10/13/2026
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the loss of one of our own, Max Konig, who passed away following a climbing accident just over a week ago.
For those who have been part of East Coast Divers over the years, Max was so much more than an instructor, an Instructor Trainer, or our former Training Director. He was part of the fabric of this place. One of those wonderfully unique people who found a home in our little diving community and, somewhere along the way, helped make it a home for so many others.
Max had a quiet brilliance about him. Thoughtful, endlessly curious, occasionally awkward in the most endearing way, and always willing to put in the work. He grew into an extraordinary educator and mentor, someone who influenced countless divers, often without ever realizing how much of an impact he was having. He wasn't interested in being the loudest person in the room. He just cared about doing things well, looking after the people around him, and finding the next adventure.
From exploring the wrecks of North Carolina and the St. Lawrence, to cave diving in Mexico, his years aboard the Juliet with Kat and Mack, and eventually a career that took him around the world, Max built a life around curiosity, exploration, and a genuine love for adventure. And he brought so many people along for the ride.
It's difficult to explain what it means to lose someone who helped shape a community. The students he taught, the instructors he mentored, the friendships he built, and the countless stories that will be told about him for years to come are all part of what he leaves behind.
Our hearts are with Max's family, his friends, and everyone whose life was made a little richer by knowing him.
Max, we hope you knew how much you meant to all of us. You helped make East Coast Divers what it is, and there will always be a piece of you here.
Rest easy, mate. Thank you for the adventures, the friendship, and everything you gave to this community.
Fair winds and following seas, Max. RIP.
