This week, the UK diving community is mourning a profound loss. It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Scapa Flow legend Helen Hadley, who left us yesterday at the age of 45.
Helen, alongside her partner Hazel, worked aboard the award-winning Scapa Flow liveaboard, MV Valhalla. Together, they built a reputation that extended far beyond the Orkney Islands, touching divers worldwide. Helen was not only a skilled professional but also a beacon of warmth and kindness in the diving community.
Tributes have poured in, reflecting the deep admiration and love Helen inspired. Comments such as “She made the world a better place,” “one of the nicest, funniest people I’ve ever met,” and “the kindest person in the world” encapsulate the impact she had on so many lives.
Everyone I know who had the privilege of stepping aboard MV Valhalla spoke highly of Helen and Hazel. Their hospitality, professionalism, and personalities were so remarkable that they seemed to achieve a kind of “celebrity status” within the diving world. Whether at a UK dive show, BOOT in Düsseldorf, or even here in Egypt, Helen and Hazel’s names were known, even to those who had never visited Orkney or dived in Scapa Flow. This is a testament to their incredible work and the lasting relationships they built throughout their careers.
My thoughts are with Hazel, Helen’s family, and all who knew and loved her during this profoundly difficult time. This is truly a sad day for the UK diving community and beyond.
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