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.


Aggressor Adventures launches 333 Flash Sale – 33% off for next 3 days

Aggressor Adventures launches 333 Flash Sale – 33% off for next 3 days

Aggressor Adventures launches 333 Flash Sale - a 3-day booking window to earn a 33 per cent discount with 333 days to travel
DIVE’s Big Shot Manmade – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip

DIVE’s Big Shot Manmade – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip

Enter DIVE's Big Shot Man-made underwater photography competition to win a liveaboard trip on board the Komodo Aggressor
Six foreign dive instructors arrested in Koh Tao work permit crackdown

Six foreign dive instructors arrested in Koh Tao work permit crackdown

Six foreign dive instructors have been arrested for working without a valid work permit during a crackdown by Thai immigration authorities
GBR coral cover remains high despite repeated bleaching events

GBR coral cover remains high despite repeated bleaching events

The latest report from the Australian Institute of Marine Science finds that Great Barrier Reef coral cover remains stable or has increased
New DIVR app turns recreational dives into marine research data

New DIVR app turns recreational dives into marine research data

DIVR is a free-to-use dive-logging app that can turn recreational scuba dives into citizen science-generated marine biodiversity records
Study reveals horrific scale of Indonesian bomb fishing

Study reveals horrific scale of Indonesian bomb fishing

AI acoustic monitoring has revealed the scale of bomb fishing, in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions
Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action postponed until March 2027

Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action postponed until March 2027

Jordan's Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action international scuba diving and marine innovation exhibition, has been postponed until March 2027
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Tiger found 118 years after fatal collision

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Tiger found 118 years after fatal collision

The wreck of Royal Navy destroyer HMS Tiger, lost with 35 souls during a night exercise in 1908, has been identified by divers from ProjectXplore
Iberian orca ‘injured by shotgun blast’ off Spanish coast

Iberian orca ‘injured by shotgun blast’ off Spanish coast

The oldest known member of the Iberian orca population has been found with a series of wounds believed to be caused by shotgun pellets
Insta360 launches the X6, its new flagship 360° action camera

Insta360 launches the X6, its new flagship 360° action camera

New Insta360 X6 flagship action camera brings bigger sensors, 10-bit colour, longer battery life and new PanoMind automated AI editing
Freediving filmmaker dies after propeller strike off Lampedusa

Freediving filmmaker dies after propeller strike off Lampedusa

A freediving filmmaker has been killed by a speedboat properller off Lampedusa, Italy, despite deploying a surface marker buoy
Winning images from the CMAS Underwater Photography and Video World Cup

Winning images from the CMAS Underwater Photography and Video World Cup

Check out the top photographs from this year's CMAS Underwater Photography and Videography World Cup, held in Madeira, Portugal
MMO warns divers may be fined for photographing wild seahorses

MMO warns divers may be fined for photographing wild seahorses

The MMO has issued a warning that intentionally disturbing wild seahorses - including by photographing them - may result in fines
Splash into the Ocean Film Festival World Tour 2026!

Splash into the Ocean Film Festival World Tour 2026!

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is bringing a new collection of captivating ocean-themed films to venues around the UK this Autumn.
Intuitive Reef Restoration – how TUI and Living Seas repair Bali’s reefs

Intuitive Reef Restoration – how TUI and Living Seas repair Bali’s reefs

Mark ‘Crowley’ Russell visits the Living Seas Foundation in Padangbai, Bali, a community conservation project aided by TUI’s tourist outreach
Women Divers Hall of Fame welcomes five new members for 2026

Women Divers Hall of Fame welcomes five new members for 2026

WDHOF's Class of 2-26 includes a stunt performer, mermaiding inventor, saturation diving pioneer, marine artist and cetologist
DIVE’s Big Shot Creative – the winners

DIVE’s Big Shot Creative – the winners

The winners from our Big Shot Creative underwater photography competition, as featured in our Summer '26 print magazine
KOSPET TANK Series smartwatches- built for diving and adventure

KOSPET TANK Series smartwatches- built for diving and adventure

Built for endurance, KOSPET's TANK T4 and TANK M4 combine smartwatch style with dive computer functionality
Zale Parry, scuba diving pioneer and ‘First Lady of Diving’, dies aged 93

Zale Parry, scuba diving pioneer and ‘First Lady of Diving’, dies aged 93

Zale Parry, one of the most influential figures in the history of recreational scuba diving, has died at the age of 93
Calls for change after tourist boat catches fire in Hurghada, Egypt

Calls for change after tourist boat catches fire in Hurghada, Egypt

Calls for change after another tourist boat catches fire in Hurghada, just days after a liveaboard sank in the Gulf of Suez
Aggressor Adventures wins three Telly Awards for travel films

Aggressor Adventures wins three Telly Awards for travel films

Aggressor Adventures has been recognised with three Telly Awards in the 47th annual awards programme for its travel and promotional videos.
Crew member reportedly dies after Red Sea liveaboard Sea Spirit sinks

Crew member reportedly dies after Red Sea liveaboard Sea Spirit sinks

A crew member has reportedly died after the Red Sea liveaboard Sea Spirit sank off Ras Ghareb in Egypt's Gulf of Suez on Tuesday, 14 July.
Aggressor Adventures announces final Mike & Mike underwater photography charters

Aggressor Adventures announces final Mike & Mike underwater photography charters

Aggressor Adventures announces the last Mike & Mike Underwater Photography Weeks, the end of an era in underwater photography education
Instructor charged with homicide after student diver death in Argentina

Instructor charged with homicide after student diver death in Argentina

An Argentinian scuba diving instructor has been charged with negligence manslaughter over the death of 23-year-old student diver Sofía Devries
PADI to hold first AmbassaDiver Summit on Great Barrier Reef

PADI to hold first AmbassaDiver Summit on Great Barrier Reef

PADI has announced that its inaugural 'AmbassaDiver Summit' will take place on Australia's Great Barrier Reef later this year
Safety recall issued for Apeks XL4 second stages

Safety recall issued for Apeks XL4 second stages

Apeks has initiated a product safety recall for its XL4, XL4+ and Ocea regulator second stages manufactured between April 2025 and April 2026
One diver dies, another missing, following Biarritz cliff collapse

One diver dies, another missing, following Biarritz cliff collapse

One diver has been killed and another remains missing after the collapse of a section of cliff near Biarritz lighthouse in southwest France
DAN insurer seeks ruling on insurance obligations in Dylan Harrison litigation

DAN insurer seeks ruling on insurance obligations in Dylan Harrison litigation

DAN's insurance arm has filed a court action seeking clarification of its obligations in the Dylan Harrison wrongful-death lawsuit
Tennessee diver dies after surfacing during Florida charter trip

Tennessee diver dies after surfacing during Florida charter trip

A 60-year-old diver from Tennessee died after surfacing from a recreational dive in the Gulf of Mexico off Venice, Florida
Wonder Reef – the Gold Coast’s unique buoyant artificial reef

Wonder Reef – the Gold Coast’s unique buoyant artificial reef

Most people know the Gold Coast for its long beaches and world-class surfing, but it has plenty to offer the…

DIVE Magazine Summer 2026 preview

DIVE Magazine Summer 2026 preview

You don't want to miss our Spring 2025 issue and our interview with top photographer Cathy Holmes, plus our in-depth guide to liveaboard safety
Australia’s Gold Coast – scuba diving beyond the surf

Australia’s Gold Coast – scuba diving beyond the surf

The Gold Coast is best known for beaches and surfing, but reefs, wrecks, waterways and an artificial dive site show off its alternative side
First underwater footage of Mediterranean great white shark

First underwater footage of Mediterranean great white shark

What is believed to be the first underwater footage of a great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea has been…

Finnish rescue divers Patrik Grönqvist Sami Paakkarinen Jenni Westerlund preparing to dive

Italian President honours three Finnish divers for Maldives cave recovery

Italian President Sergio Mattarella hounours the Finnish cave divers who recovered the bodies of four Italian divers from a Maldives cave.
Boy, 11, and woman, 19, suffer leg amputations following shark bites in Recife, Brazil

Boy, 11, and woman, 19, suffer leg amputations following shark bites in Recife, Brazil

A 19-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy have both lost legs in separate shark attacks on two consecutive days in Recife, Brazil
Third Underwater Awards Australasia imaging competition open for entries

Third Underwater Awards Australasia imaging competition open for entries

The Underwater Awards Australasia 2026 is now accepting submissions for underwater photos and videos focused on the Australasian region.
62-year-old Ohio diver dies on wreck of SS Cedarville, Lake Huron

62-year-old Ohio diver dies on wreck of SS Cedarville, Lake Huron

A 62-year-old diver from Sylvania, Ohio, has died during a dive on the wreck of SS Cedarville in northern Lake Huron, Michigan
DIVE’s Big Shot Creative – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip

DIVE’s Big Shot Creative – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip

Enter DIVE's Big Shot Creative underwater photography competition to win a trip on board the Cayman Aggressor IV
Thai cave rescue veterans join operation to reach seven trapped in flooded Laos cave

Thai cave rescue veterans join operation to reach seven trapped in flooded Laos cave

Cave divers from the 2018 rescue of the Thai youth football team have joined the operation to reach 7 people trapped in a flooded Laos cave
Italian authorities seize Maldives divers’ gear as tragic story unfolds

Italian authorities seize Maldives divers’ gear as tragic story unfolds

Italian investigators have seized electronic devices and personal equipment belonging to the five divers who died inside the Vaavu Atoll cave
Bodies of two Italian divers recovered in Maldives tragedy

Bodies of two Italian divers recovered in Maldives tragedy

The bodies of two of the divers who died in a cave in the Maldives' Vaavu atoll have been recovered, according to reports
Bodies of missing Italian divers located in Maldives cave

Bodies of missing Italian divers located in Maldives cave

The bodies of Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri have been located in a Vaavu atoll cave
aeiral picture of the beach near alimathha island and the coral reefs of vaavu atoll, maldives

Five Italian divers die in Maldives cave

The scuba diving world has been rocked by the deaths of five Italian scuba divers in a cave in Vaavu Atoll, Maldives
Shark Trust podcast series 2 begins today

Shark Trust podcast series 2 begins today

Series 2 of the Shark Trust podcast, Living with Sharks, starts today (Tuesday 12 May), available on YouTube and podcast platforms
DEMA appoints Julie Anne Fabsik-Swarts new President and CEO

DEMA appoints Julie Anne Fabsik-Swarts new President and CEO

DEMA has announced the appointment of a new President and Chief Executive Officer after Tom Ingram announced his retirement last year
Aggressor Adventures and Mares launch new online sweepstakes

Aggressor Adventures and Mares launch new online sweepstakes

Enter the new Aggressor/Mares sweepstakes before 20 May for the chance to win some premium scuba diving gear
the 60mx40m indian flag unfurled underwater by scuba divers

Divers set two underwater Guinness World Records in India’s Andaman Islands

More than 200 scuba divers unfurled India’s national flag underwater before a separate team built a 22.3m human tower beneath the surface
Inquest finds IPO caused panic in Lancashire diver death

Inquest finds IPO caused panic in Lancashire diver death

The cause of death of a 52-year-old who died after surfacing from a training dive at Capernwray has been given as IPO
Aggressor Adventures announces Mares Demo Week in the Bahamas

Aggressor Adventures announces Mares Demo Week in the Bahamas

Aggressor Adventures has announced the return of its Mares Demo Week on board the Bahamas Aggressor II, from 23-30 January 2027.
Inquest rules IPO possible factor in death of Belgian technical diver off Donegal

Inquest rules IPO possible factor in death of Belgian technical diver off Donegal

An inquest has ruled that IPO may have been a factor in the death of a Belgian technical diver off the coast of Co Donegal in July 2024
PADI launches global shark and ray census and new specialty course

PADI launches global shark and ray census and new specialty course

PADI has launched a global shark and ray census alongside a new speciality course, developed in partnership with Swiss watchmaker Blancpain.
Emperor Divers announces launch of new Maldives liveaboard

Emperor Divers announces launch of new Maldives liveaboard

Emperor Divers has announced the launch of a new Maldives liveaboard, Emperor Explorer II, scheduled to begin operations in August 2026
Manta Trust launches match-funded Earth Raise conservation campaign

Manta Trust launches match-funded Earth Raise conservation campaign

The Manta Trust has launched a week-long match-funding campaign aimed at supporting research and conservation of manta and devil rays.
Diving with the Bahamas Aggressor II – a Caribbean classic

Diving with the Bahamas Aggressor II – a Caribbean classic

Richard Condlyffe boards the Bahamas Aggressor for a classic scuba diving liveaboard trip around the Caribbean archipelago's best dive spots
Two divers found alive after 22 hours adrift off Queensland coast

Two divers found alive after 22 hours adrift off Queensland coast

Two scuba divers have been rescued after spending almost 22 hours adrift off the coast of North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Austalia
Missing South Korean diver dies during rescue

Missing South Korean diver dies during rescue

A diver in his 50s has died after being recovered during a search operation off the coast of Tongyeong in South Korea
Florida couple rescued after boat drifts away during scuba dive

Florida couple rescued after boat drifts away during scuba dive

A Florida couple were rescued after their boat drifted away in rough weather while they were scuba diving in the Gulf of Mexico.
Scubapro launches updated C370 regulator with interchangeable colour frames

Scubapro launches updated C370 regulator with interchangeable colour frames

Scubapro has launched an updated version of its C370 second-stage regulator, redesigned to take optional interchangeable colour frames
Legendary underwater cameraman Doug Allan dies aged 74

Legendary underwater cameraman Doug Allan dies aged 74

Doug Allan, the award-winning wildlife cameraman known for his work on The Blue Planet and Frozen Planet, has died aged 74.
Cayman Islands divers surface to find boat capsized

Cayman Islands divers surface to find boat capsized

Six divers greeted with an unpleasant surprise after surfacing from a dive in Grand Cayman to find their dive boat had capsized.
Nine divers rescued after drifting in cold waters off northern Hokkaido, Japan

Nine divers rescued after drifting in cold waters off northern Hokkaido, Japan

Nine scuba divers were rescued after drifting for 2.5 hours in cold water off Bentenjima, near Wakkanai in northern Hokkaido, Japan.
healthy elkhorn coral reef site

Caribbean coral larvae exchange programme aims to increase genetic diversity on hard-hit coral reefs

A new programme to exchange coral larvae across the Caribbean has been launched to support reef restoration with increased genetic diversity
British born commercial diver dies in Lake Erie vehicle recovery

British born commercial diver dies in Lake Erie vehicle recovery

A British-born commercial diver has died after failing to resurface during a vehicle recovery operation in Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada.
Turkish diver sets new Guinness record for longest cold-water scuba dive

Turkish diver sets new Guinness record for longest cold-water scuba dive

Turkish scuba instructor Mazlum Kibar has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest open saltwater scuba dive in cold water.
Three missing after Seychelles liveaboard Galatea sinks

Three missing after Seychelles liveaboard Galatea sinks

Two Swiss divers and a Seychellois crew member are missing after the liveaboard Galatea sank early on Friday morning
Scuba diving skipper triggers alert after leaving passengers drifting

Scuba diving skipper triggers alert after leaving passengers drifting

A boat captain who left two people on his small boat while he went solo scuba diving off the south…

Deep ocean expedition off Japan reveals dozens of new species

Deep ocean expedition off Japan reveals dozens of new species

Scientists have confirmed the discovery of 38 new species following an Ocean Census expedition off the coast of Japan
Dive instructor dies after incident at Zenobia wreck

Dive instructor dies after incident at Zenobia wreck

A Greek-Cypriot scuba diving instructor has died after getting into difficulty during a training dive on the Zenobia wreck off Larnaca, Cyprus
Tornado Marine – a new standard for Egyptian liveaboard safety?

Tornado Marine – a new standard for Egyptian liveaboard safety?

With Egyptian liveaboard safety standards repeatedly called into question, Tornado Marine stepped up to try and raise the bar for divers
Aggressor Adventures CEO Wayne Brown dies aged 65

Aggressor Adventures CEO Wayne Brown dies aged 65

Aggressor Adventures CEO Wayne Brown has died at the age of 65, following a private 1.5-year battle with cancer
Urgent warning over full-face mask drowning risk

Urgent warning over full-face mask drowning risk

US safety regulators have warned snorkellers to stop using a brand of full-face snorkel masks sold on Amazon for the last seven years
Appeals court upholds Conception captain’s manslaughter conviction

Appeals court upholds Conception captain’s manslaughter conviction

US appeals court upholds the manslaughter conviction of Conception dive boat captain Jerry Boylan over the 2019 fire in which 34 people died
Full Circle – a return journey through 25 years of Sharm El Sheikh

Full Circle – a return journey through 25 years of Sharm El Sheikh

DIVE's Editor Mark ‘Crowley’ Russell on his return to the love of his diving life, Sharm El Sheikh, after a 13-year absence
Hollis 200LX second stage regulator recall notice

Hollis 200LX second stage regulator recall notice

A recall notice has been issued for some Hollis 200LX second-stage regulators, after reports some of its components are prone to failure
Student diver dies during training dive in Golfo Nuevo, Argentina

Student diver dies during training dive in Golfo Nuevo, Argentina

The body of a student diver has been recovered 3 days after she went missing during a training dive off the coast of Puerto Madryn, Argentina
New shark-repellent hook could cut longline bycatch by more than 60 per cent

New shark-repellent hook could cut longline bycatch by more than 60 per cent

New zinc and graphite hook creates electric field that repels sharks, cutting longline bycatch by up to 70 per cent in US trials
Perth dive operator fined after leaving divers behind

Perth dive operator fined after leaving divers behind

Perth Diving Academy fined almost AU$20,000 after leaving two divers stranded in open water during a March 2025 dive trip
Aggressor Adventures announces upgraded Red Sea Aggressor IV

Aggressor Adventures announces upgraded Red Sea Aggressor IV

Aggressor Adventures has announced an upgrade to its Red Sea Aggressor IV liveaboard, with a newer, larger vessel from 28 February 2026
New documentary spotlights endangered sicklefin devil rays of the Azores

New documentary spotlights endangered sicklefin devil rays of the Azores

A new Manta Trust documentary highlights endangered sicklefin devil rays gathering at Ambrósio Seamount in the Azores
DIVE’s Big Shot Light and Shadow – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip

DIVE’s Big Shot Light and Shadow – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip

Enter DIVE's Big Shot Light and Shadow underwater photography competition to win a trip on board the Belize Aggressor III
Police photo of William Armstrong, Dylan Harrison's instructor

Dylan Harrison instructor charged over her death

The dive instructor who was conducting Dylan Harrison's training course has been arrested and charged in connection with her death.
The waters of Wakatobi are an artists’ muse

The waters of Wakatobi are an artists’ muse

Dive professionals at Wakatobi turn to watercolours as a source of creativity, drawing inspiration directly from the reefs they dive each day
Dylan Harrison’s family to sue PADI and NAUI over 12-year-old’s death

Dylan Harrison’s family to sue PADI and NAUI over 12-year-old’s death

PADI and NAUI have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Dylan Harrison's parents, according to reports
Crown-of-thorns outbreak developing in northern Great Barrier Reef

Crown-of-thorns outbreak developing in northern Great Barrier Reef

Scientists warn that a new outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef could be devastating if not dealt with rapidly
Six bodies recovered in search for missing Philippines divers

Six bodies recovered in search for missing Philippines divers

Six bodies have been recovered in the search for passengers and crew of the after MBCA Amejara sank in the Gulf of Davao, Philippines
Huge Search and Rescue operation underway for missing Philippines divers and crew

Huge Search and Rescue operation underway for missing Philippines divers and crew

Search and rescue operations continue in the Philippines almost 5 days after a boat carrying 15 divers and crew capsized off Davao Occidental
British Antarctic Survey opens applications for Antarctica jobs

British Antarctic Survey opens applications for Antarctica jobs

British Antarctic Survey is recruiting for a range of roles at its Antarctic research stations, with contracts starting from May
12-year-old shark attack victim ‘unlikely to survive’

12-year-old shark attack victim ‘unlikely to survive’

A 12-year-old boy severely injured by a shark in Sydney Harbour during a spate of attacks is unlikely to survive, according to reports.
One rescued, 14 missing after boat capsizes off Davao Occidental, Philippines

One rescued, 14 missing after boat capsizes off Davao Occidental, Philippines

Search and rescue operations are underway in the Philippines after a boat carrying 15 divers and crew capsized in waters off Davao Occidental
Review – Garmin Descent Mk3i smartwatch-style dive computer

Review – Garmin Descent Mk3i smartwatch-style dive computer

Garmin's Mk3i dive computer has been touted as a game-changer but does it live up to the hype? Mark 'Crowley' Russell takes one for review
Pioneering maritime archaeologist Robert Grenier dies at 88

Pioneering maritime archaeologist Robert Grenier dies at 88

Canadian underwater archaeologist Robert Grenier, who led the discovery of the 16th-century Basque whaling ship San Juan, has died aged 88
Woman dies after suspected shark attack while snorkelling in St Croix

Woman dies after suspected shark attack while snorkelling in St Croix

A woman has died after losing her arm in a suspected shark attack while snorkelling at Dorsch Beach on the Caribbean island of St Croix
British diver who died in Malta suffered pulmonary barotrauma – inquest

British diver who died in Malta suffered pulmonary barotrauma – inquest

An inquest into the death of a British scuba diver in Ċirkewwa, Malta in October 2024 found he died as a result of pulmonary barotrauma
World’s largest medieval cog discovered off Copenhagen

World’s largest medieval cog discovered off Copenhagen

Archaeologists from Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum have uncovered the largest known medieval cog during surveys in Øresund, off Copenhagen
Tragedy strikes as Australian diver dies off Tulamben, Bali

Tragedy strikes as Australian diver dies off Tulamben, Bali

An Australian diver has died during a guided scuba dive off Tulamben, Bali, after appearing to panic underwater
All guests and crew evacuated after Maldives liveaboard fire

All guests and crew evacuated after Maldives liveaboard fire

All guests and crew evacuated safely after a fire on board Maldives liveaboard Yasawa Princess on Christmas Eve
Insta360 X5 action camera dive bundle review

Insta360 X5 action camera dive bundle review

8K video, replaceable lenses and an improved ultra-low light mode - Insta360's X5 is an excellent social media action camera for divers
Order now! DIVE Winter 2026 print issue preview

Order now! DIVE Winter 2026 print issue preview

Pygmy blue whales, Turks & Caicos Aggressor, underwater sound, 50 years of Jaws, Aqaba military museum, Big Shot winners
AIMS trials large-scale coral restoration during Great Barrier Reef spawning

AIMS trials large-scale coral restoration during Great Barrier Reef spawning

AIMS has carried out one of the world’s largest coral restoration trials on the Great Barrier Reef following mass spawning events
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