Vasilios Petroulias
Vice President HUE
Advanced Trimix Diver (TDI),
PADI Trimix Diver, Wreck & Cave Explorer
Vasileios Petroulias is a technical diver, cave diver, and active explorer with experience in deep dives up to 110 meters and historical wrecks such as the U-133, Monrosa, ORIA, and HMS Perseus. As Vice President of the Hellas Underwater Explorers (HUE), he has taken part in high-level cave diving expeditions, mapping projects, and advanced training. Dedicated to mentoring new divers, he actively contributes to the preservation of Greece’s underwater cultural heritage and promotes technical exploration throughout the country.
My Diving Evolution
My journey into the underwater world began in 1997 in Rhodes, where I made my first dives and my deep love for the sea and exploration was born. Since then, diving has become a way of life for me — an unceasing call to the unknown.
First Certifications
My first official certifications were obtained through the Paralos diving school, under the guidance of the late Stelios Kaplanidis, who was my first instructor in the initial steps of this journey.
Technical Diving - Seabreaze
My evolution in technical diving continued at the Seabreaze diving center of Spyros Kolla, where I attended significant training courses and the foundation for the advanced technical training that followed was formed.
Advanced Trimix with Mark Ellyatt
Later, we proceeded to organize training sessions with Mark Ellyatt in Greece, a top international instructor and explorer, from whom I received the Advanced Trimix Diver (TDI) certification for dives to depths over 100 meters, with assistant instructor Spyros Kolla, who subsequently became a trimix instructor himself.
Diving Buddy - Nikitas Simatos
Particularly important in my diving journey was my close friend and buddy Nikitas Simatos, with whom we trained together, conducted countless dives, and shared every step of this path.
Collaboration with Antonis Grafas
Another defining chapter was my acquaintance with Antonis Grafas, a man with a boat, tremendous experience, and deep knowledge of the known wrecks of the Saronic Gulf. We shared the same passion: he was looking for divers who could dive deep like himself, and we were looking for an Antonis to transport us to the historic wrecks — and we did it, almost every weekend.
During that period, the idea for creating an online database that would record Greek wrecks was also born. Antonis advanced the idea and created https://www.grafasdiving.gr/ — one of the most complete and documented websites for known wrecks in Greece.
Mentoring & Community Contribution
Training was never an end in itself for me. With my experience, I consciously chose to give back to the community — as a mentor to many young divers who entered the field, such as Michalis Spyrakis, Giannis Karras, Alexandros Verros, and others. To this day, I continue to offer mentoring to young people who share the same passion for the aquatic element.
Exploration Missions
Historic Wrecks
I have dived on historic wrecks of Greece, with dives reaching up to 110 meters depth. Indicatively, I mention:
the merchant vessel Monrosa (90m), the destroyer Thyella (D31), the tragic wreck of ORIA, the German submarine U-133, the cargo ship Rosa Vlasi, the Piper SX AKI, the wreck Patris in Kea, the Avantis III, and the submarine HMS Perseus, as well as many others.
Speleology & Cave Diving
I am also a certified speleologist and cave diver, with active participation in missions to underwater caves such as Sintzi, Kefalovriso, Polydrosos, Arkadiko, and Korfos, which I was the first to map.
George Petrou - The Teacher of Teachers
My acquaintance with George Petrou, the teacher of teachers, came relatively late in my diving journey, but it proved to be decisive. Together we revived the most historic Greek exploration team that ever existed in Greek territory — the Hellas Underwater Explorers (HUE).
Today - Hellas Underwater Explorers
Today, as Vice President of Hellas Underwater Explorers, I remain active in missions, conferences, and scientific collaborations that promote technical diving, speleology, and the preservation of marine heritage.
My diving journey is a path of exploration, knowledge, and contribution. A continuous search for light in the darkness, where few dare to look.
