Rex De Silva
Registered

Age

71

About Rex De Silva

Biography:

I have been diving since the mid 1950s. I have been a spearfisherman, u/w photographer and commercial diver. I have researched sharks for many decades and am author of the standard work on Sri Lankan sharks. In the early 1970s I held the Sri Lankan unofficial SCUBA depth record at 240 feet. I have published several peer-reviewed scientific papers on Sri Lankan marine life.

Location:

Sri Lanka

Interests:

Astronomy, Natural History and Martial Arts. I am a bibliophile. I like to spend time with my two lovely granddaughters. I also like dogs, cats and things that fly, crawl swim, walk and run.

Occupation:

I am retired, but as a Shihan (Master Instructor) I teach a few Karate and Ju Jitsu classes.

Gender:

Male

Blog / MySpace URL:

http://sites.google.com/site/rexidesilva/home

Certification Agencies:

Reefcombers of Ceylon/Colombo Port Commission

Dive History:

Dived everywhere in Sri Lankan seas and some fresh water diving, also the Maldives. I have probably logged around 10-12,000 hours underwater.
Largest fish speared 120 lb. Ray.
COMMERCIAL DIVING
Underwater hull cleaning of Supertanker "San Juan Vanguard" (165,000 tons) and 44 other cargo vessels.
Patched underwater section of hull of M/v. "Pulawy" (20,000 tons).
Salvaged cargo of mining equipment from "Wombat" sunk in deep water off southern Sri Lanka.
Refloated sunken trawler "Maple Leaf".
Salvaged anchor or M/v. "Drachenfels" (30,000 tons).
First Sri Lankan to use hydraulically operated underwater hull-cleaning equipment.
Used oxy-arc underwater cutting equipment in salvage work.
Sealed Scour gate and outlet of Hasalaka reservoir.
Sealed main outlet of Maduru Oya reservoir.
Routine maintainence clearing of main intakes at Kelanitissa Thermal Power Station.
Search and Recovery of drowning victims.

Certification Level:

Licensed Commercial Diver/Advanced SCUBA Instructor

# of Logged Dives:

5,000 - ∞

Dive Classification:

Experienced Diver

Years Certified:

Ten Or More Years

Dive Equipment:

SCUBA and Surface air (hookah) supply.

SB Challenge:

Writing authentic history of diving in Sri lanka.