Mark 'Crowley' Russell in Wakatobi

Mark 'Crowley' Russell - Senior Correspondent

Crowley (known to his mum as Mark) began diving in 2000 in Sharm El Sheikh, before quitting a 10-year IT career and moving to Thailand to take his PADI IDC in 2005. He moved from Thailand to Australia and Curaçao before returning to Sharm as an instructor in 2009. He managed a Nusa Lembongan dive centre between 2013-14 before hanging up his instructor booties and returning to the UK. Crowley started writing a regular column for DIVE in 2010, and now looks after DIVE's daily online content and writes regular features for the print magazine. In his spare time, Crowley is an enthusiastic guitar player, devoted motorcyclist, dedicated gamer, and door-opening expert for two cats.


Are work-for-training scuba diving internships worth it?

Are work-for-training scuba diving internships worth it?

Some dive centres offer 'free' training in return for work - but what does this mean and are they really worth it?
DIVE’s Biggest Shots of 2024

DIVE’s Biggest Shots of 2024

Have your say on DIVE Magazine's best underwater photographer of the year in our Best of the Big Shots 2024 poll
Sea Story liveaboard survivors found trapped in cabins

Sea Story liveaboard survivors found trapped in cabins

Five passengers rescued from the Sea Story sinking on Tuesday were found in their cabins after 24 hours breathing from trapped air pockets
52 Assignments: Underwater Photography with Alex Mustard

52 Assignments: Underwater Photography with Alex Mustard

Alex Mustard's 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography is packed with great tips to improve your technique - here are three to get you started
Cargo ship grounded in El Quseir, Egypt

Cargo ship grounded in El Quseir, Egypt

In an incident that provides some context into the sea conditions that may have sunk the MV Sea Story, a…

mv sea story

Divers and crew missing after Red Sea liveaboard Sea Story sinks

Search resumes for 16 passengers still missing after Red Sea liveaboard Sea Story sank off the coast of Marsa Alam on Monday
New species of bioluminescent pelagic nudibranch described by MBARI scientists

New species of bioluminescent pelagic nudibranch described by MBARI scientists

MBARI Scientists describe a new species of nudibranch, so different it represents an entirely new genus and family of sea slugs.
An Island of Hope – St Helena’s extensive MPA

An Island of Hope – St Helena’s extensive MPA

Charged with looking after a Marine Protected Area twice the size of Great Britain, the isolated South Atlantic island of…

garmin descent x50i

Garmin launches Descent X50i large-format dive computer

Garmin launches its first large-format dive computer, the Descent X50i, with a 3" colour touchscreen and underwater diver-to-diver messaging.
overlooking the town of waitangi on NEw Zealand's Chatham Islands

New Zealand diver killed in ‘great white shark’ attack

A 24-year-old commercial diver has died after being mauled by a shark – believed to be a great white –…

World’s largest coral colony discovered in Solomon Islands

World’s largest coral colony discovered in Solomon Islands

The world's largest single coral colony has been discovered in the Solomon Islands during a National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition
a picture of hvaldimir, the white beluga whale, surfacing near a boat

‘Russian spy’ beluga whale Hvaldimir was not shot dead

An autopsy has concluded that Hvaldimir - the beluga whale thought to have been trained as a Russian 'spy' - was not killed by gunfire
New Red Sea Aggressor V to explore Egypt’s Deep South

New Red Sea Aggressor V to explore Egypt’s Deep South

The Red Sea Aggressor V will offer two new itineraries to the Deep South of the Egyptian Red Sea from March 2025
a picture of scuba diving liveaboard mv nouran

Egyptian liveaboard MV Nouran catches fire and sinks at Daedalus reef

The scuba diving liveaboard, MV Nouran, has sunk at Egypt's Daedalus Reef after catching fire during the night of 6 November.
the narrow opening of the cave at sorgente del brenno

Diver dies in Sorgente del Brenno cave in Ticino, Switzerland

A diver has died exploring the narrow Sorgente del Brenno cave in Ticino, Switzerland. Recovery of the body is expected to take several days
winning images from underwater photographer of the year 2022 and 2023

Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 is open

The Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) 2025 contest is open, with entries accepted from 1 November 2024 until 4 January 2025.
Review: Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, by Howard Rosenstein

Review: Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, by Howard Rosenstein

In the beginning... a review of Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, by Howard Rosenstein, published by Dived Up
Ten weird and scary fish for Halloween!

Ten weird and scary fish for Halloween!

There are some weird and scary-looking fish down there in the dark that you definitely don't want to bump into on a Halloween night dive...
Wrecks of the Aegean: Italian torpedo boat, Aldebaran

Wrecks of the Aegean: Italian torpedo boat, Aldebaran

The Italian WWII torpedo boat Aldebaran is a popular Aegean tech dive - Kostas Thoctarides provides the history of her sinking
overlooking burgh island and the coastal town of bigbury on sea

Inquest told UK rebreather diver’s death was due to diluent error

The opening hearing of an inquest into a 72-year-old scuba diver's death is told he died due to 'user error' with his rebreather's diluent
Red Sea liveaboard Seaduction sinks in Egypt’s south; 18 divers rescued

Red Sea liveaboard Seaduction sinks in Egypt’s south; 18 divers rescued

Eighteen divers have been rescued after spending 8 hours adrift following the sinking of their liveaboard in the southern Egyptian Red Sea
a pod of sperm whales swimming near the surface in the waters of the Azores

Azores declared Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area

The Azores designates 30 per cent of its waters as a Marine Protected Area, half of which is fully a protected, no take zone
'Parrotfish & Shrimp' By Michael Gallagher

DIVE’s Big Shot Bright and Beautiful – THE WINNERS!

Check out the winning and highly commended from our Big Shot Bright and Beautiful underwater photography competition!
BSAC Annual Diving Incident Report 2023 published

BSAC Annual Diving Incident Report 2023 published

BSAC's Annual Diving Incident Report for 2023 has been published, showing qualifications are no guarantee against scuba diving dangers
Miami Seaquarium’s lawsuit against activist who exposed Lolita the orca’s conditions

Miami Seaquarium’s lawsuit against activist who exposed Lolita the orca’s conditions

Attorneys call for summary judgement of Miami Seaquarium lawsuit against activist who exposed appalling conditions of captive orca
Aggressor Adventures’ CEO Wayne Brown publishes first book

Aggressor Adventures’ CEO Wayne Brown publishes first book

Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures, publishes his first book 'From Rags to Enrichment: How I Define Success in Business and in Life.'
Scuba diving treats to sink your teeth into this Hallowe’en

Scuba diving treats to sink your teeth into this Hallowe’en

Enjoy getting dressed up in fancy gear at night? PADI has some suggestions for spooky scuba diving events this Hallowe'en!
sewage overflow pipe leading into the sea

Worrying levels of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ released into UK MPAs

A new study by has found alarming levels of PFAS 'forever chemicals' discharged through sewage into a highly protected marine area.
overhead shot of the steps and shore of the dive site entrance at cirkewwa in malta

British scuba diver dies after ‘feeling unwell’ during dive in ÄŠirkewwa, Malta

A British scuba diver has died after reportedly surfacing from a dive off ÄŠirkewwa, Malta, saying he was 'feeling unwell'.
Australia joins the Global Ghost Gear Initiative

Australia joins the Global Ghost Gear Initiative

Australia becomes the 24th country to sign up to the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, with AU$1.4 million commitment to regional action
WWII Submarine HMS Trooper found after vanishing 81 years ago

WWII Submarine HMS Trooper found after vanishing 81 years ago

The wreck of a British submarine that vanished without a trace in the Agean Sea during the Second World War has been found after a 26-year search
Aggressor Adventures’ BVI Aggressor liveaboard highlights

Aggressor Adventures’ BVI Aggressor liveaboard highlights

Aggressor Adventures' British Virgin Islands liveaboard trips showcase some of the best of the Caribbean's clear blue waters, reefs and wrecks
Deep Dive Dubai to host Technical Diving Summit

Deep Dive Dubai to host Technical Diving Summit

Four-day tech summit at world's deepest dive pool will bring together industry experts and innovators for workshops and presentations
a lobster photographed on the seaweed in Orkney

UK crab and lobster populations in decline – MCS

The Marine Conservation Society urges the UK government to implement better management of declining crab and lobster populations
an aerial view of pulau reong in indonesia

Missing US diver’s body found inside shark in Timor-Leste

The body of a scuba diver who went missing in Indonesia has been found inside a shark in Timor-Leste - but she was not killed by the shark.
a scuba diver prepares to raise a cannon from an old shipwreck off cape verde

UK’s Historical Diving Society Conference returns this November

The 2024 Historical Diving Society conference presentations span diving history from the Middle Ages, Tudor times and into the 20th century
a woman swimming underwater with an insta360 x4 camera

Insta360 launches social media campaign for PADI AWARE

Insta360 is celebrating the launch of its X4 360° camera with a social media campaign for scuba divers to help protect the world's oceans.
a specimen of the narrow nosed spookfish harriotta avia

New species of chimaera discovered in New Zealand

A new species of chimaera - aka ghost shark - the narrow-nosed spookfish, has been discovered by scientists in New Zealand
SS United States one step closer to becoming world’s largest artifical reef

SS United States one step closer to becoming world’s largest artifical reef

The deal to sink the SS United States off Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida is close to being finalised by Okaloosa County Council
Dived Up partners with Nautilus UK for book distribution

Dived Up partners with Nautilus UK for book distribution

Dived Up Publications announces a new partnership with the UK's Nautilus Group Ltd to handle distribution of Dived Up's book catalogue
DIVE Magazine Autumn 2024 preview

DIVE Magazine Autumn 2024 preview

DIVE’s Autumn 24 magazine is here, filled as always with a host of fascinating stories. Subscribe now with our £1 for 3 months trial offer
SECORE’s coral seeding proves resistant to bleaching

SECORE’s coral seeding proves resistant to bleaching

Laboratory-grown corals of SECORE's Coral Seeding programme proved resistant to bleaching during the 2023 Caribbean marine heatwave
scapa flow wreck of one of the blockships at the surface

Missed pre-dive safety check led to Scapa Flow diver’s death

Coroner's report says a disconnected wing inflator hose led to the accidental death of a diver in Scapa Flow in 2021
New species of hammerhead shark discovered

New species of hammerhead shark discovered

Sphyrna alleni, a new hammerhead shark from the Caribbean and the Southwest Atlantic joins the nine previously described species
an aerial view of las palmas in gran canaria

German woman dies in Gran Canaria after losing leg in shark attack

A 30-year-old German woman has reportedly died after having her leg severed by a shark in internaional waters south of the Canary Islands
SS United States could become world’s largest artifical reef

SS United States could become world’s largest artifical reef

The SS United States, the last holder of the Blue Riband award for the fastest transatlantic crossing, is the subject…

Great British Beach Clean starts this Friday!

Great British Beach Clean starts this Friday!

The Marine Conservation Society's 2024 Great British Beach Clean begins this Friday (2) and runs until 29 September
a helicopter and a rescue boat recovering divers from rough seas around malta

Five divers rescued near Malta’s Wied iż-Å»urrieq

Five divers were rescued in a joing operation by Armed Forces Malta and the Civil Protection department off Wied iż-Żurrieq
Wreck of ‘hit-and-run’ passenger ship Lyonnais found off Massachusetts

Wreck of ‘hit-and-run’ passenger ship Lyonnais found off Massachusetts

The 1856 wreck of Lyonnais, a passenger ship that sank with the loss of 114 lives, has been discovered by a team from Atlantic Wreck Salvage
CompressorShop UK’s deals on COLTRI breathing air compressors for divers

CompressorShop UK’s deals on COLTRI breathing air compressors for divers

CompressorShop UK is offering some great deals on top-of-the-range COLTRI breathing air compressors for scuba divers and diving clubs
New seamount and species discovered in Nazca Ridge

New seamount and species discovered in Nazca Ridge

A team of oceanographers led by scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute has found 20 new species and a new Nazca seamount
two orcas breach the surface of puget sound with a commercial ship behind them

Puget Sound’s orcas given relief from shipping noise

Quiet Sound - a voluntary shipping speed reduction initiative in Puget Sound - is helping to protect the Southern Resident orca population
Fire Alert – Improving liveaboard fire safety for divers

Fire Alert – Improving liveaboard fire safety for divers

Fires on liveaboards are extremely rare, but they do happen, so what can we do to help make life at sea safer for all divers?
hvaldimir the white beluga whale

‘Russian spy’ white beluga whale ‘shot dead’ off Norway

Campaigners say Hvaldimir, a white beluga whale thought to have been used in Russian spy operations, was shot dead off the coast of Norway
DIVE’s Big Shot – Bright and Beautiful

DIVE’s Big Shot – Bright and Beautiful

Enter DIVE's Big Shot Bright & Beautiful underwater photography competition to win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip to the British Virgin Islands
a boat in front of the cliffs at manta point nusa penia

Australian scuba diver dies at Nusa Penida’s Manta Point

Tragedy as a 67-year-old Australian woman dies after suddenly surfacing while scuba diving at Manta Point in Nusa Penida, Indonesia
scuba divers and snorkellers at playa chica beach in lanzarote

British scuba diver dies in Lanzarote

A British scuba diver has died after getting into difficulty in Puerto del Carmen, on the Spanish island of Lanzarote
a crab walking over polymetallic nodules in the deep ocean

‘Dark oxygen’ discovery – deep sea mining needs a rethink

The discovery that oxygen is produced in the bathypelagic zone means deep sea mining - and the origin of life - needs a serious rethink
philippines aggressor ii

Aggressor Adventures’ Philippines Aggressor liveaboard highlights

Aggressor Adventures' Philippines liveaboard itineraries showcase the best of Tubbataha National Park and The Visayas Islands
Florida’s recent bleaching sees severe decline in elkhorn coral diversity

Florida’s recent bleaching sees severe decline in elkhorn coral diversity

The marine heatwave of Summer 2023 has resulted in a huge reduction in the biodiversity of Florida's elkhorn coral
Dive & Discover St Helena with Dive Worldwide

Dive & Discover St Helena with Dive Worldwide

Clear blue water, endemic species, whale shark gatherings and a sub-tropical climate make St Helena a beautiful year-round diving destination
Scientists find there are three distinct types of great white shark

Scientists find there are three distinct types of great white shark

Scientists from Norway's Nord University have found that there are three genetically distinct types of great white shark
Great Barrier Reef coral cover is high – but scientists urge caution over mass bleaching

Great Barrier Reef coral cover is high – but scientists urge caution over mass bleaching

Coral cover along the Great Barrier Reef remains high, but the latest surveys were done before this year's mass bleaching event
Malaysian resort denies responsibility for death of teen diver

Malaysian resort denies responsibility for death of teen diver

The Malaysian resort being sued for negligence over the death of teen diver Nathen Chesters has denied all responsibility for the tragedy
freediver swimming underwater near coral with an insta360 x4 camera

New Insta360 X4 camera delivers 360° video in 8K

Insta360's groundbreaking 360° camera has received a much-anticipated update to 8K resolution with the launch of the new Insta360 X4
First report from 2024 expedition to wreck of the San José

First report from 2024 expedition to wreck of the San José

The first expedition to the San José returns with new archaeological findings, but no mention of its reported $20 billion worth of treasure
Working Together – saving sharks and rays in Indonesia

Working Together – saving sharks and rays in Indonesia

Artist and conservationist Francesca Page travels to Sumatra to report on a project safeguarding the future of shark and ray populations.
Collaborative study highlights global shipping threat to whale sharks

Collaborative study highlights global shipping threat to whale sharks

A new study details the threat posed by heavily used shipping lanes as they regularly pass through seasonal whale shark aggregations
Scuba diving in the breathtaking beauty of Saint Lucia

Scuba diving in the breathtaking beauty of Saint Lucia

The Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is a picture-perfect, scuba diving paradise, with plenty to see and do - both above and below the surface
The best places in the world for scuba diving

The best places in the world for scuba diving

Need ideas for your next scuba diving adventure? Here's a rundown of the best places in the world to scuba dive, according to DIVE's readers.
Aggressor Adventures’ Roatan Aggressor liveaboard highlights

Aggressor Adventures’ Roatan Aggressor liveaboard highlights

The Roatan Aggressor from leading liveaboard specialist, Aggressor Adventures, takes divers to the best of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Ocean Film Festival World Tour splashes into the UK!

Ocean Film Festival World Tour splashes into the UK!

The Ocean Film Festival is bringing some more wild seafaring voyages and fascinating marine-life to the big screen in September this year
80 per cent drop in carrier bags on UK beaches – MCS

80 per cent drop in carrier bags on UK beaches – MCS

The MCS beach clean programme has recorded an average 80 per cent drop in plastic bags found washed up on UK beaches since 2015
wreckage of the ss arcadian taken from a remote operated vehicle

Wreck of British WWI liner SS Arcadian identified in Aegean Sea

The wreck of the British liner SS Arcadian, sunk by a German torpedo during WWI, has been located off the Greek island of Sifnos.
Texas divers rescued after spending 36 hours adrift

Texas divers rescued after spending 36 hours adrift

A scuba diving couple has been rescued off the coast of Matagorda, Texas, having drifted for 36 hours after becoming separated during a storm
Search for missing 20-year-old diver near Swanage called off

Search for missing 20-year-old diver near Swanage called off

The family of a 20-year-old diver missing off Old Harry Rocks near Swanage, UK, has issued a statement after the search to locate her was called off
Belgian diver dies off the coast of Co Donegal

Belgian diver dies off the coast of Co Donegal

A Belgian diver in his 50s has reportedly died after getting into difficulty off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland.
Brazil sharks test positive for cocaine

Brazil sharks test positive for cocaine

Sharks off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine, which may be affecting their behaviour, health and reproduction
Below the Line – Mexico’s Tren Maya is destroying Yucatán’s cenotes

Below the Line – Mexico’s Tren Maya is destroying Yucatán’s cenotes

Mexico's cenotes are being extensively damaged by the construction of Tren Maya - the 'Mayan Train' - being driven through the Yucatán jungle
Mass Orkney pilot whale stranding

Mass Orkney pilot whale stranding

A pod of 77 long-finned pilot whales have all died after a mass stranding on a beach in the Scottish Orkney Islands
Wreck-desecrating vessel Chuan Hong 68 detained – again

Wreck-desecrating vessel Chuan Hong 68 detained – again

The Chinese salvage vessel allegedly responsible for desecrating two British WWII shipwrecks has be detained by the MMEA - again.
wreck of the ss polynesien shot from the stern

Two Polish divers die exploring Malta’s Le Polynesien wreck

Two Polish divers have died following a dive to the wreck of Le Polynesien, a First World War shipwreck off Żonqor Point, Marsascala, Malta.
Buying your first scuba diving regulators

Buying your first scuba diving regulators

Regulators are the most important - and most expensive - piece of scuba diving gear. Here's some helpful advice for buying your first set
Scubapro’s summer Steamer promotion

Scubapro’s summer Steamer promotion

Scubapro is offering a 20 per cent discount and free accessory set with purchases of its Everflex Yulex Dive 5mm or 7.5mm Steamer wetsuits.
Scubapro launches masks and snorkel in new colours

Scubapro launches masks and snorkel in new colours

Scubapro has history of producing colourful dive gear, and has announced three more mask models and a snorkel have been given a makeover
PADI launches Divemaster Internship programme

PADI launches Divemaster Internship programme

PADI has announced that its EMEA dive centres and resorts are inviting divers to sign up for its newly launched Divemaster Internship
Popular French liveaboard, Exocet, sinks near Marsa Alam

Popular French liveaboard, Exocet, sinks near Marsa Alam

24 French divers have been safely rescued after their liveaboard, MV Exocet, sank after striking the corals of Sataya Reef
World’s oldest deep-sea shipwreck discovered off Israel coast

World’s oldest deep-sea shipwreck discovered off Israel coast

The oldest known deep-sea shipwreck, containing hundreds of intact amphorae, has been discovered 90km off the coast of Israel.
Family of teen who died after drifting for three days sue Malaysian dive resort

Family of teen who died after drifting for three days sue Malaysian dive resort

The parents of Nathen Chesters, who died after drifting at sea for 3 days, are taking legal action against the resort they were diving with
New Suunto Ocean dive computer and GPS sports watch

New Suunto Ocean dive computer and GPS sports watch

Suunto launches its first new dive computer model for some time with the new sports-watch-style Suunto Ocean with GPS and activity tracking
DIVE Magazine Summer 2024 preview

DIVE Magazine Summer 2024 preview

DIVE’s Summer 24 magazine is here and this summer, we're exploring some deep issues. Subscribe now with our £1 for 3 months trial offer
Brooding deep-sea squid is probably a new species – report

Brooding deep-sea squid is probably a new species – report

A female squid first filmed in 2015 carrying 'giant' eggs has recently been determined to be an as yet undescribed species
Ernest Shackleton’s last ship, Quest, found in Labrador Sea

Ernest Shackleton’s last ship, Quest, found in Labrador Sea

The wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship, Quest, has been located off the Labrador coast by Royal Canadian Geographical Society-led team
USS Jacob Jones’ bell returns home

USS Jacob Jones’ bell returns home

The ship's bell of the USS Jacob Jones, the first US Navy destroyer to be sunk by enemy action during WWI, has been returned to the US Navy
Mortar Wreck: grave slabs recovered from oldest British shipwreck

Mortar Wreck: grave slabs recovered from oldest British shipwreck

Maritime archaeologists from Bournemouth University have recovered two medieval grave slabs from the remains of the 13th Century Mortar Wreck
SeaLife launches new SportDiver ULTRA Smartphone housing

SeaLife launches new SportDiver ULTRA Smartphone housing

SeaLife annouces new SportDiver Ultra Smartphone housing, designed to accommodate larger models of iPhones and Android smartphones
Tragedy as unconscious diver dies in Devon, UK

Tragedy as unconscious diver dies in Devon, UK

A male scuba diver in his 60s has reportedly died after being found unconscious on a beach near Plymouth, Devon, on the south coast of England
Shearwater Research announces Avelo mode for Teric dive computer

Shearwater Research announces Avelo mode for Teric dive computer

Shearwater has announced a firmware update for its popular Teric dive computer that will integrate the computer with the Avelo scuba system.
The best dive computers for 2024

The best dive computers for 2024

Dive computers are essential scuba diving kit. Here's some of the best on the market, from entry-level to advanced tech and rebreathers
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