The Wandering Disciple

When the Greek immigrated to Tarpon Springs, they helped shape the region's sponging industry. They developed a technique of sponge diving that is still used today off the coast of Tarpon Springs. A diver submerges under the water, grabs a section of live sponge, cuts a portion of it off and they returns to the boat with his freshly harvested sponge. You can watch this live on the Sponge Diving Exhibition Tour onboard the St Nicholas VII, a historic sponging vessel docked at the historic sponge docks in Tarpon Springs. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

In what looks like a trip down memory lane, a sponge diver readies to dive into the waters of Tarpon Springs to demonstrate the technique perfected by the Greeks over 150 years ago.  Today, this technique can be seen on board the St. Nicholas VI, a historic sponge diving ship that operates from the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.  (Photo: February 4, 2017)