It was back in October 2007 when we first started talking about a Red Sea liveaboard for Aquanaut Dive Club members. Having been dozen's of time before, Andy was the perfect man to organise the trip and after discussions with Tony Backhurst Scuba we booked the Northern Reefs and Wrecks itinerary aboard MV Whirlwind, a purpose built luxury 36m dive boat.

Months of meticulous planning (in the pub) followed, the dive guides were poured over, equipment was discussed and baggage was weighed and re-weighed. We were going to need that extra 5kg! Especially Robin and John with their huge camera's and housings.

With a month to go we were caught up in the collapse of the holiday giant XL and our flights disappeared. After a few tense weeks the great people at Tony Backhurst finally came up with alternative flights for us with a one-plane outfit called Viking. We didn't care, our trip was saved and we were going. The dates of our flights did change a bit and we lost three of our number because of it, which was a real tragedy, but twelve of us were off!

Because the aeroplane was small and old and for some reason we were carrying a huge amount of heavy luggage we had to stop in Athens to re-fuel so the flight took longer than normal. But, when we eventually arrived in Sharm el Sheik the Tony Backhurst well oiled machine took over and we were rounded up and visa's were sorted and we were whisked off to the port to join Whirlwind. We arrived in the evening and after removing our shoes (for the week) the crew got us installed in our cabins, helped us setup our scuba gear and get everything stowed away. Then it was dinner time!

Whirlwind is a great boat and the itinerary were we about to embark on would give us the best of the Northern wrecks and reefs and we would be there mostly without the hordes of day boats from Sharm spoiling the scenery.

Special thanks go to the staff and crew on Whirlwind for making our voyage so comfortable, relaxing and exciting. 

Susie and Thomas of course for their advice, enthusiasm and guiding skills. Captain Mohammed for getting us here, there and everywhere safely. Engineer's Mustafa and Mahmond for looking after our gear and filling our tanks. Sailors Asharaf, Islam and Saiid for helping us on and off the zodiac's and making our diving a damn sight more enjoyable. Chefs Haysam and Abdullah for their amazing culinary skills and the tremendous banquets they produced three times a day. The food was truly awesome. Special thanks to Mr Maghoub and Mr Mamdouh for serving us in the saloon and keeping our cabins in shape.

Lastly, thanks to the Red Sea for letting us dive ............... now, onto the trip report proper.