News

Clive Cussler, ocean adventure author, has passed away. He was 88.

If you’ve ever spent time on a liveaboard or at a dive resort, you’ve likely seen one of Cussler’s 85-plus adventure novels stocking the shelves or in the hands of a diver during a surface interval. The escapades of his most well-known character, Dirk Pitt, spurred the imaginations of millions of divers across the globe. 

But not all of Cussler’s life was built around fantasy. In 1979, the author helped form the National Underwater and Marine Agency—a nod to the fictional name found in his novels. The agency—known as NUMA—helped rediscover more than 60 wrecks, including the H.L. Hunley and the Carpathia. 

Condolences have poured in throughout the dive community and beyond. DPG would like to join in this by wishing our best to his family and friends during this time. Perhaps there is no better way in this digital age to honor Cussler’s legacy than to close out Instagram and pick up one of his books for a real adventure. We recommend The Sea Hunters.