ESCAPES
PASSIONATE FOR WRECK DISCOVERIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Discovering the world and its particularities which vary from one continent to another
is also an opportunity for unique experiences and great encounters as with enthusiasts
of scuba diving and wreck discoveries that I met in 2022 as part of research carried out in this fascinating country of Crete
Crete is an island, it is worth emphasizing, which fascinates both by the beauty and diversity of its landscapes in addition
to the richness of its culture and history and my stay which lasted from September 9 to 16, 2022 remains a faboulus
memory completed by my meetings with the members of Mediterranean Divers D'Heraklion who organizes dives on
sites particularly along the north coast of the island. We embark at the port of Chania city located on the northwest part
of the island which is charming with its architecture decorated with narrow streets and typical shops harmoniously
flowered houses complemented by a lighthouse dating from the 16th century, a true witness to the Venetian,Egyptian
and Ottoman pasts. During our crossing, we have the pleasure of being accompanied by dolphins that miraculously
emerge from the ocean with agile and ceremonial gestures before arriving on the scene of corresponding dives."For
many years scuba diving in Greece and Crete was framed by numerous restrictions in order to preserve underwater remains and avoid looting antiques
"
Dimitris explains to me while preparing his diving equipment in the company of the
group of 3 divers who will accompany him in these blue and crystal clear waters which offer optimal diving conditions.
" In parallel from our research and viewing operations of wrecks, we also come across a rich and diverse fauna and flora.
diverse, including magnificent sea anemones, small corals and sumptuous octopuses that it is pleasant to meet.Our
dives which take us to depths ranging from 6 to 40 meters deep founder are always placed under the responsability of
what we call a Divemaster who supervises the group in parallel with the certification of localized wrecks. Our projects are regulated and managed in good cooperation with the competent authorities taking into account its cultural and historical data" Dimitris tells me before joining his group.
A Paradise for Lovers of Authenticity
The sea, a precious source for man in parallel with its specificities, both nutritional and ecological, in particular in the
regulation and influence of the climate through its currents, also fascinates by its possibilities of discovery in founder
that has been practiced since prehistory in the so-called freediving technique which preceded scuba diving processes in addition to current equipment allowing immersions in secure conditions.
»The particularities of our research work do
not only concern antiquities or vestiges which date from past centuries or from more distant times”
Constantin, member
of the group, explains to me Dimitris who I find at the back of the sailboat after a 3 hour dive.
» Recent history,particu-
larly during the period of the Second World War in the Mediterranean basin also allows us to find traces of this period
which have a significant heritage value as in 2016, and this buried under meters of sand and seaweeds accumulated for
years, with the discovery of a British Spitfire plane shot down by the German army in 1944".Covering a whole range of
experience levels from beginner to more experienced, the dives in the Cretan waters also have a particularity which is
the night diving which allows in addition to the surreal magic of the underwater colors and shapes, the possibility of
discovering the depths of the Mediterranean basin from a different angle.This vast space that is The Mediterranean Sea
is a true paradise for lovers of authenticity that it is also interesting to discover in its submerged part and which can
only delight fans of sports and also history and culture in the discovery of this great country that is Crete.
Report: Gabriel PAGE
Photos credit: Gabriel PAGE / Mediterranean Divers HERAKLION
