My fight for justice...
I started diving in 1974 and got certified in 1976. Was in a rescue squadron in my hometown (wich my father established amongst others) from 1974, and as today I am still on their call list for rescuediving. In 1980 I had already 400 dives, mainly rescue practices and sportdiving, but also serving the boats with inspections and cutting nets out of their propeller. In 1976 a law was established by the government that all those who could proof that they had been diving and got paid for that all those receive a diploma as professional divers. I applied for one but was denied, because the man who was in charge of providers was from my hometown and did not want me in. He was afraid of loosing jobs. In 1980 I applied again but the same story, and in 1985, 1987, 1990... but no, no, no,no. In all these years I was diving as an inspector for all the fishfarming companies in Iceland and everyone knew I was illegal but they never stopped me. I even helped the prodivers when they needed a help.
In 1991 I gave up all the prodiving after some bigtime fight with the prodivers when they had to swallow their pride on more time, and I had one prodiver put to jail after he threw all my divegear into the ocean. I was then simply taking underwater pictures. I became an PADI instructor in 1991 and I have been trying to convince Icelandic authorities about PADI and before me a good friend of mine and divebuddy of many years and my confounder of my school, he had tried from 1986, and always no luck. We could never get them to change the law so that we could be recognised as professionals in our field. Yet I have more diplomas than most of prodivers combined, but I had decided in 1976 that I would continue my fight until they would have to change the law. To day I celebrate oct.9, 2001 as the day when "Imagine" by John Lennon was played on the radio to celebrate his 61st birthday and I celebrate because I became a PRO according to Icelandic law and that PADI was recognised in Iceland. I am proud to have this date to remember, this day will be in my mind THE DAY WHEN THE JUSTICE WON.

Manu! Save trip to all your dives, thank you for your inspiration, keep in touch, take care, always yours in Iceland, Tommi.
retour