What is it like to be an Ocean Explorer?


While our ship board operations may take us offshore for weeks or months at a time, this often requires crew members to live and work aboard heavily equipped vessels in cramped basic quarters and be able to work in remote locations in many types of climates and conditions- and they must often maintain operations in harsh or even hostile underwater environments. The crew must adapt to unpredictable situations - and be able to maintain a positive image, while tending to the jobs at hand.

Human safety, biological impacts and equipment limitations define the boundaries of every project. Marine based survey and recovery projects are even more weather dependent than land based projects and are often limited by sea conditions. For this reason, we have developed a multi site schedule process which allows for alternative deployment of the crew and vessel -when and if weather conditions stop work in one area, then we can deploy in another area.

This is a developing technology driven industry. We are constantly learning new methods and finding better ways to get the job done. The hard work and team effort creates a special bond and sense of purpose. Simply put, this isn't a method for getting rich quick or an easy career! We enjoy what we do, and that's the secret of achieving our goals.

Our team has grown over many years and continues to grow. It includes some of the most talented, innovative and dedicated personnel representing a wide spectrum of scientific, ship board and marine technical skills. This translates into decades of cumulative field experience and knowledge that Sub Sea Research company proudly utilizes.

We continue to build upon this network base and cultivate an environment of teamwork and knowledge-sharing as we explore often completely untried methods and forge new trails in ocean frontier exploration and recovery.

As we all know "It's a big ocean out there!" Most of it still remains unexplored to this day. We are dedicated to discovering and exploring as much of the oceans mysteries as we can and sharing these discoveries with the world. It isn't easy, it isn't simple, it's very expensive, and it's certainly not for everyone. For some of us however, there is nothing else we would rather be doing on earth!


Life Aboard the Sea Hunter, by former deckhand Shawn Ruarke

For the men and women of the Sea Hunter and Son Worshipper, every day is an accomplishment. Life on a vessel is difficult. Extremely difficult. It's demanding. It's tiring. It requires those who have chosen it over everything else, to be on constant point. To use their heads to the best of their abilities, but most importantly, to watch over and protect each other, and themselves. Everyone on board understands this on a whole level that I was never fully aware of until I was there living it with them. The amount of respect and love these adventurers have for one another is endless and powerful. Every member of this crew has placed their home lives on the line completely, risking far more than most would. And in the end, all are well aware of the rewards. They are revolutionaries, carving their own path into history.

The forward thinking of the members of S. Hunter/S. Worshipper reveal the skill and patience required to do this work. They are faced with a number of obstacles each day that test their abilities under extreme conditions. Sleep deprivation is no joke. Work hours on board the vessel are random and long. And for this type of job, sleep is essential and must be taken seriously. All work is of equal importance on a ship. And being well rested means doing the job right, as well as safely. Watches on board both vessels are part of many other safety precautions that are carried out regularly for those on board the ships. They require different members of the crew to swap shifts overnight in keeping an eye on things while others sleep. Hunger is something else that will dramatically effect a persons decision making and overall work abilities. That is why it is crucial to have a chef to greet the crew members with meals every morning, afternoon and night. Cindy Hart does a fantastic job of this, for it is not an easy task to cook three meals a day for eighteen people.

Some of the technology on board requires special training, but that doesn't deter crew members from trying their hand at something new. The energy and persistence that thrives in each of them is what holds them together, as a team. And this is what drives them to succeed. They are a family in that they teach one another the knowledge they have all acquired in their own personal experiences in life. And many of them are multi-talented, for instance Brian, an engineer and paramedic. Shawn, who can weld and is an engineer as well. Aside from treasure hunting, many of the guys run their own businesses in fishing or diving. These are people who take a lot of pride in what they do, and have honed their skills to perfection. One can see remarkable progress daily that demonstrates just how successful Project Blue Baron will be in the end. Failure is an impossibility.

But why risk so much for something that seems so unreal? I mean, it's not everyday you meet someone who works in shipwreck salvage. How lucky can one be to find something that may or may not even exist? It's the passion, trust, communication and determination Greg Brooks and his team of skillful adventurers possess that ensure a bright future for Sub Sea Research and all those involved. There is no lack of experience here. Greg Brooks started this business over 20 years ago, and many of the same fellows whom he worked with from the beginning are still with him today, and the passion remains the same. There are many folks on board that are new to this, and they envelop the excitement and knowledge to fuel this passion. Friendships blossom and remain unbroken. They are true to one another, and to the mission. I am extremely grateful that I was able to witness this first hand, and watch it all come to life! The mission is treasure, and the stakes are high. Greg and his team are armed to the teeth with the tools and brains needed to reach these goals and beyond. The crew members of SH/SW are bringing dreams to reality.

 


 

 


 
 
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