Underwater memorial for top KZN divers

DIVERS flocked to Sodwana Bay on Saturday to bid a final farewell to top KwaZulu-Natal divers, Peter Timm and Adele Stegen van Deventer, and to celebrate Timm’s life and achievements.

The day began with a morning dive hosted by Triton Dive Charters and Lodge in the Sodwana Bay section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The ‘memorial bio-dive’ took place between 9 and 10am and divers were asked to take photos of marine life in honour of Timm’s contribution to conservation and marine research.

All photographs, as well as other marine life records, will be uploaded to iSpot as part of Timm’s legacy.

‘His deeds serve as an inspiration to divers, scientists, conservationists and explorers alike,’ said Triton Dive Charters. A bio-dive is similar to a ‘bio-blitz’ where the aim is to document biodiversity by recording as many species as possible at one location. Divers from all over South Africa were encouraged to take part and submit their underwater photographs by 12 July.

The memorial dive was followed by a memorial service in memory of the experienced technical diver on Saturday afternoon.

Timm inspired many divers and his passing is a great loss to the diving community.

He had a passion for the ocean, as well as for learning and research. His most notable achievement was his part in the re-discovery of the Coelacanth. Speaking at the service, Terri Castis from iSimangaliso said, ‘iSimangaliso had an ally in Peter, he shared the vision for iSimangaliso and especially for Sodwana’.

The service also included tributes from Frank Slabbert of CMAS, Angus Patterson of SAIAB (SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity), Kerry Sink of SANBI (SA National Biodiversity Institute) and Jean Harris of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.