Abd El Megeed El Cherif, popularly known as Guido, was, said a spokesman for the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), “one of the true pioneers of Red Sea diving and one of our industry's most beloved faces”.
An “unbelievable character who brought joy to every situation he encountered”, Cherif sold his successful textile business in Alexandria to pursue a belatedly found love for diving and the Red Sea.
A “dedicated diving enthusiast and instructor”, Cherif became the original owner of the 24m-long Coral Queen, built in 1996 and highly popular with British divers until its demise at Sha’ab Sataya in 2005.
The boat was a “real landmark liveaboard in the Red Sea, with a unique atmosphere”, said HEPCA, The “relatively small and unassuming boat” twice won an award for Best Liveaboard in the World, for the services in diving and hospitality provided by Cherif and his crews.
Committed to helping his local community, Cherif took many of his crew from local tribes, training them up in the skills needed.
John Bantin, Diver Magazine’s technical editor and travel features writer, said: “Coral Queen was his pride and joy and his boat was always exceptionally well maintained in the days when maybe some other Egyptian vessels were not.
“He explained to me that ths was because he was always on board.”
Bantin added that Cherif “never really got over” the death of Frenchman Nicholas Forest, a long-time friend and permanent dive guide who left Coral Queen “after an argument, only to be killed in a tragic accident on board the next boat he worked on”.
“Guido Cherif was a Red Sea diving pioneer who will be missed by those who knew him,” said Bantin.
Archive | 
Win a Luxfer pony cylinder
