The Bayesian luxury yacht disaster in Sicily has once again demonstrated the risks taken by salvage divers when recovering victims from a shipwreck. The vessel sank in 164 feet (50 m) of water, meaning they could only work in 12-minute shifts before having to surface. Scattered debris further hampered the operation. The physical and physiological effects on the body when working in such conditions requires the skills of highly-trained individuals and, while technological advances have made the job far easier, the task of underwater recovery can still be a grim and thankless one.
Click through and find out more about the unique and often dangerous role of the salvage diver.