Going Extreme for 50 Hours Underwater at 6 Metres in the Maldives

What would you do? We sat down with Shafraz Naeem, together with Ben Reymenants and Azim Musthag to learn more about Ocean:650 – An extreme diving event to mark the 50th anniversary of the tourism and diving industry and to raise awareness and advocate to the issues of plastic pollution, climate change, endangered species and the marine ecosystem.

Organised by Unix Sporting with technical diver, Shafraz Naeem otherwise known as “Shaff”, Ocean:650 is a 50-hour continuous dive and pledge signing attempt happening on February 25 to 27, 2022. During the 50-hour dive,  Shaff will be holding a pledge that visiting diver scan sign as a show of solidarity for the cause. A virtual dive event will be held in conjunction with the 50-hr dive where divers from around the globe can participate and sign the pledge. The dive is the first of its kind in South Asia region and will be a significant record if successful. this initiative is also missioned to bring together the local and international diving community, marine researchers and environmental activists to raise awareness and advocate for meaningful and sustainable solutions to the issues of plastic pollution, climate change, endangered species and the marine ecosystem.

The event will be supported by a team of international and local technical divers, a doctor and a psychiatrist will be stationed on board a vessel at the dive location. The event is also supported by local dive schools, local NGO’s and state institutions such as Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defence Force, MMPRC, Liveaboard Association of Maldives and the Ministry of Tourism.

“Who is Shaff Naeem?

Shafraz is an ex-military dive instructor with a 27 year career in the diving industry. He is an experienced SSI and TDI/SDI instructor and has trained divers in the Maldivian Coast Guard, Special Forces and Marines. He has extensive knowledge about the Maldivian marine ecosystem and has explored deep cave systems and reefs in the Maldives. An ambassador to Fourth Element wetsuits and Dive Systems UK’s Proteus rebreathers, he is also the only Maldivian diver to be invited to speak at the Tek Conference of the annual Asia Dive Expo held in Singapore for 6 consecutive years. He is an award winning underwater photographer featured in international and local publications and has 14 years of experience in the field of underwater photography.”

In addition to the two and a half day main event, attendees can look forward to exciting activities happening at our local dive site and online via a virtual event. The virtual event will be launched on our website, where divers from around the globe can participate in the event to show solidarity and support for the cause and the event. Here are some of the event that you can look forward to.

• Main Event – 5o hours
• Virtual Event – 5o hours
• Dive Training Camps – 1 day
• Free Diving Camps – 1 day
• Marine Conservation Camp – 1 day
• Special Dive Expeditions in Huvadhoo Atoll, Fuvahmulah and Addu Atoll

As a proud Official Digital Dive Media to Ocean:650, we encourage all to watch this amazing diving feat either physically or virtually! For more details, event or sponsorship enquiries on the recently inaugurated, Sustainable Ocean Ambassador at the FeedUP.at.UN Sustainable Wellness Destination, please visit Ocean:650 website, or reach out to Shaff Naeem through his facebook – HERE!

Keen to secure a ticket to the event? Click here!