Mission & Project Info | NOAA’s Aquarius Undersea Laboratory
Mission Blog

I reflect on my time here working with Aquarius, enjoying the peace and quiet of early morning deco. As I make my first jounal entry on my last day in the habitat, I would like to thank the people responsible for giving me this opportunity. I have worked alongside the Navy’s Finest for eleven years, but I was not a Navy Diver, nor will I ever pretend to be. However, I always wondered what diving would be like, just a wanna-be. Working for NURC has opened the door to this awesome new world. As I approach 500 dives in my short 32 months experience, I am no less eager to get wet, than I was for dive number 1. I have learned that I’m never done learning, and smart enough to know that I’ll never be smart enough.

As you read various journal entries, the the theme is pretty much the same. What a unique experience to saturate, to live underwater, and do what a very small percentage of the population ever get to do. I feel the same way of course, but maybe from a little different perspective. I never cease to be amazed and enjoy God’s creation aquatic.

Aside from the diving aspect, I been fortunate to work alongside and meet a lot of good people. As I move on, I will always have good memories of the NASA, Navy and various science teams utilizing Aquarius. It’s also been great rubbing elbows with some pioneers occasionally. To Scott Carpenter, Dick Rutkowski, and Bob Barth, I appreciate your contributions to diving and hyperbarics. It’s been an honor. I’ve also had the priviledge to dive with (Shadow Divers) John Chatterton and Richie Kohler. Thanks for the braggin’ rights.

To the NURC team, past and present, I have thoroughly enjoyed working and saturating with you. Thank you again for the opportunity. I tried to leave her better than I found her! Good luck in the future. I look forward to diving with you later on down the road.