Russian divers set new world record by descending to 97 meters off Antarctic shore

KAZAN, December 10. /TASS/. Divers of the Antarctica’100 research expedition organized by the regional branch of the Russian Geographic Society in the constituent republic of Tatarstan have set a new world record by going down to the depth of 97 meters off the Antarctic coast, Alina Askanderova, the press secretary of the branch told TASS. “The descent was done near Deception Island and the record has been registered by the World Confederation of Underwater Activities and the data will be submitted to the Russian and European Books of Records,” she said. The previous record of descent in the Antarctic waters was set by Soviet divers and totaled about 20 meters. “In the course of the mission, the divers experimented with the techniques of deepwater descents in extreme conditions and tested the newest Russian equipment for diving,” Iskanderova said. The researchers have set a goal for themselves to descend to the depth of 100 meters and that is why they will have more tries if weather permits them. “A heavy storm is expected in the area of the Shetland Islands,” Iskanderova said. Antartica’100 expedition started out in Kazan on November 27. Its objective is to explore the depths of the Southern Ocean and to study the capabilities of the human body. In addition to it, the scientists plan to test novel top-notch equipment for deepwater descents. In an somewhat unusual move, the diverts have taken on with them the Russian Orthodox icon of the Virgin Mary of Kazan, the Torah and the Quran to show that people of different cultures and religious beliefs can live together and support one another in extreme conditions. The expedition crewmembers are staying aboard a ship near the Russian Antarctic station of Bellinsghausen and making dives there, too. They hope to return to Kazan before the New Year. Read more