THE KAIROS COMPANY , TANZANIA

Diving expedition liveaboard in the Northern part of the Mozambique channel, for active diving holidays in a heavenly setting.

Have you ever dreamt of taking part in an oceanographic expedition? Yes? Then you are most welcome to The Kairos Company.

The Kairos Company organises 4 expeditions a year, each spanning a two or three month period, with a real mission, a goal you’ll help achieve as part of a team comprising the Expedition Leaders, the technicians, and the crew, all united in the same spirit of adventure.

Each expedition is divided into periods of 7 to 10 days, enabling you to bring your own stone to the final result. You will be given the opportunity to act as a scientist, an explorer, a discoverer, and will never forget it.

MV KAIROS

The Kairos is loaded with state-of-the-art features,enabling her to smoothly sail far and away. And enabling you to concentrate on your expedition.

36 meters long and 7 meters wide, the Kairos, though an oceanographic research vessel, has been entirely conceived for the comfort and satisfaction of 12 guests in 6 spacious and fully air-conditioned cabins.

At a cruising speed of 8 knots, passengers can fully enjoy the comfortable and marine designed environment of this remarkably stable ocean-going ship.

A wide range of interior equipments contribute to the guest’s well being:

6 spacious guest cabins fully air conditioned, 3 of which with en-suite heads and showers, with both twin or double-berths;

a large classroom for the briefings and certificate courses on the accommodation level with all kind of multimedia facilities (TV, DVD, VCR, library, 2 multi-media PC, LAN, color printer, Wireless network, Satellite phone); a spacious dining-room and bar equipped with a king size plasma screen; a technical zone where every guest has a reserved space to put his own diving equipment; a professional galley, with two walk-in fridges, secret reserve from which the chef draws his daily inspiration, for the utmost delight of our guests; an outside dining-room, teak furnished, well shaded, to benefit from the beautiful views and refreshing sea breeze from breakfast to sunset.

The underwater digital photo and video workshop is available for all the guests free as far as it is used in the framework of the expedition.

All of the cabins have been designed according two different styles: sea-life or modern: you’ve got the choice!

2 standard cabins, with a double bed and single berth above, lavatory, individual remote controlled air conditioner;

1 standard twin cabin, with two berths, lavatory, individual remote controlled air conditioner;

3 en-suite cabin, with a double bed and single berth above, lavatory, private head and shower, closet, individual remote controlled air conditioner.

Navigation and safety equipment comprise the following:
B & W Alpha Diesel 550 hp;
controlled pitch propeller;
48 miles range radar;
FURUNO echo-sounder, dual frequency
INTERPHASE Forward looking sonar;
Hydrographic winch, 2 tons capacity, 4000m cable;
GPS: C-MAP-NT chart map; JVC, JLRN SATCOMPASS;
Autopilot: Com Nav 5001;
Electrical generators 150KVA;
2 anchors : 180 m and 400 m;
3 hydraulic cranes;
3 MP compressors for pneumatic tools;
Water capacity : 60 tons;
Fuel capacity : 38 tons;
2 SSB communication systems;
3 fixed and 5 handheld VHF systems;
Inmarsat Fleet 33 Satellite communication system (phone, data, fax, Internet) with public phones;
3 self-deploying liferaft;
Internet Wifi (email for everybody);
Automatic Epirb emergency position system;
Fire detection system.

36 meters long and 7 meters wide, the Kairos, though an oceanographic research vessel, has been entirely conceived for the comfort and satisfaction of 12 guests in 6 spacious and fully air-conditioned cabins.

At a cruising speed of 8 knots, passengers can fully enjoy the comfortable and marine designed environment of this remarkably stable ocean-going ship.

A wide range of interior equipments contribute to the guest’s well being:

6 spacious guest cabins fully air conditioned, 3 of which with en-suite heads and showers, with both twin or double-berths;

a large classroom for the briefings and certificate courses on the accommodation level with all kind of multimedia facilities (TV, DVD, VCR, library, 2 multi-media PC, LAN, color printer, Wireless network, Satellite phone); a spacious dining-room and bar equipped with a king size plasma screen; a technical zone where every guest has a reserved space to put his own diving equipment; a professional galley, with two walk-in fridges, secret reserve from which the chef draws his daily inspiration, for the utmost delight of our guests; an outside dining-room, teak furnished, well shaded, to benefit from the beautiful views and refreshing sea breeze from breakfast to sunset.

The underwater digital photo and video workshop is available for all the guests free as far as it is used in the framework of the expedition.

All of our cabins have been designed according two different styles: sea-life or modern: you’ve got the choice!

2 standard cabins, with a double bed and single berth above, lavatory, individual remote controlled air conditioner;

1 standard twin cabin, with two berths, lavatory, individual remote controlled air conditioner;

3 en-suite cabin, with a double bed and single berth above, lavatory, private head and shower, closet, individual remote controlled air conditioner.

SHARKS AND WHALE SHARKS BEHAVIOR STUDY

The Whale shark (Rhiniodon typus), the giant of all sharks and fishes, is said to reach a length of 20 m and a maximum weight of 34 tons. But the biggest specimen actually measured was only 13,70 m long for a 10 tons weight, still very impressive. The king of sharks has nothing to do with a “Jaws” monster type. The Whaleshark, together with other species belonging to the Elasmobranchii class (sharks and rays) living in a pelagic environment in a depth range from 0 to 700 m, will be one of the subjects of study of this expedition. The Tanzanian coast and islands are a gigantic reserve of food where we can observe movements of large pelagic fishes. Seasonal variations in current patterns thus have a major effect on the distribution of such species.

The goal of this expedition is to search, find out, and observe different species of pelagic fishes, specially sharks. The behavior of these animals is closely linked to their need to survive as long as possible, until the reproduction period that will ensure the survival of the species. For this purpose, the animals need to maintain three essential physiological functions: breathing, eating and reproducing.

We will adapt our equipment according to the natural environment, using the right professional device to get the best results and pictures. Each of you, as a member of the expedition, will take part in this study, bringing your own knowledge, ideas and actions to this exciting adventure.

We point out that snorkeling is the best way to approach and observe whalesharks. Diving will be organized with other species of pelagic.

The 2006/7 expeditions follow a 10 days pattern

NEW TANZANIAN DIVE SITES EXPLORATION

From 20 Mar (first departure) to 05  October (last departure)- 2007

Have you ever really discovered and explored islands, reefs and wrecks ?

The Kairos Company intends to make an inventory of the main dives sites of Tanzania, Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.Each dive site will be studied, described.

The Kairos Company will work with local specialists to find the best and famous dive sites but the main and interesting work will be done with our teams of divers. We will take aerial pictures, we will do cartography and we will dive in particular to collect information about Manta Rays, Dugongs, Sharks, whalesharks and wrecks.

Level Required:

This expedition requires a ** CMAS / Advanced Open Water Diver with a minimum of 20 dives. According to needs of the expedition, Nitrox and Rebreather certifications can be obtained during the stay (CMAS, TDI or PADI certificates).

The video and photo techniques are taught and demonstrated during daily briefings. Non-divers can also take part in the organization and logistics of the dives, a way for them to discover the richness of the spots visited.

Although this expedition requires a personal involvement from the guests, especially in time and attention, no special physical training (but be right on form !) is needed to take part in this adventure.

Please note : possibly dive with strong currents.

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