Press Release from the "24-hrs Beneath a Rainbow Sea"

Official Launch and Press Conference

15 November 1998, 10am, Bandos Island Resort 

One hour into his first working day as the new Minister of Tourism, the Honorable Hussan Sobir, former Minister of Fisheries of the Republic of Maldives officially launched "24-hours Beneath a Rainbow Sea", an international project of the sea, celebrating the "Nation of Islands" for the Year 2000.

 Representing the President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Honourable Hussain Ibrahim Zaki, Minister of Planning and National Development and Honorable Abdul Rasheed Hussain, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Research were also present to officiate the launch and press conference.

As preservation of the quality of the marine environment has always been the national interest of the Maldives, Minister Sobir shares the belief that a "big fish on the reef is worth more to the country than at the fish market". As a nation that depends entirely on the sea for its livelihood, the sustenance of the fragile ecosystem is a prime concern to the future growth and development of the country.

24 hrs Beneath a Rainbow Sea, Maaya Thila, Maldives is one of the most exciting ocean environment events ever to take place. Scheduled for April 10, 1999, a team of underwater photographers, film crew, and supporting scientists from the Maldives, Australia, Germany, Spain, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States will continuously dive, photograph and video a submerged reef in the Maldives from 12 noon to 12 noon.

Though MICHAEL AW of OceanNEnvironment Australia initiated the project last April, it is with the blessing and supports of Minister Hussein Ibrahim ZAKI that makes the realization of this event possible. His encouragement and quest to protect the well being of the marine environment laid the foundation for this immense undertaking.

Using state-of-the-art diving and underwater equipment technology, the production team will produce a chronicle of one of the most vibrant biological systems in the world. The project is the highlight of the world’s celebration for the new millennium; there are many firsts in this event:

1. The world's first digital video documentary/ pictorial almanac that is actually shot over a 24-hour period.
2. For the first time, an international team of scientists, marine photographers, film crew and naturalists unite together to dive one single site over a 24-hour period for the purpose of making new discoveries, expanding knowledge and increasing awareness of conservation issues.
3. The world's first 24-hour live broadcast of life on a coral reef on the World Wide Web.
4. First event to use rebreather systems with oxygen enriched gas (Nitrox) over a 24-hour period.
5. The world's first uninterrupted documentation of the life cycle of a submerged reef in a coral atoll recorded over a 24-hour period.

In a press statement by Mr Latiff and Mr Hilmy, owners of the Coral Princess, a live-aboard dive vessel, they hoped that the findings from this project will benefit the Maldives and while the wider objectives are achieved, the more specific goal of sustaining conservation efforts of the reefs through education and awareness will bring about short term and as well as long term benefits. In view of the coral-bleaching crisis caused by high water temperatures, Michael Aw announced during the press conference that part of the proceeds from the pictorial almanac would be use in coral rehabilitation research in the Maldives. Based on the observations made during the 24-hrs shoot, OceanNEnvironment will produce educational literature on the cycle of life on the Maaya Thila reef system for schools and tourist resorts in the Maldives.

The 250 attendees at the ceremony were treated to the first public preview of the new music documentary "Dreams from a Rainbow Sea", co-produced by Leandro Blanco and Michael AW. Filmed pre-dominantly in the Maldives last April the documentary focus on the beauty of the marine environment and endangered animals such as sharks, Napoleon wrasse and sea turtles.

Apart from hosting the official launch, during the press conference, Bandos Island Resort graciously offered to be the base camp as well as host to the principal photographic team pre and post event next year. This is much welcome news to the 24-hours dive team as a staging point is also crucial to effective co-ordination of diving, photographic, satellite communication equipment arriving from all over the world.

To impress the visiting international press team, the luxury MV Coral Princess made a detour from her itinerary to Bandos Island for the official launching event. Specially fitted with Nitrox to support the dive team, the M.V. Coral Princess, a 40.8m long twin-hulled catamaran, is the ideal dive platform for the project next year. The vessel has been exclusively dedicated for the "24-hrs Beneath the Rainbow Sea" sojourn from April 5- 18, 1999.

Cable & Wireless and Dhiraagu, the Maldives Telecommunications Company also announced their support with the production as well assistance with Immarsat communication for live web broadcast. As Maaya Thila is a submerged reef in the middle of Ari Atoll, land-based telecommunication systems would not have been an option.

Due to overwhelming request from keen divers and photographers from all over the world to join the dive team, OceanNEnvironment has set up a satellite membership package for those who wish to participate and support this exciting event of the sea. Membership fees are tax deductible.

Privileges of membership are

1. "24 hrs Beneath a Rainbow Sea - Maaya Thila, Maldives" exclusive limited edition video and pictorial almanac set. (only 1000 sets)

2. 24-hour Dive Team T-shirt - limited edition.

3. One-year membership to OceanNEnvironment - see benefits below.

4. "Dreams from a Rainbow Sea - Maldives" Screen Saver.

5. One poster print from the pictorial almanac.

6. Special access to the 24-hrsDive web domain and chat line between April 10 and 11.

Benefits of OceanNEnvironment's Membership

· 10 – 20% discount on organized scientific and photographic expeditions.

· 15% discount on merchandise and books.

· Access to OceanNEnvironment's resources of images and databases.

· Support OceanNEnvironment's efforts in preserving the quality of the ocean environment.

· One set of high-quality greeting cards.

· Wall certificate and membership card.

All above dispatched on application except for 1, 2 & 5, which will be, sent prior to Christmas 1999.

24- hr Dive Satellite membership package is US$100 - all postage included.

Objectives

The principal objectives of this event are:

1. To promote awareness of the density of life on one reef system – an ecological system that represents a small but vital link to the cycle of all life on this water planet.
2. To raise funds to support the ongoing protection of the reefs in the Maldives as well as to secure photographic and research materials on the ecology of a single submerged reef system.
3. To support field research of the shark and Napoleon Wrasse populations, with the objectives of protecting all species of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and Napoleon Wrasse in Maldivian and Indo-Pacific waters.
4. To support the development of educational materials for Maldivian children, as well as for tourists, on the ecology of the atoll environment.
5. To promote the beauty of the marine environment by producing a chronicle of one of the most vibrant biological systems in the world both on video and in a high quality almanac that will be enjoyed by millions of individuals worldwide.
6. To increase awareness of the fantastic diving opportunities offered in the Maldives as well as to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our world's reefs.

Main Sponsors

The Ministry of Tourism,

Republic of Maldives

EASTINVEST PTE LTD - MVCoral Princess

OceanNEnvironment & Associate members

Supporting Sponsors

Dive International Magazine UK

Dhiraagu Cable & Wireless - Communication & Ancillary Support

Intended Observations

About Maaya Thila - North Ari Atoll

About the Production

Benefits:

3. Credited in OceanNEnvironment and the 24 hrs Dive Web domain.

OceanNEnvironment Australia