Honor Diver

Mr. Juan Ivars Perelló (Honor Diver 2016). Combat and Damage Diver. Deep Diver with air and helium-oxygen mixtures. 1st Class Diver with air and mixtures (118 m) in the U.S. Navy. Professional Diver and Diver Instructor with five Specialties. Instructor Evaluator/Certifier of Recreational Diving at Scuba Schools International (SSI). Certificate of studies on gas mixtures, management of hyperbaric complexes and immersion systems with turret, at the Underwater Research Unit in Panama City (Florida) USA where he took part in one of the experiences at 487 meters deep, carried out in the aforementioned unit. Co-author, with Tomás Rodríguez Cuevas, of the work (History of Diving, its development in Spain 1983 and 1987).

Mr. Federico Malagelada Benaprés (Honorary Diver 2017) is a lawyer, diver, underwater historian, shipwreck specialist, treasure hunter, and bibliophile. He owns Spain's finest underwater library, with over 2,500 volumes. Talking with him about the shipwrecks of the "Magdalena," the "Guisa," and the "San Pedro de Alcántara" is like taking a journey into the past, immersing ourselves in the waters of history to uncover its secrets.

Mr. Cristian Petron (Honorary Diver 2017), one of the greatest filmmakers in the field of underwater cinematography. Director of photography on "The Big Blue" and "Atlantis," hired by James Cameron for his "Deep Rover" project, technical director of the "Titanic" filming for the Discovery Channel... The list is endless. He's also a true expert on all things underwater cameras, and no device escapes him. An excellent person, a lover of life, passionate about the sea, and always with new projects in the works. He'll never cease to amaze us.

Ms. Mercedes Vilanova Riba (Honorary Diver 2018). The first female diver in Spain, she completed the diving course with the CRIS club in 1954 and continues to dive to this day. She has a long academic record, a professor of Geography and History at the University of Barcelona, and was also a professor at Boston University. She received the Creu de Sant Jordi in 2005. A long life dedicated to research and teaching, in which she has always held an important place.

Mr. Manel Gil García (Honorary Diver 2019). In 1993, he founded the production company GILMARSUB, responsible for filming chapter-by-chapter underwater videos under the name EL MAR ACUARIO DEL MUNDO (The Sea Aquarium of the World). He is a Navy combat diver, inventor, and creator of all types of underwater housings. He is a 3D seabed painter.

Navy Diving Center (Honorary Diver 2020). Since 1787, we have inherited the oldest tradition and were among the world's first diving schools. We are constantly renewing and adapting to the times. We participate in the rescue of ships sunk by aircraft in ports and shallow waters. In 1959, the Diving School changed its name to the Diving Instruction Center (CIB), and in 1970, it moved to the La Algameca Naval Station, creating the NAVY DIVING CENTER. Since its inception, it has been the most important diving center in Spain. It is the first institution to receive the Honorary Diver distinction.

Ms. Carmen Portilla Fernández (Honorary Diver 2022). For her extensive career in diving, especially a pioneer in the speleological diving modality, and as a popularizer, she was coordinator of the TVE program "Al Filo de lo Imposible" (1985-2008) and its director (2009-2013). She started diving in 1975. Her specialty since the beginning was speleological diving. Aquatic instructor, Fedas instructor, Nitrox instructor, and Trimix diver. She has participated in explorations of the most important caves in Spain.

Ms. Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa (Honorary Diver 2023). A prolific writer, journalist, inventor, and adventurer, he was one of the first diving instructors to serve aboard the training ship "Cruz del Sur." He participated in the difficult underwater recovery of victims of the Ribadelago Catastrophe in 1959. He is the author of, among many others, the cult novel among divers based on his own experiences: "Under 7 Seas." It is a privilege to present him with this award.

Ms. Manel Melchor Carpio (Honorary Diver 2024). President Emeritus of the HDSES. Manel Melchor has been Director of the National School of Underwater Activities (ENAS), President of the World Commission on Underwater Fishing and a member of the Executive Bureau of CMAS (World Confederation of Underwater Activities); a photojournalist for the magazine 'Yate y Motonáutica' and director of the magazines 'Cris Revista de la Mar' and 'Vida Submarina'; a representative of the MARES company in Catalonia, a commercial diver in the 1960s; a sports diving instructor and a keen underwater fishing enthusiast. He wrote the commemorative book for the 50th anniversary of the founding of FEDAS in 2017 and is the author of the book "La Pesca submarina y yo".