MUSCAT -- Sapphire Marine, Oman's leading boat builders, has delivered a fully customised dive boat to Oman Sail for use in their dive operations from Musannah marina. The 39 foot (12 metre) dive boat was designed and built in Sapphire Marine's state of the art facility in Salalah to very exacting international standards. Unlike many other boats built for tourism, dive boats have very specific needs as they need to transport divers in comfort and safety as well as leave room for a large amount of diving kit and catering for divers between dives.
Jim Dundon, head of business development at Sapphire Marine worked closely with Oman Sail's newly established dive centre to ensure that every consideration was put into the design brief. "When Oman Sail approached us they already had a very clear vision of the type of dive boat they wanted. It had to start from the divers' needs but also ensure that it was cost effective and economically viable to run. We delivered a boat that we are very proud to have built here in Oman for a client who was very clear in their plans as well as help develop tourism and create maritime legacies for the country."
The dive boat accommodates up to 20 passengers with only a crew of 2 and offers a standard of safety & comfort unique in the market. Passengers can enjoy amenities including a bathroom and basic kitchen facilities whilst enjoying music on a marine grade sound system. By using the latest navigational and communication equipment Sapphire Marine will ensure the custom-made dive boat will set a new benchmark for tourist dive operations here in Oman. The boat is also equipped for a secondary role as a game fishing boat and can also be reconfigured as a tourist utility boat.
Sapphire Marine was established in 2008 to design and manufacture world standard luxury, military and law enforcement craft of varying sizes. Jim Dundon continues, "By working closely with our clients before, during and after construction we ensure that we meet our three customer satisfaction targets; product quality standards, value for money and after sales support previously unavailable to Oman boat owners."
Sapphire Marine is fully committed to maintaining Oman's seafaring heritage by modernising manufacturing skills and developing a product range that will see Omani vessels in all four corners of the globe.
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
