Newsletter February 2014

In This Newsletter

• Regents Round Square Diving Week
• Mermaids Diving Trip to the Pinnacles at Rayong
• Discover Scuba Diving and more…
• PADI Professional Courses at Mermaids
• Trip to the Petchaburi Bremen Wreck
• Dive Equipment Promotion
• Dive Course Promotion
• What else is happening in February?
• North Andaman Liveaboard Trip
• What else is happening in March?

Regents Round Square Diving Week

Written by Jennifer Ball, Biology Teacher and Head of Year 8

Diving during Round Square week was a pleasure to organize. We had many adventurous snorkelers and Discover Scuba Divers working on their fish identification, snorkeling and diving techniques and enjoying the sunshine in between. After a very successful week, Regents had a total of 15 students and teachers passing their PADI Open Water diving course that allows them to dive anywhere in the world. Two students passed their Advanced Open Water course which allows them to dive deep, use diver propulsion vehicles (DVP’s), navigate and complete search and recover operations using lift devices and both are looking to complete wreck and night dives in the future.

Helena Depaepe (Head Girl, Year 12) stated, “Despite being the only Year 12 student there, I was able to get along well with the younger years. This would be my last Round Square week ever and I am extremely happy to have picked diving as my activity.” Helena is looking at completing her Advanced Open Water course in the future.

Mermaids Dive Center is a brilliant organization. Thank you to Mermaids Dive Centre for all your support, the students at Regents had a fantastic and successful week! We are looking at incorporating and furthering the dive skills of these students by either looking at a long-term reef restoration project and / or reef clean up next year.

Round Square week took place on the 13th to 17th January 2014

Mermaids Diving Trip to the Pinnacles at Rayong

On Saturday 18th January 35 divers and staff met at Mermaids to travel down to Rayong. The Mermaids Minibuses followed by the kit bus left at about 7.30am and headed on their way.

On arrival at the pier at Rayong, everyone boarded the King Olav, a large and comfortable boat for the journey out to the Pinnacles. Equipment set up was done and everyone sat back to relax. It was a bit chilly with some waves but they soon reached the first dive site, being the larger of the Pinnacles.

On the first dive a few divers circumnavigated the Pinnacle while most others explored the local marine life and the abundance of hard corals and yellow sponges. There were lots of Nudibranches to see and the avid photographers in the group took some great photos. After a surface interval, the second dive on this Pinnacle was soon underway.

Traveling on to the smaller of the Pinnacles for the last dive, everyone had lunch and relaxed, and after another decent interval  jumped in for the third dive at this new site. Again, this Pinnacle was full of hard corals and enjoyed by all divers.

Thanks for joining the trip everyone.

Discover Scuba Diving and more…

January is always a popular month for tourists Discovering Scuba Diving. We hosted private groups who wanted their own boat, groups of friends and families doing an activity together on holiday. They all had a fantastic time on their very first diving experience in the ocean.

We hosted the cruise ship AIDA on its stop at Lam Chabang port. A private trip took place for Discover Scuba Divers, Divers and Snorkelers and all had a great day at our Pattaya Islands.

No month is complete without our Social BBQ and the 11th January was very busy with our divers from the day. Thanks to Vlad, Malai and the team for their superb food as always.

PADI Professional Courses at Mermaids

Congratulations to Cathy, Natalia and Walter for passing their PADI Instructor Examinations on the 29th January with flying colors. Under the guidance of Russell Martin, PADI Course Director and his IDC Staff Team, the candidates flew through their IDC with superb scores.

Starting their Divemaster Course on the 25th January were Pascal, Mikael, Bertrand, Dave, Dan and Darren. All different nationalities in the group but everyone soon bonded with their Instructor, the Jedi Master – Wayne.

Trip to the Petchaburi Bremen Wreck

We have been requested so many times for this trip that we have added it onto the trip calendar for Saturday 15th February.

Meet at Mermaids as normal and travel down with us to Samaesan. We will be taking Mermaids 1 to this wreck for 2 dives.

The Petchaburi Bremen is an 88-meter long Thai cargo ship that went down in the 1930′s following an explosion in the engine room. She now lies on the sandy bottom in 22 meters of water between Sattahip and Koh Khram.

The wreck is broken into three main parts, the bow and stern sections are still relatively in tact but the center part is mostly mangled steel.

You only pay normal diving price for this trip and you can use your dive package if you have one. Lunch is included. Hurry and book, only 25 divers on this trip.

Please contact Terry  to make your booking.

Dive Equipment Promotion

Scubapro Promotion

Starts 1st February 2014 for 1 month only at Mermaids Dive Center 5 Star PADI CDC, Mermaids Grand Mirage Centara and Mermaids in the Amarin Plaza, Bangkok.

Buy your set including Regulators, BCD, Wetsuit, Mask, Fins and Snorkel from the Scubapro Range and get 20% off and 5 days of diving.

Dive Course Promotion

EFR and PADI Rescue Diver Courses

Take advantage of this special promotion for EFR and PADI Rescue Diver courses at 15,000 baht. Included in the price is the EFR, Primary and Secondary Care manual, the PADI Rescue Diver manual and certifications for both courses.

Learn all about CPR and 1st Aid, highly recommend for anyone with children or those working in a care environment. This course can be taken on its own and you do not have to be a diver. The Rescue Diver Course will teach you how to deal with and manage any situations for water related activities and much more.

What else is happening in February?

• Social BBQ on Saturday 15th February after the Bremem Trip


• Night Dives every Tuesday night


• Wreck dives on the weekends to the Khram and Hardeep


• Garden International School Rayong dive club outing


• Bangkok Patana Reef Cage project continues

North Andaman Liveaboard Trip

Date: Friday 7th to Wednesday 12th March 2014

Diving days: 8th to 11th March

Total dives: 15 dives

Join Mermaids Dive Centers North Andaman Liveaboard trip on the MV Scubanet. Built to be one of the most comfortable dive boats in the area for its price range, MV Scubanet offers quality service and all amenities for her divers comfort.

With a length of 30m, the MV Scubanet offers 10 standard twin shared bedrooms and 4 toilets/showers with hot water.

While you relax, the Chef prepares your food on board. This includes a generous breakfast, tasty lunch, a traditional Thai cuisine and International meal. In between dives, snacks are provided.

Price: 19,500 Baht per person

To make your booking or for more information, please contact Please contact Terry  on 086 143 4507

What else is happening in March?

• DSD’s in the pool at the Bangkok Patana School Fun Day on the 1st March


• Saturday Social BBQ on the 8th March


• Instructor Examinations and BBQ on 19th March


• Special Promotions on Apeks Dive Equipment


• Special Promotions on PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water Courses