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Divers discover wreck of Tsar’s ‘Shark’ submarine beneath the Baltic Sea

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A wreck found by divers at the bottom of the Baltic Sea has been identified as the legendary Tsarist-era Russian submarine known as ‘The Shark’, a vessel which vanished during the First World War.

Commissioned in 1911, the 400-ton craft was the largest in the Tsar’s fleet and is believed to be the first submarine in the world that could fire a volley of several torpedoes. It was sent on a mission in 1915 with 35 sailors aboard but never returned to port.

Estonian diver Tanel Urm and his buddy found the wreck 30 yards below the surface while exploring a series of known but unidentified objects on the floor of the Baltic Sea off Estonia last month.

The Estonian team were then joined by Russian and Latvian divers for a fresh expedition after hearing the sub had three distinctive propellers and a blown-off nose cone.

“That made us think it could be the famous Akula [Shark], but we weren’t sure until we made the dive,” said diver Konstantin Bogdanov. “Part of the outer shell of the craft at the stern was still intact and suddenly we could see, through the shells stuck to the hull, the word ‘Akula’ in white lettering.”

The smashed nose of The Shark, and the fact that an external compass on the conning tower was not stowed, suggest the submarine was destroyed on the surface when it hit a German mine. It would have sunk quickly because it had only one compartment stretching the length of the sub. The divers could not swim inside the wreck because of the damage.

Mr Bogdanov said he had informed Russia’s defence ministry of the discovery and he hoped the submarine would be declared a “brothers’ grave” – the final resting place of the men who perished inside.

“There is no point in raising the sub,” he said. “I hope we can put a memorial plaque in front and make it a place that can be visited on remembrance days or for educational trips for divers.”

 

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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Palau Resurfaces! Visit Us at boot 2025 in Duesseldorf and Discover Why!

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palau

Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.

This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.

Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.

Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.

Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.

“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”

Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.

The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.

Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.

The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.

For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com

For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/

Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe

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Gear Reviews

Gear Review: SurfEars 4

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SurfEars

Let me get this out there at the start… it is not possible for me to write an unbiased review on SurfEars! Why? – because they saved my diving career. That may sound over-dramatic, but it is true. I had been told by my ENT specialist that I should stop diving. Repeated perforations, including a stint of 4 infections causing ear drum ruptures in a single year, meant that things looked very bleak. Until a friend recommended that I get in touch with the team at SurfEars and to try them out.

That was over 5 years ago, and I have not looked back. Not a single ear infection in all the dives since. If you want to read my initial review of SurfEars then you can find it here: https://www.scubaverse.com/gear-review-surfears/

So, I was more than pleased to receive the latest SurfEars 4 to try out. I took them on a recent trip to The Bahamas where I was filming for a new project all about sharks. SurfEars come in a handy pod that I secure to my BCD so that I am sure not to forget to take them on the boat and to put them in before I head into the water. The new model comes in 2 new colours and have a range of fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Once in, you can still hear what is going on around you. Vital for any last-minute instructions for your dive.

SurfEars

Underwater they do their job in keeping water out. It is still just as easy to equalise the pressure, as air movement is not restricted at all. The new fittings mean that I can change to a slightly smaller fitting to wear under my hood for cold water diving. Once in, I just forget all about them, and enjoy my diving (snorkeling and swimming) with complete peace of mind.

The new version of SurfEars is now using recycled ocean plastic and repurposed silicone so are more eco-friendly. They are said to be even tougher and will last longer. Although my previous set were still going strong.

Whatever your chosen water sport – I cannot recommend SurfEars enough. Whilst they literally enabled me to continue diving, I would suggest using them to protect your ears before any unwanted trips to the doctor. I never go in the water without them. They are at the top of my packing list for any trip.

For more information head to: https://surfears.com/

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