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Scuba charity Deptherapy honours Members and Supporters with Awards at DIVE 2017

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Scuba Diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy honoured its Programme Members, Supporters and Corporate Sponsors in an Awards Ceremony on Saturday 21st October during the DIVE 2017 show weekend.

The Deptherapy Awards Ceremony, the first of its kind for the charity, took place in conjunction with the Pharoah Dive Club 10th Anniversary Bash at the Village Hotel, Solihull. The evening event, which was attended by over 200 ticket holders and organised by Steve and Clare Rattle, was a celebration of ten successful years of Pharoah Dive Club and Roots Red Sea. The Anniversary Bash was also recognition of the special partnership that exists between Deptherapy and the Egyptian dive resort, which hosts the majority of the charity’s overseas training programmes.

Deptherapy Ambassador, Board Member, PADI AmbassaDiver and Scubaverse Contributor Gary Green hosted the Awards. Gary started the proceedings with a moving presentation about his time in the British Army, his medical discharge and subsequent battle with PTSD, and how his discovery of scuba diving through Deptherapy had literally saved his life. Eloquently describing both his personal journey and the transformative power of scuba diving, Gary was given a standing ovation at the end of his presentation.

Air Vice Marshall Paul Colley and Deptherapy Ambassador Gary Green with Supporter of the Year Sam Egan. Photo: Sarah Waddington

Fourteen Awards, each individually sponsored and beautifully etched onto Welsh slate, were presented during the evening. The winner of each Award had been selected from a nominated shortlist by a Judging Panel that comprised Deptherapy’s President Air Vice-Marshall Jon Lamonte, Chair Richard Cullen and Vice Chair Daimon Haywood, Alice Farrow from Cobseo (The Confederation of British Service Charities) and Stuart Croxford, Consultant to the Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund.

As the Awards were presented, the winner’s inspirational stories were shared. One of the most emotional presentations was The Endeavour Award, which was given to the individual Programme Member who in the Judges’ opinion “best encapsulated the Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund criteria of Ambition, Adventure and Achievement and who has best utilised their endeavours to promote and catalyse their recovery.”

The Endeavour Award was given to former Infantryman in the Mercian Regiment, Steve Atkin, who has conquered both serious physical and mental injuries, including acute PTSD that rendered him unable to leave his home for several years.

Steve Atkin encapsulates the spirit of Deptherapy. Steve credits the charity with “giving me back my direction in life, rebuilding my shattered confidence and broken soul, as well as returning a Father and Husband to my family.”

Now a Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AOW, Deep and Wreck Diver, Steve actively supports other Programme Members in their recovery.

Major General Paul Nanson CBE, Air Vice Marshall Paul Colley and Perry Booth of Sarah Waddington Solicitors Ltd with Endeavour Award winner Steve Atkin and wife Stephanie. Photo: Sarah Waddington

Steve’s Atkin’s Award, as with all the Awards of the evening, were presented by special guests Major General Paul Nanson CBE, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, who was accompanied by his ADC Major Tony Bryant, and Air Vice Marshall and renowned Underwater Photographer Paul Colley.

The full list of Deptherapy Award Winners is as follows:

  • Overcoming Adversity – Winner: Ben Lee
    Sponsored by: Matt and Charlotte Davey
  • Outstanding Fundraiser – Winner: Danny Martin
    Sponsored by: Bookings Made Easy SL
  • Achiever of the Year – Winner: Andy Searle
    Sponsored by: Sam and Rowan Egan
  • Outstanding Ambassador – Winner: Gary Green
    Sponsored by: Dive Worldwide
  • Outstanding Contribution – Winner: Chris Middleton
    Sponsored by: Here 4 Life.co.uk
  • Best Corporate Sponsor – Winners: Divecrew, Roots Red Sea and PADI EMEA
  • Supporter of the Year – Winner: Sam Egan
    Sponsored by: Denise Himsworth
  • Special Award for Personal Commitment  – Winner: Aquatic Element’s Ride to Remember Cycling Team
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Winner: Dorothy ‘Dot’ Eaton
    Sponsored by: JPN Ltd
  • Peoples’ Choice Award (as voted on social media) – Winner: Ben Lee
    Sponsored by: Swiss Watch Exchange Ltd
  • The Endeavour Award – Winner: Steve Atkin
    Sponsored by: Sarah Waddington Solicitors Ltd
  • The Judges’ Award and Contribution to the Development of Deptherapy presented to Richard Cullen
    Sponsored by: Decotta Law

Deptherapy Chair and Founder Richard Cullen with Clare and Steve Rattle, organisers of the event and winners of one of the three Corporate Sponsor Awards. Photo: Sarah Waddington

The Pharoah Dive Club 10th Anniversary Bash and Deptherapy Awards raised over £6,000 for the charity. Additional donations over the course of the DIVE 2017 weekend raised an extra £2,000 in much-needed funds.

Deptherapy would like to thank all their Supporters, Corporate Sponsors, Programme Members, Nominees and Winners, including all those individuals on the Deptherapy Board and in the wider Deptherapy Family for a tremendously successful event and their continued support.

For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit their new website at www.deptherapy.co.uk.

Gear News

Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD

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regulator

Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.

Excellent performance with the TR-80

Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.

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Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.

regulator

Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50

The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.

regulator

Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.

regulatorregulator

The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

regulator

Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.

regulatorregulator

Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

regulator

The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.

DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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paul watson

Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.

The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.

Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.

In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.

Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.

Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.

The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.

Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.

Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.

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