JEDDAH, 26 November 2002 — In a bold move toward boosting eco tourism, a futuristic new boat has successfully finished its safety and sea trials off the Al-Ahlam Marina, Abhur in north Jeddah and is ready for public use.
The Seascope is one of only four of these French designed custom designed underwater observation boats in the world and is unique in Saudi Arabia. A welded aluminum tri-maran with a Plexiglas walled chamber dipping four meters under the water, the futuristic looking craft allows panoramic views of the seabed and reefs off Jeddah to 24 people at a time.
The predatory looking craft arrived in the Kingdom only 16 days ago and has spent the last 11 days on sea trials. Successfully completed last Saturday, the boat goes into public service on Nov. 30.
Prince Abdullah Saud ibn Mohammed , the owner and operator of the Seascope, said, “This boat represents both confidence and a major investment in eco-tourism in the Kingdom. I have every expectation that the mystery and beauty of the reefs off Jeddah will prove a major attraction for families and children who do not dive.”
At more than half a million dollars, the Seascope is a commercial operation. Tourism is a developing sector and Seascope is aimed at capturing a niche market. However, a major component of the project was the response to the increasing awareness and concern in environmental matters in the Kingdom.
Eric Mason, executive manager of Al-Ahlam Marina and captain of the Seascope, said, ”A large part of our market will be students and schools. We hope to sow the seeds of understanding the fragility of the environment in children and they will educate the next generation. There is no better way than taking them out to the reefs and showing them. This state of the art boat will be a tremendous contribution.”
Seascope can take 24 divers in comfort and can be used as a standard dive-boat. Its major feature is it’s ability to accommodate 24 non-divers in air conditioned comfort and offer them the underwater experience of a lifetime.
Already, Al Ahlam operates the biggest dedicated dive-boat fleet in the Kingdom. With five custom-built dive boats and a new live-aboard dive boat arriving in March 2003, Jeddah is set to be the dive capital of the Arabian Peninsula.
