THE brand new live-aboard vessel, Dive Asia One, set sail from Chalong Pier last week, bound for the Similan Islands National Park, and unofficially opened the company’s dive season.
Conditions were anything but ideal, and the 20 passengers battled through torrential rain to board the boat.
With a crew of seven, as well as six diving staff on board, Dive Asia One eased out from Chalong Pier just after 7pm and headed north.
It was a significant day on two counts for the Dive Asia company.
The eagerly awaited maiden voyage of their new boat was the first live-aboard trip of the season for the Phuket-based dive operator.
As the rainclouds, waves and high winds subside in Phuket, dive operators across the island are licking their lips knowing the 2008/09 dive season is finally underway, and that the Similan Islands National Park is now open for business.
From late April until the end of October, the annual monsoon season signals a hibernation period for Phuket-based divers journeying to the Similans.
Dive Asia managing director, Benno Brandon, said that during the low season, dive boats only went to sites like Ko Racha and Phi Phi Island, which were sheltered from the storms.
“The Similans are vulnerable to big waves and strong currents, making conditions dangerous for small boats and inexperienced divers,” he said.
“We dive much closer to shore, so we can react quickly if the weather turns sour.”
Mr Brandon said the national park would not officially open until November 15.
“But from the beginning of November, a lot of dive boats start heading out to the Similan Island.”
Dive Asia One is breaking into the 2008/09 season in style.
Their new 29-metre long, six-meter wide boat took more than 15 months to build, with an estimated 150 people contributing to the project.
Passengers are treated to three decks, complete with a sundeck, a lounge-bar area with a 50 inch plasma TV, and 10 luxury guest cabins, all with en suite bathrooms.
“We tried very hard not to build the normal bunk bed configuration you have on most live-aboards, where the person on the bottom bunk doesn’t have any room to move,” said Mr Brandon.
“We have made the living space as comfortable as possible, with a focus on communication between roommates, and the feedback from customers indicates we have succeeded in this area.”
The multi-national assortment of guests on board the maiden voyage gave the boat a hearty thumbs up.
They all agreed the service, the living quarters and the quality of the dive sights were first class.
“The visibility was perfect and the new boat is great,” said Toshi, 23, from Japan.
“This is my second Dive Asia trip to the Similans,” said Christine from Germany.
“I am already planning another trip in January.”