(Longest open salt water scuba dive)
The record for the longest time spent under the water in the open ocean was 24 hours and three minutes. This record was set on 20 July 2005 and was the first attempt of its kind. Until this time underwater records similar to this one had only been attempted in more controllable environments such as lakes and artificial tanks, where conditions are more stable and can be monitored with ease. Mr William Goodman and Blue Marlin's dive crew set the record off the coast of Gili Trawangan, Lombok Indonesia.
To view footage, click on the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=In9TqRThvjw
Will Goodman, born 6 July 1976, is an advanced Trimix Instructor and a professional within the technical diving community. He currently works for Trawangan Dive on Gili Trawangan as manager of their live-aboard to Komodo National Park and as Blue Marlin's technical diving instructor where he recently achieved the TDI Achiever of the Year Award 2008 for Indonesia.
The second record setting took place on April 15th 2008 in the same location and raised nearly 300 million rupiah for the children Three Gili Islands Schools. The official time set was 2004 minutes (33 hrs and 24 mins) and it is hoped that he will try again to break the 100 hour barrier.
To view newly released footage, click on the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG8MVImkFN8
UWCSEA Singapore has also decided to sponsor the school on Gili Trawangan with several initiaves already underway to improve the schools curriculum, teaching and facilities. This in itself is a massive step in improving the lives of the children of the Gili Islands.
As a result of publicity generated during the previous record dives, Will now has a database of contacts wishing to be kept up to date with any further attempts and happy to sponsor his next dive. Domestic television crews and an International Production Company were present. Newspaper journalists from all over the world were present and features in worldwide diving magazines were also published.
Will and the crew are hoping to tailor the next dive towards generating donations and support for the Bio Rock www.biorock-workshop.org initiative as well as continuing to sponsor the village schools on the Gili Islands. However the attempt date is a closely guarded secret!
Once again a BIG thank you to all organisers, witnesses, support crew, friends family and sponsors who worked so hard to make this team achievement possible.
To quote Mr Goodman " anyone can do this dive you just need enough people to care for you"
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