Venue:

Sipadan Mabul Resort

City:

Kota Kinabalu

Date:

30th November 2024

Competition

Reigning Winner

Hayley Louise Adlam

United Kingdom

Age: 33

Height: 168 cm

Profession: Offshore Operations Superintendent & qualified Scientific Observer, Hydrographic Surveyor & Marine Mammal Observer.

Describe yourself:

Ocean conservation and sustainable development have been the driving force of my life’s work; operating at sea as a Hydrographic Surveyor and Marine Mammal Observer for over a decade on offshore wind farm construction projects. My career has since evolved, now moving into the role of Offshore Operations Superintendent for the installation and repair of some of the world’s largest subsea telecommunication systems - I love that my role connects the world!

More recently, I used my oceanic expertise during a secondment as a Scientific Observer in Antarctica, monitoring the marine mammal and seabird populations around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, in addition to the analysis of Antarctic krill.

Ever since I was a little girl, my heart has always been with the ocean - from writing letters to government officials to try to ban international whaling, to spending hours watching for whales and dolphins from the decks of ferries and the UK coastline, to volunteering for the incredible charity Organisation Cetacea when it was first in its infancy back in 2007.

Spending my time on or under the sea is where I’m happiest, and I love exploring the ocean through SCUBA, freediving and spending time on my paddleboard. In the words of Jacques Cousteau, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ...and I am one who is truly under the spell of the sea.

Reason for joining MSI:

Miss Scuba International provides a wonderful platform to meet likeminded ocean ambassadors, in addition to having the opportunity to inspire more women to take the plunge beneath the waves by sharing the passion I have for marine conservation and SCUBA diving.

After undertaking a secondment to work as a Scientific Observer in Antarctica, I felt compelled to do more to protect our oceans and I wanted to connect with more people who have a passion to do the same.

Sometimes trying to make a difference in the world can feel overwhelming, but this journey taught me that it needn’t feel that way. To be a part of an incredible collective of women working together towards a common goal for safeguarding our oceans is more than I could have ever dreamt of. Together I feel we can make great change and I feel truly inspired by the experience I have had at MSI.

At a time where the oceans need our help more than ever, there has never been a better time to embark on this journey with the Miss Scuba International organisation.