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INSTRUCTIONS click here to see a map of the islands Using the Distant Islands in the Red Sea for Diving Tourism A1 Akhawein Islands(Brothers)-Abu El Kizan(Dadaelus)-Al Zabargad- Rocky 1-General a- These instructions are issued in coordination with the Egyptian Armed Forces, the Red Sea Governorate, the Ministry of Tourism, and the State Ministry of Environmental Affairs. b- Al Akhawein Islands-Abu El Kizan- A1 Zabargad -Rocky are declared natural protectorates under Law 102/1983 for natural protectorates. They are protectorates with valuable natural treasures, unique bio‑diversity and magnificent coral reefs which make them international diving sites. c- These islands and coastal areas were equipped with the necessary moorings to protect high quality diving spots in response to the requirements of the unique marine safaris to these areas famous for their marine environments. d- These instructions are issued to clarify environmental regulations to dive in these islands; the security concerns which must be followed; the terms and procedures to assure the safety of boats; and trips management and control. 2- Environmental Regulations a- The specially dedicated mooring buoys and pins at the islands and the coastal dive sites must be used during each visit. Anchors are not allowed. b- Landing on the islands or using them for accommodation is prohibited; night diving is also prohibited. c- Trip schedules and the number of visitors permitted in each trip must be respected to prevent crowding and potential accidents, as well as environmental damage. d- Fishing, spear fishing and the use of gloves within a 1 km circle around the islands are prohibited. Feeding fish and sharks is also prohibited to minimize environmental imbalance. e- It is prohibited to dispose of solid or liquid wastes in the regional waters especially within a radius of 5 km from the diving sites. f- Environmental laws 102/1983 for natural protectorates, and 4/1994 for environmental protection together with environmental instructions of the Red Sea protectorates must be respected. g- Boats will be organized into caravans, and with each caravan a representative of the natural protectorates must be accommodated. Full accommodation as a guest at the expense of the caravan must be provided to ensure implementation of the environmental regulations; to monitor dive sites and collect data on environmental systems; and to provide environmental education during the trip. 3- Security Regulations a- Boats and yachts, whether Egyptian or foreign, may leave from Hurghada or Safaga ports only. Here they will be registered and legal and security formalities will take place. The vessels must return to the same port. b- Technical suitability of boats will be checked and an inspection certificate will be issued in accordance with law 232/1989 for ship safety. This procedure will be required before applying for trip reservations and it is effective immediately. c- The trip route determined in the license must be respected, together with the departure, arrival and duration at each island and diving site. An individual sailing license is issued for each trip. d- Application for security permits for tourists must occur at least two weeks prior to the trip. Required information includes the name, nationality, passport number, passport issuing agency and date of birth. All this data must be in an original typed format (either in English or in Arabic) with a photocopy of the passport. e- All tourists must have a diving certification, and a written certificate confirming this must be delivered by the diving supervisor in each boat or from the diving center responsible for the trip stating also that the trip and diving risks are understood and are the responsibility of the guest. f-Safe sailing weather conditions must be secured prior to departure, and the nearest emergency refuge marinas must be determined. In the case of bad weather conditions or other risks, diving activities must be terminated. g- A representative of the security agency will escort caravans on a selective basis with full accommodation at the expense of the caravan to ensure the implementation of security regulations and trip safety. 4- Terms & Specifications of Boats for Island Trips a- These terms and specifications are determined based on the size of the island, the natural treasures around them, their safe carrying capacity, the number of moorings available and the safety of diving, especially in the more remote areas. b- The length of the boat or yacht must not exceed 30 meters and must be equipped with 2 engines, 2 electric power systems (main and emergency), a rescue boat, other rescue equipment, Global Positioning System (GPS) and navigation radar. The boat must also provide radio communication means (VHF) with at least a 50 watt intensity or GSM machine or similar to call for help in an emergency. First aid equipment must also be provided, as well as oxygen cylinders with a minimum capacity of 20 liters equipped with a demand valve regulator. c- Each boat captain must hold an appropriate sailing license, and must be accompanied by a qualified dive master. The technical crew should also be trained for first aid and oxygen usage and must have at least one member with a first aid certification such as PADI, DAN, or equivalent. d- The diving center responsible for the trip must review the diving certificate of each tourist. It is recommended that each guest have no less than 50 dives and have insurance which covers diving and the vacation as a whole. 5- Preparations of the islands and coastal sites with moorings a- A1 Akhawein Islands (1) 6 pins are available on each of the two islands (every boat must be connected to two pins). The total carrying capacity of the two islands is 6 boats (3 on each island). (2) 2 rear mooring buoys are available near each island at a depth of 60‑70 meters for night mooring and for bad weather conditions. b- Abu El Kizan (Daedalus) island (1) 8 moorings are available (will be increased to 12) accommodating 4‑6 boats for each trip. (2) 2 rear mooring buoys are available near the island at a depth of 60‑70 meters for boat mooring. c- Zabargad and Rocky Islands (1) 12 mooring buoys are available on Zabargad Island capable of carrying 6 boats. Rocky Island has 6 pins capable of carrying 3 boats during the day only. (2) 2 rear mooring buoys are available near Zabargad Island at a depth of 60‑70 meters for night mooring and for bad weather conditions. d- Coastal Mooring Sites (1) A table which lists the locations of the coastal mooring sites is included at the end of this document. 6- Trip Management & Reservation System a- Two trips will be organized weekly, each consisting of a caravan of no more than 6 boats. A departure will take place every 3‑4 days so that there is a day off each week between departures to the Al Akhawein Islands. b- One trip to the Al Akhawein Islands is for 7 days total duration, spending 3 days at the islands and 3‑4 days at the coastal dive areas. c- A second trip is for 12 days total duration and includes all the islands: 2‑3 days at Al Akhawein Islands, one day at Abu El Kizan Island, 3‑4 days at Zabargad and Rocky Islands and 4‑5 days at the coastal dive sites. d- A third trip will be considered to cover Abu El Kizan, Zabargad and Rocky Islands as demand requires. e- The number of tourists on board each boat must not exceed 12‑15 persons and everyone must have a cabin. As such, the maximum number of tourists in a caravan is 90 persons, based on the environmental limits of the islands. f- Prior reservation is done at the Red Sea Protectorates office for the boats with marine inspection certificates as stated in these instructions. Applications should also include an official request for the trip, the week, the number of tourists, a photocopy of the boat captain's certificate and the name of the responsible dive center. g- 50% of the trip fees must be paid at reservation, and in case of cancellation 60 days prior to the beginning of the trip 25% of the fees are reimbursed. After 60 days no money is reimbursed and the trip will be reallocated according to the waiting list. In all cases, the remaining trip fees must be paid 30 days prior to the beginning of the trip with a list of names and passports for security clearances at least two weeks prior to the trip. 7- Trip fees to the Red Sea Protectorates a- Trip fees are paid according to the number of tourists (excluding the boat crew and the dive master) and are US$5 for each foreign tourist and LE5 for Egyptian nationals for each day of the trip. These fees are for the Environmental Protection Fund and will be used for the development of the natural protectorates and the installation and maintenance of mooring buoys, in addition to other environmental projects. b- Additional fees may be assessed by other agencies which issue licenses such as the security agencies, the port authorities, . . . etc. 8-Follow up & Control a- Control on trips is exercised by the Head of the Port Authority who coordinates with the representatives of the other agencies in the Governorate, EEAA, marine inspection, the Navy, the security services, border guards, . . . etc. b- A permanent committee is to be established among the parties responsible for the follow‑up of these activities. This committee should meet regularly to review the trip management system, instructions and regulations, to look for obstacles and problems and solve them and to receive suggestions. The committee, chaired by the Head of the Port Authority is to prepare a monthly report with recommendations to the responsible agencies as well. c- The permanent committee undertakes random inspections of boats before their departure to check for compliance with specifications and the validity of their permits including verification that the number of tourists are according to the regulations. In cases of violation, the trip will be cancelled and a violation report will be written and kept in the boat's register. In case of repeated violations, the boat will become ineligible for future trips. d-In instances of violation of international safety rules, or violation of the trip schedule or route or to any of the environmental instructions which lead to damage to the environment, the boat's license and the diving center's permit will be cancelled. The center will be removed from the trips register. These penalties will be in addition to the legal responsibility of these violations. e- These instructions and the Trips Management and Reservation System will be reviewed and assessed by the Red Sea Governorate and EEAA at the end of 1998. f- These instructions are not intended to conflict with any other instructions issued by other responsible agencies for marine activities within their realm of responsibility and according to the operational laws therein. click here to see a map of the islands
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