Navy Diver Bob Croft, Record-Breaking Free Diver, Dies at 91

Croft's unusual lung capacity allowed him to make dives of over 200 feet without scuba gear, setting multiple records in the 1960s.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Bob Croft, a former U.S. Navy diver whose exceptional lung capacity enabled him to set multiple free diving records in the 1960s by descending over 200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean on a single breath, has died at the age of 91. Croft's derring-do and physiological anomalies made him a subject of scientific study and media fascination during his record-breaking dives off the coast of Florida.

Why it matters

Croft's feats highlighted the human body's potential for extreme underwater endurance, challenging conventional wisdom about the limits of human diving. His record-setting dives without any breathing apparatus also sparked interest in the emerging sport of free diving and the physiological adaptations that allow some individuals to thrive in deep-water environments.

The details

Croft, a Navy petty officer, first demonstrated his unusual lung capacity during tests at a submarine escape training tank in Groton, Connecticut, where he was able to hold his breath for over 6 minutes. This led him to attempt breaking the free diving depth record held by rival Jacques Mayol. In 1967, Croft descended to 212.7 feet off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, using a weighted sled to reach the record depth. He later broke his own record, reaching 240 feet in 1968 before retiring from the sport.

  • In 1967, Croft made his first attempt to break the free diving depth record, reaching 185 feet before turning back due to fatigue and cold.
  • On February 8, 1967, Croft descended to 212.7 feet, setting a new free diving depth record.
  • In late 1967, Croft raised his own record to 217.5 feet.
  • In August 1968, Croft set a new record of 240 feet, which stood for decades until being surpassed in 2023.

The players

Bob Croft

A former U.S. Navy petty officer and daring free diver who set multiple depth records in the 1960s due to his exceptional lung capacity and ability to hold his breath for extended periods.

Jacques Mayol

One of Croft's main rivals in the sport of free diving, having set the previous depth record of 197 feet in 1966 that Croft sought to break.

Alexey Molchanov

A Russian free diver who currently holds the world record depth of nearly 512 feet, far exceeding Croft's records from the 1960s.

Doug Peterson

A free diver who trained Martin Stepanek, the first person to reach 400 feet on a single breath, and who recognized Croft's contributions to free diving research and technique development.

Lisa Mongelia

The executive director of the History of Diving Museum in Islamorada, Florida, which opened a free diving exhibit featuring Croft's diving equipment in 2016.

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What they’re saying

“Bob was wonderful at sharing his ideas and techniques. When Martin and I started setting records, we wanted to be exactly the same. We shared everything with anybody that asked — no secrets, no secret techniques, just hard work and probably a genetic predisposition.”

— Doug Peterson, Free diver (The New York Times)

“He was adorable. A typical salty dog.”

— Lisa Mongelia, Executive Director, History of Diving Museum (The New York Times)

What’s next

The History of Diving Museum in Islamorada, Florida plans to continue highlighting Croft's pioneering free diving achievements through its permanent exhibit featuring his diving equipment.

The takeaway

Bob Croft's remarkable free diving feats in the 1960s, accomplished through his exceptional lung capacity and physiological adaptations, challenged conventional wisdom about human diving limits and paved the way for the modern sport of free diving. His contributions to underwater research and willingness to share his techniques with others cemented his legacy as a trailblazer in the field.