United Kingdom

Kraken have teamed up with champion freediver Beci Ryan and Project AWARE, to launch the first in a new series of "deep-sea inspired" limited editions rums

Kraken to launch 'Unknown Deep' Rum this October

Kraken UK are collaborating with competitive freediver Beci Ryan, because the drinks company has announced that it is opening its first underwater ‘Dive Thru'.

Beci Ryan has been tasked to freedive the depths of the National Diving & Activity Centre in Chepstow, to salvage bottles from a treasure chest full of 'Unknown Deep' rum.

Project AWARE

There is an additional twist to this product launch—Project AWARE has teamed up with Kraken UK, and that's good news. The ocean conservation charity that encourages scuba divers to litter pick underwater and remove marine trash, has confirmed that a £1 from the sale of every bottle of 'Unknown Deep' will be donated to Project AWARE. Whilst this is a new initiative, it is not a new concept. Over the years, Project AWARE has teamed up with various non-diving partners to help raise funds and awareness about marine debris.

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Distinctive Bottle

Alcoholic drinks bottles tend to fall into two camps. There is the straightforward, plain bottle. A practical ordinary vessel that holds the liquid, and does not excite or thrill you. Then there is the limited edition, exclusive, collectible bottle that catches your eye because it is so attractive. Some bottles are modern and funky, and some take their inspiration from historic flasks.

 

Get your hands on a Bottle

If you would like the chance of owing a Kraken Unknown Depth bottle retrieved from the deep by Beci Ryan, you should visit the The League of Darkness website. Simply buy a bottle and hit the 'claim' button. Your name will then be entered in the prize drawer. Alternatively, you can pre-order a bottle via Amazon UK on 18 October 2020.

A freediver went to sea sea sea⁠

To see what she could see see see⁠

But all that she could see see see was bottles of rum in the deep blue ... quarry

Diving Then and Now: The Wookey Hole Caves—Birthplace of Cave Diving

Penelope Powell and Graham Balcombe kitted up in Wookey Hole Cave for the first ever cave dive in 1935. Historical photo courtesy of Mendip Cave Registry and Archive Cave Diving Group.
Penelope Powell and Graham Balcombe kitted up in Wookey Hole Cave for the first ever cave dive in 1935. Historical photo courtesy of Mendip Cave Registry and Archive Cave Diving Group.

The beginnings of cave diving can be traced to the Wookey Hole Caves in England. And 85 years later, divers like Matt Jevon are still doing their part to discover this cavern’s full potential.

Lady in red. Helen Farr loved red! She is pictured here at Jug Hole, Florida

The cave diving community mourns the loss of Helen Farr

Helen Farr was "a massively committed and active cave diver" of two decades. Although you might not realise it, you will have probably seen her photo in a diving magazine, a mainstream newspaper, a cave diving book (such as the iconic 'The Darkness Beckons', third edition) or featured in a presentation.

Helen was 100% committed to the sport [cave diving]. Richie Stevenson, Underwater cinematographer

Weymouth's attractive and historic sheltered harbour is an destination for UK divers because it offers access to a huge range of wreck diving.

Weymouth charter boat industry on the brink of collapse

Berthing Fees Issue

It is standard operating practice for harbours to charge harbour dues and mooring fees. The monies raised are used to cover the cost of managing and looking after the infrastructure of the harbour.

Simply Scuba won Diver Magazine's 'Retailer of the Year' ten years running, from 2009 to 2018
Simply Scuba won Diver Magazine's 'Retailer of the Year' ten years running, from 2009 to 2018

Simply Scuba Goes Into Administration

In the mid 90's Gerrard Dennis attended a DEMA seminar where it was stated the future of diving was online. Shortly afterwards in 1995 Dennis founded 'Simply Scuba'. Simply Scuba was either the first, or one of the very first internet-based scuba equipment retail businesses in the UK.

Simply Scuba, Gerrard Dennis, Joanne Dennis,

When Simply Scuba was launched in 1995, its original logo featured a shark wearing sun glasses

Anglesey Sea Zoo has over 40 tanks displaying the best of British marine wildlife
Anglesey Sea Zoo has over 40 tanks displaying the best of British marine wildlife

COVID-19: Anglesey Sea Zoo launches 'Just Giving' campaign

Anglesey Sea Zoo has been a part of the community and business life on Anglesey island, Wales for over 36 years. In that time the aquarium has done a massive amount to protect and nurture local marine life.

Remaining a valuable local employer and a fundamental contributor to Anglesey is very important to us. Frankie Hobro, Anglesey Sea Zoo

Study identifies key loggerhead turtle foraging grounds

After tracking female loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean, scientists at University of Exeter discovered that they feed at the same locations every year.

Specifically, these were in the Adriatic region, Tunisian Plateau and the eastern Mediterranean. Unfortunately, some of these locations are not ideal, and lead the loggerheads into danger.

Ansti Test Systems sold to James Fisher

James Fisher (JFD) now owns the business, and all intellectual property rights and assets of Ansti Test Systems. It is not known at this time what implication this will have for the recreational diving industry.

Ansti manufacturer test systems display the performance of breathing apparatus under test, in real time. It can be configured for any diving equipment and life support systems, hence a number of dive manufacturers and dive centres use Ansti machines on a daily basis, to test to British, European or Worldwide standards and regulations.