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We
started operations in
Pemba
with
a rented fishing dhow. Our clients loved this old fashioned but newly built
vessel. We then upgraded to Tornado Rigid inflatable boats. But we had so many
calls for the sedate dhows that we bought two more.
The
demand for the far north coast, east coast and south coast dives grew, and so
after an interval of two years, we are bringing the ribs back!
Shamoo and Rock Hoppa
The tropical sun disagrees with the polyurethane tubes and
so we have replaced these with specially designed buoyant fibre glass pontoons.
Every last detail has been thought of, as these hulls are slowly but
professionally re-habilitated by Viv Perry and Chillie. Yes that is the same
chillie who showed us the dive sites in 1999! To power Shamoo and Rock Hoppa
through the water, we have made a ground breaking jump. We have fitted twin 60
hp 100hp Yamaha 4 stroke engines. With their enhanced fuel economy and
environmental controls, the Yamaha engines are the right choice for an eco-aware
company. We are the only operator in Pemba using such engines. At the time of
writing, we are just about to have Rock Hoppa back on line for longer premium
trips. But boats do not end with engines, we have some of the most experienced
boat handling crews to power you through the sea!
Kiboko Kidogo
Thus
in 2002, we commissioned our own 30ft dhow. This vessel was made in Pemba
by the
finest boat builders in Tanzania.
Pemba
dhows
have long been acknowledged as being the strongest, safest and most seaworthy of
all the dhows south of
Oman
.
The wood used in
Pemba
is
Casuarine laurel and mangrove. Once the hull was built, we designed cylinder
racks, seats, and imported and installed a ford mermaid 50hp inboard diesel
engine. This engine is backed up by a Yamaha 40hp outboard engine.
She has a permanent shade, VHF radio, fire extinguisher, EPIRB beacon,
Fresh water supply, first aid kit, oxygen and mobile phone. She can happily take
16 divers and crew.
Because
she is fat, we named the vessel Kiboko Kidogo, the small hippo.
Java Sparrow
As a part of our
major expansion programme, we have commissioned a third Day Dhow. We bought this
vessel brand new in Mkoani,
Pemba
’s
southern port. She is a classic design. While KK is like a liferaft, deep and
long, Java sparrow is fatter, yet has a shallower draft. She has the same sleek
lines of the vessels that have plied small cargoes to Tanga and
Mombasa
.
Java Sparrow is powered by a Yamaha 40hp outboard engine, and backed up
with a second engine. As usual, she
has a permanent shade, VHF radio, fire extinguisher, EPIRB beacon, Fresh water
supply, first aid kit, oxygen and mobile phone. She can happily take 16 divers
and crew.
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