International Legends of Diving News

• Dr. Lambertsen, UMS Founding Father Passes Away at 94
  The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society is sad to inform you that Dr. Christian Lambertsen, MD has passed away at the age of 94. He was one of the six individuals responsible for forming, the then, Undersea Medical Society on April 10, 1967. Dr. Lambertsen, as the only civilian, as the other were all US Navy Officers, was given the job of writing its constitution and was a member of the first Executive Committee. The first annual meeting of the Society followed on May 8, 1968 with 88 charter members. There are few who will not have known Chris Lambertsen in the first 30 years of the Society.

• Wes C. Skiles, Underwater Photographer Dies at 53
  Legendary underwater photographer Wes Skiles died an unexpected death Wednesday, July 21, 2010 while filming off the coast of Florida.

• DAN Recognizes Two Ohioans with President's Award
  On July 17 and 18th the TA Dive Club held their 26th Annual DAN Barbeque at the Portage Quarry in Bowling Green, Oh. Mr. Dan Orr, president of Divers Alert Network (DAN) and his wife, Betty, were present for the Tater’s Treasure Hunt, as well as the Barbeque on Sunday, where awards and prizes were handed out.

• Guerreror Identified as Possible Reef by Dive Legends
  Dr. Jose Jones and Jay Haigler, members of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, document and survey the shipwreck Guerrero as reported in July 12, 2010 issue of The Key West Citizen. The Guerrero wrecked north of Key Largo in December 1827 as an African slave ship, 41 lost their lives while shackled onboard en route to Cuba.

• Notes from the Road: Underwater Adventure Seekers (UAS) 50th Anniversary Celebration: Washington, DC: September 18-20, 2009: by Dan Orr. Story.

• Joyce S. Hayward - Inducted into International Women’s Divers Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Maritime historian. Passed away August 26, 2009. Obituary

• Harry Ruscigno - Seatec Founder - Founder of SeaTec /Inflatable systems, was a very active diver, a respected engineer who adapted his talents to the diving world over forty years ago. Story and obituary.

• Legendary Diver, Carl Spencer, dies in an accident filming the Britannic
  for National Geographic Society on May 24, 2009 at the age of 37.
  Story and obituary.

• April Legends Event Chronicled in Midwest Dive News: Read the article that this respected Dive Magazine had written, "International Legends Honored for Trail Blazing Lives."

• Listen to the Legends, Up close and Personal, as Scuba Radio Interviews the Legends on Grand Bahama Island in April of 2009 at the Legends Festival.

• Coast Guard Looks for Missing Two: U.S. Coast Guard officials say they're looking for the 69-year-old Quen Cultra of Gilman and marine naturalist Joe Strykowski of Crystal River, FL, who they say are missing in the Indian Ocean after one of those crafts capsized in a storm off Madagascar. (More on this Story Published February 2, 2009)

• UNEXSO Announcements for April Legends: The Legends announcements for January 30, 2009 include a January Newsletter and itinerary for the week in PDF format.

  Itinerary for Week is Now Available January Newsletter

• April UNEXSO Legends Event Hits the Press: The fervor starts its swell for the event to be held on Grand Bahama Island April 2-6, 2009.

  Freeport News, January 6, 2009. Freeport News, January 7, 2009.

   

• Sidney Ellison Pratt - Glass Sculptor - Originator of Legends Awards:

  Sidney Pratt, a native of Nassau, Bahamas began learning his craft as a glass sculptor in 1988 working under Sky Kanoia, an ex-pat who lived in Grand Bahama during it’s heyday in the 1970’s. The business was eventually sold to Sidney who started to create his own unique pieces of Bahamian glass art. Read the bio.

  Legends Award

   

• Official Photographer Named for UNEXSO Event: Christopher Guglielmo has been developing quite a following in underwater photography. His photos have been featured worldwide. Read his bio. He was named as the official photographer for the UNEXSO event.  See his photos at aquaexposure.com.

   

• Historic Articles One Result of Legends Weekend: You asked for the book from the "Keeper of the Flame," Nick Icorn. There is none but Tina Icorn followed through and began sending us the articles that he used for his research on the presentation at Portage Quarry. Through her diligence and the dedication of scribes Dr. Clement and Connie we are posting new articles that offer a glimpse into the early days of diving. Read the articles.

• New Legend added, Glen H. Egstrom: UCLA Dive Physiology Researcher - Read his Complete Biography. Teaching responsibilities at UCLA and during Diving Medical courses in the past 50 years have included courses and graduate seminars in applied anatomy, exercise physiology, underwater physiology, environmental physiology, aquatic kinesiology, biomechanical analysis and conditioning for optimal performances. Historical Perspective and Risk Management.

• Legendary Freediver and ‘Keeper of the Flame’ Headline Historic Dive Weekend - The annual legends of SCUBA diving festival in northwest Ohio is having its biggest expansion this year -- more featured legends, more prizes from sponsors, and an off-shore sister location on Grand Bahama Island in the Caribbean. Press Release on July 26, 2008.

• More Prizes Added to Saturday Night Drawings - Saturday, August 9th, another first grade prize was added to the mix. Look for the drawing of the Grand Bahamas/5 day 2 Tank dive trip at World Famous UNEXSO with your 7 Day/6 Night stay at the Pelican Bay Luxury Hotel.

• Robert Croft Joins Legends of Diving in August at Portage Quarry - Robert Croft, who introduced free diving to America, will be among those who will be honored at the International Legends of Diving Festival at Portage Quarry, August 8-10, 2008. In 1967 Croft was the first to break the 200-foot barrier for depth while breath holding. Also announced, Tina Icorn will join her father Nick at the Legends Festival. Tina is an accomplished diver with logs from around the world. The duo adds to the second generation pairing which also includes Dr. Sam Miller III and Dr. Sam Miller IV.

• Grand Bahama Island and UNEXSO well represented in August - Keith Cooper of UNEXSO will be at Portage Quarry legends weekend in support of the International Legends of Diving and to answer questions about diving there in April of 2009. Also with him will be members of the Bahama Ministry of Tourism and the Bahama Diving Association.

• Condolences to Nick Icorn - We offer our condolences to Nick Icorn and his family for the loss of Marilyn Icorn who died June 15. Click here for the obituary, charities and to sign the guest book.

• Hugh Bradner, (Inventor of the Wet Suit and Notable Physicist. Died May 8, 2008 at age of 92).

• Leon Lyons launches new web site for Helmets of the Deep museum, likely the largest collection of its kind on this planet.

• Press Release: UNEXSO on Grand Bahama Island, April 2-6, 2009 special edition of the Legends Annual series, before returning to Portage Quarry in August of 2009.