Honor Diver

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

Mr. Federico Malagelada Benaprés (Honorary Diver 2017), Lawyer, diver, underwater historian, specialist in the study of shipwrecks, treasure hunter, bibliophile. He has the best library in Spain on underwater subjects, with more than 2,500 volumes. Talking to him about the shipwrecks of the "Magdalena", the "Guisa" or the "San Pedro de Alcántara" is like taking a trip to the past and submerging ourselves in the waters of history to uncover their secrets.

Mr. Cristian Petron (Honorary Diver 2017), one of the great directors in the field of underwater cinematography. Director of photography in "The Big Blue" and "Atlantis", hired by James Cameron for his project "Deep Rover", technical director of the filming of the "Titanic" for Discovery Channel... The list would be immense. He is also a true expert in everything related to underwater cameras and there is no device that escapes him. Excellent person, lover of life, passionate about the sea and always with new projects in progress. He will never cease to surprise 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, diving to this day. She has a long academic record, professor of Geography and History at the University of Barcelona, and was also a professor at the University of Boston. She received the Creu de Sant Jordi in 2005. A long life dedicated to research and teaching, in which she has always occupied an important place.

Mr. Manel Gil García (Honorary Diver 2019). In 1993 he created the production company GILMARSUB, in charge of filming underwater videos in chapters under the name THE AQUARIUM SEA OF THE WORLD. Navy combat diver, inventor and creator of all types of underwater housings. Painter of the seabed in 3D.

Navy Diving Center (Honorary Diver 2020). Since 1787, heirs to the oldest tradition and the first diving schools in the world. Always in constant renewal and adaptation to the times. Participating in the rescue of ships sunk by aviation 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 reference for diving 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 the practice of diving, a pioneer especially in the speleology-diving modality, and as a disseminator, coordinator of the TVE program "Al Filo de lo Imposible" (1985-2008) and as its director (2009-2013). She started diving in 1975. Her specialty from the beginning was speleology diving. Acuc instructor, Fedas instructor, Nitrox instructor and Trimix diver. She has participated in the explorations of the most important caves in Spain.

Ms. Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa (Honorary Diver 2023). Prolific writer, journalist, inventor and adventurer. One of the first diving instructors to serve on board the training ship “Cruz del Sur”. He participated in the difficult underwater recovery of victims of the Ribadelago Catastrophe in 1959. Author, among many others, of the cult novel among divers based on his own experiences: “Under 7 Seas”. It is a privilege to be able to present him with the aforementioned award.