World-class divers have successfully completed the deepest manned scuba dive in Bermuda waters, plunging 444ft on the Challenger seamount.A four-person dive team led by Tom Iliffe explored what was the edge of Bermuda at the time of the last Ice Age.Very little is said to be known about the opposite extremes of climate and sea level at that time.The divers conducted a multi-tiered project, examining deep cave structures and wave cut notches formed when sea level was at its lowest point.The team collected biological and geologic samples, which have been given to scientists to examine.Underwater photographer and videographer Jill Heinerth, and dive safety officer Brian Kakuk, who has done dive safety on films including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, took part in the deepest expedition on June 19.Their support team included Gil Nolan and Brett Gonzalez who helped them dress into gear; local diver Graham Maddocks helped them manoeuvre into position at the marker buoy. A specialist crew of doctors from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital also volunteered their time in case of emergency.Bermuda Harbour Radio helped ensure boats stayed a fair distance away from the divers.Mr Maddocks, who runs dive shop Triangle Divers, said divers spent 15 minutes at 444ft.The remainder of the four hours underwater was spent decompressing in a series of stops on a line.The stops were necessary so that potentially lethal gasses, such as nitrogen or helium, could work their way out of the body.Mr Maddocks said the two-week diving expedition was relatively easy compared to the two months it took to plan all the logistics, including managing the team’s equipment and regulators. More than 500lbs of equipment was used, he added.He said the expedition was hugely successful.He was “honoured” to have been able to assist the team, he said.The expedition was named ‘project of the year’ by sponsors National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additional sponsorship came from BIOS and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.However, they have “only scratched the surface” in terms of what research data can be found underwater, Mr Maddocks said.“Bermuda is one of only nine volcanoes like it in the world. The other islands have been researched but no-one has done anything here. It’s completely unique as the second most remotely populated island in the world and it’s been [largely] undiscovered.“We do not have any idea what exists down there. We have only looked at a small part of it now.”He said the expedition and subsequent award were a kudos to Bermuda and gave the Island “great potential of bringing in some really unique groups of tourists”.lUseful website: www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov* For more photos go to: http://www.royalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/tngallery?Site=RG&Date=20110712&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=712009998&Ref=PH