Turkish ‘aquarium man’ sets new world record

ÇANAKKALE – Anadolu Agency

A Turkish diver set a new world record on April 24 for the longest open saltwater scuba dive in cold water.

Cem Karabay began his underwater attempt on April 23 and set a Guinness World Record with 30 hours and 20 minutes early on April 24 at the Underwater Marine Park on Gökçeada Island, Turkey’s largest island.

Every second Karabay—also known as “aquarium man”—was underwater in the Turkish Aegean was followed by Şeyda Subaşı Gemici, who serves as Guinness’ representative in Turkey.

Karabay competed against Norwegian diver Nils-Roar Selnes’s record of 15 hours and 10 minutes underwater in Eidkjosen, Norway in 2016.

“I fulfilled the promise of breaking the world record,” speaking to reporters, Karabay said.

“I considered the first 10 hours an apprenticeship. In the second 10 hours, I trained as a journeyman. Because I improved myself from what I learned. Finally, I became versed in the last 10 hours,” on his 30 hours underwater, Karabay said.

Later, Gemici presented Karabay with a Guinness World Record Certificate marking his achievement.

Karabay likes to make record attempts on important Turkish holidays and anniversaries.

He broke a record on the 20th anniversary since the date Troy had been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Troy, located on the mound of Hisarlık overlooking the Turkish Aegean coastal plain, is one of the most famous archeological sites in the world, with its 4,000-year history.

In 2011, in Istanbul, Karabay also set the Guinness World Record for the longest scuba dive in a controlled environment, which lasted 192 hours, 19 minutes, and 19 seconds.