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.
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
Florida diver dies on Key West’s Vandenberg wreck
A Florida diver has died while exploring the USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg, one of the Florida Keys’ most popular wreck sites
Don’t shop – dive! ‘Blue Friday’ celebrates its fifth birthday
Blue Friday celebrates its fifth birthday as a growing global movement now backed by the Reef-World Foundation
Suunto launches new Nautic & Nautic S dive computers
Finnish dive computer pioneer Suunto has announced the launch of two new dive computers, the Suunto Nautic and Suunto Nautic…
Generations Below – a father-son team working to build a global underwater treasure hunt
Texas-based Jeff Johnson talks about his dream of building a global scuba diving brand with his son, Gunner
Eyewitness speaks out about Dylan Harrison’s death
An eyewitness to the events leading to the death of 12-year-old Dylan Harrison has spoken publicy for the first time
Thomas Kenny’s family launches fundraiser for inquest into his death
The family of a Liverpool diver are asking for help raising funds for legal representation at the inquest into his death.
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.
BSAC Annual Diving Incident Report 2024 published
The British Sub-Aqua Club Annual Diving Incident Report for 2024 recorded a total of 239 incidents and 12 fatalities in UK waters
Missing Wales diver died using surface-supplied ‘hookah’ system
The scuba diver who drowned off the Welsh coast last year was using a surface supplied 'hookah' system, according to new information
Howard Rosenstein’s Dawn of Red Sea Diving is heading for Hollywood
Howard Rosenstein's personal history of his journey as a Red Sea scuba diving pioneer, is to be turned into a documentary
Jellyfish blooms on the rise amid shifting wildlife patterns
Overall jellyfish sightings are down this past year, but there was an increase in large blooms around the UK and Ireland
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...
Dylan Harrison instructor resigns as Assistant Chief Deputy
The instructor who was teaching 12-year-old Dylan Harrison when she died has resigned from his position as Assistant Chief Deputy of police
Missing Wales diver died due to ‘unsuitable’ equipment
A scuba diver who went missing off the Welsh coast last year likely died due to the use of porrly maintained equipment, an inquest has heard
Egyptian Liveaboard Royal Evolution grounded at Abu Dabbab
An Egyptian Red Sea liveaboard has been grounded off Marsa Alam over the weekend; all passengers and crew safely evacuated without injury
Dylan Harrison instructor ‘permanently suspended’
The instructor conducting the scuba course in which 12-year-old Dylan Harrison died has been 'permanently suspended' by The Scuba Ranch
Lookout failure and improper DSMB use caused Scapa diver’s death – MAIB
The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has reported that mulitple safety failures were to blame for a diver's 2023 Scapa Flow death
Dive computer data ‘lost’ following death of 12-year-old Dylan Harrison
Attorney for Dylan Harrison's parents is questioning why police have not tried to recover dive computer data in the wake of her tragic death
Miami Seaquarium, former home of Lolita the orca, permanently closed
Miami Seaquarium has permanently closed, but the fate of its remaining animals has been left in limbo over decisions about the park's future
Green turtles downgraded to ‘Least Concern’ by IUCN Red List
Great news for marine conservation as green turtles are officially downgraded to a species of least concern for extinction
New Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 features underwater messaging
Chinese tech giant Huawei has launched its new Watch Ultimate 2 smartwatch-style dive computer, featuring underwater diver-diver messaging.
Canada’s Marineland park threatens to euthanise 30 beluga whales
The Niagara Falls theme park has threatened to kill its belgua whales if the Canadian governmnet refuses their export to China
Michael ‘M2’ Menduno dies following stroke
Pioneering technical diver and influential journalist, Michael 'M2' Menduno, has died after suffering a stroke in early September
DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2025 announced
The Dive Photo Guide has announced that entries are now being accepted for its DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2025.
Shark Trust launches Indian Ocean sharks campaign
The Shark Trust has launched a new campaign expanding its Oceanics Programme to include sharks in the Indian Ocean, a…
Swiss police diver dies during Limmat rescue operation
A diver from the Zurich Cantonal Police service in Switzerland has died while searching for a person who drowned in the Limmat River
Quadriplegic Egyptian naval officer sets third world record
Egyptian naval officer breaks Guiness World Record for longest scuba dive in a controlled environment by a quadriplegic
New Garmin Descent X30 wide screen dive computer
Garmin has announced the launch of the latest addition to its diving line, the Descent X30 widescreen dive computer
Order now! DIVE Autumn 2025 print issue preview
Pygmy blue whales, Turks & Caicos Aggressor, underwater sound, 50 years of Jaws, Aqaba military museum, Big Shot winners
Ten fascinating facts about sperm whales
Sperm whales are one of the largest and most complex creatures on the planet - here are ten fascinating facts exploring what we know so far
DV Tenacious team discovers ST Seiner steam trawler
A 96-year-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of a WWI-era steam-powered fishing trawler off Connecticut in 1929 has been solved
Oil is leaking from Chuuk Lagoon’s Rio de Janeiro Maru shipwreck
State of Emergency declared as oil is seen leaking from the deteriorating hull of a ship sunk in Chuuk Lagoon during WWII
Orcas sink one boat, damage another, off coast of Portugal
A pod of orcas has reportedly rammed two boats off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal, sinking one and damaging another
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
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