Penny Glover, the British Sub-Aqua Club’s (BSAC) leading rebreather expert, was reported missing on Monday while diving with her companion Jacques Filippi off southern France. The pair were conducting a deep technical dive on rebreathers at the 80m-deep Caramel Reef, near Porquerolles Island, as part of a trimix diving group.
According to reports, Glover’s surface marker buoy reached the surface, but divers descending the 50m line attached to it found no trace of her. The French Coastguard launched a search operation, which continued until nightfall on Monday. Poor weather delayed further search efforts, and the operation was ultimately called off on Wednesday. Authorities are continuing to review potential leads, but the focus has shifted to ensuring the safety of technical divers in the area.
Glover, 42, was highly regarded in the diving community, having pioneered BSAC’s first rebreather training program. She served as BSAC’s rebreather chief instructor and instructor trainer, and her expertise extended to teaching divers for other organizations. Over her 20-year diving career, she achieved BSAC’s First Class Diver, National Instructor, and Instructor Trainer qualifications and contributed extensively as Regional Coach for Northern Europe while sitting on the BSAC Council.
Rebreather diving, the specialty that defined Penny Glover’s career, allows divers to recycle exhaled gas through a closed-circuit system, enabling longer and deeper dives than traditional scuba. It is considered one of the most advanced forms of technical diving, demanding exceptional skill, careful planning, and meticulous attention to safety procedures. Glover’s passion and proficiency in this field made her a trusted mentor to divers around the world and a key figure in promoting safe practices in technical diving.
Her enthusiasm for diving extended beyond training. Penny Glover actively engaged in underwater exploration and research, frequently participating in dives that contributed to marine knowledge and conservation. She spent considerable time in France and had a base near Hyères, close to where she made her final dive, reflecting her deep connection to Mediterranean waters and diving culture in the region.
Outside of diving, Glover balanced her commitments with an impressive professional career. She worked as a technical specialist at the European Space Agency and later as managing director of a Canadian satellite company. Her ability to excel in both high-tech professional environments and the highly specialised world of technical diving earned her respect across multiple communities.
BSAC paid tribute to her “unconditional generosity, enthusiasm, and energy for diving.” Clare Peddie, BSAC National Diving Officer, said: “This is an extremely sad loss for all of us who have been privileged to know Penny. Her warmth and kindness will be so deeply missed. Penny was a leading light in the BSAC and highly regarded throughout the diving community. My thoughts are with all the friends and families of both divers.”
Those wishing to pay tribute to Penny Glover can leave messages in a condolence book at BSAC HQ in Cheshire from 28 November to 2 December. The book will then travel to London for viewing on 3 December at the Institute of Education, University of London. Messages can also be sent electronically via email to inmemory@bsac.com.
Penny Glover’s legacy as a pioneering rebreather diver, instructor, and advocate for safe technical diving will be remembered across the global diving community. Her expertise and passion inspired countless divers and left a lasting mark on BSAC and the wider world of technical diving. Beyond her professional and diving achievements, Glover was celebrated for her generosity, mentorship, and enthusiasm for life, leaving an enduring impression on all who knew her.
Her loss also highlights the inherent risks of technical diving and serves as a reminder of the need for meticulous planning, training, and respect for the ocean’s challenges. Glover’s work has set standards that will continue to shape the future of rebreather diving and technical training for years to come.
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