Northwest Diving History Association

International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Inductees Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI (April 2000) — The Board of Directors of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, under the Chairmanship of Hon. Thomas C. Jefferson, OBE, JP, Cayman Islands Minister For Tourism, Commerce, Transport & Works, have selected the Hall's inaugural inductees. Honored inductees include 19 persons from around the globe, who have made a contribution to the development and/or promotion of recreational scuba diving.

They include:

Lloyd Bridges/US - As the star of one of the country's most successful syndicated television show Sea Hunt (1957–1961), Bridges introduced scuba diving to millions of viewers across America.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau/France - Cousteau's activities as scuba diver, inventor, commander, scientist, explorer, conservationist, and film/television personality had an overwhelming impact on scuba diving. He co-invented the modern scuba diver's breathing apparatus, the aqualung, in 1943, and went on to become the world's best-known aquatic explorer.

Ben Cropp/Australia - Cropp's early success at spearfishing launched him into the film industry, where his shark-hunting exploits made him world-famous. As his career developed, he became an accomplished underwater cameraman, director and producer.

E.R. Cross/US - In 1972, Cross compiled the world's first scuba diving safety training manual for sport divers. His influence in scuba diving encompassed the worlds of writing, training, and underwater television.

Dr. Jefferson C. Davis, Jr./US - As a pioneer in dive medicine, Davis' work helped develop what is today referred to as hyperbaric medicine. He is remembered as a world-renowned leader in the application of hyperbaric oxygen to treatment of medical disorders and in the treatment of decompression sickness and air embolism in divers.

Gustav Della Valle/Italy - ScubaPro founder Della Valle introduced scuba equipment around the globe.

Sylvia Earle, Ph.D./US - After receiving her doctorate, Earle led the first team of women to live beneath the ocean. She holds the record for solo diving, is the world's deepest woman diver, and has logged over 6,000 hours under sea. Along the way she gained a deep understanding of the need for ocean conservation, the subject of her acclaimed 1995 book, Sea Change.

Bernie Eaton/UK - Over the years, Eaton's efforts in the field have kept enthusiasts informed and inspired. He is presently Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Diver, the largest circulation UK-based publication covering scuba diving and the scientific sub-aqua field.

Emile Gagnan/France - In 1943, French engineer Gagnan co-invented the aqualung with Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The aqualung allowed divers to stay underwater independently for several hours.

Al Giddings/US - Well-known for his underwater directing and cinematography, Giddings' pioneering efforts in technical diving were prompted out of necessity for his film projects. He has continually developed innovative camera, lighting and optical systems in all film and video formats striving for the perfect shot. Giddings' work has received great acclaim in the film industry, including his stints as co-producer and underwater photographer for The Titanic, The Abyss and The Deep, and his small-screen efforts have been honored with three Emmys.

Hans and Lotte Hass/Austria - As pioneers in the industry, the Hasses have made significant contributions to underwater photography, film-making and science. The Hasses have published many books and made more than 100 films about the submarine world.

Jack Lavanchy/Switzerland - Lavanchy is the president of PADI Europe. He was a pioneer in popularizing recreational scuba diving - particularly the teaching of correct technique - throughout Europe and North Africa via his distributorship JWL, starting in the late 60s.

Jack McKenney/Canada - Recognized as one of the premier wildlife photographers and film producers in the underwater field, McKenney strove for excellence. His writing and still photography graced the pages of all major dive publications including Skin Diver, which he served as Editor. In his later years, McKenney is credited with promoting sport diving through a series of educational diving videos.

* Bob Soto/Cayman Islands - Recreational scuba diving began in the Cayman Islands in 1957, when dive operator Soto brought the concept to Grand Cayman. Up until that time, scuba diving was primarily a commercial and research activity, but he transformed it into a sport that could be enjoyed by the public.

Ron & Valerie Taylor/Australia - Known early in their careers as spearfishing champions, the Taylors turned to underwater filmmaking and photographic pursuits shortly after they married. With this switch they began their steady ascent into film fame and have received international acclaim for such films as The Blue Lagoon and Jaws (1 & 2). Their work filming sharks is extensive, with Ron having the distinction of being the first person in the world to film great white sharks in their natural element, and Valerie volunteering to test a revolutionary shark-proof suit.

Al Tillman/US - Tillman is credited as the founder of the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), the world's oldest and most respected international scuba training agency. He insured that NAUI was at the forefront of the effort to make scuba divers more aware of the need for quality diving education and increased safety. Tillman is also credited as a promoter of diving film festivals, and is an accomplished actor and photographer.

Stan Waterman/US - Winner of five Emmy awards for his work in television, Waterman is also renowned for his pioneer work in commercial film, as director and producer of underwater film and photography.

The inaugural induction and gala celebration of new members will be conducted this September in the Cayman Islands. The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame will be located temporarily within the Port complex, George Town, Grand Cayman, BWI, while a permanent site is being renovated in the downtown area. The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame recently became a member of the International Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fame (IASMHF), a non-profit organization incorporated in 1971 to assist institutions and their staffs to develop, operate, and promote their museums and halls of fame in a professional manner for the benefit of their members and publics.

In addition to Minister Jefferson, the Board of Directors of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame includes:

Cathy Church, Underwater Photo Centre & Galleries, Grand Cayman
Jean-Michel Cousteau, President, Ocean Futures Society
John Cronin, President, DEMA (ex officio)
Capt. Charles "Chuckie" Ebanks, President, Cayman Islands
National Watersports Association (ex officio)
Rod McDowall, President, Cayman Tourism Association (ex officio)
Lee Selisky, President, Historical Diving Society USA
Paul Tzimoulis, Publisher Emeritus, Peterson Publishing

The Cayman Islands consists of three tropical islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, offering a large selection of world-class accommodations, fine dining and the best diving in the Caribbean. For more information, call 1-800-346-3313, or contact any of the regional offices of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism in the U.S and Canada: Miami: 6100 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 150
Miami, FL 33126-2085
305/266-2300

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