by Jeffrey Gallant

The Swissair SR111 recovery team discovered two shipwrecks in the vicinity of Peggy's Cove while searching for aircraft debris in September 1998. One of the wrecks is metal-hulled, round and measures approximately 60 metres, while the second is a smaller wooden vessel.

For a while, rumour had it that the larger wreck was a WWII German U-boat. Although the cigar-shaped object may indeed be a submarine, a local historian is convinced the wreck is the British submarine L-26.

U-boats regularly prowled the approaches to Halifax Harbour but no enemy submarine was ever sunk so close to Peggy's Cove.

The L-26 was sunk for sonar practise near St. Margaret's Bay in 1946. The mystery sub lies under 60 metres of water about six kilometres from land. The navy plans to send a team to investigate.

Nova Scotia Tourism and Culture has just released a 23-minute promotional video on diving in Nova Scotia. Dive Nova Scotia opened to rave reviews during its premiere screening at the London International Dive Show in the UK. Over 15,000 British divers attended the show and they were not disappointed.

Footage includes images taken on the HMCS Saguenay, various wrecks in the Halifax approaches, and some exciting shots of adventure diving on St. Pauls Island off Cape Breton. Local marine life, including whales and seals, also figure prominently.

Historical anecdotes on local tragedies and U-boat activity off Halifax give significance to the wrecks and beckon travelling adventurers. Some of the province's many topside attractions are also featured in the video as an added value, and to help plan a very memorable trip.

Dive Nova Scotia is narrated and has a local musical soundtrack. The video was created and co-written by Terry Dwyer and produced by Mark Stanton of Diver Down Television.

Copies are available in both NTSC (North America) and PAL (Europe) format to anyone involved in the marine tourism sector.

For more information or to obtain a copy, please contact Terry Dwyer at Diversion Dive Tours Canada. Tel: (902)-455-3483
Fax: (902)-455-3482
E-mail: 455dive@ns.sympatico.ca

Explorers, safety experts, historians, diving equipment manufacturers, underwater photographers and videographers will take part in a conference that will offer an extensive selection of over 30 seminars, lectures and workshops which will be held over three-days.

Splash 2002 will showcase new equipment, exciting travel destinations, a complimentary scuba experience, extensive dive-related workshops, clinics, symposiums, an international film show and dance. Organisers expect over 500 people will attend this event.

The Conference theme will be Continuing Education. Additional themes will include diving technology, shipwrecks, dive travel and tourism. A high priority will be placed on presenting many guest speakers, multimedia presentations, seminars, courses, clinics and workshops on such topics as shipwrecks, exotic and local dive travel, technical diving, rebreathers, marine life and the environment, underwater photography and videography.

The Atlantic Scuba Conference is not a tradeshow and there will not be any exhibits or exhibit hall. This educational conference will offer an unprecedented selection of cutting-edge seminars, presentations, workshops and clinics. There will also be a film show and dance on Saturday night. The show will be open to everyone.

The Atlantic Scuba Conference will be held at The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 26-28, 2002.