News
BSAC visit Malta to discuss Stephen Martin case with Maltese Authorities
BSAC’s Chief Executive and National Diving Officer travelled to Malta yesterday (10th November) to discuss the case of BSAC member Stephen Martin with the Maltese Authorities.
CEO Mary Tetley and NDO Sophie Heptonstall will be taking the opportunity to make it clear that BSAC is deeply concerned about the criminal prosecution of Stephen Martin and the potential implications for anyone diving in Malta.
Stephen, a dive instructor from the UK, is fighting extradition to Malta where he faces charges of causing the deaths of two friends during a diving holiday.
He has been charged with two involuntary homicides by Maltese authorities after Larissa Hooley, 48, and Nigel Haines, 59, died while diving in June last year.
However, Mr Martin, who has been diving for 15 years, insists he is innocent and has launched a battle against the order which says he should be extradited to the island to face the charge, which carries a maximum ten-year prison sentence.
An inquest into the deaths on June 17, 2014, concluded they were accidental, with both divers suffering from immersion pulmonary oedemas which can affect the respiratory system.
However, the Maltese authorities have accused Mr Martin of being ‘negligent in his obligations’.
They claim he ‘failed to keep a close watch’ of his dive buddy Ms Hooley and should have called off the dive in Gozo due to bad weather conditions.
Mr Martin denies the charges. He said he had been ‘conscious’ of the weather conditions and had abandoned an earlier dive due to poor weather.
He added he had taken advice from local divers about where a safer place to dive would be.
“This was a holiday, there was no official leader of the group,” he said. “I feel like I’m being made a scapegoat by the Maltese government.”
Speaking ahead of the BSAC visit, Mary Tetley said: “The resonance of Stephen’s case among the UK and BSAC diving community is loud and clear and we intend to express this concern directly to the Maltese authorities.”
What are your thoughts on Stephen’s case? Sound off in the comments section below or in the Scubaverse Forum.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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