Category: the Life Aquatic | an Evolution
no more brick and mortar – bigger isn’t always better
A colleague recently shared an article with me that describes a new concept of inflatable additions for the space station or other space habitats. Idea simply being that one can pack all of the essential mission-critical infrastructure into a smaller package, then ‘inflate’ once on site to have a reasonably sized bubble to live and…
Read Morea new world view from the ‘bottom up’
Several year ago, I stumbled on an article by an MIT student that discussed the concept of ‘underwater camping’ – the simple ability to make a foray into the ocean, and stay for awhile. It was a compelling idea. My interests in ocean exploration have always leaned heavily on improving human intervention – advanced diving…
Read Morethe american eel
When the dinner table conversation turns to ‘what I do’, the typical response is one of surprise, with a hint of envy, and a honeymoon image of cruising over some coral reef every day to play with the fish. If it were only that simple. While I wouldn’t trade this life aquatic for any other, it…
Read Morecut throat and cash
The long list of things that truly fascinate me about being a working diver never seems to stop growing, and this is even after some 15+ years at the game. Most importantly to me is being able to find an appreciable ‘art’ in heavy and potentially dangerous tasks. Yesterdays project was a good reminder of…
Read Moresaved by the snail’s pace
Well, a fresh new project kicked off yesterday, and is proving to be a much needed refresher in underwater welding. While I’ve had a few small welding projects here and there over the last several months, this project is putting it all to the test. In the water at 0730, then burning rod after rod…
Read Moreon and in an aquatic state
Late yesterday afternoon, the phone rang and the ‘hello’ was forgone. I was met only with a ‘you’re leaving at midnight’… This wasn’t the first time, and certainly won’t be the last, as this life aquatic as an underwater vagabond has a way of keeping the flow (excuse the pun) of work in a multitude of…
Read Morecomposure, aptitude, & situational awareness
A recent series of very routine working dives reminded me of what has come to be my ‘trinity’ in diving – composure, aptitude, and situational awareness. While I infrequently dive recreationally, from time to time I do find myself in the water with new divers. More than general discomfort, anxiety, or nervousness, what jumps out…
Read Morean in between era using in between technology
I recently returned from the field, working in a remote stretch of the Exumas, Bahamas – where I consider my home away from home. The objective? Deploy an experimental undersea habitat that, if successful, would provide for unsurpassed wet diving access to the lower limits of mesophotic coral ecosystems. As it happens, the deployment went off…
Read Morecaught in the act…by satellite!!!
As our world gets smaller and smaller in many ways given the massive wave of (inter)connectivity technology has afforded us (for better or worse), I have often prided myself on having found some peace, solitude, and solemnity on an almost daily basis with my underwater exploits. Apparently those days are nearing an end! A friend…
Read Moremetabolic mayhem
While most experience some weight shifting through the seasons, especially here in the Northeast where distinct and sharply contrasted climates cause a sort of hibernation at times, and binge around the holidays to fatten up for the winter cold; this weight change is overwhelmingly apparent when my busy dive season kicks into gear. I can’t help…
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