Boesmansgat

Boesmansgat, also known in English as "Bushman's Hole", is believed to be the sixth-deepest submerged freshwater cave (or sinkhole) in the world, having been dived to 282.6 metres (927 ft). It is located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

Boesmansgat was believed to have first been explored by amateur diver Mike Rathbourne, in 1977. The lowest depth attained was by Nuno Gomes, in 1996. Its altitude of over 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) makes this a particularly challenging dive, requiring a decompression schedule equivalent for a dive to 339 metres (1,112 ft) feet at sea level.[1] (Gomes' dive was a close call, as he got stuck in the mud on the bottom of Bushman's Hole for two minutes before escaping.[2])

On 24 November 2004, Verna van Schaik set the Guinness Woman's World Record for the deepest dive with a dive to 221 metres (725 ft).

Deaths

In literature

In Mo Hayder's novel Ritual (2008), the death of the parents of one of the protagonists while diving in Bushman's Hole is an important plot device.

References

  1. Farr, Martyn (8 February 2007). "South Africa – Bushmansgat". Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Zimmermann, Tim (August 1, 2005). "Raising the Dead". Outside Magazine.
  3. 1 2 "Episode 515: Good Guys, Act 3". This American Life.
  4. 1 2 Washington, Glynn (October 31, 2014). "Where No One Should Go". Snap Judgment (NPR.org).

Coordinates: 27°55′18″S 23°38′30″E / 27.92167°S 23.64167°E / -27.92167; 23.64167


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