Editor:
Charlotte Boan
charlotte.boan@cdws.travel
Design:
Mary Gleeson
Letter from the Chairman...
board.marketing@cdws.travel
Dear readers
Contributors:
Owen Bruce, Dr Anke Fabian, Maria Munn, John Kean,
Welcome to the launch issue of BLUE, the official
publication for members of Egypt’s Chamber of Diving and
Brendan O’Brien, Simon Rogerson,
Watersports (CDWS).
Sales:
CDWS is responsible for the whole of Egypt. As an
blue@cdws.travel
organisation it is responsible, not only for all diving
activities, but also for all watersports activities in the
Published by:
country as per the mandate from the Ministry of Tourism.
Chamber of Diving and Watersports (Egypt)
The scope of the CDWS is wider than any other unofficial

groups before. To regulate this sector, which has not been
For enquiries call 00 20 12 09 8576
regulated for 25 years, is not going to happen overnight.
Some examples of what CDWS has already achieved
include the following:
*The introduction of a new international standard for
recreational and diving service providers in Egypt;
contributors
*The closing down of 2 illegal diving operations that
never had a licence from the Ministy of Tourism
Maria Munn
* Due to failing to comply to ISO standards, 17 diving
Renowned underwater photographer and founder
operators have had their Ministry of Tourism licences
of Ocean Visions in the UK, Maria Munn, 8 believes
revoked
the Red Sea is perfect for cameras as the diversity of
*Plans have been prepared for 2010 - 2011 to implement life is unlike anywhere she has dived in the world.
training courses mostly financed by the Ministry of Tourism Inspired to learn to dive by BBC wildlife presenter
for snorkel guides and skippers
Steve Leonard, Maria was certified in the shark-filled
*The development of the CDWS website which lists only
waters of South Africa in 200. Following work
legal and ISO certified operations
as a holiday representative and English teacher
in Spain, in 200 she helped set up Mexico’s first
*The organisation of a conference in Sharm to help to
Reef Environmental Education Foundation field
tackle the issue of illegal fishing
station. In 2005 she returned to the UK to develop
* Exhibited at major diving exhibition and travel trade fairs
underwater photography courses specifically designed for compact camera
throughout Europe and Russia
users.
All of this has happened in just six months under the new
‘My job involves helping guests gain confidence in using their compact
board. We will continue to have monthly meetings with
cameras underwater and coaching them in using different settings, lenses and
diving centres and operations to listen to all our members.
By the end of this board term (three years), more changes
strobes to allow them to get really creative with their shots,’ she says. ‘Four
will be in place.
of my guests have already been published in diving magazines and another
has just won an international competition in Bonaire.’ Check out Maria’s new
To achieve all the goals we have set ourselves to ensure
Compact Skills column on page 22.
Egypt is not only one of the best places in the world to
dive, but also one of the safest, we need the help and
support of all members. The standards here are world-
Brendan O’Brien
renowned and that is thanks to the hard work and
Freelance writer Brendan O’Brien had his first
dedication of the dive professionals who work here. Our
underwater experience aged 1 in a flooded quarry
community is passionate about the underwater world,
in North Wales, UK. Despite having to share the
both in terms of safety and conservation.
water with a couple of dead sheep, he went on to
To really move things forward, particularly in areas of officially train with the BSAC Dundee University
conservation work, the CDWS needs volunteers who will Dive Club four years later in 1982. Since then he has
lead groups to help us preserve and protect our precious
dived all over the world and has travelled to the
environment. The board and I look forward to working with
Red Sea many times. He says the Red Sea is packed
you all to better the future of diving and the our marine
full of variety and is close and easy to get to from
environment.
the UK. Although he has a ‘boring job’ full time with
the Home Office, he gets the chance to escape
Happy and safe diving
underwater on assignments for UK magazine DIVER.
As someone who often only has a week to meet an
Hesham Gabr
editor’s brief, he says having a good dive guide makes a world of difference as
Chairman of the Board
Chamber of Diving and Watersports
they know the area so well. The 5-year-old gives his view on what makes the
perfect dive guide on page 1.
 www.cdws.travel
Issue 1 June 2009
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