INTERVIEW by Dharshana Jayawardena

                         
                                    Dharshana Jayawardena (author of ‘Ghosts of the Deep’) interviews Rex I. De Silva.

DJ: What motivated you to try SCUBA diving?

When did you dive first?

To the best of my recollection, I started spearfishing and free-diving around October 1956. I started SCUBA diving around 1958. As someone who spent a lot of time in the sea from a young age, it was just natural that I eventually gravitated to SCUBA diving.

DJ: Did you have formal dive training?

If so what agency did you train in?

Who trained you?

No. I read everything I could find on diving and taught myself to SCUBA dive. I should mention that I was a good long-distance swimmer competing in the two-mile sea swim on a couple of occasions. I was also an excellent free-diver and could hold my breath for approximately three minutes and spear fish at depths of up to 20 meters or so. Hence SCUBA diving actually came quite easily and naturally to me. I consider that learning to SCUBA dive is easy as learning to ride a bicycle. It was only in the mid-1960s that formal training and certification began in the REEFCOMBERS and although I was a veteran by that time I had myself certified both at Basic and Instructor levels. (Some divers, like Rodney Jonklaas, Langston Pereira and others considered certification to be a joke. As Rodney once put it “I don’t need a certificate to dive, all I need is my mask and fins”. Rodney, it should be noted, completed  around 30,000 dives in his long career). In late 1968, The Colombo Port Commission (CPC) tested, qualified and licensed me as a Commercial Diver.

                                              

DJ: What type of diving equipment did you use?

Originally the American Healthways, Spanish Nemrod and US Divers Scuba equipment. This usually meant 72 cu. ft. tanks and Mistral, Royal Aquamaster, Nemrod and Bunns twin hose regulators. I also used 50 cu. ft. Draegar twin sets and Healthways 72 cu. ft twin sets. I only used wet suits when the water was cold, at other times I dived with rugby jersey and denim shorts as this gave me greater mobility and freedom. Single-hose regulators made their appearance around 1960 and by the late 1960s I changed over to these. The US Divers ‘Calypso’ regulator was a favourite, but there were many other fine units manufactured by Healthways, Nemrod, Scubapro etc. Nonetheless some of the old twin-hose units were ‘easy-breathing’ regulators apart from being more photogenic.  I owned several spearguns including Cressi Saetta and Cernias, Nemrod Cruchero and Fragatas etc. Several other spearguns passed through my hands but these were the ones I used extensively. I also used a variety of Surface-supplied breathing apparatus (aka ‘Hookah’) on commercial operations.

One thing I never used was a life jacket (LJ) or buoyancy compensator (BC). The reason is in those days, a diver using these items was considered a “Wimp” and, as Chief Diver for an underwater engineering organization, I would have been seen as weak and insecure if I used one of these. This could very easily have resulted in undermining my authority with the divers.

DJ: What was the SCUBA diving situation (or "culture") those days?  Whom did you dive with regularly?

The only culture could be summed up by the rather cavalier attitude of “Do your own thing, so long as you don’t kill yourself”. Most of us did it our own way; rules did not exist and if they did, would most probably have been ignored. The only rule the REEFCOMBERS had was “Spearfishing with breathing gear is strictly prohibited”. In the old days a diver had to be self-reliant, and often had to depend on himself in an emergency. This is because we dived alone much of the time.

Notwithstanding the last statement, I dived frequently with Rodney Jonklaas, Langston Pereira, Trevor Ferdinands, Harry Logansmith and Joe Rajapakse. Nevertheless I really enjoyed diving alone and often did so, including on many professional assignments where an employer would not pay two divers for a job that could be done by one. 

                               

DJ: What areas in Sri Lanka have you dived mostly? and why?

Everywhere, with the exception of Jaffna. I dived regularly on the West coast from approximately late October to April and on the East coast during the rest of the year. This was when I was diving for myself. Nevertheless as a professional I went wherever the “Company” sent me, which sometimes meant diving far out at sea in monsoon conditions, and the Maldives. I also enjoyed spearfishing on the west coast during the height of the southwest monsoon when, despite the rough seas and poor visibility, I speared many a fine fish.

DJ: What is your favorite place for diving?

What is the most beautiful place in Sri Lanka for diving those days?

I dived on the East coast, from Foul Point to Mullaitivu including Trincomalee and also southwards at Kayankerni, Kalmunai and Komari. On the West and South coasts, Dondra, Weligama, Galle, Dodanduwa, Akurala Reef, Induruwa, Panadura, Colombo, Negombo and the Pearl Banks. Of course the most beautiful were the Great and Little Basses reefs.  Nevertheless all the above were great at different times so I cannot rate them; If I have to pick one then the Great Basses Reef is my all-time favourite.

DJ: What was your most thrilling/exciting/memorable dive?  why?

Probably a dive with Langston Pereira on the Sunken Dock (Trincomalee) in the late 1950s. We were at 90-100 feet down in fairly turbid water when we saw the largest Grouper either of us had ever seen. It was a Giant Grouper (Promicrops lanceolatus) which was at least ten to twelve feet long and probably weighed around 1,000 pounds. (Arthur C. Clarke, who saw it somewhat earlier, estimated its length at 15 feet). The true Giant Grouper is seldom seen today, and the few seen seldom exceed 300 pounds or so.

DJ: What is the most scariest/dangerous/challenging dive you have done?

As a professional I was called upon to do many scary/dangerous/ challenging dives in the course of diving operations. However, the scariest dive was probably when I dived in 1974 with a Swiss diver in the Trincomalee Submarine Canyon. This was a “spur-of-the-moment dive” which broke all the rules of commonsense. We did not have decompression tables with us and I was wearing a rugby jersey and denim shorts. My companion wore a wet jacket and swim trunks. Each of us used 72cu.ft. twin sets. He was keen to dive to 250 feet for a personal record. Hence, although we were not properly equipped, we decided to give it a try. So we dived, descending along the dropoff (wall) but at around 200 feet the water became extremely cold and I started shivering badly, my companion in his wet jacket fared no better. I developed a severe pain on the nape of my neck and because of the shivering my regulator kept falling out of my mouth so I had to hold it in place with my hands. We proceeded in this manner until my companion called a halt at 240 feet as the cold had become unbearable and we were both shivering uncontrollably. Anyway, having compared our depth gauges and confirmed the depth we surfaced, after halting at 15 feet for an impromptu decompression stop.

The most unpleasant dives I performed were to recover the bodies of drowned individuals. I did not relish this: the looks of absolute terror and agony often frozen on the victims’ faces testified to the fact that drowning is a terrible way to die.

DJ: What is the deepest you have dived and where?

The dive described (above) was my deepest dive. This dive to 240 feet was at the time an unofficial SCUBA (compressed air) record for Sri Lanka.

DJ: What was the marine life those days? Have you seen a progressive difference in the quality of marine life?  Specially Sharks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan seas were very rich in marine life; our reefs were well populated with Spiny lobsters and a variety of reef and visiting pelagic fish. Sea shells were present in numbers. Sadly marine life has declined drastically in the last few decades. This is the results of overfishing with high-tech or illegal equipment. The ornamental fish industry has also severely depleted populations of many reef fish. In the 1950s to mid-1970s sharks were moderately plentiful although we seldom saw them when SCUBA diving. We mainly saw sharks while spearfishing, especially towards dusk. Most were common Whitetip Reefsharks with a few Grey Reefsharks, Nurse and Zebra sharks and, especially on the East coast, Blacktip Reefsharks. Occasionally we would encounter a pelagic shark, but not often. We often saw sharks towards midday when we were spearfishing on the offshore mud banks (“Muday”). We occasionally saw large oceanic sharks there, which I was unable to identify at the time.

DJ: What areas about diving/marine life interest you most?

My primary interest lies in the natural history of sharks, nevertheless all aspects of marine biology interest me. I am interested in symbiotic relationships among marine organisms and am also fascinated by the oceanic pelagic species and their natural history.

DJ: You are an expert on Sharks

       a) Why are you fascinated by Sharks?

       b) Have you had any encounters worth talking about?

       c) What is the strangest shark you have seen?

(a)   Sharks fascinate me because many are top predators, they are beautiful and impressive and I don’t know what else, but they have a strong appeal to me.

(b)    Although in my diving career I would often accrue more than 200 diving days per year and, having seen more sharks than I could count, I have never been attacked by one. Of course while spearfishing I have had fish stolen from me by sharks at least once (possibly twice). None of my encounters are worth talking about. I once swam with a fairly large tiger shark on the Pearl Banks, but apart from regarding me with some interest it did not even try to steal the fish I had speared and it was probably as apprehensive about me as I was of it. Perhaps my most exciting encounter was in 1958 while spearfishing around sunset when I swam with a very large Thresher shark in less than 40 feet of water on Colombo’s first reef. I followed it for some minutes but the shark was soon lost as it swam towards the depths.  I also once dived in the midst of a school of Scalloped Hammerheads during the Southwest monsoon. There is a possibility that they were on migration. But no, I do not have any shark-bite scars (although I have many other scars from ‘diving accidents’ including a half-century old stingray scar on my left ankle and spear scars on my neck).

(c) I suppose the Thresher is probably the strangest shark I have seen.

DJ: You are also working on the History of Diving in Sri Lanka. Your current website is comprehensive and an amazing resource on history a few people know. Regarding this can you briefly comment on

a)      Who are the significant pioneers in diving on Diving in Sri Lanka.

This is an easy one. (In alphabetical order) Vicky Athukorale, Tony Buxton, Rodney Jonklaas, Hilmie (Mike) Khalid, Langston Pereira and Gerd von Dincklage. They were all great.

b) Why did you think of starting the history web site?

I was writing an article on Rodney Jonklaas, discoverer of the wreck of the Hermes and conducted an internet search for more information on his discovery. I was surprised to note that there was no mention of Rodney as the discoverer of the wreck: instead there was some highly incorrect information. I resolved to remedy the situation by starting a website which would provide authentic information on the early history of diving in Sri Lanka.

DJ: When was the last time you dived?

In 2013 at Bar Reef with SCUBA. I have also snorkeled and free-dived on numerous occasions since then.

DJ: Do you miss diving today?

Yes very much. My absence from diving is (hopefully) a temporary one and I hope to resume it as soon as I can find the time and resources. Of course being in my late 70s I will probably not dive more than two or three days per year (let the 200 diving days per year remain history). 

DJ: What are you working on right now - including hobbies and other professions

Well, I am technically retired but still teach a martial arts class. I write incessantly and stargaze whenever the sky is clear. I enjoy astrophotography, especially imaging the Sun. I am an inveterate reader and can get through two to three books in a week. I have a great interest in natural history and like to observe nature on land or sea whenever possible. I also try to keep fit with fairly intense daily workouts. I have, by necessity, become a computer ‘Geek’. My main interest however is my two beautiful granddaughters who I hope will, one day, take after their “Grampa”.

DJ: Can you mention any accolades, recognition you have received related to being a pioneer diver of Sri Lanka, your work on Sharks.

I have been declared an ‘International Legend of Diving’ by the ‘Legends of Diving organization’. I believe that I am the only person in the Indian Ocean region to be so honoured to date. I also received a ‘Marine Conservation Forum’ award at the Marine Conservation Conference 2013, mainly for my work on sharks. In January 2017 the Colombo Mid-city Rotary Club awarded me their ‘Rotary Vocational Service Award’ in recognition of my “Exemplary service and dedication in Shark research and marine biology in Sri Lanka”.

          

DJ: During your diving career - have you made any discoveries?

Several; but nothing major. I recorded 22 shark species which had not previously been documented from Sri Lanka. This includes the very rare Pondicherry shark, which was considered by IUCN to be ‘possibly extinct’.

DJ: What would you consider to be your greatest achievements in your diving life?

Being alive and kicking after more than (an estimated) 10,000 dives

DJ: Can you talk about your shark book?

Gladly, there have been numerous books on various classes of vertebrates including amphibians, reptiles, birds. Mammals etc., but there has never been a volume dedicated exclusively to sharks. My book (The Sharks of Sri Lanka) attempts to fill this void. I hope that the book will be both an identification guide as well as a manual outlining the present knowledge of Sri Lankan sharks. I hope that it will be useful to the educated layperson as well as to naturalists and scientists. As most of the sharks described are also present in the Northern Indian Ocean my book should also be useful to workers in the region.

                                  

DJ: What do you think of Diving in Sri Lanka today and the future?

The current diving situation is very different from what I was familiar with. Today diving is well organized and disciplined with great emphasis being placed on training and safety. Improved high-tech equipment is available, all of which makes diving easier, more comfortable and relatively risk-free. One thing I mourn is that knowledge of ‘Reefcraft’ or ‘Reef Lore’ has largely been lost (See below). On a positive note, modern developments have made diving easily accessible to the public, and the more divers there are, the greater will be the demands for conservation of the marine environment. Yes, the modern generation of divers is very conservation conscious and this is a very positive factor. I also admire the vast amount of effort that has gone into discovering and documenting shipwrecks; I believe that you (DJ) are the leading researcher here. One thing I regret is that to dive today one has to be rather affluent, given the present cost of boat-hire, equipment etc. (In the old days I would swim out to distant reefs for diving. Today, in my twilight years, I would find this rather difficult).

As for the future; who knows? Human greediness combined with climate change, global warming etc. does not bode well for the ocean. Anyway I hope that I am wrong.

 DJ: Does any in your family (children, grand children dive)?

I have great hopes for my granddaughters, both of whom are budding surfers. My elder granddaughter (10 years) shows the ability to become a diver, but who knows?

DJ: What is your message to the current generation of divers based on lessons learnt from the past?

After qualifying as a diver, learn to handle an outboard motor. Learn to dismantle both stages of your regulator and put them back in proper operating condition. Learn to service tank valves and fix faulty reserve valves. Very importantly; train to become a good swimmer without any equipment. Once you can swim four or five miles in the open sea without fins or mask, you will achieve a great deal of self confidence. Remember that masks, fins etc., can be lost in rough water. Learn to read weather signs, and to find a diving site using bearings (useful when your GPS packs up). Learn the habits of fish and other marine fauna. Learn to be self-reliant, never rely on a buddy to assist you, as he may have become separated from you or be in trouble himself. When you reach the “Expert” category, make a few deep dives alone at night. This will tell you more about yourself than any diving test will. Finally: know your limitations.

DJ: What should a good diver know about the sea?

A good diver should be aware of what pioneer diver Vicky Athukorala called “Reefcraft” or “Reef Lore”’: it is the marine equivalent of “Jungle Lore”. To cite just a few example s of what I mean: the long low swell known as the ‘Eruwa’ brings seemingly calm but turbid waters with very few fish and a stirred up seabed. On the west coast a strong north current brings good visibility with pelagic and oceanic species on to the reefs, whereas a south current means poor visibility and a dearth of fish. In mid-April, when the sea gets rough Indian Mackerel will visit the reefs in vast schools along with Queenfish which enter the reefs to breed. During midday many sharks, jacks, spanish mackerel, wahoo and other pelagic species retire to the mudbanks. A clinkling sound in the water sometimes heralds the appearance of Queenfish. In turbid water the largest Estuary Perch (aka Barramundi) will be close to the bottom. These are just a few samples of a vast subject, which I hope to write up one day. I would like to see the modern generation of divers pay more attention to the fascinating subject of Reefcraft; it would enhance their appreciation of the Ocean and also help them plan their dives to greater effect.

A final word; Respect the ocean. Today’s friendly sea can kill you tomorrow.