Dive Against Debris – Reef and Beach Clean Up!

            On the bright and sunny day of September 5th team Scandinavian joined by Koh Chang Rescue came together with team BB and Scuba Dawgs to give back to the beautiful ocean that's become their second home. At 9am everyone met on the pier, tested the megaphone and readied the drums. BB's boat was stacked with food and every other boat well equipped with gloves, cutting tools, rubbish bags, dive gear and enthusiastic volunteers. The day's action plan was announced and set - to Koh Rang National Marine Park we all headed. En route the excitement began as Andi from team Scandinavian dove in the deep sea to scavenge any floating plastic that entered Nemo's path. Once arrived, the boats of 150 people totally gathered to buoy together. Here everyone collaborated together and divided into their action teams. Dive teams totalling 70 people jumped in to comb the seabed, as surface teams helped collect and transport anything brought up from beneath, meanwhile beach teams scoured relentlessly across the sand and rocks nearby.

            After the first site a feast was provided by BB Divers -as it was their team who were so diligently coordinating everything for this day's event. This was a wonderful time of chatter, laughter and catch up with the other teams. With the most magical moment when the foreigners hear from the Thai people that the most delicious Thai dishes are on board... only to be a bit taken a back when they help themselves and realise its chicken feet in this amazing curry! -It can be confirmed however those who braved were not disappointed!!

            The second site everyone moved onto next held the most old netting and rubbish for the day. Here the teams worked as long as possible and furiously as they went. This was most noticeable underwater and created a lot of fun as the clouds of sand almost engulfed divers from the disturbances of removing the settled netting.

            Arriving back at Bang Bao every boat brought back its collected rubbish of an estimated 1400kg and laid it all out at the pier, making it possible to gain perspective of the day’s activities. Looking at it all pilled so high and realising the rubbish we collected today is only a fraction of what is out there in our oceans is a sobering thought. One that we can only hope inspires everyone to create of join a similar event. There's truly nothing better than giving back to something that constantly gives you so much - especially if your boat has drums, a tambourine and joyful people filling the day with laughs, singing and dancing!

Once again Scandinavian Chang Diving would love give a special thanks to BB Divers for arranging everything and bringing the people of Koh Chang together for this event and Koh Chang Rescue for joining us diving and making the boat such fun throughout the day!