INTRO
"SOCIALLY ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP"
Henri Hemmerechts began his professional journey in 1988 as a divemaster and captain — back in the days, as he jokingly puts it, “when diving was dangerous and sex was safe.” He trained with some of the most respected professionals in the industry, gaining experience from the cold waters of the North Sea to the vibrant shores of Curaçao, where he grew up. In 1992, he encountered the Red Sea — a place that quickly captured his heart and remains central to his life’s work.
By 1993, Henri was one of only three full-time dive guides pioneering liveaboard expeditions in Egypt’s then-undeveloped southern Red Sea. After four intense years at sea, he transitioned to dive center management, gradually taking on executive responsibilities. In 1998, he was recruited by Scuba Schools International (SSI), launching his international career in training and industry development.
In 2002, Henri founded OCEANROAMERS in the Netherlands and began working independently as a consultant, course director, and project developer across a wide range of global scuba destinations. His work combined business development, field training, and strategic consulting for marine operations.
In 2007, he launched the DIVE PROFESSIONALS network — the foundation of today’s IADP - DIVE PROFESSIONALS — marking his transition into socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship. His focus expanded to include large-scale marine restoration initiatives and community-based conservation projects across Egypt and Sudan.
Now based in Brussels, Henri continues to balance seascaping, digital development, and capacity-building for the diving industry. When he’s not diving or managing field operations, he sails, windsurfs, and designs functional tools and garments for mariners — always blending innovation with purpose.
An activist and Ocean Warrior not only at heart, but in deeds.
BUSINESS
Henri Hemmerechts is a seasoned executive business consultant, fluent in eight languages and several regional dialects. He is also a professional diver, a commercial coastal captain, and a proud recipient of the prestigious Platinum Pro 5000 Award (2010), recognizing his lifetime contributions and more than three decades of commitment to the diving profession.
With over 30 years of experience in the field, Henri has been directly involved in the creation and development of 17+ dive tourism projects, as well as the successful launch of major corporate brands — guiding them from initial concept through to full operational implementation.
As TheOceanRoamer, he is regarded as one of the most accomplished independent consultants in the training and exploration sector of the global diving industry. His broad experience — marked by practical successes, lessons from failure, and field-tested strategies — makes him uniquely positioned to advise both SMBs and large corporations seeking to expand within the EMEA region.
Henri’s extensive client portfolio includes industry leaders such as:
Aqualung, NAUI, SSI, Extra Divers, Three Corners Hotels, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café, El Gouna, HEPCA, Camel Dive Club, Jazz & Iberotel Hotels, Substation Curaçao, Sky Tours, and even members of Egypt’s Saddat family.
Executives and business owners in the marine, hospitality, and tourism sectors throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa consistently turn to OCEANROAMERS for tailored, strategic, and regionally grounded B2B consultancy solutions.
TheOceanRoamer
TheOceanRoamer® is more than a moniker — it represents a philosophy rooted in non-conformism, idealism, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
Henri grew up on the rugged coastlines of Belgium’s North Sea, becoming a mariner in his early teens. By 18, he was already working as a professional diver and boat captain for the Curaçao Seaquarium. In 1993, he transitioned to the Red Sea, and by the age of 28, he had become the youngest general manager for SSI in the region.
Tired of a shallow existence?
It’s time to put some depth in your life.
Let the sea set you free.
Known for his direct, no-nonsense approach, Henri has earned deep respect among peers and veterans in the Red Sea for his ability to build self-sufficient dive teams and deliver fully operational projects in remote and challenging environments.
Today, his focus is fully committed to the protection and sustainable development of Sudan’s Red Sea coastline. He leads OPREDSEA, a regional development and marine restoration project based in Port Sudan, aimed at regenerating ecosystems and creating livelihoods through ocean-based training and conservation.
Henri also continues to serve as General Manager of the nonprofit-in-formation IADP – Dive Professionals, a network he founded in 2007 to elevate standards, education, and unity among dive professionals globally.
Under the aliases TheOceanRoamer and TheDivePro, he shares content, drives advocacy, and curates extensive social media platforms that empower divers, inspire explorers, and promote ocean stewardship at scale.
MISSION
"Your future is created by what you do today — not tomorrow."
Henri Hemmerechts stands firmly for Socially & Environmentally Responsible Entrepreneurship, driven by a mission to serve not only the marine world, but also the people and industries connected to it.
🔵 For the Red Sea
Henri is committed to supporting the sustainable development of Sudan’s native coastal communities, helping them protect and steward their marine resources while fostering long-term resilience and economic empowerment. His goal is to set a precedent for community-led conservation across all Red Sea nations.
To that end, he is currently offering his consultancy pro bono to Sudanese government bodies, NGOs, and local charities involved in marine sustainability, training, or conservation.
🔵 For the Diving Industry
As founder of the International Association of Dive Professionals (IADP), Henri actively champions a more ethical, professional, and recognized global diving workforce. He upholds the IADP's code of ethics and promotes its mission to achieve:
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Trade recognition for dive professionals
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A global quality standard and professional rating
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Tangible benefits and protections
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A unified voice for the industry’s workforce
🔵 For the Marine Environment
Through the continued development of the GoBlu3 initiative, Henri is building a global alliance of ocean sustainability professionals and divers working to address the gaps in today’s marine conservation models.
GoBlu3 aims to empower professional divers to take active, measurable, and collective steps to mitigate environmental degradation and restore aquatic ecosystems — from the reef to the river.
CERTIFICATIONS
Awarded the prestigious Platinum Pro 5000 Award (2010)
Certifications & Professional Recognition
Platinum Pro 5000 Award
Awarded in 2010 in recognition of over 5,000 logged dives and lifetime contributions to diving and ocean conservation.
NAUI – Course Director
Certified in 1996. Former Area Representative for North Africa.
ID: 16835
SSI – Instructor Certifier
Since 1996. Former General Manager for the Egyptian Red Sea region.
ID: IC 36593
PADI – Master Instructor
Certified since 1988 with a proven record in diver education and professional development.
ID: 57007
BSAC – Advanced Instructor
British Sub-Aqua Club certification obtained in 1995.
ID: AI 2269
CMAS – 3-Star Instructor
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques, certified in 1995.
ID: AI 2269
Commercial Coastal Captain's License
Issued by the Netherlands Antilles in 1989 for vessels under 100 Tons.
University Contributions
Provided technical expertise and training in marine operations at Port Sudan University.
