Mavericks instructor involved in world record
underwater radio broadcast
2007 Nov 29
Disc jockey Martin Day has broken the world record for broadcasting a live radio show from under the water. The Essex FM star, together with Sue Harrison, hosts the Essex FM morning show that plays to Britain's southeast region including London. The record-breaking breakfast show was broadcast from Action Underwater Studios, with Martin inside the main filming tank and Sue presenting from the dry camera well. Action Underwater Studios have been behind the shooting of breathtaking action sequences for many productions, including the Bond, Bourne, Harry Potter and Star Wars blockbusters, as well as tv shows Top Gear, Casualty and 999.

Previously, the british record stood at 1h25, held by Nick Girdler; and the world record was 3h30 by german radio presenter Frank Niessen. In order to be able to present from within the tank for several hours, Martin was equipped with a surface-supplied full-face mask with communications link to the production crew. NAUI instructor Andrew Pugsley was charged with briefing the radio star, ensuring his comfort in the water and providing safety cover. Andrew is the chief instructor at London-based dive centre Mavericks Diving. Mavericks is hosting its NAUI courses at Action Underwater Studios impressive facilities, which includes the 6 metre deep tank in which the new world record was set. Although he worked behind the scenes on this occasion, Andrew is used to fronting broadcasts - he is a presenter of the online television show The Underwater Channel.

The world record broadcast also went out live by webcam, and was photographed and filmed from within the tank. The dive team spent several hours during the day before the broadcast putting in place the set which had been designed and constructed some weeks in advance by Action Underwater Studios. They then started work at 0400 on the day of the broadcast, which went live at 0600 and saw Martin break the world record with a time of 3h41. Congratulations to Martin and the Essex FM Morning Crew!


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