Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy 13th August 2018 - The sea and its resources to love and protect, and the man, with his innate desire to explore the depths with increasingly advanced technologies, but also with the limitations imposed by physics and physiology. This is how HYDRA originated, a new and ambitious research project created by DAN Europe and SUEX, in collaboration with the Portofino Marine Protected Area Consortium. A memorandum of understanding was signed last August 3rd in Santa Margherita. For the first time, in fact, the use of DPVs (Diver Propulsion Vehicles, also called underwater scooters) has been allowed inside a Marine Protected Area (MPA) for scientific purposes.
"With the use of underwater scooters the diver is able to reach new and exciting places, expanding the range of his explorations," says Ivo Calabrese, marketing manager at SUEX, a leading company in the production of DPVs. These vehicles also have the advantage of reducing physical effort whilst diving, with potential positive effects on the diver's health.
In order to better understand these mechanisms, a specific research protocol has been developed. "Scientific studies in this field are practically non-existent," says Massimo Pieri, researcher at DAN Europe, an international medical organisation dedicated to the health and safety of divers. "Our aim is to investigate the physiological effects of DPV use, especially focusing on post-dive bubbles, pulmonary stress and alteration of body fluids", Mr. Pieri continues. The protocol includes clinical tests, as well as pre and post dive diagnostic examinations, such as cardiac and pulmonary echocardiography, and infrared thermal imaging.
Collaboration with the Portofino Marine Protected Area Consortium was a key element. The MPA Director, Mr. Giorgio Fanciulli, signed the memorandum of understanding and issued an official authorisation, allowing the study activities to be carried out inside the Marine Protected Area. In fact, involvement of the Portofino MPA in the HYDRA Project is not limited to the strict diving regulations. Long, multiple dives, covering an extended area, offer a unique opportunity to observe and monitor the surrounding marine environment.
The HYDRA team consists of 14 selected and highly qualified divers. All of them are experienced dive instructors or trainers, and received specific training to collect data. They will be allowed to enter and dive in zones B and C, at a defined speed and strictly respecting the protocol. Four dive sites have been selected: Testa Leone, Altare, Secca Gonzatti and Mohawk Deer.
"It is an integrated, cross-research project that brings different elements together: medical research, technological development, all this respecting the surrounding environment," declares Laura Marroni, Vice President of DAN Europe.
The first research and monitoring data will start to be collected in the next few days. The investigation will continue until the end of 2018.
DAN Europe
DAN (Divers Alert Network) Europe is the most respected and trusted international organisation dedicated to diving safety, emergency services, research and training. DAN maintains a 24/7 emergency hotline, assisting in dive emergencies throughout the globe, and serving the diving community at large.
SUEX Srl
SUEX - The submarine Exploration Company - was founded in 1999 with the goal to manufacture high-performance technical diving vehicles for all diving professionals, long range exploration diving, technical and deep diving, and to serve the Navy's many applications. Nowadays SUEX represents the cutting-edge techonology of underwater mobility. Performance, reliability, manoeuvrability, complete product range and an excellent after-market service are the cornerstones that make SUEX the undisputed leader in the underwater scooter market.
Consorzio di Gestione AMP Portofino
The Marine Protected Area of Portofino was established by the decree of the Environment Ministry of 26 April 1999, and includes the municipalities of Camogli, Portofino and S.Margherita Ligure. The objectives of marine protected areas are both to protect the environment and the resources of the sea, as well as to promote and enhance local economic activities, provided that they are compatible with the naturalistic importance of the area. The Consortium managing the MPA includes the municipalities of Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli, the Metropolitan City of Genoa and the University of Genoa.
Press contact
Cristian Pellegrini
cpellegrini@daneurope.org
+39 328 8681481