LATVIA  The Baltic is the world's biggest body of brackish water. Its salinity varies from almost zero to 1.5%, compared with an average of 3.4% in the oceans. It is also rarely deeper than 50m. Reflecting their enthusiasm, we had a great response from divers in the Baltic area, including Igor Kot who lives near Riga, the capital of Latvia. He explains why it's not only the coastline of the Gulf of Riga that prevents Latvian divers from following their diving ambitions:

I.Maiden  I think that you will agree if I say that it is interesting to know how sunken soviet submarines, naval ships, takers and even aircrafts were raised from the bottom of the sea. And who of you is aware of the fact that explosives and shells at shallow depths near Liepaja would be enough to irreparably destroy the part of the city of Latvia? You are welcome to get information on such and other facts at the museum of legendary Latvian company ASPTR specializing in underwater rescue and recovery services.

The Åland sea is a haven for shipwreck diving. Altogether there are some 500 known wrecks in the sea surrounding Åland, but it is estimated that the figure could be doubled.

The shipwreck diving sites in Åland are extremely well preserved thanks to a unique diving legislation. Down at the wrecked vessels it feels as if time stands still. It looks as if the ship sank yesterday with all its details still intact.

One of the most popular and certainly the most visited diving location in Lithuania is lake Plateliai with its several diving clubs and facilities located on its banks. Daivings.Net has been reporting on the diving possibilities in Plateliai with Lithuanian diving club Octopusas in one of our previous stories:

http://www.daivings.net/en/diving-lithuanian-platelai-lake-oktopusas-daivclub

Already a third time this summer Latvian costal waters have been visited by Swedish diving vessel Stora-M. In near future Daivings.Net is going to publish an interview with a representatives from a group of Swedish divers who have organised those diving charter trips from Sweden to Latvia. In a mean time we would like to start some warming-up with an article and back-ground information on diving in Sweden.

Diver down, alternative style in Sweden

by: Anders Porter

Despite challenges such as darkness, limited visibility and cold

PADI diving centre "Oktopusas" is one of the best known diving centres in west Lithuania active from year 1999. Here work instructors who have widely traveled - to Red and Adriatic seas. They have visited with their diving expeditions and students many the best diving spots in the World, including Canary Islands, Maldives, Filipinos and others. Oktopusas has set up diving centre on the onshore Lake Plateliai, which due to its good service and lively atmosphere has become the most visited inland diving spot in the entire Baltic region. Diving centre Oktopusas is established near Plateliai yacht club and is always ready to grant these services: information about diving places, underwater guide help, renting and selling of equipment, air filling and PADI courses. During the diving summer season there is a lifeguard out in whach. For arrivals they will advise where the best place to stay in near surroundings is or where you can get traditional local people viands.