The Bermuda Regiment is to embark on a shipwreck diving project of epic proportions as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Sergeant Major James Self, who is in charge of scuba diving operations within the regiment, is in the process of organising upwards of 50 soldiers to carry out 50 wreck dives over a 50-day period, with a focus on ocean conservation and marine archaeology.

He hopes to involve some of the most influential players in the Island in terms of ocean conservation and marine archaeology and has already garnered the support of Philippe Rouja, the custodian of historic wrecks, and Dr Edward Harris, the director of the National Maritime Museum, as well as a number of dive operators.

The project is due to take place between August 1 and September 19 and is still in the planning stages. The inaugural dive series marks the beginning of a longer-term programme by the Bermuda Regiment dive team to support the Island’s reef, marine life and abundant maritime history.

“I saw the anniversary as an opportunity to get as many soldiers diving in the water and it has escalated beyond my belief,” Sgt Maj Self told The Royal Gazette.

“I am hoping we will do something that is really big for the Island. It is very much a personal development thing here on all fronts — there will be elements of teaching, lessons before they go out on the water.

“It will include conservation: we will do some clean-ups and other big projects during that 50 days.

“I want them to learn about ocean science and conservation such as spawning studies, fish aggregation and ecosystems and also a bit on the archaeological side of our historic wrecks. We are aware there are about 45 to 50 publicised wrecks, but I am hoping to dive some of the wrecks that are less known to expose the regiment to it and create interest.

“Dealing with the lionfish problem is also a huge part of this.”

Sgt Maj Self said that he believed there is a potential to get more Bermudians interested in diving in general. “At the regiment, over the last two years, I have gone from having a handful of divers to about 35 now. I want to get at least 50 in total. To get young Bermudians in the water is what we want to achieve.

“There is a massive scope to get more Bermudians in the water during the winter months, which is when the diving is best — not just in the summer. The more encouragement we can give to the local population, the more we will get people who are generally interested in looking after their reef and the Island and the sea.”

There will be an official public launch of the event on June 25, when there will be expert speakers and also a lionfish culling permit course. But Sgt Maj Self said that the success of the event depended on corporate and public sponsorship.

“The future health of the ocean surrounding Bermuda is everyone’s business and any assistance with buying equipment or other support is an investment in the future,” he said.

• For up-to-date information, visit the Bermuda Regiment 50th Anniversary page on Facebook.

• To support the event financially, visit www.br50.bm/sponsorship-opportunities.html.