Oil and water don't mix. Not unless you're a dive rig. Decommissioned and re-purposed as a scuba diving resort, Seaventures Dive Rig is a one of a kind location. We chat with PADI Instructor, Pete Hamerton on how the world's only dive rig has put environmental education at the heart of its local community.

Tell us about your passion for ocean conservation.

At Seaventures Dive Rig, we’re scuba divers, ocean enthusiasts and environmentalists. As the world’s only dive rig, we are surrounded by the ocean and all too often we see the negative impact that humans have. We cannot just standby and watch this happening. We need to take charge, make the change, and, most importantly, be the change we want to see.

Why and when did you get involved with Project AWARE?

In the 1990’s, before it was turned into a diving resort, the Rig was a working oil rig. It was decommissioned and re-purposed as a scuba diving resort in Mabul near Sipadan. There is a fishing village in Mabul where living amenities are bare. While the diving is great, there is a serious need for proper conservation activities - we try and share this with all of our customers and students. 

What are some issues that are affecting your local dive site or favorite underwater areas?

Mabul Island faces a real challenge with marine debris from time to time. Our regular Dive Against Debris dives on our house reef (right under the rig) shows this. We mainly find plastics, bottles and nappies. That’s one of the reasons why we engaged with our local community during our first Ocean Conservation week back in August.

What Project AWARE programs have you participated in? Tell us about your work!

We undertake regular Dive Against Debris dives, all of our dive team pick up litter from every dive that we do.  We're now offering the Project AWARE Dive Against Debris and Shark Conservation specialty courses. We also encourage our dive team and guests to not only participate in Dive Against Debris dives, but to get involved in their local community and educate the younger generation. This was a key theme for our Ocean Conservation week -  a series of fun workshops with kids from our local community on how they can help to protect the ocean. 

What has been the highlight of your Project AWARE experience? 

In mid 2015, one of our PADI Instructors, Brigitte Zintz, initiated a 100 days of Dive Against Debris. Our dive team and guests enthusiastically participated, and on the 100th day, the total trash collected was a staggering 924 kgs! In a way, the number looks big and sounds like a great achievement but in truth, we realize that there is a lot of debris in the ocean. So our work is not done yet. Brigitte was named Dive Against Debris Hero for 2016 and we've followed her commitment by adopting the site.

What is the most important thing you tell others about Project AWARE?

Let others know what Project AWARE stands for. Other than that, you can donate. And if you can’t donate, educate. Do your part in keeping the environment clean. Remember it’s not just the ocean that needs protecting. What we discard on land, will find its way to the ocean eventually.