The work of Dr. Tamás Balogh, President of our Association, is featured in the November 2026 issue of National Geographic Magazine, which focuses on marine research. We owe one of the most significant recognitions to date for Hungarian maritime history and shipwreck documentation to the editorial team of the Hungarian edition of National Geographic. In curating the content for the November 2026 issue, they drew upon the expertise of our Association’s President, Dr. Tamás Balogh, in a uniquely comprehensive manner.

The world’s most renowned popular science magazine not only publishes Dr. Balogh’s latest study on the HMHS Britannic—complete with his own technical illustrations—but also features him in a profile dedicated to Hungarian marine researchers. Furthermore, the magazine showcases his unique reconstruction methodology and entrusted him with the translation of a key technical feature from the American parent edition. This 360-degree professional presence is unprecedented in the history of science communication in Hungary.

Where Professional Enthusiasm Meets Global Standards

When a researcher’s work appears in the pages of National Geographic, it serves as the ultimate seal of professional credibility. However, for a single expert to contribute to the magazine’s content in four distinct capacities within one issue is, from a PR and marketing perspective, definitive proof of "Thought Leadership." In this issue, Dr. Tamás Balogh represents our association—the Hungarian Diving Federation—as well as the Hungarian research community, across the following areas:

• Bridging Science (Technical Translation): Adapting a featured article from the original American publication required the highest level of terminological precision. By combining specialized maritime terminology with a deep understanding of the American context, the translation ensures that the global scientific discourse is conveyed in Hungarian with complete authenticity and integrity.

• The Author’s Vision (Writing and Illustration): The tragedy and underwater wreck of the HMHS *Britannic*—the forgotten twin ship of the *Titanic*—continue to captivate the world. Tamás’s study not only organizes historical facts but also brings the secrets of the deep closer to the reader through his own precise, original illustrations.

• A Human Focus (Profile): The magazine features a profile on Tamás’s career as a researcher, highlighting members of the Hungarian marine research community—individuals born in a landlocked nation who nonetheless play an active role in exploring the world’s oceans.

• Recognizing Expertise (The “Our Workshop” Column): The magazine’s thematic methodology column offers a step-by-step guide to the specialized wreck-documentation and technical illustration techniques developed and employed by our president in his research.

Fig. 1: Hungarian translation of an American feature article (top left), an illustrated study on the Britannic (top right), a profile piece (bottom left), and a feature in the "Our Studio" section— together with David Doubilet, a pioneering American underwater photographer and conservationist who has contributed to the magazine since 1971, producing nearly 75 articles and cover stories during that time.

Why is technical illustration still indispensable in the age of modern technology?

The magazine’s "Our Workshop" column sheds light on an important professional dilemma: why are manual and digital illustrations still necessary in the age of 3D sonar and high-resolution underwater cameras? The answer lies in historical interpretation. While technology captures the current reality—damaged, sediment-covered, and dimly lit—technical illustration can "clean up" a shipwreck. It filters out visual noise, corrects structural distortions, and reveals the vessel’s original engineering logic. This methodology not only makes history accessible to the general public but also serves as a direct, valuable scientific tool for museums, television productions (such as those for Discovery or the National Geographic Channel), and international expeditions.

Fig. 2: Dr. Tamás Balogh’s drawings of the Britannic in the magazine.

A Shared Success Across the World’s Seas

This feature is not an isolated achievement; through the individuals showcased, it also serves to strengthen the legitimacy of the Hungarian underwater research community. It stands as proof that the work carried out within our Association—and under the umbrella of the Hungarian Diving Federation—including archival research and countless long nights spent at the drawing board, creates value that is competitive on a global scale.

We extend our gratitude to the editorial team at National Geographic Hungary for their trust, and to our members and supporters for their unwavering backing—without which this international breakthrough would not have been possible!

The Bonus:

The volume of material gathered during research for the magazine article—including archival data and a wealth of fascinating details—so impressed the editorial team that when Editor-in-Chief Péter Lugosi encountered the strict space limitations of the print edition, he made an excellent decision. Since the content simply could not be contained within the confines of the printed issue, *National Geographic Hungary* published an extensive digital supplement on its official website, providing a home for everything that had to be left out of the version sold on newsstands.

Thanks to this exclusive online content, the website now features stunning underwater photographs that were omitted due to a lack of space, as well as superb illustrations by William Barney, created in direct support of Richie Kohler’s expeditions.

Our deepest gratitude and appreciation go to Richie Kohler, as well as Evan Kovacs and Barry McGill, for their selfless contribution in making this interview possible, and for sharing their invaluable expedition experience and breathtaking underwater footage. Without them, this comprehensive synthesis could not have come to fruition. Thank you for your trust and for the precise, collaborative work!

Fig. 3: The Britannic on the magazine’s website, and the cover of the printed November issue featuring a photograph by David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes.

Historic moments in the deep: The first woman inside the *Britannic*! 🌊⚓️

Richie Kohler, the legendary American wreck explorer and diver, has shared an extraordinary story—one we are proud to pass on. In his post, he highlights a female technical diver who became the first American woman to dive to the massive wreck of the HMHS *Britannic*—and the first woman in the world to venture inside the legendary hull. You can find the post and details about this historic dive here:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AEdrRBo1i/

The exploration of the Britannic and the world of deep-sea expeditions have been brought even closer to the Hungarian audience: the November issue of the Hungarian edition of National Geographic magazine features an exclusive interview with Richie Kohler regarding the latest findings on the Britannic and the background of these dives, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary experiences of the divers.

📖 Be sure to read it! Check out the unique November issue of National Geographic Magazine, available at newsstands and select retail locations starting November 10, 2026. Don’t miss this exceptional edition!

⚓️ For our English-speaking readers, we are making available the English text of the article—the author’s version prior to editorial processing—which can be downloaded here.