What was once an abandoned rock quarry in rural Massac County has become a nationally known scuba diving destination that attracts hundreds of visitors to Southern Illinois.
Mermet Springs near Belknap is the creation of Glen Faith, a certified diver with more than 40 years of experience. Faith was introduced to scuba diving after joining the Illinois Secretary of State Police in 1987 and volunteering for its dive team. Working from the Marion office, he participated in underwater search-and-rescue operations throughout Southern Illinois.
A few years later, a neighbor told Faith about an abandoned limestone quarry near his Vienna home. The quarry had operated from about 1956 until 1972 and was known for its unusually clear water. Faith received permission from property owner Adley Schmidt to dive there, and the two eventually became friends.
Faith later reached a long-term lease agreement for the property and opened Mermet Springs in 1996. Today, he operates the business with his wife, PJ.
The operation has grown considerably. When Mermet Springs first opened, it attracted about 10 to 12 people per day. Faith said even a slower weekend this summer brought more than 100 visitors per day.
One of the quarry’s biggest attractions is a submerged Boeing 727 that appeared in the movie “U.S. Marshals.” Faith purchased the aircraft for just $1, although transporting it to Southern Illinois proved far more expensive. Other underwater attractions include two Cessna airplanes, a school bus, pickup truck, motorcycle and train car.
Mermet Springs is one of only two diving locations in Illinois and is open year-round. More than 25 instructors provide training ranging from beginner open-water certification to advanced diving and instructor certification. Divers can begin certification as young as 10.
Safety is also a major focus. The facility has an underwater recall system that can alert divers during emergencies, and instructors regularly practice getting into rescue equipment in less than three minutes.
For Faith, the business has also brought his diving career full circle. After once conducting underwater searches for law enforcement, he now helps train firefighters and other emergency personnel for underwater search-and-rescue operations. Many people from Wayne County and the surrounding area also take advantage of this opportunity.
For those interested on learning more about scuba diving, visit Mermet Springs- Dive In First Class Facebook page.