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Peter Sotis sentenced to 57 months in rebreather smuggling case

Sotis was the 80% owner of Add Helium, a diving equipment and training company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The charges stem from the defendants’ scheme to cause the illegal export of rebreather diving equipment to Libya in August 2016.

If rebreathers are to be exported to any countries with national security concerns, such as Libya, it requires a license from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Tamara Brown, Tammy Brown, Divers Academy International, US Department of Justice, WDHOF, Women Divers Hall of Fame, Rosemary E Lunn, Roz Lunn, XRay Mag, X-Ray Magazine, scuba diving news, commerical diving news
Tamara Brown pictured in circa 2000, when she was part of the inaugural class inducted into the USA centric 'Women Divers Hall of Fame'

WDHOF Member jailed for fraud

In addition to the prison term, US District Judge Joseph H Rodriguez has sentenced Tamara Brown to three years of supervised release, fined her US$50,000 and ordered restitution of US$1.1 million.

The 58-year-old commercial diver of Haddon Heights, New Jersey had previously admitted guilt to one count of wire fraud in connection with her operation of a commercial diving school from January 2012 through to July 2018.

WDHOF Responds

A spokeman for the Women Divers Hall of Fame exclusively told X-Ray Mag on 16 January 2022 "WDHOF takes pride in our members’ accomplishments and efforts that were so significant they were inducted into the organization. We also appreciate their continued enthusiasm for helping the organization strive to make a positive impact through our training grants and scholarships. WDHOF has always had the expectation that our members continue to be ethical and honorable in their actions.

Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador Syed Abd Rahman presents at World Expo Dubai
Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador Syed Abd Rahman presented adaptive diving and new ecotourism at the World Expo in Dubai.

Malaysia's adaptive diving and new ecotourism destinations presented at World Expo

In a collaboration between Malaysia Tourism and adaptive dive training organization Diveheart, Syed Abd Rahman, Diveheart Malaysia ambassador and advisor for the National Dive Council of Malaysia, presented the Diveheart adaptive diving programs in Malaysia, which features accessible tourism at Malaysia’s beautiful dive destinations.

Salon de la Plongée is postponed till March 2022

The news comes hot on the heels that boot DĂĽsseldorf is cancelled until January 2023.

The team behind Salon de la PlongĂ©e have advised that their show will be rescheduled in three months' time. 

Everything was ready to welcome you next week and it's just a setback. Salon de la PlongĂ©e

Hélène de Tayrac-Senik, President of Salon de la Plongée and WDHOF member stated "[We are] determined to do everything possible to ensure that the Salon de la Plongée meets the expectations of both visitors and exhibitors and attentive to avoiding a risky situation, it is under these conditions that we are obliged to announce the postponement of the 23rd edition of the ShowWe thank you for your trust, your positive messages, your support that helps us keep our heads out of water and continue with energy."

MIDE 2021 a success for both exhibitors and attendees

Staying true to its theme, “Let’s Meet & Dive Locally,” the show aimed to kickstart the country’s dive industry and welcomed over 7,000 visitors during the three-day event with over 400 exhibitors, resulting in over RM5 (US$1.2) million in sales.

The bold decision to hold the show drew the attention, endorsement and partnership of several government agencies and leaders, including Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who addressed the event and said that he saw the dive community playing an important role in the recovery of tourism in Malaysia.

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The biggest boat show in the world - 'boot DĂĽsseldorf' - is held annually in January

boot DĂĽsseldorf 2022 is cancelled

In recent weeks, various countries in Europe have applied travel and event restrictions to help prevent the spread of this new version of the Covid-19 virus. 

 

Following a meeting of the Minister Presidents of the federal states in Germany on 21 December 2021, the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) banned large events in January 2022. This includes boot DĂĽsseldorf, the largest boat show in the world. 

It is with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to holding boot in January 2022. Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe DĂĽsseldorf

 

Dr Stephan Keller stated "We had had hoped that the pandemic situation in January would allow Boot to be held under strict hygiene conditions. But in the end, it is only consistent to do without large public fairs such as Boot in order to contain the spread of the omicron variant. Even before the country's ban, I agreed with the management of Messe DĂĽsseldorf not to take an unjustifiable risk and to cancel boot if necessary."

Bob Anderson, MV Halton, British liveaboard, UK scuba diving, Rosemary E Lunn, Roz Lunn, XRay Mag, X-Ray Magazine
This Brit liveaboard will mostly be sailing in Scottish waters in 2022 | Image Credit: Bob Anderson

Boat crew sought for Brit liveaboard

British liveaboard skipper and photographer Bob Anderson is seeking crew for the forthcoming 2022 season. 

Bob Anderson stated "You will join an incredible boat that covers miles, sees a little bit of the world and takes some lovely people diving. The work is tough, relentless and demanding, but the rewards are there when you reflect at the end of the day."

Cook: needs to be adept with supplies / logistics and turn out some good food