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.


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
Aggressor Adventures marks 42 years in business

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

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
A picture of the Garmin Descent S1 communications buoy floating at the surface behind a boat

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 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.
a blacktip reef shark swimming over some coral

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
bsac incident report 24 featured

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

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 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

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!

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

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

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

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’

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

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

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, 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

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
Load More
Scroll to Top