not a problem and a wide variety of omelettes/fried eggs/scrambled etc. was available for breakfast. Hot chocolate was given to us after first dive and night dive – very welcome indeed – and orange juice after the other dive which was a really nice touch.”

Farzi Bantin - “Food was great and there was always plenty more, even at the end of the week. We ate a variety of different things without repetition. If there was something you wanted all you have to do is ask!”

Sandra and Andy “the food is lovely and lots of it too.  It has clearly been well prepared and it is always hot.  Any special requests are catered for with a smile.” 



Wednesday 12 October 2011

S.S Thistlegorm 70th anniversary


The majestic S.S Thistlegorm sank just outside the reef system Sha'ab Ali on the night of the 6th Oct 1941.    Guests on M.V Mistral and M.Y Whirlwind had the memorable experience of diving her, on the 70th anniversary of her demise on 6th October 2011.  In remembrance of the lives lost our Dive Guides laid a flower on her bow. 



Steve Ross. “Today I completed my video archive on the Thislegorm. With Redas local knowledge and willingness to show us something different I got the opportunity to video the boiler from one of the locos on the port side of the boat. Diving on the Thistlegorm is always a pleasure but these last few have been extra special with the things not seen before and diving on the 70th anniversary.”
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Rachel Brown. “This ship is awesome, it's like time has stood still. I wanted to see the motorbikes which I did, along with the boots and the train, the overall experience will stay with me for some time!”

Janet.  “Thistlegorm - As good as ever. We dived it on the 70th anniversary of the sinking and the night dive was special. We saw a crab releasing its eggs. Ascending on the line with light on the wreck and streams of bubbles was very atmospheric.”


Pat. “The Thistlegorm is awesome, a must for every diver. The night dive was brilliant—atmospheric with the wreck illuminated with torch light.” 

“Thistlegorm - vis was 100% better than yesterday, could see both trains from the top of the ship. Took a pic of Captain’s bathroom while wandering inside. Couldn't find the poppy that had been laid on the bow for the anniversary though.”

Mike. “Thistlegorm morning dive was the best as we got in the water before the usual 300 other divers. Visibility was excellent and has made a fantastic video which I can put on you tube when I get home.”

Monday 3 October 2011

Who is Reda?


Ramadan Mohamed – Reda 

Reda has been working in the Red Sea since 1994 and has a wealth of knowledge of the wrecks and reefs of the Northern and Southern Red Sea.  Over the years as a professional diver he has accumulated over 8,000 dives.  

Reda has worked with Tornado Marine Fleet for the past seven years.   He has had many returning guests who have requested him as a dive guide.  Part of the reason for this is Reda excels in customer service always making sure his guests are happy both underwater and above water on their holiday.   

Reda enjoys sharing his experience and as he says “I always strive to improve my skills and progress my career as a member of the international diving community.  I look forward to continue to inspire divers from all around the world, to help them improve their skills and increase their knowledge of the underwater world.” Reda is a PADI MSDT and speaks English and Arabic.