Two intrepid Maldivian aquanauts, Shafiya Naeem and Farah Amjad, have journeyed into the history books by becoming the first people from the world’s lowest-lying nation to descend deep into the twilight zone.

The aquanauts launched from the mission mothership RV Odyssey owned by Oceef off Laamu Atoll and raised the flag of the Maldives!

Piloted by American Kimly Do, the trio embarked on a journey to investigate the wall of coral and marine life along the east coast of Laamu from 60 metres, through a 120 metre deep survey to the darker depths of 250 metres.

The scientists are especially interested in the interconnectivity between corals and marine species living near the surface and at greater depth.