News
Diver Dies In South Korea Ferry Search
A diver searching for bodies in the ferry that sank last month in South Korea has died, authorities say.
The 53-year-old, known only by his surname Lee, lost consciousness and later died in hospital.
He is the first diver to lose his life searching the Sewol ferry, which sank on 16th April with 476 people on board.
Only 174 people survived, with many trapped inside the vessel. So far the disaster has claimed 262 lives, with 40 others missing.
It’s been reported that Mr Lee was a veteran crew member of Undine Marine Industries, which specialises in maritime engineering and rescue work.
He had lost consciousness shortly after diving into waters 25m deep in the early hours of Tuesday.
Fellow divers lost communication with him five minutes into his dive and later pulled him to the surface. It was his first search attempt in the Sewol, according to the authorities.
Prime Minister Chung Hong-won has since ordered government officials overseeing the rescue operation to thoroughly check divers’ health conditions.
Divers have been battling bad weather and fast currents to retrieve bodies over the past three weeks. Inside the ferry, they must also navigate floating debris and the maze of corridors, reports say.
Yonhap said another civilian diver, aged 31, fell unconscious last week after diving four times before daybreak.
Several others have also been treated at hyperbaric oxygen therapy centres.
Authorities said divers were now working their way to the last three unopened rooms next to a snack bar on the ferry’s third floor.
But they did not expect to find many bodies there as they were not occupied by the high school students who were the majority of the passengers, a spokesman said. Divers would also recheck areas previously searched.
Earlier this week, workers put out more nets around the site to prevent bodies floating away.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news
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News
Relive the Red Sea’s Golden Age: New Paperback Edition of Treasures, Shipwrecks, and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving
by Howard Rosenstein
With Forewords by Sylvia Earle and David Doubilet
Experience the Red Sea’s golden age of diving through the eyes of its pioneering figure, Howard Rosenstein. The new paperback edition of his acclaimed memoir, Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, is a visual feast, showcasing over 200 stunning images above and below water by legendary photographer David Doubilet, the author and others.
Journey from a makeshift diving school in a train carriage to the forefront of global dive tourism. Rosenstein’s narrative weaves together thrilling underwater adventures, historical discoveries (from Roman coins to unmapped reefs), and encounters with a fascinating cast of characters, including underwater legends and world leaders.
This enhanced paperback release offers a deeper dive into Rosenstein’s story, featuring additional images, refined text, and minor corrections. Witness how his passion for the underwater world not only shaped a generation of divers but also subtly influenced the delicate peace process of the region. This is a story of adventure, discovery, and the enduring allure of the Red Sea.
You don’t need to be a diver to get lost in these pages—there’s something here for anyone who loves a good adventure, a slice of history, or a peek into someone else’s amazing life.
‘Unbelievable stories that are most wonderful because they are true.’
Sylvia Earle
‘Endlessly entertaining… A vivid memoir packed with characters and anecdotes.’
SCUBA magazine
About the author
Howard Rosenstein is a one-off who was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2009. In this memoir, he shares the more surprising as well as his favorite stories from the early part of his long diving career.
The book
Review copies on request – please contact Alex Gibson: alex@divedup.com |
Release date 11 March 2025
RRP GBP £25 | Paperback | ISBN 978-1-909455-54-2
216 pages | Revised 1st Edition | 234 x 156 mm
Available from Divedup.com, online and from retailers.
Dive Trade: Nautilus UK
Book Trade: Gardners Books.
Praise for Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving
‘Unbelievable stories that are most wonderful because they are true’ – Sylvia Earle
‘A page-turning memoir filled with stories of finding treasures, shipwrecks, and discovering exotic coral reefs teeming with marine life.’ – Explorers Journal, Explorers Club of America
‘Endlessly entertaining… A vivid memoir packed with characters and anecdotes.’ – SCUBA magazine
‘A very satisfying read.’ – DIVE magazine
‘A rollicking fun tale.’ – Kathy Sullivan, history-making astronaut and oceanographer
‘This is a fascinating story and one well told.’ – Divernet
‘Howard Rosenstein had a dream that he made a reality – he built, and they came.’ – David Doubilet
‘A fascinating story that, if it was not the real-life of Howard Rosenstein, it would make a first-class adventure novel.’ – Dan Orr, Diving Industry Consultant
‘A gripping tale.’ – Undercurrent
‘An upbeat tale of success with surprising twists along the way… will enlighten and entertain.’ – Jewish Book Council
‘A captivating voyage… I urge you to pick up a copy and embark on this thrilling journey’ – Amos Nachoum, award-winning nature photographer and diving travel pioneer
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