Hans Hass Archiv
Hans Hass Award
Awarded in Recognition of Contribution Made to the Advancement of Our Knowledge of the Ocean
The Hans Hass Award was founded in 2002 by California-based diving historian Leslie Leaney. Working with Professor Hass as his North American representative, Leaney established the criteria, guidelines, committee composition and design of the award. The criteria for nomination involve honoring individuals or organisations who, in the spirit of Professor Hass’ pioneering work in the fields of underwater science, technology, arts and literature, have excelled at an international level in any of those fields. From 2013 to 2022 the Award was sponsored by the Swiss company Blancpain, the oldest watch manufacturer in the world, and named Hans Hass "Fifty Fathoms" Award.
The award is not endowed. A plaque shows an image of Hans Hass wearing an oxygen rebreather during his solo 1949 Red Sea expedition.
Previous Recipients
2024
David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes (USA), underwater photographers
2023
Victor Vescovo and Patrick Lahey (USA), deep diving submersible and exploration
2019-2022
not given owing to the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
2018
Professor Dr. Franz Brümmer (GERMANY), marine scientist & President of Verband Deutscher Sporttaucher (VDST)
2016
Howard and Michele Hall (USA), natural history film producers specialised in marine wildlife and marine conservation films
2014
Professor Weicheng Cui and the Chinese State Oceanic Administration (CHINA), deep ocean submersible and deep ocean technology
2012
Laurent Ballesta (FRANCE), technical diver and film maker
2010
Sylvia Earle (USA), marine scientist
2007
Bev Morgan (USA), international diving equipment manufacturer
Sir David Frederick Attenborough (England), broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author
2006
Stan Waterman (USA), underwater film and photography
2005
Daniel Mercier (FRANCE), Underwater Film and Photography Festival organizer
2004
James Cameron (USA), (Diver and) international filmmaker and adventurer
2003
Ernie Brooks II (USA), Underwater photographer and educator