Hi From Athens / Greece

[Argo]

Thought I'd take a look and see what you guys are up to............ Maybe learn something new
Anyway.......... Im an Ex Sat diver, PADI Instr, CMAS 2** Instr and TDI Instr that lives near Athens Greece. Admin for another Forum (Don't worry Im not here to advertise LOL)....... As I said, always looking for new ideas and ways of doing the dive, discussions, tips, tricks and new places to dive...........
OK thats it for now ...............l8er

Argo

[Rick]

whats the diving like in Greece?

Cant remember where I read it but I heard the Greek government was opening up the coast to diving and that previously it had been restricted?

Any good wrecks over there off holiday type destinations?

[Dave Sydenham]

Welcome along!
:)

[Argo]

Greece is a very nice place which up til now has been stuck with draconic laws that have governed the recreational diving for the last 50 yrs............ Now they have past new laws that will open up this country and the thousands of Kilometers (Miles for you NON - EU citizens) to divers and dive centers..........
Here is an exceprt from the Greek gov Press release:

PRESS RELEASE
RECREATIONAL DIVING BILL
The new bill prepared by the Ministry of Mercantile Marine regarding recreational diving in Greece, is the outcome of the Hellenic Government’s Strategic Plan for positioning Greece prominently into the world’s scuba diving industry, and in addition for boosting the country’s alternative tourism.
The new diving law is fully in accord with the EU Standards regarding recreational diving, which have actually been in force since early 2004. Moreover the unreasonable restrictions imposed in the past by archeologists are now being successfully modified and the concept of Diving Parks has been firmly established. Notably, the legislative framework provides adequate environment protection, ensures the appropriate respect for the underwater precious antiquities, as well as the safety and adequate professional skills of the divers, who will enjoy clear waters, plus unique marine life and other hitherto unutilised underwater attractions.
An accreditation system consonant to EU directives is being established for the Scuba Divers’ Training Programs, for the appropriate certification of various Diver Training Organizations, as well as for the Diving Services Providers. The Diving Services are classified according to their type, they are certified on an individual basis by an accredited products certification agency and each of them will be licensed by the competent Port Authority. There are now clear requirements as specified by law, to the effect that only those holding the necessary license will be able to provide Diving Services.
Moreover, the modus operandi for the Diving Industry is now clearly prescribed, appropriate records will be maintained at the Ministry of Mercantile Marine, and violators of the existing rules will be subject to severe penalties.
The Republic of Greece has several advantages as a holiday destination for divers: safety as a EU member, short flight distances for European travellers, excellent climate and long diving season, same currency with many other EU countries, and other amenities.
The multitude of active European and American divers, as well as those aspiring newcomers who wish to experience the magic undersea world and receive competent training in scuba diving, will find themselves welcomed in the best possible environment for pursuing their exciting hobby.
Finally, the renewed availability of our Nation’s magnificent undersea world to the Diving Industry, necessitates its strict adherence to services of the highest possible quality, for the pleasure of our visitors and the prosperity of our society as well.

Also this link can give you some more info..........
http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/a...98295332161546

So things are going to get very exciting around here as far as wrecks and things are concerned.......
Hope this wets your appetite to get over here before its too late ( NO I don't work for the Greek Ministry of Tourism :D )

[Andy Wade]

Hi Argo,
Welcome to the forums.
In Greece, do they require evidence of a diving medical as proof of dive fitness? Or will they be accepting self-certification?

[Argo]

Andy, Good question......... The thing is in Greece up til now you had to be a member of the Greek federation (CMAS) 2** to open a Dive Center, 3*** for a School (Instr of course) Or one recognised by them. CMAS from european countries was. The Greek federation and the Government put the responsiblity on the shop owner. That meant that what ever happened he (Or the Inst with more qualifications) got the problems and usually ended up in Jail until the inquiry was completed by the public prosecutor, this normaly happens overnight for small offences. I have worked in many Diveshops and Schools here and only ever seen med. certs if they were asked for. This was not common. Usually the log book would be looked at, last dive? Experience? and that was it.....Most of the foreign owned Diveshops (Germans, Brits) ask for Med. certs. Im sure though that if you sign the waiver that is produced by that other organisation (No Plugs lol) then this would do........
Is there a particular reason you aks?

Argo

[Stephen Davies]

Andy

I have dived on several Greek islands and up to now dive centres have been happy to accept self certification.:)

[Andy Wade]

Andy, Good question......... The thing is in Greece up til now you had to be a member of the Greek federation (CMAS) 2** to open a Dive Center, 3*** for a School (Instr of course) Or one recognised by them. CMAS from european countries was. The Greek federation and the Government put the responsiblity on the shop owner. That meant that what ever happened he (Or the Inst with more qualifications) got the problems and usually ended up in Jail until the inquiry was completed by the public prosecutor, this normaly happens overnight for small offences. I have worked in many Diveshops and Schools here and only ever seen med. certs if they were asked for. This was not common. Usually the log book would be looked at, last dive? Experience? and that was it.....Most of the foreign owned Diveshops (Germans, Brits) ask for Med. certs. Im sure though that if you sign the waiver that is produced by that other organisation (No Plugs lol) then this would do........
Is there a particular reason you aks?

Argo


Andy

I have dived on several Greek islands and up to now dive centres have been happy to accept self certification.:)

:)
Thanks for that information guys,
I'm asking because I'm currently involved with the setting up of the BSAC Wiki (Online encyclopaedia).
One of the pages gives information about which other countries accept self certification as proof of diving fitness, and which ones insist on seeing a medical certificate showing that you've had a diving medical with a doctor.

Hopefully it's OK with you both, I've added this information to the BSAC Wiki page here:

http://bsacforum.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Medical_requirements

Cheers,

[Richard Whitcombe]

I go along with that, when ive dived in greece often not asked at all but when i have been asked a self cert was all that was required.

On a related note, lets hope the recent law change in greece opens up a lot more diving.

[Argo]

I go along with that, when ive dived in greece often not asked at all but when i have been asked a self cert was all that was required.

On a related note, lets hope the recent law change in greece opens up a lot more diving.

Well Richard, I dont really see anything happening until 2007 as it will take a long time for them to get this really sorted out........I Hope I'm wrong :D

[Reporter]

Can anyone tell me the best places to dive, and dive centers near those sites, in Greece? I am especially interested in the NEW best places, now that restrictions have been lifted by the government, and shipwrecks.

Also, if someone can predict the number of dive centers that will open in 2006 as a result of new laws, I am looking for figures...

[Argo]

Can anyone tell me the best places to dive, and dive centers near those sites, in Greece? I am especially interested in the NEW best places, now that restrictions have been lifted by the government, and shipwrecks.

Also, if someone can predict the number of dive centers that will open in 2006 as a result of new laws, I am looking for figures...

Hi, I answered your email. As for figures......... hard to say. Please don't all start to think aha, lets go open a Diveshop in Greece. The Greeks are going to make it as hard as possible. One of the stipulations to open is that you MUST be able to speak Greek! The cost of the APPLICATION is 3000 Euros valid for five years after this 1500Euros. You also must have held a boat licence for 2 yrs to be able to carry divers. Thes are just the known things. The Ministerial decisions on exactly how the law will be put in effect are expected at the end of the month.
I will keep you posted on those.............

[Alwassia]

Andy,
you can add Saudi Arabia in the "What Are You Talking About?? " category.
Official diving medicals are only needed for Padi Dive Master, or higher level courses, BSAC is normal BSAC.

No one (diveshop or boat operatoror goverment) will ask you if your are fit to dive, not even if you are 100 Kg overweight as some "Non BSAC" instructors here. At best you need to show your certification card, only for boat dives you need to show definetely the certification card for the coast guard.

A Saudi dive certification is given by the Ministery of Fisheries and the Coast Guard based on your PADI or BSAC certification but most people do not bother. It is really only helpful if you dive in the middle of nowhere and have to deal with coast guard captians in remote areas. At least that is the way on the Red Sea side, East coast may be different in the application.

Khaled