1. INTRODUCTION

International Kemer Underwater Days (IKUD) is a week of activities organized jointly by the Mediterranean Underwater Archeological Research Center (AASAM www.aasam.net ) and the Foundation for the Promotion of Kemer (KETAV www.ketav.org ), whose goal is to introduce to the world the natural and the archeological beauties of the deep waters of Antalya in the Mediterranean.

The Antalya coast of the Mediterranean has hosted numerous civilizations for thousands of years, who maintained their commercial and political relationships mostly through naval routes. As a result of this, traces of these civilizations left in the depths of the blue waters as well as the natural beauties of the area await to be discovered.

7th International Kemer Underwater Days consists of the following activities to realize the goal of the foundations mentioned above:

1. Underwater imaging competitions;

2. Underwater documentary and film projections;

3. 7th International meeting on underwater archeology;

4. Exhibitions of underwater photography;

5. Competition and exhibitions of Children drawings;

6. “ARCHAEOLOGIST METIN PEHLIVANER award ceremony” by the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeological Research Center for those people who has had invaluable contributions to the underwater archeology of Turkey .

7. A ceremony for the competitors and visitors who participate in the competition.

8. Concerts and displays during the award ceremony for the competitors.

2- UNDERWATER IMAGING COMPETITIONS

Underwater imaging competitions are divided into four main categories: (i) underwater nature photography, (ii) underwater nature video imaging, (iii) underwater archeological photography and (iv) underwater archeological video imaging. Each of these categories is named after a Turkish pioneer in underwater research and imaging.

2-1. Nurdogan Özkaya "Underwater Nature" Photography Competition :

Nurdoðan Özkaya was one of the first scuba divers and underwater photographers of Turkey. Özkaya, who passed away in 1997, devoted his life to the underwater photography and to the beauties that "Still Live Deep In The Marmara Sea".
In this category competitors can compete with any camera of their choice within a given period of time and in a pre-determined area. There is no restriction on the kind of lenses or filters.

2-2. Nurdogan Özkaya "Underwater Nature" Photography Competition MASTERS SECTION :

In this category, MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS can compete with any camera of their choice within a given period of time and in a pre-determined area. There is no restriction on the kind of lenses or filters. Jury of the competition will decide to master photographers according to their training, photographs and international satisfaction.

2-3. Emre Omur "Underwater Nature" Video Imaging Competition :

Emre Omur is one of the firsts in underwater photography and video imaging. Omur, whose work on the underwater world of many countries has been published in domestic and foreign media, has been a role model for young photographers.
Competitors in this category may use any kind of video cameras in Digital format within a given period of time, in a pre-determined area. There are no technical restrictions.

2-4. Jale Inan "Underwater Archeology" Photography Competition:

Prof. Jale Inan, who was one of the first archeologists of Turkey, was born in 1914 in Istanbul. Inan, who was sent abroad by Ataturk to receive an education in archeology, conducted the digs in Side and Perge and trained hundreds of Turkish archeologists. She also contributed to the establishment of the Antalya and Side museums. Inan passed away in January 2001. Today hundreds of archeology students and researches benefit follow her track and benefit from the library of Antalya museum, to which she donated her books.
In this category competitors can compete with any camera of their choice within a given period of time and in a pre-determined area. There is no restriction on the kind of lenses or filters.
The main criteria in the evaluation are that the objects whose images have been taken are those with archeological value. Touching, moving or removing the archeological objects are the primary reasons for disqualification. Underwater archeologists both under the water and on the surface will supervise the competitors.

2-5. Jale Inan "Underwater Archeology" Photography Competition MASTERS SECTION :

In this category, MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS can compete with any camera of their choice within a given period of time and in a pre-determined area. There is no restriction on the kind of lenses or filters.
The main criteria in the evaluation are that the objects whose images have been taken are those with archeological value. Touching, moving or removing the archeological objects are the primary reasons for disqualification. Underwater archeologists both under the water and on the surface will supervise the competitors.

2-6 . Ekrem Akurgal Underwater Archeology Video Imaging Competition :

Prof. Ekrem Akurgal, who is one of the most well known researchers in archeology, was born in 1911. Akurgal, who was one of the pioneers of the Turkish Archeology, has trained countless students, founded and contributed to the foundations of institutions for education in archeology. Prof. Akurgal also holded honorary memberships in various domestic and foreign institutions. He passed away in 2002.
Competitors in this category may use any kind of video cameras in Digital format within a given period of time, in a pre-determined area. There are no technical restrictions.
The main criteria in the evaluation are that the objects whose images have been taken are those with archeological value. Touching, moving or removing the archeological objects are the primary reasons for disqualification.
Underwater archeologists both under the water and on the surface will supervise the competitors..

2 -7 Haluk Cecan Youth Awards :

Haluk Cecan was a famous Turkish underwater film maker. His best character and satisfactions are always great example for young underwater photographers and videographers. He had more than 50 international awards from the festivals of all over the world. He passed away at 8 February of 2007.
There is Youth Awards for all the categories of this competition except master sections.

3 - STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT FOR THE COMPETITIONS :

Competitors take photographs/video images simultaneously within a given period of time in a pre-determined area. A competitor can compete only in two categories.

4 - 7.ULUSLARARASI KEMER SUALTI GÜNLERİ YARIŞMA ŞARTNAMESİ :

Sualtında verilen zaman zarfında belirlenen kategoride fotoğraflama ve video görüntüleme yapılacaktır. Yarışmacılar kendilerine tanınan sürede, önceden sınırları belirlenmiş dalış alanı içerisinde fotograflama ve video görüntüleme yaparlar. Yarışmaya en fazla dört dalda katılım mümkündür (gün içinde en fazla toplam iki dalış yapmak şartıyla).

General :

1. Each competitor has to have an internationally valid diver's license and a logbook. The logbook must certify at least 50 dives.
2. The competitors are required to have their health certificates with them (health report, blood group card obtained in the last year). The divers are responsible for their own safety and health in their dives.
3. Competitors and the personnel are first to benefit from transportation vehicles and other facilities.
4. Each competitor/team should send the 7th I.K.U.D. (International Kemer Underwater Days) participation form by e-mail, web form or fax for application to the Organization Committee on May 5, 2008, 17:00. This is required to provide safe diving conditions for the divers. Accepted applications will be announced at IKUD web page and www.ketav.org, www.aasam.net and prospective competitors will be notified individually by mail.
5. Those accepted to the competition must be present at Kemer-Antalya, I.K.U.D. (Turkish: U.K.S.G.) desk latest on May 16, 2008 at 16:30.
6. Participation in the competition means accepting all rules listed above.
* 7th International Kemer Underwater Days

COMPETITION BRANCHES AND DURATION
Competition category Date Meet. Depart. Time Duration

1. Nurdoğan Özkaya Underwater Nature Photography May 17 13:00 – 15.00 120 min.
2. Emre Omur Underwater Nature Video Imaging May 17 13.00 – 15.00 120 min.
3. Jale İnan SUnderwater Archeology Photography May 17 8:00 (dept.) 9.30 11:30 120 min.
4. Ekrem Akurgal Underwater Archeology Video Imaging May 17 8:00 (dept.) 9.30 11:30 120 min.
Dates and times can be changed according to weather and sea conditions and program.

4 -  RULES RELATED TO THE PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO CATEGORIES :

1. Those who will compete in the photography categories will use numbered negative film, which will be provided by the organization committee. The committee will check Digital Camera's memory card and serial number before the competition.
2. Those who will compete in the photography categories can participate in the competition with maximum five photographs per category.
3. There is no technical limitation in video branch. Video cassettes shall be provided by the Organization Committee. The competitors should state the cassette type in the application form.
4. Those competing in video will transfer the uninterrupted section of three-five minutes selected among the images taken by them to the DVD in the mounting set to be prepared by the Organization Committee.
5. Copies requested by the competitors will be provided by the Organization Committee in DVD format.
6. The competitors in every category should avoid any action that can harm the sea ecology and ruin the natural archaeological environment of underwater. Such an action will result in disqualification of the competitor.
7. For description purposes model divers can be used in the competition.
8. All copyrights, all the photographs and videos taken during the competition belong equally to AASAM and KETAV with the condition that the name of the competitor and the 7th IKUD and emblem be used.
 

7- RULES OF DIVING :

1. Each competitor has to participate in every competition with a diving partner. For those who participate in the competition from abroad, the diving partner will provided by the Organization Committee.
2. Each diver and diving partner shall apply to the safety counter at least one hour before and get their competition numbers after safety control.
3. Each diver and diving partner is required to have international diving equipment *. Air tanks and weight belt shall be provided by the Organization Committee for the competitors who participate from abroad.
4. I t is not possible to participate in the competition with close or semi-close circuit breathing devices (rebreather). Only air can be used for breathing.
5. For safety reasons;
5.1. The team which consists of a competitor and a diving partner are required to have a buoy with a color that can be seen easily and preferably with flag.
5.2. Each team, which consists of a diver and a diving partner, must carry at least one knife during the dive.
6. Divers must obey to the depth limits foreseen by their allowed diving license. But all dives shall be performed within the sportive diving limits (Max. 30 meters). Divers are required to prepare their equipment according to the depth they plan to descend and this is totally their responsibility.
7. All dives have to be planned and carried out in a way that a decompression stop will not be required. Making precautionary safety stop is advised.
8. Each competition session will be started by the Organization Committee. All competitors are required to complete their diving at the ending hour announced by the Organization Committee.
9. It is advised that by the time the air in the tank of one of the divers in the team drops to 50 bar pressure (including all pressure relieving processes) the team should have completed its diving or the team should end the dive. 30 bar is reason of disqualified.
10. Since there will be no compressors at the boats, the competitors are required to have their tanks according to the categories in which they participate. Two 200 Atm. tanks of 12 liters capacity will be provided every day of the competitors who will participate from abroad.
11. The coast area where the competition will be conducted will be announced in the morning of the competition.
12. Explanations related to the diving safety of the competitors are announced in the briefings before each competition.
13. Although the underwater safety and health services will be provided by the Supervision Committee, each competition team is primarily responsible for it's safety.
 

Organization Committee is authorized to settle the uncertainness that may occur during the applications of the rules. The work of arts of those competitors that do not obey the rules will not be evaluated. All competitors are considered as accepting to obey with in the sportsmanship rules the general underwater safety rules, specifications of the competition, maritime and diving rules and ethics.

6. PARTICIPATING CONDITIONS

- Participating fee of the competition is 20 Euro for each category. This fee includes only the matters related to the competition.
- The organization committee will provide food, tours of the sites of historical place and museums during the 7th international Kemer Underwater Days.
- The competitors are supposed to mark the categories in which they wish to participate on the participations form. An identity card and a number shall be given during registration to each competitor before competition. Applications, not received by the deadline will not be accepted.
- The competitors will receive a card with their competition number from the Security Counter. They will obtain blank films/video cassettes at the Film/Cassette counter upon showing their competition card to the personnel. This card will be submitted to the Film/Cassette counter after the dive together with the film/cassette. Memory card of Digital cameras have to delete here.

* International diving equipment :

Diving suit, mask, snorkel, weights and belt, fins, regulator, octopus, buoyancy controller device, underwater time watch, device for measuring depth, air pressure meter (manometer), decompression table/diving computer, air tank.