Since 2008, this Blog has been a communications priority providing shorts, op-eds, and bramblings that communicate experiences through the life aquatic..
To my fellow Americans, Happy 4th of July, if it can be. Among the myriad of social, economic, and political turmoil we’re presently blessed with I want to draw particular attention to a new ideological battleground – where environmentalists are saving environmentalists from their attempt to save the environment. Every movement – be it towards independence, social justice issues, religious
This is a refreshed op-ed from its original publication in 2017; to expand on context related to modern and future subsea habitation as we reflect on the historical significance of the Sealab Program on its 60th anniversary. Call it one of those quirky fateful twists – as I started up my truck this morning [January 6, 2017), the local radio
In June–July 1964, Ed Link – businessman, inventor, philanthropist – conducted his second Man-in-the-Sea experiment in the Berry Islands (a chain in the Bahamas) with Robert Sténuit and Jon Lindbergh, one of the sons of Charles Lindbergh. Sténuit and Lindbergh stayed in Link’s SPID habitat (Submersible, Portable, Inflatable Dwelling) for 49 hours underwater at a depth of 432 feet (132 m), breathing a helium-oxygen mixture. Dr. Joseph B.
I’ve visited my share of manholes as a working diver, but never have I ever found one that looks like these: https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/27/arts/street-artist-milan-manholes/index.html Milan artist Biancoshock has transformed several of Milan’s abandoned manholes and other underground space into purposeful artistic installations. This is exactly the type of industrial art and experimentation
The recent news of Stanford University’s OceanOne Robot’s successful salvage/recovery of artifacts from Louis XiV’s flagship came as quite the news to me. Admittedly, I know very little about the robot, however it does warrant some thought and discussion as we consider the value of humans versus robotics within the
Having ‘space’ within space seems to be a critical bottleneck in manned space exploration, second of course to cost-effective round trip travel. Regarding the latter, the various recent private initiatives are certainly making progress, though like anything groundbreaking, there remains a long road ahead. Once we get there, what are
Recent space news is nothing short of exciting: http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/20550/20160409/nasa-and-affiliates-send-inflatable-habitat-named-beam-into-space.htm. An inflatable habitat is headed to space. This of course makes great sense to be light and efficient when considering that weight is probably the single most cost-prohibitive factor when looking at space ventures. In the future, this level of modularity and portability
Interesting read, good in principle, but gives re-birth to lessons that the US government has not yet addressed: the proposal to turn the Guantanamo Bay facilities into a research center. In reflecting on my own career path recently, it dawned on me that I’ve been a part of the ebb
This recent Blog post couldn’t have summed up our conundrum any better: link. The piece kicks off with a quote by Isaac Asimov, stating: “Population pressure will force increasing penetration of desert and polar areas. Most surprising and, in some ways, heartening, 2014 will see a good beginning made in
Very pleased to share a newly published paper in the Marine Technology Society Journal (Vol. 50, Issue 1), entitles, “A Paradigm Shift for Human Exploration of the Sea: Standards of Practice, Training, and Program Development for Atmospheric Diving”. download .pdf This is a timely and essential white paper reflecting on the recent
Well, it’s about time a rather frank perspective was cast out there for us, rather than simply continue to take the bait: https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/09/world/shark-attacks/index.html The gist? More shark attacks, yes, but also more people in the water. There are some simple cause and effects in life that just can’t be ignored.
This last year has made me enthusiastic to see the future of diving unfold. While there are certainly numerous ‘big’ issues to address, a few seemingly simple innovations, or rather evolutions of terra firma tech to life beneath the waves, have surfaced (or rather made their first descent!). The following
Last week, the Rhode Island mud diving community lost a long time friend. Dennis P. Perry 42 of Bristol R.I. died Sunday, January 24, 2016. Beloved son of Robert Perry and Jacqueline Bradley. Besides his parents he is survived by sister Suzanne Murtagh and husband James Murtagh, nephews Jacob and
This is the stuff that bothers me when I’m sitting here on land; and naturally, it makes me want even more time in blue solitude where I just can’t be bothered for at least a short while. Courtesy my news outlet of choice: the distribution of wealth: http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/17/news/economy/oxfam-wealth/index.html What’s wrong
Every handful of years we see a short bit of press related to elaborate proposals to construct grandiose and magnificent cities beneath the sea, much like this recent piece in CNN highlighting Vincent Callebaut’s proposed ‘Oceanscraper’. These are all awe-inspiring, intriguing, and draw on dreams buried ‘deep’ within our brains that
Yesterday’s news of a humpback while sighting well within the margins of Narragansett Bay is certainly news- and noteworthy. It seems that there have been more and more of these big splashes and sightings in recent years here in the Ocean State, and that’s a great thing. Last year, there
One cannot underestimate the importance of a proper knot. As a diver, we use knots each and every day both above and below water. It only takes one slip up to be forced to learn a few good knots, as a slip up might not just cost you or a
A CNN piece posing the question “Will we write Earth’s next chapter or its obituary?” was released just days before the start of the recent Paris Climate Summit and contributed to the recent media frenzy surrounding climate change. It took the Summit to bring the topic front and center as ‘the
