Scuba Sunday is a feature on scuba divers both here in New Zealand and some of the divers I have come in to contact with from all over the world.

Today’s interview was completed by Kelvin Murray.

I have been chatting to Kelvin on Twitter (and Facebook) for a couple of years now.  Aside from being a world-class diver with multiple instructor ratings plus commercial and technical diving qualifications, Kelvin over-wintered in Antarctica as Field Diving Officer for the British Antarctic Survey in 2007. And he has great taste in charter operators as well – last time he was down here in New Zealand, he dived with Noel and Jo of Yukon Dive Charters up at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.

I often call Kelvin my ‘dive brother from another mother’ – our discussions range from unpacking the dishwasher to cups of tea to introducing people to marine life via Google Earth to the feeding habits of leopard seals.  But seriously this crazy man from Scotland enjoys polar diving and is the personality behind Silvertip Expedition and Dive Management.

Kelvin dives and guides all over the world, on every continent and in every ocean.
He has explored polar seas to tropical reefs with high definition cameras and ROV technology. His clients include European and American expedition companies as well as National Geographic photographers and filmmakers, BBC producers and French television presenters whom he advises on equipment, filming / diving techniques and wildlife.

Working in collaboration with Dr. Sylvia Earle’s SEAlliance Foundation, he contributes video footage and stills images to the Ocean layer of Google Earth, whilst also sourcing and mentoring other contributors.

Before he headed off on his latest adventure, I asked him if he would participate in Scuba Sunday.

Where are you based?

I live in Edinburgh, Scotland although I’m originally from Aberdeen, just up the coast.  A lot of the time I am based out of two large tarpaulin semi-dry kit bags!

Kelvin in Antarctica - Low maintenance haircut means wet hair doesn't keep your head cold after a winter ice-dive in Antarctica / Photograph Alistair Simpson

Why scuba diving?

Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by the sea and the creatures that inhabit it – we lived near it, swam in it, watched it on TV. Somehow it took me until my twenties to realise I could actually learn to dive and explore the oceans. That way, I could become James Mason as Captain Nemo in ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’ – the book is required reading for any underwater explorer.

Has scuba diving changed your life in any noticeable way?

Absolutely, and in so many incredible ways. I have been able to see places and enjoy wildlife that I watched on so many television programmes by my all-time hero, Sir David Attenborough. I’ve always tried different things with my diving and it’s literally taken me from one end of the planet to another. Joining the British Antarctic Survey as Diving Officer was a huge step in my life and that experience led me into expedition diving. In one year alone I dived every ocean on every continent. I never forget how privileged I’ve been, but also remember that it’s taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice. I am my diving.

Your favourite dive?

Tricky to answer.
In March this year I came face-to-face with the biggest Leopard seal I’ve met in the water – that was an incredible experience. The Poor Knights were amazing, I’d love to go back – of course! Filming hammerheads getting cleaned by reef fish at Cocos Island is also up there, as is having a Broadnosed Sevengill shark swim between my legs at Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha. But I have to say, I really love diving in Scotland – there are sites in some of the sea lochs that are simply world-class.

Favourite piece of kit?

My Poseidon Xstream regulators, without a doubt. I started using Poseidon regs with BAS and saw what a dependable and sturdy piece of kit they are, plus they are so straightforward to service. A lot of my diving is in extremely cold water and I’d rather use life-support equipment that I have complete faith in – which is why I have the Xstreams.

Favourite marine life?

Marine mammals fascinate me. I’ll be down there wearing my own body weight in expensive gear for a few precious minutes of underwater fun. A seal swims past and it is swimming circles around me, holding its breath… Orca are completely awe-inspiring – you’d have to have a heart or mind made of brick not to be impressed by them. But I do have to say, I’m also a fan of planktonic life – never forget all the wee beasties that make it all happen.

Your diving bucket list – is there;

• a course that you want to complete
• Trimix rebreather for sure – this would allow me to explore some really deep walls in Antarctica that I reckon are smothered in ancient and gigantic lifeforms.  There’s a phenomenon known as ‘polar giganticism’ – animal metabolic rates are slow due to the extreme and constant cold, but there is also a bit more oxygen dissolved in the water, so although animals grow slowly they can grow larger.  Sea spiders and isopods grow to incredible sizes!  The walls don’t get denuded by ice and some scientists reckon there could be huge sponges down there that are 10,000 years old.  Tell me that isn’t exciting!  Either that or learn to pilot Branson’s new sub [see no.8]…

• a place you want to dive
• See above. Although in saying that, exploring the north and west coasts of Vancouver Island and up into British Columbia is top of the list and much more attainable. Giant Pacific octopus; Salmon sharks; cold, nutrient rich water feeding a thick benthic animal turf; Orca; sea lions and dolphins – it’s a dream dive destination for me.

• something you want to see?
• Deep ocean hydrothermal vents and the colonies of life around them. It literally boggles my mind and once again goes to show just how amazing, adaptable, resilient, inventive, mysterious and unknown marine life can be. I doubt I’ll be doing that on scuba.

A little light snow doesn't discourage Kelvin from filming in Antarctica / Photograph Thijs Westra

You are given 30 minutes to talk to anyone about anything ocean or marine related. Who would you talk to and what about?

Richard Branson – I’m really interested in the Virgin Oceanic project, where he and his team plan to dive to the five deepest spots of five oceans in a revolutionary submersible. The team will explore and discover a strange new world that is really only a few miles away. I think it is a great opportunity to show how mankind is utterly dependent on our oceans and that although they are wide and deep, they are not infinite and indestructible. We need to be making much greater efforts to protect and conserve our oceans and their inhabitants, which will ultimately save us. Branson is such an interesting person because if he goes for something, he tends to make it happen. Highlighting the plight of the oceans is the first step in saving them which is why I’m so glad to be involved with the SEAlliance and Google Earth. Plus, I really believe he needs a big Scottish diver on his team.

What do you do on your safety stop?

I watch the little stuff. It is easy to think the dive is over but do check out the plankton floating by or the creatures crawling over the reef or rocks. Enjoy the sunlight dappling the waves and take the time to really appreciate the privilege of getting to explore our amazing underwater world.

I’m sure you can all see why I enjoy chatting to Kelvin – never short of an interesting story!

Such as this one …

For more;

• Silvertip World Expedition and Dive Management
• Silvertip World on Facebook
• Silvertip on Twitter