SPEAKERS

Pete Mesley

Pete's passion for diving started in the cold English waters over 21 years ago. This is where his "Lust for Rust" was created and from then onwards he has dedicated himself to researching, finding, diving and photographing wrecks. With over 3000 + hours in-water experience spanning over 19 different countries, Pete has made diving a full time occupation. Originally from Zimbabwe, Pete married a Kiwi girl, moved to NZ in 1994 and has two daughters. As well as being a PADI Course Director, Pete is a Technical Diving Instructor Trainer, TDI Adv Trimix CCR Instructor. Pete is notably one of the southern hemispheres most experienced Technical divers and Instructors.

He's also been involved in many diving activities with significant experience in leading expeditions to wrecks like Port Kembla expedition 2007 (cargo ship hit german mine in 1917) HMRNZ Puriri (a Kiwi minesweeper sunk in 1940's in a 100m of water off the coast of NZ), RMS Niagara (a luxurious Ocean liner lying in 125m of water), the President Coolidge, Iron Bottom Sounds and many to the Michael Lermontov (a Russian Ocean liner sunk in 36m in the South Island). In June 2000 he was involved with Tanya Streeters 90 meter variable ballast sled dive in New Zealand. Also featuring in the National Geographic series X-Force The Science of Diving. Also recently in 2008 being a part of a team of 10 divers from all over the world partaking in a Nat Geographic expedtion on the HMHS Britannic. Pete and Leigh Bishop were primary stills photographers on the trip. He has become more involved with planning and organising technical trips to Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, the South Pacific and NZ.

A well published and accomplished photographer, Pete has an appetite for finding new places, new wrecks and adventure! Pete currently works for himself in Auckland, NZ. You can see where his next adventures are by going to www.lust4rust.co .