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Photo credits to KLM Aurora and Kararu Dive Voyages.

Kararu Dive Voyages offers a warm welcome to this special edition of the newsletter. Firstly, we wish you all a Happy New Year 2011 and say thank you to all the thousands of divers who have joined our cruises in more than 10 years of successful operation.

Kararu’s solid dedication to provide guests with a very high level of safety and comfort on our cruises has kept our ships plying the Indonesian archipelago for all of these years.

Special Announcement - New Liveaboard Vessel

With this level of experience under our weight belts, today, we are proud to announce the newest addition to the Kararu fleet, the KLM Aurora.

The Aurora is owned by PT. Biodiversity Explorations , and will from January 2011, be jointly managed and operated by Kararu Dive Voyages.

All of Kararu's regularly scheduled cruises from 17th January, 2011 onwards, will be conducted on the KLM Aurora, with it's own dedicated schedule for the best diving in Indonesia.

The majestic and spacious is Aurora was launched in 2009 and has been offering sailing and live aboard charters ever since. Built with speed, safety and comfort in mind, the ship spans an impressive 42 meters long and 9 meters wide. Her average cruising speed is 7-8 knots (without sails)making her one of the fastest Phinisi on the market to date!

Our guests will continue to receive the same high standard of cabin facilities, food & entertainment, diving and customer service which people expect from Kararu Dive Voyages.

The Aurora is modeled on the traditional building style of the Indonesian wooden sailing ships, locally know as Phinisi schooners. The elegance of her solid iron wood hull and teak wood interior make her over and above the superior choice amongst liveaboard dive vessels in Indonesia.

All cabins are tastefully decorated and come with desks, storing facilities, en-suite bathrooms with shower and individual adjustable air conditioning units.

There is plenty of space for storage and relaxing in between dives.

We are confident that guests will find their cruises onboard our latest vessel a very pleasurable one.

We are looking forward to introducing you to KLM Aurora's traditional design and modern comforts.

Ship Specifications

• Air Compressors: 2 x Coltri MCH 16 ET Tropical
• 1 x Coltri LP 280 NitroX compressor
• 2 x Zodiac dive tenders - 1 x 40 Hp
• 1 x Fiberglass dive tender - 1 x 40 hp

Safety Equipment

• inflatable life-rafts
• life-belts
• Life Buoys
• Smoke detectors in each cabin
• Fire Hoses & Hydrants
• C02 & Powder Fire Extinguishers

Navigation & Communication

• 1 x GPS
• 1 x Echo Sounder
• 1 x VHF Radio
• 1 x Satellite phone

Accommodation

• 4 x lower deck double cabins
• 3 x Lower deck twin cabins

All cabins come with spacious private bathrooms with hot & cold water. The main salon is fully air conditioned and features a comfortable lounge area, shop and library corner. Also equipped with sound system, TV, Video and DVD player.

All other features such as camera stations, email-service, charging stations, individual dive deck stations, flat screen TV, photo editing computer and Nitrox will all be available on the KLM Aurora.

To view Aurora on our website, please visit www.kararu.com/the-liveaboards/

You will find detailed cruise schedules and pricing information at the following link http://www.kararu.com/schedules/

Please contact stein@kararu.com for any further details regarding our new vessel.

The Cheng Ho & Sea Safari VIII

The Cheng Ho & Sea Safari VIII will remain in the Kararu fleet and will be used for special occasions when divers, group leaders or agents alike need to accommodate 18 - 20 divers.

Both the Cheng Ho & Sea Safari VIII will have a flexible schedule and can be booked when groups are guaranteed at 18 minimum.

The crew on the Aurora look forward to continuing to serve you well into the future.