About Us
Robert White. Diving Safety Supervisor and Logistics coordinator
Rob learned to dive in the Philippines in 1997 and obtained his diving instructor qualification in 2004 after many years as a PADI DiveMaster.
Originally, Rob joined the Brighton Shark Dive team as assistant underwater
caretaker but is now responsible for organising and running the charity shark
dives. Rob is also a keen underwater photographer, a first-aid instructor,
emergency-oxygen-provider trainer and health and safety coordinator with
experience of techincal and some commercial diving.
Jonny Simpson-Lee. Diving Safety Supervisor and Maintenance Advisor
Jonny learned to dive in January 2004 and qualified as a PADI Divemaster
in 2007. He is an experienced underwater photographer and his love of the
underwater world has led him to develop a comprehensive knowledge of marine
species. He has a particular interest in the behaviour and protection of
sharks and in promoting the positive way in which these beautiful
creatures are perceived. Jonny has been passionate about marine life since he was a small
child and having been an aquarium enthusiast for many years, the opportunity
to assist at the Sea Life Centre has been a natural progression. Since he
joined the team in 2008, Jonny has loved being able to assist on shark dives
and to share his love of these animals in addition to devoting his spare
time to help maintain the tank and ensure these magnificent creatures
can live in a clean, safe environment.
We all consider it a privilledge and a great pleasure to be able to dive with the sharks, turtles and other fish at the Brighton Sealife Centre. If we can pass on a little knowledge, contribute to other people's enjoyment, understanding and respect for these wonderful creatures and perhaps promote the conservation of these animals and their fragile marine habitats then we consider our efforts worthwhile.
The Brighton SeaLife Centre contains many wonderful exhibits and you'll be free to enjoy all the exhibits at your leisure. We can highly recommend the new Amazonian experience, complete with mirror-maze, Piranha and Poison Dart Frogs!
The Ocean Tank in which the sharks live holds over 700,000 litres of sea-water. It has a maximum depth of 3.1 metres and the temperature is held at approximately 23 degrees so a 5mm wetsuit is plenty for your dive.
During your time in the water you'll be surrounded by over 500 other fish including very inquisitive bat-fish (who tend to nibble your dive-boots if you stay still long enough), cardinal fish, squirrel fish, cleaner wrasse and neptune fish. Most importantly, you'll meet Lulu and Jersey - the marine turtles. They each weigh over 200kgs but they look so graceful in the water!
The animals themselves have distinct personalities of their own and you'll be introduced to them all as part of your dive briefing.
All the animals in the ocean tank have either been rescued or bred in captivity and their health and welfare is of paramount importance to us. Animal behavior is monitored both before, during and after each dive and we must reserve the right to postpone, restrict or curtail a dive if we feel that there is any question about the safety or wellbeing of the animals OR our divers.
Email us at info@brightonsharkdive.co.uk