Mapping maritime memories in the Southern Mediterranean
GUE EDGE – the cornerstone of safe and efficient diving
The amazing discovery of the WWI wreck HMS Nottingham
Trim and buoyancy are the key to mastering the elusive back kick
This issue of Quest takes you deep into the world of wreck exploration with two remarkable projects. On page 12, we follow the ongoing work documenting World War II wrecks from the Battle of the Convoys off the coast of Tunisia. And on page 38, you’ll read about the discovery of the HMS Nottingham, a World War I wreck found in British waters.
Both projects require exceptional skill, experience, and teamwork. They bring together divers who are highly trained, disciplined, and able to work as part of tightly coordinated teams in challenging and often unpredictable conditions. The dives are deep, the locations remote, and the sites fragile—requiring careful handling at every stage. For those already working at this level, these expeditions are a powerful way to put hard-earned skills to work in preserving history. And for those aiming to get there, they’re an inspiring example of what’s possible with the right preparation and dedication.
On land, we have museums, monuments, and memorials—places where we preserve history through artifacts, photographs, rusted helmets, and the stories passed down through generations. But underwater wrecks are just as important. They’re war memorials at sea, hidden from most eyes, their stories fading unless divers bring them back into the light.
The expeditions in this issue aren’t just about mapping steel and logging GPS coordinates. They’re about the people—sailors, soldiers, medics, civilians—who sailed on these ships. Many of their names aren’t in history books, but their lives and sacrifices mattered just as much. The ocean hasn’t forgotten them, and neither should we.
Documenting war wrecks isn’t just archaeology—it’s remembrance. Every hull explored, every artifact discovered, every identity confirmed helps piece together the human story of war. It ensures these sites aren’t reduced to scrap metal or just another dive destination, but are honored as resting places and reminders of the cost of conflict.
We owe it to those who were there—and to those who come after—to protect these stories and share them. So if you feel that pull toward wrecks, take the next step. Get the training, join a project, lend your skills to an expedition or a project, or contribute to research from shore. There’s a role for everyone in preserving this history. As you read these pages, I hope you’ll think about the courage, the loss, and the part you can play in keeping their stories alive.
Dive safe and have fun!
Jesper Kjøller Editor-in-Chief jk@gue.com
Editor-in-chief
// Jesper Kjøller
Editorial panel
// Michael Menduno
// Amanda White
Design and layout
// Jesper Kjøller
Copy editing
// Pat Jablonski
// Kady Smith
Writers
// Kirill Egorov
// Leo Fielding
// Lucie Studená
// Jenn Thomson
// Jesper Kjøller
// Fred Devos
// Todd Kincaid
// Chris Le Maillot
// Daniel Riordan
// Jarrod Jablonski
// Dorota Czerny
Photographers
// Kirill Egorov
//Jesper Kjøller
// Marcel Wilke
//Julian Mühlenhaus
// Dorota Czerny
// Steffen Scholz
// Dominic Willis
// Olga Martinelli
// Kacper Rybakiewicz
// Fred Devos
// Claudio Provenzani
// Alison Perkins
// Federico Barbano,
// Robert Rösslernotes
//Jenn Thomson
6
12
GUE projects, rooted in exploration and education, are now more accessible than ever. This article highlights new resources, tools, and opportunities for divers to get involved at any level.
Off Tunisia’s coast, WWII convoy wrecks lie forgotten beneath the Mediterranean. Jesper Kjøller explores efforts to document and preserve these sites, revealing their historical importance in the North African campaign and honoring those who served.
26
With a background in various adventure sports, Lucie Studená approached GUE’s Technical Fundamentals course seeking a better back kick, but discovered deeper lessons in trim, control, and transformative mentorship through the NextGen Legacy Project.
40
More than a century after her sinking, HMS Nottingham has been found in the North Sea. This remarkably preserved WWI cruiser now resurfaces through deep dives, research, and the work of the ProjectXplore team.
50
By day, Marcel is a financial advisor; beneath the surface, a passionate wreck diver and GUE Scientific Diver committed to conservation, research, and documenting history through international project work and underwater photography.
56
GUE divers follow a standardized sequence before dives to minimize mistakes and equipment errors. This final safety check helps the team switch into dive mode, ensuring readiness and setting the stage for a successful, enjoyable dive.
Cave survey is the art of measuring points relative to a surface reference, creating maps or models to locate caves and passages accurately, requiring skill and interpretation.
One of the most common questions from aspiring project divers is: “What are GUE Projects, and how can I get involved?”. The answer: “in more ways than ever before!”. Indeed, from the early days of the Woodville Karst Plain Project, project diving has been central to GUE’s identity. What began as a core principle—a path to exploration, conservation, and education via project diving— has evolved into a more structured and accessible system. GUE is building on its legacy of exploration by engaging the next generation, supporting both smaller, local initiatives and larger, high-impact missions. But regardless of scale, all projects need resources and support. From a new hub of project libraries to expanded materials and instructor tools, this article outlines the current offerings (and what’s next), within the agency.
The GUE Project Portal landing site and the Project Library is the starting place to see current projects, past projects, and the very basics of how to get started from an applicant or manager perspective. Accessible from the main GUE.com website, this is a great first tool to refer all interested divers to, regardless of current level or ability. The landing page broadly consists of four main sections:
1. WHAT IS A PROJECT
An introduction to the DREAM initiative, the GUE Project definition, our why’s and values, and some featured projects.
2. PROJECT LIBRARY
The library contains a plethora of reports from 2016 to 2025.
3. HOW TO CREATE A GUE PROJECT
The first step-by-step guide to registration and where to find resources to help you start a project, including answers to frequently asked questions.
4. HOW TO JOIN A GUE PROJECT
Helpful pointers on how to create connections and links to the GUE Events calendar, Project Baseline, and the NextGen Legacy Project community for project and training inspiration.
For the record, a GUE Project is defined as a goal-oriented scientific, educational, explorational, and/or conservational endeavor. Projects require a team of divers and support personnel who use advanced planning techniques, unique diving skills, and appropriate technology to realize the objectives. These activities may be recreational or focus on technical and/or cave skill sets.
Over the past few years, the library of project reports (briefs) has expanded immensely, providing a place for past and current projects to be recognized. This has in turn seen an increase in first connections, participation, and engagement. Each brief can be separated into one of the four main categories:
Project diving isn’t just encouraged; it’s a core pillar of GUE’s mission to support meaningful, long-term impact in the underwater world.
• Exploration (including scouting, searching, and prospecting)
• Documentation (photo/video, survey, photogrammetry)
• Sample collection (data and/or specimens for scientific research)
• Conservation (beach cleanups, ghost net removals, planting sea grass)
Project briefs include a description of the project and its results, its current status (active/ inactive, with any relevant dates), and a map showing the area of operation. Most important is letting others know how they can get involved in the project—this includes any necessary prerequisites, required experience levels, the project’s location, and clear contact details.
Accessible from GUE. com, the Project Portal is the starting point to explore projects and learn how to get involved— whether as a diver, project lead, or curious newcomer.
• Step 1 Defining an overview sets the scene for each project. This can comprise clarifying goals (measurable success criteria), taxonomy (recreational or technical GUE project type), and values (the “why”). A clear foundation helps Project Managers determine the required resources, team, and deliverables.
• Step 2 Planning follows. Whether using a Gantt chart or fixed project weeks with recruitment days, timelines must be mapped. Economic factors also play a role: is there grant funding, do you need to apply for support, or will participants cover costs for logistics, gear, and lodging? Equally important are the necessary permissions: scientific, archaeological, landowner, or filming permits depending on the site.
• Step 3 Registered GUE Projects benefit from visibility on the GUE site. By clicking on the event calendar form and registering the Project on the GUE Events page, it gives one access to increased engagement, visibility, and increased participants. In addition, when submitted, the project data is sent to HQ and to the Director of Dive Project Management (aka the author). In this way, I can keep track of the projects that are in development, those that have finished, and those that need support.
After you have registered your project on the Project Portal on the GUE website (step 3), you will receive access to the Project Portal Manager resources.
By joining projects around the world, GUE divers strengthen their skills, build community, and contribute directly to exploration and preservation.
For Project Managers who are also GUE staff or instructors, several grants and discounts are available on a plethora of different
The resources themselves are a library of templates and guides designed to help you (the reader, or aspiring Project Manager) in all facets of project planning: from logistics and budget ideas to dive plans, report templates, outreach, and SOPs. Here, they are split into 12 steps of project planning—the first three of which are already listed above. Each of these 12 steps forms their own veritable library of resources from which divers can pick and choose to aid in their own project development. The result is the inception of a broad range of individual projects that are context-specific whilst still guided by the standards of excellence in conservation, education and exploration. The remaining steps (4-12) are defined below.
• TEAM RECRUITMENT (4) Building the right team goes beyond headcount. Consider how many divers are needed, how many dives each team will conduct, and, if applicable, boat capacity. Think through both the technical skill sets required, such as medical support, photogrammetry, or filming, and the soft skills like perseverance and strong teamwork that are critical for success.
• MEDICAL & LIABILITY PAPERWORK (5) This is essential for both legal compliance and diver safety. Make sure all participants complete the necessary forms.
• STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (6) Following established procedures is crucial, especially when it comes to crisis response and risk management. GUE provides specific risk management plans and liability templates tailored to various types of events and projects.
software tools for project diving, accessible through GUE’s nonprofit status. A selection of the tools and software is in development.
• LOGISTICS & TRAVEL (7) Will participants travel together or individually? Is lodging fully catered, or will it be in remote conditions? Plan for how gear, oxygen tanks, or lithium batteries will be transported. Don’t overlook on-site needs like compressors, drying areas, or access to tools and hardware.
• MISSION PHASE PLANNING (8) A weekly project timeline helps structure the mission, from daily briefings and dive prep to scouting, data collection, processing, and wrap-up. Build in flexibility for delays. Clear communication throughout the project is critical: use online meetings beforehand, hold on-site briefings on day 0, shakedown dives on day 1, and regular debriefs throughout.
• DIVE PLANNING (9) Each dive needs its own detailed plan, including gear and assigned roles for active project divers, support divers, and topside personnel.
• DATA MANAGEMENT (10) To avoid data loss and simplify reporting, set up a solid system for organizing, backing up, and tracking memory cards, photos, and wetnotes daily.
• SOCIAL MEDIA & OUTREACH (11) Develop a clear social media plan to showcase the project and support future funding opportunities. Always publish content with proper permissions and give credit to volunteers and collaborators.
• DELIVERABLES (12) Define and prepare your final outputs (which can be the Project Brief, videos, scientific papers, and more).
“Since its inception, GUE has been rooted in exploration, with its founders applying their methods to elevate project diving globally.
Since its inception, GUE has been rooted in exploration, with its founders applying their methods to elevate project diving globally. This group of individuals already knows how to organize, develop, and run projects, so the challenge now is to integrate and develop the next generation of divers into projects, and for them to continue pushing boundaries. Hence, GUE is promoting both large-scale, high-impact projects and encouraging entry-level initiatives that give newer divers meaningful ways to contribute from the start. Such initiatives include:
• A Project Portal to find projects and contact collaborators
• Reports that reflect a range of recreational and exploration diving
• Project Resources that guide aspiring Managers through the process,
• Discounted software that enables projects to analyze data
Jenn Thomson
• Engagement strategies that promote all types of project diving across GUE platforms
• Dedicated members in HQ from whom aspiring project divers can solicit personalised support
• Global projects in which anyone can participate and contribute to data in a citizen science capacity
In a future issue, we’ll explore the current and future developments of Project Baseline, a nonprofit that has been working since 2009 to explore, document, and protect the underwater world. As an initiative closely aligned with GUE’s mission, Project Baseline mobilizes divers to record environmental change and collaborate with scientists, conservationists, and policy makers. It bridges grassroots engagement of projects with large-scale impact.
www.gue.com/project-portal
Jenn was GUE’S NextGen Scholar for 2022-2023. She used the year to highlight the roles that recreational scuba can play in scientific operations, and to launch the NextGen Legacy Project. She joined GUE HQ soon after, first as a Global Projects Co-ordinator, and now part of the Executive Committee, leading the NextGen Program, managing the Dive Project department, and helping to expand
Project Baseline. She continues to work at the intersection of project diving, expedition vessels, and neutral buoyancy labs, connecting the space and marine sectors via scuba diving and exploration. And, after adamantly saying she never will for ~3 years, she has recently become a Tech 1 diver, and likes to collect bugs in caves.
TEXT JESPER KJØLLER
PHOTOS JESPER KJØLLER
Scattered cargo makes it clear these wrecks were once laden with supplies bound for the Desert War.
Beneath the serene surface of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tunisia lies a largely forgotten chapter of history—an undersea landscape marked by the remnants of World War II convoy battles. These shipwrecks are silent witnesses to a vital yet often overlooked naval conflict that shaped the outcome of the North African campaign. Quest Editor-in-Chief Jesper Kjøller chronicles the meticulous efforts to document and preserve these submerged sites, revealing their historical significance and honoring the men who risked everything to sustain the war effort. Through advanced underwater technology and dedicated research, ongoing projects uncover the enduring legacy of the Mediterranean convoys and the crucial role they played in the broader theatre of war.
“The footage will feed the insatiable appetite of the photogrammetry model, slowly reconstructing the SS Beatrice in the digital realm.
The lovely deep blue color enveloping us as we descend is a hue found only in the heart of the Mediterranean. It’s almost midday, and the ocean above us is completely flat, a perfect mirror reflecting nothing but sky. We have “bonaccia,” the Italian term for dead calm. We follow the thin, white shot line with the attached ribbons every 3 m/10 ft to make it more visible. By the time we reach 30 m/100 ft, the shadow of the massive SS Beatrice begins to reveal itself beneath us. She rests on her port side, remarkably intact despite the years.
Stefano, Faisal, and Thomas, who slipped beneath the surface 15 minutes before Rami and me, are already deeply immersed in their photogrammetry missions. Bright video lights fixed to their scooters pierce the twilight, casting glowing halos across the towering flanks of the sunken giant. The divers cruise alongside the wreck at staggered depths, maintaining precise distances as they methodically capture thousands upon thousands of high-resolution images—each frame a small piece of the puzzle. The footage will feed the insatiable appetite of the photogrammetry model, slowly reconstructing the SS Beatrice in the digital realm.
Below us, the seabed at 75 m/250 ft is a quiet chaos of debris and scattered cargo—mute evidence of the moment SS Beatrice was claimed by the sea after an air raid in 1941.
Rami spots an intriguing cargo hold and steers his scooter toward the large, square opening—like a giant barn door hanging open to the sea. I follow him inside, and we begin exploring the vast interior, scattered with rusting fuel drums.
After 35 minutes on the bottom, we reluctantly begin our ascent after scootering the entire 137 m/450 ft from the bow to the stern. The long decompression ahead offers ample opportunity for my thoughts to drift back in time to the desert war that claimed this ship and the hundreds of others now lying silent in these waters.
The North African campaign of World War II, famously marked by the rivalry between Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and General Bernard Montgomery, was one of the most demanding and strategically complex theaters of the war. Fought between 1940 and 1943 across the deserts of Libya and Egypt, the “Desert War” was a test of endurance, mechanized warfare, and above all, logistics.
The extreme environment made every movement equipment-intensive. With open, featureless terrain, blistering heat, and fine sand that wreaked havoc on machinery, even basic operations became monumental tasks. Tanks, trucks, and artillery broke down regularly. There were no local resources to draw on—fuel, water, ammunition, and spare parts had to be shipped in from across dangerous waters.
For Rommel’s Axis forces, that meant relying on convoys sailing from Italy across the Mediterranean. But these convoys were relentlessly hunted by Allied forces based on the island of Malta. Submarines, bombers, and fast-attack craft decimated Axis shipping, causing chronic shortages. Rommel, AKA the “Desert Fox” frequently pushed ahead of his supply chain, leading to daring maneuvers that dazzled but often stalled due to a lack of fuel and ammunition.
The Allies, by contrast, had more stable supply routes via the Suez Canal and the port of Alexandria. Though not without challenges, their lines were longer-lasting and better protected. Montgomery’s leadership, beginning in 1942, brought a more methodical approach: no offensive began without a solid logistics base. This strategy paid off at the Second Battle of El Alamein, where Allied preparation and supply overwhelmed Rommel’s weakened Afrika Korps. It marked a turning point in the campaign.
Desert warfare, in many ways, resembled naval combat on land. Vast distances, minimal cover, and reliance on radio and reconnaissance gave battles a fluid, expansive character. Success depended on maneuver, coordination, and massing firepower at critical points—hallmarks of Montgomery’s patient yet powerful strategy.
Yet, while tanks clashed in the desert, equally fierce battles raged at sea. Control of the Mediterranean was essential—whoever ruled the sea controlled the lifelines that kept desert armies alive.
Auxiliary steering wheel on Ingo, a German freighter at 56 m/184 ft. The holds contain an extraordinary cache of WWII military equipment.
PHOTO JESPER KJØLLER
Axis convoys sailed from Italian ports like Naples and Taranto to North African destinations such as Tripoli and Benghazi. Their mission was critical but perilous. Allied submarines and aircraft, operating from Malta, made the Central Mediterranean a deadly corridor. Fuel tankers and cargo ships were lost in alarming numbers—each sinking reducing the Afrika Korps’ chances of survival.
To defend their supply lines, the Axis powers deployed warships and armed escorts. The Allies responded with daring naval engagements, surprise attacks, and stealth missions. Every ship that reached North Africa gave Rommel another chance; every loss brought him closer to collapse.
These fierce engagements left behind a haunting legacy beneath the waves. Shipwrecks litter the seabed from Libya to Malta—silent remnants of a brutal, underreported naval war.
Control of the sea wasn’t a backdrop to the Desert War—it was its foundation. Without ships, there were no tanks, no food, no bullets. The desert victories depended on what hap-
Granma 2, our expedition vessel, is just large enough to support six divers— but with everything well organized, it performs admirably.
pened at sea. And the wrecks that remain today—still bearing the scars of war—remind us that behind every land battle, there was a supply chain, a convoy, and a crew who risked everything to keep the war machine running.
While the majority of war supplies did reach the armies on land, both sides suffered significant losses in the process. The eventual success of the Allied forces in North Africa was due in large part to their vastly superior industrial capacity—especially that of the United States— which ensured a steady flow of men, equipment, and ammunition. This logistical advantage proved decisive. Furthermore, the German high command prioritized the Eastern Front, limiting the support available to Rommel’s Afrika Korps. This strategic decision, combined with overstretched supply lines and Allied control of the sea and air, contributed significantly to Rommel's eventual defeat.
We’re diving from Granma 2, a 13 m/42 ft cabin cruiser just large enough to support six divers,
so the team is handpicked with that limit in mind. Six is an ideal number: flexible enough to split into two teams of three or three teams of two, depending on the day’s objective. The seventh member of the team is the heart of the operation—our skipper, cook, deckhand, and an exceptionally skilled CCR diver in his own right: Rocco Canella. His experience and calm presence are as essential as any piece of gear on board.
The boat is not initially designed for diving but with a few clever modifications, it does the job admirably. And compared to the assortment of fishing vessels used earlier in the project, it’s a clear upgrade. Still, with the sheer volume of equipment needed to support six CCR divers—cameras, scooters, bailout tanks, drysuits, undergarments, and all the knickknacks of technical diving—it’s a constant game of Tetris to keep everything in order. We keep the chaos under control and the boat is remarkably comfortable. And what it lacks in space, it makes up for in flavor. Rocco and Stefano, unfazed by the cramped galley and limited provisions, spoil us
Veloche teems with marine life and lost nets and filaments litter the site, which endures ongoing fishing pressure from various methods and gear.
“The expedition follows an established template: wait for a favorable two-day weather window, then depart at night so the 100-nautical-mile journey from Lampedusa to the wreck sites off the Tunisian coast can be completed while we sleep.
daily with simple, delicious Italian meals. Their dishes—humble yet deeply satisfying—are a welcome comfort after long hours beneath the ocean.
The expedition follows an established template: wait for a favorable two-day weather window, then depart at night so the 100-nautical-mile journey from Lampedusa to the wreck sites off the Tunisian coast can be completed while we sleep. Once on site, we typically complete two dives per day before returning to shore to refill tanks, resupply, and prepare for the next two-day run.
Since we don’t have the capacity to refill tanks at sea, a slightly different protocol has been developed over the years. The twin manifolded diluent tanks on the GUE-configured JJ-CCR units remain untouched during the dives. Instead, we feed the rebreather diluent from side-slung S40s routed through a switch block. In the event of a failure or if the drive gas runs low, it’s
easy to switch to the onboard diluent, which is also accessible through the open-circuit regulators connected to the back-mounted tanks.
To preserve the precious 10/70 trimix drive gas, we also use what’s commonly referred to as a “fourth bottle.” This is mounted opposite the oxygen tank and contains air for inflating both wing and drysuit.
In a standard configuration, the wing is inflated via the right post of the back gas, and the suit from a separate inflation bottle, thus providing redundant buoyancy. However, inflating wings with trimix is a waste. But using the fourth bottle as the sole gas source for both inflation systems carries a significant risk—if that supply fails, the capacity to adjust buoyancy is completely lost. To mitigate this, we keep a backup inflation hose on the right post as a safeguard. But in an emergency, replacing the inflator hose under stress can be challenging. To address this, a dedicated switch block has been developed to simplify the process and enhance safety.
Lampedusa is the largest of the Pelagie Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea roughly midway between Sicily and the North African coast. It is part of Italy’s Sicily region but lies much closer to Tunisia than to mainland Italy. This strategic position has shaped Lampedusa’s history, culture, and modern significance.
The island covers about 20 km2/7.7 mi2 and hosts a population of approximately 6,000 residents. The community is small but diverse, consisting largely of locals whose livelihoods have historically depended on fishing and agriculture. Over time, the economy has shifted significantly towards tourism, which now plays a central role. The island is primarily frequented by Italian tourists, with very few international visitors. The island’s population experiences seasonal fluctuations, with numbers swelling in the summer months when guests arrive.
Historically, Lampedusa’s location made it a strategic military point, especially during
World War II. The island was occupied by Allied forces in 1943 as part of the campaign to control Mediterranean Sea routes and the southern approaches to Italy. Before and during the war, Lampedusa’s proximity to North Africa meant it was a key observation and staging post for naval and air operations. Though the island itself saw limited combat, it served as a vital link in the logistics chain and as a refuge for ships and aircraft.
Today, remnants of wartime infrastructure such as bunkers and observation posts remain scattered across the island, offering tangible reminders of its strategic role during that global conflict.
In recent decades, Lampedusa has also become known as a major landing point for migrants crossing from North Africa to Europe, highlighting its ongoing geopolitical importance and humanitarian challenges.
Ferries from mainland Italy or Sicily operate daily, as do domestic flights from Palermo.
JESPER KJØLLER
As the tanks deteriorate, millions of gallons of fuel trapped in these wrecks will eventually leak, creating a significant ecological threat.
Faisal examines a pair of 20mm flak guns resting in the cargo hold of the Ingo
The project
Launched by SDSS (Società per la Documentazione di Siti Sommersi or the Society for the Documentation of Submerged Sites) in the early 2000s, this ongoing project documents aircraft and naval wrecks linked to the WWII Battle of the Mediterranean Convoys. Its mission is to use the intrigue of these underwater sites to tell the human stories behind them—reviving a lesser-known chapter of history and honoring the tens of thousands from many nations who fought, suffered, and died. These remote wrecks are extraordinary pieces of historical heritage. SDSS sees documentation as a crucial first step toward protection, ensuring natural decay isn’t worsened by human activity. In Sicily and its surrounding islands, this work is carried out with the support of the Sicilian Region’s
“Superintendence of the Sea and the Museum of the Sea in Palermo.
Local fishermen from Lampedusa, Sicily, and Tunisia have been vital partners. While often unaware of the wrecks' identities, their knowledge of the seafloor—where fishing nets snag or marine life gathers—has been key in locating the wreck sites.
Local fishermen from Lampedusa, Sicily, and Tunisia have been vital partners. While often unaware of the wrecks' identities, their knowledge of the seafloor— where fishing nets snag or marine life gathers—has been key in locating the wreck sites.
GUE Instructor Mario Arena is one of the driving forces behind the project. He is a passionate underwater explorer and historian whose knowledge of the region, tireless curiosity, and deep respect for maritime history have helped transform scattered wrecks into compelling historical narratives. Through his leadership— and in collaboration with public institutions—the project has become far more than a research initiative. It now generates exhibitions, educational programs, digital archives, and immersive experiences that bring history to life.
Rami at the bow of the Italian merchant ship Marin Sanudo, resting at 75 m/246 ft. She was carrying aircraft engines and parts, trucks, motorcycles, helmets, and shoes.
“Sharing these stories with a wider audience is not only a privilege but a responsibility— to keep the legacy alive and to inspire others to value and protect this extraordinary underwater heritage.
PHOTO JESPER KJØLLER
Jesper began his professional life as a musician but discovered his passion for diving over 30 years ago. He changed careers, becoming a diving instructor in 1994 and a PADI Course Director in 1999—the same year he took on the role of editor for the Scandinavian diving magazine DYK. He became a GUE instructor in 2011, and in 2015, relocated to Dubai to bring his talent for underwater storytelling and imagery to Deep Dive
Having ample time during the long decompression stops provides an opportunity to reflect on the historic significance of these wrecks, forgotten by most.
Dubai as the facility’s Marketing Manager. From his base in Dubai, Jesper travels the globe to teach, contribute to international dive publications, and take part in exploration projects such as the Mars field studies in the Baltic Sea, deep wreck exploration in the UAE and Egypt, or the Battle of the Convoys project in the Southern Mediterranean. In 2021, he became Editor-in-Chief of Quest, GUE’s member journal.
Left to right:
Jesper Kjøller, Denmark/UAE
Thomas Solberg, Norway
Rami Shakarchi, Switzerland/UAE
Stefano Gualtieri, Italy
Rocco Canella, Italy
Faisal Khalaf, Lebanon/Egypt
Mario Arena, Italy (not pictured)
Mario is especially passionate about three long-term goals. The first is increasing public awareness in Italy, particularly by integrating this largely underexposed piece of history into schools and educational curricula. The second is facilitating the development of a sustainable dive tourism industry in Tunisia, where many of the wrecks lie within reach and could form the foundation of a culturally rich and economically valuable heritage tourism sector.
The third goal focuses on creating awareness of a looming environmental threat beneath the waves—millions of gallons of fuel trapped in these wrecks will eventually leak as their tanks deteriorate, posing a serious ecological risk.
Jesper Kjøller
Being part of this project has been both a meaningful experience and a rare opportunity to connect with the history hidden beneath the
waves and to honor the lives entwined with these wrecks. I'm grateful to contribute to the preservation of this maritime legacy and look forward to returning to continue this important work alongside others equally committed to the cause.
Sharing these stories with a wider audience is not only a privilege but a responsibility—to keep the legacy alive and to inspire others to value and protect this extraordinary underwater heritage. Through exploration and storytelling, we help ensure that the sacrifices of the convoy crews and the lessons of the past are never forgotten.
TEXT LUCIE STUDENÁ
PHOTOS FEDERICO BARBANO, JENN THOMSON & ROBERT RÖSSLER
Lucie Studená’s journey into the world of technical diving is anything but ordinary. With a background in biology, caving, kayaking, and paragliding—not to mention life on the road in a self-built van—she brings a restless curiosity and drive for mastery to every new challenge. In this personal account, she takes us inside her experience of the new GUE Technical Fundamentals course, where she set out to improve one skill in particular: the elusive back kick. But what began as a quest for better finning technique quickly turned into something deeper. Under the guidance of GUE Instructor Dorota Czerny and through the support of the NextGen Legacy Project, Lucie uncovered the true meaning of good trim, discovering how body tension, core awareness, and precision movement come together to create calm, controlled, and efficient diving. The result is a story of transformation—one that speaks to the power of high standards, skilled mentorship, and a shared passion for doing more with your diving.
The newly updated GUE Technical Fundamentals course is more rigorous.
Setting up your doubles and conducting a thorough functionality check before leaving the harbor is always good practice.
Istarted outdoor adventuring several years before university, starting with long mountain hikes for several weeks. During the following 13 years, I transitioned from whitewater kayaking and a bit of climbing to taking on caving and dry cave exploration expeditions. Around the post-COVID times, I added paragliding and scuba diving with my university BSAC club. This, alongside being a scientist (biologist, bioengineer, and recently a data scientist) and traveller living in a homebuilt van, says something about my obsession with adventure and learning new things.
Since leaving university I have struggled to find my way within diving. I prioritized diving and paragliding and a bit of caving for the last several years but often struggled to find dive buddies when travelling. I wanted to progress further and to practice skills and leadership rather than just dive with a guide. I also realized that diving and cave diving, unlike many other outdoor sports, have the potential to be much more than just leisure activities, and there is a path to connect them with my scientific interests and have a positive impact in the world. Through the NextGen Legacy Project, I got the fantastic opportunity to join a GUE Technical Fundamentals class with Dorota Czerny and through it get connected to the GUE community and projects. I got so excited about GUE specifically because it promises to do something useful and scientific using diving, and I heard it's not difficult to find buddies with a growth mindset in GUE wherever one goes around the world. I also knew the Fundamentals course had a reputation for being a very rigorous course that really takes diving skills to the next level. Some of the skills like perfect buoyancy, motionless floating, and precise kicks have been my focus for a while.
“Several months before the class, we got access to the online learning. The new adaptive learning platform is well made with thorough explanations, although it’s only just getting rolled out.
Several months before the class, we got access to the online learning. The new adaptive learning platform is well made with thorough explanations, although it’s only just getting rolled out. I was asked to assess my level of prior knowledge from beginner to expert on each module. A beginner would get an explanation first, while experts would be asked questions beforehand. In all modules, I undervalued my experience compared to how the system assessed me afterwards. Because I was so keen to get the most out of the class, I didn't want to miss out on anything, even if it took longer. But towards the end, I started to trust the system more to adapt to my existing knowledge. It seems to work a lot more reliably than comparable systems that claim to be adaptive. I enjoyed the challenge of being asked first. I might have learnt more that way, as it was more active and the system didn’t make me feel embarrassed if I didn’t know something that wasn’t yet covered. I particularly liked the videos on kicks, and one video specifically mentioned one of the common mistakes, which I identified with. I didn’t know the system was so new, so I only left a couple of comments on questions I found unclear, but it was lovely to hear later how actively the GUE team is working on developing the system and reviewing the comments.
At the beginning of June 2025, I arrived in Cala Gonone, Sardinia, for my course. I also met Jenn, the NextGen Scholar from 2022-2023 who is now organizing the program. I also met my teammate, Federico. We are relatively similar in experience and shared a similar mindset of trying to get the most out of the class and asking many questions, which made the experience very pleasant.
While there was a lot covered during the course, I will focus on a few key aspects that were the biggest takeaways for me and which on their own would make the course worth it for me. I mainly came to class with the goal of finally getting my back kick right; otherwise, I was very open to soaking up anything new and really tried to detach myself from the goal of passing. On the other hand, I took the class very seriously and couldn’t help but try to do a fair bit of preparation (which is quite challenging for Fundamentals—not really knowing what to expect and not wanting to engrain bad habits).
On the first day, we had a bit of theory, gear preparation, and a first dive. Dorota mentioned that on the first few dives we would focus a lot on our trim, stability, buoyancy, and four important kicks: the frog and flutter kicks, and their modified versions. Mastering those would then make all the future skills and drills much easier. It seemed the first day might not be too em -
barrassing; none of the skills were new to me, although they were still not perfect. Buoyancy has been my focus recently, priding myself on fine adjustments and control by conscious breathing. I frequently ask buddies for feedback on my trim, and I usually get advice about whether I am a little head-up or head-down depending on configuration, which I learn from. That is pretty much what trim meant to me before the class. It would also be nice to stop the occasional slight forward movement when hovering. I have been frog kicking since my first dives, but flutter kicks were something I barely used (or found useful, seeing its common execution) aside from turbo swimming mode to follow an angel shark.
I recently discovered that I was dropping my knees when doing frog and back kicks. I saw it in some photos and heard about it from my tech instructor. However, we didn’t have time during my recent course to focus on this issue. I couldn’t figure out how to get enough power
Mastering trim and buoyancy is a necessary foundation for performing the back kick with precision and control.
and mobility without dropping my knees. I also couldn’t understand why it was important (other than not kicking the bottom).
During the Technical Fundamentals class, I learned a lot about trim. It was the first time I had heard in so much detail about the correct body tension, flattening my back, and pelvis tilt. All the knowledge about body tension and position was the biggest revelation for me from the entire class. It didn’t come immediately; I probably started to understand it around day three. I was fascinated when Dorota mentioned that when she appears motionless, it’s not actually doing nothing. She explained that it’s about anticipating water movements, purposefully changing a tiny amount of my core position or tension, and mindfully counteracting any effects of my other motions or external factors. It sounds like magic, and I really want to learn more about it!
We continued working on this throughout the course, and every day, I felt like I was understanding a little bit more. Especially when we demonstrated in the classroom that it’s physi-
cally impossible to bend at the hip with the right trim applied. Somehow, I needed that real-life experience and all the targeted feedback. Swimming around in a 3.5 m/11 ft deep square playground and learning to be more mindful of what I feel in my body was really helpful.
On the second day, we started doing back kicks, and at the end of the day, more communication and working together as a team. Sometimes I wonder why I struggle with the back kick since my helicopter isn’t bad and it is a combination of a back kick and a frog kick. I sometimes get my legs a little tangled when I want to do the helicopter kick super fast, but I went slow and controlled during the class and was really happy when Dorota thought it was quite good.
The back kick needed a lot more work. For a long time, I had the issue of rising as I did the kick. It might have a bit to do with looking down or holding some amount of breath when I concentrate, but for the majority, it was probably from not understanding proper trim, pull-
ing knees down, not twisting fins to the sides enough, etc. When I didn’t see myself before the class and only saw the common mistakes, I thought my fins were pointing too far upward in the loading phase. I believed that my rising problem would be improved by reaching my feet down really low in the loading phase, which actually made me go horribly out of trim, especially knees-down, and while it would somewhat stop me from going up, it was just all wrong and I needed to unlearn it.
It was really valuable to see myself on a video and get personalised comments. In the end, the back kick is a combination of many factors, some of which I knew about but didn’t know how to actually apply and which were my personal, most significant problems. Stay in trim, look up to a fixed point, load slowly with fins together (and don’t lose balance), properly twist the blades outwards, don’t let the knees drop, keep pushing the pelvis down, don’t forget to breathe, do it all slower, don’t get frustrated if the first few kicks don’t move me back. A lot to practice and coordinate, but I definitely improved a lot, especially as the class progressed.
In the following days, we had a few dives in slightly deeper places, and I could see an amazing amount of progress in myself and Federico (and our common performance regarding communication) in such a short time. Practice in the shallows and lots of kicking with mindful attention to trim, stability, and fin position gifted me a few moments of almost surreal motionless hovering when watching a demonstration, doing a valve drill, and deploying SMBs with little movement from the mark, and some nicely controlled ascents. In the beginning, Federico and I would do a new gas share or valve drill and shift about 2 m/6 ft away while doing it; by the end, we could communicate and collaborate much better and keep much closer to the mark. After the course, we both had a few million curious questions, and then we both got our outcome. I am really proud I got a Pass rating. As someone with cave diving ambitions, I was always separated by at least one more course from learning to cave dive. I feel I wouldn’t want to jump straight into a cave course today without properly digesting and practising everything
The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is designed for more experienced divers to enhance their skills in preparation for entering GUE’s technical, rebreather, or cave programs.
Many divers see the course as a ticket to participate in GUE’s more advanced diving, projects, and activities. Higher entry requirements for the GUE Technical Fundamentals course ensures all students who sign up are working towards obtaining a high level of competency in both their personal and team diving skills.
For many non-GUE divers, the Fundamentals program is an “aha!” moment where everything falls into place. The standardized equipment configuration and standardized procedures are only a small part of the big picture. Realizing how a team-oriented approach can free up resources and increase situational awareness that can be used to maximize safety, efficiency, and fun is often a life-changing moment for Fundamentals students, and they walk away from the course with a completely new approach to diving.
Historically, the Fundamentals course was created to make sure that divers who showed up for more advanced training in GUE’s cave and tech courses were not struggling with basic diving skills. A solid diving platform is based on balance, trim, buoyancy, and propulsion techniques. It is pointless to begin more advanced training before mastering these basic aspects of diving. It will only lead to task loading, stress, and poorly-learned skills. Divers who struggle with personal skills
will not be able to contribute to the team, nor will they have the required level of situational awareness needed in cave or tech training.
The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is aimed at experienced divers seeking GUE technical, rebreather, or cave training.
Course outcomes include, but are not limited to: GUE equipment configuration and use, trim and buoyancy, propulsion techniques including backwards kick, valve management (the course can only be done using double tank configuration), gas sharing, backup light deployment, basic rescue introduction, and SMB deployment. The course will include ascent training to prepare you for technical training.
You will receive access to GUE’s online learning platform, which you can utilize before the in-person portion of the course. This online learning system will adapt to you, ensuring it focuses on teaching you what you don't already know. You can learn at your own pace, so all students will reach a level of mastery of the material. Your time with the instructor can then be spent covering the practical elements of diving.
This course will supplement training that divers may have already received and will give them more confidence in their basic skills even if they do not desire to go on for more advanced training. The course also includes the theory and use of nitrox.
I learnt. But it is a strangely cool feeling to get the approval that my skills are getting to the right level, especially coming from GUE!
I am quite ambitious, so during the course, I wouldn’t allow myself to go for less than the 100% effort and performance I am capable of, but I came in with the expectation of learning a lot, even if not necessarily passing (although passing would be fabulous, as it would allow me to take part in a lot of projects straight away). I am glad I spent a whole evening writing any little note, comment, and tip I could remember being mentioned. There is so much I didn’t have a chance to write down right away (especially from surface debriefs), and now, a few weeks after the course, I would have probably already forgotten most of it otherwise.
I would like to wholeheartedly thank Dorota for volunteering her time and knowledge, and I can truly say it moved my diving a lot further and opened a lot of new doors I wouldn’t otherwise know existed.
I wouldn’t have learnt the same on my own. I wouldn’t have gotten the crucial feedback of which specific mistakes I was making and how to correct them. Doro has a great eye for spotting problems and suggesting improvements, and I also didn’t feel overwhelmed by all the advice at once. I was amazed by the pace of the improvements in both of our performances—with the right feedback, course structure, a skilled mentor, and our own motivation, we learnt really fast!
I would also like to thank Federico for being a great teammate and Jenn Thomson and everyone else involved in organising the NextGen Legacy Project. Also, thank you to Base1 for the logistics. Taking the course in Cala Gonone allowed me to meet other divers coming for their cave courses and cave diving. Although no project work was planned for the time I visited, it was my first encounter with the GUE community, and I like the vibe where all divers can be confident in each other’s abilities and attitude. We might not
I also believe
Dorota is a really inspirational character and a fantastic mentor. Although I have been reading books and forums like a nerd, watching videos about better diving, and practising, the course still went beyond and revealed things I didn’t find anywhere else. I kept saying I needed truly critical diving buddies and teachers with high standards to help me reach the next level of perfection, and I have not only found it during the course but also in other GUE divers I have met so far. From my perspective, I needed to live through the course in all its length;
know each other, but we can jump into the water as teammates without fear—especially exciting, as I often struggle to find reliable buddies on travels. I hope to get involved in GUE diving, projects, and expeditions soon and maybe even make them part of my next job as a scientist! Thanks, Jenn, for being an inspiring example!
Lucie is a 2024–2025 NextGen Trainee and a relative newcomer to GUE, with prior training through BSAC and IANTD. As part of the traineeship, she recently completed GUE’s Technical Fundamentals course. A true adventurer, Lucie lives in a converted van while exploring Europe. Her passions include diving, paragliding, caving expeditions, and remote
mountain trekking. Professionally, Lucie is a PhDtrained bioengineer and biological data scientist, aiming to bridge her scientific background with her love for exploration and diving. With some experience in caving expeditions already under her belt, she’s now looking to pursue cave diving and technical diving expeditions.
TEXT LEO FIELDING
PHOTOS STEFFEN SCHOLZ & DOMINIC WILLIS
More than a century after her sinking, HMS Nottingham—the Royal Navy’s last missing First World War cruiser—has been discovered in the North Sea. A veteran of Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland, HMS Nottingham was torpedoed by U-52 on 19 August 1916.
Now, thanks to the international ProjectXplore team, her story surfaces once more. Following months of archival research, sonar survey, and deep technical diving, her identity was confirmed at 82 m/269 ft, astonishingly well preserved with her name still visible at the stern.
This feature retraces the challenges of the search, the tools used to document the wreck, and the lives remembered—particularly the 38 men who perished. Nottingham is not just a war grave, but a time capsule of a vanished naval era— her discovery a major milestone in underwater exploration.
Confirming the muzzle diameter of Nottingham's guns is a key piece in identifying the wreck.
HMS Nottingham was one of three Birmingham-class light cruisers. Laid down in June 1912 at Pembroke Dockyard, she was launched in April 1913 and completed in April 1914.
After eight months of preparation, on 22 April 2025, ProjectXplore divers, supported by skipper Iain Easingwood of MarineQuest on board the dive charter MV Jacob George, successfully discovered the wreck approximately 60 miles offshore in the North Sea. On 24 April 2025, further survey work was carried out using a towed side scan sonar (SSS), a down scanning sonar (DSS) and a single-beam echo sounder (SBES). Subsequently, on 16 July 2025, ProjectXplore divers documented the site. ProjectXplore is a GUE project that connects divers with opportunities for shipwreck exploration.
For nearly 110 years, the exact location of HMS Nottingham remained an enigma, despite the efforts of numerous dive teams over several decades. Her extensive service record at the battles of Heligoland Bight (1914), Dogger Bank (1915), and Jutland (1916) comnbined with the ongoing puzzle over the circumstances of her loss, the wider importance of remembering the sailors who lost their lives, and the challeng-
es posed by the shipwreck’s remote possible resting place and relative depth encouraged the ProjectXplore team to investigate further.
The objectives of the project were three-fold: to successfully locate and identify the wreck site of HMS Nottingham, to meticulously document her design and assess her current condition, and to pay homage to the sailors who perished during the tragic events of 19 August 1916.
According to Friedman, “The name [cruiser] implies a ship capable of cruising independently on a foreign station, which in the age of steam machinery entailed an ability to make running repairs far from home, as well as a long radius of action … British cruisers had three roles. One was to protect seaborne trade against surface raiders. A second was to support the battle fleet, both as scouts and by beating off enemy torpedo attacks. A third was to maintain order in the massive British Empire … As scouts, they were expected to find the enemy fleet (and discover its disposition, course and speed) while screening their own fleet from enemy discovery.”
HMS Nottingham was struck by torpedoes from the German submarine U-52, pictured here in Cádiz between missions.
A cruiser was a true general-purpose ship that should be able to go anywhere and do anything. According to Lyon, “The under-publicized and underestimated ‘Towns’ were arguably the best cruisers of the First World War. Certainly they, (and for that matter British cruisers generally) seem to have been better ships, better armed and with better seakeeping qualities, than their German contemporaries (also named after towns). No other navy, before World War I at least, was attempting to build this type of cruiser.”
The resulting "Town" classes were fine ships, robust enough to scout for the Fleet in all weathers and having sufficient fuel and gunpower to operate on the trade routes. According to Friedman, “The ‘Towns’ were the last classic cruisers the Royal Navy built before the end of the First World War, in the sense that they were intended for long-range independent deployment. During the war they served as the Grand Fleet’s scouts, in the ’A-K Line’ deployed ahead of the battleships. The scouting line became a fixed feature of postFirst World War Royal Navy fleet formation.”
The 19 August 1916 action in which HMS Nottingham was lost remains a pivotal battle of the First World War. According to the Naval Staff Monographs (“NSM”): “The operations of Saturday, August 19, 1916, stand out in dim perspective as one of the great beacons of the war at sea. It was the last time that the German Fleet pushed right out against the English coast... Strategically its outcome was of the first importance, for it was decided that it should be the last time that the Fleet should push so far down the North Sea, and on the German side it was practically the last effort of its kind.”
On 18 August 1916, British intelligence intercepted communications indicating that the entire German High Seas Fleet, with the exception of the 2nd Battle Squadron, was putting to sea that night at 9pm. In response to this intelligence, the British Grand Fleet embarked to intercept the German forces. The battleships set out from Scapa Flow, while the battlecruisers departed from Rosyth. HMS Nottingham, as part
Joe Colls-Burnett, piloting a scooter-mounted video camera, documents the finer details of the wreck.
of the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, was assigned the critical task of screening ahead of the battlecruisers, zigzagging by 10 degrees every five minutes to evade enemy detection. Unfortunately, a line of German submarines lay in wait, ready to ambush the cruisers.
The circumstances of Nottingham’s loss during the 19 August 1916 action are described in Newbolt: “It was daylight between four and five [on the 19th]; but the morning was very hazy. At about half-past five, a small sail was sighted right ahead of the Dublin. The navigator [Lieutenant G. W. Hill], who took it for a small fishing-boat, lost sight of it a few minutes later, and thought that the movement of the ship had obscured it behind some part of the upper works. This was unfortunate, for he had actually sighted U-52 manoeuvring into an attacking position; and twenty-four minutes later the Nottingham was shaken by two violent explosions.Although one of the torpedoes fired had been seen from the Dublin, which was
working with the Nottingham on the screen, Captain C. B. Miller had sighted nothing, and thought that his ship had struck a mine. Neither of the two ships was in touch with the next groups on the screen, and it was not until half an hour after the disaster that the news was received by Admiral Beatty, who at once detached the destroyers Penn and Oracle.
The Dublin strove to keep down the submarine but was herself attacked, and at twenty-five minutes past six another torpedo struck the Nottingham on the port side. Captain Miller had, by then, got his crew into the boats, and about ten minutes before the ship went down the two destroyers arrived and helped in the work of rescue, although they were, in their turn, attacked. At ten minutes past seven the Nottingham sank, and the weather was, at the time, so thick that the Dublin was out of touch with her.”
According to the NSM, torpedoes struck three times on the port side: the first torpedo struck “the port side forward”, the second “amidships the port side, probably blowing the bottom out
“HMS Nottingham today sits in 82 m/269 ft of water, lying bow north/stern south, with a 45-degree list to port, as expected from both British and German reports that she heeled to port.
HMS Nottingham’s nine 6-inch guns, each 280 inches long, remain in place, reflecting the typical Birmingham-class cruiser layout designed for speed and firepower.
of B. boiler room,” and the third “abreast of the foremost funne.l” As a result, she “heeled heavily to port” and “sank by the head.”
The crew exhibited commendable discipline. Nottingham reportedly continued to fire at U-52 until the very last moments before sinking. The paymaster, in a final act of duty, destroyed sensitive code material, asked permission to abandon ship, and having obtained it simply “walked into the water.” Captain Miller himself left the ship “as the waters rose round him.” Captain Miller, along with 20 officers and 357 crew members, was ultimately rescued by the destroyers Penn and Oracle, although 38 crew members were confirmed dead or missing. Noteworthy acts of bravery emerged from the ordeal, particularly from Able Seaman Richard Bawden, age 21, who made two daring dives to rescue fellow sailors struggling in the water. His heroic actions earned him a promotion and a recommendation for the prestigious Royal Humane Society Medal.
Eyewitness accounts emphasized the perilous game of cat-and-mouse played by the rescuing vessels, as torpedoes were fired at the Penn while they valiantly attempted to recover survivors. U-52 was able to pinpoint the location of the attack, later sending a radio message documenting the destruction of one cruiser. Approximately ten hours after the sinking, U-52 returned to the area to investigate three drifting lifeboats, discovering evidence that confirmed the identity of the wreck as HMS Nottingham Among the findings was a ship’s cat, a common companion on Royal Navy vessels, which had miraculously survived the ordeal.
From September 2024, extensive archival research was conducted. The research team undertook multiple visits to the National Archives, the National Maritime Museum, the Imperial War Museums, and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, examining a wealth of records that included ships' logbooks, telegrams, and hydrographic data. This groundwork was essential for piecing together the wreck’s final resting place.
On 22 April 2025, ProjectXplore divers set sail at dawn from Eyemouth harbour to search for the wreck using sidescan sonar. The team used a C-MAX CM2 digital towfish with depth sensor, a counting pulley to record the length of towing cable used, an electric winch with 300 m/984 ft of armored towing cable powered by 2 x 40Ah 12v car batteries with crocodile jaw jump leads, a winch control, a transceiver, a GPS receiver, a laptop, and an additional external monitor. After five hours of scanning, the straight, narrow lines of the hull of a warship appeared on the starboard channel of the waterfall. She was an exact match for the dimensions of HMS Nottingham: 139 m/456 ft long and 15 m/50 ft beam, lying roughly bow north/stern south, rising 8-10 m/26-33 ft from the seabed, with a 45-degree list to port.
From 14 to 20 July 2025, ten divers travelled from across the UK, Germany, and Spain to document the wreck, supported by MarineQuest, which facilitated logistics for the multi-day technical diving expedition.
On 16 July 2025, the MV Jacob George set off from Eyemouth harbour at 3am and arrived on site nearly six hours later. Placing a shot line in 80 m/262 ft of water is never easy. However, from the survey work in April 2025, our skipper Iain Easingwood had a clear sense of the orientation of the wreck. On entry, the tide was running gently southwards towards the stern and then swung north towards the bow later in the dive.
With the exception of the bow area, the wreck’s state of preservation was excellent. The shot went into the starboard side, in between the 2 x 6-inch Mk XII guns aft of the mainmast and the single 6-inch gun aft on the center line. The breech mechanisms were intact, and unused munitions were stowed nearby ready for use. Joe Colls-Burnett used a ruler to confirm the internal diameter of the muzzle. Heading towards the stern, the team immediately noticed the embossed lettering ‘ NOTTINGHAM’ just below the gunwales at the stern, next to a porthole looking into the captain’s day cabin.
Of the many methods used to identify a wreck, finding the name on the bow remains the most reliable.
“Heading towards the stern, the team immediately noticed the lettering embossed ‘NOTTINGHAM’ just below the gunwales at the stern, next to a porthole looking into the captain’s day cabin.
HMS Nottingham was one of three Birmingham-class light cruisers, the two other cruisers being HMS Birmingham and HMS Lowestoft . Design work began in March 1911. She was built at Pembroke Dockyard with machinery by Hawthorn Leslie: laid down on 13 June 1912, launched on 18 April 1913, and completed on 1 April 1914.
Prior to the 19 August 1916 action, HMS Nottingham gained an extensive service record. She served in most of the key fleet actions, including Heligoland Bight (1914), Dogger Bank (1915), and Jutland (1916). According to Newbolt, at Jutland, HMS Nottingham was heavily engaged alongside its fellow light cruisers Birmingham , Southampton, and Dublin in a major close-quarters battle with the cruisers of Germany’s 4 th Scouting Group – SMS Stettin , München , Frauenlob , Stuttgart and Hamburg – that was fought “in the old style at point-blank range.”
Key specifications included:
• Displacement: 5440t nominal
• Dimensions: 139.3m/457 ft (LOA) x 15.2 m/49 ft 10 inches x 4.9m / 16ft
• Propulsion: 4-shaft Parsons impulse turbines, 4 funnels of distinctive appearance, 12 Yarrow small-tube boilers, rated to 25,000shp = 25.5 knots. Coal 1165t, oil 235t. Quadruple screw. Range 4,140nm at 16kts.
• Main armament: 9 x 6-inch (15.2cm)/45cal BL Mk XII guns.
• Secondary armaments: 2 x 21-inch (53.3cm) submerged torpedo tubes, and 4 z x 3-inch (47mm) Mk I anti-aircraft guns.
• Belt armour: 3-inch belt armour, comprising 2-inch nickel steel on 1-inch shell plating.
• Deck armor: 3/8 inch over most of its length; ¾ inch over machinery and 1.5 inches over the steering gear.
• Anchor equipment: Three Hawse pipes with three kedge anchors, one each on her port side and two each on her starboard side.
• Complement: 480
“HMS Nottingham remains a significant historical artifact, representing the last of her class and serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I.
Based on the ship’s name stamped across the top of the stern, dimensions, main armament, anchor equipment, armour, propulsion and the fact that her condition on the seabed today closely matches reports of the circumstances of her loss, we are in no doubt that this is the wreck of HMS Nottingham. Our summary findings are as follows:
HMS Nottingham today sits in 82 m/269 ft of water, lying bow north/stern south, with a 45-degree list to port, as expected from both British and German reports that she heeled to port. In places, the wreck rises 8-10 m/26-33 ft high from the seabed. Much of her superstructure is still in place above her.
With the exception of the bow area, the wreck’s state of preservation was excellent. The lettering is embossed NOTTINGHAM across the top of the stern, next to a porthole looking into the captain’s day cabin. The wooden decking laid astern and amidships was still in place, with the davits lying across the deck.
Her anchor equipment—comprising three Hawse pipes with three kedge anchors, one each on her port side and two each on her starboard side—was confirmed present. The three kedge anchors were on the seabed with the anchor chains fully paid out.
On the port side behind the bridge, white plates were found stamped with a Royal Navy blue crown emblem, depicting alternating stern and sail motifs. The bridge itself had fallen forward and to port. The engine revolution telegraph on the bridge was located.
Her four funnels with a distinctive appearance (“the characteristic thin-thick-thick-thin arrangement of the funnels of the ‘Towns’”) were located. Her dimensions were also confirmed via SSS imagery and GPS to match the dimensions of HMS Nottingham
There was a clear break forward of the bridge at its largest on the port side. This matches reports that two of the torpedo explosions struck abreast her bridge on the port side, between watertight bulkheads No. 28 and No. 40.
HMS Nottingham is the last ship of her kind. While she bears the scars of her attack by U-52 , HMS Nottingham is without question the best preserved Town-class cruiser in the world. The vast majority of the other "Towns" were sold for breaking up in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Until her discovery, HMS Nottingham was the last missing Royal Navy cruiser of the First World War.
HMS Nottingham remains a significant historical artifact, representing the last of her class and serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I. The remarkable state of preservation of the wreck offers invaluable insights into naval history and the experiences of the sailors who served aboard her.
The Royal Navy has been informed of the discovery, and the ProjectXplore team expresses heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to piecing together the story of HMS Nottingham , her officers, and crew.
From the outset of the project, it was paramount to honor the sailors who lost their lives during the tragic sinking. A comprehensive list of casualties was compiled, revealing that many were young, with some being mere teenagers at the time of their service.
The galley crew of the HMS Nottingham.
Ernest Rendle Baser (27), Petty Officer Stoker
William Charles Beck (22), Stoker 1st Class
Patrick Bernard (25), Stoker 2nd Class
Edward James Bibbings (25), Stoker 1st Class
Ernest Brotherhood (34), Yeoman of Signals
Edred Buckingham (40), Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class
Kenneth Bayard Corydon Budge (20), Engine Room
Artificer 4th Class
Frederick Bunter (Unknown), Chief Armourer
William Edward Patrick Daley (41), Sergeant
William Davis (41), Chief Stoker
Joseph Dodsworth (29), Stoker
Robert Lane Dyer (29), Stoker 1st Class
Robert Ennis (23), Stoker 1st Class
Bert Finch (21), Cook's Mate
William Flannery (Unknown), Stoker
Robert Frederick Godfrey (21), Able Seaman
John Griffiths (24), Stoker 1st Class
Arthur Ernest Hatcher (Unknown), Leading Stoker
Michael Hayes (Unknown), Petty Officer Stoker
William Henry Hickery (22), Stoker 1st Class
Albert Edward Horwell (35), Petty Officer Stoker
Jabez Kinsman (30), Able Seaman
Charles Reginald Kitching (26), Stoker
Arthur Edwin Larcombe (20), Able Seaman
Percy Norris Lloyd (Unknown), Stoker 1st Class
Maurice John Marks (Unknown), Carpenter's Crew
James Mcilrath (32), Petty Officer Stoker
Pearse (Unknown), Engine Room Artificer 1st Class
William Thomas Perring (19), Stoker 1st Class
Charles Pook (26), Stoker 1st Class
William Henry Reed (23), Leading Stoker
Peter Shanley (24), Stoker 1st Class
Percival George Silk (27), Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class
Harry Symons (30), Petty Officer Stoker
Ernest Charles Williams (19), Stoker 1st Class
Ernest William Woolcock (18), Stoker 2nd Class
William Wright (21), Stoker 1st Class
The ProjectXplore team posing next to the MV Jacob George.
SKIPPER Iain Easingwood, skipper of MV Jacob George, MarineQuest of Eyemouth
PROJECT COORDINATORS Dan McMullen and Leo Fielding
SURFACE PHOTOGRAPHY Dominic Willis
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY Steffen Scholz
SURFACE AND UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY Rogier Visser
PROJECT DIVERS Dan McMullen, Leo Fielding, Dominic Willis, Joe Colls-Burnett, Steffen Scholz, Joe Robinson, Alexandra Pischyna, Rogier Visser, James Sanderson, and Andrzej Sidorow
Leo Fielding
GoFundMe fundraising link Discover and Conserve Maritime History
Leo is a GUE diver based in London who has been diving actively for over 15 years. From the dark corners of Welsh mines to the expanse of Hurd's Deep, he is an avid wreck, mine, and cave diver. He is passionate about organizing expeditions to locate and identify wrecks in
the more remote parts of the English Channel. Ever since watching the classic diving film Le Grand Bleu as a teenager, he has been motivated both by the pursuit of adventure with good friends and the importance of helping to build a safer diving community.
In his professional life, Marcel works as a financial advisor with a clear focus on structure, security, and sustainable financial planning. But his true passion lies far from office desks and stock markets—beneath the surface of the sea.
“If it weren’t for my wife, I probably never would’ve started diving,” he says today. What began as a shared adventure quickly became a life-defining passion. Marcel’s greatest love is wreck diving—exploring sunken ships, frozen history, and silent witnesses of the past. A love that runs deep. But for Marcel, diving is about
more than fascination. As a GUE Scientific Diver, he is deeply committed to project diving—a personal mission to give back to the ocean. Each year, he participates in four to five international missions with major NGOs, focusing on research, environmental monitoring, and the documentation of fragile marine ecosystems. What began with underwater photography has naturally evolved. Today, Marcel increasingly uses video to document the state of the underwater world, highlight environmental changes, and assist in the identification of historic wrecks. Marcel lives in two worlds: structured and strategic above water, determined and devoted beneath it. And in both, he follows the same goal: take responsibility and make a meaningful impact.
TITLE The Moon
LOCATION Lake Hemmoor, Germany
CAMERA Sony RX100-M7
HOUSING Nauticam/WWL-C
LENS 34-200mm
EXPOSURE 1/125, f/2.8, ISO 200 STROBE/LIGHT 2x INON Z330
COMMENTS When I shared the photo, some people remarked that it appeared as if she was soaring away from the moon
TITLE Buddy Team
LOCATION Red Sea, Egypt
CAMERA Sony RX100-M7
HOUSING Nauticam/WWL-C
LENS 34-200mm
EXPOSURE 1/125, f/6.3, ISO 400
STROBE/LIGHT None
COMMENTS Amazing safari diving trip with Red Sea Explorers and TecWaters by Keith Kreitner—a fantastic community!
TITLE Prepare for Landing
LOCATION Lake Hemmoor, Germany
CAMERA Sony RX100-M7
HOUSING Nauticam/WWL-C
LENS 34-200mm
EXPOSURE 1/13, f/5.6, ISO 800
STROBE/LIGHT 2x DivePro Video lights
COMMENTS Inspired by a talk from Alex Dawson at BalticTech, I said to my buddy Christian at the dive site, “Let’s head down and try something new.”
TITLE Look at me
LOCATION Malapascua Island
CAMERA Sony RX100-M7 HOUSING Nauticam/WWL-C
LENS 34-200mm
EXPOSURE 1/640, f/6.3, ISO800
STROBE/LIGHT None
COMMENTS Thresher shark – elegance with power.
TITLE Nature
LOCATION Lake Hemmoor, Germany
CAMERA Sony RX100-M7 HOUSING Nauticam/WWL-C
LENS 34-200mm
EXPOSURE 1/125, f/2.8, ISO400
STROBE/LIGHT 2x INON Z330/ 1x Dive Pro Video Lights COMMENTS I’m looking for more beautiful places in Hemmoor to explore with Kaddi.
TITLE Always Pink
LOCATION Lake Hemmoor, Germany
CAMERA Sony RX100-M7
HOUSING Nauticam/WWL-C
LENS 34-200mm
EXPOSURE 1/160, f/8, ISO200
STROBE/LIGHT 2x INON Z330
COMMENTS Great DPV tour of the lake with Alexandra; she really brings color to the cold, blue Lake Hemmoor.
GUE divers follow a standardized sequence to prepare for dives. This sequence minimizes the possible mistakes or omissions that might affect the outcome of the dive; it’s the last line of defense against any potential errors made while preparing equipment or filling tanks. The procedure helps the team to switch into dive mode as they prepare for the fun ahead.
PHOTO JULIAN MÜHLENHAUS
Analyzing and labeling your cylinders is a critical step in the pre-dive procedure.
Proper pre-dive preparation is a cornerstone of safe and efficient diving. With a systematic sequence of checks and procedures, divers ensure that their equipment is functioning correctly and their team is aligned; it’s an opportunity to address any
potential issues before entering the water. Predive routines are designed to streamline setup, enhance safety, build confidence, and provide a solid foundation for the dive ahead. Below is a step-by-step guide to executing the GUE pre-dive sequence, from verifying tank valves to completing final in-water checks.
Divers methodically carry out this pre-dive sequence to ensure safety and preparedness:
1. Begin by fully opening the tank valve(s). For double tanks, remember that one of the outside valves turns in the opposite direction. Ensure that the isolator valve is open. Check the SPG to confirm the pressure matches your expectations and the value noted on the analysis sticker. Investigate any significant discrepancies.
2. If using a drysuit, verify that the drysuit zipper is fully closed and that pocket contents are properly secured. Next, don your equipment and adjust the harness for a secure and snug fit. Add any remaining accessories that may not have been put on during the initial equipment setup, such as the necklace regulator and drysuit inflation hose (if applicable). Secure the primary light cord beneath the harness and clip the light head to the right-chest D-ring for stability.
3. Route the long hose (primary regulator) across your chest and around your neck, securing the second stage to the right-chest D-ring and managing any excess hose length.
4. Conduct the GUE EDGE procedure with your team. If surface conditions such as waves or strong currents make this impractical, you can perform the procedure after entering the water, as discussed in the following pages.
5. Once in the water, perform a bubble check to ensure there are no leaks. If surface conditions are unsafe for a bubble check, conduct it at a shallow depth during descent.
6. Finally, perform a modified S-drill to confirm the integrity of the long hose. This step should always be the last check in your sequence. Performing it earlier risks hose entrapment due to subsequent equipment adjustments, such as connecting a drysuit inflation hose.
7. By following this sequence, you ensure a thorough and systematic pre-dive preparation process.
GUE EDGE is an acronym designed to help GUE divers follow a standardized predive check. This review ensures that all team members are ready for the dive, that they all understand the basic dive parameters, and that their equipment is ready and functioning as intended.
Divers can perform GUE EDGE at the surface just prior to descent if conditions allow or complete the sequence prior to entering the water. The team leader guides the team through the procedure, and all team members confirm or state all required parameters.
The team leader repeats the goal of the dive. The goal can be simple, such as “fun dive on the reef” or “training dive #1, practicing buoyancy and trim,” or it can address more complex tasks, such as those performed during exploration dives. Details, like compass headings and team formation, can be included; however, the goal should be concise and act as a way to focus the team’s attention on the upcoming dive. This stage is not for planning a dive but to offer a very brief reminder of what the goals are.
The team leader repeats the agreed team roles for the dive. For example, “Diver A will be the team leader and responsible for compass navigation, Diver B will be a photographer during the dive and deco leader during ascent, and Diver C will be the photo model and will deploy the SMB before the ascent.”
This is a detailed head-to-toe check of the team's equipment. The equipment match is described in detail on the next pages.
The team leader states the planned depth and bottom time of the dive, and the team confirms these parameters: e.g., "The dive will be 30 m/100 ft for 20 minutes."
The team leader states the decompression (ascent) profile that the team will follow; team members then confirm. For example, on a recreational dive to 30 m/100 ft, the decompression profile followed could be: “Minimum deco ascent with first pause at 15 m/50 ft.”
The team leader states the gas strategy (all usable, halves, or thirds) and the minimum gas for this dive. This is also the time for the leader to review turn pressures, if applicable. E.g., “This is an all-usable dive with a minimum gas of 50 bar/700 psi.” All team members should have already stated what their starting gas pressures are and the type of gas they are using in the equipment section of GUE EDGE.
The team leader states any environmental factors that might affect the mission or present a danger. These factors include issues such as possible boat traffic, entanglement dangers, visibility, current, hazardous marine life, and temperature changes.
Part of the GUE EDGE procedure is the team’s equipment match. This validation ensures that the team’s equipment is complete, placed properly, and functioning as intended.
GUE equipment standardization allows for quick and easy recognition of misplaced, missing, or malfunctioning equipment. Every diver uses the same configuration so that when they look at their team members, they see a mirror image of themselves. This makes mistakes much more obvious and easier to spot: “There is something wrong with this picture.” Get in the habit of visually scanning your team members’ gear while donning your own gear, entering the water, or waiting for the boat to reach the drop zone—checking them as you check yourself can help you spot their or your own omissions.
The equipment match is always preceded by a modified valve drill (a flow check) where team members verify the position of their tank valves (all valves should be all the way open). Drysuit inflation valves and all additional tanks are included in the test.
Following the modified valve drill, the team leader begins the check, starting from the head and moving towards the toes of the divers by calling out each piece of equipment. We recommend completing the head-to-toe check in a logical order and that all divers physically touch all pieces of equipment. Touching each item helps to ensure that nothing is missed and reminds the diver which piece of equipment comes next. When working their way downward, as the diver comes to a series of equipment sharing the same “level” on their body, they can work from right to left, touching each item and checking it for functionality. When that level is complete, they move down to the next level and continue this process until they arrive at their fins. One of the ways to do this is to outstretch the arms and work across the body: “I have a bottom timer on my right wrist, and on my right-chest D-ring I have a backup light, a primary light, and my primary regulator is clipped off. My drysuit inflation valve is working (test it) and on my left D-ring….” and so on.
The GUE EDGE procedure is identical for recreational reef dives and technical deep wreck or cave dives.
The checks are performed as follows:
1. Hood, gloves, and mask: Check the security of the mask strap and ensure that the mask clears the hood (if worn) and is not leaking/fogging.
2. Primary regulator: Unclip the primary regulator, purge it, and breathe from it (in water, if possible, to verify it is not leaking water) before clipping it off on the right D-ring. If the equipment match is done out of the water, check regulators upon entry by breathing them.
3. Backup regulator: Purge and breathe through the backup regulator (inwater, if possible, to verify it is not leaking water). If the equipment match is done out of the water, breathe and check the regulator upon entry.
4. The diver now comes to the first “level” of equipment and works from right to left as discussed above. As they work their way across, they physically verify the presence of each piece of equipment.
a. Right-wrist bottom timer
b. Right-chest D-ring
• Backup light (if required)
• Primary light (if required): Check for functionality (switch it on/off, depending on light type and if in water or on land)
• Spare double-ender (used for primary light temporary storage)
• Primary regulator clipped off
c. Drysuit inflation system (if drysuit is used): Test the inflation system of the drysuit.
d. Left-chest D-ring
• Test the wing inflation and deflation, including rear dump valve; press in with both elbows on the wing to ensure air tightness
• Backup light (if required)
• Drysuit dump: Verify fully open
• Compass on left wrist (if required)
5. The diver now comes to the second level/row of equipment and, again, works from right to left. As they work their way across the body, they physically verify the presence of each piece of equipment.
a. Light canister (if used): Verify if light switch is accessible and operational (if present on canister); verify if the canister is secured on waistband with secondary buckle
b. Weight pockets (if used), weight belt, or other weight attached to the system (e.g., V-weights)
c. Primary buckle closed (and positioned on the right side of the crotch strap)
d. Threaded crotch strap with D-rings accessible
e. Cutting device
f. SPG on left-hip D-ring
• Verify gas and presure: “I have 200 bar of 32% nitrox.”
• Divers should unclip the SPG if possible (i.e., to confirm SPG is not cross-clipped with other gear), and verify it is clipped back properly
6. The diver now comes to the third row of equipment, which is pocket contents. Here, the diver recounts the contents of each pocket. It is important to note that all members of a team should be familiar with the contents of each team member’s pockets. Divers are encouraged to standardize pocket contents within the team as follows:
a. Right pocket contains “safety” items: wetnotes, a spare mask, and a safety spool in the case of cave divers.
The procedure can be done on land, on a boat, or at the surface, depending on conditions.
b. Left pocket contains “utility” items expected to be used on the dive: an SMB and a spool (for open water divers); cookies, arrows, and jump spools (for cave divers); extra doubleenders; and/or tools.
7. Verify fins are in place or at hand (if checks are done on land).
8. Check any additional gear that is mission-specific (e.g., reel, stages, cameras, measuring tapes).
“We recommend completing the head-to-toe check in a logical order and that all divers physically touch all pieces of equipment. Touching each item helps to ensure that nothing is missed and reminds the diver which piece of equipment comes next.
The modified S-drill ensures the long hose is free to deploy and not tangled or caught on equipment.
Divers conclude GUE EDGE with a modified S-drill. If divers enter the water after this check is performed, they should verify operation of the regulators by breathing them (primary and backup) and do a bubble check for complete system integrity.
The GUE pre-dive sequence, the equipment match, and the three checks executed in the proper order (flow check, bubble check, and long-hose check) are critical components in risk management and accident prevention. While diving, you are exposed to multiple unplannable factors and variables that you cannot directly influence (e.g., environment, some equipment malfunctions), so it’s critical to take preventative steps when possible. You should never knowingly take an existing problem underwater. That problem will not fix itself, nor will it get better. By spending a few minutes on GUE EDGE, proper equipment match, and functionality checks, a well-trained and attentive team can assure a successful dive mission or an enjoyable and fun diving experience. These
checks may also save the day (or lives) when the wheels come off and Murphy’s law kicks in.
The modified valve drill is a critical action that seems rather obvious, as it ensures the diver’s breathing gas is available. It is thus surprising and unfortunate how often divers enter the water with their valves closed, potentially exposing themselves to the risk of drowning (especially when they are unable to reach the valves and operate them).
The first check is done after assembling the gear; here, the diver can self-evaluate the system for obvious leaks and check that the tanks are filled appropriately. The second check is performed just before donning the system—it is prudent to don gear that is “ready to dive” with the system operational (valves open). The last check comes during GUE EDGE and must be the very first thing divers perform in this sequence. There is no use verifying bubbles or gear functionality if the tank valves are closed. When you
do the flow check, do not just verify that the valve is fully open—manipulate the valve to verify it is not stuck open (or stuck closed) and that you will be able to operate them if needed.
One may think that if valves are checked one time, they will remain open, but every diver regardless of their experience can make a mistake and confuse the direction the valve turns to open or close—also, a third person (like the boat crew) can unintentionally close them in the hustle of dive operation.
Before entering the water, it is your responsibility to be sure you are starting the dive with all valves on your primary breathing supply in a fully open position!
Warning note: Never enter the water with your main gas supply closed (back gas).
Divers should perform the bubble check after manipulating all valves.
Obviously, divers can only perform this check in the water; however, they can complete
When conditions allow, the bubble check can be done at the surface or at a shallow depth before descent.
it either at the water’s surface (when conditions allow) or underwater at a shallow depth where conditions are stable enough for the team to perform it (e.g., 6 or 9 m/20 or 30 ft).
Bubble checks can be done one by one—or, more efficiently, by the whole team—when one diver can check two at the same time. When it is your turn, face the inspecting diver. Open your arms to provide a clear view of the equipment in front, then rotate showing the left side (inflation, SPG, stages). When executing a bubble check on the surface, turn on your back, submerge the tank valves, and wait until the checking diver indicates that the check is done (verbally or by gently tapping your shoulder or head).
When doing the bubble check while underwater at a shallow depth, tilt forward a bit, lower your head, and expose the valves to the team member performing the check. Wait a moment for the exhale bubbles to clear and allow the team member to visually confirm presence/absence of leakage.
The GUE EDGE procedure promotes a smooth, troublefree dive by minimizing confusion and equipment problems.
The diver who performs the check should be wearing a mask in order to see clearly and should wipe off all residue mini bubbles that could still be on the gear’s surface and hide a true bubbling. Take time to verify leaks, but the whole check should not take more than 20-30 seconds per diver.
The bubble check should include a verification of all potential leakages:
a. All valves (including stage tanks and drysuit inflation tank; it is worth noting that drysuit inflation tanks are small, so even an insignificant leak can drain them relatively quickly)
b. First and second stages of all regulators on all tanks (drysuit inflation regulator, as well) and all hoses connections
c. Inflation systems (both buoyancy compensator and drysuit)
d. SPG (would include stage cylinders SPGs)
If there is a leak, fix it—do not assume it will be okay. Do not take problems underwater if they can be solved beforehand. A dive should start with the system ready to dive, and not “almost ready” or with the attitude of “let’s hope it will work.”
Checking if the long hose can be freely deployed is the last check that should be done before commencing a dive. Every team member must be sure they can donate gas—and can receive gas when needed. It is important to do the long hose check as the last stage of the GUE EDGE equipment match. There are many opportunities to trap a long hose while performing the previous steps. For example, if a diver discovers the drysuit inflation hose was not connected and attaches it while performing equipment check, it is quite possible for the long hose to get trapped under it.
The long hose should be fully deployed with the user holding it with both hands, displaying their right shoulder and the whole length of the long hose to the team member who verifies them. This offers visual proof that the long hose is not entangled with other hoses or pieces of gear.
After positive confirmation, the diver should stow the long hose properly and start the dive breathing from the appropriate breathing source. If a primary light is used, it could be deployed at this stage (when a corded primary light is used, the diver should check if the cord of the light is in front of the long hose and free).
Some technical dives will commence with the divers breathing from a deco cylinder (hypoxic protocol). In such a situation, the back gas long hose check is performed as normal, but the primary regulator is being clipped back to the right-chest D-ring.
DANIEL RIORDAN, FRED DEVOS, TODD KINCAID & CHRIS LE MAILLOT
PHOTOS FRED DEVOS, CLAUDIO PROVENZANI & ALISON PERKINS
Cave survey is the art of making measurements that are necessary to determine the position of points in a cave relative to some fixed point on the surface. While videos and photos provide the non-caver with a visual appreciation of the cave environment, surveys are the links between the underground realm and the land above, which constitutes most people’s frame of reference. The word “art” was chosen to describe cave survey, and particularly underwater cave survey, because the success and accuracy of a survey greatly depends on the skill and interpretative ability of the surveyor. Though it is an art, the fundamental purpose of a cave survey is to render a map or model of a cave that can be used with some confidence to locate the position and orientation of a cave and its passages in relation to the land surface.
Underwater cave surveys are arguably the cave diving community’s most significant contribution to science and the general public because they provide people with a better understanding of an environment that they cannot see for themselves. Cave surveys are used by a wide variety of groups for many purposes.
The creed of all explorers is, “If you have no record, you haven’t been there.” In the case of cave exploration, this creed can be extended to: “If one surveys a cave, the data gathered must be used to produce results (a map).” Surveying and the map created from the data establish testimony of a cave’s existence.
Part of exploration All legitimate exploration projects must include a survey of what is discovered. Aside from the post-project values stated previously, the data collected and the progressive map produced are essential to knowing where or where not to explore next. In addition, the re-surveying of known caves can often lead to additional discoveries.
There very often seems to be a void in cave exploration projects worldwide, where only one or two divers on the team are capable of accurate and efficient surveying. A skilled surveyor is an essential asset to any cave exploration project, and possessing such abilities can present exciting opportunities.
Dive planning Precise and accurate maps help cave divers to plan their dive in a safe and efficient way. Information they will get by studying the map will have an effect on many aspects of a dive plan: by knowing the average depth they can predict gas consumption, possible dive duration and penetration distance, and subsequent deco requirements. After divers calculate the distance, they can make choices regarding quantity and length of reels and spools needed to make all the jumps and gaps they will encounter during their dive. By understanding the bottom composition they can make smart choices while choosing gas strategies and stage drop locations. Size of passages and indication of re-
strictions may affect the configuration or route choices divers make.
Construction, development, and water management Because very few people will ever visit an underwater cave, a map can be a valuable representation of what is there. The knowledge ascertained through survey data can even influence development plans. There are many instances where proof of an underlying cave has led to changes in construction plans, existing laws, and environmental practices.
Scientific research Ideally, survey data is made available to those legitimately seeking to better understand caves and their related elements. In turn, geologists, hydrologists, and a host of other scientists use cave maps to learn more about a related aspect of a cave. Survey data may also become part of a larger database documenting karst features of a certain area, or may open the door to further studies being conducted in or around a particular cave.
Heightened appreciation and awareness The survey process forces one to be observant of the cave, and the more time spent surveying, the better one’s understanding and appreciation of this astonishing environment becomes. Even a familiar cave can appear exciting and new when conducting a survey.
Surveying introduces a mission to a dive plan, and one must be vigilant in ensuring that safety takes center stage. Underwater cave survey can detract from dive safety, primarily because of task loading. Taking this into consideration, cave surveys should not be attempted until all members of the dive team have become comfortable and proficient in the underwater cave environment. Even then, surveying practice should ideally begin on land and in the open water, with a slow progression made to more challenging survey areas within a cave. Although one person may conduct many of the actual survey tasks, it is still very much a team effort. In this regard, dive plans must account for all divers’ abilities,
Collected data and a progressive map are essential for determining where to explore next—and where to avoid.
and survey tasks must never compromise team awareness and communication. Procedures must be agreed upon in advance, and distance to a guideline or to other team members never compromised. Whenever survey goals threaten team safety, dive objectives and plans should be modified, or the dive “called.”
Surveying can introduce added stress to the cave, and one must be conscious of this when making survey decisions. This is especially true when surveying procedures include swimming away from the main line or established route. Minimizing contact with the cave is usually
possible with a bit of forethought. If the area to be surveyed is small and fragile, procedures may need to include estimates rather than exact numbers; this would help prevent divers from jamming their equipment and themselves into tight areas and damaging the cave.
The process of collecting survey data can be quite arduous in the underground environment and particularly challenging underwater, where time constraints inhibit meticulous measurements. That being said, it is important to emphasize that cave surveyors should always strive to make their maps as accurate as possible because they may never know what ultimate use will be made of their survey data or map.
The level of accuracy must be decided prior to beginning a survey project and must be consistent throughout. This accuracy of the finished map or model should be honestly reported through either an indication of techniques and equipment used or through an established grading system.
As with most other aspects of cave diving, technological advances are quickly improving surveying techniques and accuracy but still greatly rely on skilled operators.
Like all underwater skills, becoming a skilled surveyor requires both education and experience.
A survey team will also require a great level of environmental awareness—noticing cave cross-section, direction, possible leads, unique features, and bottom composition will allow for the creation of a more accurate map, as well as the choice of the most efficient and least destructive route for the survey teams.
Team awareness and precise communication skills allow for a smooth and efficient dive, where team members can safely focus on the task at hand.
There are several survey-training programs available to cave divers—including GUE’s Underwater Cave Survey class—that focus on team survey techniques. In addition to formal training, there are many skilled surveyors who can share valuable information, both online and during live events, such as projects, conferences, and workshops.
Much of what is used in underwater survey has been derived from protocols and methods developed by the dry caving community, so joining dry cave surveyor projects or reading the expansive literature on the subject will be greatly beneficial.
It is also of great benefit to assist with an existing survey project before organizing a new one. Initial focus should be placed on techniques, procedures, and accuracy, as this will establish a base for building efficiency and productivity.
A piece of line of known length can be used to measure existing lines.
“Depending on the type of survey and the planned outcome, you may need a different combination of tools, ranging from very basic and low-tech to extremely advanced and high-tech.
Rather than one person surveying and others observing them, underwater cave survey should be viewed as a team activity. Everyone in the team should be well versed and practiced in every aspect of the survey tasks. Only then can the full potential of team diving be taken advantage of. In this way task loading is diminished, errors are noticed more quickly, and the survey tasks are completed with increased efficiency.
Although each member of the team will have tasks and responsibilities, the most task-loaded diver should ideally be in the back of the team determining the speed of travel. When task-loaded, it is easier to monitor and maintain communication with divers swimming ahead.
Surveys may be conducted during initial exploration or later in established caves. In either case it can be beneficial to survey while travelling into the cave, as it simplifies gas and time planning and assures that whatever data is collected can be connected or “tied in” to a known location. It is vital to define specific tasks for each member of the survey team, remembering that task loading associated with survey responsibilities can jeopardize dive safety if critical gas supply and predetermined time limits are not observed.
Depending on the type of survey and the planned outcome, you may need a different combination of tools, ranging from very basic and low-tech to extremely advanced and high-tech.
One of the basic measurements you will need to take for any kind of survey will be distance. This can be accomplished in several different ways, depending on the precision required, the type of guideline present in a cave, or the type of measurement being taken (between stations or to a sidewall):
Knotted line is a traditional way of measuring the distance between two stations during the initial exploration of a cave. Knots are tied in the line in regular increments—traditionally every 3 m/10 ft—prior to the survey dive.
Although it must be noted that stretch in the line and inaccuracies in estimating between the knot and the station affects the accuracy of this method.
A piece of line of known length (3 ft or 1 m) can be used to measure existing lines with no knots or to add accuracy. Although simpler and potentially more accurate than knotted line surveys, it can be tedious during extended surveys.
Fiberglass measuring tape can be used to measure to the sidewalls and other features and to re-survey existing lines, especially when more precision is needed. Care must be taken to not let the tape drag and damage the bottom.
Automated mapping devices are increasingly being used to measure distance as well as azimuth and depth. These integrated data loggers allow for quick and precise data collection but will not work with all types of line.
Handheld sonar can be very useful for sidewall, floor, and ceiling measurements, particularly when the cave is large and well defined. When working in smaller caves, in areas with objects protruding from the ceiling or floor, and when particulates are suspended in the water,
Wetnotes or slates for recording compass bearings and distances for cave survey.
the sonar waves can bounce off these objects and provide an inaccurate reading.
A floated or weighted “plumb” can be made to measure ceiling and floor distances with the advantage of the diver being able to hold position.
Estimation of distance is often used in combination with the above methods and should be developed. Good distance estimation can greatly improve efficiency and can prevent obvious erroneous readings from being recorded.
Azimuth can be measured either using a liquid-filled compass or an electronic compass. Due to limited demand, there is no compass produced specifically for underwater cave survey. Traditional diving compasses are not precise enough, but some models produced for hiking and backpacking adapt well to cave survey. Several dive computer models have an integrated electronic compass. These compasses are easy to read and are generally very precise, although they don’t normally have the ability to “lock in” the azimuth, and they depend on a battery.
Azimuth may be measured with a liquid-filled or electronic compass.
Depth is an easy measurement to take, as every cave diver has a depth gauge/computer that will allow reading the depth at the station. Accurate depth is actually not vital, as the difference in water depth is what will be used for determining the slope between two survey stations.
In order to survey and reproduce an installed line in a cave, one must:
1. Identify and record the depths of survey stations. Typically, a survey station is the point at which the line is attached to the cave but can also include placement of the line against the cave and could include markers placed elsewhere on the line to indicate an additional station.
2. Measure and record the distance between stations.
3. Measure and record the azimuth between stations.
In order to represent the dimensions of the cave, additional measurements must be taken. This traditionally includes:
• Distance to left and right sidewall
• Distance to ceiling
• Distance to floor
Measuring the distance between the survey station and a sidewall floor and ceiling is extremely beneficial, as this will begin to define the dimensions of the actual cave. Surveyors should be encouraged to include this data on every cave survey, as it greatly increases the usefulness of the data.
Additional information may be beneficial to record, such as water flow, biology, sediment, passage geometry, archaeology, or any other point of interest. It is important to honestly report any data with low confidence or that is missing. It is much easier to track and correct errors if they were originally reported honestly. All information should be recorded on a pre-formatted slate or waterproof paper such as wetnotes.
A stick map serves as a framework for aligning and adding further survey details"
Although a rough representation of the line can be quickly plotted by hand, an accurate stick map will require processing of collected data before it can be accurately plotted. This is normally accomplished by entering data into cave mapping software, such as Compass, Walls, Therion, or Ariane’s Line. The latter was made by a cave diver for cave divers, while the other programs were created for dry cavers and later tailored for cave divers. Each program will require learning and practice in its operation, but computer software will allow a quick creation of a map or a 3D model, or even an overlay of this map on satellite imagery. There is also the possibility to export the map or model in a variety of formats that can later be imported into and further manipulated through other software.
All cave survey software can display and export data in multiple ways, but in the case of underwater caves it is normally more relevant to view
the cave in “plan” view, as most underwater caves are much longer than they are deep. Through electronic screens, representation of caves can be displayed in a more dynamic way, including zooming in to view details, 3D views from any angle, digital “swim-throughs,” and integration of additional imagery and data.
A stick map is a representation of the survey shots in a cave. In underwater caves, this usually displays the existing guidelines but can also include additional survey shots such as wall measurements. A stick map can show the direction and extent of cave passages and can be very useful for dive planning, but in actuality it is not a true cave map. For this, more details must be added.
A model of a cave looks to join wall, ceiling, and floor measurements and represent this as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional form.
Models are a step up from stick maps and can be very useful in calculating water volume and provide a better reference as to the dimensions and shape of the cave.
As mentioned previously, a stick map is used to align additional details. The level of details collected should be preplanned and consistent throughout the cave. Greater detail will greatly increase the time needed to produce a map.
Traditionally, a stick map is printed on waterproof paper, and the diver returns to the cave to sketch in further details. In the end, the purpose of the final map is to display an adequate overview of the underwater cave, and it is important to not lose sight of this when sketching in details.
The most traditional output of survey data is a two dimensional map. With underwater caves it is normally more relevant to display the cave in “plan” view, as most underwater caves are much longer than they are deep.
Hand-held sonar devices can be very useful for sidewall measurements.
This printable map will need to include a North reference, a legend, name credits, scale, accuracy notation, and an indication as to the cave’s location.
Rapid advances in technology will likely reshape the way we collect and output cave survey data. Sonar, laser, image stitching such as photogrammetry, 360-degree imagery, automated survey tools, autonomous vehicles, logging systems in DPVs, and radio locators are already being used in underwater cave survey.
Although these technologies offer great benefits, it should be remembered that streamlining and efficiency—both in diving and survey techniques—will always be the best tools for the underwater cave surveyor.
Cave survey is a complex and challenging— but rewarding—skill that can enrich our understanding and appreciation of the cave environment. It is a productive and powerful addition to one's skill set, opening access to exciting projects and adventures, and adds value and accomplishment to one’s diving.
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