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.
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
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
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
The winners from our Big Shot Creative underwater photography competition, as featured in our Summer '26 print magazine
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
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, 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 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 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
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 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
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 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
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 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'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
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
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
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
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
What is believed to be the first underwater footage of a great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea has been…
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
The bodies of Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri have been located in a Vaavu atoll cave
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
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 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
Enter the new Aggressor/Mares sweepstakes before 20 May for the chance to win some premium scuba diving gear
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
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 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
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 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 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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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 scuba divers were rescued after drifting for 2.5 hours in cold water off Bentenjima, near Wakkanai in northern Hokkaido, Japan.
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
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 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
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
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
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
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?
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 has died at the age of 65, following a private 1.5-year battle with cancer
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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
Enter DIVE's Big Shot Light and Shadow underwater photography competition to win a trip on board the Belize Aggressor III
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
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
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
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 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
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 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’
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 safely after a fire on board Maldives liveaboard Yasawa Princess on Christmas Eve
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
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 has carried out one of the world’s largest coral restoration trials on the Great Barrier Reef following mass spawning events
Aggressor Adventures marks 42 years in business
Aggressor Adventures marks 42 years since launching its first liveaboard, helping shape modern dive travel and the global liveaboard industry
The best action cameras for scuba divers in 2026
There is a host of top quality action cameras on the market - here are some of the best action cameras for scuba diving available today
Garmin Descent S1 communications buoy review
Mark 'Crowley' Russell tries out the Garmin Descent S1 communications buoy, a game-changer in scuba diving safety
Northern Diver raises the bar with its Odyssey Full Face Mask
Northern Diver has once again raised the bar for scuba diving equipment with the launch of the Odyssey Full-Face Mask.
Diver bitten while freeing entangled shark off Hawaii Island
A diver was bitten while trying to free an entangled blacktip reef shark off Hawaii Island, prompting renewed warnings from local authorities
Camel Dive launches Red Sea storytelling contest for underwater creators
Sharm El Sheikh's Camel Dive Club has launched a competition inviting divers, photographers and filmmakers to submit their Red Sea Stories
Ancient Egyptian pleasure barge discovered in submerged harbour of Alexandria
A 2,000-year-old pleasure barge found in Alexandria’s submerged harbour sheds light on ritual voyages and elite life in early Roman Egypt
Conception liveaboard fire captain appeals manslaughter verdict
Captain Jerry Boylan is appealing his conviction over the 2019 Conception liveaboard fire in California which killed 34 people
New global dive-travel platform Scubago set to launch in 2026
Scubago, a new commission-free platform for booking dive trips and courses worldwide, is set to launch in early 2026
DIVE’s Biggest Shots of 2025
Have your say on DIVE Magazine's best underwater photographer of the year in our Best of the Big Shots 2025 poll
Mantas and devil rays receive maximum CITES protection
All ten species of mobulid rays have been uplisted to Appendix I under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Oceanic whitetips uplisted to CITES Appendix I
Big win for sharks as oceanic whiteips are upgraded to CITES Appendix I, which bans all international trade in the species
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