Tag: commercial diving
Reconnect by disconnecting
Recent news headlines brought us a story of a young man who relinquished his digital ties for 90 days. Yes, this is such an outrageous concept that it made national news. What does this say about our species? I see it as losing touch with our role here on Earth…and a step in human devolution,…
Read Morethe decision NOT to dive
Of all the decisions we must make as divers, the most difficult is often the decision NOT to dive. Those of us diving in the commercial sector know that this decision can often cost a business a considerable amount of money, and even earn a sour reputation should a diver show up on sight and…
Read Morean illustration of why we do what we do
For the past several months, numerous friends and colleagues have forwarded me a short film about ‘Ray’. It is a beautiful piece that illustrates the lifelong passion we develop as a diver. Beyond ‘just a job’, for those of us that commit to living this life aquatic understand that there is no end point –…
Read Moresubaquatic job security – husbandry 101
Yesterday was a good reminder of where to find job security in the subaquatic realm – husbandry. Every device and structure – from instruments to bridges and piers – is severely abused by the natural forces of the ocean environment, and that means they need constant maintenance and upkeep…great news for us commercial divers. My…
Read Morelessons from day one | refraction in diving
Strike one, strike two, strike three – this was how I started my morning as I was swinging a hammer topside to tack up a pile wrap system while working under a pier. I just plain missed the nail three times. I then switched to my left hand and struck out again. Hmmm…something’s up. Then it…
Read Moreburn baby, burn…
Three and a half hours later, I surfaced from what was my third dive of the day. As I surfaced, I thought to myself, “seven hours spent in a dark, muddy hole was how I spent this fine Wednesday…just another day at the office”. Today’s project was to remove a 30 foot length of steel…
Read MoreTricks of the Trade | Plastic Wrap
Among the joys of the life aquatic are the need for on the fly innovation. Divers often joke about ‘zip ties and duct tape’. In 2009, a tug boat was taking on water through a shaft seal. Coastal Diving responded by wrapping the shaft and cutlass bearing with plastic wrap. When the shaft seal was…
Read MorePast to Present | Jamestown Bridge Reefs
Lombardi’s commercial and scientific work collide. Following the demolition of the ‘old’ Jamestown Bridge, he participates in post-demo survey and cleanup efforts. Debris from the site is placed offshore to create two artificial reef sites. Lombardi works in cooperation with Conusub, the RI Department of Environmental Management, and the University of Rhode Island to conduct…
Read MorePast to Present | Mycobacterium Marinum
Lombardi suffers a deep gash on his right hand while working in a dirty marina. Several months later, a deep tissue infection reveals itself. A lengthy surgery and several months of strong antibiotics are required to fend off the Mycobacterium marinum infection. This results in further questions about career direction and how to improve health…
Read MorePast to Present | Working Dives
In summer 1996, Lombardi literally thumbed through the phonebook and called numerous dive companies looking for summer employment to gain more experience. Coastal Diving Services, recently acquired by Lyle Smith, hired him to do a variety of light tasks such as hullcleanings and mooring work. Lombardi completed in excess of 100 dives that summer, mostly…
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