ABOUT US
Get a glimpse into the Ocean Explorers' history
WHO WE ARE
At Ocean Explorers, we help divers from across Western Europe transition from open-circuit scuba diving to closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving.
We support divers at every stage of this transition – from choosing the right rebreather equipment, to professional CCR training, to participation in well-organized technical diving expeditions.
Ocean Explorers is an official distributor of Divesoft diving equipment. Our training follows internationally recognized Technical Diving International (TDI) standards, ensuring a high level of safety, consistency, and technical excellence.
Divers who train with us gain access to expeditions to historic shipwrecks in the North Sea, as well as exploration dives in other cold-water and subtropical environments. Each expedition is carefully planned to balance exploration, safety, and adventure, with clear organization and precise communication at the core of every project.
This approach helps divers build confidence with rebreathers, sharpen their skills, and fully activate their adventure gene.
OUR PARTNERS
Ocean Explorers was founded in 2001 with the goal of building a solid infrastructure for technical and wreck divers. From the very beginning, the company has focused on supporting advanced underwater exploration through professional logistics, careful planning, and strong team coordination.
In 2007, founder Hans Heesakkers began diving with closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR). This proved to be a life-changing step, opening up longer dives, greater depths, and new level of control – capabilities that open-circuit scuba diving simply cannot match.
OUR STORY
Hans Heesakkers is the founder and owner of Ocean Explorers. He started diving in 1982 at the age of 16 and was quickly hooked on the underwater world.
Since then, Hans has kept pushing his own skills and those of the divers he trains. This commitment is guided by a clear principle: to safely push the boundaries of what is possible in technical diving and exploration-focused expeditions.
In 1988, he became deeply immersed in shipwreck exploration, a passion that would go on to define much of his diving career. Wreck diving soon became his primary focus, combining high-performance marine technology with a strong spirit of discovery. As diving technology evolved, so did Hans’s approach to exploration and expedition leadership.
“I am always looking for new team members who truly contribute to our adventures,” says Hans.