Andrew Wight
Andrew Wight, who was to have been a presenter and speaker at OZTeK2013, died in a helicopter crash along with well known photographer Mike deGruy near the Australian New South Wales town of Nowra on Saturday 4th February 2012.
A gifted and talented film-maker and early pioneer of technical diving in Australia, Andrew came to prominence in December 1988 when news that a group of cave divers were trapped beneath the Nullabor Plain after exploring one of the world’s deepest and longest underwater systems. The subsequent documentary, Nullabor Dreaming – tracking the expedition’s journey through the subterranean river systems of Pannikin Plain Cave – won international acclaim and paved the way for other equally successful productions of underwater adventure and exploration that ultimately led to a partnership with explorer-filmmaker, James Cameron.
After leading six deep ocean expeditions together, from which the films Ghosts of the Abyss, Aliens of the Deep, Expedition: Bismarck, and Last Mysteries of Titanic were made, the two recently co-produced Andrew’s first feature film, Sanctum 3D, inspired by the 1988 expedition and released in 2011, shortly before Andrew became a father.
A recipient of the OZTeK4 (2005) ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’, Andrew was more than just an enormously capable and knowledgeable diver. Always remaining a modest and caring person who valued his friendships more than his success, he was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a colleague and a friend; in short, he was a man who was revered and respected by everyone privileged to have known him. He will be sorely missed.
Photo Credited to AAP
TecRec Blog 