with help from google translate:
Schloffel plunges through the English Channel! (29.06.2012)
Diving world record attempt by the English Channel is launched
It is done! The world record attempt is successful!
In the early hours of the morning appeared the famous Achim wants Schloffel technical divers off the coast of Dover in the English Channel, and about eight hours later, appearing before the French coast again.
To clock 04.50 local time (05:50 EDT) this morning Achim Schloffel has launched a new world record attempt. If he manages to overcome the challenge, he is plunged this afternoon became the first man through the English Channel. (See also status messages at the end of the report)
Eight hours or more in total darkness and cold, and 55 kilometers in flow-rich waters, which is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world lie before him (see also the preliminary report from 06/13/12). But Achim Schloffel is sure in a few hours to have the world record in the bag: "My team and I have worked very long for this moment. Mentally I have planned the project as a teenager, but only two years ago, this technology was mature enough for a dip promulgated by crossing the English Channel appeared to be realistic. Once we had the project last year because of problems with moving the rebreather, I am now technically, mentally and physically well prepared to emerge in a few hours off the coast of Calais with the diving record in the bag. "
As a project sponsor of the international Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society WDCS is the professional divers, the ambitious project also uses this to the increasing noise and pollution of the oceans to point and collects donations for this for the past Dolphins in the North Sea.
About the current trend in world record attempt will be reported here.
Update 18:20 clock: Congratulations! It is done! The world record attempt is successful!
Achim has been about 15 minutes on land - he's fine. The surface crew supplied the fledgling record holder now with drinks and food. The net immersion time of the channel dive was scarce 8 hrs, min, the decompression times about 240th
Achim after the record dive through the Channel
Because the message of Dekoboje (17:06) has been assumed that Achim had reached shortly after five clock the ceiling zone. This proved to be wrong now. At the high end of Dekoboje seems to have been turned off the GPS transmitter. Only at the final appearance of this notice Achim and sent manually, the agreed signal. While the support crew for the dive to the ceiling zone was ready, Achim was already sitting just west of the intended target area on the beach. The strong current in the area of ​​Calais had drifted toward Achim Sangatte.
Update 17:10 clock: The record attempt is in the final phase - and it looks good. At exactly 17:06, received the support team at Calais, the signals of Dekoboje. This means that Achim has arrived and is about 4 hours decompression times are ahead. The support divers go now to the position and will provide support during the decompression times Achim and. At this point, the same first: Congratulations to Achim!
Update 16:15 clock: The support team has arrived in Dover. Meanwhile, there are new predictions about the estimated time of immersion time: Due to strong currents, one expects an immersion time of 11-12 hours If this happens, the planned decompression times increased to about 4 hours
Update 14:15 clock: The Support Team No. 1 is now on his way to Dover from Calais. The primary Diving Team (support team) is on the way to support Achim during the decoration phase.
Update 10:30 clock: By the way - a word to the conditions: The water temperature near the surface is about 10 degrees, in the waterways will go Achim but much deeper and move far below the thermocline - here, the water temperature is about 4-5 degrees. The surface crew must grapple with adverse conditions. It is blowing a strong, cold wind, temperature around 12 degrees ... So the best conditions for these unusual dive.
Update 10:00 clock: Support Team No. 2 has just arrived in Calais. Now it's time to wait - is expected to dip through a period of approximately 8 hours - up to Achim just off the coast Dekoboje sends its top.
Update 08:40 clock: The support team has been No. 2 on the way to France. Team No. 1 remains in England if a problem should occur near the coast.
05:50 clock - EST: Achim starts the dive through the channel of a beach near Folkestone / Dover (England) from Calais (France).
Well done.
