Heligoland plays an important part in the international research community. Most of the research facilities on the island belong to the Alfred Wegener-Institute for polar and marine research (AWI). Due to the island's location the AWI does not only have a dive team stationed but also based its diver training facilities there. That's why there is almost always a group in garb huddling around. Unfortunately (for me) the island is closed to dive tourism, albeit I have to say for a good reason- depths and currents are close to the limits of recreational diving