News
UK scuba diving instructor fighting extradition to Malta over diving deaths
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.
Stephen Martin, 55, 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.
He has faced extradition for a month now and described his ordeal as ‘horrendous’.
The former IT manager was diving with seven of his friends from the Brighton branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club, based in Shoreham, when Ms Hooley descended from about 49ft below the surface to 114ft without warning.
Mr Haines and fellow scuba diver Jeremy Coster went down to help her and brought Ms Hooley to the surface but she died on the shore.
Mr Haines was then also found dead in the water.
Mr Martin said: “At first no one knew why she went down. I thought she dived down because she dropped her torch but she just kept getting lower and lower.
“Nigel and Jeremy dived down to help her because she started swimming erratically and was breathing rapidly.
“When they got to her she was limp and her eyes where just glaring; there was nothing there. It was just terrifying.”
He described how he pulled Ms Hooley back to shore and tried to resuscitate her.
A German doctor on the beach rushed to their aid but couldn’t help her.
“I just felt empty,” Mr Martin added. “I couldn’t believe what was happening.”
Unbeknownst to father-of-three Mr Martin, Mr Haines was also in trouble after helping to rescue Ms Hooley.
“He had a burst lung through going to the surface not breathing,” Mr Martin said. “But because he was on the surface he looked like he was okay.”
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.”
A judge in London approved Mr Martin’s extradition, following a hearing on July 8. However, Mr Martin has lodged an appeal with the High Court.
Source: www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk
Photo: Derek Martin
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
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.
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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.
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Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
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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