OUR TEAM 

With his best friend, a name was found for the new company and “Blue Planet Liveaboards” was born.

Safari ships were initially rented from 1997 until the opportunity to buy a finished ship came in 2000. The Blue Planet One laid the foundation for an entire fleet. Diving in the Red Sea had now lost its expedition character and was affordable for all underwater fans. The liveaboards were booming - even among the competition. There were many newly founded companies as well as the veterans Rudi Kneipp and the Heaven Fleet. As a new, small company, it wasn't always easy for Blue Planet Liveaboards.

There was a lot to learn.

Also how to deal with setbacks if the gearbox fails during a safari. These are very difficult moments for a young entrepreneur. But Ahmed Hefni didn't let himself get down. Future-oriented thinking has always been his strength. A new, self-planned ship is needed. Bigger and with more comfort for the guests, because the time of bunk beds and deck toilets was finally over. 2003 was one of the most beautiful moments for Ahmed Hefni when his second ship, this time built according to his own concept, the Blue Pearl was launched. With 36 meters and 10 double cabins, the Blue Pearl is already one of the new generation of diving ships that offers generous space on all decks and in the cabins. A crew of ten takes care of all the guests' wishes and two dive guides take care of the guests' well-being underwater.

A very sociable character himself, he has gained many impressions and experiences on his long stays in Germany and worldwide travels, which benefit him in his sensitivity to the needs of his guests. He is actively supported by his team.

In his friend Tobias Steger, who initially worked as a cruise director and later as a manager at Blue Planet, Ahmed Hefni found an excellent advertising specialist who immediately recognized the benefits of a good website.

Every year the number of larger and better equipped safari ships on offer increased. The standard of the ships increased quickly. Ahmed was aware that this trend would not end any time soon.

Together with Tobias Steger and the experience gained from the first two ships, another ship was built, the 38 meter long Blue Seas, which completed its first season in 2004.

As of 2004, four ships now sailed under the Blue Planet Liveaboards flag. Three of our own and the Blue Waves the ship of Mustafa Hefni, Ahmed's brother, who founded a dry dock in Safaga in 2006. The ships, which are made of wood, have to be taken out of the water every year for a thorough overhaul in order to inspect them inside and out. Repairs and conversions are also carried out. But Mustafa Hefni had bigger plans. He sold the Blue Waves and, in addition to the dry dock work, now also devoted himself to the actual shipbuilding.
The coming years were a good time for Blue Planet Liveaboards. The company made a good name for itself on the European market. The boats were well booked and Ahmed was now running a company with more than 100 employees. He himself says that the secret of his success is thanks to his employees, his friends and his family, who are committed to ensuring the success. Whether it's the crews on the boats, the dive guides or the team in the office and catering, most of those who work at Blue Planet have been doing so for many years. And that says a lot about the mood in a company. The many regular guests in particular appreciate this continuity and are happy to come back to “their ship”.

But difficult times also came and not just for Blue Planet Liveaboards. The economic crisis in Europe had an impact on booking numbers and in February 2011 Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak was overthrown. Not only Ahmed Hefni but many entrepreneurs in the tourism industry had to struggle. Above all, the reduction in flights from Europe caused problems for the entire industry, which ranks third in Egypt's foreign exchange income and in which, above all, a lot of people find work. Every year was an up and down. Sometimes it looked as if the economic situation was recovering, then another attack happened and the budding optimism was nipped in the bud.

The fact that Blue Planet Liveaboards has survived these years well is not least thanks to the many regular guests who did not allow themselves to be deterred and who sometimes accepted adventurous flight rebookings in order to be able to dive into the Red Sea. They were rewarded with great underwater experiences and were often the only ship at a dive site. While many safari ship companies began to save on renovation costs for their ships, Ahmed Hefni was convinced that better times were coming and not only invested in the existing ships, which he had generously overhauled and converted (Blue Planet One 2013, Blue Pearl 2017, Blue Seas 2017 /18), but had a new ship, the Blue, built together with a partner in his brother's shipyard.

With this ship, Blue Planet Liveaboards set a new benchmark for diving safari ships in the Red Sea.

At 43 meters, the Blue is not only one of the largest but also one of the most luxuriously equipped ships. Modern cabins, light-flooded salons, large sun decks and sunbathing areas delight the discerning diving holidaymaker. Candlelight dinner on deck and satellite TV are just some of the many new ideas that Ahmed Hefni has incorporated into the Blue.