HUGHES, Peter

HUGHES, Peter

USA (1947- )

Last updated: June 14, 2018 at 20:10 pm

Pioneer of the dive liveaboard industry; conservationist; founder of Peter Hughes Diving (Dancer Fleet) in 1986; founder of DivEncounters Alliance; has operated eight dive resorts and 13 liveaboards; former commercial diver; became a YMCA diving instructor in 1969; began working as a divemaster and manager at Anthony’s Key Resort in 1973; opened his first dive business in Bonaire in 1976; installed and maintained permanent moorings in Bonaire with Capt. Don Stewart, then continued to do so all over the world throughout his career; was part owner of Anthony’s Key Resort from 1980 to 1985; launched his first liveaboard, the M/V Sea Dancer, in 1986; owned and operated a fleet of dive liveaboards under Peter Hughes Diving from 1991 to 2008; founded the DivEncounters Alliance, an association of independently owned and operated liveaboard vessels, in 2011; learned to dive from Bill Petry in Tobago (Camp Crusoe) at age 10.

NOGI Award (Distinguished Service, 2018)
International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (2015)
DEMA Hall of Fame (2011)
REEF Recognition Award (2010)
Diver of the Year (Beneath the Sea, 2000)
Skin Diver Responsible Diver Award (1993)

M/V Galapagos Sky

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