Press Releases

Sea of Change Foundation recognizes Dan Orr with Lifetime Explorer Award 2024

The Sea of Change Foundation is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has nominated and chosen Dan Orr to receive the 2024 Lifetime Explorer Award. Each year the Foundation’s Board of Directors honors an individual for a lifetime of excellence in environmental awareness and exploration. Mr. Orr joins the esteemed ranks of past Lifetime Explorer awardees such as Captain Wayne Hasson, Doug McNeese, Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Michele Westmorland. The official award will be presented at the Aggressor Adventures® DEMA-2024 booth #5045 in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, November 21 at 5 pm local time.

During his 23 years of service at Divers Alert Network (DAN), Orr held various positions from Director of Training to President/CEO. He used grassroots approaches to educate divers about DAN and traveled the world to further DAN’s diver safety mission. One of Orr’s early roles at DAN was to develop and implement the DAN Emergency Oxygen First Aid Program that has become the standard of care in providing first aid to injured divers. Now a diving industry consultant, Orr continues to share his diving safety expertise through regular free-diver safety webinars and invited presentations at national and international diving conventions. Orr has authored several books and written hundreds of articles on various diver safety topics. Over the years, Orr has held professional memberships and leadership positions in many notable diving organizations such as the YMCA, NAUI, PADI the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD), The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD), the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), the Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences (AUAS), the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), Force Blue, the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF, Ambassador), the Institute of Diving, the Explorers Club and the Historical Diving Society.

Founded by leaders in the scuba diving industry nearly 10 years ago and as the official conservation non-profit partner of Aggressor Adventures, the Sea of Change Foundation’s mission is to create positive change for the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. “Recognizing Dan’s dedication to both safe diving and promoting big adventures is our honor”, said Wayne Brown, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board and CEO of Aggressor Adventures®. “Dan’s friendship and guidance in diving have been personally invaluable to me; I’m thrilled we have this opportunity to publicly recognize all his hard work”, said Samantha Whitcraft, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Dan Orr is truly a lifetime explorer, blazing a trail of safe diving for us all to follow.”

_______________ About the Sea of Change Foundation: The Sea of Change Foundation funds conservation and research initiatives that directly impact the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. Our mission is to create positive change. Learn more about and support the foundation, here: donate.

Indulge your passion for cooking and diving on BVI Aggressor

Indulge your passion for cooking and diving on this Aggressor Adventures Caribbean cruise.

Cooking Classes aboard the BVI Aggressor

Tortola, BVI—Hone your cooking skills under the guidance of an expert chef while exploring the British Virgin Islands this fall aboard one of Aggressor Adventures’ luxury yachts.

“Cruising with Chef Brad” includes a seven-night charter trip October 12-19, 2024 aboard the BVI Aggressor^® dive yacht. The cruise departs from Tortola British Virgin Islands with stops at diving and snorkeling sites near the Norman, Peter and Cooper Islands and Virgin Gorda.

Chef Bradley Botha, the chef on the BVI Aggressor, will teach guests how to prepare family-style cuisine with a diverse range of dishes from around the world, including fresh breads, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts. Cooking classes, about 45 minutes to an hour, are held at mid-morning after the dive and throughout the day.

“The intimate setting of the BVI Aggressor yacht allows for personalized attention, ensuring that you refine your skills along the way,” says Aggressor Adventure^® company CEO Wayne Brown. “Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook looking to expand your repertoire, Chef Brad’s classes cater to all levels of expertise.”

Originally from South Africa, Botha discovered his culinary passion at the age of 7, helping his grandmother make and sell baked cakes and treats. He graduated from the Silwood School of Cookery in South Africa, known globally for its culinary excellence. He has worked for esteemed dining establishments, including Food Barn, Dish Catering, Woolworths Taste Magazine and Myoga and has also served aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II^® yacht.