Spotlight Diver: Norman Berhannan

Since its inception, the Beneath the Sea Diver of the Year Award Program has singled out for honor men and

women whose presence in the dive industry has made significant and lasting contributions to the diving community. This year, we’re proud to announce that our fellow NABS member Norman Berhannan will be recognized for his service to the organization at their annual Awards Banquet during the weekend of the Beneath the Sea Exposition, March 29 and 30. For more information about the Beneath the Sea Expo and to purchase tickets to the Awards Banquet, visit Beneath the Sea Ticket information can be found under the Evening Events tab.

Bio:

As a youngster Norman Berhannan spent his early years snorkeling and spearfishing off the shores of Long Island NY.

Scuba certified in 1970, he has made over 2500 dives both locally and internationally. He attended the first Beneath the Sea scuba show at the Westchester County Community Center in 1976 and has volunteered with BTS for 25 years, serving as Sr. Director of Guest Relations and Trustee. In 2017 he was the recipient of the BTS Presidents Award.

Norman is a PADI certified scuba instructor and former aquatic instructor for the Physical Education department at Stony Brook University.

He’s past president of the Aquatic Voyagers Scuba Club (AVSC) the New York chapter of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) and a member of their executive board from 1996 through 2024.. Norman served as NABS Northeast Regional Rep and for many years with the NABS Aqua Corp.

In 2012 Norm was honored as NABS Diver of the Year and inducted into the NABS Hall of Fame in 2013.

When not traveling, diving, or encouraging others in their aquatic pursuits, Norman is fond of cruising his catamaran on the Long Sound Sound.