Colona Liveaboards

The “low season” is when we have the time to put both MV Giamani and MV Colona VI into the shipyard for some TLC and this year we have decided to give MV Colona VI a new colour scheme.

This is MV Colona VI out of the water  at the dry dock with the old white paint starting to be removed.

MV Colona VI in the shipyard

After the yard work has completed she needs to be put back in the water and ss she goes down the slipway into the water the Thai crew let off fire crackers and make offerings to Buddha.

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Back in the water and ready for the new season!

Ready for the next season

Racha Reef to be expanded off Phuket

A colorful soft coral. File photo courtesy of Lia Barrett/Wicked Diving.

RAWAI, PHUKET: Plans are afoot to expand an artificial reef off the coast of Koh Racha Yai Island, south of Phuket.

Paitoon Panchaiyaphum, director of the Phuket-based southern regional office of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Department (MCRCD), said the artificial reef had been a great success since its construction three years ago.

“Our research shows lots of marine animals have already made the reef their home,” he said.

“More and more tourists are coming to the island to dive, around 300 each year on more than 20 diving boats,” he added.

The artificial reef currently comprises 300 concrete modules.

The office is planning to ask the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for a budget of 22 million baht to sink 3,000 more modules, expanding the reef structure tenfold.

The MCRCD also hopes to sink two boats donated by the The Racha resort on Koh Racha Yai.

The office is looking for private investors to provide a 300,000 budget to sink the vessels.

“We’re holding a meeting with some investors on Monday and are asking for donations to help us lower the two boats to the ocean floor,” Mr Paitoon said.

The MCRCD hopes the expanded reef will attract an additional 4,000 tourists annually and generate 100 million baht for Phuket, Mr Paitoon said.

“We’re hoping to get budget approval within two months,” he said.

– Kitima Pornmongkhonwat

With many enquiries already from new and past guests for next season we have released the schedules for MV Giamani and MV Colona VI for 2009 /2010 diving the Similan Islands, Myanmar (Burma), Richilieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, Phi Phi and Hin Daeng & Hin Muang.

You can download the catalogue for both boats by right clicking on the link below and choosing “save as”.

2009 / 2010 Catalogue

As most people know its not just the diving that makes a great trip on a liveaboard, its the crew as well.

Colona Liveaboards are very lucky in the fact that the crew on both MV Colona VI and on MV Giamani give that extra level of service on your trip to the Similan Islands, Hin Daeng & Hin Muang, Phi Phi or Myanmar (Burma) to ensure that you have an unforgettable trip.

Below are Captain Tin and his Thai crew along with Dimitri & Fabio the dive staff onboard MV Giamani with the boat behind them docked at Thap Lamu

The crew of Giamani at Thap Lamu harbour, Thailand