Extreme Dive Event, Ocean 6|50 to Mark 50th Anniversary of Maldives’ Tourism and Diving Industry


Maldives
Travel
PUBLISHED February 06, 2022 | updated February 06, 2022 04:05

On Thursday (3rd February 2022), First Lady Fazna Ahmed inaugurated ‘Ocean 6|50’ - an extreme diving event organized to mark the 50th anniversary of the Maldives’ tourism and diving industry. The event will bring together the local and international diving community, marine researchers and environmental activists to raise awareness and advocate for meaningful and sustainable solutions to the issues of plastic pollution, climate change, endangered species and marine ecosystem.  

Organized by Unix Sporting with well-known technical diver, Shafraz Naeem, Ocean 6|50 will be held from 25th to 27th February 2022 at the outer lagoon of Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, National Boating Association of Maldives and Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology. 

The main event will be a 50-hour dive and a pledge signing attempted by technical diver Shafraz Naeem. The dive will start at mid-day and he will remain underwater for 50-hours. Shafraz will be holding a pledge with him that visiting divers throughout the duration can sign as a show solidarity for the cause. The first of its kind held in South Asia region, it will be a significant record if successful. 

Shafraz is an ex-military dive instructor with a 27-year career in the diving industry. He is an experienced TDI/SDI, PADI and SSI instructor and has trained divers in the Maldivian Coast Guard, Special Forces and Marines. He has extensive knowledge about the Maldivian marine ecosystem and has explored deep cave systems reefs in the Maldives. An ambassador to Fourth Element wetsuits and Dive Systems UK’s Proteus rebreathers, he is also the only Maldivian diver to be invited to speak at the Tek Conference of the annual Asia Dive Expo held in Singapore for 6 consecutive years. He is an award-winning underwater photographer featured in international and local publications and has 14 years of experience in the field of underwater photography. 

In addition to the main event, exciting activities will be conducted at the local dive site and online via a virtual event. The virtual event will be launched on the event official website, where divers from around the globe can participate in the event to show solidarity and support for the cause and the event. Some of the programs include Dive Training Camps, Free Diving Camps, Marine Conservation Camps and Special Dive Expeditions in Fulidhoo, Vaavu Atoll and Fuvahmulah, Addu Atoll.

The dive team will be stationed onboard a Safari Boat anchored at the dive site. The team includes international and local experienced divers, with a doctor and a psychiatrist always onboard. The dive site will be cordoned off any local dive boats or dive expeditions. The event will also be supported by local dive schools and dive centers, local NGOs and government bodies; National Boating Association of Maldives, National Defense Force, Maldives Police Services and Ministry of Tourism. 

The event is expected to have a participation number of 1000 divers, including divers joining the event online from around the globe who will be diving at their location within the duration of the event. 

With social media campaigns planned to gain attraction of ocean-lovers worldwide, reach of the 2-day event is estimated to exceed 2 million while total reach of the event is to reach 5 million within the 7-month campaign with strategic marketing and partnership with influencers across the world taking part in the event.

To register for the event, click HERE 

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