Maria's Bio

Southeastern Divers, Inc.

908-A Bob Wallace Ave. Huntsville Alabama 35801 - Phone: 256-536-8404

"Training the best divers in North Alabama since 1980."

Maria Collins - PADI IDC Staff Instructor

First, thank you for your interest and support of Southeastern Divers Inc.

My name is Maria Collins and I am a Chemical Engineer that works in Research and Technology for BP Corporation that also has a passion for scuba diving.

I learned to dive in early 2006 and was instantly bitten by the diving bug. I have been diving in many locations worldwide including many of the Eastern and Western Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Burma, and Thailand.

With each new experience my fascination and passion for the sport flourished leading to the decision to pursue a professional scuba diving path. I joined the ranks of the professional diving community in the beginning of 2008 and achieved my Open Water Scuba Instructor rating in November of 2008. I currently have over 270 dives and have earned a nickname of “water rat” among my engineering colleagues because they know I am an avid diver that thoroughly enjoys all aspects of diving.

Some of my favorite types of dives are Wreck and Night diving. Wrecks that have been well respected offer an active imagination a story of how the wreck found its final resting place to entertain the mind while taking in the breath taking coral and fish swarming about their man made home.

For me, the only type of diving that tops the enjoyment of a well preserved wreck, is taking a second look at it during a Night dive. For us the nightfall signifies a time to sleep, while in the water nightfall brings a whole new personality to the dive site. All types of aquatic life such as octopus, lobster, or free swimming eels venture out to feed.

My most memorable night diving experience was diving “Deep Six” in the Thailand Similan Islands. I’ll never forget the incredible visibility; it seemed as if my dive light continued for miles revealing active underwater life and amazing beauty at every turn. The huge boulders provided a horizon for the moon to cast a sparkling beam across the diving world below it. Although this was my most memorable dive, my favorite type of dive travel is living aboard a comfortable dive boat for a week of great food, friends and fun enjoying the buffet of dive sites.

My next quickly approaching dive trips will be on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II in December and Cayman Aggressor IV in May ’09. I always look forward to my next Aggressor experience as it was aboard the Belize Aggressor that I enjoyed the funniest experience of my young diving career. I was hovering with a couple of other divers watching a sea turtle enjoy an afternoon snack when the turtle became curious about his visitors. As I remained stationary, the turtle ventured in my direction came within inches of my mask and slowly continued on his journey toward the colorful bandana on my head. We hovered side-by-side just seconds before the bright swirling colors of my bandana intrigued him so much that he gave me a small soft peck with his beak on my forehead. I was lucky enough that the “turtle giving me a kiss” was all captured on video to provide laughs for many years to come.

I hope that sharing some of my diving experiences has enticed you to grab your gear and let the water kiss your skin once again, and if you are not a diver yet, come and see us at Southeastern Divers so we can introduce you to the scuba bug that has added many beautiful memories and fun filled adventures to every scuba diver’s life.

Thanks,

Maria

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