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.
Great British Beach Clean 2025 is almost here!
The Marine Conservation Society's Great British Beach Clean is almost here - find out where your nearest event is - or start your own!
Help save mantas for the chance to win a Maldives liveaboard trip!
Help save manta rays and get a chance to win a 10-day Maldives liveaboard trip to go and see them with a Manta Trust expert!
Mark World Manta Day 2025 with the Manta Trust’s events
Check out some of the events being held by the Manta Trust to celebrate World Manta Day 2025 - and why better protection is so important
James Ferrera crowned winner of Underwater Awards Australasia
Ferrera's stunning picture of a leopard seal's mighty jaws wins Underwater Awards Australasia - check out all the category winners here
Synthesising crown-of-thorns starfish ‘scent’ may aid GBR outbreak management
Scientists have found that sythesising the scent of a crown-of-thorns starfish may round them up for removal during reef-destroying outbreaks
Taiwanese scuba diver and instructor die in Okinawa cave
Two Taiwanese scuba divers have died after disappearing into a cave off the coast of Manza Beach in Okinawa, Japan
South Australia installs bubble curtains to protect giant cuttlefish
The Australian government is installing a bubble curtain, which will protect South Australia's giant cuttlefish from a toxic algal bloom
Maldives to lift shark fishing ban for gulper sharks
President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzi, has announced the lifting of the nation's shark fishing ban this coming November
Diving with Bella – Hilma Hooker wreck, Bonaire
Underwater Photographer and marine biologist Bella Zandoná shares her experience diving Bonaire's Hilma Hooker wreck
‘Rays of Hope’ – an Interview with Karen Fuentes, founder of the Manta Caribbean Project
The Manta Caribbean Project is doing vital work to protect manta rays off the coast of Mexico – DIVE talks to its charismatic founder.
UK swimmers warned to keep clear of Reggie the dancing dolphin
UK visitors to Lyme Bay have been warned to stay away from a 'friendly' dolphin after it became aggressive towards two women swimmers
DIVE’s Big Shot Patterns & Textures – win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip
Enter DIVE's Big Shot Patterns and Textures underwater photography competition to win a trip on board the Red Sea Aggressor II
New Scottish MPAs protecting Scapa Flow and Queen of Sweden wreck
The Scottish government has announced the introduction of two new Historic MPAs to protect Scapa Flow and the Queen of Sweden wreck
Shark Trust and Rapanui launch limited edition clothing range
Rapanui and Shark Trust campaign to protect sharks - 10 per cent of profits from every sale to support shark conservation efforts.
Florida prop death captain sentenced to eight years
A Florida man has been jailed for 8 years for Seaman's Manslaughter over the death of a diver who became entangled in his boat's propeller
Kissing killer whales caught on film!
A pair of orcas (killer whales) engaging in some cetacean smooching have been captured on video for the first time in the wild
Great British Beach Clean returns with call for public to take more responsibility
The Great British Beach Clean returns for 2025 with an urgent call for the public to take more responsibility for beach litter
Featured Photographer: Bella Zandoná
Check out this fantastic portfolio from our latest Featured Photographer, Seattle-based marine biologist and photographer, Isabella Zandoná
Great Barrier Reef coral cover declines sharply from record high
Great Barrier Reef hard coral cover has declined sharply from its record high, according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science
Wreck-hunter Joe Mazraani dies during Atlantic steam ship expedition
Renowned technical diver and wreck-hunter Joe Mazraani has died off the coast of Cape Cod during an expedition to a lost Atlantic steam ship
Chinese diver survives five days trapped in cave
A scuba diver has 'miraculously' survived a five-day ordeal trapped inside an underwater cave in Xiangxi, central China.
AIMS developing technologies to monitor reef health by its sound
A noisy coral reef is a healthy one - scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science are studying how to better analyse the sounds
Wreck of WWI cruiser HMS Nottingham found 110 years after her sinking
An team of technical divers has located the wreck of HMS Nottingham, 110 years after she was sunk by a German U-boat
Diver suffers serious decompression injuries at Germany’s Kreidesee
Two scuba divers were hospitalised, one with a serious case of DCS, following a dive at Germany's Kreidesee inland dive site
Snap Happy – why Thailand’s banning of cameras for entry level divers is a good thing
Thailand has banned entry-level divers from using cameras. Mark 'Crowley' Russell returns instructor days to explain why this is a good thing
It’s official – there are three species of manta ray!
Scientists formally describe a third species of manta ray, sixteen years after MMF's Dr Andrea Marshall predicted its existence
Review: The Adriatic Affair: A Maritime Hit-and-Run off the Coast of Nantucket
A review of The Adriatic Affair: A Maritime Hit-and-Run off the Coast of Nantucket By Jennifer N Sellitti, published by Schiffer Publishing
Thalassa Dive Resorts – the best of Manado and Lembeh
Thalassa's Manado and Lembeh resorts are far away from the mass tourism and home to some of the world's most amazing coral reefs.
Crew rescued after French yacht damaged by orcas in Bay of Biscay
The two-man crew of a French yacht had to be rescued after their boat was damaged by an orca in the Bay of Biscay
The best dive computers for 2025
Dive computers are essential scuba diving kit. Here's some of the best on the market, from entry-level to advanced tech and rebreathers
Garmin Descent S1 Buoy enables surface-underwater diver comms
Garmin has launched a game-changing two-way communications device for scuba divers and surface support with the Descent S1 Buoy
Lost WWII Japanese warship Teruzuki discovered in Solomon Islands
The wreck of the Japanese destroyer Teruzuki has been discovered in the Solomon Islands, 83 years after she was sunk by US torpedo boats
Manta Trust launches #SaveTheMantas campaign
The Manta Trust has launched a campaign to get mantas and mobulas upgraded to the highest level of protection at November's CITES conference
Scuba instructor receives bravery award for 17-diver Ċirkewwa rescue
A Malta-based scuba diving instructor from North Yorkshire has been awarded for bravery in the rescue of 17 divers off Ċirkewwa in March 2024
DIVE’s Big Shot Living Together – THE WINNERS!
Check out the winning and highly commended images from our Big Shot Living Together underwater photography competition!
SeeDeep reading glasses for scuba divers
An innovative new product which solves a major problem for scuba divers with less than 20:20 vision - reading glasses for dive masks!
Malta dive instructor dies after Ċirkewwa accident
A much-loved and highly respected dive instructor has succumbed to his injuries following an accident at Ċirkewwa, Malta.
Garmin launches new quatix 8 advanced smartwatch for mariners
Garmin launches new quatix 8 mariners smartwatch, depth-rated to 40m for boaters who enjoy life below the waves as well as above
Shark Trust’s new basking shark code of conduct
Basking sharks are gentle giants, but they're also very powerful fish - check out the Shark Trust's Code of Conduct for safe interactions
World record broken for fastest time to scuba dive every continent
Corhonda 'Hood Brown' Dawson has smashed the world record for the fastest time to dive on every continent by a staggering eight days
Survivors of Thai liveaboard DiveRACE Class E fire speak out – part 2
The second part of our report into the fire that claimed Thai liveaboard DiveRACE Class E in April 2025, as told to DIVE by survivors
DIVE Magazine Summer 2025 preview
Hidden Raja Ampat, ocean physics, Mexican manta conservation, Barbados pier magic, stock photography and more - don't miss our Summer 2025 issue!
Survivors of Thai liveaboard DiveRACE Class E fire speak out – part 1
In April 2025, Thai liveaboard DiveRACE Class E caught fire and sank near the Similan Islands DIVE spoke to some of the survivors.
PADI launches 2025 Master Scuba Diver Challenge
PADI has launched its Master Scuba Diver Challenge for 2025 - divers working on earning the rating are in with a chance to win a trip to Fiji
Dive into the Great Shark Snapshot 2025
The Shark Trust's Great Shark Snapshot citizen science initiative returns for 2025. Time to get diving and snorkelling for sharks and rays!
Body of Wales quarry diver was found 85m underwater
An inquest has opened into the death of a 60-year-old diver who died at Dorothea Quarry in North Wales on 31 May.
New survey confirms wreck of San José sunken treasure galleon
A new expedition to the wreck of San José finds a collection of coins that positively identify the 'Holy Grail of shipwrecks'
Winners of the United Nations World Ocean Day photo competition
The winners of the UN World Ocean's Day photo competition have been announced to celebrate this years's sustainability theme.
Diver arrested for looting ancient shipwreck
A scuba diver has been arrested, still wearing his wetsuit, for looting the remains of a 2,000 year-old Roman shipwreck in Mallorca
Deep sea expedition reveals detailed images of lost WWI-era submarine
A deep-sea expedition by a multi-disciplinary team of researchers has revealed the first pictures of the WWI-era submarine, the USS F-1
Donald Trump pardons divers convicted of theft for freeing sharks
Two divers convicted of theft for freeing sharks from a longline have been pardoned by President Donald Trump
Scuba diver dies in North Wales’ Dorothea Quarry
A scuba diver has died in Dorothea Quarry, a disused slate mine used for technical diving in Gwynedd, North Wales
DIVE’s Big Shot Living Together – win a liveaboard trip to Raja Ampat
Enter DIVE's Big Shot Living Together underwater photography competition to win an Aggressor Adventures liveaboard trip to the Similan Islands
Penida dive instructor rescues entangled manta – again!
Blue Corner Dive Penida manager Jason Fondis rescues an entangled reef manta ray off the island of Nusa Penida - for the second time.
Shearwater expands Journeys Edition line with Perdix 2
Shearwater Research has announced the latest in its Journeys series of dive computers with the debut of the Perdix 2 Journeys Edition.
Tributes for diver who died off Wirral coast
The family of a Liverpool diver found dead near Burbo Bank wind farm off the Wirral coast have paid tribute to his memory
NHS England to close four more hyperbaric chambers
The British Divers Safety Group has revealed NHS England is to reduce the number of hyperbaric chambers to just three - all in the south
Painting with light – an interview with Catherine Holmes
Catherine Holmes talks about her journey from amateur snapper to award-winning underwater photographer - and being bitten by a crocodile!
Diver dies during Bayesian yacht recovery operation
A commercial diver has died during operations to recover the superyacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Sicily in August 2024
Chinese diver dies off Indonesia’s Kakaban Island
A 30-year-old woman has died after drowning while attempting to recover a dropped camera off Kakaban Island, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Aggressor Adventures launches three new liveaboards
Aggressor Adventures' three new liveaboards are launching this week with itineraries in Komodo, the Bahamas, and Egypt's Deep South
Diving Wreck Week in the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands is known for its beautiful beaches, secluded islands, vibrant culture - and fascinating shipwrecks!
Liveaboard safety – how divers can change it and when to walk away
Mark 'Crowley' Russell on how we, as scuba divers, can force change in the world of liveaboard safety - read before you book your next trip
Thailand bans entry-level divers from using cameras underwater
The Thai government has introduced a ban on cameras for entry-level divers, part of a raft of measures to better protect the nation's reefs
Israeli shark mauling victim may have been spearfishing
Reports in the Israeli press suggest a man mauled to death by sharks off Israel's Mediterranean coast may have been spearfishing at the time
Choosing the right breathing air compressor for scuba diving
Breathing air compressors for filling scuba diving tanks are a big investment - here are some tips to make sure you get the right one
Missing diver was ‘caught in vortex’, inquest told
Emily Sherwin, who went missing during a dive off Old Harry Rocks was 'caught in a vortex', according to an inquest into her disappearance.
Divers, crew evacuated as Red Sea liveaboard Firebird strikes reef en route to Dahab
Passengers and crew evacuated as Egyptian Red Sea liveaboard MV Firebird strikes a reef and suffers 'significant damage'.
DIVE’s Big Shot Portraits – THE WINNERS!
Check out the winning and highly commended images from our Big Shot Portraits underwater photography competition!
Basking sharks: 10 things everybody should know
Basking sharks are the second-largest species of shark, but unlike tabloid reports about 'monster fish', they're not terrifying at all.
Nudis like to show off their colours by daylight
Nudibranchs and sea slugs that are active during daylight hours are more brightly coloured and patterned than their nocturnal counterparts
Divers and crew abandon ship in Thailand liveaboard fire
A Thai liveaboard is destroyed by fire while moored overnight near the Boonsung wreck of the coast of Khao Lak
Aqualung Group to be sold to HEAD
HEAD Group has announced it is in talks to acquire Aqualung Group just over a year after Aqualung was bought by Barings
Sea Story survivors speak out – Part 4: The ‘interrogation’
Survivors of the Sea Story liveaboard disaster recount how they were pressured into giving statements just hours after being rescued
Marine Curios #20 – Sailor’s Eyeballs, Valonia ventricosa
They look like unremarkable polished stones but sailor's eyeballs are actually one of the most unique organisms on the planet
Miami Seaquarium parent company files for bankruptcy
The Mexican owners of Miami Seaquarium, last home of tragic Lolita the orca, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US
Shark trust launches new shark photography competition
The Shark Trust has launched its new photography competition, with prizes for the best shots of sharks, rays, skates, chimaeras and eggcases
DIVE Magazine Spring 2025 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
Six dead, nine injured as Egyptian tourist submarine sinks
An Egyptian tourist submarine has sunk of the coast of Hurghada killing at least 6 of its passengers and seriously injuring others.
Australian woman dies; two injured as Bali snorkel boat capsizes
An Australian woman has died and two others seriously injured after their snorkel boat capsized off the south coast of Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Review: Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, by Howard Rosenstein
A review of Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, by Howard Rosenstein, published by Dived Up - now available in paperback
Diver dies, two rescued in Florida’s Twin Caves system
A diver has sadly died after getting into difficulty in the Twin Caves system of Merritt's Mill Pond, Marianna, Florida
Great white shark makes rare Nusa Penida appearance
A group of divers has a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a great white shark around the island of Nusa Penida, Bali
British woman still missing after Koh Tao dive boat fire
A 26-year-old British woman from London is still missing after fire broke out on board a dive boat in Koh Tao, Thailand
Emperor Seven Seas liveaboard destroyed by fire in Port Ghalib
Popular scuba diving liveaboard Emperor Seven Seas has been destroyed by fire while docked in Port Ghalib, Egypt
Ocean Census announces discovery of 866 new species
The Ocean Census collaborative effort to accelerate the discovery of marine life has announced the discovery of 866 new marine species.
How to become a better diver: never stop learning
Former instructor Mark 'Crowley' Russell on why continuing education programmes are essential for both divers and dive businesses.
Wrecks4all maritime archaeology training programme
Montenegro's Wrecks4All project is hosting a 5-day training programme for budding marine archaeologists from Montenegro and Albania.
Sea Story survivors speak out – Part 3: Trapped
DIVE talks to Swiss diver Michael Miles, who spent more than 36 hours trapped in his cabin after the Egyptian liveaboard, Sea Story, capsized
Russian divers die after being swept away off Verde Island, Philippines
Two Russian divers have died in the Philippines after being swept away by currents. One man was reportedly being mauled by a shark when found
New ‘true colour’ images of Shackleton’s Endurance
New colour-corrected images of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton's Endurance show how the ship would have looked above the water
Reconnect Private Island Resort: discover uncharted dive sites in Central Sulawesi
Reconnect Private Island Resort is an untouched scuba diving paradise on Buka Buka Island, a gateway to the Togean Islands at the heart of the Coral Triangle
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 winners announced
Check out the stunning winning images from each category in the 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition
Whale song shares complex similarities with human language
Scientists find humpback whale song has striking similarities to human languages, implying it is 'culturally transmitted' between generations
Inquiry rules British diver’s death in Indonesia was IPO
Inquest into the death of retired Royal Navy officer and experienced diver Robert Bolton finds he likely suffered Immersion Pulmonary Oedema
Sea Story survivors speak out – Part 2: the rescue
Survivors of the Sea Story liveaboard disaster speak out about life rafts that were not fit for purpose and a lack of action by authorities
Genetic evidence proves orcas predate on Australian great white sharks
DNA taken from the carcass of a great white shark in Australia shows it was killed by orcas in the same manner as seen in South Africa
Egyptian tourist boat sinks off Hurghada
Another Egyptian liveaboard has capsized - the same day the UK government issued a warning over Red Sea dive boat safety.
UK Government issues safety bulletin for Egyptian liveaboards
Marine Accident Investigations Branch identifes multiple safety failures in structure, equipment, training and briefings on Egyptian liveaboards
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