Summertime Blues
August 2008 | offshore of Narragansett, RI
An OO field team, joined by Dr. Brad Wetherbee from the University of Rhode Island, will venture more than 50 miles off of the Rhode Island coast to document and interact with the local sharks found off our shores. The northeast US provides a summer home for many sharks, and this expedition sought out to bring their remarkable story back to the Ocean State. This is the kick-off project for OO's next series of expeditions, 'Earth | Get Connected'.

:: Blog & Field Dispatches
:: Recommended Reading

Jamestown | a Reef from Ruins
2008 | Rhode Island Sound
Debris from the 'old' Jamestown Bridge was used to create two nearshore artificial reef habitats; the first of their kind in New England. Having previously supported post-demolition survey efforts, I am now involved in the ongoing ecological surveys of the sites. The work required benthic quadrat photography and fish census techniques. Work performed for the RI Department of Environmental Management and the University of Rhode Island. Performed in collaboration with a field team from Conusub and the RI Department of Transportation.

:: Blog & Field Dispatches
:: Recommended Reading
:: Field Photos

Providence | Beneath City Streets
2008 | Downtown Providence, RI
For some reason that I cannot yet fully understand, my work has taken me to some of the darkest and dirtiest environments one can imagine. In early spring 2008, I supported a project to re-route the sewer system of Providence, Rhode Island. Entering the confined sewer spaces was a trek back in time, as these systems were constructed more than a century ago. The sewer tunnels' masonry was impeccable; a true art buried by the literal mess that today's society has created.Project required overhead environment, confined space operations, and HAZMAT techniques for contaminated water. Project for the City of Providence on behalf of Roscitti Engineering, and performed for Coastal Diving Services LLC.

Diving a Dream Expedition
2006 | Tavernier Key, Florida
From 2004-2007, Ocean Opportunity coordinated the Diving a Dream project, which made it possible for Matthew Johnston to become the world's first ventilator dependent quadriplegic diver. In November 2006, we ventured to the Florida keys with Matt for his history-making dive. The project was covered by NBC's Today Show.

Return to Thunderball
2005 | Exumas, Bahamas
I spent a majority of 2005 living, working, and exploring the Exumas once again, while employed as the Dive Safety Officer for NOAA's Caribbean Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island. This afforded the opportunity to partake in continued deep exploration into Exuma Sound, and Blue Hole exploration. This provided a catalyst for the many projects I am involved with presently.

Mystery in the Trenches
2004 | Exumas, Bahamas
Provided cave diving support for two independent expeditions. One for the University of Mississippi and another for Magellan Bioscience Inc. Collected invertebrate specimens and sediment samples in more than 1/2 dozen cave systems throughout the Exumas, Bahamas. Work to 50 meters depth and more than 250 meters linear penetration. In advance of this work, drafted institutional standards enabling me to conduct first-ever Clozed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) dive under AAUS auspices within a cave at NOAA’s CMRC. Programs administered through NOAA’s Caribbean Marine Research Center.

The Blue Holes
2003 | Exumas, Bahamas
For several field campaigns, I supported the cave biology and ecology research of Marc Slattery at the University of Mississippi. This work offered many invaluable lessons in cave exploration, conducting science while task-loaded, and about the natural products discovery potential of such habitats. Work to 50 meters depth and more than 300 meters linear penetration. Program administered through NOAA’s Caribbean Marine Research Center.

Antarctica Expedition K068
2002 | McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Off to the bottom of the planet! I spent about 2 months at Scott Base, working on a University of New Hampshire - University of Otago collaborative research project to evaluate the effects of UV radiation on the marine life beneath the annual sea ice. Cold, yes...but an experience never to be forgotten. Provided scientific dive support for studies relating to the optical properties of sea ice and the South Ocean and the influence of ultraviolet radiation on larvae of local invertebrates. Work involved photo and video documentation of the research, and deploying/retrieving various instruments to 40 meters.

Let There Be Light
2002 | Exumas, Bahamas
I have crossed paths with Charlie Mazel of Nightsea frequently over the years, and have supported a number of his field projects. This particular expedition resulted in one of the first records of capturing underwater fluorescence on video, and also (though mostly luck), capturing a fluorescing mantis shrimp hunt his prey at night.Provided in situ instrumentation and scientific dive support for the exploration of fluorescence and other optical properties. Coordinated logistics and 4 person team for Physical Science Inc. as administered through NOAA’s Caribbean Marine Research Center.

The 9th Minute
2002 | Exumas, Bahamas
This 2002 mixed-gas expedition represented my true calling to exploration and set my career path into motion. Our team conducted the first-mixed gas dives for science at NOAA's CMRC, taking science to over 300fse/90msw. Using very limited open-circuit technologies, the benefits of rebreather technologies became evident. However, the results of this expedition proved significant...nearly a dozen new marine species in 8 minutes of exploration time. imagine the potential of 'the 9th minute'. I served as Project Dive Safety Officer for this first mixed-gas training program for science under NURP/CMRC auspices. Lead scientific teams to 90meters to conduct science under AAUS dive program auspices. Drafted institutional standards enabling this work, which had influence of the forthcoming AAUS mixed-gas diving standards.

Sweating the Small Stuff
2001 | Portsmouth, RI
What began as a typical day 'at the office' turned into a nightmare. I cut my hand underwater while doing some routine yacht husbandry, and it conequently, yet unknowingly, got infected with Mycobacterium marinum. Six months of missed diagnoses, eventual surgery, and three months of physical therapy, I regained limited use of my right hand and returned to the water. Lesson learned: use proper exposure protection!

Technical Diving for Science
2001 Exumas, Bahamas
While teamed up with Dr. Michael Lesser from the University of New Hampshire, we coordinated and conducted what were the first technical nitrox dives for science through NOAA's Caribbean Marine Research Center. We used open-circuit techniques to examine the deep fore-reef from 150 to 190 fsw. This set the stage for the utilization of mixed-gas for subsequent work in the same location in 2002.

Stromatolite Excavation
2000 | Exumas, Bahamas
This was among my first 'working' scientific dive projects. While working as the Assistant Dive Officer for NOAA's CMRC, Brian Kakuk (CMRC's DSO at the time) and I spent more than 20 cumulative hours, over two days, excavating a billion year old stromatolite from Adderly Cut near Lee Stocking Island in the Exumas. This was the first excavation of a subtidal stromatolite. The work was conducted for Dr. Robert Ginsburg at the University of Miami-RSMAS. Results of this excavation have been on display at the National Museum of Natural History.