BSAC Egypt Plans to Accredit 30 Per Cent of Red Sea Dive Centres

DIVE Report

The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) is looking to expand its presence in Egypt, with a new licensing agreement set to see more scuba diving outfits accredited as BSAC Diver Training Centres.

Based in Hurghada, BSAC Egypt will work together with its UK-based parent company and Egypt’s Chamber of Diving and Water Sports (CDWS) to operate dive centres in Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Safaga, together with Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab. 

Yasser Ragab, the new CEO of BSAC Egypt, who has worked in Red Sea diving for over 17 years, said he welcomed the opportunity to establish BSAC’s standards and training throughout the region. 'The Red Sea is one of the wonders of the world and a bucket lister for all new and experienced divers,' said Ragab. 'By working closely with BSAC, we want to grow the love of diving and this will enable us to issue diving qualifications in our own country.'

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND GET THREE FREE EBOOKS!
Download our FREE gift Around the World in 80 Wrecks - a 70-page, beautifully illustrated, colour guide to the world’s best wrecks - plus Wonders of the Pacific and readers' favourite Scuba Stories

To date, sixteen Red Sea diving instructors and two snorkelling instructors have undergone training to become BSAC accredited instructors, with work ongoing to bring more centres into the BSAC fold. Longer-term, BSAC Egypt hopes to have 30 per cent of all Red Sea scuba diving operators accredited as BSAC Centres, with plans to translate the training material for its programmes into German, French, Polish and Russian.

BSAC’s Business Development Officer, Adrian Collier, said the partnership would open up opportunities for BSAC, as well as its clubs and members. 'One of the most popular diving destinations, Egypt offers a wealth of diving for all abilities and any BSAC member will be welcomed to dive or train with any of BSAC Egypt’s centres,' said Collier. 'We will also be working closely with BSAC Egypt to get more people into diving, potentially leading to new club members back in the UK.'

'The Red Sea is one of the world’s most popular diving destinations,' said BSAC Chair Maria Harwood 'We’re thrilled to be working towards introducing more holidaymakers from around the world to diving the BSAC way. To work with Yasser and the team at BSAC Egypt is an exciting opportunity for all involved.'