The Gallipoli Association visits the Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park at Boot Düsseldorf 2026

Boot Düsseldorf 2026 once again lived up to its reputation as the world’s largest yacht and water‑sports fair, bringing together 1,500 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from across the globe. Among them was the impressive stand of the Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park, showcasing the unique underwater heritage of the Gallipoli campaign.

Representing the Gallipoli Association, Overseas Liaison Officer, Thomas Iredale, visited the stand at the invitation of the Gallipoli Wrecks Dive Centre, who manage recreational diving operations within the Park. The stand was beautifully designed, featuring striking underwater photography that gave visitors the sensation of descending into the Dardanelles themselves.

He met with Rıza Birkan, Murathan Yıldız, both of the Dive Centre, and Mr Yusuf Kartal of the Gallipoli Historic Sites Directorate, and they discussed several areas of future cooperation, including:

• Connecting with descendants of sailors from ships lost during the campaign

• Locating large‑scale ship plans for vessels such as HMS Ocean, Irresistible, Triumph, Goliath, Hythe, and the French battleship Bouvet

• Establishing contact with the HMS Hythe memorial community in Kent

The stand attracted a steady stream of international divers, including familiar faces from previous Gallipoli expeditions. Interest in the Underwater Park continues to grow each year, reflecting its rising profile in the global diving community.

As Mr Ismail Kaşdemir, Chairman of the Gallipoli Historic Sites Directorate, noted: “We get better every day. We are now in the world league of diving.”

Report by Thomas Iredale

Trustee & Overseas  Liaison Officer