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Working Underwater: The Story of the Commercial Diving Industry

An illustrated history of the commercial diving industry. First published in 2018 by Lammert Incorporated/HPNbooks. I was responsible for coordinating with the photographer and photography sources about the manuscript and photo selection, creating the book layout, photo color correction/touch-up, prepress operations, and coordinating printing and delivery of the book.

An illustrated history of the commercial diving industry. First published in 2018 by Lammert Incorporated/HPNbooks.

I was responsible for coordinating with the photographer and photography sources about the manuscript and photo selection, creating the book layout, photo color correction/touch-up, prepress operations, and coordinating printing and delivery of the book.

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WORKING UNDERWATER<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

by Mike Cox<br />

A 50th anniversary commemorative publication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International


Thank you for your interest in this HPNbooks publication. For more information about o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

HPNbooks publications, or information about producing your own book with us, please visit www.hpnbooks.com.


WORKING UNDERWATER<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

by Mike Cox<br />

A 50th anniversary commemorative publication <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International<br />

A publication <strong>of</strong> Press and Publications,<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International<br />

HPNbooks<br />

A division <strong>of</strong> Lammert Incorporated<br />

San Antonio, Texas


CONTENTS<br />

4 LEGACY SPONSORS<br />

6 THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

50 THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

61 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY<br />

62 SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

112 SPONSORS<br />

113 ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />

First Edition<br />

Copyright © 2018 HPNbooks<br />

All rights reserved. No part <strong>of</strong> this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing<br />

from <strong>the</strong> publisher. All inquiries should be addressed to HPNbooks, 11535 Galm Road, Suite 101, San Antonio, Texas, 78254. Phone (800) 749-9790, www.hpnbooks.com.<br />

ISBN: 978-1-944891-50-3<br />

Library <strong>of</strong> Congress Card Catalog Number: 2018942132<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

2<br />

<strong>Working</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong>: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

author: Mike Cox<br />

cover photographer: United States Navy<br />

contributing writer for “Sharing <strong>the</strong> Heritage”: Joe Goodpasture<br />

HPNbooks<br />

chairman and chief executive <strong>of</strong>ficer: Jean-Claude Tenday<br />

publisher and chief creative <strong>of</strong>ficer: Bernard O’Connor<br />

president and chief revenue <strong>of</strong>ficer: Ron Lammert<br />

project manager: Mary Hanley<br />

administration: Donna M. Mata<br />

Melissa G. Quinn,<br />

Lori K. Smith<br />

Kristin T. Williamson<br />

book sales: Joe Neely<br />

production: Colin Hart<br />

Evelyn Hart<br />

Glenda Tarazon Krouse<br />

Tim Lippard<br />

Craig Mitchell<br />

Christopher D. Sturdevant


An early day diver suiting up.<br />

CONTENTS<br />

3


LEGACY SPONSORS<br />

<strong>The</strong>se companies have made major contribution to <strong>the</strong> book as part <strong>of</strong> our Legacy Program. We could not have made this book possible<br />

without <strong>the</strong>ir leadership and participation.<br />

Divers Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology<br />

1341 North Northlake Way<br />

Seattle, Washington 98103<br />

206-783-5542<br />

www.diversinstitute.edu<br />

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc.<br />

Brennan Marine<br />

818 Bainbridge Street<br />

La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603<br />

608-784-7173<br />

www.jfbrennan.com<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

4


Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc.<br />

322 C.C. Lowry Drive<br />

Murray, Kentucky 42071<br />

270-753-9654<br />

www.mainstreamdivers.com<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Construction Corporation<br />

110 Plains Road<br />

Essex, Connecticut 06426<br />

860-767-8256<br />

www.uccdive.com<br />

Walker <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Construction, LLC<br />

75 Waterford Road,<br />

Hammonton, New Jersey 08037<br />

609-704-8650<br />

www.walkerdiving.com<br />

LEGACY SPONSORS<br />

5


WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

6


THE HISTORY OF<br />

COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

When <strong>the</strong> sails <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> six Spanish ships rose over <strong>the</strong> horizon <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> long, narrow sand barrier<br />

that centuries later would come to be known as Padre Island, lookouts in <strong>the</strong> rigging made out a<br />

bearded, semi-clad man waving frantically from <strong>the</strong> wreckage <strong>of</strong> a vessel partially submerged in <strong>the</strong><br />

pounding surf.<br />

Of some 400 men, women and children who had been aboard three ships that had wrecked <strong>of</strong>f<br />

this remote shore during a storm that spring, this man was one <strong>of</strong> only a handful <strong>of</strong> survivors. Half<br />

<strong>of</strong> those on <strong>the</strong> ships had drowned during <strong>the</strong> storm. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rest had been slaughtered on <strong>the</strong><br />

sand by Karankawa Indians. But for whatever reason, Francisco Vasquez had remained behind. He<br />

kept to <strong>the</strong> wreckage, for three months living mostly <strong>of</strong>f raw fish and whatever <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ship’s stores<br />

he had salvaged. Like <strong>the</strong> scurrying sand crabs that formed part <strong>of</strong> his diet, he came out only at<br />

night to avoid discovery by <strong>the</strong> Indians.<br />

Captain Garcia de Escalante Alvarado afforded <strong>the</strong> sunburned survivor clothing, food and <strong>the</strong><br />

comfort <strong>of</strong> shipboard life, but <strong>the</strong> captain had not come on a humanitarian mission. Ano<strong>the</strong>r ship<br />

had been dispatched earlier in a vain search for survivors, somehow not finding Vasquez. Now<br />

Alvarado’s task was to recover as much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gold, silver and o<strong>the</strong>r cargo as possible. In addition<br />

to <strong>the</strong> precious metals, coins and jewelry, <strong>the</strong> ill-fated flota (flotilla) had been carrying resins, sugar,<br />

wood, cowhides and cochinel (a red dye could be produced from <strong>the</strong>m).<br />

In <strong>the</strong> wake <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> Spain’s worst maritime disasters to that point in its history, <strong>the</strong> New World’s<br />

first known use <strong>of</strong> divers in a salvage operation would soon begin in what are now Texas waters.<br />

Four ships had set sail from Vera Cruz on April 9, 1555, and laid a course across <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong><br />

Mexico. Bound for Spain, <strong>the</strong>y would stop at La Havana, Cuba, and <strong>the</strong>n continue across <strong>the</strong><br />

Atlantic laden with treasure for <strong>the</strong>ir home country. <strong>The</strong> vessels had made it half-way to Cuba when<br />

on April 29 <strong>the</strong>y encountered a severe storm. Only one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vessels reached Cuba. <strong>The</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three,<br />

<strong>the</strong> San Esteban, <strong>the</strong> Espiritu Santo, and <strong>the</strong> Santa Maria de Yciar, wrecked on <strong>the</strong> Gulf Coast.<br />

<strong>The</strong> captain <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Esteban left in a salvaged boat with some <strong>of</strong> his crew to sail for Vera Cruz<br />

to summon help. <strong>The</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r survivors, thinking <strong>the</strong>y were not that far from <strong>the</strong> coastal city <strong>of</strong><br />

Tampico, set out on foot. All but one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, a priest named Fray Marcos de Mena, ended up<br />

getting killed by Indians.<br />

A rescue mission led by Captain Angel de Villafane left Vera Cruz on June 6 shortly after word<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tragedy reached Spanish <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>the</strong>re. Whe<strong>the</strong>r Villafane located any human remains when<br />

he arrived six weeks after <strong>the</strong> disaster is not mentioned in later accounts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> event, but after<br />

finding no survivors, he began diving on <strong>the</strong> wreckage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Espiritu Santo. One <strong>of</strong> his divers<br />

recovered <strong>the</strong> trunk <strong>of</strong> a man <strong>the</strong> captain had known. While <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> its owner had been lost<br />

to <strong>the</strong> sea and its creatures, <strong>the</strong> trunk held three silver disks, 100 silver coins, and fine clothing.<br />

Alvarado had left Vera Cruz on July 15, beginning his salvage operation six days later on <strong>the</strong><br />

wreckage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> San Esteban. Anchoring his fleet safely beyond <strong>the</strong> surf, he sent crew members and<br />

divers ashore in long boats to establish a base camp on <strong>the</strong> beach. To locate <strong>the</strong> hulks, <strong>the</strong><br />

Spaniards dragged a chain between two small vessels until it snagged on wreckage. On August 20,<br />

Alvarado found <strong>the</strong> Santa Maria de Yciar, eventually recovering seven boxes <strong>of</strong> treasure she had on<br />

board when she foundered. In <strong>the</strong> process, however, <strong>the</strong> captain lost one <strong>of</strong> his salvage vessels in<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r storm.<br />

Fortunately for <strong>the</strong> salvers, <strong>the</strong> storm-tossed ships had gone down in shallow water, only 20 feet<br />

at <strong>the</strong> deepest point. Divers using weights for rapid descent and relying only on <strong>the</strong> air <strong>the</strong>y could<br />

hold in <strong>the</strong>ir lungs, <strong>the</strong>ir eyes burning from <strong>the</strong> salt water, recovered a substantial amount <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

lost treasure—but not all <strong>of</strong> it—in an operation that continued through September 12.<br />

A map <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn hemisphere from<br />

Speculum Orbis Terrae by Cornelius de<br />

Jode, 1593. <strong>The</strong> Age <strong>of</strong> Discovery and<br />

conquest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> New World led to <strong>the</strong> first<br />

use <strong>of</strong> free diving for commercial purposes<br />

by Europeans in salvage operations in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Americas.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

7


Above: A silver two-real coin recovered from<br />

<strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gulf Coast.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.<br />

Below: Pearl <strong>Diving</strong> by Johannes<br />

Stradanus, c. 1596.<br />

COURTESY OF THE SAMUEL COURTAULD TRUST: WITT<br />

BEQUEST, THE FRICK COLLECTION.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> salvage expedition made it back<br />

to Vera Cruz, Spanish auditors counted<br />

35,805 pounds <strong>of</strong> recovered precious metals,<br />

jewelry and coins. But roughly 60 percent <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> treasure <strong>the</strong> wrecked fleet had been<br />

carrying remained missing, some 51,000<br />

pounds worth millions in <strong>the</strong> 21st century.<br />

<strong>The</strong> operation had cost <strong>the</strong> Spanish crown<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> salvage vessels, lost in a storm on<br />

August 30, but from <strong>the</strong> perspective <strong>of</strong> King<br />

Charles V, <strong>the</strong> effort had been worth it.<br />

<strong>The</strong> disastrous aftermath <strong>of</strong> that sixteenth<br />

century expedition marked <strong>the</strong> first time<br />

anywhere on <strong>the</strong> North American continent<br />

that free diving had been employed for<br />

economic reasons by Europeans. <strong>The</strong> story <strong>of</strong><br />

commercial diving involves a world-wide<br />

progression <strong>of</strong> scientific discovery and<br />

technological innovation on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> a<br />

diverse group <strong>of</strong> people, but going under<br />

water purely for financial gain had its New<br />

World beginning in <strong>the</strong> crashing surf <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />

coast <strong>of</strong> Texas, some 50 miles south <strong>of</strong><br />

present-day Corpus Christi.<br />

FREE<br />

DIVING<br />

For untold thousands <strong>of</strong> years, man had<br />

been diving under water first for food and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

for material gain, but in <strong>the</strong>ir long course <strong>of</strong><br />

evolution, homo sapiens had evolved as land<br />

beings. Unlike <strong>the</strong> gilled creatures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea or<br />

those confined to fresh water, a man’s lungs<br />

could not derive oxygen from water. In time,<br />

humans would begin to develop mechanical<br />

means to stay under water for longer periods <strong>of</strong><br />

time and to descend ever deeper, but it all<br />

started at some distant point in pre-history<br />

when that first human sucked in a deep lungful<br />

<strong>of</strong> air, instinctively held his nose and plunged<br />

below <strong>the</strong> surface, opening stinging eyes to a<br />

water-clouded vision <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r world.<br />

Archeologists investigating sites dating to<br />

roughly 5500 BCE have found shells that only<br />

could have been retrieved from deep water by<br />

<strong>the</strong> hand <strong>of</strong> man. That those shells had belonged<br />

to mollusks and o<strong>the</strong>r crustations point to <strong>the</strong><br />

initial impetus for diving as being a quest for an<br />

essential part <strong>of</strong> staying alive—food.<br />

But objects <strong>of</strong> beauty considered even more<br />

desirable because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir scarcity also attracted<br />

early men, giving <strong>the</strong>m more motivation for<br />

diving beneath <strong>the</strong> water surface.<br />

At a 7,500-year-old burial site in Umm al<br />

Quwain in <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates,<br />

archeologists found <strong>the</strong> oldest archeological<br />

pearl. Scientists say this is <strong>the</strong> earliest known<br />

evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> long-standing pearl diving<br />

industry along <strong>the</strong> Persian Gulf. <strong>The</strong><br />

Phoenicians in <strong>the</strong> 6th century BCE are<br />

known to have traded for dive-harvested<br />

Murex shells, from which a valuable purple<br />

die could be derived. Digs in Egypt at sites<br />

dating to 3200 BCE have revealed carved<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> pearl. Again, only divers could have<br />

brought those shells with <strong>the</strong>ir iridescent<br />

interiors to <strong>the</strong> hands <strong>of</strong> artisans.<br />

Ancient Greece, <strong>the</strong> culture that gave <strong>the</strong><br />

world everything from philosophy and<br />

ma<strong>the</strong>matics to <strong>the</strong> notion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> republican<br />

form <strong>of</strong> government also saw <strong>the</strong> development<br />

<strong>of</strong> commercial diving as an industry. <strong>The</strong> natural<br />

resource stimulating this new industry was <strong>the</strong><br />

sponge, a cavity-filled, multi-cellular undersea<br />

organism that once processed could be used for<br />

hygienic or cosmetic proposes because it could<br />

both hold water and o<strong>the</strong>r liquids such as oil or<br />

perfume and when squeezed, release that liquid.<br />

Due to high demand for this undersea<br />

commodity, sponge diving became a<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>itable undertaking. However, it was a<br />

dangerous way to make a living. Wrote <strong>the</strong><br />

young but observant Greco-Roman poet<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

8


Oppian in <strong>the</strong> second century A.D: “No ordeal<br />

is more terrible than that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sponge divers<br />

and no labor is more arduous for men.”<br />

Te<strong>the</strong>red divers jumped into <strong>the</strong> water<br />

clutching flat, heavy rocks so <strong>the</strong>y could<br />

quickly reach <strong>the</strong> bottom. <strong>The</strong>n, holding <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

breaths for three to five minutes and generally<br />

operating about 30 feet down, <strong>the</strong>y harvested as<br />

many sponges as <strong>the</strong>y could and stuffed <strong>the</strong>m<br />

into nets. To compensate for <strong>the</strong> pain to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

ears from water pressure, divers poured oil into<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir ear canals. <strong>The</strong>y also filled <strong>the</strong>ir mouths<br />

with oil, spitting it out once on <strong>the</strong> bottom.<br />

Sponge diving even became an Olympic sport,<br />

with competitors judged on <strong>the</strong>ir speed and <strong>the</strong><br />

amount <strong>of</strong> sponge <strong>the</strong>y surfaced with.<br />

A traveler visiting <strong>the</strong> Greek island <strong>of</strong> Symi<br />

in 1837 recorded ano<strong>the</strong>r benefit that could<br />

accrue to <strong>the</strong> better sponge divers:<br />

When a man <strong>of</strong> any property intends to<br />

have his daughter married, he appoints a<br />

certain day. <strong>The</strong>n all <strong>the</strong> young, unmarried<br />

men [sponge divers all] repair to <strong>the</strong> seaside,<br />

where <strong>the</strong>y strip <strong>the</strong>mselves in <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r and his daughter and begin diving.<br />

He who goes deepest into <strong>the</strong> sea, and remains<br />

longest under <strong>the</strong> water, obtains <strong>the</strong> lady.<br />

Of course, he who went deepest and<br />

remained longest <strong>of</strong>ten obtained early death<br />

instead <strong>of</strong> fair maiden.<br />

Free diving for sponges persisted into <strong>the</strong><br />

twentieth century, though with technological<br />

development and <strong>the</strong> invention <strong>of</strong> syn<strong>the</strong>tic<br />

sponges, it had almost become a thing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

past by <strong>the</strong>n.<br />

DIVING<br />

MAN- MADE<br />

FOR<br />

OBJECTS<br />

Early man knew that <strong>the</strong> sea and o<strong>the</strong>r deep<br />

water, whe<strong>the</strong>r by accident <strong>of</strong> fate or <strong>the</strong> whim<br />

<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir deities, swallowed men and <strong>the</strong><br />

vessels <strong>the</strong>y built. <strong>The</strong> sea and its creatures,<br />

from giant sharks to minute worms, sooner or<br />

later consumed flesh, wood, sail cloth and<br />

rope, but glass, pottery, metal, precious metals<br />

and gems merely sank to <strong>the</strong> bottom.<br />

Herodotus, <strong>the</strong> Greek historian, left <strong>the</strong><br />

earliest known account <strong>of</strong> divers being used<br />

in search <strong>of</strong> sunken treasure. Writing in <strong>the</strong><br />

fifth century BCE, he told <strong>of</strong> a Greek diver<br />

named Schllias (or Skyllias)—“as a diver <strong>the</strong><br />

best <strong>of</strong> all men”—and his daughter, Cyane.<br />

Both had been retained by Persian King<br />

Xerxes to bring up treasure from Persian<br />

galleys sunk by Grecian war vessels a halfcentury<br />

earlier.<br />

Fa<strong>the</strong>r and daughter (naturally having more<br />

fatty cells women were less affected by cold<br />

water) dove on <strong>the</strong> sunken ships and recovered<br />

much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> valuables <strong>the</strong>y had held. <strong>The</strong> king<br />

had promised <strong>the</strong>m a portion <strong>of</strong> what <strong>the</strong>y<br />

found by way <strong>of</strong> compensation, but being king,<br />

he kept <strong>the</strong> booty and held <strong>the</strong>m prisoner on<br />

his galley for future diving jobs.<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> for natural sponges in <strong>the</strong><br />

mid-twentieth century.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

9


A sixteenth-century painting depiciting<br />

Alexander <strong>the</strong> Great in a glass diving bell.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND<br />

ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION<br />

During a storm, Schllias and Cyane<br />

jumped overboard and cut <strong>the</strong> anchor ropes<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Persian armada. That underwater<br />

action caused <strong>the</strong> chaos <strong>the</strong> pair had<br />

expected. Once <strong>the</strong> captains had <strong>the</strong>ir vessels<br />

under control, <strong>the</strong>y began searching for <strong>the</strong><br />

two escaped divers. Meanwhile, fa<strong>the</strong>r and<br />

daughter had swum underwater and<br />

undetected to safety at Artemisium. In doing<br />

that, <strong>the</strong> two are believed to have used hollow<br />

reeds as breathing tubes, an early instance <strong>of</strong><br />

what came to be called snorkeling.<br />

DIVING<br />

BELLS<br />

No one is known to have noted when or<br />

where it happened, but at some point prior to<br />

<strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> common era 21 centuries<br />

ago, someone observed that a solid container<br />

such as a cauldron or barrel, would not fill<br />

completely if pushed down into <strong>the</strong> water.<br />

When that happens, an air pocket remains.<br />

In 360 BCE, Aristotle noted in his<br />

Problematum that to supply sponge divers “…<br />

with a facility <strong>of</strong> respiration, a kettle is let<br />

down to <strong>the</strong>m, not filled with water, but with<br />

air, which constantly assists <strong>the</strong> submerged<br />

man; it is forcibly kept upright in its descent,<br />

in order that it may be sent down at an equal<br />

level all around, to prevent <strong>the</strong> air from<br />

escaping and <strong>the</strong> water from entering….”<br />

What <strong>the</strong> Greek philosopher described<br />

came to be called a diving bell or caisson, <strong>the</strong><br />

more common term being diving bell.<br />

Alexander <strong>the</strong> Great is said to have<br />

descended in a glass diving bell as his soldiers<br />

and seamen fought to take <strong>the</strong> island <strong>of</strong> Tyre<br />

in 332 BCE. More recent scholarship,<br />

however, suggests that <strong>the</strong> story is merely a<br />

legend, appearing both in medieval Western<br />

European texts and Islamic literature. True or<br />

not, <strong>the</strong> diving bell was <strong>the</strong> first assisted form<br />

<strong>of</strong> commercial diving.<br />

By at least <strong>the</strong> second century <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

common era, a collective <strong>of</strong> Roman divers<br />

called <strong>the</strong> Corpus Urinatorum did salvage<br />

work at <strong>the</strong> port <strong>of</strong> Ostia on <strong>the</strong> mouth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

River Tiber. <strong>The</strong>y handled underwater aspects<br />

<strong>of</strong> construction and maintenance <strong>of</strong> bridge<br />

and harbor infrastructure as well as salvage<br />

work. <strong>The</strong>se divers operated under Lex<br />

Rhodia, or <strong>the</strong> Rhodian Sea Laws. <strong>The</strong> laws<br />

had been developed to settle disputes over<br />

salvage rights. If <strong>the</strong>se divers salvaged a wreck<br />

lying deeper than 50 feet, <strong>the</strong>y received a<br />

third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> salvage rights. Wrecks deeper<br />

than 90 feet netted a diver half <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>it.<br />

Modern marine archeologists have found<br />

ancient shipwrecks which appear to have<br />

been probed by <strong>the</strong>se early free-divers<br />

<strong>The</strong> first known use <strong>of</strong> a diving bell after<br />

that came in 1531 CE when Italian divers<br />

used a Campana Urinatoria (“bell for diving”)<br />

to find two supposedly treasure-laden<br />

pleasure galleys that had belonged to <strong>the</strong><br />

licentious Roman emperor Caligula. Invented<br />

by Guglielmo de Lorena, an Italian physicist,<br />

<strong>the</strong> device was a barrel-shaped “bell” that<br />

went over <strong>the</strong> diver’s head and torso. With <strong>the</strong><br />

bell supported by a sturdy rope, <strong>the</strong> diver<br />

could walk on <strong>the</strong> bottom for more than an<br />

hour before he had to surface for fresh air.<br />

Seven years later, in a different part <strong>of</strong><br />

Europe, two Greek divers built a larger diving<br />

bell, one big enough to hold both inventors<br />

seated on planks inside. <strong>The</strong> pair not only<br />

were granted an audience with King Charles V<br />

<strong>of</strong> Spain, a reported 10,000 citizens <strong>of</strong> Toledo<br />

and environs showed up to see <strong>the</strong> device<br />

demonstrated. As <strong>the</strong> crowd looked on, <strong>the</strong><br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

10


ell was lowered into <strong>the</strong> Tagus River. Before<br />

entering <strong>the</strong> device, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> divers carried a<br />

candle. After <strong>the</strong> bell had been under water for<br />

a time, it was raised and <strong>the</strong> two inventors<br />

emerged in fine shape. And <strong>the</strong>ir candle was<br />

still burning.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> following century, Oppenheim artist<br />

and inventor Franz Kessler (c. 1580-1650)<br />

designed an improved diving bell in 1616. It<br />

looked like a man-sized thimble with eyes,<br />

<strong>the</strong> diver secured by a harness inside a<br />

lea<strong>the</strong>r-covered barrel with glass view ports.<br />

Von Guericke, in 1650, invented <strong>the</strong> first<br />

truly efficient air pump. Not only would that<br />

allow fresh air to be pumped down into diving<br />

bells, it made possible scientific experimentation<br />

on pressure and decompression.<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r early instance <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

diving came in 1658 when Albrecht von<br />

Treileben salvaged <strong>the</strong> Vasa, a Swedish<br />

warship sunk in Stockholm harbor 30 years<br />

before. Using a diving bell, divers working for<br />

von Treileben succeeded in raising nearly all<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ship’s bronze guns.<br />

An Englishman named Richard Norwood<br />

(1590?-1675) is credited with <strong>the</strong> first use <strong>of</strong> a<br />

diving bell in <strong>the</strong> New World. A ma<strong>the</strong>matician<br />

and surveyor (some accounts say he dabbled in<br />

piracy as well), Norwood sailed to Bermuda in<br />

1616 to survey <strong>the</strong> islands for <strong>the</strong> Somers Isles<br />

Company. Hearing <strong>of</strong> supposedly treasure-laden<br />

shipwrecks, he used a weighted, inverted wine<br />

barrel in an unsuccessful search for bounty.<br />

More successful if on a smaller scale, in 1655,<br />

one Robert Willis used some form <strong>of</strong> diving bell<br />

in New England to salvage lost property.<br />

<strong>The</strong> flowering <strong>of</strong> scientific research and <strong>the</strong><br />

arts that came with <strong>the</strong> Renaissance saw<br />

scholars developing new findings in physics<br />

and inventors experimenting with devices to<br />

assist man in underwater tasks, particularly<br />

diving bells. George Sinclair, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor at<br />

Glasgow University in Scotland wrote in 1669<br />

<strong>of</strong> his <strong>the</strong>ories regarding diving bells. In 1689,<br />

French physicist Denis Papin (1647-c. 1713)<br />

posited that a force pump or bellows could be<br />

used to provide fresh air to a diving bell.<br />

In 1686, Maine-born William Phipps (1651-<br />

1695) succeeded in getting financial backing<br />

for a venture in search <strong>of</strong> sunken treasure in<br />

what is now <strong>the</strong> Dominican Republic and Haiti.<br />

He must have been pretty persuasive, because<br />

all he had to go on was mere rumor and<br />

speculation as to <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> a lost Spanish<br />

galleon, <strong>the</strong> Nuestra Senora de la Concepion.<br />

Never<strong>the</strong>less, he found <strong>the</strong> wreck in January<br />

1687 <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> Santo Domingo and began<br />

his salvage efforts <strong>the</strong> following month. Using a<br />

square wooden diving bell re-enforced with<br />

iron bands that had windows and a stool on<br />

which divers could sit, Phipps used enslaved<br />

natives to recover <strong>the</strong> sunken vessel’s valuable<br />

cargo. He sailed for England that April with 30<br />

tons <strong>of</strong> silver, a quantity <strong>of</strong> gold and jewels. In<br />

modern dollars, that would be a $1 million<br />

haul. On his return, he was greeted as a hero<br />

and knighted. In addition, he netted onesixteenth<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> treasure’s value and got named<br />

governor <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts.<br />

<strong>The</strong> prospect <strong>of</strong> recovering sunken treasure<br />

continued to drive innovation in diving. In<br />

1689, Sir Edmond Halley—<strong>the</strong> English<br />

astronomer who discovered <strong>the</strong> comet still<br />

bearing his name—developed a wooden diving<br />

bell with a window that could stay under water<br />

far longer than previous bells. Halley’s bell was 3<br />

W. Hooper’s rendering <strong>of</strong> Sir Edmond<br />

Halley’s diving bell.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

11


A replica <strong>of</strong> John Lethbridge’s diving<br />

engine at La Cité de la Mer in<br />

Cherbourg, France.<br />

feet in diameter at <strong>the</strong> top, 5 feet in diameter at<br />

<strong>the</strong> bottom and 5 feet high. With a volume <strong>of</strong> 64<br />

cubic feet, it needed nearly 4,000 pounds <strong>of</strong><br />

lead sheathing to overcome its buoyancy.<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r than using a pump to supply air to<br />

his bell, he sent air down in weighted 36-<br />

gallon barrels through which fresh air could<br />

be taken in via a hose. Stale air, which he<br />

referred to as “warm” air, was released<br />

through a valve at <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bell.<br />

“This I take to be an invention applicable to<br />

various uses,” he wrote, “such as fishing for<br />

pearls, diving for coral or sponges and <strong>the</strong> like,<br />

in far greater depths than has hi<strong>the</strong>rto been<br />

thought possible; also for <strong>the</strong> fitting and<br />

placing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foundations <strong>of</strong> moles, bridges,<br />

&c., in rocky bottoms, and for cleaning and<br />

scrubbing <strong>of</strong> ships’ bottoms when foul, in<br />

calm wea<strong>the</strong>r at sea.”<br />

Halley was not interested in becoming a<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional diver, but he did personally test<br />

his invention. He went down 60 feet and<br />

remained submerged for more than an hour<br />

and a half.<br />

“…I found that I could do anything that<br />

required to be done just under us,” Halley<br />

wrote in describing his descent, “and that I<br />

could, for a space as wide as <strong>the</strong> circuit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

bell, lay <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea so far dry, as not<br />

to be over shoes <strong>the</strong>reon. And, by <strong>the</strong> glass<br />

window, so much light was transmitted, that<br />

when <strong>the</strong> sea was clear, and especially when<br />

<strong>the</strong> sun shone, I could see perfectly well to<br />

write or read….<br />

However, <strong>the</strong> scientist observed that being<br />

that deep hurt his ears “as if a quill had been<br />

thrust into <strong>the</strong>m.” Clearly, <strong>the</strong>re were<br />

additional factors in diving to be considered<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> oxygen.<br />

While knights and nobles did <strong>the</strong> scientific<br />

work, in 1715 an English commoner named<br />

John Lethbridge (1678-1759) sought to<br />

convert <strong>the</strong>ory to money. As an alternative to<br />

<strong>the</strong> diving bell, <strong>the</strong> Devonshire man had a<br />

cooper build him a lea<strong>the</strong>r-sealed, wooden<br />

cylinder with watertight portals through<br />

which arms could protrude, making <strong>the</strong><br />

person inside look something like a walking<br />

fat cigar. He called his lead-weighted<br />

apparatus a diving engine. It was six feet long,<br />

with a diameter <strong>of</strong> two and a half feet at <strong>the</strong><br />

top, 18 inches at <strong>the</strong> bottom. That gave it a<br />

volume <strong>of</strong> about 30 gallons. Once inside,<br />

while peering through a glass window, a diver<br />

could descend to 60 feet (and to 72 feet “with<br />

great difficulty”) and stay down using <strong>the</strong> air<br />

trapped inside for about 30 minutes. Before<br />

<strong>the</strong> diver ran out <strong>of</strong> air, <strong>the</strong> “engine” would be<br />

pulled to <strong>the</strong> surface and <strong>the</strong> air inside<br />

replenished with a bellows. In <strong>the</strong> advent <strong>of</strong><br />

an emergency, <strong>the</strong> device had detachable<br />

weights so that it would pop to <strong>the</strong> surface if<br />

<strong>the</strong>y were released.<br />

Though his “engine” was not an engine in <strong>the</strong><br />

modern sense <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> word, it certainly proved to<br />

be an economic engine. Using <strong>the</strong> wooden<br />

submersible he invented, Lethbridge and his son<br />

spent <strong>the</strong> next three decades doing salvage work<br />

on shipwrecks. His contract to salvage <strong>the</strong><br />

sunken Slotter Hooge for <strong>the</strong> Dutch East India<br />

Company provided that he would be paid 10<br />

pounds sterling a month, plus expenses. Any<br />

bonuses would be up to <strong>the</strong> “generosity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

company directors.” While pr<strong>of</strong>it had for<br />

centuries been <strong>the</strong> primary motive for risking<br />

one’s life underwater, Lethbridge was arguably<br />

<strong>the</strong> first commercial diver.<br />

Sixty years after Lethbridge had his “diving<br />

engine” built, in 1775 Edinburgh confectioner<br />

Charles Spalding enhanced Halley’s diving bell<br />

design, and <strong>the</strong> astronomer’s air supply<br />

technique by developing a weight mechanism to<br />

make it easier to lower and raise <strong>the</strong> container.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

12


1788, when John Smeaton (1724-1792)<br />

designed a diving bell made <strong>of</strong> cast iron<br />

instead <strong>of</strong> wood. He also invented <strong>the</strong> first<br />

hand-powered pump to force fresh air into<br />

<strong>the</strong> bell through a hose. His device had o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

innovations as well, including valves to keep<br />

air from being sucked back up <strong>the</strong> supply<br />

hose if <strong>the</strong> pumping stopped.<br />

In 1779, Smeaton’s device was employed<br />

in underwater repair work at <strong>the</strong> Hexham<br />

Bridge in Northumberland, England.<br />

Smeaton’s second major contribution to<br />

commercial diving was designing <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />

first cast iron diving bell. As was his wooden<br />

prototype, <strong>the</strong> iron bell was supplied with air<br />

by <strong>the</strong> pump he invented.<br />

By 1800, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> diving bells for<br />

underwater work had become commonplace<br />

in Europe and North America. Still, as British<br />

diving historian Dr. Peter Bennett noted in his<br />

paper “A History <strong>of</strong> Deep <strong>Commercial</strong><br />

<strong>Diving</strong>,” while diving bells <strong>of</strong>fered “remotely<br />

acceptable level <strong>of</strong> safety,” <strong>the</strong>y were far from<br />

perfect. Such devices were expensive and<br />

required “considerable manpower to achieve<br />

limited diving effort that could only be<br />

undertaken in sheltered water.” <strong>The</strong> maritime<br />

world needed a more efficient system for<br />

underwater work.<br />

Above: An 1860 rendering <strong>of</strong> Charles<br />

Spalding’s diving bell. Spalding and a<br />

relative would suffocate in a diving bell <strong>of</strong><br />

his design in 1783.<br />

Left: With this imagined system, all a diver<br />

had to do was slide down a pole into a<br />

diving bell.<br />

DIVING HELMETS & SUITS<br />

In addition, he added a system <strong>of</strong> ropes so those<br />

in <strong>the</strong> bell could signal <strong>the</strong> support crew above.<br />

Improved as it was by earlier standards,<br />

Spalding and a relative suffocated in his bell in<br />

1783 <strong>of</strong>fshore from Dublin.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first American innovation in <strong>the</strong><br />

development <strong>of</strong> commercial diving came in<br />

Since <strong>the</strong> Bronze age, man had been<br />

fashioning metal helmets to protect<br />

combatants from sword blows, arrows and<br />

spears. But with <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> highvelocity<br />

firearms and artillery, <strong>the</strong> reliance on<br />

steel helmets and suits <strong>of</strong> armor in warfare<br />

had been made obsolete.<br />

Not until 1771 did it occur to a Frenchman<br />

named Freminet that a helmet might be used to<br />

protect divers. In addition to designing a brass<br />

helmet with glass-covered eye holes, he<br />

developed a “breathing machine” that connected<br />

by two hoses to <strong>the</strong> helmet. <strong>The</strong> device was<br />

trailed behind a suited diver though he later<br />

fitted it to be carried on a diver’s back. He used<br />

his helmeted diving suit in <strong>the</strong> harbors <strong>of</strong> Le<br />

Havre and Brest for more than a decade.<br />

Helmets and diving suits (originally referred<br />

to as diving dresses) developed toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

13


Above: A design for an early diving suit by<br />

Karl Klingert from 1797. This device might<br />

have worked as long as <strong>the</strong> diver did not<br />

bend over or step ono anything sharp on <strong>the</strong><br />

sea floor.<br />

Below: A sealed diving suit patented June<br />

14, 1834.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> invention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> diving dress,” <strong>the</strong><br />

1904 edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Encyclopedia <strong>of</strong> Britannica<br />

said, “like that <strong>of</strong> most useful appliances, was<br />

gradual, and <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> many minds.”<br />

In 1786, John and William Braithwaite<br />

came up with a more efficient version <strong>of</strong><br />

Freminet’s helmet and a year later, a German<br />

designer also developed a diving helmet. More<br />

than four decades would pass before a more<br />

efficient system <strong>of</strong> helmet, suit and air supply<br />

evolved. As with many innovations, it came<br />

about as an effort to solve some o<strong>the</strong>r problem.<br />

Charles Anthony Dean and his younger<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>r John, like so many Englishmen <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>ir time, made <strong>the</strong>ir living in <strong>the</strong> maritime<br />

world—Charles as a sailor, John as a shipyard<br />

worker who specialized in caulking <strong>the</strong> hulls<br />

<strong>of</strong> wooden ships. Both saw firsthand that<br />

drowning was not <strong>the</strong> only hazard connected<br />

to plying <strong>the</strong> vast waters separating <strong>the</strong><br />

various holdings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> British Empire. Fire at<br />

sea or dockside could burn a ship to <strong>the</strong><br />

waterline. Even if <strong>the</strong> fire were brought under<br />

control in time to save <strong>the</strong> ship, thick,<br />

superheated smoke could kill a man.<br />

At some point in 1823 or 1824, Charles<br />

had an idea. After witnessing a fire that broke<br />

out in a stable, Charles thought what he called<br />

a “smoke helmet” could benefit firefighters.<br />

He fashioned a copper helmet with a small<br />

glass window attached to a flexible collar and<br />

suit. A lea<strong>the</strong>r hose through which air could<br />

be pumped by a bellows was attached to <strong>the</strong><br />

back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> helmet. A final touch was a valve<br />

for <strong>the</strong> release <strong>of</strong> stale air.<br />

In 1824, he filed a patent for an “apparatus<br />

to be worn by persons entering rooms or<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r places filled with smoke or o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

vapour, for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> extinguishing fire<br />

or extricating persons or property <strong>the</strong>rein.”<br />

William Barnard, <strong>the</strong> owner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> London<br />

shipyard where Deane worked, paid him 417<br />

pounds for what was called an “indenture <strong>of</strong><br />

assignment,” essentially preempting any fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

right Deane had to his invention. Since no one<br />

was interested in manufacturing it, Deane may<br />

have gotten <strong>the</strong> best end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> deal.<br />

In addition to <strong>the</strong>ir experience on or near<br />

<strong>the</strong> water, <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs had on occasion gone<br />

beneath <strong>the</strong> surface in a diving bell. At some<br />

point it occurred to one or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m<br />

that <strong>the</strong> helmet Charles had conceived could<br />

be used, in effect, as a miniature diving bell.<br />

Charles and John paid London engineer<br />

Augustus Siebe to build a helmet to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

specifications in 1827. Two years later, in 10<br />

feet <strong>of</strong> water <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Isle <strong>of</strong> Wight, <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

salvaged <strong>the</strong> cargo <strong>of</strong> a beached ship owned by<br />

<strong>the</strong> East India Company. That shallow dive is<br />

considered <strong>the</strong> world’s first commercial dive<br />

using a diving helmet and suit.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Deane diving apparatus was far from<br />

perfect. <strong>The</strong> helmet connected to a jacket, but<br />

it was not a sealed system. In fact, water rose<br />

to <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> helmet, leaving only<br />

enough room for <strong>the</strong> wearer to see and breath.<br />

But if <strong>the</strong> diver leaned forward, <strong>the</strong> helmet<br />

could flood with water. Obviously, if a diver<br />

happened to fall, he likely would drown.<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r problem was that <strong>the</strong> bellows used<br />

to pump air into <strong>the</strong> Deane bro<strong>the</strong>rs’ diving<br />

apparatus could not produce enough pressure<br />

to allow for a deeper dive. <strong>The</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs again<br />

sought out Siebe to build <strong>the</strong>m a stronger<br />

pump. By 1832, <strong>the</strong>y were able to go down as<br />

far as 60 feet. Four years later, with an even<br />

more efficient pump, <strong>the</strong>y made it to 100 feet.<br />

In addition to <strong>the</strong>ir seminal design work, in<br />

1836 <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs produced <strong>the</strong> world’s first<br />

diving manual, Method <strong>of</strong> Using Deanne’s Patent<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> Apparatus.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

14


With <strong>the</strong> world’s first practical diving gear,<br />

<strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs made numerous successful dives,<br />

including salvage operations on two <strong>of</strong><br />

England’s best-known shipwrecks, <strong>the</strong> Royal<br />

George and <strong>the</strong> Mary Rose.<br />

A 100-gun, first-rate ship <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> line, <strong>the</strong><br />

Royal George had capsized <strong>of</strong>f Portsmouth in<br />

1782 with roughly 900 crew and family<br />

members drowned. At <strong>the</strong> time, it was <strong>the</strong><br />

largest warship in <strong>the</strong> world. <strong>Diving</strong> on <strong>the</strong><br />

wreckage from 1834 to 1836, Charles Deane<br />

recovered 28 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ship’s cannon.<br />

Meanwhile, after fishing boats started getting<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir nets tangled in something on <strong>the</strong> bottom<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Solent, <strong>the</strong> straits north <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Isle <strong>of</strong><br />

Wight, <strong>the</strong> British Admiralty hired diver Henry<br />

Abbinett to see if he could determine what had<br />

been snaring <strong>the</strong> nets. In June 1836 he found<br />

that it was <strong>the</strong> wreckage <strong>of</strong> a large ship resting<br />

on its side partially imbedded into <strong>the</strong> sea floor.<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r than proceeding with Abbinett, <strong>the</strong><br />

Navy turned to Charles Deane based on his<br />

success in working <strong>the</strong> wreck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal<br />

George. In mid-month, Dean and his partner,<br />

William Edwards, began diving on <strong>the</strong> wreck.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y brought up some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ship’s timbers,<br />

weapons and o<strong>the</strong>r artifacts to <strong>the</strong> surface.<br />

Based on <strong>the</strong> maker’s stamp on one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

recovered guns, <strong>the</strong> wreck was positively<br />

identified as <strong>the</strong> Mary Rose that August. That<br />

warship had gone down on July 19, 1545,<br />

during <strong>the</strong> Battle <strong>of</strong> Solent with <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong><br />

some four hundred lives.<br />

Even though <strong>the</strong> Mary Rose had been<br />

beneath <strong>the</strong> sea for nearly three hundred years,<br />

<strong>the</strong> diving effort was more a commercial<br />

enterprise than historical project. <strong>The</strong><br />

fishermen and Deane and his partner made<br />

money <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> deal, though Abbinett was denied<br />

a share in <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>its.<br />

In 1837, Siebe introduced what came to be<br />

called <strong>the</strong> “closed” dress as opposed to <strong>the</strong><br />

earlier diving jacket, which was called an<br />

“open” dress since it was not watertight.<br />

Deane began diving on <strong>the</strong> Mary Rose again<br />

in 1840. This time, in ano<strong>the</strong>r commercial<br />

diving first, he used explosives to expose<br />

more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wreckage and brought up more<br />

relics that would be <strong>of</strong>fered for sale.<br />

Left: Charles and John Deane wrote <strong>the</strong> first<br />

diving manual in 1836.<br />

Right: An illustration <strong>of</strong> Charles Deane<br />

working twenty-one feet underwater <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />

London commercial dock.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

15


Above: <strong>The</strong> HMS Royal George can be seen<br />

on <strong>the</strong> far right in this painting by John<br />

Cleveley <strong>the</strong> Elder, 1757. <strong>Diving</strong> dress<br />

inventor Charles Deane was hired to<br />

salvage <strong>the</strong> wreck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal George in<br />

1834, carrying out dives over <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong><br />

two years. Dean would ultimately salvage<br />

28 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ship’s 100 cannons.<br />

Below: An illustration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mary Rose, <strong>the</strong><br />

flagship <strong>of</strong> Henry VIII, by Anthony Roll.<br />

Charles Deane was hired by <strong>the</strong> Royal Navy<br />

to salvage <strong>the</strong> ship nearly three hundred<br />

years after she sank at <strong>the</strong> Battle <strong>of</strong> Solent.<br />

Just before Deane began his work on <strong>the</strong><br />

wreck that had proven to be <strong>the</strong> Mary Rose, <strong>the</strong><br />

Royal Navy resumed salvage operations on <strong>the</strong><br />

Royal George. Charles Pasley (1780-1861), a<br />

colonel in <strong>the</strong> Royal Engineers, would use<br />

explosives to break up <strong>the</strong> wreck and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

salvage as much as he could. At first, Pasley<br />

employed civilian divers, but in 1840 he began<br />

using some <strong>of</strong> his Royal Sappers. In <strong>the</strong><br />

process, he developed procedures and<br />

techniques that would become mainstays <strong>of</strong><br />

commercial diving. He regulated <strong>the</strong> length <strong>of</strong><br />

dives and allowed for a brief rest period<br />

between dives. In ordering his divers to work<br />

in pairs, he is credited with <strong>the</strong> first known use<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> so-called “buddy system” in diving.<br />

No matter Pasley’s innovative safety<br />

measures, spending time underwater at depth<br />

took a toll on <strong>the</strong> men. A doctor observed that<br />

divers came up looking “pale, languid and<br />

exhausted,” fur<strong>the</strong>r noting: “<strong>The</strong>y all agree that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are much weakened and wasted by <strong>the</strong><br />

exertion, and as <strong>the</strong>y express it, <strong>the</strong>y are not <strong>the</strong><br />

men <strong>the</strong>y were when <strong>the</strong>y began <strong>the</strong> operation.”<br />

One <strong>of</strong> his divers made <strong>the</strong> first recorded<br />

emergency ascent when his air hose became<br />

tangled and he had to cut <strong>the</strong> line.<br />

Pasley continued his work on <strong>the</strong> Royal<br />

George until 1843. By that time, 30 more<br />

guns and everything from <strong>the</strong> ship surgeon’s<br />

instruments to silk clothing had been<br />

removed from <strong>the</strong> hulk. When <strong>the</strong> ship’s keel<br />

was raised along with its bottom tenders, <strong>the</strong><br />

wreck was considered clear and no longer a<br />

navigational hazard.<br />

Salvage work on <strong>the</strong> two wrecks had<br />

greatly advanced diving technology. “<strong>The</strong> long<br />

continued experience gained in diving while<br />

<strong>the</strong>se operations were in progress suggested<br />

improvements and alterations which had a<br />

great effect in bringing <strong>the</strong> diving dress to its<br />

present perfection as now manufactured,” <strong>the</strong><br />

1904 Encyclopedia <strong>of</strong> Britannica concluded.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

16


Charles Deane died in 1848, but bro<strong>the</strong>r<br />

John lived on for ano<strong>the</strong>r 36 years. Still diving<br />

at age 56, he was hired by <strong>the</strong> Royal Navy to<br />

salvage sunken Russian ships in <strong>the</strong> Black Sea.<br />

That work involved diving under ice.<br />

TAYLOR’ S SUBMARINE<br />

ARMOUR<br />

Imitation may be <strong>the</strong> sincerest form <strong>of</strong><br />

flattery, but sometimes “stealing” is a more<br />

accurate word than “imitation.”<br />

In 1837, North Carolina-born William H.<br />

Taylor put out a pamphlet called A New and<br />

Alluring Source <strong>of</strong> Enterprise in <strong>the</strong> Treasures <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Sea, and <strong>the</strong> Means <strong>of</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>ring <strong>The</strong>m. In it,<br />

he referred to <strong>the</strong> Deane diving apparatus,<br />

which <strong>the</strong> Deanes had begun manufacturing<br />

and selling <strong>the</strong> year before.<br />

Later that year, Taylor applied for a U.S.<br />

patent for a diving suit he claimed as his own<br />

design. Taylor’s “Submarine Armour” was<br />

described as a helmet and dress which would<br />

protect a diver “from <strong>the</strong> pressure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water<br />

and from danger from fishes, etc., and at <strong>the</strong><br />

same time give him <strong>the</strong> free use <strong>of</strong> his limbs and<br />

enable him to be supplied with air….” When a<br />

newspaper intimated that Taylor’s invention<br />

closely resembled <strong>the</strong> Deane diving suit, Taylor<br />

protested that his gear was “...<strong>of</strong> entirely<br />

different principle and construction, and has<br />

never been known until used by me in New<br />

York.” That had happened in <strong>the</strong> late summer <strong>of</strong><br />

1837, when Taylor invited a reporter to try out<br />

his equipment in <strong>the</strong> Hudson River.<br />

<strong>The</strong> journalist survived <strong>the</strong> experience and<br />

wrote an article about it, but Taylor wanted<br />

more ink. In October, Taylor demonstrated<br />

his apparatus in a large wooden vat at Niblo’s<br />

Garden, a popular venue in New York City.<br />

Initially, Taylor intended to drum up financial<br />

backing for a deep water pearl harvesting<br />

venture and diving on treasure-filled<br />

shipwrecks in South America. While Taylor is<br />

rightfully credited as being <strong>the</strong> founding<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> American commercial diving, he also<br />

was an early—and successful—practitioner <strong>of</strong><br />

what today is known as public relations.<br />

By 1838, Taylor had become convinced<br />

that it made more sense to seek investors so<br />

he could begin marketing his invention in <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S. To do that, he organized <strong>the</strong> New York<br />

Sub-Marine Armour Company.<br />

“It would appear that human enterprise,<br />

not contented with exploring <strong>the</strong> fields <strong>of</strong><br />

earth and air, is seeking for itself occupation in<br />

diving beneath <strong>the</strong> waves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ocean, and<br />

recovering <strong>the</strong>nce treasure that had been<br />

regarded as forever lost,” <strong>the</strong> Baltimore<br />

Above: W. H. Taylor founded <strong>the</strong> Submarine<br />

Armour Co. in <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 1838.<br />

Below: An illustration <strong>of</strong> a rebrea<strong>the</strong>r<br />

systerm from 1860.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

17


James Buchanan Eads.<br />

American observed in <strong>the</strong> late spring <strong>of</strong> 1838.<br />

<strong>The</strong> article went on to credit “a Captain<br />

Taylor” with inventing “an air and water tight<br />

dress denominated ‘Submarine Armour’...as<br />

<strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> visiting <strong>the</strong> foundations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

vast deep.” That fall, Taylor won a gold medal<br />

at <strong>the</strong> annual New York Mechanic’s Fair after<br />

demonstrating his diving suit.<br />

Taylor had a partner, George W. Taylor, a<br />

New Jersey native who traded in Indian rubber.<br />

(From which diving hose was made.) <strong>The</strong> two<br />

men were not related, but beyond having <strong>the</strong><br />

same last name, <strong>the</strong>y shared a common interest<br />

in making money <strong>of</strong>f diving. In late 1838,<br />

along with o<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>the</strong> two Taylors went to<br />

Florida to salvage wrecks. Not long after <strong>the</strong>y<br />

got <strong>the</strong>re, William Taylor’s promising career<br />

ended in his mysterious and unpublicized<br />

death. By February 1839, George Taylor was<br />

referring to himself simply as “Captain Taylor.”<br />

In essence, George Taylor had become William<br />

Taylor. He even claimed to have been from<br />

North Carolina. From 1840 to 1845, using his<br />

late partner’s diving gear, Taylor <strong>the</strong> second did<br />

marine salvage work in <strong>the</strong> New York area and<br />

<strong>the</strong> Great Lakes.<br />

In December 1845, he invited someone<br />

only identified in <strong>the</strong> press as “F.R.” to<br />

descend with him and two o<strong>the</strong>r gentlemen in<br />

a diving bell at <strong>the</strong> Washington Navy Yard.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> first sensation, after being immersed<br />

beneath <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water, was one <strong>of</strong><br />

extreme uneasiness in <strong>the</strong> whole region <strong>of</strong><br />

lympanon, with a sensation <strong>of</strong> oppression on <strong>the</strong><br />

chest, which increased constantly until we had<br />

reached <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river,” F.R. wrote in a<br />

letter published by newspapers in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast.<br />

Not wishing his guests to suffer undue<br />

discomfort, Taylor sent a note up (F.R. did not<br />

say how) and soon one <strong>of</strong> his assistants, clad in<br />

submarine armour, descended with a chilled<br />

bottle <strong>of</strong> “very passable” champagne for <strong>the</strong><br />

diving bell occupants. <strong>The</strong> underwater party<br />

lasted about 20 minutes. No matter <strong>the</strong> sedative<br />

effect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bubbly, F.R. again felt <strong>the</strong> same sense<br />

<strong>of</strong> unease he had experienced on <strong>the</strong> descent.<br />

<strong>The</strong> closer <strong>the</strong> bell got to <strong>the</strong> surface, <strong>the</strong> worse<br />

he felt. “After <strong>the</strong> rim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bell had passed <strong>the</strong><br />

surface <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water, and <strong>the</strong> cold air rushed in,”<br />

he concluded, “<strong>the</strong> contrast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> atmosphere<br />

was so great as to excite much pain.”<br />

MONEY IN THE<br />

MISSISSIPPI MUD<br />

With its high volume <strong>of</strong> travel, <strong>the</strong><br />

Mississippi River claimed hundreds <strong>of</strong><br />

riverboats, <strong>of</strong>ten due to boiler explosions,<br />

collisions with o<strong>the</strong>r vessels or being<br />

breached by submerged objects. By <strong>the</strong><br />

1840s, with more than 1,200 steamboats<br />

churning up and down <strong>the</strong> mighty river and<br />

its navigable tributaries, a robust salvage<br />

industry had developed. <strong>The</strong> principle<br />

method used to retrieve cargo and equipment<br />

from wrecks was <strong>the</strong> diving bell and divers<br />

wearing in submarine armour.<br />

James Buchanan Eads pioneered <strong>the</strong><br />

development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mississippi River salvage<br />

business. He and his family came to St. Louis<br />

when he was 13. <strong>The</strong>y arrived in 1833 on a<br />

steamboat which caught fire at <strong>the</strong> wharf,<br />

claiming eight lives. In 1842, <strong>the</strong>n 22, Eads<br />

convinced St. Louis shipbuilder William Nelson<br />

to construct a salvage vessel to his specifications.<br />

Eads had no money to pay for such a vessel, but<br />

Nelson agreed to cover <strong>the</strong> cost in consideration<br />

<strong>of</strong> half-interest in <strong>the</strong> river salvage business Eads<br />

proposed. <strong>The</strong> steam-powered vessel Nelson<br />

built was named <strong>the</strong> Submarine. Despite its<br />

name, it did not operate underwater. But it<br />

carried divers who did. Eads would in time<br />

operate three o<strong>the</strong>r vessels on <strong>the</strong> river, <strong>the</strong><br />

Submarine 2, 3 and 4. Eventually, relying<br />

primarily on diving bells, he expanded his<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

18


usiness beyond salvage work to include <strong>the</strong><br />

underwater aspects <strong>of</strong> bridge construction and<br />

building navigational structures.<br />

While Eads was <strong>the</strong> first to do salvage work<br />

on <strong>the</strong> Mississippi, o<strong>the</strong>rs followed. In March<br />

1846, operating from a refitted former slave<br />

ship named <strong>the</strong> Spitfire, Captain George<br />

Taylor was in New Orleans to salvage <strong>the</strong><br />

steamboat Doctor Franklin, which sank <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />

wharf after it collided with ano<strong>the</strong>r riverboat.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> divers attract <strong>the</strong> notice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

curious,” <strong>the</strong> New Orleans Daily Delta reported,<br />

“especially <strong>the</strong> one who wears <strong>the</strong> Submarine<br />

Armor, which probably was never seen worn<br />

before in this city.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> newspaper went on to explain <strong>the</strong><br />

simple business model <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> salvors: Taylor<br />

and his crew would receive 50 percent “on <strong>the</strong><br />

amount <strong>of</strong> everything brought up from <strong>the</strong><br />

sunken boat.” <strong>The</strong> value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Doctor Franklin’s<br />

cargo was estimated as $170,000, a staggering<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> money at <strong>the</strong> time. Already, <strong>the</strong><br />

newspaper continued, <strong>the</strong> Spitfire crew had<br />

recovered $5,000-$6,000 in goods.<br />

But earning <strong>the</strong>ir money was not easy. “<strong>The</strong><br />

men have to perform a most difficult labor;<br />

first from <strong>the</strong> coldness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water, and next<br />

from <strong>the</strong> mud which settles upon <strong>the</strong> wreck,<br />

at <strong>the</strong> rate <strong>of</strong> about two inches thick, over <strong>the</strong><br />

deck, in every twenty-four hours.”<br />

One recovery vessel that worked <strong>the</strong><br />

river full time was <strong>the</strong> St. Louis-based Sub<br />

Occulator, which <strong>the</strong> Natchez Weekly Courier<br />

described as “looking like a foundry with a<br />

hardware store on top <strong>of</strong> it.” In <strong>the</strong> fall <strong>of</strong><br />

1847 <strong>the</strong> Sub Occulator tied up at Natchez to<br />

lay in supplies before heading downstream to<br />

dive on <strong>the</strong> wreck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> steamboat Tennessee.<br />

“We are informed that [<strong>the</strong> Sub Occulator]<br />

has made a very neat little fortune since it<br />

commenced operation under <strong>the</strong> great highway<br />

<strong>of</strong> western commerce,” <strong>the</strong> newspaper noted.<br />

“Many fortunes have been made on <strong>the</strong><br />

Mississippi, but <strong>the</strong> Sub Occulator is <strong>the</strong> first<br />

agent that has drawn its wealth from<br />

Mississippi mud. May it go on, and go down,<br />

and draw up, until <strong>the</strong> industry <strong>of</strong> all on board<br />

has been amply rewarded.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> Mississippi salvage business flourished<br />

during <strong>the</strong> golden age <strong>of</strong> riverboats, but<br />

continued with <strong>the</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong> barge traffic.<br />

GOVERNMENT<br />

CONTRACTS<br />

When <strong>the</strong> Mexican War broke out in <strong>the</strong><br />

spring <strong>of</strong> 1846, George Taylor saw economic<br />

opportunity and soon made his way to Texas<br />

aboard <strong>the</strong> schooner Spitfire. <strong>The</strong> New Orleans<br />

Picayune noted that he had arrived in<br />

Galveston on May 21 with “all his sub-marine<br />

diving apparatus.” <strong>The</strong> article did not mention<br />

it, but his vessel also carried large Indian<br />

rubber bladders <strong>of</strong> his invention, flotation<br />

devices he called “camels.” <strong>The</strong>se could be<br />

positioned by divers and <strong>the</strong>n inflated to<br />

refloat stranded vessels from sandbars. In<br />

addition, he could <strong>of</strong>fer underwater<br />

demolition skills to clear waterways.<br />

He proceeded from Galveston to Brazos<br />

Santiago on <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn tip <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state to<br />

join <strong>the</strong> flotilla <strong>of</strong> smaller vessels supporting<br />

Commodore David Conner’s blockade <strong>of</strong><br />

eastern Mexico’s ports. In October, when<br />

Conner’s successor, Commodore Mat<strong>the</strong>w<br />

Perry, engaged Mexican forces on <strong>the</strong> Tabasco<br />

River, Taylor stood by to use his camels to lift<br />

any U.S. vessels that might become mired in<br />

<strong>the</strong> shallow river. Whe<strong>the</strong>r he actually did<br />

that is not known, but he did use explosives<br />

in removing piles driven into <strong>the</strong> river to<br />

block U.S. vessels.<br />

Having sold <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy two diving suits<br />

and served as a civilian contractor in <strong>the</strong> early<br />

stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mexican War, Taylor had a<br />

An illustration <strong>of</strong> an Army free driver,<br />

Frank Pierce, assisting with <strong>the</strong> search for<br />

a portion <strong>of</strong> railroad track during <strong>the</strong><br />

Civil War.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

19


THE “ PRACTICAL DIVER”<br />

<strong>The</strong> burning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States steam<br />

frigate Missouri, at Gibraltar Aug. 26th<br />

1843. William Taylor was hired by <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

government to salvage <strong>the</strong> vessel.<br />

COURTESY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY.<br />

potentially far more lucrative project in mind<br />

halfway across <strong>the</strong> world. He wanted to get a<br />

contract from <strong>the</strong> Navy to salvage <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

steam frigate Missouri, which had sunk <strong>of</strong>f<br />

Gibraltar in 1843. He did receive a modest<br />

federal contract to perform an initial survey at<br />

<strong>the</strong> wreck site, but Congress proved slow to<br />

move on <strong>the</strong> full salvage effort.<br />

Meanwhile, Taylor focused on a potentially<br />

richer prize, <strong>the</strong> sunken British man-<strong>of</strong>-war<br />

HMS Hussar. <strong>The</strong> ship had gone down on<br />

November 23, 1780, in 26 fathoms at Hell Gate<br />

<strong>of</strong>f New York during <strong>the</strong> Revolutionary War. <strong>The</strong><br />

ship carried $2 to $4 million in gold, payment<br />

intended for British troops <strong>the</strong>n battling to<br />

prevent independence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American colonies.<br />

Unfortunately for Taylor, he never realized<br />

ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se goals. (In fact, no one ever fully<br />

salvaged <strong>the</strong> Hussar.) “Captain” Taylor became<br />

ill in <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 1850 and never improved.<br />

He died at 43 in Washington, D.C. on April<br />

28, 1850. Local newspapers noted his death<br />

and listed his numerous accomplishments,<br />

but for a man who had succeeded in getting<br />

so much publicity in life, his passing was not<br />

widely reported. A savvy businessman and<br />

promoter, though little-known today, he and<br />

<strong>the</strong> partner he might have had a hand in<br />

getting rid <strong>of</strong>, had been key figures in <strong>the</strong><br />

development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> commercial diving<br />

industry in <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r noted American commercial diver<br />

was James Aldrich Whipple. Born July 22,<br />

1826, he grew up in Boston, Massachusetts.<br />

<strong>The</strong> son <strong>of</strong> a machinist, he demonstrated an<br />

early interest in engineering and soon had an<br />

apprenticeship with a steam engine firm. At<br />

some point, he saw a demonstration <strong>of</strong><br />

Taylor’s submarine armour and decided to<br />

develop his own helmet. His design featured<br />

an escape valve for stale air, which did away<br />

with <strong>the</strong> need for two hoses. That<br />

improvement made it easier both for <strong>the</strong> diver<br />

and his tenders above.<br />

Using his hard-helmet diving gear, pumps<br />

he also invented, a diving bell and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

equipment, his main source <strong>of</strong> income was in<br />

underwater salvage operations. With <strong>the</strong> term<br />

“commercial diver” still in <strong>the</strong> future, he<br />

called himself a “practical diver.” Whipple<br />

traveled <strong>the</strong> world in <strong>the</strong> 1850s to dive on<br />

sunken vessels. In 1851, <strong>the</strong> owner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

West Point Foundry presented Whipple a<br />

gold watch for raising <strong>the</strong> engines <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

steamer Pioneer, which had sunk in <strong>the</strong><br />

Hudson River. <strong>Diving</strong> on a wreck <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />

Venezuelan coast in 60 feet <strong>of</strong> water, he<br />

brought up $2 to $3 million in specie. In<br />

1861, while traveling to a salvage job he<br />

became ill and never recovered.<br />

JOHN<br />

GREEN<br />

While Taylor and Whipple seemed willing to<br />

go just about anywhere <strong>the</strong>y stood a chance <strong>of</strong><br />

making money, commercial diving pioneer John<br />

B. Green focused primarily on <strong>the</strong> Great Lakes.<br />

Born in Canada near Montreal in 1826,<br />

before he turned 10 his family moved to<br />

Ogdensburg, New York to farm along <strong>the</strong> Saint<br />

Lawrence River. In that major waterway, young<br />

Green learned to swim. He could swim for<br />

miles and stay afloat for hours at a time. If he<br />

went beneath <strong>the</strong> surface, however, it was only<br />

when he jumped in <strong>the</strong> river. When he was<br />

fourteen, his family moved again, this time to<br />

Oswego, New York. “In that locality,” Green<br />

later wrote, “I had ample opportunity to<br />

indulge my propensity for swimming by <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

bathing in <strong>the</strong> deep waters <strong>of</strong> Lake Ontario.”<br />

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20


In <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 1841, as Green walked<br />

along <strong>the</strong> dock in Oswego, he saw two men<br />

jump into <strong>the</strong> water and disappear beneath<br />

<strong>the</strong> surface. When <strong>the</strong>y came up a minute or<br />

so later, he asked what <strong>the</strong>y were doing. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

said <strong>the</strong>y were trying to recover a stolen clock<br />

and two boxes <strong>of</strong> soap that had been thrown<br />

into <strong>the</strong> river. Green decided to join <strong>the</strong> effort<br />

and ended up finding one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soap boxes<br />

and <strong>the</strong> clock.<br />

“Elated by this success,” he later wrote, “I<br />

at once conceived <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> following diving<br />

for lost property as a vocation.”<br />

Until well into <strong>the</strong> twentieth century, that’s<br />

what diving would be: A vocation. Not until<br />

<strong>the</strong> idealistic days <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1950s, when a warweary<br />

public suddenly had time and money<br />

on <strong>the</strong>ir hands did people look at diving as a<br />

recreational sport. But for men like Green,<br />

diving would be a hard and dangerous job,<br />

not something undertaken for fun.<br />

As a young man Green for a time operated<br />

a freight scow on <strong>the</strong> Erie Canal, but he also<br />

did free diving for salvage. Occasionally he<br />

helped recover <strong>the</strong> bodies <strong>of</strong> drowning<br />

victims and once rescued a young woman<br />

who had fallen from a steamboat gangplank.<br />

For that, <strong>the</strong> girl’s fa<strong>the</strong>r gave him $500, a lot<br />

<strong>of</strong> money in <strong>the</strong> mid-19th century.<br />

<strong>The</strong> 1852 Lake Erie wreck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong><br />

Oswego, on which Green and possibly his wife<br />

and child were passengers (<strong>the</strong> record is<br />

confusing but likely <strong>the</strong>y died in <strong>the</strong><br />

accident), shaped <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> his career. While<br />

participating in <strong>the</strong> hunt for <strong>the</strong> Oswego’s lost<br />

cargo, Green heard <strong>of</strong> a salvage operation<br />

underway at <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r shipwreck<br />

about 10 miles from <strong>the</strong> scene <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Oswego’s<br />

demise. Going <strong>the</strong>re, after demonstrating his<br />

free diving abilities he convinced <strong>the</strong> captain<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> salvage vessel to let him try out one <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> diving suits <strong>the</strong>y were using. <strong>The</strong> salvors<br />

liked his style and he joined <strong>the</strong> crew. After<br />

that, he spent most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> his life as a<br />

commercial diver.<br />

In an era when underwater exploration<br />

generated <strong>the</strong> same sort <strong>of</strong> public interest that<br />

would later accrue to space exploration,<br />

Green got a lot <strong>of</strong> publicity. “John Green<br />

alone, in all <strong>the</strong> world, possesses <strong>the</strong> secret<br />

power to ‘go down to <strong>the</strong> depths <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

seas’...he is confident that he can reach <strong>the</strong><br />

depths <strong>of</strong> any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lakes at <strong>the</strong>ir greatest<br />

soundings, explore vessels and attach to <strong>the</strong>m<br />

<strong>the</strong> necessary fixtures for raising,” said <strong>the</strong><br />

Cleveland Herald. Eventually he capitalized<br />

on his name identification by writing (or<br />

more likely using a ghost writer) and<br />

publishing a book chronicling his adventures<br />

as a commercial diver.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> Green’s most significant contributions<br />

to <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> commercial diving were<br />

his observations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> unpleasant side effects <strong>of</strong><br />

spending time at depth. His worst experience—<br />

nearly fatal—came following a long day <strong>of</strong><br />

diving on <strong>the</strong> sunken steamship Atlantic, which<br />

had gone down in Lake Erie with a large loss <strong>of</strong><br />

life on August 20, 1852. He had dived on <strong>the</strong><br />

wreck twice before, but still sought <strong>the</strong> ship’s<br />

safe, which contained more than $30,000.<br />

Using a modified version <strong>of</strong> Taylor’s<br />

“diving armor,” Green began diving on <strong>the</strong><br />

wreck in August 1855. <strong>The</strong> vessel lay about<br />

150 feet down. Light did not penetrate to that<br />

depth, so he had to grope around on <strong>the</strong> ship<br />

in darkness. On <strong>the</strong> fifth or sixth day, he<br />

finally found <strong>the</strong> safe, touching its cool metal<br />

through a deckhouse window. He returned to<br />

<strong>the</strong> surface for a buoy and line to mark <strong>the</strong><br />

location. Each dive that morning lasted for 20<br />

to 30 minutes. After lunch, he went back<br />

down again, this time with <strong>the</strong> equipment he<br />

needed to cut into <strong>the</strong> cabin where <strong>the</strong> safe<br />

sat. This operation took about 40 minutes.<br />

An illustration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> collision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Atlantic and <strong>the</strong> Ogdensburg on Lake<br />

Erie in 1852, from Gleason’s Pictorial. It<br />

was on his dive <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wreckage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Atlantic that diver John B. Green suffered<br />

a near-fatal case <strong>of</strong> paralysis caused by<br />

decompression sickness.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

21


A 1939 advertisement for Merritt-Chapman<br />

& Scott, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest salvage<br />

companies in <strong>the</strong> world in its day. <strong>The</strong><br />

company’s distinctive “black horse” flag can<br />

be seen at <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ad. Founded as<br />

a salvage company, its operations expanded<br />

into construction projects, including<br />

Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge, <strong>the</strong> longest<br />

suspension bridge between anchorages in <strong>the</strong><br />

Western Hemisphere. <strong>The</strong> company ceased<br />

operations in <strong>the</strong> early 1970s.<br />

Back on <strong>the</strong> surface, he sat on <strong>the</strong> deck <strong>of</strong><br />

his diving vessel to rest before making a<br />

fourth dive to attach a cable hook to <strong>the</strong> safe.<br />

But within moments, “a sharp pain shot like<br />

lightening through my lower extremities, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> next instant it went through my whole<br />

system, so prostrating me that I could not<br />

move a limb or even a muscle.” Co-workers<br />

got him ashore, where he lingered near death<br />

for two weeks. When it seemed evident that<br />

he would survive, he was taken to Buffalo,<br />

where he remained for ten days before<br />

reaching home in Boston. <strong>The</strong>re, “five tedious<br />

months” went by before he could walk again,<br />

and only with <strong>the</strong> aid <strong>of</strong> crutches.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re have been many conjectures in<br />

regard to <strong>the</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> my paralysis,” he wrote.<br />

“Some attribute it to my meal; o<strong>the</strong>rs to <strong>the</strong><br />

pressure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water.”<br />

In <strong>the</strong> summer <strong>of</strong> 1856, Green organized a<br />

fourth expedition to recover <strong>the</strong> safe. Given<br />

that he still had not fully recovered, he hired<br />

two divers to do <strong>the</strong> job under his<br />

supervision. When nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m could get<br />

all <strong>the</strong> way down to <strong>the</strong> wreck, Green donned<br />

<strong>the</strong> diving suit and succeeded in reaching <strong>the</strong><br />

hulk. Once again finding <strong>the</strong> cabin where he<br />

knew <strong>the</strong> safe to be, he discovered that it was<br />

gone. Someone else had recovered it.<br />

Though bitterly disappointed at having lost<br />

a treasure he had been <strong>the</strong> one to find, Green<br />

sought to capitalize on his diving in less<br />

hazardous ways. Too afflicted to work<br />

underwater, he published his book and soon<br />

went on <strong>the</strong> lecture circuit. Though he still<br />

intended to at least oversee salvage operations,<br />

booze, money troubles, and <strong>the</strong> dissolution <strong>of</strong><br />

his marriage pulled him downward as surely<br />

as lead diving weights. In October 1868, he<br />

ended his life with a fatal dose <strong>of</strong> poison.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> era that author Jerry Kuntz<br />

called “diving’s heroic age,” Green had not<br />

been <strong>the</strong> only man whose willingness to risk<br />

his life underwater in <strong>the</strong> hope <strong>of</strong> financial<br />

gain had advanced <strong>the</strong> progress <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

diving, but he had been one <strong>of</strong> its most<br />

colorful and tragic figures.<br />

By <strong>the</strong> early 1860s, <strong>the</strong> vented diving<br />

helmet, with air hose and protective suit had<br />

virtually replaced <strong>the</strong> diving bell or caisson, as<br />

it was less commonly known. <strong>Diving</strong><br />

companies developed in most major ports,<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir primary income coming from ship<br />

owners needing to have hulls cleaned or<br />

repaired. <strong>The</strong>y also recovered lost anchors<br />

and items that fell overboard.<br />

<strong>The</strong> New York firm <strong>of</strong> Merritt-Chapman &<br />

Scott had its beginning in 1860 as Coast<br />

Wrecking Company and soon reorganized<br />

under Israel Merritt as Merritt’s Wrecking<br />

Organization. In 1897, it merged with Chapman<br />

Derrick and Wrecking Company to form Merritt<br />

and Chapman Derrick Wrecking Company. <strong>The</strong><br />

company merged again in 1922 with T.A. Scott<br />

Company to form Merritt-Chapman and Scott<br />

Corporation. Before long, it had grown into <strong>the</strong><br />

largest and best-regarded salvage company in<br />

<strong>the</strong> world. Known as <strong>the</strong> “Black Horse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Sea,” <strong>the</strong> company expanded beyond salvage<br />

work to maritime construction.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

22


SCUBA<br />

<strong>The</strong> common perception is that <strong>the</strong><br />

development <strong>of</strong> self-contained underwater<br />

breathing apparatus (SCUBA) came during<br />

World War II. Scuba diving did play a part in<br />

<strong>the</strong> war, and exploded in use after <strong>the</strong> conflict<br />

ended, but it was not a new concept. <strong>The</strong> big<br />

difference was that what had been envisioned<br />

for years finally proved workable. At least at<br />

shallow depths, divers could operate freely<br />

without having to worry about getting <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

surface-connected air hose tangled or severed.<br />

William H. James, yet ano<strong>the</strong>r Englishman<br />

who advanced <strong>the</strong> diving industry, is credited<br />

with developing <strong>the</strong> first scuba equipment in<br />

1825. In his design, a diver wore a helmet, but<br />

<strong>the</strong> air he brea<strong>the</strong>d came from a tank <strong>of</strong><br />

compressed air fastened on his waist. James<br />

claimed a diver could stay underwater an hour<br />

with his invention, but whe<strong>the</strong>r his equipment<br />

was ever produced and used is not clear. In<br />

1839, two Canadian inventors, James Eliot and<br />

Alexander McAvity were granted a patent for<br />

an “oxygen reservoir for divers.” <strong>The</strong>ir design<br />

featured a device a diver carried on his back<br />

that contained ei<strong>the</strong>r “condensed” oxygen or<br />

“common atmospheric air proportionate to <strong>the</strong><br />

depth <strong>of</strong> water and adequate to <strong>the</strong> time he is<br />

intended to remain below.”<br />

In <strong>the</strong> United States, engineer Charles<br />

Condert invented a system where air could be<br />

contained inside a copper pipe worn around a<br />

diver’s body. <strong>The</strong> diver also wore a hood<br />

covering <strong>the</strong> top half <strong>of</strong> his body. While<br />

Condert had <strong>the</strong> right concept—a portable air<br />

supply and head covering—he drowned while<br />

trying out his invention.<br />

“Though <strong>the</strong> natural constitution <strong>of</strong> man<br />

entirely unfits him for remaining in water with<br />

safety for more than two minutes at a time, <strong>the</strong><br />

desire <strong>of</strong> obtaining valuable objects lying at <strong>the</strong><br />

bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea has led him to devise<br />

numerous expedients,” <strong>the</strong> New American<br />

Cyclopaedia noted in its 1859 edition.<br />

French mining engineer Benoit Rouguayrot<br />

designed in 1860 a cylindrical air tank<br />

attached to a demand regulator. He developed<br />

<strong>the</strong> equipment for miners to don in <strong>the</strong> event<br />

<strong>of</strong> a sudden mine shaft flood, but if it could<br />

work underwater below ground, it could<br />

work in open bodies <strong>of</strong> water as well.<br />

In 1864, Rouguayrot partnered with French<br />

naval <strong>of</strong>ficer Auguste Denayrouze to tweak his<br />

invention for use by divers whose primary air<br />

supply came from an air hose above water. A<br />

diver could detach himself from <strong>the</strong> air hose for<br />

a short time, but <strong>the</strong> tank could only hold<br />

about 30 minutes worth <strong>of</strong> air. Still, <strong>the</strong><br />

equipment marked a significant advance in<br />

diving and by 1865 it was in mass-production.<br />

Five years later, diving with <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />

scuba equipment made its first appearance in<br />

fiction in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under <strong>the</strong><br />

Sea when novelist Jules Verne describes a dive<br />

in which Captain Nemo, <strong>the</strong> master <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

submarine Nautilus, saves a pearl diver from a<br />

shark attack.<br />

Above: A French inventor’s conception <strong>of</strong> an<br />

underwater breathing apparatus. Clearly,<br />

he did not envision diving in cold water.<br />

Below:A design <strong>of</strong> a diving helmet from <strong>the</strong><br />

early 1900s.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

23


ALPHONSE ESQUIROS TAKES A DIVE<br />

Alphonse Esquiros, a French writer, wrote a book called English Seamen and Divers in 1868.<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r than have someone tell him what it was like to be a diver, he tried it himself. His<br />

account captured what diving was like only three decades after <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first<br />

commercially available diving gear:<br />

“<strong>The</strong> helmet which covered my face and head was provided on <strong>the</strong> back...with two hollow<br />

metallic studs; one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se was protected against <strong>the</strong> intrusion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water by a strong valve,<br />

and was intended to give vent to <strong>the</strong> air vitiated by breathing; <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, called <strong>the</strong> pipe-holder,<br />

was to be fixed to <strong>the</strong> air-tube.”<br />

That, he explained, was a long India-rubber “pipe.” Esquiros watched as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sailors<br />

connected one end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hose with a pump and <strong>the</strong>n attached <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r to his helmet.<br />

“I could <strong>the</strong>n well understand how <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> this art is based,” he continued, “as<br />

might be expected, on <strong>the</strong> physical constitution <strong>of</strong> man. <strong>The</strong> diving apparatus only doubles<br />

and leng<strong>the</strong>ns his respiratory organs; <strong>the</strong> air-pump is for him nothing but his external lungs,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> air-tube is only a floating windpipe.”<br />

Once <strong>the</strong> helmet’s three glass view ports had been screwed on and Esquiros began breathing<br />

<strong>the</strong> pumped air, his hosts directed him to a ladder extending down <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ship. Slowly,<br />

<strong>the</strong> writer began climbing down into <strong>the</strong> water. He did not stay down long and was happy to<br />

get back to <strong>the</strong> surface.<br />

Reflecting on <strong>the</strong> experience, Esquiros wrote:<br />

I knew now, by experience, all <strong>the</strong> essential details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> diving, and, as <strong>the</strong> result, I could<br />

not help admiring <strong>the</strong> courage, and wondering at <strong>the</strong> acquired nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se men, who were not<br />

merely capable <strong>of</strong> remaining a few minutes underwater, but were able to continue <strong>the</strong>re for several<br />

hours, and to execute all kinds <strong>of</strong> different work.<br />

Yves Le Prieur.<br />

Henry A. Fleuss, a British merchant<br />

mariner, developed a self-contained diving<br />

apparatus that used compressed oxygen<br />

(instead <strong>of</strong> compressed air). <strong>The</strong> device<br />

included a rebrea<strong>the</strong>r by which carbon dioxide<br />

was made breathable again by being passed<br />

through a rope soaked in potash. <strong>The</strong><br />

apparatus Fleuss developed allowed a bottom<br />

time <strong>of</strong> up to three hours and was used in 1880<br />

by noted English diver Alexander Lambert.<br />

Wearing Fleuss’ equipment, <strong>the</strong> diver went into<br />

a flooded tunnel sixty feet down and sealed a<br />

hatchway located a thousand feet into <strong>the</strong><br />

tunnel. Fleuss’ invention is considered <strong>the</strong> first<br />

workable scuba equipment and <strong>the</strong> model for<br />

closed-circuit scuba, which is still used today.<br />

In 1933, a French naval captain, Yves Le<br />

Prieur, built on <strong>the</strong> latest version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

nineteenth century Rouquayrol-Denayrouse<br />

equipment by attaching a specially designed<br />

demand value to a high-pressure air tank. With<br />

no regulator, a diver got fresh air by opening a<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

24


valve. Exhaled air escaped from under <strong>the</strong><br />

diver’s face mask. Two years later, though a<br />

diver could not remain underwater long with it,<br />

<strong>the</strong> device was put into use by <strong>the</strong> French Navy.<br />

Though most diving still involved <strong>the</strong> use<br />

<strong>of</strong> pressurized suits, in 1933 Louis de Corlieu<br />

received a patent for a set <strong>of</strong> spoon-shaped fins<br />

that swimmers or divers could use to enhance<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir underwater propulsion. Corlieu’s<br />

invention led to <strong>the</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r development <strong>of</strong><br />

fins that fit on a swimmer’s feet, giving him<br />

even faster movement beneath <strong>the</strong> surface.<br />

Meanwhile, ano<strong>the</strong>r French naval <strong>of</strong>ficer,<br />

along with an engineer from a natural<br />

gas company, developed a regulator that<br />

revolutionized scuba diving. <strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficer was<br />

Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997). <strong>The</strong><br />

engineer was Emile Gagnan. <strong>Working</strong> toge<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y repurposed a car engine regulator so that<br />

it automatically provided compressed air to a<br />

diver anytime he took <strong>the</strong> slightest breath.<br />

Prior to <strong>the</strong>ir invention, divers using scuba<br />

equipment received compressed air constantly.<br />

<strong>The</strong> two men affixed <strong>the</strong>ir new valve to a<br />

rubber hose with a mouthpiece that was attached<br />

to two compressed air tanks. In <strong>the</strong> deep winter<br />

<strong>of</strong> 1943, Cousteau dove into <strong>the</strong> Marne River<br />

near Paris to test <strong>the</strong> new device, which worked.<br />

After some modification, <strong>the</strong> two men received a<br />

patent for what <strong>the</strong>y call an Aqua Lung.<br />

<strong>The</strong> regulator developed by Gagnan and<br />

Cousteau marked a pivotal moment in <strong>the</strong><br />

CAPTAIN WILLIAMS AND FUNERAL BOB<br />

Newspaper reporters found that interviews with commercial divers made good copy.<br />

Farmers and ranchers in Wise County in far North Texas must have marveled in reading in <strong>the</strong>ir April 20, 1883, issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Wise<br />

County Messenger a story headlined “Under <strong>The</strong> Sea.” Reprinted from an unnamed Philadelphia newspaper, <strong>the</strong> piece was based on an<br />

interview with Captain Anthony Williams, a commercial diver with two decades <strong>of</strong> experience.<br />

“Can you brea<strong>the</strong> as freely in your diving dress as you can out <strong>of</strong> it?” <strong>the</strong> unnamed reporter asked.<br />

“Yes, indeed,” Williams said. “When ten or twelve fathoms under [60 to 72 feet] water my breathing is as wholly devoid <strong>of</strong> effort<br />

as it is when I am walking about on dry land.”<br />

Williams <strong>the</strong>n went on to explain how diving equipment worked, communication with his surface tenders and o<strong>the</strong>r aspects <strong>of</strong><br />

commercial diving. Admitting he did get an ear ache from time to time, o<strong>the</strong>rwise, he said, “<strong>the</strong> sensations [under water] are delightful,<br />

and I feel just as well, happy and contented at <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea as I can under any circumstances.”<br />

He did, however, sometimes get annoyed with his tenders above.<br />

“While engaged in raising <strong>the</strong> sunken schooner Dauntless, in Kingston, Jamaica, on <strong>the</strong> 18th <strong>of</strong> August, 1880, I became so<br />

disgusted at <strong>the</strong> stupidity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> men above in answering my signals that I took a book which I found in <strong>the</strong> captain’s cabin, and,<br />

sitting down read it for nearly an hour.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> Galveston News, <strong>the</strong> morning newspaper in what was <strong>the</strong>n Texas’s largest port, reprinted on Sept. 5, 1885 an interview with a<br />

diver known as Funeral Bob first published in <strong>the</strong> New York Sun. Despite his nickname, Robert B. Russell <strong>the</strong> diver was alive and doing<br />

quite well at his trade.<br />

“People always associate diving with wrecks, dead bodies or treasure,” he said, “but that’s a small part <strong>of</strong> our work, and not a<br />

particularly fine line <strong>of</strong> it ei<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />

Described as New York’s “No. 1 diver,” Russell said, “<strong>The</strong> fine work <strong>of</strong> a diver’s occupation is that in which he has to ply some trade<br />

like carpentering or pipe-laying under water. You see, a diver should be skilled at many trades to be a success.”<br />

Russell said he and his colleagues in <strong>the</strong> business only worked four hours a day, earning $6 a day. However, if a diver furnished<br />

his own equipment—boat, pump, hose, lines and dress—<strong>the</strong> price ranged from $35 to $50 a day, depending on <strong>the</strong> job.<br />

Three years later, a Chicago newspaper published ano<strong>the</strong>r interview with Capt. Williams, “<strong>the</strong> famous English diver.”<br />

Williams said he began his underwater career above <strong>the</strong> surface, supervising <strong>the</strong> raising <strong>of</strong> a sunken wreck <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> Cornwall.<br />

“I had working for me a diver who seemed a very lazy, careless sort <strong>of</strong> fellow,” <strong>the</strong> captain began. “I was paying him by <strong>the</strong> day, and<br />

once, after being under water for a long time, he came up and reported very little progress in his work. I was angry and expressed<br />

myself strongly. He retorted with: ‘Try it yourself if you think you can do any better.’”<br />

To <strong>the</strong> diver’s surprise, Williams took him up on <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer. Once he realized his boss hadn’t been joking, <strong>the</strong> diver removed his suit<br />

and Williams put it on. “I discharged him when I came up and I have been doing my own work ever since.”<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

25


Above: An advertisement for Cousteau and<br />

Gagnan’s Aqua Lung.<br />

Below: <strong>Commercial</strong> divers and <strong>the</strong>ir exploits<br />

captured <strong>the</strong> public’s imagination. Stage and<br />

film actress Sarah Bernhardt can be seen in<br />

<strong>the</strong>se diving-<strong>the</strong>med photographs from <strong>the</strong><br />

late 1800s.<br />

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.<br />

history <strong>of</strong> diving. It was reliable and low-cost.<br />

Following World War II, <strong>the</strong> Aqua Lung<br />

went into commercial production. O<strong>the</strong>r<br />

innovations followed, but in regard to scuba<br />

diving, <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> Gagnan and Cousteau<br />

allowed diving to become mainstream.<br />

THE<br />

1890S<br />

While salvage diving had already become<br />

<strong>the</strong> mainstay <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> commercial diving<br />

industry, in <strong>the</strong> last decade <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nineteenth<br />

century something old became something<br />

new in <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Since <strong>the</strong> 1820s, it had been known that<br />

sponges could be found <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Florida Keys.<br />

By <strong>the</strong> late 1840s, some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organisms were<br />

being harvested with <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> long poles.<br />

When turtle fishermen from Key West<br />

discovered sponge beds along <strong>the</strong> western<br />

coast <strong>of</strong> Florida near where <strong>the</strong> Anclote River<br />

enters <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico, spongers began<br />

working that area. John Cheyney, a<br />

businessman in <strong>the</strong> new community <strong>of</strong><br />

Tarpon Springs, opened a sponge-packing<br />

house <strong>the</strong>re in 1890 and <strong>the</strong> North American<br />

sponge industry migrated from <strong>the</strong> Bahamas<br />

and Cuba to Tarpon Springs.<br />

By <strong>the</strong> turn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> century, <strong>the</strong> town was<br />

<strong>the</strong> largest sponge port in <strong>the</strong> U.S. and<br />

starting in 1905, some five hundred Greek<br />

sponge divers immigrated to Florida. Though<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir ancient predecessors had collected<br />

sponges by free diving, <strong>the</strong> Greeks embraced<br />

new technology and began diving in hard<br />

helmets and pump-fed diving suits. <strong>The</strong><br />

business fluctuated due to environmental and<br />

economic issues, but Tarpon Springs sponges<br />

are still exported all over <strong>the</strong> world. Not until<br />

well into <strong>the</strong> twentieth century did tourism<br />

surpass sponge harvesting as <strong>the</strong> community’s<br />

primary industry.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

26


THE UNDERSEA GOURMET<br />

George W. Fuller had been making his living as a diver for a good while when he came up<br />

with yet ano<strong>the</strong>r way to turn a pr<strong>of</strong>it in underwater work.<br />

In talking with acquaintances about <strong>the</strong> sort <strong>of</strong> things he could accomplish with his diving<br />

apparatus, Fuller asserted that he could even catch, dress and cook a fish under water. Not only that,<br />

he boasted, he could bring it to <strong>the</strong> surface without even getting it wet, hot and ready to eat.<br />

Of course, no one believed he could do it. In fact, one gentlemen cheerfully wagered $100 that<br />

Fuller could not pull <strong>of</strong>f such a stunt. Taking <strong>the</strong> bet, Fuller set <strong>the</strong> date <strong>of</strong> his demonstration for<br />

<strong>the</strong> following week. He did that because he knew he had a little below-<strong>the</strong>-surface work to do first.<br />

<strong>The</strong> diver took his boat and a couple <strong>of</strong> his employees to a point far out into <strong>the</strong> harbor where<br />

he was fairly sure it wouldn’t be too hard to find fish. Fuller lowered a weighted barrel and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

donned his diving suit. On <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bay, Fuller secured <strong>the</strong> barrel with ropes and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

stood up inside it. As he stood <strong>the</strong>re, air coming from his escape valve began rising to <strong>the</strong> top,<br />

steadily pushing down <strong>the</strong> water. Soon he was able to remove his helmet and before long <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

barrel was filled with air. Next, with hammer and nails, he attached a board to <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> barrel<br />

that would serve as a shelf.<br />

<strong>The</strong> next week, with his crew, <strong>the</strong> man who had made <strong>the</strong> bet and assorted hangers on, Fuller<br />

took his boat to <strong>the</strong> approximate spot where he had te<strong>the</strong>red <strong>the</strong> barrel. <strong>The</strong>n, taking with him<br />

a lantern, a small stew pan, salt, pepper and a fishing hook, he descended to his “fish house.”<br />

He soon spotted a fish, harpooned it with a sail needle attached to a line, and pulled it inside<br />

his barrel. <strong>The</strong>re he gutted <strong>the</strong> fish, washed it, added salt and pepper and parboiled it over <strong>the</strong><br />

flame from his lantern. When <strong>the</strong> fish was done, he placed <strong>the</strong> skillet inside <strong>the</strong> water-pro<strong>of</strong><br />

lamp container, stepped out <strong>of</strong> his barrel and pulled <strong>the</strong> line signaling his men to pull him up.<br />

“I had been gone only a few minutes, and <strong>the</strong> people thought as a matter <strong>of</strong> course that I<br />

had come up to say that I could not catch <strong>the</strong> fish, never dreaming that I had caught it, dressed<br />

it and cooked it already. <strong>The</strong>y were very much surprised when...I showed <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> fish<br />

steaming hot and well-cooked.” One <strong>of</strong> those surprised people was also out $100.<br />

(<strong>The</strong> story, reprinted from <strong>the</strong> Boston Globe, appeared in <strong>the</strong> Bryan [Texas] Eagle on January 9, 1890.)<br />

One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earliest uses <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

diving was sponge harvesting. <strong>The</strong> industry<br />

grew in Florida in <strong>the</strong> late 1800s.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

27


Above: A sponge diver in Tarpon<br />

Springs, Florida.<br />

Below: An illustration from <strong>the</strong> 1850s <strong>of</strong><br />

Lodner D. Phillips’ design for an<br />

atmospheric diving suit made <strong>of</strong> cast steel<br />

and iron.<br />

ATMOSPHERIC<br />

DIVING SUITS<br />

Atmospheric diving suits are one-man,<br />

human-shape submersibles. For decades, <strong>the</strong><br />

principle issue in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> making such<br />

suits practical was <strong>the</strong> need for joints that<br />

could both allow for natural body movements<br />

(so <strong>the</strong> diver could get work done) and at <strong>the</strong><br />

same time be strong enough to support <strong>the</strong><br />

necessary internal pressure.<br />

Alphonse and <strong>The</strong>odore Carmagnolle, two<br />

French inventors from Marseilles, designed<br />

<strong>the</strong> first atmospheric diving suit in 1878<br />

and received a patent on it in 1882. Made<br />

<strong>of</strong> metal, <strong>the</strong> suit consisted <strong>of</strong> 22 concentric<br />

ball-and-socket joints kept watertight by a<br />

linen wrap. Each arm had six joints, each<br />

leg four joins and <strong>the</strong>re were two joints<br />

for <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> suit. With all that metal,<br />

<strong>the</strong> contraption weighed 862 pounds. <strong>The</strong><br />

suit is displayed in <strong>the</strong> Musee de la Marine<br />

(Marine Museum) in Paris. To <strong>the</strong> modern<br />

eye, it looks like something out <strong>of</strong> a science<br />

fiction movie. Indeed, science fiction buffs<br />

point to it as <strong>the</strong> first robotic-looking device<br />

made by man.<br />

In Germany, in 1913 <strong>the</strong> Kiel-based firm <strong>of</strong><br />

Neufeldt and Kuhnke built two cast iron suits<br />

that <strong>the</strong> German Navy bought. Five years<br />

later, with Great Britain and Germany locked<br />

in a viscious world war, inventor Joseph Salim<br />

Peress (1896-1978) began experimenting<br />

with a stainless steel diving suit in 1918. Four<br />

years later, he patented a spherical joint that<br />

used fluid to equalize pressure.<br />

In 1930, <strong>the</strong> patent figured in Peress’s<br />

development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tritonia diving suit. He<br />

had started working on such a suit in <strong>the</strong><br />

1920s and by 1929 had found that using<br />

magnesium instead <strong>of</strong> steel made suits much<br />

less heavy and <strong>the</strong>refore considerably more<br />

practical. To solve <strong>the</strong> joint problem, he used a<br />

trapped cushion <strong>of</strong> oil to keep <strong>the</strong>m easy for a<br />

diver to move. In September 1930, Jim<br />

Jarrett—Peress’s head diver—used <strong>the</strong> new<br />

suit to descend to 404 feet in Loch Ness. He<br />

didn’t find <strong>the</strong> legendary Loch Ness monster,<br />

but he did find that <strong>the</strong> suit worked perfectly.<br />

Not only did <strong>the</strong> atmospheric suit keep him<br />

safe from <strong>the</strong> physiological woes <strong>of</strong> deep<br />

diving, he was able to move with no problems.<br />

Today, Peress is credited with having invented<br />

<strong>the</strong> first usable atmospheric diving suit.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> 1960s, Peress developed a more<br />

modern version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> suit,. When it began to<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

28


e used in 1972 was referred to as a JIM suit<br />

in honor <strong>of</strong> diver Jim Jarrett. <strong>The</strong> term “JIM<br />

suit” became a generic term in <strong>the</strong> industry.<br />

Even though Peress used magnesium, <strong>the</strong> suit<br />

still weighed 1,100 pounds. Four years later,<br />

it set a record for <strong>the</strong> longest working dive,<br />

one minute less than six hours at 905 feet.<br />

Atmospheric diving suits are still being<br />

used. Despite ongoing improvements, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

still do not <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong> mobility that o<strong>the</strong>r gear<br />

affords, but for deep work, in keeping a diver<br />

at atmospheric pressure, <strong>the</strong>y do prevent <strong>the</strong><br />

majority <strong>of</strong> physiological issues that make<br />

deep diving dangerous.<br />

MEDICAL<br />

BREAKTHROUGHS<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> diving would not exist if it<br />

had not been for <strong>the</strong> physiological discoveries<br />

and medical breakthroughs that made it<br />

relatively safe for those who venture deep<br />

underwater.<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> had evolved over <strong>the</strong> centuries, but<br />

not until <strong>the</strong> early twentieth century did<br />

significant advances occur in understanding<br />

<strong>the</strong> causes and treatment for <strong>the</strong> lifethreatening<br />

body reactions related to matters<br />

<strong>of</strong> physics and physiology—<strong>the</strong> crushing<br />

pressure <strong>of</strong> deep water and <strong>the</strong> issues related<br />

to oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.<br />

Well understood much earlier was that<br />

diving was a dangerous way to make a living.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first significant finding in regard to <strong>the</strong><br />

effect pressure had on divers came thanks to a<br />

poisonous snake. In 1667, Sir Robert Boyle,<br />

an English physicist, observed a gas bubble in<br />

<strong>the</strong> eye <strong>of</strong> a viper he had compressed and<br />

decompressed with a pump. He wrote: “I have<br />

seen a very apparent bubble moving from side<br />

to side in <strong>the</strong> aqueous humor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eye <strong>of</strong> a<br />

viper at <strong>the</strong> time when this animal seemed<br />

violently distressed in <strong>the</strong> receiver from which<br />

<strong>the</strong> air had been exhausted.”<br />

Five years before, in 1662, Boyle had<br />

posited what came to be called Boyle’s Law,<br />

<strong>the</strong> modern expression <strong>of</strong> which is: “<strong>The</strong><br />

absolute pressure exerted by a given mass <strong>of</strong><br />

an ideal gas is inversely proportional to <strong>the</strong><br />

volume it occupies if <strong>the</strong> temperature and<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> gas remain unchanged within a<br />

closed system.”<br />

Based on Boyle’s research, in 1681 Abbe<br />

Jean de Hautefeuille wrote a treatise called<br />

“<strong>The</strong> Art <strong>of</strong> Breathing <strong>Underwater</strong>.” <strong>The</strong><br />

scientifically minded French priest correctly<br />

declared: “It is not possible for man to brea<strong>the</strong><br />

air at normal atmospheric pressure when he is<br />

himself underwater at depth.”<br />

In <strong>the</strong> turn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twenty-first-century<br />

movie Men <strong>of</strong> Honor, in which Robert De Niro<br />

A diver in a Tritonia ADS and a diver in<br />

traditional gear preparing to dive on <strong>the</strong><br />

wreckage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> RMS Lusitania, 1935.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

29


Sir Robert Boyle.<br />

plays a tough Navy diving instructor, he<br />

makes Boyle’s Law a bit easier to understand.<br />

Beyond that, it puts it into perspective:<br />

“Boyle’s Law describes <strong>the</strong> behavior <strong>of</strong><br />

gases under varying amounts <strong>of</strong> atmospheric<br />

pressure. It states that if a diver holds his<br />

breath at one hundred feet, continues holding<br />

while rising to ten feet, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> gases in his<br />

lungs increase four times. Now why is this<br />

important to a diver? Forget to exhale on <strong>the</strong><br />

way up, and your lungs explode.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> gases in a diver’s lungs<br />

under <strong>the</strong> conditions set forth in De Niro’s<br />

line is actually by a factor <strong>of</strong> three, not four.<br />

But <strong>the</strong> effect would be <strong>the</strong> same.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early days, no private association or<br />

government agency existed to keep statistics<br />

on diving deaths, but fatalities were not<br />

uncommon. And adverse physical reaction for<br />

divers was very common.<br />

Worrisome symptoms connected to diving<br />

were noted and described by physicians as<br />

early as <strong>the</strong> 1840s. When his air pipe burst on<br />

October 11, 1842, Royal Navy diver John<br />

Williams had been eighty feet down. Reaching<br />

<strong>the</strong> surface in a minute and a half, he was only<br />

semi-conscious. “His face <strong>the</strong>n was a mass <strong>of</strong><br />

lividity,” a doctor reported, “his neck was<br />

exceedingly swollen, bloated and suffused<br />

with livid coloured blood.”<br />

To bring him back around, <strong>the</strong> doctor<br />

administered a turpentine enema and applied<br />

leaches to one <strong>of</strong> his arms to remove 20<br />

ounces <strong>of</strong> blood. Despite his initial pressurerelated<br />

injuries and <strong>the</strong> witch doctor-like<br />

treatment, <strong>the</strong> diver apparently enjoyed a<br />

complete recovery.<br />

In 1854, a diver working in <strong>the</strong> U.S. was<br />

not so lucky when his air hose burst at depth.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> surface crew received no response<br />

to <strong>the</strong>ir tug on <strong>the</strong> diver’s signal line, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

pulled him up immediately. When <strong>the</strong>y<br />

opened his helmet, “to <strong>the</strong>ir horror [<strong>the</strong>y]<br />

found him quite dead; although he had been<br />

down but one minute.” What <strong>the</strong>y beheld was<br />

not a pretty sight: “Blood was oozing from <strong>the</strong><br />

eyes, nose and mouth...we found <strong>the</strong> head<br />

very badly swollen, <strong>the</strong> face and neck so filled<br />

with blood as to resemble liver, while <strong>the</strong><br />

remainder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> body was as white as<br />

unclouded marble.”<br />

As innovations in equipment enabled divers<br />

to go deeper and stay down longer, many began<br />

suffering with breathing difficulties, dizziness<br />

and disorientation, pain in <strong>the</strong> joints and<br />

paralysis. While <strong>the</strong> symptoms could be noted<br />

and described, no one understood <strong>the</strong>ir cause<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> obvious connection to diving.<br />

<strong>The</strong> same maladies experienced by divers<br />

also occurred on land. Tunnel builders,<br />

miners and o<strong>the</strong>rs who worked in an<br />

environment under pressure experienced<br />

difficulties. At least twelve workers died in St.<br />

Louis during construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eads Bridge<br />

in 1871 from what is now known as<br />

decompression sickness, or DCS. Workers<br />

also died as <strong>the</strong> Brooklyn Bridge went up.<br />

A year later, a researcher correctly concluded<br />

that DCS could be prevented by slower<br />

compression (descents) and slower<br />

decompression (ascents). He suggested that<br />

underwater workers be limited to four-hour<br />

shifts and that recompression treatment could<br />

help severe cases. In 1873, Andrew Smith<br />

coined <strong>the</strong> term “caisson disease” in describing<br />

<strong>the</strong> health problems associated with <strong>the</strong><br />

Brooklyn Bridge project, which like <strong>the</strong> Eads<br />

Bridge had employed divers using compressed<br />

air. About <strong>the</strong> same time, since one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

symptoms <strong>of</strong> DCS is joint pain causing sufferers<br />

to bend forward, <strong>the</strong> condition came to be more<br />

commonly referred to as “<strong>the</strong> bends.”<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

30


In 1878, Paul Bert, a French physiologist,<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r advanced <strong>the</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

scientific factors involving <strong>the</strong> effect pressure<br />

had on <strong>the</strong> body. In his 1,000-page seminal<br />

study, La Pression Barometrique (<strong>The</strong> Barometric<br />

Pressure), Bert set forth <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> both<br />

high and low air pressure on <strong>the</strong> human body.<br />

<strong>The</strong> adverse effects associated with<br />

underwater work, he wrote, were attributable<br />

to <strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> nitrogen gas bubbles. Bert<br />

also <strong>of</strong>fered what would become <strong>the</strong> standard<br />

way for divers to cope with pressure issues—<br />

coming back up gradually and using a<br />

decompression chamber to relieve symptoms.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hudson<br />

River Tunnel in 1889-1890, Ernest William<br />

Moir developed an airlock chamber for<br />

treatment <strong>of</strong> divers suffering from DCS. A<br />

decade later, Leonard Hill—with backing<br />

from <strong>the</strong> Siebe Gorman Co.—experimented<br />

with frogs to develop <strong>the</strong>ories regarding<br />

compression and decompression. By 1904,<br />

<strong>the</strong> diving equipment company had<br />

developed a decompression chamber.<br />

<strong>The</strong> work done in Britain was by Scottish<br />

physiologist John S. Haldane, who <strong>the</strong> Royal<br />

Navy hired to do research on decompression<br />

sickness. Along with Arthur E. Boycott and<br />

Guybon C. Damant, Haldane published a<br />

paper on <strong>the</strong> prevention <strong>of</strong> what <strong>the</strong>y called<br />

“compressed-air illness.” As Bert had found<br />

earlier, <strong>the</strong> principle way to guard against <strong>the</strong><br />

bends was for divers to practice staged<br />

ascensions. Based on this work, <strong>the</strong> Royal<br />

Navy developed a set <strong>of</strong> tables listing <strong>the</strong> rate<br />

<strong>of</strong> ascension for divers based on how deep<br />

<strong>the</strong>y go and how long <strong>the</strong>y stay under.<br />

By 1912, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy also was using<br />

diving tables based on <strong>the</strong> British research.<br />

In a long article on risky if pr<strong>of</strong>itable<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essions, <strong>the</strong> Houston Post observed on<br />

November 19, 1905: “[N]ow recognized as a<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>ession, [diving] is followed by a class <strong>of</strong><br />

people who devote <strong>the</strong>ir lives to <strong>the</strong> work,<br />

going to all parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country and working<br />

in sunken wrecks, examining <strong>the</strong> bottoms <strong>of</strong><br />

ships, searching for lost things in <strong>the</strong> deep<br />

waters, and doing anything else that requires<br />

work below <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea.”<br />

While diving tables, decompression<br />

chambers, stricter safety standards and<br />

improved equipment have gone a long way<br />

toward making commercial diving safer, even<br />

today life-threatening health issues remain to<br />

be resolved.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most significant threat to divers today<br />

is High Pressure Neurological Syndrome.<br />

“Since this is a direct, physical effect <strong>of</strong><br />

pressure, <strong>the</strong>n perhaps we really have now<br />

reached <strong>the</strong> depth limits <strong>of</strong> ambient pressure<br />

diving,” Dr. Bennet wrote. “<strong>The</strong> pressures we<br />

are now reaching are so great that our<br />

Above: Paul Bert.<br />

Below: John Scott Haldane.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

31


Above: A diver preparing to repair a lock<br />

gate at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.<br />

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.<br />

Below: A man on a ship in a diving outfit, c.<br />

<strong>the</strong> 1910s.<br />

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.<br />

complex protein molecules, in particular<br />

those <strong>of</strong> our central nervous system, are being<br />

physically distorted and <strong>the</strong>ir critical<br />

properties subsequently changed.”<br />

Bennett <strong>the</strong>n expressed <strong>the</strong> problem in<br />

plainer terms: “Excursions into deeper depths<br />

can ultimately end in permanent<br />

denaturization <strong>of</strong> protein molecules from<br />

which <strong>the</strong>re will be no retreat or <strong>the</strong>rapeutic<br />

procedure. Denaturatization <strong>of</strong> protein is<br />

what happens when you hard-boil an egg.<br />

And as someone once said, you cannot unboil<br />

an egg.”<br />

More recently, Dr. David Sawatzky, in an<br />

article published January 17, 2012, in Dive<br />

Magazine said, “HPNS is a fascinating problem<br />

and one that current deep technical divers<br />

will definitively have to try and find some way<br />

to deal with.”<br />

WAR- BORN TECHNOLOGICAL<br />

ADVANCES<br />

<strong>The</strong> military use <strong>of</strong> divers is separate from<br />

<strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> commercial diving with one<br />

significant exception: Technological advances<br />

made during both world wars would improve<br />

<strong>the</strong> safety and efficiency <strong>of</strong> a new generation<br />

<strong>of</strong> divers who ventured beneath <strong>the</strong> surface to<br />

get a job done, not to destroy and kill.<br />

In 1917, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Bureau <strong>of</strong> Construction<br />

and Repair introduced for <strong>the</strong> Navy <strong>the</strong> Mark<br />

V diving helmet. Capping a diving dress and<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

32


A two-lock recompression tank (above) and<br />

a three-lock recompression tank (right) at<br />

<strong>the</strong> U.S. Naval Submarine Base New<br />

London in Groton, Connecticut. Until 1994<br />

New London was home to <strong>the</strong> Escape<br />

Training Tower which was used to train<br />

submarine crews in escape techniques and<br />

to train naval special operations teams.<br />

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.<br />

with air hose and communication line<br />

attached, <strong>the</strong> Mark V would be <strong>the</strong> mainstay<br />

for underwater work for decades. When <strong>the</strong><br />

second world war broke out, <strong>the</strong> Mark V, with<br />

a few modifications from <strong>the</strong> 1917 model, was<br />

still <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy’s standard diving helmet.<br />

While most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Navy’s diving work was<br />

accomplished by men wearing <strong>the</strong>se helmets,<br />

<strong>the</strong> war also saw <strong>the</strong> first military use <strong>of</strong> scuba<br />

equipment, face masks and swim fins.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

33


Right: Divers at work on <strong>the</strong> wreck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

USS Maine, Havana, Cuba, 1898.<br />

Below: A diver recovering shells after an<br />

explosion set <strong>of</strong>f by German saboteurs on<br />

July 30, 1916, on Black Tom Island in New<br />

York Harbor near Liberty Island.<br />

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.<br />

Opposite: William Badders, Master Diver,<br />

U.S.N., being helped into his underwater<br />

suit just before taking an experimental dive<br />

in <strong>the</strong> tank at Washington Navy Yard, 1938.<br />

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

34


THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

35


Above: A replica <strong>of</strong> a Mark V diving helmet.<br />

COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR.<br />

Right: Many a commercial diver learned <strong>the</strong><br />

trade as a Navy diver. This underwater<br />

sailor is undergoing training at Camp<br />

Endicott, Rhode Island, during World<br />

War II.<br />

Prior to <strong>the</strong> war, <strong>the</strong> commercial aspect <strong>of</strong><br />

diving had centered largely on salvage, <strong>the</strong><br />

repair and maintenance <strong>of</strong> vessels or building<br />

and maintaining underwater infrastructure,<br />

such as wharves and piers. <strong>The</strong>re was<br />

work, but not much. It’s been estimated<br />

that before 1941 <strong>the</strong> U.S. had only 250<br />

trained divers.<br />

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36


During <strong>the</strong> war, <strong>the</strong> focus on diving<br />

obviously was related to <strong>the</strong> prosecution <strong>of</strong><br />

hostilities or maritime and salvage or rescue.<br />

But with peace came a whole new career field<br />

for commercial divers, many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m former<br />

Navy frogmen.<br />

In 1946, Everett W. Edmund with partner<br />

Pat Madison started a retail business <strong>the</strong>y<br />

called M&E Marine in Camden, New Jersey.<br />

<strong>The</strong> created a division <strong>the</strong>y call MAR-VEL<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Equipment and <strong>the</strong>ir store became<br />

<strong>the</strong> first retail outlet to focus only on <strong>the</strong> diving<br />

industry, both commercial and recreational.<br />

<strong>The</strong>ir primary source <strong>of</strong> inventory was surplus<br />

U.S. Navy equipment, from Mark V helmets to<br />

diving suits and o<strong>the</strong>r equipment associated<br />

with surface supply diving to scuba tanks (still<br />

called “Lungs”), facemasks and swim fins.<br />

At first, <strong>the</strong>y worried how in <strong>the</strong> world<br />

<strong>the</strong>y were going to sell all <strong>the</strong> used diving gear<br />

<strong>the</strong>y acquired at auction, but in a vigorous<br />

post-war economy, business flourished. In<br />

<strong>of</strong>fering scuba gear for sale at <strong>the</strong>ir store or by<br />

Above: A U.S. Navy sailor using a Momsen<br />

Lung rebrea<strong>the</strong>r. In October 1944 <strong>the</strong> U.S<br />

submarine Tang was sunk by one <strong>of</strong> its own<br />

torpedoes east <strong>of</strong> Meizhou Island in <strong>the</strong><br />

Taiwan Strait, coming to rest in 180 feet <strong>of</strong><br />

water. Thirteen sailors escaped from <strong>the</strong><br />

vessel’s forward escape trunk, some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m<br />

using Momsen lungs. Of those thirteen<br />

sailors, five survived to be rescued. It is <strong>the</strong><br />

only known use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Momsen lung.<br />

Left: Vice Admiral Charles Momsen.<br />

Momsen invented <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rebrea<strong>the</strong>r which<br />

bears his name when he was a lieutenant in<br />

<strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

37


Oil rigs <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> Galveston, Texas.<br />

catalog, <strong>the</strong>y found <strong>the</strong>ir largest number <strong>of</strong><br />

customers were men who dived at night in<br />

water traps for sunken golf balls to resell.<br />

OIL AND WATER<br />

For <strong>the</strong> W. Horace Williams Co. it must<br />

have seemed like just ano<strong>the</strong>r job. A steampowered<br />

construction barge had sunk<br />

adjacent to a wooden drilling platform<br />

operated by Superior Oil in <strong>the</strong> Creole field<br />

about a mile <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Louisiana shore. <strong>The</strong> oil<br />

company wanted <strong>the</strong> barge raised and turned<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Williams Co. to get <strong>the</strong> job done. After<br />

all, that company had built <strong>the</strong> bridge leading<br />

to <strong>the</strong> rig.<br />

<strong>The</strong> New Orleans-based construction<br />

company hired two helmet divers to get <strong>the</strong><br />

barge up and <strong>the</strong>y got it done. That 1938 job<br />

is believed to have been <strong>the</strong> first time an oil<br />

company ever used divers in connection with<br />

an <strong>of</strong>fshore drilling operation in <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong><br />

Mexico. It was not, however, <strong>the</strong> first time<br />

divers had worked around an oil rig.<br />

More than 30 years earlier, a California<br />

wildcatter had built a wharf near Santa<br />

Barbara that extended into <strong>the</strong> Pacific and<br />

<strong>the</strong>n drilled a well in <strong>the</strong> seabed. Many more<br />

wells soon followed, all close to shore. In <strong>the</strong><br />

first decade <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth century, one<br />

Albert Christie is believed to be <strong>the</strong> first diver<br />

to do oil-related work <strong>of</strong>f a wharf. Christie’s<br />

half-bro<strong>the</strong>r, Rigden Crawford, did an<br />

underwater geological survey in an area<br />

between Santa Barbara and Ventura. This was<br />

in 1929 and according to Christopher Swann<br />

in his exhaustive history <strong>of</strong> oil field diving,<br />

“probably <strong>the</strong> first time a diver had<br />

investigated <strong>the</strong> seabed for oil anywhere in<br />

<strong>the</strong> world.”<br />

By <strong>the</strong> time that survey job took place, oil<br />

companies had begun to suspect that large<br />

deposits <strong>of</strong> crude lay in salt dome formations<br />

under <strong>the</strong> mud and sand in <strong>the</strong> shallow Gulf<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mexico. But despite ample demand for<br />

petroleum in <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> war, due to <strong>the</strong><br />

threat <strong>of</strong> marauding German U-boats that<br />

brazenly operated <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Gulf coast during<br />

<strong>the</strong> early years <strong>of</strong> World War II, not until after<br />

<strong>the</strong> war did oil companies look seriously<br />

toward <strong>the</strong> Gulf as a place to drill.<br />

In 1947, <strong>the</strong> Houston-based Kerr-Magee<br />

Co. oversaw construction by Brown and Root<br />

<strong>of</strong> a tennis-court size drilling platform 43<br />

miles southwest <strong>of</strong> Morgan City, Louisiana,<br />

but only 10.5 miles from shore. <strong>The</strong> rig went<br />

up in 18 feet <strong>of</strong> water, <strong>the</strong> deepest-ever<br />

<strong>of</strong>fshore operation to that point in <strong>the</strong> history<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oil industry. <strong>The</strong> well came in on<br />

November 17 that year. Producing 960 barrels<br />

a day, it was not a spectacular well, but <strong>the</strong> era<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore oil exploration and drilling had<br />

begun. And for <strong>the</strong> commercial diving<br />

industry, <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> that modest<br />

<strong>of</strong>fshore well marked <strong>the</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong> a huge<br />

new business opportunity. <strong>The</strong> linking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

two industries would lead to <strong>the</strong> development<br />

<strong>of</strong> technologies that would advance both<br />

petroleum production and commercial diving<br />

at a high-octane pace. Indeed, commercial<br />

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diving helped revolutionize <strong>the</strong> oil industry,<br />

and vice versa.<br />

“Today, nearly all work done under water,<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r with divers or robots, is carried out<br />

using equipment and techniques developed to<br />

meet <strong>the</strong> requirements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore oil<br />

industry,” Swann wrote in <strong>the</strong> preface <strong>of</strong> his<br />

definitive book, <strong>The</strong> History <strong>of</strong> Oilfield <strong>Diving</strong>:<br />

An Industrial Adventure. “To a considerable<br />

extent, <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> oilfield diving is <strong>the</strong><br />

history <strong>of</strong> modern diving as a whole.”<br />

During <strong>the</strong> 1960s, as energy demand<br />

continued to rise, several diving companies<br />

grew into international corporations as oil<br />

and gas drilling moved into ever deeper water.<br />

While some production occurred in <strong>the</strong> midto-late<br />

1960s, <strong>the</strong> energy crisis <strong>of</strong> 1973, which<br />

quadrupled <strong>the</strong> price <strong>of</strong> crude oil, led to<br />

extensive exploration and drilling in one <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> roughest bodies <strong>of</strong> water in <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

Given <strong>the</strong> depth involved, <strong>the</strong> North Sea play<br />

brought rapid advances in saturation diving,<br />

which only dated back to 1964.<br />

With Americans waiting in line to buy gas<br />

before service station supplies ran out until<br />

<strong>the</strong> next refill, Comex (founded in France by<br />

Henri Delauze in 1961) had 33 diving<br />

systems and 300 divers along with a technical<br />

staff <strong>of</strong> 400. <strong>The</strong> company’s annual earnings<br />

were more than $20 million.<br />

As <strong>the</strong> figurative stacks <strong>of</strong> cash accruing to<br />

<strong>the</strong> oil industry and commercial diving grew<br />

higher and higher, commercial divers and <strong>the</strong><br />

wells <strong>the</strong>y supported went deeper and deeper.<br />

In 1973, Comex had divers working at 600<br />

feet in <strong>the</strong> North Sea; two years later <strong>the</strong> same<br />

firm salvaged an abandoned wellhead 1,092<br />

feet down <strong>of</strong>f Labrador. By 1988, a joint<br />

operation with Comex, British Petroleum, <strong>the</strong><br />

French Navy, and o<strong>the</strong>r corporate entities<br />

carried out a 1,752 foot dive.<br />

<strong>The</strong> price <strong>of</strong> crude oil fluctuates like <strong>the</strong><br />

daily ebb and flow <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tide, only with far<br />

less predictability. When <strong>the</strong> price <strong>of</strong> a barrel<br />

<strong>of</strong> crude goes up, more drill bits go down, on<br />

land and sea. <strong>The</strong> only constant is that wells<br />

have steadily gone deeper over <strong>the</strong> years. And<br />

when those wells are in water, so do<br />

commercial divers.<br />

DIVING BELLS REDUX<br />

<strong>The</strong> oldest type <strong>of</strong> diving equipment, <strong>the</strong><br />

bell, remains a mainstay in commercial<br />

diving. Obviously, ever increasing technology<br />

has made diving bells safer and far more<br />

efficient than an upside-down weighted<br />

wooden barrel attached to a rope.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are two categories <strong>of</strong> bells, wet and<br />

closed. Wet bells are cable-suspended<br />

chambers open at <strong>the</strong> bottom. <strong>The</strong>y are used<br />

as a way to get divers down and provide <strong>the</strong>m<br />

a base <strong>of</strong> operation. <strong>The</strong> air inside is kept at<br />

ambient pressure, so <strong>the</strong>re are no extreme<br />

pressure differences. <strong>The</strong> closed diving bell is<br />

a sealed chamber. It can be used for what is<br />

called mixed gas “bounce” diving, a short dive<br />

in which decompression can be accomplished<br />

Above: An <strong>of</strong>fshore oil well drilling rig with<br />

supply boat, Kerr-McGee Oil Industries<br />

Inc., Cameron, Louisiana, c. <strong>the</strong> 1940s.<br />

COURTESY OF THE DEGOLYER LIBRARY, SOUTHERN<br />

METHODIST UNIVERSITY.<br />

Below: An American Louisiana Pipe Line<br />

Company drilling rig, 1955.<br />

COURTESY OF THE DEGOLYER LIBRARY, SOUTHERN<br />

METHODIST UNIVERSITY.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

39


in <strong>the</strong> bell, and saturation diving.<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> diving today relies more on<br />

closed bells.<br />

REMOTELY OPERATED<br />

VEHICLES<br />

Shell Oil Co., in <strong>the</strong> early 1960s,<br />

developed a device called “Mobot” that had a<br />

gyrocompass, sonar and a TV camera.<br />

Connected to a vessel, it could be<br />

maneuvered under water with thrusters.<br />

Moderately successful, <strong>the</strong> Mobot and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

similar ROVs initially were only intended as<br />

underwater eyes, not a robotic diver.<br />

But submersible equipment that could do<br />

more than merely look around was <strong>the</strong> next<br />

obvious step in <strong>the</strong> evolution <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

diving. That had also begun to happen in <strong>the</strong><br />

1960s, with military funding driving<br />

technological development. <strong>The</strong> pace picked up<br />

in <strong>the</strong> following decade, with both Royal Navy<br />

and U.S. Navy contractors developing devices<br />

that could recover lost objects from very deep<br />

water or to handle deep-sea rescues.<br />

<strong>The</strong> oil and gas industry, building on <strong>the</strong><br />

military technology, began developing<br />

submersible ROVs. With <strong>of</strong>fshore drilling<br />

increasingly taking place in deep water, such<br />

tools became even more important in that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y could operate at depths beyond <strong>the</strong> reach<br />

Above: A diver in full dress at Cone Lake,<br />

April 16, 1912.<br />

Right: This postcard from 1920 is simply<br />

titled “<strong>The</strong> Diver.”<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

40


<strong>of</strong> human divers. Progress slowed with <strong>the</strong> big<br />

slump in oil and gas prices that came in <strong>the</strong><br />

mid-1980s, but regained momentum as oil<br />

reached record highs.<br />

Technological developments have proceeded<br />

apace since <strong>the</strong>n, with ROVs being used to do<br />

deep-sea surveying and to inspect pipelines and<br />

drilling platforms. Beyond merely being used for<br />

observation, ROVs can assist in underwater<br />

construction, maintenance and repair.<br />

COMMERCIAL DIVING IN<br />

POPULAR CULTURE<br />

Deep sea diving burst into popular culture<br />

with <strong>the</strong> publication in 1869 in France <strong>of</strong> a<br />

serial novel called Vingt mille lieues sous les<br />

mers: Tour du monde sous-marin. A year later<br />

<strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> science fiction involving Captain<br />

Nemo and his submarine <strong>the</strong> Nautilus came<br />

out as a hardback book. Soon <strong>the</strong> work was<br />

translated into English and Twenty Thousand<br />

Leagues Under <strong>the</strong> Sea went on to become a<br />

classic <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> genre.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> book, Verne devotes a long scene to<br />

diving. Based on <strong>the</strong> technology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day, he<br />

fairly accurately described <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> diving.<br />

“You know as well as I do, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, that<br />

man can live under water, providing he carries<br />

with him a sufficient supply <strong>of</strong> breathable air.<br />

In submarine works, <strong>the</strong> workman, clad in an<br />

impervious dress, with his head in a metal<br />

helmet, receives air from above by means <strong>of</strong><br />

forcing pumps and regulators.”<br />

“That is a diving apparatus,” said I.<br />

“Just so, but under <strong>the</strong>se conditions <strong>the</strong><br />

man is not at liberty; he is attached to <strong>the</strong><br />

pump which sends him air through an Indiarubber<br />

tube, and if we were obliged to be thus<br />

held to <strong>the</strong> Nautilus, we could not go far.”<br />

“And <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> getting free?” I asked.<br />

“It is to use <strong>the</strong> Rouquayrol apparatus,<br />

invented by two <strong>of</strong> your own countrymen,<br />

which I have brought to perfection for my<br />

own use, and which will allow you to risk<br />

yourself under <strong>the</strong>se new physiological<br />

Above: ROVs and AUVs are some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

newer tools to be embraced by <strong>the</strong><br />

commercial diving industry.<br />

COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR.<br />

Left: A student-built ROV. Programs like<br />

Marine Advanced Technology Education<br />

<strong>of</strong>fer education and internship opportunities<br />

to students interested in pursuing careers in<br />

<strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

41


Buster Keaton in <strong>the</strong> 1924 film<br />

<strong>The</strong> Navigator.<br />

conditions without any organ whatever<br />

suffering. It consists <strong>of</strong> a reservoir <strong>of</strong> thick<br />

iron plates, in which I store <strong>the</strong> air under a<br />

pressure <strong>of</strong> fifty atmospheres. This reservoir is<br />

fixed on <strong>the</strong> back by means <strong>of</strong> braces, like a<br />

soldier’s knapsack. Its upper part forms a box<br />

in which <strong>the</strong> air is kept by means <strong>of</strong> a bellows,<br />

and <strong>the</strong>refore cannot escape unless at its<br />

normal tension. In <strong>the</strong> Rouquayrol apparatus<br />

such as we use, two India rubber pipes leave<br />

this box and join a sort <strong>of</strong> tent which holds<br />

<strong>the</strong> nose and mouth; one is to introduce fresh<br />

air, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r to let out <strong>the</strong> foul, and <strong>the</strong><br />

tongue closes one or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r according to<br />

<strong>the</strong> wants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> respirator. But I, in<br />

encountering great pressures at <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> sea, was obliged to shut my head, like that<br />

<strong>of</strong> a diver in a ball <strong>of</strong> copper; and it is to this<br />

ball <strong>of</strong> copper that <strong>the</strong> two pipes, <strong>the</strong><br />

inspirator and <strong>the</strong> expirator, open.”<br />

“Perfectly, Captain Nemo; but <strong>the</strong> air that<br />

you carry with you must soon be used; when<br />

it only contains fifteen per cent. <strong>of</strong> oxygen it is<br />

no longer fit to brea<strong>the</strong>.”<br />

“Right! But I told you, M. Aronnax, that <strong>the</strong><br />

pumps <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Nautilus allow me to store <strong>the</strong> air<br />

under considerable pressure, and on those<br />

conditions <strong>the</strong> reservoir <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> apparatus can<br />

furnish breathable air for nine or ten hours.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> first time a helmeted diver appeared<br />

on <strong>the</strong> big screen came with <strong>the</strong> release in<br />

1911 <strong>of</strong> a silent black and white short called<br />

<strong>The</strong> Diver. Subsequently remastered, <strong>the</strong> film<br />

is available today on Youtube.<br />

Five years later during World War I, with<br />

German U-Boats changing naval warfare, an<br />

American movie company produced a silent<br />

film adaptation <strong>of</strong> Verne’s novel in 1916.<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> divers took part in <strong>the</strong> movie<br />

both as camermen and actors.<br />

With much more realistic props, sound,<br />

color and big name actors like Kirk Douglas<br />

and James Mason, in 1954 Walt Disney<br />

released his movie studio’s take on 20,000<br />

Leagues Under <strong>the</strong> Sea. Not only did <strong>the</strong> movie<br />

raise awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> undersea world for<br />

millions <strong>of</strong> Baby Boomers, not to mention<br />

popularizing <strong>the</strong> mechanical means to enter<br />

that world, it brought business to commercial<br />

divers used in its filming.<br />

While 20,000 Leagues Under <strong>the</strong> Sea<br />

pumped fresh air into <strong>the</strong> world’s interest in<br />

diving, it was a 1950s television show that<br />

went a long way toward popularizing<br />

commercial diving. Diver recruitment clearly<br />

got an extra blast <strong>of</strong> oxygen in January 1958<br />

when a television show called Sea Hunt first<br />

aired. In <strong>the</strong> half-hour, black-and-white series,<br />

actor Lloyd Bridges played Mike Nelson, a<br />

former Navy frogman who became a freelance<br />

diver after leaving <strong>the</strong> military. In o<strong>the</strong>r words,<br />

he made his living as a commercial diver.<br />

<strong>The</strong> action-packed show, in which Nelson<br />

did everything from hunt treasure to disarming<br />

a lost nuclear missile, did for recreational and<br />

commercial diving what Walt Disney’s Davy<br />

Crockett did for <strong>the</strong> coon skin hat industry.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r books and films have focused on<br />

diving and its commercial aspects, but 20,000<br />

Leagues Under <strong>the</strong> Sea and Sea Hunt were <strong>the</strong><br />

figurative hooks on each end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> anchor<br />

when it came to popularizing both<br />

avocational and vocational diving.<br />

Men <strong>of</strong> Honor, a film that debuted in 2000,<br />

is still considered <strong>the</strong> best-ever diving movie.<br />

Starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding,<br />

Jr., <strong>the</strong> movie is based on <strong>the</strong> true story <strong>of</strong> Carl<br />

Brashear, played by Gooding, who was<br />

trained at <strong>the</strong> Navy’s diving school in<br />

Bayonne, New Jersey. Successfully<br />

surmounting racism and discrimination,<br />

Brashear went on to become <strong>the</strong> first African<br />

American master diver in <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

42


ADVENTURE ( AND<br />

TRAGEDY) BENEATH<br />

THE WATER<br />

Like any pr<strong>of</strong>ession where at least some<br />

level <strong>of</strong> risk is always present, most<br />

commercial divers would say <strong>the</strong>ir career<br />

amounted to performing arduous if routine<br />

tasks in an underwater work place.<br />

But despite centuries <strong>of</strong> accumulated<br />

knowledge and constantly improving<br />

technology, working under water continues to<br />

be challenging and sometimes dangerous.<br />

Few veteran divers have not survived one or<br />

two close calls.<br />

Longtime diver Mike Hughes, founder <strong>of</strong><br />

Oceaneering International, Inc., tells <strong>of</strong> an<br />

incident that occurred when he was diving <strong>of</strong>f<br />

a submersible drilling platform in <strong>the</strong> Gulf.<br />

Seventeen stainless steel drill cases, worth<br />

roughly $10,000 each, had accidentally rolled<br />

overboard. <strong>The</strong> bottom consisted <strong>of</strong> deep<br />

mud he described as being like Jell-O. After<br />

getting 14 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> long pipes hooked to a chain<br />

so that <strong>the</strong>y could be pulled to <strong>the</strong> surface,<br />

Hughes started trying to get to <strong>the</strong> 15th pipe.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> process, <strong>the</strong> mud closed in around him<br />

about a dozen feet below <strong>the</strong> bottom, even<br />

though it wasn’t much <strong>of</strong> one. He barely made<br />

it out, and after getting back to <strong>the</strong> drilling<br />

barge, he made <strong>the</strong> decision that <strong>the</strong> last two<br />

pipes were going to stay where <strong>the</strong>y lay.<br />

Beyond close calls like that, which<br />

improved safety standards have certainly<br />

helped to reduce though not eliminate,<br />

commercial diving sometimes involves movielike<br />

scenarios. Just a few examples:<br />

• In 1966, a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber<br />

armed with four nuclear bombs collided<br />

with a KC-135 tanker during mid-air<br />

refueling and crashed near Palomares,<br />

Spain. Three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> devices fell on land, but<br />

<strong>the</strong> fourth went into <strong>the</strong> Mediterranean Sea,<br />

settling on <strong>the</strong> bottom 2,850 feet down.<br />

Ocean Systems, which later was acquired<br />

by Oceaneering, successfully recovered <strong>the</strong><br />

bomb after a two-and-a-half month search.<br />

• In 1982, Oceaneering received a contract to<br />

dive on <strong>the</strong> sunken ocean liner Andrea Doria,<br />

which had gone down in 240 feet <strong>of</strong> water<br />

<strong>of</strong>f Massachusetts in 1956. <strong>The</strong> man who<br />

hired <strong>the</strong> firm, department store heir Peter<br />

Gimbel, wanted <strong>the</strong> ship’s first-class safe<br />

recovered. Oceaneering got <strong>the</strong> job done,<br />

but <strong>the</strong> safe did not have nearly as much <strong>of</strong><br />

value in it as Gimbel had counted on.<br />

• In 1999, Oceaneering used an ROV to recover<br />

<strong>the</strong> Liberty Bell 7, <strong>the</strong> Mercury space capsule<br />

that sank after astronaut Gus Grissom’s<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise successful suborbital fight on July<br />

21, 1961. <strong>The</strong> capsule was brought up from<br />

16,100 feet, <strong>the</strong> deepest large-object salvage<br />

operation undertaken to date.<br />

<strong>The</strong> story <strong>of</strong> U.S. Navy Master Diver Carl<br />

Brashear was told in <strong>the</strong> 2000 movie Men<br />

<strong>of</strong> Honor. Brashear became <strong>the</strong> first<br />

African-American U.S. Navy Master<br />

Diver in 1970, four years after losing part<br />

<strong>of</strong> his left leg during a salvage operation<br />

to recover a nuclear bomb <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast<br />

<strong>of</strong> Spain.<br />

COURTESY OF THE U.S. NAVY.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

43


THE COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

INDUSTRY TODAY<br />

Left: Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom climbing<br />

into <strong>the</strong> Liberty Bell 7 space capsule on<br />

July 21, 1961. <strong>The</strong> capsule was lost during<br />

recovery operations and came to rest at a<br />

depth <strong>of</strong> 16,100 feet.<br />

COURTESY OF NASA.<br />

Right: <strong>The</strong> Liberty Bell 7 after its recovery<br />

by Oceaneering International in 1999.<br />

COURTESY OF NASA.<br />

Ongoing technological improvements,<br />

<strong>the</strong> continued expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore oil<br />

production and a generally strong national<br />

economy made commercial diving an<br />

increasingly attractive career choice for those<br />

who preferred a rigorous outdoor vocation as<br />

opposed to being behind a desk.<br />

Today, commercial diving is a multi-billion<br />

dollar a year world-wide industry, but in <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S. <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> men and women who do<br />

underwater work is surprisingly small<br />

considering income generated.<br />

<strong>The</strong> U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Labor defines<br />

commercial diving as:<br />

Work below surface <strong>of</strong> water, using scuba<br />

gear to inspect, repair, remove, or install<br />

equipment and structures. May use a variety <strong>of</strong><br />

power and hand tools, such as drills,<br />

sledgehammers, torches, and welding<br />

equipment. May conduct tests or experiments,<br />

rig explosives, or photograph structures or<br />

marine life.<br />

Excluding those who dive as fishing<br />

workers or law enforcement <strong>of</strong>ficers, <strong>the</strong><br />

federal agency reported only 3,370 individuals<br />

working in <strong>the</strong> U.S. as commercial divers. Not<br />

surprisingly, <strong>the</strong> states with <strong>the</strong> largest number<br />

<strong>of</strong> commercial diving jobs are adjacent to<br />

water. <strong>The</strong> top five states, in number <strong>of</strong> divers,<br />

are Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Washington and<br />

Michigan, followed by Virginia, Alaska, New<br />

Jersey, Alabama and Missouri.<br />

In terms <strong>of</strong> metropolitan areas, ground zero<br />

for <strong>the</strong> largest concentration <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

divers in <strong>the</strong> nation is greater New Orleans-<br />

Houma, Louisiana, axis followed by <strong>the</strong><br />

Houston area.<br />

LOOKING<br />

AHEAD<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

44<br />

<strong>The</strong> ever-expanding technology that<br />

eventually enabled man to work and play under<br />

water with relative safety has not stopped. On<br />

land and sea, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> robotics is growing.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 2016, a humanoid robotic<br />

named OceanOne made news around <strong>the</strong>


world when it recovered a grapefruit-sized<br />

vase from <strong>the</strong> sunken wreckage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> La<br />

Lune, a vessel not seen by man in nearly<br />

350 years. <strong>The</strong> flagship <strong>of</strong> France’s Louis XIV,<br />

<strong>the</strong> warship went down in 328 feet <strong>of</strong><br />

water 20 miles south <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coastal city <strong>of</strong><br />

Toulon in 1664.<br />

Though originally designed to explore<br />

deep ocean reefs, with OceanOne’s artificial<br />

intelligence abilities, <strong>the</strong> dive <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong><br />

France made it clear that <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />

robot and its successors are <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong><br />

deep-sea commercial diving.<br />

Oussama Khatib, a computer science<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essor at Stanford University in Palo<br />

Alto, California, piloted <strong>the</strong> humanoid robot<br />

from a vessel on <strong>the</strong> surface. Using joysticks<br />

to control <strong>the</strong> robot’s movement, he saw<br />

everything through <strong>the</strong> robot’s two “eyes,”<br />

a set <strong>of</strong> cameras in an orange head that<br />

gives <strong>the</strong> device a distinctively human<br />

appearance, at least from its “shoulders” up.<br />

Even <strong>the</strong> robot’s two arms are reminiscent<br />

<strong>of</strong> human appendages and <strong>the</strong>y certainly are<br />

in function.<br />

Each hand has, as an article in Digital News<br />

explained, force sensors “that transmit haptic<br />

feedback to <strong>the</strong> robot’s pilot. Because <strong>of</strong> this,<br />

<strong>the</strong> driver can feel exactly what OceanOne<br />

feels, helping determine if it’s grabbing<br />

something dense or delicate.”<br />

A planned modification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> robot will<br />

include tactile sensors in each finger.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> human can provide <strong>the</strong> robot with<br />

intuition, expertise and cognitive abilities,”<br />

<strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essor told <strong>the</strong> Stanford News. “<strong>The</strong><br />

robot can do things in areas too dangerous for<br />

a human, while <strong>the</strong> human is still <strong>the</strong>re.”<br />

In expanding on that, Khatib set forth<br />

<strong>the</strong> obvious for anyone who knows anything<br />

about commercial diving: In diving<br />

beneath <strong>the</strong> surface, despite technological<br />

advances, humans must still deal with air<br />

supply issues and <strong>the</strong> dangers <strong>of</strong> decompression<br />

sickness.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> intent is to have a human diving<br />

virtually—to put <strong>the</strong> human out <strong>of</strong> harm’s<br />

way,” <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essor said. “Having a machine<br />

with human characteristics, that can project<br />

<strong>the</strong> human diver at depth is going to be<br />

amazing. OceanOne will be your avatar.”<br />

In Khatib’s view, <strong>the</strong> future lies in a<br />

combination <strong>of</strong> old-fashioned human skill<br />

and a sturdy, man-like diving robot that can<br />

work for longer and at great depths. Man will<br />

still have a place in commercial and all o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

aspects <strong>of</strong> diving, but he can accomplish<br />

much <strong>of</strong> what needs to be done without ever<br />

getting in <strong>the</strong> water.<br />

“[Scientists] see a future where ROVs and<br />

AUVs in <strong>the</strong>ir present form will cease<br />

to exist and are replaced by transformative<br />

e-robotics that can roam, hover, reside, and<br />

perform all underwater tasks,” notes an article<br />

in Ocean News & Technology Magazine<br />

(February 2017).<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> divers in training preparing to<br />

embark upon careers beneath <strong>the</strong> waves.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY<br />

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

45


WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

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As <strong>the</strong> industry embraces technological<br />

advances, <strong>the</strong>re is still a need for new<br />

generations <strong>of</strong> trained commercial divers.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY<br />

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

47


Modern commercial diving educational<br />

programs combine classroom instruction<br />

with hands-on training in <strong>the</strong> field.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY<br />

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

Gregory R. Trauthwein, associate publisher<br />

and editor <strong>of</strong> Marine Technology Reporter<br />

Magazine put it even more plainly in <strong>the</strong><br />

January-February 2017 issue <strong>of</strong> his magazine:<br />

“<strong>The</strong> age <strong>of</strong> robotics is here and now.<br />

Advances in robotics are quickly removing<br />

people from some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dirtiest and more<br />

dangerous jobs, inserting vehicles, sensors<br />

and systems where no man has gone, or<br />

would like to go....This reliance on<br />

automation extends to <strong>the</strong> subsea sector, as<br />

vehicles <strong>of</strong> every shape, size and price point<br />

gain capability and confidence among a<br />

growing legion <strong>of</strong> users.”<br />

Ryan Harris, an underwater archeologist<br />

with Parks Canada, studies <strong>the</strong> past with <strong>the</strong><br />

aid <strong>of</strong> modern technology. In 2014 Parks<br />

Canada located <strong>the</strong> HMS Erebus and two<br />

years later <strong>the</strong> hulk <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> HMS Terror—two<br />

English vessels lost in <strong>the</strong> Arctic Ocean in<br />

1845 while in search <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Northwest<br />

Passage—through <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> remote-operated<br />

vehicles and o<strong>the</strong>r state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art undersea<br />

technology. But despite <strong>the</strong> tremendous<br />

and ongoing high-tech advancements in<br />

underwater work, he says <strong>the</strong>re is still a place<br />

for divers in <strong>the</strong> equation.<br />

What he said in <strong>the</strong> January-February<br />

2017 issue <strong>of</strong> Marine Technology News had to<br />

do with his specialty <strong>of</strong> underwater<br />

archeology, but it applies to all aspects <strong>of</strong><br />

commercial diving:<br />

“To my mind, <strong>the</strong>re will always be an<br />

important role for hands-on underwater<br />

archaeology,” he said. “Certainly, I’m able to<br />

get much more information from a site when I<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

48


can get up close and have a tactile<br />

experience....While AUVs and ROVs are<br />

amazing tools, <strong>the</strong>re are some things that<br />

machines do well and certainly do better<br />

than human beings, but definitely not<br />

everything. It’s <strong>the</strong> appropriate marriage <strong>of</strong><br />

human and technology that will get <strong>the</strong><br />

job done.”<br />

A tank that is used to teach underwater<br />

welding skills to students enrolled n<br />

National University Polytechnic Institute’s<br />

commercial diving program.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY<br />

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL DIVING<br />

49


WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

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THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

FORMING<br />

ADC<br />

Sound travels very well underwater, but above <strong>the</strong> surface, being heard is not always as easy. By<br />

<strong>the</strong> 1960s, it had become evident to industry leaders that commercial divers needed an<br />

organization to communicate in <strong>the</strong>ir behalf.<br />

As Swann wrote in his landmark History <strong>of</strong> Oil Field <strong>Diving</strong>, “...diving contractors in <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong><br />

Mexico began to realize that unless <strong>the</strong>y set up an association to police <strong>the</strong>mselves, <strong>the</strong> government<br />

in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Coast Guard or some o<strong>the</strong>r body was going to do it for <strong>the</strong>m. Given <strong>the</strong><br />

competitive pressure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business and <strong>the</strong> strongly independent nature <strong>of</strong> diving entrepreneurs,<br />

it was no easy task.”<br />

Mike Hughes, <strong>the</strong> founder <strong>of</strong> Oceaneering International, was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key players in <strong>the</strong><br />

organization <strong>of</strong> ADC.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> first discussions about forming a contractor’s association started when it appeared that <strong>the</strong><br />

union was organizing a major push to unionize divers in <strong>the</strong> Gulf.” he later wrote. “<strong>The</strong> contractors<br />

thought it made sense to have a place to meet and discuss <strong>the</strong> threat <strong>of</strong> unionization and do what<br />

we could as a group to avoid conditions which would encourage divers to depend on a union.<br />

Frankly, we were more than a little irate that divers might believe some union organizers from up<br />

north could do more for <strong>the</strong>m than we would.”<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r major factor in <strong>the</strong> genesis <strong>of</strong> ADC was a desire on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> contractors to have an<br />

organization that could work to standardize diver safety issues.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re were some differences in how each contractor viewed some safety questions,” Hughes<br />

continued. “Some told <strong>the</strong> customers a [decompression] chamber would be required in a certain<br />

depth and o<strong>the</strong>rs were willing to work without one. Some contractors stretched <strong>the</strong> decompression<br />

schedules more than o<strong>the</strong>rs. <strong>The</strong>se differences caused some concern on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> divers.”<br />

Hughes and o<strong>the</strong>rs in <strong>the</strong> industry knew <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> standardized procedures, but<br />

believed if <strong>the</strong>y could find a way to work things out among <strong>the</strong>mselves it would be far preferable<br />

to dealing with a union on those issues. Unions were at <strong>the</strong> height <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir power in <strong>the</strong> 1960s, but<br />

that did not mean <strong>the</strong>y were universally popular, especially in <strong>the</strong> South and Southwest.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> only problem was that we were a fiercely competitive and secretive group <strong>of</strong> contractors,<br />

many <strong>of</strong> whom had experienced various differences <strong>of</strong> opinions,” he remembered. “In more than a<br />

few cases, <strong>the</strong> issue was temporarily resolved with fists. Unfortunately, this seldom produced a<br />

permanent settlement.”<br />

At <strong>the</strong> time, <strong>the</strong> major players in <strong>the</strong> business were Taylor Divers, Dick Evans, Inc., Ocean<br />

Systems, World Wide Divers, and Santa Fe. Several smaller companies also had a respectable piece<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> market.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> first meeting as I recall was called by Ken Wallace <strong>of</strong> Taylor <strong>Diving</strong>,” Hughes went on. “We<br />

met for dinner at Chris’s Steak House out on Broadway in New Orleans. We had some great steaks<br />

and strong martinis which resulted in not many decisions, but at least no one hit anyone else that<br />

night. It was not a bad beginning for this group.”<br />

But <strong>the</strong>n, Hughes and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r interested parties got some legal advice that an association<br />

might not be <strong>the</strong> best way to go. Such an organization, a lawyer said, might give <strong>the</strong> union a way<br />

to take on <strong>the</strong> whole industry at once ra<strong>the</strong>r than requiring <strong>the</strong>m to organize each company<br />

individually. Accordingly, <strong>the</strong>y dropped <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> forming a contractor’s association.<br />

However, developing safety standards remained an important need. In fact, it became more urgent.<br />

As Hughes explained, “<strong>The</strong> Marine Technology Society was emerging as <strong>the</strong> principal oceanrelated<br />

industry organization. Many <strong>of</strong> us became active in MTS and used <strong>the</strong> MTS meetings as a<br />

place to come toge<strong>the</strong>r and talk about <strong>the</strong> diving industry.”<br />

Subject to constant innovation and everincreasing<br />

demands by industry,<br />

commercial divers have been given a<br />

voice—<strong>The</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Contractors International.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY<br />

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

51


THE ADCI RESHAPES THE INDUSTRY<br />

A long, long time ago, (kind <strong>of</strong> sounds like a nursery story my mo<strong>the</strong>r used to read me, doesn’t it?) back in <strong>the</strong> early 1960s, <strong>the</strong> ADCI<br />

started with a bunch <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial men, like:<br />

Danny Wilson, Subsea Divers<br />

Dick Evans, Dick Evans Divers<br />

Buck Frolich, Frolich Marine Divers<br />

John Gallettia, J&J Divers<br />

Mike Hughes, World Wide Divers<br />

Bob McGuire, McDermott Divers<br />

Jack Smith, S&H Divers<br />

Ken Wallace, Taylor <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage<br />

And myself<br />

<strong>The</strong>se men and o<strong>the</strong>rs in commercial diving were involved in construction, salvage, drill rig support, inspection, pipeline, inshore,<br />

nuclear power plants, dams, and o<strong>the</strong>r underwater work. <strong>The</strong>y were hard-working men who wanted to make commercial diving a safe<br />

occupation. Each had <strong>the</strong>ir own vision <strong>of</strong> how and where <strong>the</strong>y wanted <strong>the</strong>ir companies to be in <strong>the</strong> future. <strong>The</strong>se men would work toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />

at <strong>the</strong> meetings but would cross <strong>the</strong> street if <strong>the</strong>y met each o<strong>the</strong>r outside <strong>the</strong> meetings. We started with a long table but <strong>the</strong>reafter went to<br />

round tables.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y were afraid <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore industry would say something about <strong>the</strong>m fixing prices and or o<strong>the</strong>r shady business dealings. But <strong>the</strong> only<br />

competition we had was over competing for <strong>the</strong> best divers. At that time <strong>the</strong> only real forum that was available for <strong>the</strong> diving industry was<br />

<strong>the</strong> MTS Society.<br />

But its meetings were small and mainly directed towards R&D activities, and none <strong>of</strong> our customers really attended <strong>the</strong>se meetings.<br />

So, <strong>the</strong> ADC decided to establish <strong>the</strong> International <strong>Diving</strong> Symposium, which was held in <strong>the</strong> diving capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, Morgan<br />

City, Louisiana.<br />

We solicited our vendors (twisted <strong>the</strong>ir arms) to take part in <strong>the</strong> symposium, as well as encouraged our customers and members to<br />

present technical papers. <strong>The</strong> Association’s motto at that time was: Communications, Education and Safety.<br />

Workers’ Compensation insurance was about forty-eight percent <strong>of</strong> gross payroll, so that alone was enough enticement for members to<br />

increase <strong>the</strong>ir pr<strong>of</strong>its without raising prices. That is if <strong>the</strong>y could get those rates lowered…most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coverage came from Lloyds <strong>of</strong> London.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore industry was moving into deeper waters and was afraid that <strong>the</strong> diving industry wouldn’t be able to provide diving services<br />

at those depths. More bottom time would be required with less in-water decompression.<br />

Two very important aspects that changed commercial diving at this point <strong>of</strong> time was, in my view, were:<br />

First was <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy. We recruited or I should say raided <strong>the</strong> Navy for master divers, technicians, operations supervisors, equipment<br />

supervisors. We had divers, but needed <strong>the</strong> deeper diving technology.<br />

I should also mention that Navy master divers were somewhat like <strong>the</strong> pied piper; <strong>the</strong>y had a following <strong>of</strong> men who trusted <strong>the</strong>m and<br />

followed <strong>the</strong>m into <strong>the</strong> commercial diving arena. Jack Lahm was <strong>the</strong> first Navy master diver our company hired. (Jack passed away several<br />

years ago, but won’t be forgotten.) With his team we moved into open-bottom bell diving.<br />

We later started using closed-bottom bells because <strong>the</strong> decompression was on deck and wouldn’t hold up <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore industry’s<br />

equipment. Although <strong>the</strong> cost was much higher, our customers went along with <strong>the</strong> increased prices because <strong>the</strong> operations were more<br />

efficient and safer. Longer bottom times were again requested which meant that we had to move into helium diving, and <strong>the</strong>n eventually,<br />

saturation diving.<br />

Dr. Bill Gillen, who had done considerable<br />

hyperbaric research in <strong>the</strong> Navy, and was<br />

chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MTS’ “Man’s <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Activities Committee” asked Hughes if he<br />

thought that developing standard diving<br />

safety rules would be a good project for <strong>the</strong><br />

committee. Hughes said he believed it would<br />

be and agreed to head a group tasked with<br />

giving it a try.<br />

“John Galletti was a member <strong>of</strong> our MTS<br />

committee and, in 1968, attended a meeting <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> USIA where diving safety standards were<br />

being seriously discussed,” Hughes recalled.<br />

“When we learned that an effort was under<br />

way to write standards without much industry<br />

involvement, we decided it was time to act.”<br />

That September, Hughes sent a letter to his<br />

fellow contractors requesting that <strong>the</strong>y attend<br />

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Again <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy played a large role in assisting <strong>the</strong> commercial industry movement into <strong>the</strong>se activities. We hired some notable Navy<br />

personnel and <strong>the</strong>re were dozens more who assisted o<strong>the</strong>r member companies as well. Bud Mills contributed a lot in making commercial diving<br />

safer. He had been a medical corpsman, had lots <strong>of</strong> paperwork experience, excellent accident investigation skills—he’d been <strong>the</strong>re, done that.<br />

Bob Merriman, is <strong>the</strong> divers’ diver who deserves this award more than I do, and I hope that he receives it in <strong>the</strong> near future.<br />

Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Navy personnel, although highly trained and very pr<strong>of</strong>essional in performing <strong>the</strong>ir duties, we thought would better serve<br />

us by moving <strong>the</strong>m into different positions based on <strong>the</strong>ir personalities, such as diving sales skills. Who best could explain in technical<br />

terms to our clients how diving in <strong>the</strong> GOM had changed? <strong>The</strong>refore, we moved Frank Mantell and Bobby Vendetto…into diving sales.<br />

Those two fellows brought us more sales at times than we could handle.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n, one day along came <strong>the</strong> “Flying Eyeball,” Dru Michel. Dru was with Taylor <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage and introduced it into <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

industry. Some o<strong>the</strong>rs thought that it was a good idea, like Jack Smith at S&H <strong>Diving</strong>. O<strong>the</strong>rs thought that it would cause <strong>the</strong>m to lose<br />

diving days, but eventually Dru and o<strong>the</strong>rs assisted in convincing me to purchasing some RCV 225s and later obtaining some RCV 150s.<br />

But where would I obtain <strong>the</strong> support personnel to operate and maintain those vehicles?<br />

I inquired around with our Navy divers about <strong>the</strong> Navy’s activities with ROVs. I was informed that yes <strong>the</strong> Navy did have and use <strong>the</strong>m<br />

but it was mainly black box type operations. Again <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy to <strong>the</strong> rescue.<br />

When I asked for names <strong>of</strong> personnel I could contact for possible hiring I was told that <strong>the</strong>y knew <strong>of</strong> a fellow only by his nickname.<br />

After weeks <strong>of</strong> searching. I finally located <strong>the</strong> person whose nickname was Duke. I set up an interview with him in California. At <strong>the</strong><br />

meeting he gave me his resume, but a lot <strong>of</strong> good it did because it was marked classified on most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> answers.<br />

When I asked Duke what he did in <strong>the</strong> Navy he said it was classified. After much discussion I finally hired him, Duke Miller. Duke<br />

headed up our ROV’s worldwide. I was going to call him by his real name but no one here would know whom I was talking about.<br />

ROVs assisted in making commercial diving safer and less expensive along with moving diving into deeper depths faster than anyone expected.<br />

Earlier I mention <strong>the</strong>re were two aspects that really changed <strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry safety record, and gave it <strong>the</strong> respect it<br />

deserved. <strong>The</strong> second item was this:<br />

Well, now go back in time again into <strong>the</strong> late ’60s. <strong>The</strong> ADC board members performed all <strong>the</strong> activities for <strong>the</strong> association, gave lectures,<br />

speeches, presentations, etc to promote <strong>the</strong> organization. But when a board member performed one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se tasks, his company usually<br />

benefited by obtaining <strong>the</strong> contract and or that job.<br />

This didn’t set well with all <strong>the</strong> board members even though <strong>the</strong>y all had equal opportunity in performing those functions. <strong>The</strong> ADC<br />

started a search for someone to manage its operations.<br />

One day, Ken Wallace, who was with TD&S, which was part <strong>of</strong> Brown & Root, went to <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> Building Contractors, a<br />

building contractors’ association that represented thousands <strong>of</strong> statewide companies, meeting in New Orleans. <strong>The</strong>re he was impressed<br />

with <strong>the</strong>ir spokesperson and brought him to <strong>the</strong> next board meeting.<br />

At that meeting we hired our first executive director, Jeff Hingle. Jeff was with us for 3 to 5 years. He now is, and has been for <strong>the</strong> past<br />

twenty-plus years, <strong>the</strong> sheriff <strong>of</strong> Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.<br />

Now <strong>the</strong> ADC’s executive director could lead <strong>the</strong> association under <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong> directors. He would act as a third-party, nonbiased<br />

person in representing <strong>the</strong> ADC. <strong>The</strong> board was very happy. Of course o<strong>the</strong>r notable executive directors such as: Bob McArtle, Ross Saxton,<br />

and Phil Newsum followed over <strong>the</strong> past 46 years in maintaining <strong>the</strong> high standards that were established in <strong>the</strong> early years <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association.<br />

With and through <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial leadership <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong> directors, today <strong>the</strong> ADC is clearly <strong>the</strong> only nationally recognized<br />

association that speaks for <strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry.<br />

- Tom Angel<br />

ADCI <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />

a meeting to organize a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it industry<br />

association that would be based in Louisiana.<br />

Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> contractors had <strong>the</strong>ir own inhouse<br />

safety standards, but that had begun to<br />

present problems.<br />

“Some <strong>of</strong> our customers were even starting<br />

to use our differences in policy as a<br />

negotiating tool,” Hughes said. ‘Company A<br />

will do such and such (basically cut some<br />

corner on safety)—why won’t you?’ As little<br />

contact as we had with each o<strong>the</strong>r, we could<br />

not easily learn whe<strong>the</strong>r this was true or not.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> contractors agreed to form <strong>the</strong><br />

Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors and<br />

Hughes was elected its first president with<br />

Tom Angel as secretary-treasurer.<br />

About <strong>the</strong> same time <strong>the</strong> ADC got up and<br />

running, <strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry<br />

THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

53


THE ADCI RESHAPES ITSELF<br />

When I first became aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> positive effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors (ADC) I was a diving supervisor/diver with a<br />

few years experience in deep bounce and saturation diving, mostly working overseas.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first underwater convention I attended was in <strong>the</strong> late 1970s. I was working for Ocean Systems and had just completed a sixweek<br />

rotation on a exploration drill ship in Venezuela. My flight landed in New Orleans just as <strong>the</strong> underwater event was getting<br />

underway. What an eye opener <strong>the</strong> event was—all <strong>the</strong> latest equipment, all <strong>the</strong> latest research, and <strong>the</strong> people who were behind all <strong>the</strong><br />

new technology, plus every bar in <strong>the</strong> French Quarter was full <strong>of</strong> divers. <strong>The</strong>y were easy to spot since most were physically fit and wearing<br />

a waterpro<strong>of</strong> watch.<br />

<strong>The</strong> equipment on display and technical papers were eye and brain candy to me. I just couldn’t get enough. This was where <strong>the</strong> shakers<br />

and movers <strong>of</strong> our industry ga<strong>the</strong>red to talk about new procedures, equipment, research, and, <strong>of</strong> course, <strong>the</strong> camaraderie.<br />

I still have my copy <strong>of</strong> Decompression Sickness and its <strong>The</strong>rapy, organized by <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors and <strong>the</strong> Institute for<br />

Environmental Medicine. (University <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania, April 1978, C. J. Lambertsen, editor.)<br />

I attended quite a few <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se annual shows through <strong>the</strong> years but it wasn’t until a few years later that I was introduced to <strong>the</strong> inner<br />

workings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI while I was working for Andre Galerne (IUC). He had just been elected president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI and was fully engaged<br />

in <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> resetting and <strong>the</strong> association to include <strong>the</strong> inland divers, international members and <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Magazine.<br />

We had quite a few conversations about its purpose and direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADC. He had a vision for <strong>the</strong> association.<br />

More years pass and I am appointed to <strong>the</strong> ADCI board <strong>of</strong> directors representing two major diving companies—Stolt and <strong>the</strong>n Cal Dive<br />

International. Here is where <strong>the</strong> reality hit me (remember I am a card-carrying member) that every member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board is sitting at <strong>the</strong><br />

meetings with one goal—to ensure <strong>the</strong> standards and level <strong>of</strong> safety meet or exceed best industry standards, as well as regulatory standards.<br />

<strong>The</strong> meetings are interesting. After all, this is <strong>the</strong> heartbeat <strong>of</strong> commercial diving operational sanity. Some members have different views<br />

but, at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day, <strong>the</strong> voting on each issue was completed via a majority consensus. A couple <strong>of</strong> years later I was honored to be<br />

elected to be chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> board and president <strong>of</strong> ADCI. This job lasted for six one-year terms.<br />

As one can imagine, this was not an easy job; you learn as each moment passes. During <strong>the</strong> first meeting I perspired like I was in a<br />

sauna. I learned to keep my mouth closed until o<strong>the</strong>rs had spoken; I tried to keep my opinion till last. I studied and implemented “Robert’s<br />

Rules <strong>of</strong> Order” in a relaxed manner to allow a free exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas and opinions as everyone was entitled to express his opinion. I found<br />

myself at times acting as a referee ra<strong>the</strong>r than chairman. Fifteen-minute breaks helped to re-focus <strong>the</strong> agenda.<br />

We created an aggressive agenda to re-write <strong>the</strong> consensus standards for <strong>the</strong> twenty-first century, and a new evergreen standard now<br />

called <strong>the</strong> International Consensus Standards for <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> and <strong>Underwater</strong> Operations, 6.0 Edition. This was a major task<br />

because we started from scratch to completely review every issue and wrote <strong>the</strong> standards to meet and exceed best industry practices. This<br />

realized <strong>the</strong> new Occupational Safety and<br />

Health Administration (OSHA was created in<br />

December 1970) likely would try to come up<br />

with safety rules that would be federally<br />

imposed. <strong>Industry</strong> leaders wanted to develop<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir own standard operating procedures and<br />

<strong>the</strong>n if necessary, spar with OSHA over <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

adequacy and acceptability.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> OSHA threat did not go away just<br />

because we formed ADC and continued to<br />

work on <strong>the</strong> MTS safety standards,” Hughes<br />

said. “<strong>The</strong> day came when we were notified<br />

that...formal open hearings on diving<br />

safety standards would be held in<br />

Washington. I was elected to go to<br />

Washington and speak. I worked hard at<br />

putting toge<strong>the</strong>r a passionate argument that<br />

ADC knew more about commercial diving<br />

than <strong>the</strong> government bureaucrats ever would.<br />

We wanted to convince OSHA to let us finish<br />

our standards and <strong>the</strong>n have <strong>the</strong>m accepted.”<br />

Hughes flew to Washington and went to<br />

<strong>the</strong> building where <strong>the</strong> hearings were<br />

underway. <strong>The</strong>re was a large auditorium with<br />

a podium on <strong>the</strong> main floor between <strong>the</strong> front<br />

seats and a raised stage.<br />

“I took a seat in <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> auditorium<br />

and looked <strong>the</strong> situation over,” he said. “<strong>The</strong> government<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficials who were <strong>the</strong>re to hear testimony<br />

were seated up on <strong>the</strong> stage behind a long<br />

table which stretched across <strong>the</strong> stage. <strong>The</strong>re<br />

were at least fifteen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, but <strong>the</strong>y all seemed<br />

to be coming and going, talking to each o<strong>the</strong>r, or<br />

even sleeping. What <strong>the</strong>y were not doing was listening<br />

to <strong>the</strong> people who were testifying.”<br />

Even worse, <strong>the</strong> podium was turned so it<br />

faced <strong>the</strong> audience in <strong>the</strong> auditorium, not <strong>the</strong><br />

OSHA <strong>of</strong>ficials on <strong>the</strong> stage.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

54


took nearly three years and many hours on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> executive committee to finish. I cringe to think <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> corrections and many<br />

typos we discovered.<br />

We also reviewed <strong>the</strong> by-laws <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association and added teeth to <strong>the</strong> membership, where if a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association acts in a manner<br />

disregarding <strong>the</strong> consensus standards <strong>the</strong> board can review and ei<strong>the</strong>r terminate or suspend <strong>the</strong> membership <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company. Why, you ask?<br />

Well, if one company acts foolishly and unsafe by ignoring <strong>the</strong> consensus standards it affects <strong>the</strong> credibility <strong>of</strong> every member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association.<br />

We also initiated a mandatory reporting <strong>of</strong> accidents and fatalities, as well as membership audits <strong>of</strong> personnel document and equipment<br />

inspection, maintenance, and testing.<br />

<strong>The</strong> new standards have:<br />

• A minimum bailout bottle capacity for all depths.<br />

• Emergency Diver Evacuation Standards requiring a means <strong>of</strong> diver evacuation from saturation systems.<br />

• PVHO maintenance guide.<br />

• Contaminated water diving guide.<br />

• <strong>Diving</strong> on DP vessels.<br />

• Translated into Spanish and Chinese.<br />

Various new committees were formed:<br />

• Saturation <strong>Diving</strong> Safety Committee.<br />

• Civil Engineering <strong>Diving</strong> Committee.<br />

• Medical Physician Committee.<br />

How did this help <strong>the</strong> association? <strong>The</strong> membership was one hundred percent behind this and <strong>the</strong> response from our regulatory agencies<br />

was very positive. <strong>Working</strong> relationships were signed with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Coast Guard, OSHA and ANSI (American National Standards Institute),<br />

and ACDE (Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Educators).<br />

Yes, <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International has been a very positive experience for <strong>the</strong> industry and <strong>of</strong> course me. It was<br />

an honor to be a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association.<br />

<strong>The</strong> future is very bright for <strong>the</strong> ADCI. <strong>The</strong> ongoing question is, “What are we doing well and what can we do to make it better to<br />

uphold our values <strong>of</strong> safety, education, and communication?”<br />

Finally, we cannot forget Phil Newsum who has been <strong>the</strong> focal point <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> success <strong>the</strong> association since he first became executive<br />

director…he gets things done. Thank you Phil.<br />

- Bill Crowley<br />

Past President, ADCI<br />

<strong>The</strong> Divex display from <strong>the</strong> 1991 ADCI<br />

convention.<br />

THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

55


<strong>The</strong> show floor at an ADCI convention is<br />

<strong>the</strong> chance for <strong>the</strong> ADCI’s 600 members to<br />

display <strong>the</strong>ir latest technical innovations,<br />

products, and services.<br />

COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> person testifying couldn’t even see <strong>the</strong><br />

people on <strong>the</strong> stage,” Hughes said. “<strong>The</strong> only<br />

people in <strong>the</strong> audience were people like me who<br />

were <strong>the</strong>re to testify. Basically we were talking to<br />

each o<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong> government was ignoring us.<br />

<strong>The</strong> more I watched <strong>the</strong> madder I got.”<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> safety standards were only one <strong>of</strong><br />

numerous issues before <strong>the</strong> panel that day.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> man who spoke before me was a<br />

representative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Michigan Highway<br />

Contractors Association,” Hughes said. “My<br />

turn finally came and <strong>the</strong>y called me up to <strong>the</strong><br />

front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> auditorium. As I walked up, not<br />

one single person on <strong>the</strong> stage was even<br />

looking at me, much less acting like <strong>the</strong>y<br />

intended to listen.”<br />

Hughes put his speech down on <strong>the</strong><br />

podium and gripped his hands on ei<strong>the</strong>r side.<br />

<strong>The</strong> speaker’s stand was made <strong>of</strong> heavy oak,<br />

about three feet square and five feet high.<br />

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THE ADCI CONTINUES TO BUILD UPON ITS SUCCESSES<br />

Regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> places I have worked, or <strong>the</strong> positions that I have held, I have been<br />

fortunate enough to have spent my entire diving career working for ADCI member companies.<br />

<strong>The</strong> ADCI Consensus Standards for <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> and <strong>Underwater</strong> Operations are not<br />

only recognized as best industry practice here in <strong>the</strong> U.S., but in many o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se standards, combined with <strong>the</strong> wealth <strong>of</strong> experience that our diverse membership<br />

provides, have been vital resources to our organization; providing us with <strong>the</strong> guidance<br />

necessary to conduct diving operations as safely as possible.<br />

Having also served on <strong>the</strong> ADCI board <strong>of</strong> directors for nearly a decade, I can attest to <strong>the</strong><br />

fact that our membership is passionate, knowledgeable, and committed; constantly evolving<br />

and working to be at <strong>the</strong> forefront <strong>of</strong> best practices for our industry.<br />

Without a doubt, having been elected as <strong>the</strong> ADCI’s president for 2017 is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

greatest honors <strong>of</strong> my commercial diving career. I am consistently surrounded by good people<br />

working to achieve one goal—building upon <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past fifty years in order to keep<br />

divers safe.<br />

- Bryan Nicholls<br />

President, ADCI<br />

“I dragged it around until it faced <strong>the</strong><br />

stage,” Hughes continued. “<strong>The</strong> microphone<br />

on <strong>the</strong> podium made a heck <strong>of</strong> a racket as <strong>the</strong><br />

podium grated on <strong>the</strong> floor.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> noise got <strong>the</strong> attention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> panel and<br />

even woke up two men who had been asleep.<br />

“I realize you gentlemen have had a long<br />

day, but I’ve come a long way to say<br />

something which is very important to me and<br />

my fellow contractors,” Hughes said. “I’d<br />

appreciate it if you could at least give me your<br />

attention for a few minutes.”<br />

At that, he recalled, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs waiting in<br />

<strong>the</strong> auditorium burst into applause.<br />

His talk, he said, probably didn’t have<br />

much to do with <strong>the</strong> eventual outcome <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> OSHA regulations, but it did feel to<br />

him like ADC had at least gotten a hearing<br />

in Washington.<br />

“A lot <strong>of</strong> us worked hard for several more<br />

years to hammer out a reasonable<br />

understanding about diving safety standards,”<br />

he continued. “It was truly an effort <strong>of</strong> most <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> contractors, large and small. That effort<br />

also showed us we could work toge<strong>the</strong>r and<br />

weren’t such bad guys after all. ADC has come<br />

a long way since <strong>the</strong>n, but it probably won’t<br />

encounter anything as challenging as getting<br />

that first group <strong>of</strong> guys toge<strong>the</strong>r.”<br />

As Dive Training Magazine explained, “<strong>The</strong><br />

basic ADC <strong>Commercial</strong> Diver certification is<br />

Entry Level Tender/Diver. To earn more<br />

advanced certifications, a diver must log<br />

experience in <strong>the</strong> field (called “field days”)<br />

and underwater (referred to as “working<br />

dives”). Divers are required to receive<br />

on-<strong>the</strong>-job training to be eligible for<br />

more advanced commercial diver certification<br />

unless <strong>the</strong>y received <strong>the</strong> required formal<br />

training through an accredited commercial<br />

diving school, military dive school, or<br />

<strong>the</strong> equivalent.”<br />

Today <strong>the</strong> ADCI—now based in<br />

Houston—has more than 600 member<br />

companies, furnishing services and support<br />

for <strong>the</strong> conduct <strong>of</strong> safe underwater operations<br />

from 41 nations throughout <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

Encompassing <strong>of</strong>fshore and inland sectors <strong>of</strong><br />

diving, ADCI is comprised <strong>of</strong> segments from<br />

<strong>the</strong> business, educational and medical<br />

communities. ADCI cooperates and participates<br />

with state and federal regulatory agencies and<br />

works closely with all stakeholders to develop<br />

standards that are consistent and attainable,<br />

while meeting <strong>the</strong> highest standards <strong>of</strong> safety<br />

for underwater operations.<br />

ADCI now has four membership<br />

classifications. General membership is for<br />

THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

57


ADCI sets industry standards for<br />

educationa nd safety that have made a<br />

lasting, positive impact upon <strong>the</strong> commercial<br />

diving industry.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY<br />

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

those members who conduct commercial<br />

diving as a substantial part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir business.<br />

Associate members support general members<br />

through <strong>the</strong> training <strong>of</strong> personnel engaged in<br />

commercial diving services, and/or through<br />

<strong>the</strong> manufacturing/supporting <strong>of</strong> goods and<br />

services. Supporting members are “for pr<strong>of</strong>its”<br />

or “not for pr<strong>of</strong>its” that support <strong>the</strong> mission<br />

and purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI. This includes<br />

government regulatory authorities, oversight<br />

agencies and military authorities among<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs. Affiliate membership includes any<br />

organization that supports <strong>the</strong> purposes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

ADCI that is invited by <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong> directors.<br />

<strong>The</strong> mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI is:<br />

• To promote <strong>the</strong> highest level <strong>of</strong> safety in<br />

<strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> commercial diving and<br />

underwater operations.<br />

• To promote proper and adequate training<br />

and education for industry personnel.<br />

• To foster open communication within <strong>the</strong><br />

underwater industry.<br />

• To hold all members accountable<br />

in adherence to <strong>the</strong> Consensus<br />

Standards for <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> and<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Operations.<br />

Recognized as <strong>the</strong> premiere association<br />

that issues safe diving guidelines through<br />

its International Consensus Standards for<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> and <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Operations, ADCI is also <strong>the</strong> primary entity<br />

for <strong>the</strong> issuance <strong>of</strong> certifications for diving<br />

personnel in <strong>the</strong> United States. and many<br />

regions globally.<br />

ADCI has formal partnerships with <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Coast Guard, <strong>the</strong> American Salvage<br />

Association, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems<br />

Command (Supervisor <strong>of</strong> Salvage and <strong>Diving</strong>),<br />

as well as with several navies in <strong>the</strong> Latin<br />

America and Asia Pacific sectors. <strong>The</strong> U.S.<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Labor, Occupational Safety and<br />

Health Administration (OSHA) “recognizes<br />

ADCI standards as <strong>the</strong> best established<br />

industry practice.”<br />

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CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADCI<br />

At my first ADC meeting in 1974 little did I think I’d observe this<br />

50th Anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organization. <strong>The</strong> success <strong>of</strong> ADC (now<br />

ADCI) has only been achieved through <strong>the</strong> efforts <strong>of</strong> many<br />

committed persons and member companies; all working to enhance<br />

and continually improve safety throughout <strong>the</strong> international<br />

commercial diving pr<strong>of</strong>ession while simultaneously cooperating and<br />

educating <strong>the</strong> implementing government agencies under whose laws<br />

we must operate. I am proud to have served in many roles over <strong>the</strong><br />

years and to have been given an opportunity to contribute.<br />

- Ross Saxon, Ph.D. LCDR USN (Ret)<br />

Former Executive Director, ADCI<br />

ADCI <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />

Congratulations to <strong>the</strong> ADCI on its fifty-year anniversary! And<br />

many thanks to <strong>the</strong> ADCI for its dedication and service to <strong>the</strong><br />

commercial diving industry. <strong>The</strong> ADCI has done more to promote and<br />

implement commercial diving safety than any o<strong>the</strong>r entity. From<br />

drafting <strong>the</strong> first National Safety Consensus Standard to <strong>the</strong> present<br />

International Safety Consensus Standard, to commercial diver<br />

certification, to <strong>the</strong> present audit initiative, and so many, many more<br />

activities, that not only promoted diver safety, but also protected its<br />

member firms from overregulation by government and outside<br />

entities. All industry stakeholders owe a debt <strong>of</strong> gratitude to <strong>the</strong> ADCI,<br />

and must continue to support this organization in our ultimate goal <strong>of</strong><br />

getting our divers and dive support crews home safely!<br />

Again, Congratulations to <strong>the</strong> ADCI for 50 great years!<br />

- Jon Hazelbaker<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Consultant<br />

Hammerhead Marine Services, LLC<br />

ADCI <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />

Congratulations to ADCI, and particularly <strong>the</strong> great André<br />

Galerne, for creating a modern, cohesive, internationally respected,<br />

organization from a group <strong>of</strong> strongly independent individuals who<br />

operated a “My Way or <strong>the</strong> Highway” system <strong>of</strong> a mongrel industry<br />

(non)co-operation back in <strong>the</strong> 1940s-1970s. A true fifty-year<br />

American success story!<br />

- Leslie Leaney<br />

Co-founder, Historical <strong>Diving</strong> Society USA<br />

Founder, <strong>The</strong> Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> History<br />

Founding Trustee, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum<br />

ADCI <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />

<strong>The</strong> ADCI, including all <strong>the</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Passionate Men and Women, who unselfishly contributed,<br />

voluntarily, with <strong>the</strong>ir time and hard work to make <strong>the</strong> Association<br />

a definitive voice for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong>, have been an<br />

enormous part <strong>of</strong> my pr<strong>of</strong>ession and my career, spanning over forty<br />

years to date. Thank you and happy fiftieth anniversary!<br />

- Mike Brown<br />

Onyx Services, Inc.<br />

Past President, ADCI<br />

I want to congratulate <strong>the</strong> many people, both staff and<br />

volunteers, who have made <strong>the</strong> ADCI what it is today—fifty years,<br />

truly a remarkable milestone! From very humble beginnings, <strong>the</strong><br />

organization has grown to represent our industry throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

world and, most importantly, to help ensure <strong>the</strong> safety <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> guy on<br />

<strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hose!<br />

- Craig Fortenbery<br />

Founder, Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc.<br />

Past President, ADCI<br />

For over thirty years <strong>the</strong> ADCI has been a reliable ally to Dryden<br />

<strong>Diving</strong>. We could not have reached <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism we<br />

have today without <strong>the</strong>m. Thanks to <strong>the</strong>ir guidance our crews are<br />

among <strong>the</strong> most pr<strong>of</strong>essional in <strong>the</strong> industry.<br />

- Donald Dryden<br />

President, Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> Company, Inc.<br />

I have witnessed in my twenty-five years with <strong>the</strong> ADCI its<br />

progress from requiring not much more from its diving contractors<br />

than its desire to operate safely, and having no diver certification, to<br />

an association with universally accepted standards for contractors<br />

and training centers, plus universal certifications for divers.<br />

Congratulations, ADCI!<br />

- Barbara Treadway<br />

Manager, Administrative Services, ADCI<br />

East Coast Chapter Chairman<br />

THE HISTORY OF THE ADCI<br />

59


THE COMMERCIAL DIVING HALL OF FAME<br />

Since 2005, ADCI has inducted selected nominees into <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame. <strong>The</strong>se individuals are nominated from all walks<br />

<strong>of</strong> life and represent men and women who throughout <strong>the</strong>ir lifetime have made a recognized and lasting contribution to commercial diving.<br />

<strong>The</strong> genesis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program goes back a year before, when in 2004, <strong>the</strong> board <strong>of</strong> directors decided to establish <strong>the</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame with <strong>the</strong><br />

first group <strong>of</strong> inductees being those who had previously been awarded ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> John B. Galletti Memorial Award (established in 1978) or<br />

<strong>the</strong> Tom Devine Memorial Award (established in 1995).<br />

That initial group included 33 persons and one additional dedicated Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame selectee to represent 2004. This group had 25 prior<br />

John B. Galletti Memorial Award winners and 8 prior Tom Devine Memorial Award honorees.<br />

With <strong>the</strong> passage <strong>of</strong> time <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame nominees has slowed. This may be due to a lack <strong>of</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> what <strong>the</strong><br />

Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame is intended to represent or simply because as <strong>the</strong> commercial diving community continues to grow <strong>the</strong> contributions <strong>of</strong><br />

individual persons become less evident. It also may be that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> individuals deserving recognition are from small nations where <strong>the</strong><br />

commercial diving community is not as well recognized as in o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> globe. Even so, many people from <strong>the</strong> industry’s global<br />

community have dedicated <strong>the</strong>ir lives to improving commercial diving in one way or ano<strong>the</strong>r. <strong>The</strong>se may be men and women who have<br />

been commercial divers, developers <strong>of</strong> equipment, contributors to <strong>the</strong> medical sciences used to keep divers safe, safety pr<strong>of</strong>essionals who<br />

recognize and alert <strong>the</strong> community to on-<strong>the</strong>-job hazards, individuals who establish companies to employ commercial divers or o<strong>the</strong>rs who<br />

produce improved tools for underwater use.<br />

- Adapted from ADCI website.<br />

List <strong>of</strong> Prior Awardees<br />

(Note: Posthumous awards are noted by <strong>the</strong> letter “P”)<br />

John B. Galleti Memorial Award<br />

Capt. George Bond (P) 1978<br />

Cdr. Jackie Warner (P) 1979<br />

Dr. Chris Lambertsen 1980<br />

Hugh (Dan) Wilson 1981<br />

Bev Morgan 1982<br />

D. Michael Hughes 1983<br />

Dick Evens (P) 1984<br />

George W. Samson (P) 1985<br />

Jim Joiner 1986<br />

Henri Delauze 1987<br />

Phil Nuytten 1988<br />

Murray Black (P) 1989<br />

Lad Handelman 1990<br />

Dr. Joseph McInnis 1991<br />

Herbert G. Newbury (P) 1992<br />

John T. Johnson 1993<br />

Jack D. Smith, Jr. 1994<br />

Andre Galerne 1995<br />

Ellis R. Cross (P) 1996<br />

Joe Savoie (P) 1997<br />

Steve Helburn 1998<br />

Bill Dore 1999<br />

Bob Kirby 2000<br />

Ross Saxon 2001<br />

Conway Whitey Grubbs (P) 2002<br />

R. H. (Dutchy) Holland 2003<br />

Tom Devine Memorial Award<br />

Ms. Bernice McKenzie 1995<br />

Juan R. Cr<strong>of</strong>ton 1996<br />

Mike McGovern 1997<br />

Fred Aichele 1999<br />

Rick Jager 2000<br />

John Hazelbaker 2001<br />

Jim Caldwell 2002<br />

Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame Award<br />

Bob Barth 2005<br />

Rodney Cruze 2006<br />

Dick Long 2006<br />

Torrence Parker 2006<br />

Jack Reedy 2006<br />

Walter (Whitey) Stephens 2007<br />

Wilber (Jerry) O’Neill 2007<br />

Dr. Jeff Zhang 2008<br />

Dr. Robert Workman (P) 2008<br />

John Manlove (P) 2008<br />

Norman Ketcham 2008<br />

Lazaro Del Castillo 2008<br />

Dr. Joseph Serio 2009<br />

Leonard Greenstone 2009<br />

Robert W. Honaker 2009<br />

Bud Mills 2010<br />

Bob Ratcliff 2010<br />

Ben Miller 2011<br />

Tom Angel 2011<br />

Joe Sanford (P) 2011<br />

Paul Leblanc 2012<br />

Drew Michel 2012<br />

Lawrence Goldberg 2013<br />

Bob Merriman 2013<br />

Richard Geyer 2013<br />

Van T. Bell (P) 2014<br />

George Cundiff 2014<br />

Dr. Keith Van Meter, M.D. 2014<br />

Dr. John Beran 2015<br />

Denny Swartz 2015<br />

S. Joe Vidrine 2015<br />

Mike Von Alvensleben 2016<br />

George Wiswell 2016<br />

Leslie Leaney 2017<br />

Owen Boyles 2017<br />

Mike Ward 2018<br />

Craig Fortenbery 2018<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

60


SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY<br />

Delgado, James P. Misadventures <strong>of</strong> a Civil War Submarine: Iron, Guns and Pearls. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2012.<br />

Green, John B. <strong>Diving</strong>, With and Without Armor: Containing <strong>the</strong> Submarine Exploits <strong>of</strong> J.B. Green, <strong>the</strong> Celebrated Submarine Diver. Buffalo:<br />

Faxon's Steam Powered Press, 1859.<br />

Hughes, D. Michael. Oceaneer: From <strong>the</strong> Bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sea to <strong>the</strong> Boardroom. NP, 2015.<br />

Kuntz, Jerry. <strong>The</strong> Heroic Age <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong>: America's <strong>Underwater</strong> Pioneers and <strong>the</strong> Great Wrecks <strong>of</strong> Lake Erie. Albany: State University <strong>of</strong> New York<br />

Press, 2016.<br />

Marx, Robert F. <strong>The</strong> History <strong>of</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Exploration. New York: Dover Publications, 1978, 1990.<br />

Swann, Christopher. <strong>The</strong> History <strong>of</strong> Oilfield <strong>Diving</strong>: An Individual Adventure. Santa Barbara, California: Oceanaut Press, 2007.<br />

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.<br />

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY<br />

61


WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

62


SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

SPECIAL<br />

THANKS TO<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>iles <strong>of</strong> businesses, organizations,<br />

and families that have contributed to<br />

Collins Engineers, Inc.<br />

<strong>the</strong> development and continued growth <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Construction Corporation..............................................64<br />

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. ............................................................70<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage ................................................................74<br />

Eason <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Contractors, Inc. ........................................78<br />

Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc. ..............................................80<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Services, Inc. ......................................82<br />

Divers Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology ........................................................84<br />

W.J. Castle P.E. & Associates, P.C. ..................................................86<br />

DRS Marine Inc. ..........................................................................88<br />

Global <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage, Inc. ........................................................90<br />

Marine <strong>Diving</strong> Technology Class <strong>of</strong> 1973—<br />

Santa Barbara City College.......................................................92<br />

American Marine Corporation ........................................................94<br />

Teichman Group <strong>of</strong> Companies ........................................................96<br />

STS Chile<br />

(STS Marine Engineering and Constructing Limited) ......................98<br />

Walker <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Construction LLC ..................................100<br />

Marion Hill Associates <strong>Diving</strong> and Marine Services Group.................102<br />

ONYX Services, Inc. ....................................................................104<br />

U.S. <strong>Underwater</strong> Services, LLC .....................................................105<br />

Subsalve USA.............................................................................106<br />

Hammerhead Marine Services, LLC<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Services, Inc. .............................................107<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> Company, Inc. .......................................................108<br />

Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong>, Inc..........................................................109<br />

Resolve Marine Group .................................................................110<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International...............................111<br />

Enviroscience, Inc.<br />

Historical <strong>Diving</strong> Society USA<br />

Lakes & Rivers<br />

Contractors, Inc.<br />

National University<br />

Polytechnic Institute<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ocean Corporation<br />

Randive, Inc.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

63


UNDERWATER<br />

CONSTRUCTION<br />

CORPORATION<br />

Approaching fifty years <strong>of</strong> industry<br />

innovation and job creation<br />

Above: Co-Founder, John Chiangi, Sr.,<br />

in 1972 preparing to test radiological dive<br />

equipment to be used at <strong>the</strong> Yankee Rowe<br />

Nuclear Plant.<br />

Below: UCC divers completing <strong>the</strong> first<br />

successful radiological dives at <strong>the</strong> Yankee<br />

Rowe Nuclear Plant in January <strong>of</strong> 1973.<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Construction Corporation (UCC)<br />

was founded in 1969 by John Chiangi, Sr.<br />

and Stuart Leech. Both men had previously<br />

worked for a Connecticut-based company<br />

called Marine Contracting, Inc. where <strong>the</strong>y<br />

gained <strong>the</strong>ir respective knowledge in commercial<br />

diving. It was here in <strong>the</strong> 1960s<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y performed <strong>the</strong> first commercial<br />

saturation dives at Smith Mountain Dam in<br />

Virginia. Although very little commercial<br />

diving had been performed at power plants<br />

in <strong>the</strong> past, this method <strong>of</strong> diving service<br />

was rapidly growing in <strong>the</strong> industry. <strong>The</strong><br />

founders took this experience and shaped<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir vision to expand UCC’s diving services<br />

into <strong>the</strong> fossil, nuclear, and hydro-electric<br />

power markets.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s first significant<br />

milestones occurred in <strong>the</strong> early 1970s when<br />

UCC pioneered radiological diving, and<br />

made <strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se dives at <strong>the</strong> Yankee<br />

Rowe Nuclear Plant in Rowe, Massachusetts.<br />

This inventive approach, although new,<br />

caught on quickly and, by <strong>the</strong> early 1980s,<br />

<strong>the</strong> company’s radiological diving was<br />

being performed in several nuclear plants<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> domestic United States. UCC’s<br />

unique ability to <strong>of</strong>fer such a specialized<br />

service helped <strong>the</strong> company expand its<br />

marine diving applications at an accelerated<br />

pace. Throughout <strong>the</strong> 1980s, UCC had<br />

numerous service contracts with customers<br />

in <strong>the</strong> power industry, as well as with owners<br />

<strong>of</strong> several water dependent facilities.<br />

In 1986 <strong>the</strong> founders decided it was time<br />

to leave <strong>the</strong> company when it was acquired<br />

by a publicly owned asbestos abatement company<br />

named <strong>The</strong> Brand Companies. Under<br />

public ownership, Chiangi’s son, John, Jr.,<br />

took over as president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company. At<br />

this time, UCC was still relatively small with<br />

annual revenues <strong>of</strong> less than 5 million and<br />

roughly thirty employees. However, UCC’s<br />

new parent company pushed for rapid growth<br />

regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> means. By <strong>the</strong> late 1980s,<br />

UCC, through its parent company, began<br />

acquiring and starting-up separate companies,<br />

most <strong>of</strong> which were unrelated to diving.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> next several years, UCC struggled<br />

with its identity and navigated through<br />

name and ownership changes when <strong>The</strong><br />

Brand Companies was finally acquired.<br />

Despite <strong>the</strong>se hurdles, UCC continued to<br />

grow in both <strong>the</strong> specialized radiological<br />

diving and marine diving services. In fact,<br />

1987 would be <strong>the</strong> year <strong>the</strong> company<br />

completed its first international project at a<br />

nuclear plant in Taiwan. As a result, <strong>the</strong><br />

company went on to successfully complete<br />

several nuclear plant projects throughout<br />

Taiwan from <strong>the</strong> late 1980s and into <strong>the</strong><br />

early 2000s.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

64


<strong>The</strong> year 1989 proved to be a monumental<br />

year for UCC when its parent company<br />

acquired Lakeshore Marine, located in<br />

St. Joseph, Michigan. This allowed <strong>the</strong> company<br />

to expand its operations west to <strong>the</strong><br />

Great Lakes region and service a host <strong>of</strong> new<br />

customers. Additionally, it enabled UCC to<br />

more effectively service existing clients, like<br />

one noteworthy customer located on Lake<br />

Michigan, which UCC signed a contract with<br />

in 1987, and happens to be UCC’s longest<br />

running contract to date. <strong>The</strong> company’s<br />

primary Midwest <strong>of</strong>fice eventually relocated<br />

to Stevensville, Michigan, where it remains<br />

today. Over <strong>the</strong> past twenty-eight years <strong>the</strong><br />

hard work and effort <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Midwest division<br />

now accounts for roughly thirty percent <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> company’s combined annual revenues.<br />

Also in 1989, while still under <strong>the</strong> pressures<br />

<strong>of</strong> its parent company, UCC took on<br />

two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest projects <strong>the</strong> company had<br />

ever performed up until that time. <strong>The</strong> first<br />

was a massive re-rack project at a nuclear<br />

plant in California. This was a two-year<br />

project that alone accounted for roughly one<br />

half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s annual revenues. <strong>The</strong><br />

second was a challenging marine construction<br />

project for Metro-North Commuter Railroad<br />

in Connecticut that involved <strong>the</strong> extensive<br />

rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> four railroad bridges over<br />

a two-year period. Both projects were a<br />

great success and helped <strong>the</strong> company gain<br />

substantial recognition in <strong>the</strong> nuclear and<br />

marine diving industry.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early 1990s, ano<strong>the</strong>r significant<br />

milestone achievement for UCC came from<br />

<strong>the</strong> company’s extensive R&D with underwater<br />

welding, which was a highly-specialized<br />

service that nuclear power plants around <strong>the</strong><br />

world could benefit from. UCC had already<br />

caught <strong>the</strong> attention <strong>of</strong> a worldwide reactor<br />

service company, which hired <strong>the</strong>m to perform<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir first international underwater<br />

welding project at <strong>the</strong> C<strong>of</strong>rentes nuclear site<br />

in Spain. This endeavor created a viable new<br />

market and a multitude <strong>of</strong> new welding projects<br />

for UCC to be involved in. In 1991, UCC<br />

received approval from Japanese authorities to<br />

weld in Japan, thus creating additional new<br />

opportunities for <strong>the</strong> company. To enhance<br />

this endeavor, a state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art hyperbaric<br />

facility was established in Essex, Connecticut,<br />

where it is still used today to perform R&D,<br />

and underwater welding training and certifications<br />

used on safety-related components<br />

around <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

In 1994, after eight years as president,<br />

John, Jr., parted with <strong>the</strong> company his<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>r founded some twenty-five years before.<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r than replace him, <strong>the</strong> parent company<br />

chose to leave <strong>the</strong> business in <strong>the</strong> capable<br />

hands <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> existing management group, all<br />

<strong>of</strong> whom had worked for <strong>the</strong> company for<br />

many years. In that same year, UCC began<br />

a relationship with one <strong>of</strong> its long-time<br />

competitors in <strong>the</strong> re-racking market that<br />

Above: UCC diver/welder entering<br />

<strong>the</strong> water at a nuclear plant where<br />

modifications were performed on<br />

reactor components.<br />

Below: View <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> internal portion <strong>of</strong><br />

a reactor vessel inside a nuclear plant.<br />

<strong>The</strong> purple glow is <strong>the</strong> highly-irradiated<br />

fuel that will be removed prior to diving.<br />

Even with <strong>the</strong> fuel removed, advanced<br />

methods are necessary to protect <strong>the</strong> diver<br />

from radiation exposure. This is one <strong>of</strong><br />

several areas within a nuclear facility that<br />

UCC conducts highly-specialized diving.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

65


Left: <strong>The</strong> three new owners along with<br />

representatives from <strong>the</strong> Connecticut<br />

Development Authority (CDA) and Webster<br />

Bank shortly after acquiring <strong>the</strong> company in<br />

December <strong>of</strong> 1996. From left to right; UCC<br />

Vice President/Secretary Michael Pellini;<br />

UCC President/CEO John Lawton; CDA<br />

Representative; Vice President/Treasurer<br />

William Feeley and Webster<br />

Bank representative.<br />

Right: UCC completing extensive dam<br />

rehabilitation on <strong>the</strong> Tennessee River in<br />

1999. <strong>The</strong> work involved repairs to <strong>the</strong><br />

downstream apron <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dam over a period<br />

<strong>of</strong> several months.<br />

proved to be a significant move that continues<br />

to benefit <strong>the</strong> company to this day. <strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>fices<br />

in Connecticut and Michigan continued to<br />

grow as <strong>the</strong> company attained more annual<br />

contracts and took on such large projects as<br />

<strong>the</strong> Keokuk Dam on <strong>the</strong> Mississippi River<br />

in Iowa as well as chemical feed line installations<br />

and mollusk remediation throughout<br />

Lake Michigan.<br />

For <strong>the</strong> next several years <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />

welding program was intensifying and providing<br />

UCC many new opportunities both<br />

domestically as well as internationally. By<br />

1995, UCC had completed its first safetyrelated<br />

welds at a Nuclear Plant in North<br />

Carolina and its first dryer cut-up at a<br />

nuclear site in Japan. <strong>The</strong>se were two significant<br />

advancements in UCC’s welding and<br />

reactor services program that brought <strong>the</strong><br />

company additional and well deserved recognition<br />

in <strong>the</strong> nuclear industry.<br />

In 1996, UCC was awarded a long-term<br />

contract in Ludington, Michigan, which helped<br />

<strong>the</strong> company grow to roughly $10 million<br />

in annual revenues. <strong>The</strong>n, after a decade <strong>of</strong><br />

public ownership, <strong>the</strong> company was privately<br />

acquired by three standout employees who<br />

were part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> management group entrusted<br />

to run <strong>the</strong> company in 1994. All three had<br />

worked many years for <strong>the</strong> company as<br />

divers and, eventually, in management. <strong>The</strong><br />

new leadership team was comprised <strong>of</strong><br />

John Lawton, who served as president while<br />

Michael Pellini and William Feeley served<br />

as <strong>the</strong> company’s two vice presidents. <strong>The</strong><br />

acquisition was successful due in part to <strong>the</strong><br />

assistance it received from Connecticut state<br />

agencies like <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Economic<br />

and Community Development (DECD) and<br />

<strong>the</strong> Connecticut Development Authority<br />

(CDA). <strong>The</strong>se two agencies, in combination<br />

with Webster Bank, helped <strong>the</strong> three new<br />

owners accomplish <strong>the</strong> transaction and<br />

reclaim <strong>the</strong> company’s original name, which<br />

is synonymous with commercial diving.<br />

Also in 1996, UCC made an important<br />

decision to open a new <strong>of</strong>fice in Soddy Daisy,<br />

Tennessee, to service <strong>the</strong> vast network <strong>of</strong><br />

power producing facilities along <strong>the</strong><br />

Tennessee Valley River System. By early 1997<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice was staffed and fully operational.<br />

This expansion into Tennessee helped <strong>the</strong><br />

company in its pursuit <strong>of</strong> future growth in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>ast region. Some twenty years later,<br />

through <strong>the</strong> talented leadership and support<br />

staff, <strong>the</strong> Tennessee <strong>of</strong>fice now accounts for<br />

roughly twenty-five percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />

annual revenues.<br />

<strong>The</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> aggressive new ownership<br />

was apparent almost immediately, and by<br />

<strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> 1997, UCC had annual revenues <strong>of</strong><br />

approximately $11 million and seventy-five<br />

employees. <strong>The</strong> new management group was<br />

mostly comprised <strong>of</strong> veteran employees who<br />

had worked as divers for <strong>the</strong> company for<br />

many years; “<strong>The</strong>y are a diverse and talented<br />

group <strong>of</strong> individuals that William Feeley and<br />

I have worked with for many years, both<br />

diving and in management. <strong>The</strong> fact that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y all still work at <strong>the</strong> company in major<br />

roles is a true testament to <strong>the</strong>ir dedication.<br />

We could have never achieved our success<br />

without this group and <strong>the</strong> people that<br />

support <strong>the</strong>m,” comments Pellini.<br />

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By 1998 <strong>the</strong> company was well into developing<br />

its nuclear underwater coatings program.<br />

This involved state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art methods<br />

and products that could withstand high levels<br />

<strong>of</strong> radiation as well as be applied underwater<br />

in nuclear plants on various underwater<br />

components without <strong>the</strong> need for dewatering.<br />

Moreover, <strong>the</strong> company was heavily involved<br />

with large-scale modification projects at<br />

nuclear plants with one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m requiring<br />

upwards <strong>of</strong> fifty-six divers, many <strong>of</strong> whom<br />

were highly skilled underwater welders.<br />

In 1998, UCC was awarded a first-<strong>of</strong>-itskind<br />

project at a world-famous <strong>the</strong>me park<br />

in Orlando, Florida. This project involved<br />

<strong>the</strong> extensive rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest<br />

salt water aquarium in <strong>the</strong> world. It was a<br />

technically challenging project that had<br />

more than twenty divers working for several<br />

months while <strong>the</strong> attraction stayed open to<br />

<strong>the</strong> public. At this same time, UCC was<br />

continuing to forge strong relationships with<br />

some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s largest companies in <strong>the</strong><br />

nuclear industry in preparation for <strong>the</strong> future.<br />

Business slowed slightly in <strong>the</strong> early 2000s<br />

as some nuclear contracts came to an end.<br />

However, <strong>the</strong> company rebounded in 2003,<br />

when it acquired work for all three <strong>of</strong> its<br />

regional <strong>of</strong>fices. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> projects undertaken<br />

by UCC was a highly technical and challenging<br />

assignment in Japan for one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest<br />

manufacturers <strong>of</strong> nuclear reactors in <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

More than thirty divers worked at <strong>the</strong> site<br />

for several months and <strong>the</strong> outcome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

project proved a tremendous success, bringing<br />

forward more opportunities in Japan.<br />

By <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> 2004, UCC had record<br />

growth, which roughly tripled its annual<br />

revenues since <strong>the</strong> three new owners acquired<br />

it in 1996. <strong>The</strong> Connecticut corporate <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

was responsible for roughly two thirds <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> company’s revenues that year due to a<br />

large influx <strong>of</strong> nuclear plant services.<br />

Additionally, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r two <strong>of</strong>fices, Michigan<br />

and Tennessee, were continuing to grow in<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir respective regions, which represented<br />

<strong>the</strong> remaining one-third. UCC continued to<br />

prosper over <strong>the</strong> next few years with projects<br />

involving its specialized underwater coatings,<br />

reactor services and welding, marine services<br />

and general diving.<br />

In 2008, UCC had an incredible year;<br />

when <strong>the</strong> company had its second-best<br />

revenue year in history. UCC had a considerable<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> both radiological and marine<br />

diving services during <strong>the</strong> year. <strong>The</strong> Michigan<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice had two large projects: one at a nuclear<br />

site in Florida and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r for a utility<br />

customer on Lake Michigan. <strong>The</strong> Michigan<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice achieved its highest revenues to date.<br />

In addition, <strong>the</strong> Connecticut and Tennessee<br />

<strong>of</strong>fices had successful years with <strong>the</strong>ir large<br />

client base, which continued to grow steadily.<br />

UCC marked <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />

fortieth year <strong>of</strong> service and its sixth straight<br />

year <strong>of</strong> sustainable growth.<br />

Above: UCC completing turnkey repairs on<br />

multiple mooring cells at an Ohio River<br />

fossil plant in 2012.<br />

Below: UCC diver preparing to complete a<br />

dive on Lake Michigan. In <strong>the</strong> background is<br />

<strong>the</strong> company’s eighty-foot Jack-up Barge<br />

that supports multiple diving operations.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

67


Left: Equipment being mobilized to<br />

Ludington, Michigan, where UCC personnel<br />

annually install, maintain and remove <strong>the</strong><br />

largest barrier net in North America.<br />

UCC has been responsible for this 2.4 mile<br />

net since 1996.<br />

Right: UCC diver/welder completing<br />

underwater test welds in preparation to<br />

travel abroad to a nuclear plant where<br />

reactor modifications were performed.<br />

Work remained consistent for <strong>the</strong> next few<br />

years and, by 2011, UCC’s Michigan <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

expanded its marine diving operations fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

west to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition,<br />

<strong>the</strong> acquisition <strong>of</strong> Seaview <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>of</strong> Seymour,<br />

Wisconsin in 2014, provided this <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

<strong>the</strong> ability to expand into Green Bay and<br />

<strong>the</strong> surrounding areas. UCC continued its<br />

acquisitions and in 2015 made two additional<br />

purchases to expand its Midwest division.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first was Sea-Brex <strong>Diving</strong> located just<br />

a short distance from UCC’s existing <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

in Stevensville. <strong>The</strong> second was Great Lakes<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> located in Rockford, Michigan. Now<br />

with three acquisitions, all within two years,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Michigan <strong>of</strong>fice needed a larger location.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> summer <strong>of</strong> 2015, UCC moved across<br />

<strong>the</strong> street into its new 50,000-square-foot<br />

facility. At this same time, <strong>the</strong> Connecticut<br />

division was making a relentless push to enter<br />

<strong>the</strong> decommissioning market in <strong>the</strong> United<br />

Kingdom. Success came when <strong>the</strong> company<br />

was awarded a contract at a nuclear site<br />

in England. This, in turn, led UCC to open<br />

its first international subsidiary, <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Construction Corporation, UK, LTD. In 2016,<br />

UCC pioneered <strong>the</strong> first radiological dives<br />

in <strong>the</strong> country, fur<strong>the</strong>r establishing itself as<br />

an elite diving authority.<br />

In 2014, Lawton retired from <strong>the</strong> company<br />

after serving as its president for <strong>the</strong> previous<br />

eighteen years. <strong>The</strong> two remaining owners,<br />

Pellini and Feeley remained as co-chairmen<br />

and promoted <strong>the</strong> company’s Chief Financial<br />

Officer Raymond Palumbo, to <strong>the</strong> position <strong>of</strong><br />

President and CEO. Ironically, after being so<br />

intrigued with UCC, Palumbo came to <strong>the</strong><br />

company eighteen years prior in 1996 from<br />

<strong>the</strong> very same bank (Webster Bank) that<br />

assisted <strong>the</strong> three owners with <strong>the</strong> purchase.<br />

In 2014 and 2015 <strong>the</strong> company’s international<br />

reputation was fur<strong>the</strong>r enhanced when<br />

UCC was awarded multiple reactor projects<br />

with a worldwide reactor service company<br />

at a nuclear plant in Mexico. <strong>The</strong>se projects<br />

involved highly technical applications, extensive<br />

tooling design and mock-ups to complete<br />

steam dryer repairs on several reactor units.<br />

Today, UCC is recognized as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

largest in-land diving companies <strong>of</strong> its kind,<br />

both in <strong>the</strong> United States and internationally.<br />

UCC’s corporate headquarters, along with its<br />

three regional <strong>of</strong>fices and international<br />

subsidiary, provide marine diving and radiological<br />

diving to many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest utility<br />

owners in <strong>the</strong> power generation industry. In<br />

addition, UCC provides a variety <strong>of</strong> services<br />

to numerous clients and diverse industries,<br />

including port authorities, private waterfront<br />

owners, government and municipal owners,<br />

<strong>the</strong> DOE, manufacturing owners, general<br />

contractors, and many more. <strong>The</strong> company’s<br />

vast expertise in radiological diving has<br />

afforded UCC <strong>the</strong> incredible opportunity to<br />

work with some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest companies in<br />

<strong>the</strong> power generation industry. To its credit,<br />

UCC has performed highly specialized radiological<br />

diving throughout <strong>the</strong> domestic<br />

United States and worldwide in more than<br />

twenty-two countries including, Japan, South<br />

Korea, China, Taiwan, Brazil, Spain, Sweden,<br />

Switzerland, and England, to name a few.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company is proud to employ more<br />

than 200 commercial divers and support<br />

staff. <strong>The</strong>ir marine diving operations support<br />

customers throughout New England, <strong>the</strong><br />

Mid-Atlantic, <strong>the</strong> Midwest, <strong>the</strong> Tennessee<br />

Valley and sou<strong>the</strong>rn area regions, as well<br />

as numerous locations across <strong>the</strong> domestic<br />

United States. All <strong>the</strong> company’s international<br />

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68


services are performed from its corporate<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice located in Essex, Connecticut, where<br />

roughly one-half <strong>of</strong> its workforce is located.<br />

UCC has been an active member in many<br />

organizations, including <strong>the</strong> Long Island<br />

Marine Community for many years and is<br />

a proud member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Connecticut Maritime<br />

Coalition. <strong>The</strong> company takes an active and<br />

responsible role in supporting several charitable<br />

programs both nationally recognized as<br />

well as in its own communities.<br />

“It’s no doubt that our competitive edge<br />

is our dedicated people,” comments Pellini.<br />

“We have highly talented people in <strong>the</strong><br />

company that have been with us for more<br />

than twenty years. This includes some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

best underwater welders in <strong>the</strong> world, as well<br />

as divers who are well trained on nuclear<br />

components. We also have some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

best marine staff, who are performing some<br />

very challenging marine-related work on<br />

Lake Michigan, <strong>the</strong> Tennessee River and<br />

throughout New England, from mooring cell<br />

repairs to dam rehabilitation.” Pellini also<br />

adds, “Although <strong>the</strong> business has grown<br />

four times under <strong>the</strong> current ownership<br />

that took over twenty years ago, it all comes<br />

down to our people.”<br />

UCC has <strong>the</strong> expertise, resources, and<br />

flexibility to perform large turnkey projects or<br />

support small local tasks on a call-out basis.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company strives to provide innovative,<br />

high-quality, cost-effective services that are<br />

consistent with its commitment to <strong>the</strong><br />

safety <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> employees and customers. UCC<br />

meets or exceeds <strong>the</strong> requirements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Occupational Safety and Health Administration<br />

(OSHA) and <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Contractors International (ADCI). All divers<br />

are certified as commercial divers and maintain<br />

current first aid and CPR certifications.<br />

<strong>The</strong> goal is to bring only <strong>the</strong> highest degree <strong>of</strong><br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism to every job. <strong>The</strong> company<br />

is an equal opportunity employer and has<br />

been a proud member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI for more<br />

than twenty years.<br />

“We see a very bright future for <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Construction Corporation,” says Pellini. “We’re<br />

coming <strong>of</strong>f our third year <strong>of</strong> record growth<br />

and enjoyed our best year ever in 2016.<br />

We already have a considerable amount <strong>of</strong><br />

new work for <strong>the</strong> next year or two and<br />

anticipate doing even better as we continue<br />

to grow even fur<strong>the</strong>r. We are anticipating<br />

growth in <strong>the</strong> specific areas that we understand<br />

well and will continue to foster strong<br />

relationships with our customers.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> company would like to acknowledge<br />

its senior managers: Keith McClintock, Philip<br />

McDermott, Darrell Moody, and James Nichols,<br />

as well as <strong>the</strong>ir dedicated and hardworking<br />

operations managers, project managers,<br />

supervisors, divers and support staff and,<br />

finally, to <strong>the</strong> assistance it received some<br />

twenty years ago from <strong>the</strong> two Connecticut<br />

agencies and Webster Bank. This has helped<br />

<strong>the</strong> company create and maintain jobs in<br />

Connecticut as well as in o<strong>the</strong>r states<br />

where UCC has regional <strong>of</strong>fice locations.<br />

UCC looks to continue its successful growth<br />

as it nears close to its fiftieth-year anniversary.<br />

For more information on UCC’s mission<br />

and services, please visit www.uccdive.com.<br />

Above: Five <strong>of</strong> UCC’s veteran employees<br />

receiving <strong>the</strong>ir Mark IV dive helmet for<br />

twenty years <strong>of</strong> outstanding service in 2016.<br />

To date, UCC has recognized forty<br />

employees for twenty years <strong>of</strong> service.<br />

Clockwise from left to right; Donald Hunt,<br />

Phillip Such, William Lee, Jon Shelton,<br />

and Mark Pawlus.<br />

Below: Today’s senior management<br />

staff from left to right; Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

Regional Manager Darrell Moody;<br />

Co-Chairman/Treasurer William Feeley;<br />

Midwest Regional Manager Keith<br />

McClintock; Co-Chairman/Secretary<br />

Michael Pellini; Director <strong>of</strong> Finance<br />

James Nichols; Nuclear and Nor<strong>the</strong>ast<br />

Regional Manager Philip McDermott and<br />

President/CEO Raymond Palumbo.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

69


J.F. BRENNAN<br />

COMPANY, INC.<br />

Above: A an early picture <strong>of</strong> a diver suiting<br />

up on a Brennan bridge construction<br />

project, c. 1937.<br />

Below Left: Sealing a c<strong>of</strong>ferdam, c. 1938<br />

Below Right: Missouri River articulated<br />

block mat installation, c. 1994. Left to<br />

right: Craig Bar<strong>the</strong>ld, Darryl Balu, and<br />

Mike Boser.<br />

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is a<br />

marine construction, environmental services,<br />

and harbor management company headquartered<br />

in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Over <strong>the</strong> last<br />

century, Brennan has worked along <strong>the</strong><br />

inland waterways on challenging above- and<br />

below-water construction projects. Since <strong>the</strong><br />

beginning, diving has always been an essential<br />

part <strong>of</strong> serving <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> clients who own<br />

and operate water-based infrastructure.<br />

Brennan was founded as Brennan Bro<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

Construction in 1919 when bro<strong>the</strong>rs, James<br />

and Eugene Brennan, left <strong>the</strong> family farm<br />

and began to build bridges in nor<strong>the</strong>ast Iowa.<br />

As <strong>the</strong>y grew, <strong>the</strong>y took on larger projects,<br />

many <strong>of</strong> which were located on rivers and<br />

streams. <strong>The</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs eventually hired Walt<br />

Boltz, who had dive experience and could<br />

carry out an underwater inspection or help<br />

seal a c<strong>of</strong>ferdam. Using rudimentary equipment,<br />

this individual would depend heavily<br />

on topside crews to help position him<br />

correctly, supply air, and retrieve him from<br />

<strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river.<br />

By <strong>the</strong> mid-1950s <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> an<br />

improved U.S. highway system had provided<br />

many opportunities for <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs to<br />

expand into southwestern Wisconsin and<br />

sou<strong>the</strong>astern Minnesota. Larger projects<br />

required floating marine plants, so <strong>the</strong>y began<br />

building barges to support <strong>the</strong>ir equipment.<br />

In 1959 <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs split and James<br />

formed J.F. Brennan Company in La Crosse,<br />

Wisconsin. Work continued on bridge structures,<br />

but as <strong>the</strong> next generation began to take<br />

leadership roles, <strong>the</strong>y started focusing on<br />

work for <strong>the</strong> U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army<br />

Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers. James’ son, Ralph, and<br />

son-in-law, Roger Binsfeld, continued to build<br />

a substantial fleet <strong>of</strong> barges and workboats to<br />

serve both public and private owners <strong>of</strong> riverbased<br />

infrastructure. Brennan quickly morphed<br />

into a marine contractor who pursued<br />

work along <strong>the</strong> Upper Mississippi River from<br />

St. Louis, Missouri to St. Paul, Minnesota.<br />

In 1971, Roger decided it was time to have<br />

a full-time diver on staff. He heard that a<br />

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70


young crew member named Ray Kronfrost<br />

had taken a scuba class <strong>the</strong> previous winter.<br />

Roger asked Ray to assist with a few dive<br />

inspections. Before long, Ray was assisting<br />

with salvage work. In 1976, Ray went to commercial<br />

dive school and returned to work as<br />

Brennan’s only diver for over a decade.<br />

Throughout <strong>the</strong> 1980s and 1990s, Brennan<br />

became one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest marine contractors<br />

in <strong>the</strong> Upper Mississippi River. As needed,<br />

freelance divers were hired to support <strong>the</strong><br />

growing needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> topside construction<br />

crews. In 1993, Tony Binsfeld, <strong>the</strong> third<br />

generation <strong>of</strong> ownership, saw an opportunity<br />

to expand beyond <strong>the</strong> Mississippi River and<br />

provide services to utility companies that<br />

owned hydroelectric dams. He hired a<br />

seasoned superintendent, Earl Boser, who<br />

brought five individuals with him, including<br />

two certified divers; his son, Michael Boser,<br />

and Darrell Belleau. This crew made up <strong>the</strong><br />

newly formed Industrial Division, which<br />

specialized in both above and below-water<br />

concrete repairs and scour remediation. Earl<br />

had high expectations for his divers and<br />

was adamant about working hard and doing<br />

things <strong>the</strong> right way. His younger son, Neil<br />

Boser, began diving soon afterward to keep up<br />

with growing demand and later become a lead<br />

superintendent. In 1996, Tony hired David<br />

Cullum who, for <strong>the</strong> next twenty-two years,<br />

grew <strong>the</strong> division and served a large number<br />

<strong>of</strong> industrial clients throughout <strong>the</strong> country.<br />

This division specialized in preplaced<br />

aggregate concrete, a tried and true method <strong>of</strong><br />

underwater concrete placement that is<br />

especially resistant to <strong>the</strong> yearly freeze-thaw<br />

cycles found in <strong>the</strong> Midwest.<br />

By 1999 <strong>the</strong> demand for diving for lock<br />

and dam and railroad projects was so great<br />

that Brennan created an <strong>of</strong>ficial dive program<br />

separate from <strong>the</strong> Industrial Division. Craig<br />

Bar<strong>the</strong>ld, an experienced Brennan crew<br />

member, attended dive school and earned his<br />

commercial diving certificate. His role was to<br />

assist <strong>the</strong> growing marine construction<br />

operations with all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir diving needs.<br />

Under Craig’s leadership, <strong>the</strong> Dive<br />

Department grew to as many as twelve divers<br />

who traveled throughout <strong>the</strong> country and<br />

worked for a variety <strong>of</strong> owners <strong>of</strong> water-based<br />

infrastructure. His crew included a multitude<br />

<strong>of</strong> individuals who would become <strong>the</strong><br />

foundation on which future dive operations<br />

were built.<br />

<strong>The</strong> story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Brennan Dive Group cannot<br />

be told without including Pro-Dive<br />

Incorporated. Pro-Dive was founded in 1975<br />

Above: Ray Kronfrost standing in front <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Winona, Minnesota, Railroad Bridge<br />

Crossing in 1978<br />

Below: Gary Dondlinger and Mike Boser at<br />

a timber cribbing repair job in 1995.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

71


Above: Jon Burchill performing an<br />

underwater bridge repair for <strong>the</strong> Minnesota<br />

DOT in Minneapolis, Minnesota, c. 2015.<br />

Below: Jacob Rodgers assisting Ross Brocies<br />

in Sabula, Illinois, c. 2014.<br />

by Randy Jacobs and his two partners, who<br />

focused on <strong>the</strong> inland towing industry by<br />

patching leaking barges and clearing fouled<br />

wheels. <strong>The</strong>y grew slowly through <strong>the</strong> 1980s<br />

and 1990s, pioneering new technologies<br />

such as lightweight diving helmets and<br />

band masks with bailout bottles. Located in<br />

Ottawa, Illinois, <strong>the</strong>y worked mostly along<br />

<strong>the</strong> Illinois River and Upper Mississippi River<br />

in support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rehabilitation projects on<br />

various lock and dams.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early 1990s, <strong>the</strong> ADC increased its<br />

presence in <strong>the</strong> Midwest. Randy embraced <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunity to learn new methods and share<br />

ideas with o<strong>the</strong>r divers who worked along<br />

<strong>the</strong> inland waterways. Randy and Pro-Dive<br />

became one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> founding members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Midwest Chapter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADC, with Randy<br />

serving in a number <strong>of</strong> positions, including<br />

<strong>the</strong> chapter representative on <strong>the</strong> ADC Board<br />

<strong>of</strong> Directors.<br />

Throughout <strong>the</strong> 1990s and 2000s, Pro-<br />

Dive built a loyal customer base as <strong>the</strong><br />

industry and Pro-Dive changed to accommodate<br />

new regulations. Pro-Dive crews carried<br />

out contaminated and potable water projects,<br />

water-based structure inspections, hull<br />

inspections, pipeline inspections, concrete<br />

repairs, and several o<strong>the</strong>r inland diving<br />

activities. During this time, Pro-Dive teamed<br />

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72


with Brennan on numerous opportunities to<br />

complete large-scale and technically advanced<br />

dive projects. <strong>The</strong> two companies were culturally<br />

aligned and, when working toge<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong><br />

crews were indistinguishable. <strong>The</strong> Pro-Dive<br />

crews integrated completely with fellow<br />

Brennan divers and topside crews.<br />

In 2014, J.F. Brennan Company acquired<br />

Pro-Dive and, under Randy’s leadership, a<br />

stand-alone Dive Group was formed. All<br />

diving was consolidated under Randy, numbering<br />

nearly twenty divers initially. <strong>The</strong><br />

combination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two firms opened <strong>the</strong><br />

door for rapid growth into several market<br />

areas such as dam construction, marine construction,<br />

railroad services, environmental<br />

services, and harbor management services.<br />

As <strong>of</strong> 2018, <strong>the</strong> Brennan Dive Group numbers<br />

over fifty ADCI Certified <strong>Commercial</strong><br />

Divers. Backed by some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest assets<br />

and most experienced construction crews<br />

along <strong>the</strong> inland waterways, <strong>the</strong> scope and<br />

ability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Brennan Dive Group has<br />

expanded to include deep water diving,<br />

underwater construction and repair, environmental<br />

remediation, penetration dives, vessel<br />

repair and more. Safety is at <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> each<br />

and every project at Brennan as evident by its<br />

world-class safety program and exemplary<br />

safety statistics. Continued investment in <strong>the</strong><br />

latest technologies and a company culture<br />

that promotes innovation will ensure <strong>the</strong><br />

Brennan Dive Group remains on <strong>the</strong> cutting<br />

edge <strong>of</strong> underwater capabilities. As Brennan<br />

enters its fourth generation <strong>of</strong> leadership, <strong>the</strong><br />

Dive Group is an integral part <strong>of</strong> Brennan’s<br />

ability to better serve its clients and meet <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

high expectations.<br />

To learn more about J.F. Brennan, check<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir website at www.jfbrennan.com.<br />

Above: Eric Hanson climbing out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

river at Lock and Dam 16 on <strong>the</strong> Upper<br />

Mississippi River, c. 2016.<br />

Below Left: Blake Rocque and Tony Labarge<br />

heading out to a dive job.<br />

Below Right: Bro<strong>the</strong>rs Klayton and Tanner<br />

Brietbach assisting with a dive chamber in<br />

Hot Springs, Arkansas, c. 2017.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

73


LOGAN DIVING & SALVAGE<br />

Top, right: Joe Logan on left.<br />

Below: Scott Anderson, Oakland,<br />

California.<br />

Bottom, right: Scott Anderson at <strong>the</strong><br />

Defiant wreck.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage has been deeply<br />

involved with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> Deep Sea<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> and Marine Construction communities<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Americas for over seventy years.<br />

<strong>The</strong> firm was started in 1947 by Campbell<br />

“Cam” Logan who was a U.S. Navy diver during<br />

World War II and received his training on<br />

board <strong>the</strong> USS Normandy, which sank in New<br />

York Harbor after she caught fire. Cam went<br />

on to become <strong>the</strong> Chief Navy <strong>Diving</strong> Officer at<br />

Mayport, Florida, after <strong>the</strong> war and spent his<br />

USN time supporting ships husbandry and<br />

aircraft recovery operations. Campbell separated<br />

from <strong>the</strong> USN in 1947 and started<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage.<br />

Marine vessel salvage jobs from hurricanes,<br />

accidents and mishaps were always<br />

available to <strong>the</strong> company from <strong>the</strong> beginning.<br />

However, heavy marine salvage was<br />

sporadic and unscheduled, prompting<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage to branch out<br />

and <strong>of</strong>fer marine construction diving support<br />

services for bridges, dams, power plants,<br />

electric cables, communication cables, oil,<br />

gas, and water pipelines as well as services<br />

for heavy industries such as pulp/paper<br />

and hydroelectric power. Additionally,<br />

underwater welding and burning has been<br />

and continues to be a major part <strong>of</strong> day to<br />

day operations.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

74


During <strong>the</strong> 1950s, oil and gas production<br />

and interstate pipelines became one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main<br />

areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business revenue with <strong>the</strong> explosion<br />

<strong>of</strong> production volume and discoveries in <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S. Gulf States. Pipelines were being installed<br />

across lakes and rivers from Houston, Texas, and<br />

Houma, Louisiana—North and East to Chicago,<br />

Detroit, New York, and <strong>the</strong> entire east coast.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se pipelines, some <strong>of</strong> which are still in operation<br />

today provide <strong>the</strong> fuel oil, diesel, natural<br />

gas and gasoline that run our country. All long<br />

term Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage divers to this day<br />

are experts at subaqueous pipeline installation,<br />

repair, cathodic protection, and inspection.<br />

Cam’s bro<strong>the</strong>r, Joe, a pr<strong>of</strong>essional engineer,<br />

came on board to help with <strong>the</strong> business in<br />

<strong>the</strong> 1950s. Cam and Joe maintained steady<br />

work installing, maintaining and inspecting<br />

<strong>the</strong> new subaqueous pipelines river and lake<br />

crossings. Cam and Joe split up <strong>the</strong> work with<br />

Cam working <strong>the</strong> pipelines, and Joe working<br />

<strong>the</strong> bridges and cables.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r individuals who helped build <strong>the</strong><br />

company in its early days include Jack Mixer,<br />

who came on board as project manager in <strong>the</strong><br />

early 1970s after a tour with <strong>the</strong> US Army in<br />

Vietnam and eventually became company<br />

president. Jack was married to Jane Mixer formerly,<br />

Jane Logan, Cam’s daughter.<br />

Susan Armel, served over forty years as<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice manager and bookkeeper. Susan always<br />

had a smile for all and a can-do positive attitude<br />

that was infectious. Susan had many<br />

clients far and wide, both foreign and domestic,<br />

wondering if she was single once <strong>the</strong>y<br />

heard her beautiful sou<strong>the</strong>rn drawl. Many<br />

Logan project managers were questioned at<br />

length at remote job sites about <strong>the</strong> mysterious<br />

beauty in Florida with <strong>the</strong> enchanting<br />

sou<strong>the</strong>rn accent that answered <strong>the</strong> phones.<br />

LDS expanded into <strong>the</strong> Caribbean, Central<br />

America, South America, Cuba, and even had<br />

projects in <strong>the</strong> Persian Gulf. Expansion was<br />

mainly by referral and word <strong>of</strong> mouth in <strong>the</strong><br />

early days. As projects were completed successfully,<br />

more clients enquired and vetted <strong>the</strong><br />

company. <strong>The</strong> result was virtually nonstop<br />

contracts and potential opportunities moving<br />

forward with <strong>the</strong> surge in oil production and<br />

energy demands, coupled with civil infrastructure<br />

projects <strong>of</strong> a growing nation.<br />

Departing from its usual business and<br />

going Hollywood, Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage<br />

provided <strong>the</strong> divers and diving support for<br />

<strong>the</strong> popular movie, <strong>The</strong> Creature from <strong>the</strong><br />

Black Lagoon in 1954. This was a fun<br />

“Outside our Wheelhouse” project that <strong>the</strong><br />

divers enjoyed while trying to woo <strong>the</strong><br />

glamorous Hollywood actresses.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage went on to<br />

become <strong>the</strong> number one leading commercial<br />

diving support provider in <strong>the</strong><br />

Sou<strong>the</strong>astern United States, while also<br />

regularly working all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> states east <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Mississippi River as well as a handful<br />

<strong>of</strong> states west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river.<br />

Among <strong>the</strong> many services provided<br />

today by Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage are diving<br />

construction, inspection, and repair services<br />

in support <strong>of</strong> subaqueous oil and gas<br />

pipelines, fiber optic cables, dock and pier<br />

construction, bridge construction, dam<br />

inspection and repair, underwater welding<br />

and burning, vessel salvage, marine oil spill<br />

response, industrial diving, emergency<br />

response, trans-oceanic subaqueous cable<br />

landings, ships husbandry, and pile driving.<br />

Scott Anderson joined <strong>the</strong> company in <strong>the</strong><br />

early 1980s after a tour <strong>of</strong> duty with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Air<br />

Force. Scott received his deep sea diver training<br />

at Coastal School <strong>of</strong> Deep Sea <strong>Diving</strong> in Oakland,<br />

California, prior to moving to Florida in 1984.<br />

With a 200-foot Air Ticket from Coastal, Scott<br />

started as a diver, progressing to dive supervisor,<br />

project manager and eventually becoming vice<br />

president through 2008. Logging over 3500<br />

commercial dives, inland, coastal, and <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

Top: Scott Anderson, Acosta Bridge,<br />

Florida, 1989.<br />

Above: Chris Davis wet welding.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

75


Above: Chris Davis and Joe Busuttil, Royal<br />

Navy Submarine.<br />

Top, right: Brandon Fuhrman Offshore<br />

Jacksonville, Florida.<br />

by <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> fifty-five. Scott is well suited to provide<br />

an experienced, safe and productive environment<br />

for new and current employees. Scott<br />

has negotiated, managed, administered, and executed<br />

large marine construction and industrial<br />

diving projects in <strong>the</strong> USA, USVI, Puerto Rico,<br />

Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Honduras,<br />

Panama, Bahamas, Curacao, Cuba, and Belize.<br />

Chris Davis joined LDS in <strong>the</strong> early 2000s<br />

after serving in Iraq with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army. Chris<br />

received his commercial diver training at<br />

Divers Academy, International. Chris started<br />

out as a diver and progressed to dive supervisor,<br />

diving superintendent, and project manager.<br />

Chris has worked with LDS over <strong>the</strong><br />

years and managed projects in <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong><br />

Mexico, USA, Puerto Rico and <strong>the</strong> Bahamas.<br />

Chris continues to play an integral role in all<br />

phases <strong>of</strong> field operations for <strong>the</strong> company<br />

with an emphasis and specialty in Marine<br />

Substructures and Subaqueous pipelines.<br />

Sarah Anderson joined <strong>the</strong> company in<br />

2008 as <strong>of</strong>fice manager and bookkeeper. Sarah<br />

graduated from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Central<br />

Florida in 1999 and now oversees all day to<br />

day <strong>of</strong>fice duties and staff as well as helping<br />

with project logistics and <strong>the</strong> Puerto Rico operation’s<br />

admin side. Sarah handles all regulatory<br />

compliance and also works closely with <strong>the</strong><br />

Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International<br />

to ensure adherence to ADCI Consensus<br />

Standards. Scott and Sarah purchased <strong>the</strong> business<br />

from <strong>the</strong> original owners in 2008 and continue<br />

to operate <strong>the</strong> corporation today.<br />

Joe Busuttil first joined LDS in 2002 after<br />

ten years <strong>of</strong> mixed gas diving experience in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico. Joe started out as diver<br />

and quickly progressed to dive supervisor. Joe<br />

is now a fulltime estimator and project manager.<br />

He plays an integral role in all phases <strong>of</strong><br />

daily operations from marine construction to<br />

ships husbandry.<br />

Sharon Carey came on board in 2010 as an<br />

administrative and staff manager. Sharon handles<br />

day to day admin and ensures ADCI/EM<br />

385 diver requirement compliance in addition<br />

to project planning.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage domestically has<br />

been involved with many major heavy construction<br />

bridge projects in Florida and<br />

Georgia, including <strong>the</strong> Bridge <strong>of</strong> Lions in Saint<br />

Augustine; I-95 Fuller Warren Bridge; Main<br />

Street Bridge; Wonderwood Bridge, and Beach<br />

Boulevard Bridges in Jacksonville, Florida.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage and <strong>the</strong> USCG<br />

negotiated a Basic Order Agreement (BOA) in<br />

1990 to cover casualty vessels and marine oil<br />

spill response in <strong>the</strong> USCG 7th District from<br />

Jacksonville, Florida to San Juan, Puerto Rico.<br />

This BOA is in effect today with dive teams<br />

ready to deploy and be operational within<br />

twenty-four hours <strong>of</strong> activation.<br />

<strong>The</strong> firm’s recent subaqueous fiber optic<br />

cable projects include <strong>the</strong> Undersea Warfare<br />

Training Range (USWTR) Cables for <strong>the</strong><br />

United States Navy <strong>of</strong>fshore Jacksonville;<br />

Alcatel Fiber Optic Cable landings in<br />

Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida;<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

76


and Alcatel Fiber Optics in Cable landing<br />

Condado Beach, Puerto Rico.<br />

Ships Husbandry on large ocean-going vessels<br />

is a significant portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work carried<br />

out over <strong>the</strong> years and today from Jacksonville<br />

to Panama and all ports in between. Logan<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage is certified as an In Water<br />

Survey Specialist with <strong>the</strong> American Bureau <strong>of</strong><br />

Shipping (ABS), Det Norske Veritas<br />

Germanischer Lloyds (DNV-GL), and Lloyds<br />

Register (LR). Class surveyors rely on Logan<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage to inspect and document<br />

existing vessel conditions for dry dock extensions,<br />

vessel certifications, and purchases.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r services include underwater welding,<br />

in water hull repair, coatings, cathodic protection<br />

and running gear maintenance.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage has performed<br />

many projects in Central America with <strong>the</strong><br />

majority in Honduras since <strong>the</strong> early 1980s<br />

during times <strong>of</strong> severe civil unrest and<br />

peace from Chouleteca to Roatan. Panama<br />

diving operations have been carried out from<br />

Colon to <strong>the</strong> Canal to Fort Sherman/US<br />

ARMY. Most recently a project was completed<br />

in Belize City.<br />

Caribbean operational response has included<br />

multiple projects in <strong>the</strong> Dominican<br />

Republic in Santo Domingo, Puerto Haina,<br />

and Boca Chica. Haitian diving and salvage<br />

operations have been successfully carried out<br />

in Port Au Prince and Saint-Marc. Cuban projects<br />

have been limited to GITMO in <strong>the</strong> recent<br />

past. Bahamian operations have been carried<br />

out in Abaco, West End, Freeport, Treasure<br />

Island, and on <strong>the</strong> Grand Bahama Bank.<br />

Jamaican operations are still in play<br />

today with crews working regularly in<br />

Kingston and Port Royal in support <strong>of</strong> shipping<br />

and civil infrastructure.<br />

Providing special operations to a variety <strong>of</strong><br />

clients, on one such project, Logan <strong>Diving</strong> &<br />

Salvage was contracted to help move <strong>the</strong><br />

Shuttle Explorer to Houston Space Center via<br />

barge assisting with boat service and delivery<br />

docking. Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage is also<br />

involved with <strong>the</strong> current private space programs<br />

and reusable rocket recovery.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage is headquartered<br />

in Jacksonville, Florida, and also operates a<br />

Caribbean Division out <strong>of</strong> Catano, Puerto<br />

Rico. Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage maintains a<br />

full-time residence and equipment warehouse<br />

in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a registered<br />

Puerto Rican Corporate Entity, LDS is well<br />

positioned to respond to <strong>the</strong> Caribbean from<br />

its San Juan facilities.<br />

Scott ran <strong>the</strong> Puerto Rico <strong>of</strong>fice from <strong>the</strong><br />

late 1980s to 2011. Shifting time between<br />

<strong>the</strong> states and <strong>the</strong> island as needed. Revenue<br />

and volume <strong>of</strong> work increased steadily.<br />

<strong>Working</strong> in San Juan, Mayaguez, Guayanilla,<br />

Guayama, Arecibo, Rincon, Fajardo, and<br />

Humacao to name a few, Logan <strong>Diving</strong> &<br />

Salvage has been blessed with a large network<br />

<strong>of</strong> friends and associates in Puerto Rico and<br />

<strong>the</strong> Caribbean maritime communities.<br />

Continuing to this day to support <strong>the</strong> maritime<br />

shipping and port infrastructure interest<br />

in Puerto Rico, <strong>the</strong> Caribbean, USVI, Haiti,<br />

Jamaica, and <strong>the</strong> Dominican Republic from<br />

<strong>the</strong> Puerto Rico Office.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company currently has approximately<br />

twenty-five employees, over seventy-five percent<br />

<strong>of</strong> whom are honorably discharged veterans<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Armed Forces.<br />

LDS has doubled its <strong>of</strong>fice and warehouse<br />

space in Jacksonville to 20,000 square feet in<br />

<strong>the</strong> last five years and maintains ten high<br />

speed-low drag dive work boats, and dive<br />

trailers ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company has enjoyed constant growth <strong>of</strong><br />

plus twenty percent annually since 2008.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage supports our<br />

veterans and a number <strong>of</strong> community and<br />

charitable activities, including East Pointe<br />

Church, Fellowship <strong>of</strong> Christian Athletes,<br />

Rivertown Church Haiti Outreach, Haven for<br />

Hope, Dreams Come True, Vietnam Veterans,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> VFW.<br />

To learn more about Logan <strong>Diving</strong> &<br />

Salvage and its services, check <strong>the</strong>ir website<br />

at www.logandiving.com.<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage was contracted to<br />

help move <strong>the</strong> Shuttle Explorer to Houston<br />

Space Center.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

77


EASON DIVING<br />

& MARINE<br />

CONTRACTORS,<br />

INC.<br />

Tom Eason.<br />

Tom Eason’s exposure to commercial diving<br />

began in high school and college when<br />

he worked at a local marina and on <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

fishing boats in Charleston, South Carolina.<br />

After graduating from college in 1976, Eason<br />

founded Eason <strong>Diving</strong> Company as a sole<br />

proprietorship and began diving on recreational<br />

and workboats to clean <strong>the</strong> hulls,<br />

change propellers, and o<strong>the</strong>r routine underwater<br />

maintenance and repairs. <strong>The</strong> business<br />

quickly grew into working for local shipyards,<br />

repairing and maintaining <strong>the</strong>ir drydocks<br />

and railways, as well as performing ship<br />

husbandry services for <strong>the</strong> large U.S. Navy<br />

fleet home ported in Charleston. As a selftaught<br />

commercial diver, Eason attended <strong>the</strong><br />

Ocean Corporation in Houston for formal<br />

underwater burning and welding training.<br />

In 1980 <strong>the</strong> company was incorporated as<br />

Eason <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Contractors, Inc. with<br />

Eason as its president. <strong>The</strong> company’s <strong>of</strong>fices<br />

and workshops were built adjacent to <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Naval Base in Charleston, where <strong>the</strong>y remain<br />

in use today.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early 1980s, Eason <strong>Diving</strong> expanded<br />

geographically and began providing diving<br />

services to an increasingly diverse clientele<br />

including power plants, engineering firms,<br />

marine construction companies, <strong>the</strong> railroad,<br />

and governmental agencies including state<br />

DOT’s, U.S. Army Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers, U.S.<br />

Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection<br />

Agency, U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Energy, and<br />

NOAA. With <strong>the</strong> closing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Charleston<br />

Naval Base in <strong>the</strong> mid-1990s, <strong>the</strong> company<br />

greatly increased its services to <strong>the</strong> hydroelectric<br />

and nuclear power generation industries<br />

heavily concentrated in <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>ast United<br />

States, where it continues to work for <strong>the</strong><br />

same clients today. Extensive diving work<br />

on <strong>the</strong> fuel handling systems and working<br />

in spent fuel pools <strong>of</strong> nuclear power plants<br />

became a specialty, with procedures developed<br />

to protect <strong>the</strong> diver from radioactivity. In<br />

1991, Eason attended <strong>the</strong> first <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Bridge Substructures Course held for divers<br />

at New Mexico State University and <strong>the</strong><br />

firm inspected over a thousand DOT and<br />

railroad bridges.<br />

In 1994 <strong>the</strong> tank barge, Morris J. Berman,<br />

grounded near San Juan, Puerto Rico spilling<br />

800,000 gallons <strong>of</strong> crude oil onto <strong>the</strong> economically<br />

and environmentally sensitive shoreline<br />

areas. Eason <strong>Diving</strong> was tasked with <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />

cleanup <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> submerged oil that sank in<br />

<strong>the</strong>se areas. Eason <strong>Diving</strong>, utilizing twelve<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

78


divers with Eason as <strong>the</strong><br />

site Dive Supervisor,<br />

worked sixty-one days<br />

nonstop to successfully<br />

and safely complete <strong>the</strong> oil<br />

recovery work. Eason<br />

coauthored <strong>the</strong> Federal<br />

On-Scene Coordinator<br />

(FOSC) report and presented<br />

<strong>the</strong> oil recovery<br />

section by divers at <strong>the</strong><br />

1995 International Oil<br />

Spill Conference held in<br />

Long Beach, California.<br />

Performing <strong>the</strong> Berman<br />

and numerous o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

vessel casualty cleanups, Eason <strong>Diving</strong><br />

became <strong>the</strong> preferred contractor to <strong>the</strong><br />

USCG and U.S. EPA in responding to oil and<br />

hazardous material spills requiring diving in<br />

contaminated water.<br />

In 2001, as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> USCG encountering<br />

questionable commercial diving<br />

activities during salvage and pollution<br />

response operations, Eason was asked to<br />

assist <strong>the</strong> District 7 Marine Safety Division<br />

in developing guidelines for conducting<br />

compliant and safe diving operations. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

guidelines, in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> a “<strong>Commercial</strong><br />

Divers’ Checklist” were ultimately incorporated<br />

into <strong>the</strong> Coast Guard <strong>Diving</strong> Policies and<br />

Procedures Manual.<br />

From <strong>the</strong> beginning as a one man operation<br />

to eventually employing fifteen full-time<br />

divers, with double that during peak work<br />

periods, <strong>the</strong> company was fortunate to<br />

employ many dedicated and skilled personnel<br />

over <strong>the</strong> years. Eason <strong>Diving</strong>’s work practices<br />

exceeded <strong>the</strong> OSHA <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Standard and as a long-time member<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contactors<br />

International, complied with <strong>the</strong>ir more rigorous<br />

Consensus Standards with <strong>the</strong> company<br />

always ensuring that equipment and personnel<br />

certifications were kept current.<br />

“Most importantly, I owned and operated<br />

a very safe commercial diving company for<br />

forty years, never having had an employee<br />

encounter a life threatening injury,” Eason<br />

says. “This became a goal I was obsessed<br />

with and spared no cost in obtaining <strong>the</strong><br />

proper equipment to make every diving<br />

job as safe as possible.” Eason insisted that<br />

no job be undertaken unless <strong>the</strong> company<br />

could adequately address every potential<br />

hazard and alleviate concern for diver safety.<br />

A remote operated vehicle (ROV) and current<br />

flow meters were purchased to deploy prior<br />

to diver entry in situations <strong>of</strong> potential differential<br />

pressure, and custom dive boats with<br />

entry doors were built providing safer diver<br />

ingress and egress.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> late 1990s, Eason made multiple<br />

trips to Russia and a trip to Azerbaijan as a<br />

volunteer for an American nonpr<strong>of</strong>it organization<br />

assisting emerging local diving companies<br />

in operating <strong>the</strong>ir businesses after <strong>the</strong><br />

collapse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Soviet Union.<br />

During his career, Eason served on<br />

many local commissions including <strong>the</strong><br />

Charleston Commissioners <strong>of</strong> Pilotage,<br />

<strong>the</strong> South Carolina Maritime Security<br />

Commission, and <strong>the</strong> USCG Federal Area<br />

Maritime Security Committee. He also served<br />

on <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors,<br />

International Board <strong>of</strong> Directors as <strong>the</strong><br />

elected Vice Chair and Chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> East<br />

Coast Chapter for ten years.<br />

In 2014, Moran Environmental Recovery,<br />

LLC (MER) acquired Eason <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine<br />

Contractors, Inc. and merged it into subsequently<br />

acquired Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong><br />

Divers (MCDI) in 2017. At that time, Eason<br />

retired from day-to-day operations but<br />

remains involved in <strong>the</strong> diving industry as an<br />

advocate for diver safety.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

79


MAINSTREAM<br />

COMMERCIAL<br />

DIVERS, INC.<br />

Craig Fortenbery.<br />

Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc., headquartered<br />

in Murray, Kentucky was founded in<br />

1988 by Craig Fortenbery. While in college,<br />

Craig lived at <strong>the</strong> University’s biology station<br />

on <strong>the</strong> Tennessee River and performed <strong>the</strong> diving<br />

work for several pr<strong>of</strong>essors’ environmental<br />

studies. One <strong>of</strong> his primary pr<strong>of</strong>essors introduced<br />

him to <strong>the</strong> owner <strong>of</strong> a small commercial<br />

diving firm and Craig began working for <strong>the</strong><br />

firm as he put himself through college.<br />

Finding he enjoyed <strong>the</strong> challenges inherent<br />

with this type <strong>of</strong> work, he received additional<br />

commercial training and worked for o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

companies and on government contracts as a<br />

diver until founding Mainstream.<br />

Since its formation, Mainstream has grown<br />

to become one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nation’s largest inland<br />

commercial diving contractors providing<br />

diving and technical services nationwide in<br />

environments ranging from shallow water,<br />

utilizing air as <strong>the</strong> breathing medium, to<br />

deeper projects using mixed gas.<br />

Mainstream provides full-service underwater<br />

construction, repair, and inspection work<br />

as well as technical services including hydrographic<br />

surveying, engineering and design<br />

services, environmental surveys and biological<br />

assessments (especially related to endangered<br />

freshwater mussels) as well as confined space<br />

entry services. <strong>The</strong> company has worked on<br />

in-water structures <strong>of</strong> all types, successfully<br />

completing many difficult projects across <strong>the</strong><br />

country. <strong>The</strong> company is committed to providing<br />

underwater construction and inspection<br />

services <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> highest quality while maintaining<br />

an impeccable safety record.<br />

MCDI has personnel with extensive training<br />

and experience in underwater inspection and<br />

construction techniques and has successfully<br />

performed underwater inspection, construction,<br />

and maintenance projects on numerous<br />

dams, large and small bridges, pipelines, water<br />

intake and outfall systems, stilling basins,<br />

mooring cells and mooring dolphins, docks,<br />

water storage tanks, wastewater treatment facilities,<br />

marine ways, and commercial vessels and<br />

barges. MCDI crews routinely work at heavy<br />

construction sites, major industrial sites, power<br />

plants, and governmental sites. A major factor<br />

in MCDI’s reputation as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> premier<br />

inland commercial diving companies is its<br />

divers, all <strong>of</strong> whom, in addition to <strong>the</strong>ir commercial<br />

dive school training, are certified commercial<br />

divers through <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International (ADCI.)<br />

<strong>The</strong> MCDI facility in Kentucky is comprised<br />

<strong>of</strong> three custom-built buildings making<br />

up approximately 20,000 square feet <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice,<br />

shop, and equipment warehouse space on a<br />

three and a half-acre site. <strong>The</strong> facility has a<br />

7,000-gallon, 15-foot-deep, dive training/test<br />

tank for underwater welding and cutting<br />

training and for practice performing complicated<br />

underwater tasks. <strong>The</strong> facility also has a<br />

large classroom, which is used for training as<br />

well as project planning meetings.<br />

Due to <strong>the</strong> large number <strong>of</strong> underwater<br />

construction, inspection, and repair projects<br />

performed by MCDI, <strong>the</strong> company has an<br />

extensive inventory <strong>of</strong> specialty equipment to<br />

support daily operations including mixed gas<br />

diving equipment, decompression chambers,<br />

all types <strong>of</strong> underwater tooling for construction<br />

and inspection projects, truck-able<br />

barges, crane, vessels, etc.<br />

MCDI is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International (ADCI),<br />

whose goals are to promote safety, education<br />

and communication within <strong>the</strong> diving<br />

industry. In addition to certifying commercial<br />

divers, <strong>the</strong> ADCI publishes <strong>the</strong> most<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

80


comprehensive set <strong>of</strong> safety standards for commercial<br />

diving operations, <strong>the</strong> International<br />

Consensus Standards for <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

and <strong>Underwater</strong> Operations. <strong>The</strong> ACDI diver<br />

certification program and <strong>the</strong> ADCI Consensus<br />

Standards are recognized by <strong>the</strong> U.S. Coast<br />

Guard and OSHA. MCDI meets or exceeds all<br />

OSHA, USCG, and <strong>the</strong> ADCI Consensus<br />

Standard requirements.<br />

Craig, founder <strong>of</strong> MCDI, is highly regarded<br />

in <strong>the</strong> industry and is a long time board<br />

member and <strong>the</strong> immediate past president<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors<br />

International. Craig wrote <strong>the</strong> current MCDI<br />

diving safe practices manual and, as an ADCI<br />

Board member, Executive Committee member,<br />

and Consensus Standards Review Committee<br />

member, was actively involved in writing <strong>the</strong><br />

newest edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI Consensus<br />

Standards (Version 6.2). Craig states, “I feel<br />

that one <strong>of</strong> my most valuable and fulfilling contributions<br />

to this industry has been my active<br />

involvement with <strong>the</strong> ADCI, working with its<br />

many talented members as we have developed<br />

and implemented <strong>the</strong> most comprehensive set<br />

<strong>of</strong> diving safety standards in existence.”<br />

MCDI’s dive operations manager and diving<br />

supervisors are responsible for <strong>the</strong> implementation<br />

and adherence <strong>of</strong> MCDI’s safety<br />

program at each individual jobsite but all<br />

employees have <strong>the</strong> right and obligation to<br />

stop a job if an unsafe condition exists. Craig<br />

is most proud <strong>of</strong> Mainstream’s exemplary safety<br />

record through <strong>the</strong> company’s many years<br />

<strong>of</strong> operation.<br />

MCDI utilizes only commercially certified<br />

divers—not recreationally trained SCUBA<br />

divers—and all required extensive equipment<br />

and personnel certifications, training and testing<br />

are kept current. Additionally, Mainstream<br />

has its own in-house training programs that<br />

foster continued education and knowledge for<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir divers for <strong>the</strong> unique situations <strong>the</strong>y may<br />

encounter in <strong>the</strong> inland diving environment.<br />

In October 2015, Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong><br />

Divers, Inc. was acquired by Moran<br />

Environmental Recovery (MER). MER is a<br />

diversified environmental company that previously<br />

(in 2014) had acquired Eason <strong>Diving</strong> and<br />

Marine Contractors located in Charleston,<br />

South Carolina. Prior to <strong>the</strong>se acquisitions,<br />

Mainstream and Eason had performed numerous<br />

jobs toge<strong>the</strong>r and had a strong relationship<br />

and comparable approach to safety and quality<br />

in <strong>the</strong> workplace. In January 2017, Mainstream<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc., and Eason <strong>Diving</strong> &<br />

Marine Contractors, Inc., merged to become<br />

one company with both <strong>the</strong> Murray and<br />

Charleston locations working under <strong>the</strong><br />

Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc. name as<br />

part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MER family <strong>of</strong> companies. Since<br />

Mainstream and Eason crews have worked<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r on many large projects over <strong>the</strong> years,<br />

making <strong>the</strong> transition to becoming one company<br />

was a natural fit.<br />

Looking to <strong>the</strong> future, <strong>the</strong> merger <strong>of</strong> Eason<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Contractors and Mainstream<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> Divers will provide <strong>the</strong> resources<br />

for <strong>the</strong> company to provide even better services<br />

to its customers in <strong>the</strong> years to come.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

81


COMMERCIAL<br />

DIVING &<br />

MARINE<br />

SERVICES, INC.<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Services, Inc.<br />

has provided quality diving services for over<br />

forty years and its name and reputation are well<br />

known throughout <strong>the</strong> inland diving industry.<br />

Wayne Brusate explains he started diving<br />

in 1971 as a sport diver. Occasionally, someone<br />

would ask him to recover <strong>the</strong>ir wallet<br />

or fishing gear in <strong>the</strong> St. Clair River. This<br />

soon expanded into recovering larger things<br />

like outboard motors and small boats and<br />

<strong>the</strong>n automobiles.<br />

Around 1975, Wayne started working for<br />

his uncle, Keith Malcolm, at Malcolm Marine<br />

in St. Clair, Michigan, as a deckhand/diver.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company did all sorts <strong>of</strong> marine work<br />

from seawall construction, tug and barge work,<br />

to Great Lakes salvage jobs. “I learned a lot<br />

in those years,” Wayne says. “Salvage jobs<br />

were tough and when working ‘no cure, no<br />

pay’ it could cost you more to complete <strong>the</strong><br />

salvage than what you were going to be paid.”<br />

By 1977, Wayne felt he was ready to go out<br />

on his own and founded <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

& Marine Services, Inc., based in Marysville,<br />

Michigan. Wayne looked after <strong>the</strong> diving part<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business while his wife, Donna, ran<br />

a daycare, managed <strong>the</strong> bookkeeping and<br />

answered <strong>the</strong> business phone at home.<br />

Wayne recalls that it was difficult building<br />

a client base, and to fill in <strong>the</strong> gaps, he <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

worked for marine contractors doing pile<br />

driving and underwater work as needed.<br />

He credits Charlie Cosgro, a heavy gear diver,<br />

with teaching him how to work safely in<br />

tough, zero visibility conditions.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

82


“Work was not steady during <strong>the</strong> early<br />

years <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business,” Wayne recalls. “When<br />

we had a job, I would contact some <strong>of</strong> my<br />

fellow divers and put a crew toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

Greg Lashbrook, Arnie Chickonoski and<br />

Tom Clingenpeel were very skilled both<br />

underwater and topside. As work increased,<br />

we added additional personnel, including<br />

Kathy Johnson and Colette Wi<strong>the</strong>rspoon,<br />

two very experienced divers.” Wayne notes<br />

that while Kathy and Colette may not have<br />

been as physically strong as some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> male<br />

divers, <strong>the</strong>y were pretty smart. “This proved<br />

to be just as effective as brawn and <strong>the</strong>y<br />

had no problems going through eighteen and<br />

twenty-four inch pipes, which most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

guys could not do,” Wayne adds.<br />

Many <strong>of</strong> Wayne’s divers came right out <strong>of</strong><br />

Dive School and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, Roger Randall,<br />

ended up marrying Wayne and Donna’s<br />

daughter, Laura. Roger went on to start his<br />

own dredging business. Both daughters,<br />

Laura and Anna, are divers and <strong>the</strong> grandchildren<br />

also enjoy <strong>the</strong> water.<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Services,<br />

Inc. has grown steadily over <strong>the</strong> years and<br />

its dive crews have performed numerous<br />

salvage operations, sonar surveys, zebra<br />

mussel removal and maintenance <strong>of</strong> various<br />

industrial and municipal facilities throughout<br />

<strong>the</strong> Great Lakes region.<br />

<strong>The</strong> list <strong>of</strong> unique services provided by<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Services, Inc.,<br />

includes confined space diving in deep<br />

vertical shafts containing high methane<br />

levels. This highly specialized crew has been<br />

called in to perform critical repairs from<br />

California to Florida.<br />

For details about <strong>the</strong>se services, consult<br />

<strong>the</strong> firm’s website at www.workingdiver.com.<br />

As a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Contractors International since 1993, <strong>Commercial</strong><br />

<strong>Diving</strong> and Marine Services, Inc., holds to <strong>the</strong><br />

highest commercial diving safety and operational<br />

standards in <strong>the</strong> country.<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Services, Inc.,<br />

is a union company and all divers and tenders<br />

are proud members <strong>of</strong> Pile Drivers Local 687 in<br />

Detroit, Michigan. Keith Mear and Ted Binnall,<br />

each with more than twenty years with <strong>the</strong> company<br />

are <strong>the</strong> lead dive supervisors.<br />

Wayne has always been active in <strong>the</strong> local<br />

search and rescue community. He joined<br />

<strong>the</strong> local sheriff dive team in 1971 and<br />

remains very active. He joined a volunteer<br />

fire department in 1985 and retired from<br />

fire service in 2006.<br />

Today, Wayne works primarily on <strong>the</strong><br />

administration side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business, bidding<br />

<strong>the</strong> work and troubleshooting difficult jobs.<br />

Looking back on <strong>the</strong> company’s success,<br />

Wayne says he learned early in his career<br />

that dedicated employees, top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> line<br />

equipment and a desire to be <strong>the</strong> best would<br />

build <strong>the</strong> company’s reputation and clientele.<br />

Opposite, top: <strong>Working</strong> in <strong>the</strong><br />

St. Clair River.<br />

Opposite, bottom: Salvage team.<br />

Top: Lake Huron pipeline work.<br />

Above: Decontamination <strong>of</strong> diver.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

83


DIVERS<br />

INSTITUTE OF<br />

TECHNOLOGY<br />

Divers Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology (DIT) in<br />

Seattle is pleased to congratulate ADCI as<br />

we both celebrate fifty years serving <strong>the</strong> commercial<br />

diving industry. Since its inception,<br />

DIT has trained thousands <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

divers for elite commercial diving companies<br />

worldwide. DIT’s comprehensive seven-month<br />

program trains divers in initial skills and<br />

certification requirements for both U.S. and<br />

international commercial diving.<br />

DIT’s educational philosophy is to provide<br />

high-quality education that is sound in<br />

concept; implemented by an experienced,<br />

competent, and dedicated faculty; and<br />

designed to serve those seeking a solid<br />

foundation in <strong>the</strong> skills and knowledge<br />

required for <strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry.<br />

DIT emphasizes hands-on training that is<br />

relevant to employers’ needs and focuses on<br />

areas which <strong>of</strong>fer long-term employment.<br />

<strong>The</strong> school was founded in 1968 by<br />

John Manlove after a twenty-year U.S. Navy<br />

diving career that included training<br />

personnel for advanced qualifications. John<br />

was joined by co-founder Leiter Hockett,<br />

who was later succeeded by Navy Veteran<br />

Dyer ‘Jack’ Bisplingh<strong>of</strong>f as co-owner and<br />

president. Navy Veteran Charles ‘Chuck’<br />

Litzo joined <strong>the</strong> early leadership team and<br />

helped students acquire financial aid to<br />

attend DIT.<br />

Graduate, instructor and later owner,<br />

John Ritter recalls, “<strong>The</strong> school was like a<br />

family. <strong>The</strong> original facilities were a converted<br />

refrigeration barge salvaged by John Manlove.<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r than pay John for <strong>the</strong> work, <strong>the</strong><br />

owners gave him <strong>the</strong> barge. He had an idea,<br />

and a school was born.” Some students<br />

cleaned <strong>the</strong> barge and kept <strong>the</strong> pumps<br />

running in exchange for free lodging in <strong>the</strong><br />

crow’s nest.<br />

DIT was a family investment. Manlove’s<br />

wife, Marlene, wrote <strong>the</strong> first DIT brochure<br />

and helped establish <strong>the</strong><br />

business and John, Jr., was<br />

an instructor. <strong>The</strong> Manloves’<br />

six children spent weekends<br />

literally scraping candle wax<br />

<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> floors <strong>of</strong> “<strong>The</strong> Barge.”<br />

“On Fridays, after classes<br />

ended, John would hold<br />

‘church’ in his <strong>of</strong>fice to hear <strong>the</strong> BS from <strong>the</strong><br />

week,” recalls daughter, Lizabeth Manlove<br />

Horton. “He always served ‘mountain oysters’<br />

to <strong>the</strong> most unsuspecting newbie. I’m sure<br />

booze shots were also involved.”<br />

“At times Dad would get a call that a<br />

student had gotten into a scrape <strong>of</strong> some<br />

sort and he’d go straighten it out,” remembers<br />

daughter, Cindy Manlove Moran. “Dad touched<br />

a lot <strong>of</strong> lives. His no-nonsense way was<br />

rough, but fair. He didn’t mince his words.<br />

He was called ‘Big John’ because <strong>of</strong> his<br />

stature and also because <strong>of</strong> his character<br />

and presence.”<br />

“He was a giant <strong>of</strong> a man with a huge<br />

heart, loved <strong>the</strong> ocean and was so very proud<br />

<strong>of</strong> his vision,” Horton says.<br />

DIT was first accredited in 1973 (NATTS),<br />

maintaining continuous accreditation in good<br />

standing ever since, including a transfer to<br />

ACCSC in <strong>the</strong> 1990s.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> original location’s floating barge<br />

sank into <strong>the</strong> ship canal connecting Lake<br />

Union and Puget Sound, DIT relocated to<br />

Eleventh Avenue in Ballard. Five portable<br />

trailers served as classrooms and administrative<br />

<strong>of</strong>fices. Dive stations were four floating<br />

barges with <strong>the</strong> deep dive vessel, <strong>the</strong> sixtyfive<br />

foot, M/V Response.<br />

Manlove retired in 1986, selling <strong>the</strong> school<br />

to retired First Class Navy Diver Ritter, who<br />

<strong>the</strong>n ran DIT for thirteen years; however,<br />

Manlove was soon back assisting at <strong>the</strong><br />

school. He conducted diver training at DIT<br />

until <strong>the</strong> day he died—January 3, 2006.<br />

<strong>The</strong> school changed hands again in 1999<br />

when Jamestown Marine Services (JMS), led<br />

by retired Navy Commander Bruce Banks<br />

and retired Navy Engineering Duty Officer<br />

Captain Jack Ringelberg, purchased DIT.<br />

JMS was well-poised to assume school<br />

leadership and expand into <strong>the</strong> international<br />

diving community. <strong>The</strong> two principles provided<br />

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84


extensive expertise in marine engineering,<br />

diving instruction and underwater operations.<br />

Commander Banks was a Navy Special<br />

Operations Officer who held command <strong>of</strong><br />

two salvage vessels, served as <strong>the</strong> executive<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Navy Experimental <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Unit (NEDU), and as commanding <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Naval <strong>Diving</strong> and Salvage Training<br />

Center (NDSTC). Captain Ringelberg specialized<br />

in Naval Architecture and was commanding<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer at NEDU. In 2000, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

appointed retired Navy Commander and<br />

former saturation diver, John Paul Johnston<br />

as DIT’s executive director.<br />

DIT expanded into <strong>the</strong> international<br />

standards arena in 1999, collaborating with<br />

<strong>the</strong> Workers’ Compensation Board <strong>of</strong> British<br />

Columbia. Navy Master Diver Richard<br />

“Ragman” Radecki, Banks, and o<strong>the</strong>rs continued<br />

writing, developing and implementing<br />

new commercial diver training standards<br />

under <strong>the</strong> auspices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Canadian Standards<br />

Association. In 2003, DIT became <strong>the</strong> first<br />

U.S. diver training establishment accredited by<br />

Diver Certification Board <strong>of</strong> Canada (DCBC).<br />

ADCI Executive Director Phil Newsum was<br />

<strong>the</strong> first DCBC certified diver in <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

School facilities have been continually<br />

upgraded and expanded since 1999. In 2011,<br />

DIT moved to its current Seattle campus at<br />

1341 North Northlake Way, now housing<br />

four floating barges as dive training stations,<br />

a designated welding and metals shop with<br />

two underwater welding tanks, and <strong>the</strong><br />

M/V Response.<br />

DIT is staffed by an experienced instructor<br />

team: many are graduates who returned to<br />

teach after diving careers <strong>of</strong>fshore, inland and<br />

internationally; approximately fifty percent<br />

are veterans. Average tenure among current<br />

instructors is five years; several have taught<br />

more than ten years.<br />

DIT prides itself on <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> graduates<br />

entering <strong>the</strong> diving industry upon graduation.<br />

Significant numbers <strong>of</strong> DIT graduates<br />

have gone on to highly successful pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

commercial, recreational, and regulatory<br />

diving careers, including industry leaders <strong>of</strong><br />

several notable commercial diving companies.<br />

Divers Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology has proudly<br />

supplied skilled divers to <strong>the</strong> marine industry<br />

for half a century and plans to follow that<br />

same path into <strong>the</strong> future with growth in new<br />

areas <strong>of</strong> marine technologies.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

85


W.J. CASTLE,<br />

P.E. &<br />

ASSOCIATES,<br />

P.C.<br />

W.J. Castle, P.E. & Associates, P.C. was<br />

founded by William J. Castle, P.E., S.E. in<br />

1983. W.J. Castle & Associates is a consulting<br />

engineering company specializing in bridge,<br />

marine, and structural engineering, including<br />

underwater inspection and evaluation. W.J.<br />

Castle is a certified VOSB (Veteran-Owned<br />

Small Business) and SBE (Small Business<br />

Enterprise) engineering firm located in<br />

Hainesport, New Jersey. He is a licensed pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

engineer in New Jersey, Pennsylvania,<br />

New York, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, West<br />

Virginia, and Delaware.<br />

A native <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania, Castle received<br />

a two-year degree in Civil Engineering<br />

Technology from Penn State University. After<br />

gaining considerable experience in bridge<br />

design from working at PennDOT and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

consulting engineering firms, Castle became<br />

<strong>the</strong> Bridge Engineer at Burlington County,<br />

New Jersey in 1974. Eventually, he decided to<br />

start his own company and stay in Burlington<br />

County, New Jersey.<br />

“I had always wanted to own my own<br />

business, so I thought I would give it a shot,”<br />

Castle explains. “I opened a one-man shop<br />

in my house and gave myself three months<br />

to see if I could come up with enough work to<br />

keep going.”<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early 1980s, <strong>the</strong>re were very few<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional engineer-divers in <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

country, so Castle developed an underwater<br />

inspection program to work with contractors<br />

and engineers. He credits Jim Caldwell <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Caldwell Marine with helping him with commercial<br />

diving and developing that field <strong>of</strong><br />

engineering in his company.<br />

“I was able to gain a lot <strong>of</strong> experience and<br />

underwater diving soon became our trademark,”<br />

Castle says. “<strong>The</strong>se abilities also helped<br />

attract o<strong>the</strong>r types <strong>of</strong> engineering work.”<br />

Over a period <strong>of</strong> several years and different<br />

locations, <strong>the</strong> company eventually moved to<br />

its current location in Hainesport, New Jersey<br />

with a staff <strong>of</strong> fifteen. In 2006, Castle purchased<br />

three acres in Hainesport, designed his<br />

building, and constructed <strong>the</strong> current 10,000-<br />

square-foot headquarters.<br />

W.J. Castle & Associates has a diverse list <strong>of</strong><br />

services including: design, rehabilitation, and<br />

inspection <strong>of</strong> various marine structures, hydrographic<br />

survey, sonar imaging, submarine cable<br />

location and repair, and NDT testing, etc.<br />

However, underwater inspection remains one<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> core services <strong>of</strong>fered. All divers are certified<br />

ADC commercial divers and are members<br />

<strong>of</strong> ADC. Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> diving equipment has<br />

been custom designed based upon <strong>the</strong> extensive<br />

experience obtained through <strong>the</strong> years and<br />

built to Castle’s specifications with great attention<br />

given to mobility and efficiency required<br />

for underwater inspection.<br />

A few years ago, W.J. Castle invested in<br />

sonar technology as a way to stay up-to-date<br />

with <strong>the</strong> latest technology. Kongsberg-Mesotech<br />

Scanning Sonar and JW Fisher Side Scan Sonar<br />

imaging have been instrumental in both <strong>the</strong><br />

inspection and construction fields enabling W.J.<br />

Castle to perform top notch work.<br />

As business increased, Castle saw an opportunity<br />

to expand. He and his wife, Janet, decided<br />

to start a construction company, with Janet<br />

as owner and president. Hydro-Marine<br />

Construction Co., Inc., specializing in marine<br />

construction, was founded in 1997. A certified<br />

Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) in multiple<br />

states, Hydro-Marine is Union affiliated and is<br />

staffed with highly trained, certified commercial<br />

divers who are dedicated to <strong>the</strong> highest quality<br />

underwater diving contracting. In 1999, Castle<br />

developed a third company, Simplified Bridge<br />

Systems, Inc. (SBS), which specializes in <strong>the</strong><br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

86


custom design and fabrication <strong>of</strong> small to medium<br />

span bridges. <strong>The</strong>se three companies, now<br />

referred to as “<strong>The</strong> Castle Group”, <strong>of</strong>fer a<br />

diverse field <strong>of</strong> services in both engineering and<br />

construction. As a result <strong>of</strong> this unique organization,<br />

Castle’s engineers have extensive experience<br />

in not only underwater inspection and<br />

design, but actual construction providing <strong>the</strong><br />

most comprehensive inspection, design and<br />

construction services that are practical, functional,<br />

cost efficient, and designed to work in<br />

<strong>the</strong> complexity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> real world.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Castle Group’s clientele has included<br />

both private organizations such as marinas,<br />

condominium associations, oil companies,<br />

major contractors and <strong>the</strong> public sector.<br />

Castle’s Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Engineers are highly qualified<br />

as both commercial divers and structural<br />

engineers providing a “unique blend” <strong>of</strong> technical<br />

and practical abilities. This “blend” <strong>of</strong><br />

knowledge provides a more efficient and accurate<br />

underwater inspection, which results in a<br />

complete structural evaluation.<br />

Innovation to engineering problems has been<br />

a key component to Castle’s continued success<br />

in <strong>the</strong> ever competing field <strong>of</strong> engineering.<br />

W.J. Castle, P.E. & Associates, P.C. is located<br />

at 1345 Route 38, Hainesport, New Jersey,<br />

and has a satellite <strong>of</strong>fice in Philadelphia.<br />

Centrally located, W.J. Castle can easily travel<br />

to Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania for<br />

any inspection or construction project.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Castle Group has grown in recent years<br />

and now employs over 20 people, including<br />

13 engineering staff and 18 union divers as<br />

needed. <strong>The</strong> Castle Group has worked in<br />

Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania<br />

and Virginia and o<strong>the</strong>r surrounding states.<br />

<strong>The</strong> firm’s growth was given a big boost<br />

four years ago when it was selected to shore<br />

up and streng<strong>the</strong>n a failing foundation at <strong>the</strong><br />

Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.<br />

Castle came up with an innovative engineering<br />

concept to solve <strong>the</strong> problem and when<br />

additional problems were discovered with <strong>the</strong><br />

foundation, <strong>the</strong> $3 million project became a<br />

$4.5 million project.<br />

<strong>The</strong> key to keeping <strong>the</strong> company equitable<br />

is diversification. <strong>The</strong> Castle Group is not<br />

content to sticking with one type <strong>of</strong> client or<br />

one type <strong>of</strong> service. <strong>The</strong> economy fluctuates<br />

and as one source dries up, ano<strong>the</strong>r may open<br />

if you are ready and willing to go after it.<br />

Looking to <strong>the</strong> future, Castle hopes to see<br />

<strong>the</strong> companies grow by thirty to fifty percent,<br />

which would take it to around $10 million in<br />

annual revenues. Castle feels he and his wife<br />

have been successful because <strong>the</strong>y have tried<br />

to look ahead and not take anything for granted.<br />

“Nothing lasts forever and you have to<br />

keep moving, keep up with <strong>the</strong> trends, diversify<br />

and move into new fields,” he says.<br />

William has been involved with both <strong>the</strong><br />

Pennsylvania State University Advisory<br />

Council and Development Fund and has set<br />

up scholarships at both Penn State and<br />

Burlington County College. Castle has been a<br />

member <strong>of</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors<br />

for several years and served three years as<br />

director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association’s East Coast<br />

Chapter. He is active in a number <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

engineering associations and involved<br />

in local church and civic endeavors. He<br />

was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ASCE Committee that<br />

developed standards for <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />

inspection on piers and o<strong>the</strong>r marine structures<br />

in 2001. He also helped develop a twoweek<br />

and one-week underwater inspection<br />

course at Penn State University and NJIT.<br />

Castle is approved by numerous states to<br />

give certified talks that provide PDH for<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Engineers.<br />

Janet is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADC, Women’s<br />

Business Enterprise National Council, and<br />

Utility Transportation Contractors Association.<br />

In addition to being a certified commercial<br />

diver, Janet is actually involved with church<br />

activities and has taken missonary trips to<br />

Nicaragua. She is also active in regional organization<br />

and CEO meetings, which has helped<br />

<strong>the</strong> Castle Group to improve its overall organization<br />

and become more efficient.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

87


DRS MARINE<br />

INC.<br />

Top: Owner Richard Williams.<br />

Bottom: Vice President and Dive Supervisor<br />

Jeff Williams.<br />

DRS Marine Inc., a commercial diving company<br />

located in <strong>the</strong> San Francisco Bay Area,<br />

has provided a wide range <strong>of</strong> maritime services<br />

for more than three decades. DRS Marine can<br />

handle any task in <strong>the</strong> marine or diving industry<br />

24/7, 365 days a year, from wharf pile<br />

repair, ship husbandry, dams and powerhouses<br />

to underwater welding and diffuser outfall<br />

pipelines by utilizing surface-supplied air diving<br />

or mix-gas diving techniques to 260 feet.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company was founded in 1985 by<br />

Richard Williams and several partners,<br />

including Don Mays, Dom Ferreria, and Buck<br />

Kamphausen. Williams, who serves as president,<br />

grew up on a high sierra ranch in<br />

California and attended Oklahoma State<br />

University, where he studied Chemistry and<br />

Geology. He went on to complete dive school<br />

in 1978 and worked several marine jobs<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> industry before starting his<br />

own company.<br />

“We struggled during <strong>the</strong> first year and<br />

decided we needed more organization,”<br />

Williams explains. “We incorporated <strong>the</strong> firm,<br />

worked up a pr<strong>of</strong>essional business plan,<br />

elected a president, and began building <strong>the</strong><br />

company. We concentrated on serving our customers…<strong>the</strong><br />

word-<strong>of</strong>-mouth about our service<br />

and capabilities is really what got us going.”<br />

DRS continues its philosophy <strong>of</strong> treating every<br />

client’s request with 110 percent effort and<br />

results, no matter <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company’s thirty-three years <strong>of</strong><br />

success is directly attributable to teamwork,<br />

safety, and pride <strong>of</strong> craftsmanship. “At DRS,<br />

<strong>the</strong> goal is to complete each job safely, on<br />

time, and with excellent quality,” says<br />

Williams. <strong>The</strong> company is driven by a team <strong>of</strong><br />

marine craftsman, many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m long-term<br />

with over fifteen years <strong>of</strong> service, who bring a<br />

wide variety <strong>of</strong> skills, knowledge, and experience<br />

to each project.<br />

In 1995, DRS added ROV (remotely operated<br />

vehicle) technology to <strong>the</strong>ir portfolio to<br />

provide underwater inspection services for<br />

various projects. <strong>The</strong> company expanded<br />

again in 1997 when Williams bought out<br />

Sweetwater Construction, a marine pile driving<br />

firm. Services added include sheet pile<br />

c<strong>of</strong>ferdams, wharf pile driving, abandon mine<br />

closures, marshland restoration and levee<br />

maintenance projects.<br />

Williams estimates that three-quarters<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s projects represent repeat<br />

business, an indication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> trust and confidence<br />

customers place in DRS Marine. Most<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s business originates from<br />

California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington,<br />

Hawaii, and has recently expanded into<br />

South Carolina.<br />

Here are a few <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> projects successfully<br />

completed by DRS Marine:<br />

• On a Central Valley Dam in California,<br />

DRS did a complete removal <strong>of</strong> a thirty-ton<br />

bulkhead and its hydraulic system in 150<br />

feet <strong>of</strong> water, finishing several days ahead<br />

<strong>of</strong> schedule. DRS returned <strong>the</strong> following<br />

year and cycled <strong>the</strong> refurbished bulkhead<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

88


in/out for lower tunnel repairs. Work was<br />

accomplished utilizing mixed-gas diving<br />

technique to a depth <strong>of</strong> 260 feet.<br />

• Pile driving activities include constructing<br />

a new 350-foot pier at Lake Tahoe, Nevada<br />

for <strong>the</strong> United States Forest Service. <strong>The</strong><br />

largest crane barge ever on <strong>the</strong> lake was<br />

put toge<strong>the</strong>r for this operation. Crew completed<br />

<strong>the</strong> project during <strong>the</strong> winter <strong>of</strong><br />

2013 in three feet <strong>of</strong> snow.<br />

• For <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> Calaveras Dam,<br />

DRS removed <strong>the</strong> original outlet screen for<br />

<strong>the</strong> dam and executed a full bottom survey<br />

for layout <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire project. A 300-<br />

cubic yard concrete foundation was placed<br />

on CIDH piles, which support <strong>the</strong> new fish<br />

screen outlet structure. Dredging, concrete<br />

placement, formwork layout, drill support,<br />

crane work, heavy steel and demolition<br />

were all completed successfully.<br />

DRS owns its headquarters in Vallejo,<br />

California, encompassing two large warehouses,<br />

administrative <strong>of</strong>fices, and storage yard<br />

with diving, fabrication and heavy construction<br />

equipment, all located on a two-and-ahalf-acre<br />

tract. A facility in Oakley, California,<br />

harbors tug boats, crane barges, and pile<br />

driving equipment.<br />

“Company growth <strong>the</strong> last five years has<br />

skyrocketed,” says Williams. “We’re finding<br />

that a lot more <strong>of</strong> our clients want turnkey<br />

jobs and we are able to give <strong>the</strong>m that. We can<br />

provide it all so <strong>the</strong>y don’t need to involve<br />

several different companies for one project.”<br />

DRS Marine will continue to groom long-term<br />

employees to become successors for <strong>the</strong> company<br />

to maintain its legacy <strong>of</strong> service.<br />

DRS Marine is a member <strong>of</strong> ADCI and contributes<br />

annually to <strong>the</strong> Civil Air Patrol and<br />

Vallejo Police sponsored Christmas Shopping<br />

for Children.<br />

For more information about DRS Marine<br />

Inc., visit <strong>the</strong> website at www.drsmarine.com.<br />

“I want to give thanks to my wife Patty for<br />

all <strong>the</strong> help and support she gave along <strong>the</strong><br />

way. I also wish to give <strong>the</strong> greatest appreciation<br />

to all <strong>the</strong> men/women that protect this<br />

country and make it possible for all <strong>of</strong><br />

us to live and prosper in this great nation,<br />

including my fa<strong>the</strong>r, Walter Williams (WWII);<br />

my bro<strong>the</strong>r, Howard Williams (Cold War);<br />

and bro<strong>the</strong>r, Clifford Williams, Bronze Star<br />

recipient, (Iraq War).”<br />

God Bless America.<br />

Bottom: Vice President and Dive Supervisor<br />

Mark Land.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

89


Above: Bolting <strong>the</strong> company sign down.<br />

GLOBAL DIVING & SALVAGE, INC.<br />

Below: Salvage and wreck operations<br />

involve complex planning and adherence<br />

to strict environmental and insurance<br />

requirements. Every call is unique and <strong>the</strong><br />

Global team is quick to respond with a<br />

thorough plan.<br />

Global <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage, Inc. is a leading<br />

provider <strong>of</strong> marine construction and infrastructure<br />

services and an internationally<br />

recognized casualty responder.<br />

Global was founded nearly forty years ago<br />

and <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> responding quickly to<br />

any challenge is embedded in <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />

DNA. Once <strong>the</strong> small group <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

divers decided to form Global in 1979, events<br />

moved very quickly. <strong>The</strong> company’s first<br />

president, Greg Harem, was met at a bar at<br />

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly<br />

after touching down from a dive job in<br />

Texas by a group that included John Graham,<br />

Thom Davis, Mark Niccoli, Joe Antonucci and<br />

Norm McCullum. Harem was sworn in over<br />

drinks before he even got to baggage claim.<br />

Tim Beaver soon joined <strong>the</strong> ranks as well.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company was founded with <strong>the</strong><br />

purpose <strong>of</strong> providing day-to-day diving,<br />

ship husbandry, marine construction, small<br />

vessel salvage, and spill response services in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Puget Sound region. <strong>The</strong> company’s<br />

philosophy was simple: provide tough, smart,<br />

and pr<strong>of</strong>essional services for <strong>the</strong> maritime<br />

community, deliver outstanding customer<br />

service, and focus on employee safety.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early days, a Global crew would<br />

clean up small oil spills in <strong>the</strong>ir Harbor<br />

Island neighborhood, responding in sandals,<br />

shorts, and T-shirts. After <strong>the</strong> jobs, Jackie<br />

Lewis (<strong>of</strong>fice manager AKA “<strong>The</strong> Queen”)<br />

would walk over with a roll <strong>of</strong> paper towels<br />

and root beer floats.<br />

<strong>The</strong> jobs soon got much bigger and <strong>the</strong><br />

company grew quickly as it established a<br />

reputation for having crews available any<br />

time <strong>of</strong> day or night. “We never wanted to tell<br />

a customer that we couldn’t do something<br />

or give <strong>the</strong>m any reason to look elsewhere,”<br />

explains Graham. “When o<strong>the</strong>r companies<br />

did that, <strong>the</strong>ir customers came looking to<br />

us and we never let <strong>the</strong>m down.”<br />

Global soon earned a reputation as <strong>the</strong><br />

company to call on for any marine construction,<br />

emergency response or salvage job.<br />

Today, Global is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few full-service<br />

underwater marine contractors that provides<br />

project management, in-house engineering,<br />

marine and upland environmental services,<br />

as well as <strong>the</strong> full spectrum <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

diving services. This is done through Global’s<br />

five core services—marine construction,<br />

marine casualty response, energy support<br />

services, marine and environmental services,<br />

and Global technical services.<br />

Global has been involved in several<br />

high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile projects over <strong>the</strong> years. On<br />

December 22, 1988, <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> Grays<br />

Harbor, Washington, <strong>the</strong> towline connecting<br />

<strong>the</strong> tug Ocean Service to <strong>the</strong> Nestucca<br />

snapped. While trying to recapture <strong>the</strong><br />

drifting barge in severe wea<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> port<br />

rudder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ocean Service punctured a<br />

cargo tank resulting in a release <strong>of</strong> 227,000<br />

gallons <strong>of</strong> fuel into <strong>the</strong> bay. <strong>The</strong> spill required<br />

a massive response and Global hired approximately<br />

thirty workers from nearby tribes<br />

to assist.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

90


Global was also one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first subcontractors<br />

brought in to assist when <strong>the</strong><br />

Exxon Valdez caused one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest oil<br />

spills in U.S. history. Global crew members<br />

were on site in Valdez, Alaska, for <strong>the</strong> next<br />

year-and-a-half, working on lightering <strong>the</strong><br />

vessel and supporting <strong>the</strong> oil spill cleanup.<br />

In 2000, Vice President <strong>of</strong> Marine<br />

Construction Mike Langen and CEO/President<br />

Devon Grennan, laid <strong>the</strong> groundwork for a<br />

new company initiative—Safety, Quality <strong>of</strong><br />

Service, and Growth (SQG). This shifted<br />

some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company’s structure from<br />

remaining founders Graham and Beaver and<br />

involved a larger group to have a voice in <strong>the</strong><br />

future direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company.<br />

After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Global’s<br />

focus on safety and quality ushered in an<br />

entirely new category <strong>of</strong> dive work. <strong>The</strong><br />

hurricane left several downed platforms in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico—most needing saturation<br />

divers to remove <strong>the</strong> downed platforms<br />

and control and kill <strong>the</strong> trapped live wells.<br />

Global navigated a major growth effort<br />

between 2000 and 2009, including <strong>the</strong><br />

acquisition <strong>of</strong> Inshore Divers <strong>of</strong> Rio Vista,<br />

California in 2004 and Offshore Divers <strong>of</strong><br />

Anchorage, Alaska in 2009.<br />

Today, Global is headquartered in Seattle,<br />

Washington, and operates an Alaska <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

in Anchorage, a nor<strong>the</strong>rn California <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

in Vallejo, a sou<strong>the</strong>rn California <strong>of</strong>fice in<br />

Signal Hill, and a Texas <strong>of</strong>fice in Houston,<br />

along with several remote <strong>of</strong>fices that<br />

facilitate immediate response operations<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> country. Currently, <strong>the</strong><br />

company has approximately 250 fulltime<br />

employees.<br />

Global’s leadership team includes CEO/<br />

President Devon Grennan; Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />

Operations Dan Pierson; Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />

Marine Construction, Engineering and<br />

Technology Mike Langen; Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />

Casualty Response David Devilbiss; Vice<br />

President <strong>of</strong> Finance and Administration<br />

Trinity Ng-Yeung; and Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />

Quality Assurance Jennifer Jensen.<br />

Global employees are deeply involved in<br />

many community organizations, including<br />

Seattle Children’s Hospital. Over <strong>the</strong> past ten<br />

years, Global employees and partners have<br />

helped raise more than $300,000 to support<br />

<strong>the</strong> hospital’s mission.<br />

In addition, Global has been a supporter<br />

<strong>of</strong> Puget Sound Maritime (PSM) for more<br />

than a decade. PSM’s mission is to create<br />

appreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Puget Sound region’s<br />

maritime past to better understand <strong>the</strong> present.<br />

Global <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage, Inc., is an active<br />

participant in <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Contractors International (ADCI). Dan Pierson<br />

currently serves on <strong>the</strong> association’s board<br />

<strong>of</strong> directors.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company’s continued growth and<br />

success has been built by execution <strong>of</strong> its<br />

guiding core values <strong>of</strong> honesty, teamwork,<br />

and pr<strong>of</strong>essional pride. “As proud as we are <strong>of</strong><br />

our history, and where we have been, we have<br />

many chapters still left that we are writing,”<br />

says Grennan. “And everyone at Global gets<br />

to contribute to <strong>the</strong> story. We’re honored<br />

to work with such a committed group <strong>of</strong><br />

people who exhibit <strong>the</strong> same principles.”<br />

Below: Global has more than thirtyfive<br />

years <strong>of</strong> underwater construction<br />

experience. <strong>The</strong> company addresses needs<br />

<strong>of</strong> customers in both public and private<br />

sectors; creating custom solutions for<br />

complex problems.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

91


MARINE<br />

DIVING<br />

TECHNOLOGY<br />

CLASS OF<br />

1973–SANTA<br />

BARBARA CITY<br />

COLLEGE<br />

Marine Technology Program Instructors:<br />

Bob Christensen, Jim Parker, and<br />

Ramsey Parks.<br />

Friendships forged and lessons learned<br />

forty-five years ago still bind <strong>the</strong> 1973 graduates<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Marine <strong>Diving</strong> program at Santa<br />

Barbara City College. Twenty-six <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original<br />

forty-four classmates in <strong>the</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> 1973<br />

entered <strong>the</strong> workforce immediately after graduation.<br />

As many as fifteen are still active in <strong>the</strong><br />

industry and a number have developed <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

own companies, ranging from a tourist<br />

submarine business in <strong>the</strong> Asia Pacific to a<br />

civil engineering diving firm in San Francisco.<br />

Graduates <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> 1973 have<br />

managed <strong>the</strong> deepest dive ever recorded in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico, developed underwater<br />

welding and nondestructive testing technology,<br />

and participated in <strong>the</strong> top-secret mission<br />

to recover a Russian nuclear submarine.<br />

“Our class was unique because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> close<br />

bonds created toge<strong>the</strong>r at <strong>the</strong> MT Noble Street<br />

shop playing volleyball, building Jorgie’s Reef<br />

on <strong>the</strong> beach near SBCC, learning to operate<br />

Otto’s boats out <strong>of</strong> Santa Barbara Harbor, and<br />

making dives in <strong>the</strong> ADS IV bell system <strong>of</strong>fshore,”<br />

says Tom Belcher. Ano<strong>the</strong>r graduate,<br />

Gary Kane, notes that, “Our instructors were<br />

legends in <strong>the</strong> industry and became a major<br />

influence on all <strong>of</strong> us.”<br />

Three <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> instructors best remembered<br />

by <strong>the</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> 1973 are Bob Christensen, Jim<br />

Parker, and Ramsey Parks. <strong>The</strong>y conducted<br />

classes for <strong>the</strong> two-year program that included<br />

everything from physical oceanography to<br />

fundamentals <strong>of</strong> marine engines and compressors,<br />

and from underwater construction to<br />

marine law and economics.<br />

“We couldn’t ask for any better and <strong>the</strong>y<br />

certainly trained us on how to act, figure out,<br />

and defend ourselves and to develop our<br />

abilities and skill sets into what we were to<br />

become,” comments Belcher.<br />

“We were trained pr<strong>of</strong>essionally by our great<br />

teachers and we owe <strong>the</strong>m big time,” adds Pete<br />

Metson. “<strong>The</strong>y provided us with <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />

to have a successful career, make a lot <strong>of</strong><br />

money, and work with a lot <strong>of</strong> great people.”<br />

Among <strong>the</strong> graduates who went on to successful<br />

careers in <strong>the</strong> industry are Gary Kane,<br />

John McClure, Pete Metson, Tom Belcher,<br />

Tom Ulrich, Ray Chamberlain, William “Billy”<br />

Robinson, and Greg Bryant.<br />

Ulrich grew up in Santa Barbara and<br />

had his scuba certification by <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong><br />

fourteen. His early career took him to many<br />

locations including <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico, <strong>the</strong><br />

North Sea, Mexico, Japan, <strong>the</strong> Pacific Basin,<br />

and his current home in Alaska. He has made<br />

it through <strong>the</strong> ranks to become Alaska<br />

Regional Manager and Vice President with<br />

American Marine International.<br />

Chamberlain has spent forty years <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

working in diving internationally, ROVs, and<br />

as a client’s representative. Chamberlain<br />

believes that <strong>the</strong> marine technology program<br />

at SBCC gave its graduates <strong>the</strong> skills and confidence<br />

to pursue <strong>the</strong>ir ambitions. “I have<br />

fond memories and lots <strong>of</strong> gratitude for our<br />

instructors,” he says.<br />

Metson went to work for SubSea<br />

International soon after graduation and wasted<br />

little time in rising up <strong>the</strong> corporate ladder,<br />

eventually becoming <strong>the</strong> number two man.<br />

Metson was involved in building <strong>the</strong> first<br />

permanent North Sea fixed platform jacket<br />

installations in <strong>the</strong> BP Forties Field. He<br />

obtained his MBA from Tulane and completed<br />

his dive career by helping build SSI into a<br />

mega-firm that is now a major part <strong>of</strong> SubSea<br />

Seven, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest underwater contractors<br />

in <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

Kane left Santa Barbara and spent <strong>the</strong><br />

next ten years establishing himself in <strong>the</strong><br />

industry, working with Metson, Belcher,<br />

Ulrich, Robinson, Chamberlain, and o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

in <strong>the</strong> North Sea. After returning to <strong>the</strong> Gulf<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mexico, he continued working <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

where he supervised a working saturation<br />

dive to 1,073 feet, a record still today. Moving<br />

on in his career, he opened his own consultancy<br />

company in 1996, which he sold in<br />

2015. An active writer, he has written over a<br />

dozen articles for <strong>Underwater</strong> Magazine.<br />

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McClure started his diving career as a Navy<br />

diver in <strong>the</strong> rivers <strong>of</strong> Vietnam. After discharge,<br />

he graduated from <strong>the</strong> new SBCC Marine<br />

Technology Program. McClure’s commercial<br />

dive experience includes thousands <strong>of</strong> hours<br />

underwater, involving a full spectrum <strong>of</strong> projects<br />

deep to shallow, from simple to complex,<br />

using many modes <strong>of</strong> diving. He worked for<br />

Union Carbide for fourteen years, becoming<br />

project manager, and is currently Vice<br />

President/COO <strong>of</strong> Pacific Subsea Saipan, Inc.,<br />

engaged in tour submarine operations in Asia.<br />

Belcher’s varied career has involved him<br />

in dive projects throughout <strong>the</strong> world. He<br />

founded <strong>Underwater</strong> Resources in 1982<br />

and spent thirty-five years performing<br />

shallow/deep air, gas diving services to 230<br />

feet, ROV and sonar inspections, and heavy<br />

civil construction. Belcher developed techniques,<br />

equipment and methodology to<br />

conduct te<strong>the</strong>red dive penetrations within<br />

flooded tunnels/pipelines up to 3,000 feet<br />

to perform internal inspections and repairs.<br />

Robinson worked in <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico<br />

and <strong>the</strong> North Sea, conducting air, gas, and<br />

sat diving. He is a talented leader <strong>of</strong> people<br />

and became operations manager for geophysical<br />

survey projects. Robinson is experienced<br />

in all facets <strong>of</strong> shallow and deep-water diving.<br />

Bryant worked throughout Sou<strong>the</strong>ast<br />

Asia and became <strong>the</strong> diving superintendent<br />

<strong>of</strong> a 1,000-foot saturation system in <strong>the</strong><br />

Philippines. He received a BSME degree from<br />

Cal Poly and became an assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Marine Technology program. He <strong>the</strong>n<br />

became a Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Engineer and partnered<br />

with McClure in Pacific Offshore Contractors<br />

before becoming robotics system manager for<br />

NASA’s space station. Bryant has also worked<br />

for Walt Disney and Universal Studios and<br />

was involved in <strong>the</strong> motion picture, <strong>The</strong> Abyss.<br />

Bryant remains active as a commercial diver<br />

and engineer.<br />

Two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> 1973 were lost while<br />

working. Richard Walker died at 500 feet in<br />

<strong>the</strong> North Sea and ano<strong>the</strong>r classmate, Ron<br />

Smith, was killed during an accidental detonation<br />

<strong>of</strong> explosives. “<strong>The</strong> memories <strong>of</strong> Dick<br />

and Ron and <strong>the</strong> circumstances <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir deaths<br />

still to this day play a part in my pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

decisions,” says Kane<br />

Those from <strong>the</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> 1973 who went<br />

on to careers in <strong>the</strong> industry include: Tom<br />

Belcher, Gib Blevins, Greg Bryant, Ray<br />

Chamberlain, John Colgate, Ken Corsen, Walt<br />

Croson, Andy Culwell, Burt Davis, Hal<br />

Epstein, Gary Fisher, Bob Hargis, Wade<br />

Harris, Pat Helmstetter, Gary Kane, Joe Krivi,<br />

Leslie Lynch, Gary Margadant, John McClure,<br />

Pete Metson, Craig Roberts, Billy Robinson,<br />

Bill Rudolph, Ron Smith, Jack Spinney, Jim<br />

‘Diego’ Terres, Tom Ulrich, Richard Walker,<br />

and Russ Westfall.<br />

“Our Class <strong>of</strong> ’73 was on <strong>the</strong> cutting edge<br />

<strong>of</strong> changes in deep diving technology, and we<br />

were among <strong>the</strong> pioneer divers and technicians<br />

who responded to <strong>the</strong> industry need to<br />

expand limits and work deeper,” comments<br />

McClure. “We have remained connected over<br />

<strong>the</strong> years both pr<strong>of</strong>essionally and socially.<br />

Sharing common goals and life experiences<br />

with classmates is <strong>the</strong> adhesive that bonds us<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r today.”<br />

Top: Marine Tech Field Lab, Bell<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> Class.<br />

Below: Left to right: John McClure, Tom<br />

Ulrich, Billy Robinson, Gary Kane, Ray<br />

Chamberlain, Pete Metson, Greg Bryant<br />

and Tom Belcher.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

93


AMERICAN<br />

MARINE<br />

CORPORATION<br />

Since its beginnings as a start-up commercial<br />

diving business called American Divers<br />

Inc., in 1973, American Marine Corporation,<br />

has grown to become one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> more respected<br />

firms in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> industry.<br />

American Marine Corporation (AMC)<br />

provides commercial diving, specialty marine<br />

contracting and vessel support services to<br />

clients in both <strong>the</strong> public and private<br />

sectors. AMC has been responsible for prime<br />

construction projects ranging from new pier<br />

and breakwater construction to harbor dredging<br />

and ocean outfall installation and repair.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company operates workboats, derrick<br />

barges, flat barges, cranes, dive vessels, and<br />

crew boats. <strong>The</strong> firm’s three operating regions<br />

are Hawaii and <strong>the</strong> outer Pacific Islands, <strong>the</strong><br />

west coast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States, and Alaska.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company is based out <strong>of</strong> Honolulu,<br />

Hawaii, <strong>the</strong> original location. From <strong>the</strong>se<br />

<strong>of</strong>fices, operations extend nationally, and at<br />

times internationally.<br />

AMC began nearly forty-five years ago<br />

when a partnership was formed within a small<br />

dive shop adjacent to Honolulu Harbor.<br />

Pat Wolter, was born and raised in France<br />

and by 1973 had started American Divers<br />

Inc., <strong>the</strong> first formal diving company in Hawaii<br />

to provide general commercial diving services,<br />

with a focus on dive support for marine<br />

construction companies. Robert Shahnazarian<br />

had come to Hawaii from New Jersey on a<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Hawaii swimming scholarship<br />

and it was a natural first step for him<br />

to be involved in waterfront activities. Scott<br />

Vuillemot, starting from a young age, had been<br />

involved in <strong>of</strong>fshore federal funded infrastructure<br />

projects in <strong>the</strong> Islands and had spent time<br />

on <strong>the</strong> West Coast in formal commercial dive<br />

school training. <strong>The</strong>se three young men were<br />

<strong>the</strong> core <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> initial expansion <strong>of</strong> American<br />

Divers Inc., which incorporated in 1975.<br />

<strong>The</strong> focus <strong>of</strong> this expansion was <strong>the</strong> installation<br />

<strong>of</strong> coastal ocean outfall projects as funded<br />

by federal law. In 1972 <strong>the</strong> law became<br />

known as <strong>the</strong> Clean Water Act. This law established<br />

<strong>the</strong> basic structure for regulating pollutant<br />

discharges into <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United<br />

States and gave <strong>the</strong> EPA <strong>the</strong> authority to implement<br />

pollution control programs such as<br />

setting wastewater standards for industry. In<br />

Hawaii, <strong>the</strong>re were three primary ocean outfalls<br />

to be constructed as well as significant<br />

repair projects to existing systems. Good work<br />

for this young group <strong>of</strong> motivated divers.<br />

<strong>The</strong> pivotal year for <strong>the</strong> young company<br />

was 1979. <strong>The</strong> Hawaii outfall projects were<br />

drying up, but similar new opportunities were<br />

opening up in <strong>the</strong> Caribbean in Puerto Rico.<br />

Larger marine construction companies had<br />

been pleased with <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> American<br />

Divers, Inc., and <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>the</strong>m work on <strong>the</strong><br />

Bayamon Ocean Outfall serving San Juan<br />

Puerto Rico. This significant project called for<br />

support boats so Pat and Scott made <strong>the</strong> first<br />

<strong>of</strong> many trips to New Orleans, searching for<br />

reliable support vessels. <strong>The</strong>y decided on two<br />

boats; a small tug and crew boat. <strong>The</strong>se vessels<br />

added ano<strong>the</strong>r business line to <strong>the</strong> company<br />

and American Workboats was formed in 1979.<br />

Puerto Rico provided American Workboats<br />

and American Divers, Inc., with good and<br />

steady work for over four years. While Pat ran<br />

<strong>the</strong> established Hawaii operation, Bob and Scott<br />

ran <strong>the</strong> two companies in Puerto Rico, providing<br />

solid dive and vessel support services on<br />

three large outfall projects, in <strong>the</strong> Caribbean.<br />

Subsequent to <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

major projects in <strong>the</strong> Caribbean, <strong>the</strong> work<br />

dried up to a point where a decision was made<br />

to relocate <strong>the</strong> division on <strong>the</strong> West Coast.<br />

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This primary regional location <strong>of</strong> American<br />

Divers Inc., and American Workboats grew<br />

steadily between 1983 and 1987, fueled by<br />

several large projects in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California,<br />

including construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Diablo Canyon<br />

nuclear power plant and <strong>the</strong> San Rafael ocean<br />

outfall project. <strong>The</strong> West Coast proved itself as<br />

a good market for <strong>the</strong>se maturing businesses.<br />

Tragedy struck <strong>the</strong> company in 1987 when<br />

Pat’s helicopter crashed as he was landing on a<br />

grounded barge to consider wreck removal<br />

options <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Big Island <strong>of</strong> Hawaii. Pat was<br />

killed, and in short order, everything changed<br />

for <strong>the</strong> company. That evening, Scott flew back<br />

to Hawaii to take over management <strong>of</strong> that<br />

division, after being away for eight years.<br />

Pat’s death convinced Bob and Scott to seriously<br />

discuss and plan <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company<br />

as well as to write a new business plan. <strong>The</strong><br />

first step in this plan was <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong><br />

an administrative arm to help <strong>the</strong> company<br />

manage and track growth, and provide customer<br />

service and support. Ano<strong>the</strong>r decision,<br />

was to create an environmental arm to prosecute<br />

and support coastal spills and waterfront<br />

environmental needs. Pacific Environmental<br />

Corporation (PENCO) was formed.<br />

<strong>The</strong> following decade was a time for development<br />

for <strong>the</strong> companies, including an opportunity<br />

for permanent expansion in Alaska. In<br />

1993 a decision was made to enter <strong>the</strong> market<br />

through <strong>the</strong> acquisition <strong>of</strong> equipment and personnel<br />

<strong>of</strong> a failing marine group in <strong>the</strong> region.<br />

By 1998, with <strong>the</strong> company growing rapidly,<br />

Bob and Scott decided it was time to formalize<br />

a new structure for <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />

future. <strong>The</strong> companies were realigned to serve<br />

three basic markets in <strong>the</strong> three regions and<br />

American Marine Services Group (AMSG) was<br />

developed as a reference to <strong>the</strong> overall organization.<br />

American Divers, Inc., was renamed<br />

to become American Marine Corporation.<br />

“A major part <strong>of</strong> our growth philosophy is<br />

to plan and control <strong>the</strong> various facets <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

businesses, from <strong>the</strong> administration to personnel<br />

and equipment,” Scott explains.<br />

“Things along <strong>the</strong> road don’t always work out<br />

<strong>the</strong> way a plan is originally conceived, but<br />

perseverance and good business practices go a<br />

long way toward reaching your goals.”<br />

Today, AMSG focuses on specialty marine<br />

construction projects, commercial diving, tug<br />

and work vessel support, crew boat operations,<br />

and vessel inspection and repair services.<br />

<strong>The</strong> environmental arm under PENCO has<br />

developed into a nationally recognized group<br />

<strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. Although <strong>the</strong> AMSG <strong>of</strong>fices<br />

are in <strong>the</strong> Pacific region, <strong>the</strong> company performs<br />

work routinely on <strong>the</strong> Gulf and East<br />

Coasts, North Slope Alaska, Central America,<br />

and internationally. Offices in Honolulu,<br />

Anchorage, and Los Angeles are staffed with<br />

local personnel who have spent <strong>the</strong> majority<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir careers in those regions <strong>of</strong>fering a<br />

solid basis <strong>of</strong> local knowledge.<br />

American Marine Services Group and<br />

its operating companies; American Marne<br />

Corporation, Pacific Environmental Corporation<br />

and American Workboats currently are moving<br />

in <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> second generation with<br />

<strong>the</strong> intent <strong>of</strong> providing “Excellence in<br />

Operations” for ano<strong>the</strong>r fifty years.<br />

To learn more about American Marine<br />

Corporation, check <strong>the</strong> website at<br />

www.amarinecorp.com. Pacific Environmental<br />

Corporation may be located at www.penco.org.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

95


Above: Teichman Group Founder, Rudy<br />

Teichman, on a salvage project.<br />

Below: <strong>Diving</strong> operations.<br />

TEICHMAN GROUP OF COMPANIES<br />

<strong>The</strong> Teichman Group <strong>of</strong> Companies operates<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most extensive emergency<br />

response networks in <strong>the</strong> world and is<br />

committed to serving <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shipping<br />

and energy industries with <strong>the</strong> highest<br />

standards <strong>of</strong> safety and quality.<br />

Pre-positioned throughout <strong>the</strong> United<br />

States, its territories, Singapore, Europe, and<br />

South America, <strong>the</strong> Teichman Group owns<br />

and maintains a comprehensive inventory<br />

<strong>of</strong> state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art commercial diving, fast<br />

response firefighting systems, inert gas and<br />

nitrogen generators, high capacity dewatering<br />

pumps, ship-to-ship lightering systems,<br />

anti-pollution systems, three-dimensional<br />

sonar, remotely operated vehicle systems,<br />

and myriad <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r response equipment.<br />

Equipment is packaged so it can be rapidly<br />

transported by air, land, or sea. <strong>The</strong> specialized<br />

portable assets are complemented by<br />

floating and portable heavy lift and salvage<br />

support vessels ready to meet both routine<br />

and emergency response challenges.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company was established in 1957<br />

when Rudy Teichman, an experienced<br />

machinist, established T&T Marine Ways,<br />

Inc., a small shipyard at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> Teichman<br />

Point in Galveston, Texas. At first, <strong>the</strong> business<br />

consisted <strong>of</strong> a dock for working on<br />

small vessels, a machine shop, and a small<br />

dredge. Later, a marine railway was built to<br />

perform dry repairs on small vessels. In 1960,<br />

Rudy bought a wooden tug named Josephine,<br />

that he rebuilt to provide towing services<br />

to <strong>the</strong> area.<br />

<strong>The</strong> shipyard was destroyed when Hurricane<br />

Carla hit Galveston in 1961, but Rudy started<br />

over and by 1964, was expanding, hiring<br />

more employees, and building bigger and<br />

better facilities.<br />

Recognizing <strong>the</strong> need for a salvage and<br />

diving company along <strong>the</strong> Texas coast,<br />

Rudy started T&T Marine Salvage, Inc., to<br />

raise sunken boats and barges. In 1976,<br />

Rudy bought a steam crane with a capacity<br />

<strong>of</strong> seventy-five tons for heavy lift work.<br />

Today, T&T owns and operates a wide<br />

assortment <strong>of</strong> equipment, providing a variety<br />

<strong>of</strong> services including heavy lift, response,<br />

salvage, and marine firefighting.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Teichman Group’s dedicated commercial<br />

diving company, T&T Subsea, provides<br />

high quality marine salvage support, ship<br />

husbandry and under hull cleaning, class<br />

approved hull and propeller repairs, vessel<br />

and facility inspections, marine construction,<br />

and contaminated water diving, among o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

underwater services worldwide.<br />

T&T Subsea continues to retain a competitive<br />

advantage by providing safe and high<br />

quality services, while faithfully adhering to<br />

T&T founder’s core values <strong>of</strong> honesty, integrity,<br />

and hard work. On every project, T&T Subsea<br />

provides comprehensive reports, including<br />

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96


photographs and video documentation that<br />

fully satisfy classification society and regulatory<br />

requirements. Additionally, T&T implements<br />

a comprehensive quality-assurance program<br />

that includes client feedback throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

project. This valuable customer feedback<br />

ensures <strong>the</strong> company is continuously improving<br />

processes and procedures.<br />

Rudy’s son, Kevin, learned <strong>the</strong> business<br />

and operational aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> salvage industry<br />

from <strong>the</strong> ground up, under his fa<strong>the</strong>r’s<br />

mentorship. Following Rudy’s passing in<br />

2012, Kevin stepped forward to lead and<br />

expand <strong>the</strong> Teichman Group into what is<br />

now, an international corporation with<br />

bases <strong>of</strong> operation around <strong>the</strong> world. As<br />

Managing Director, Kevin, has implemented a<br />

strategic plan that includes expanding <strong>of</strong>fices<br />

in Europe, South America and Asia. His<br />

efforts have been attributed with enhancing<br />

marine safety, emergency response, and<br />

environmental protection efforts worldwide.<br />

In addition to <strong>the</strong> salvage and diving<br />

businesses, Kevin also helps manage two oil<br />

spill response cooperatives, Clean Gulf<br />

Associates and Clean Channels Cooperative,<br />

including managing all emergency response<br />

equipment and personnel. <strong>The</strong> Teichman<br />

Group <strong>of</strong> Companies now maintains one<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nation’s largest inventory <strong>of</strong> portable<br />

salvage and oil spill response equipment.<br />

In addition, T&T has developed a comprehensive<br />

non-floating oil detection and<br />

recovery capability to meet national U.S.<br />

Coast Guard classification requirements.<br />

Under Kevin’s leadership, <strong>the</strong> Teichman<br />

Group’s fleet <strong>of</strong> boats, and salvage and oil<br />

spill response equipment inventory continues<br />

to grow. <strong>The</strong> company now has <strong>the</strong> capacity<br />

to recover more than two million barrels <strong>of</strong><br />

oil per day with more than 300,000 feet<br />

<strong>of</strong> containment boom. Given <strong>the</strong> Teichman<br />

Group’s capacity and capabilities, <strong>the</strong> company<br />

is contracted by over 100 oil and gas<br />

producers with over sixty percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

tank ship industry selecting T&T to be<br />

named as <strong>the</strong>ir salvor <strong>of</strong> choice on <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

vessel response plans.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Teichman Group has responded to<br />

hundreds <strong>of</strong> marine casualty incidents and oil<br />

spills, from saving sinking <strong>of</strong>fshore oil rigs<br />

to refloating <strong>the</strong> Battleship Texas that saw<br />

battle in both World Wars. Additionally, T&T<br />

has successfully completed marine salvage<br />

operations from <strong>the</strong> Equator to <strong>the</strong> Arctic.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company is based in Galveston, Texas,<br />

with bases <strong>of</strong> operation throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S., Singapore, Peru, Germany, Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands,<br />

and Guam.<br />

For more information about <strong>the</strong> Teichman<br />

Group <strong>of</strong> Companies, check <strong>the</strong> website at<br />

www.teichmangroup.com.<br />

Above: Offshore salvage operations.<br />

Below: Lightering a grounded ship.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

97


STS CHILE<br />

(STS MARINE<br />

ENGINEERING<br />

AND<br />

CONSTRUCTION<br />

LIMITED)<br />

STS Chile is <strong>the</strong> largest and<br />

most experienced subsea engineering<br />

and services company in<br />

Chile and a leader in Latin<br />

America. STS designs and builds<br />

maritime and underwater works<br />

through sophisticated engineering<br />

and <strong>the</strong> best construction methods<br />

that <strong>of</strong>fer safety and ensures<br />

<strong>the</strong> highest quality possible.<br />

Founded in 1960 by Claudio<br />

Castro Jonas with <strong>the</strong> passion <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> pioneers opening and developing<br />

<strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> underwater<br />

world, STS provides integral<br />

maintenance <strong>of</strong> ports and underwater pier<br />

structures; repair <strong>of</strong> underwater oil and gas<br />

pipelines; underwater engineering design and<br />

construction <strong>of</strong> underwater lines. In addition,<br />

<strong>the</strong> company is involved in rescues and salvages;<br />

supports construction and installation<br />

stages <strong>of</strong> oil platforms and underwater lines;<br />

constructs submerged structures; and provides<br />

general maintenance <strong>of</strong> SPM.<br />

In recent years, STS Chile has conducted a<br />

re-engineering process based on <strong>the</strong> highest<br />

international standards, developing and<br />

incorporating management control and quality<br />

assurance as well as <strong>the</strong> business assurance<br />

concept according to ISO 9001 standards.<br />

STS is <strong>the</strong> first maritime company in Chile to<br />

be certified with <strong>the</strong> new 2015 version by <strong>the</strong><br />

prestigious and demanding Lloyd’s Register<br />

QA. <strong>The</strong> company is also certified with integrated<br />

management system ISO 14001:2015<br />

and OHSA 18001, all accredited in <strong>the</strong><br />

United Kingdom.<br />

To date, STS is <strong>the</strong> first company in Latin<br />

America to be audited and certified by<br />

ADC International for 2016, under <strong>the</strong> standards<br />

<strong>of</strong> underwater operations according to<br />

International Consensus Standards version 6.2<br />

auditing initiative.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se high standard certifications confirm<br />

STS’s goal <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering clients <strong>the</strong> best quality<br />

and safe engineering and underwater construction<br />

services.<br />

STS encourages a safety oriented philosophy<br />

and is proud <strong>of</strong> a record <strong>of</strong> over two<br />

million underwater man hours without<br />

accidents. <strong>The</strong> company incorporates <strong>the</strong><br />

Health Safety Environmental and Community<br />

(HSEC) system as its guide.<br />

STS has <strong>the</strong> largest infrastructure <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

diving systems and equipment in Chile<br />

and Latin America. An internationally certified<br />

staff develops continuous maintenance and<br />

update processes for more than 500 tons <strong>of</strong><br />

equipment. This allows <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong><br />

parallel projects in Chile and overseas with <strong>the</strong><br />

highest standards <strong>of</strong> ISO 9001:2015 QAQC.<br />

STS is <strong>the</strong> first company in Chile to<br />

become a general member <strong>of</strong> Association <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International (ADCI) to<br />

participate in conferences, seminars, and<br />

international expositions to promote technological<br />

advances on safety in commercial diving<br />

through <strong>the</strong> best industry practices and<br />

international standards. CEO Castro is also<br />

founder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chilean Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Contractors and Chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chilean<br />

Chapter <strong>of</strong> ADCI.<br />

Safety is a primary concern <strong>of</strong> STS and has<br />

recorded more than two million underwater<br />

immersions without accident during its fiftyseven<br />

years <strong>of</strong> existence. During this period,<br />

STS has executed more than eighty percent <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> maintenance and installation <strong>of</strong> oil and<br />

gas terminals throughout Chile. This allows<br />

STS to <strong>of</strong>fer more technical and economic<br />

advantages for providing highly efficient and<br />

economically viable underwater service<br />

promptly in Latin America and beyond.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company currently employs fifty-seven<br />

people in management, engineering, design,<br />

administration and maintenance. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

employees are based in two main <strong>of</strong>fices:<br />

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Marine Engineering in Vina del Mar and<br />

Subsea Operations and administrative staff in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Port <strong>of</strong> Quintero. <strong>The</strong> company contracts<br />

with surface-supplied air divers and supervisors,<br />

mixed gas, ROV personnel and bell saturation<br />

dive supervisors, depending on <strong>the</strong> size<br />

and scope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> projects being executed.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company has produced continuous<br />

growth <strong>of</strong> more than ten percent annually<br />

for <strong>the</strong> past ten years. Customers include<br />

international engineering companies, mining,<br />

ports, oil and gas, power plants and desalination<br />

plants. Project sizes and revenue are up<br />

to ten million USD, but has developed bigger<br />

multimillion dollar marine projects in joint<br />

ventures or partnerships.<br />

STS contributes directly to its local communities<br />

in Quintero by sponsoring elder<br />

homes and programs for disabled children.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company funds a scholarship for academic<br />

excellence in one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most prestigious<br />

schools in Chile. STS also donates funds<br />

for ADCI scholarships. Because <strong>of</strong> its HSEC<br />

philosophy, STS is involved with every local<br />

community in which it performs projects.<br />

<strong>The</strong> business plan for STS Chile includes<br />

becoming <strong>the</strong> leader in engineering design<br />

and construction <strong>of</strong> Marine Works for<br />

Desalination Plants in <strong>the</strong> American South<br />

Pacific and internationalization to grow its<br />

Latin American market during <strong>the</strong> next five<br />

years in subsea engineering and saturation,<br />

deep dive projects and to grow its marine<br />

engineering projects abroad.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

99


WALKER<br />

DIVING<br />

UNDERWATER<br />

CONSTRUCTION<br />

LLC<br />

Top: Diver in a forty-eight inch water main<br />

in New Jersey (2009).<br />

Bottom: Founder Glenn Walker working on<br />

a diving helmet (1970).<br />

Walker <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Construction,<br />

LLC, based in Hammonton, New Jersey, has<br />

been a well-known name in commercial<br />

diving in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>ast for sixty years. <strong>The</strong><br />

company was founded in 1957 by Glenn<br />

Walker. His family had been in commercial<br />

fishing on <strong>the</strong> New Jersey coast for generations.<br />

However, when <strong>the</strong> family sold <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

boat, Glenn stayed in <strong>the</strong> water and took up<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r maritime career. Operating as Glenn<br />

Walker, Inc., his new company grew steadily<br />

from a one man diving operation, to a company<br />

that employed ten divers and provided<br />

diving services across <strong>the</strong> eastern half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

United States, from New Jersey to Missouri.<br />

<strong>The</strong> diving company still proudly bears <strong>the</strong><br />

Walker name to this day.<br />

In 1973, Glenn decided to leave <strong>the</strong> diving<br />

industry to pursue o<strong>the</strong>r adventures. He sold<br />

<strong>the</strong> business to Harry Streit and headed<br />

westward. Harry had been working at <strong>the</strong><br />

Philadelphia Naval Station and was looking<br />

for a business opportunity and new adventures<br />

<strong>of</strong> his own. With <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong> some<br />

friends, Harry acquired <strong>the</strong> diving company<br />

and renamed it Walker <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors,<br />

Inc. By keeping <strong>the</strong> Walker name, he kept <strong>the</strong><br />

goodwill and contacts that had been built up<br />

over <strong>the</strong> years.<br />

Harry owned and operated <strong>the</strong> business for<br />

more than thirty years during which time he<br />

employed almost every member <strong>of</strong> his family,<br />

making this a true family business. Walker<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> took on numerous unique and challenging<br />

projects. One project involved several<br />

years <strong>of</strong> surface decompression diving for <strong>the</strong><br />

US Army Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers in Georgia,<br />

while ano<strong>the</strong>r required designing special<br />

pipe to slip-line a siphon for <strong>the</strong> City <strong>of</strong><br />

Philadelphia. By taking on bold challenges<br />

and succeeding where o<strong>the</strong>rs were reluctant<br />

to go, Walker <strong>Diving</strong> became <strong>the</strong> largest<br />

inland diving company in <strong>the</strong> eastern half <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> nation. In <strong>the</strong> late 1980s, Harry bought<br />

Portadam, Inc. (a portable dam company) and<br />

founded W. H. Streit, Inc. (a marine construction<br />

company.) <strong>The</strong> family ran all three affiliated<br />

companies until <strong>the</strong>y were sold upon<br />

Harry’s retirement in October 2004.<br />

Several years before he retired, Harry<br />

signed Walker <strong>Diving</strong> and W. H. Streit with<br />

Local Union 454, <strong>the</strong> Wharf and Dock<br />

Builders <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia, which is <strong>the</strong> local<br />

union <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Bro<strong>the</strong>rhood <strong>of</strong><br />

Carpenters. Becoming a union employer<br />

allowed Walker <strong>Diving</strong> to rapidly hire<br />

large numbers <strong>of</strong> capable, experienced<br />

divers and to work for many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> larger<br />

heavy and highway contractors who were<br />

also union affiliated. This partnership with<br />

organized labor continues to provide Walker<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> with many benefits including <strong>the</strong> ability<br />

to rapidly hire large numbers <strong>of</strong> capable<br />

experienced divers and <strong>the</strong> ability to use <strong>the</strong><br />

nationwide training resources <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United<br />

Bro<strong>the</strong>rhood <strong>of</strong> Carpenters.<br />

In 2004 when Alex Kalafatides purchased<br />

<strong>the</strong> diving company, he renamed it Walker<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Construction Corp. Alex<br />

had grown up in a maritime family, and he<br />

and his wife provided renewed energy to <strong>the</strong><br />

small diving company, which had in recent<br />

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100


years been overshadowed by W. H. Streit, Inc.<br />

With <strong>the</strong>ir efforts, <strong>the</strong> Walker <strong>Diving</strong> name<br />

again became well known in <strong>the</strong> industry.<br />

Additionally, <strong>the</strong>y brought on an experienced<br />

and capable project management staff. Those<br />

managers continue to allow Walker <strong>Diving</strong><br />

to solve <strong>the</strong> complex underwater challenges<br />

presented by <strong>the</strong> aging infrastructure in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>ast.<br />

In 2009 <strong>the</strong> Kalafatideses decided to focus<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir efforts on ano<strong>the</strong>r business opportunity<br />

and <strong>the</strong> diving company was again sold. <strong>The</strong><br />

new and current owner, David Earp, is a Navy<br />

veteran who grew up in New Jersey. With a<br />

degree in Ocean Engineering from <strong>the</strong> US<br />

Naval Academy and ten years <strong>of</strong> experience<br />

leading Navy Divers and SEALs, David was<br />

thrilled by <strong>the</strong> opportunity to remain in <strong>the</strong><br />

diving community in a new capacity. He has<br />

retained to this day <strong>the</strong> business name,<br />

Walker <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Construction.<br />

Since David’s arrival in 2009, Walker<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> has grown rapidly. With more<br />

resources and improved equipment, <strong>the</strong> experienced<br />

management team at Walker <strong>Diving</strong> is<br />

once again competing for and successfully<br />

completing larger and more challenging<br />

underwater projects. Walker <strong>Diving</strong> has been<br />

selected to build several intake and outfall<br />

systems for new natural gas power plants.<br />

Additionally, Walker <strong>Diving</strong> has established<br />

itself as a capable and trustworthy partner<br />

in <strong>the</strong> construction industry, frequently<br />

employed by larger marine contractors when<br />

<strong>the</strong>y need to add additional diving capability,<br />

beyond <strong>the</strong>ir in-house dive crews. Walker<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> provides services as a subcontractor to<br />

both union and non-union general contractors.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y also perform as a prime contractor<br />

when <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> work is an appropriate fit.<br />

In recent years, Walker <strong>Diving</strong> has modernized<br />

its facilities, equipment and procedures.<br />

<strong>The</strong> staff has expanded to include more<br />

project managers, a full time safety director<br />

and additional <strong>of</strong>fice staff to keep up with <strong>the</strong><br />

increasingly complex regulations in <strong>the</strong> construction<br />

industry. <strong>The</strong> expanded team works<br />

hard each day to live up to its slogan, “<strong>The</strong><br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Experts.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> aging infrastructure in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>ast<br />

will continue to provide complex underwater<br />

challenges and <strong>the</strong> Walker <strong>Diving</strong> team is prepared<br />

to provide <strong>the</strong> required solutions. Walker<br />

<strong>Diving</strong> looks forward to engaging with our construction<br />

colleagues to solve challenging underwater<br />

problems in <strong>the</strong> region and to driving<br />

innovation in <strong>the</strong> inland diving industry.<br />

Top: Diver on a jobsite in New York harbor.<br />

Skyline can be seen in background (2017).<br />

Bottom, left: David Earp prepping for a dive<br />

while in <strong>the</strong> Navy (1997).<br />

Bottom, right: Barge used to construct a new<br />

cooling water intake for a power plant in<br />

Pennsylvania (2010).<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

101


MARION HILL<br />

ASSOCIATES<br />

DIVING AND<br />

MARINE<br />

SERVICES<br />

GROUP<br />

Top: Divers in <strong>the</strong> Gatehouse.<br />

Below: Howard Kline.<br />

Marion Hill Associates, an<br />

inland diving and marine construction<br />

contractor located<br />

near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,<br />

provides a unique mix <strong>of</strong> topside<br />

and marine contractors,<br />

commercial divers, and environmental<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. Teams<br />

from MHA routinely handle<br />

unique problems encountered<br />

in underwater construction.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company was founded<br />

in December 1980 by Richard<br />

Riley, Sr., and Richard “Rich”<br />

Riley, Jr. Richard Sr. was a<br />

partner in a construction company<br />

that specialized in plant<br />

and mill construction. When<br />

<strong>the</strong> company was awarded a<br />

contract to build a hydroelectric<br />

plant outside Pittsburgh,<br />

<strong>the</strong>re were no local marine<br />

contractors willing to take on<br />

<strong>the</strong> project. Having some<br />

experience in scuba, he completed<br />

<strong>the</strong> project with a<br />

small team. Rich enjoyed <strong>the</strong><br />

work so much he decided to<br />

attend dive school at <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Dive<br />

School <strong>of</strong> New York, which was operated by<br />

Andre Galerne.<br />

After graduating from dive school, Rich<br />

went to work for Galerne on an international<br />

project. Once <strong>the</strong> project was completed,<br />

Rich returned to Pittsburgh for a brief<br />

respite and met Tracy, who would become<br />

his wife. At that point, he decided to put<br />

away his passport and focus his efforts on<br />

developing a company to service <strong>the</strong><br />

Pittsburgh region.<br />

With <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> contacts developed in <strong>the</strong><br />

days <strong>of</strong> steel mill construction, Marion Hill<br />

Associates was able to gain a foothold in <strong>the</strong><br />

Pittsburgh marketplace. <strong>The</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

relationships provided access to bigger and<br />

better projects.<br />

MHA’s first underwater project was to<br />

place 1,000 cubic yards <strong>of</strong> concrete underneath<br />

a hydroelectric plant. This was<br />

done with a two-man dive team, while a<br />

third man floated on an inner tube keeping<br />

time on <strong>the</strong> surface. It took two different<br />

concrete contractors to keep up with <strong>the</strong><br />

supply for <strong>the</strong> project. <strong>The</strong> tremie was<br />

moved into place with come-a-longs and<br />

<strong>the</strong> total underwater placement was completed<br />

in ten hours.<br />

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Today, MHA is comprised <strong>of</strong> approximately<br />

twenty divers, tenders, operators, pilots,<br />

laborers, and mechanics. <strong>The</strong> company<br />

prides itself on <strong>of</strong>fering a wide variety <strong>of</strong> services<br />

for nearly any inland marine customer.<br />

MHA has long-standing relationships with<br />

power plants, steel mills, paper mills, water<br />

authorities, drilling contractors, nuclear<br />

power plants, sewage treatment, and most<br />

any o<strong>the</strong>r business that calls <strong>the</strong> river home.<br />

MHA also has a marine construction division<br />

that <strong>of</strong>fers services ranging from piledriving<br />

dock building to river drilling. MHA<br />

is proud to service customers ranging from<br />

small property owners looking to have a dock<br />

built at a riverfront home, all <strong>the</strong> way up to<br />

multi-year contracts with such companies as<br />

General Electric, Department <strong>of</strong> Defense, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> USACE.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company strives for safety in all its<br />

construction and diving projects and has<br />

been awarded <strong>the</strong> Chief <strong>of</strong> Engineers Safe<br />

Performance Award for <strong>Underwater</strong> <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Projects performed in <strong>the</strong> Pittsburgh Division<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers, and a<br />

Public Service Commendation by <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Coast Guard. MHA is committed to providing<br />

a safe working environment for its employees,<br />

subcontractors and job site owners.<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> dedicated individuals<br />

have contributed to <strong>the</strong> company’s growth<br />

and success over <strong>the</strong> years. Vice President<br />

Leen Dykstra has an extensive background<br />

in inland construction diving and has been<br />

with <strong>the</strong> company more than twenty years.<br />

MHA employs 15 to 20 divers spread across<br />

3 dive teams. <strong>The</strong> dive supervisors—Mike<br />

Folweiler, Josh Gostomski, and Steve<br />

Benaventeùhave all been with <strong>the</strong> company<br />

for ten years or more. MHA also operates a<br />

marine construction division headed by<br />

Superintendent Les May.<br />

Rich’s son, Gwynn Riley, now serves <strong>the</strong><br />

company as Business Development Manager<br />

and represents <strong>the</strong> third generation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

family involved in <strong>the</strong> firm.<br />

MHA regularly donates time, money<br />

and equipment to <strong>the</strong> Boy Scouts <strong>of</strong> America.<br />

Rich is <strong>the</strong> recipient <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> James E. West<br />

Fellowship Award, which acknowledges<br />

distinguished contributions to <strong>the</strong> Boy<br />

Scouts <strong>of</strong> America. MHA is also <strong>the</strong> proud<br />

recipient <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers<br />

safety award.<br />

Marion Hill Associates is located at 1740<br />

Fifth Avenue in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.<br />

To learn more about <strong>the</strong> company, check <strong>the</strong><br />

website at www.marionhilldivers.com.<br />

Top: A dock used by Marion Hill.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

103


ONYX SERVICES,<br />

INC.<br />

Above: ONYX setting articulating concrete<br />

mats on a pipeline in Biscayne Bay, Florida.<br />

Below: Splashing a diver to inspect pipe.<br />

ONYX Services, Inc. is a diversified pipeline<br />

services company based in Houston, Texas.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company specializes in pipeline inspection,<br />

maintenance and repair. ONYX partners<br />

with a broad range <strong>of</strong> clients across all energy<br />

sectors and environments, including land,<br />

marsh, and underwater.<br />

ONYX Services, Inc., began in January<br />

2012 after a small group with knowledge<br />

and experience in oil and gas service agreed<br />

to pursue a common goal <strong>of</strong> working for<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves and owning a business.<br />

<strong>The</strong> mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new company was<br />

to provide all pipeline operators a one<br />

call resource for <strong>the</strong>ir inspection, repair,<br />

maintenance, and construction needs on<br />

land, marsh, or underwater. Pr<strong>of</strong>essional,<br />

knowledgeable and experienced crews provide<br />

and implement cost effective solutions<br />

for any location, wherever customers work.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y summed up <strong>the</strong> services <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>fered<br />

with <strong>the</strong> slogan, “Got Pipe? Get ONYX!”<br />

It took a few months to secure all <strong>the</strong><br />

permits, licenses, and insurance required<br />

to get <strong>the</strong> business going. Finally, several<br />

experienced people were hired and ONYX<br />

hung out its shingle and began work in <strong>the</strong><br />

North Houston, Texas, area. Starting with<br />

some basic equipment and a leased building<br />

and land purchased three years later, it was<br />

not long before <strong>the</strong> first small project was<br />

awarded. Soon, through word-<strong>of</strong>-mouth and<br />

lots <strong>of</strong> cold calling, more and more projects<br />

were awarded. ONYX has now performed<br />

work in all <strong>the</strong> contiguous forty-eight states.<br />

ONYX had to overcome a major challenge<br />

when a drought-ending flood early in 2014<br />

left six inches <strong>of</strong> water in <strong>the</strong> building after<br />

<strong>the</strong> rain stopped. With no power in <strong>the</strong> area,<br />

but plenty <strong>of</strong> customers calling for ONYX’s<br />

services, all employees not already working<br />

on projects started cleaning <strong>the</strong> building<br />

while continuing to answer <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>ir clients. This went on for several days<br />

and on through <strong>the</strong> weekend before things<br />

began to gain a semblance <strong>of</strong> order. However,<br />

ONYX’s clients never realized <strong>the</strong> chaos<br />

caused by <strong>the</strong> flooded building as all <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

needs were met during <strong>the</strong> post-flood cleanup.<br />

ONYX has grown steadily year after year<br />

and had approximately fifty employees in<br />

2016. <strong>The</strong> company and its employees take<br />

great pride in supporting <strong>the</strong> local high<br />

schools and many youth teams in <strong>the</strong> area.<br />

Looking to <strong>the</strong> future, ONYX plans to<br />

remain highly diversified in its clientele<br />

and services with a focus on North America<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Upstream and Midstream oil and<br />

gas sectors.<br />

To learn more about ONYX Services, check<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir website at www.onyxincorporated.com.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

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U.S. <strong>Underwater</strong> Services, LLC has a solid<br />

history <strong>of</strong> more than two decades as a commercial<br />

diving contractor in <strong>the</strong> inland, Gulf<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mexico and international markets. USUS<br />

provides a wide range <strong>of</strong> commercial diving,<br />

inspection, repair and maintenance services to<br />

industries such as oil and gas, shipping, public<br />

works, defense and marine infrastructure.<br />

USUS was founded in Burleson, Texas, in<br />

1995 by a young entrepreneur and sport<br />

diving enthusiast who saw an opportunity<br />

to utilize diving to assist local municipalities<br />

in maintaining <strong>the</strong>ir water systems.<br />

Soon after, commercially trained and certified<br />

divers were added to <strong>the</strong> team, providing<br />

legitimization and a path to becoming a true<br />

commercial diving contractor. By 1997 <strong>the</strong><br />

company had expanded into <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico market, and over <strong>the</strong> next<br />

several years, USUS expanded its client base<br />

and rig support/diving services to nearly every<br />

major <strong>of</strong>fshore driller in <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico.<br />

Key individuals in <strong>the</strong> company’s early<br />

years included <strong>the</strong> Canadian duo <strong>of</strong> Jason<br />

Smith and Scott Miller, as well as Scott<br />

Farris, Bryan Nicholls, David Wolfe, Compton<br />

Cooper, Rich Campbell and Craig L<strong>of</strong>tin.<br />

In 2006, private equity firm, Benford Capital,<br />

purchased controlling interest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company.<br />

<strong>The</strong> following year, Australian-based Neptune<br />

Marine Services purchased USUS and integrated<br />

<strong>the</strong> company into its international portfolio<br />

<strong>of</strong> oilfield and energy service companies.<br />

After <strong>the</strong> devastating Hurricanes Katrina,<br />

Rita and Ike in 2005-2007, USUS was<br />

involved in a variety <strong>of</strong> post-hurricane work,<br />

including platform inspections, site surveys,<br />

debris removal and subsea structural repairs.<br />

<strong>The</strong> additional <strong>of</strong>fshore work generated by<br />

<strong>the</strong>se storms enabled USUS to expand its<br />

service <strong>of</strong>ferings and accelerated <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />

growth for <strong>the</strong> next several years.<br />

In 2010, USUS recorded several significant<br />

milestones, some <strong>of</strong> which included: <strong>the</strong><br />

rebranding <strong>of</strong> USUS to Neptune <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Services; <strong>the</strong> relocation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> operations<br />

base to a newly remodeled 50,000-squarefoot<br />

facility in Mansfield, Texas; <strong>the</strong><br />

completion <strong>of</strong> its largest multi-platform<br />

inspection campaign; and <strong>the</strong> deepest mixed<br />

gas diving projects in <strong>the</strong> company’s history.<br />

U.S. UNDERWATER SERVICES, LLC<br />

In 2012 <strong>the</strong> management team <strong>of</strong> USUS,<br />

with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> Benford Capital and<br />

Coppermine Capital, purchased <strong>the</strong> assets <strong>of</strong><br />

NUS in a management buyout. <strong>The</strong> new privately<br />

held entity, U.S. <strong>Underwater</strong> Services,<br />

LLC was formed; reestablishing <strong>the</strong> USUS<br />

brand within <strong>the</strong> commercial diving industry.<br />

USUS prides itself on being an employer <strong>of</strong><br />

veterans and a supporter <strong>of</strong> veteran’s causes.<br />

In 2014 <strong>the</strong> company was recognized as a<br />

Patriotic Employer by <strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Secretary <strong>of</strong> Defense for its support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

National Guard and Reserves.<br />

U.S. <strong>Underwater</strong> Services joined ADCI in<br />

1996, only a year after its founding. <strong>The</strong><br />

company’s current President/COO, Bryan<br />

Nicholls, has served on <strong>the</strong> ADCI Board<br />

<strong>of</strong> Directors since 2009, was second vice<br />

president from 2014-2017, and was elected<br />

president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI in 2017.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

105


SUBSALVE USA<br />

Above: Crew at work on <strong>the</strong> salvage <strong>of</strong> a<br />

vintage submarine.<br />

Below: <strong>The</strong> front cover <strong>of</strong> a Subsalve USA<br />

product catalog.<br />

Bottom: A diver ascending to <strong>the</strong> surface<br />

with an anchor secured to an underwater<br />

lift bag.<br />

Richard Fryburg knew exactly what he<br />

wanted to do as a career! Fryburg started<br />

diving at age fifteen and at seventeen, he failed<br />

at raising <strong>the</strong> 300-ton sunken tug boat Mount<br />

Hope from Narragansett Bay using 5,000-gallon<br />

oil tanks. Fryburg began designing and<br />

manufacturing underwater lift bags in his parent’s<br />

garage in Worcester, Massachusetts and<br />

in 1977 Subsalve USA was born.<br />

Fryburg graduated from Long Island<br />

University in 1977 with a degree in marine<br />

geology. He was far more interested in developing<br />

underwater flotation than working for<br />

<strong>of</strong>fshore drilling companies. With <strong>the</strong> help<br />

<strong>of</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r, George, he moved Subsalve USA<br />

to Providence, Rhode Island, and began<br />

marketing and manufacturing a line <strong>of</strong> underwater<br />

lift bags and traveling to trade shows<br />

around <strong>the</strong> country. This created <strong>the</strong> Subsalve<br />

USA brand and enabled expanding <strong>the</strong> product<br />

line to a larger range <strong>of</strong> standard open<br />

bottom and enclosed lift bags. Subsalve USA<br />

grew to <strong>of</strong>fer custom flotation devices and<br />

systems for special applications that exceed<br />

<strong>the</strong> capabilities <strong>of</strong> standard products. <strong>The</strong><br />

company developed proprietary products,<br />

including <strong>the</strong> Quad Bag—a multipurpose dive<br />

bag, <strong>the</strong> VRS-2000—vehicle recovery system<br />

and <strong>the</strong> MarkV/ORCA <strong>Underwater</strong> Ordnance<br />

Disposal System.<br />

Subsalve USA developed <strong>the</strong> skill and<br />

experience to become an innovator in buoyancy<br />

and engineered inflatable products<br />

including: Pipe Pluggers used in construction<br />

operations; Inflat-a-Tank—inflatable containment<br />

and storage bladders; Water Load Test<br />

Bags for crane testing; Fend-Air—a product<br />

line <strong>of</strong> marine inflatable fenders; and Aircraft<br />

Lift Bags–used to remove crashed or crippled<br />

aircraft from runways.<br />

Subsalve USA was awarded a U.S. Navy<br />

EOD contract for 170 units <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> government<br />

designed MARK II Mod I Flotation Bladder<br />

for use in <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> mines. Over <strong>the</strong><br />

following years, Fryburg worked with <strong>the</strong><br />

U.S. Navy to modify <strong>the</strong> outdated system,<br />

ultimately developing Subsalve’s state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>art<br />

Mark V-Explosive <strong>Underwater</strong> Ordnance<br />

Disposal System, which has been delivered to<br />

<strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy and twenty Navies worldwide.<br />

Following <strong>the</strong> 9/11 attack, demand for <strong>the</strong><br />

system increased and resulted in modifications<br />

to <strong>the</strong> system and a sole source development<br />

contract with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy with <strong>the</strong> new<br />

Mark V/ORCA System. Subsalve USA now<br />

has contracts with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy and many<br />

foreign navies for <strong>the</strong> MarkV/ORCA system.<br />

Under Fryburg’s guidance and tireless<br />

work ethic over <strong>the</strong> last forty years, Subsalve<br />

USA has become a world-leading innovator<br />

in buoyancy and engineered inflatables with<br />

brand recognition and loyalty around<br />

<strong>the</strong> world. Subsalve USA has had many highpr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

projects including James Cameron’s<br />

record-breaking solo dive to <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Mariana Trench documented by National<br />

Geographic, underwater habitats for Discovery<br />

Channel’s Shark Week and National Geographic,<br />

projects for NASA, Texas A & M University,<br />

Oracle Team USA, Disney, Exxon Mobil,<br />

Warner Bro<strong>the</strong>rs, Woods Hole Oceanographic,<br />

and many o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

After forty years in business, Subsalve USA<br />

was acquired by Performance Inflatables in<br />

May 2017 with Fryburg taking a new position<br />

as Chief Growth Officer, which will insure<br />

that Subsalve USA will continue to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong><br />

highest quality products and service available<br />

in <strong>the</strong> industry and will be raising <strong>the</strong> world<br />

to new heights for years to come.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

106


Looking back on a long and successful<br />

career, Jon Hazelbaker explains that he has<br />

been fascinated by <strong>the</strong> underwater world<br />

since childhood, watching Mike Nelson<br />

(Lloyd Bridges) on <strong>the</strong> television series, Sea<br />

Hunt. At age ten, Jon purchased his first scuba<br />

tank and regulator by mail for $40. By age<br />

twelve, he had purchased ano<strong>the</strong>r tank and<br />

started a pool cleaning business. As a teenager,<br />

he worked part-time in a dive shop, and<br />

for a small inland commercial dive firm.<br />

Jon’s career now spans nearly fifty years in<br />

<strong>the</strong> commercial diving and marine construction<br />

industries as an inland “hard-hat/heavy-gear”<br />

diver and as <strong>the</strong> owner/operator <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

diving and marine construction companies.<br />

His career began in 1968 when he made<br />

his first commercial dives while working as<br />

a young diver for a small commercial dive<br />

firm in <strong>the</strong> Midwest. He attended commercial<br />

dive school after high school (1967) and<br />

joined <strong>the</strong> United Bro<strong>the</strong>rhood <strong>of</strong> Carpenters<br />

and Joiners as an apprentice in 1969.<br />

He became a journeyman “hard-hat” diver in<br />

1972 and maintained his membership in<br />

<strong>the</strong> union until his retirement in 2003.<br />

Jon founded his own dive firm,<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Services, Inc., in 1969<br />

and over a thirty-year span and with <strong>the</strong><br />

addition and assistance <strong>of</strong> two vital partners—Tony<br />

Kiefer (1978) and Thomas “Tim”<br />

Garnette (1983)—grew it to be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

larger inland dive firms in <strong>the</strong> country. In<br />

1994, <strong>the</strong>y sold <strong>the</strong> firm to American Oilfield<br />

Divers, Inc., and Jon stayed on as a vice<br />

president and general manager <strong>of</strong> American<br />

Inland Marine, Inc., and, subsequently, Stolt<br />

Offshore-General Contracting Division.<br />

Jon has been a strong supporter <strong>of</strong> ADCI<br />

throughout his career. His company first<br />

joined ADCI in 1989 and he was elected to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Directors, where he served for<br />

seven years. He was <strong>the</strong> founding chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

association’s Midwest chapter and served in<br />

that capacity from 1990 to 1993. He chaired<br />

<strong>the</strong> ADCI National Committee on <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Bridge Inspection Standards from 1990-1994.<br />

<strong>The</strong> bridge committee was <strong>the</strong> forerunner <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> present engineering diving committee,<br />

and was instrumental in making critical<br />

revisions to <strong>the</strong> FHWA Manual’s chapter on<br />

HAMMERHEAD MARINE SERVICES, LLC<br />

COMMERCIAL DIVING SERVICES, INC.,<br />

Also associated with:<br />

AMERICAN OILFIELD DIVERS, INC.,<br />

AMERICAN INLAND DIVERS, INC.,<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Inspection to eliminate<br />

references to recreational diving<br />

certifications, and more closely align<br />

with <strong>the</strong> ADCI consensus standard<br />

and current industry standards.<br />

In 2001, Jon was awarded <strong>the</strong><br />

Tom Devine Memorial Award, presented<br />

to those individuals making<br />

“significant contributions to <strong>the</strong><br />

practice <strong>of</strong> commercial diving.”<br />

He was inducted into <strong>the</strong> ADCI<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame in 2005,<br />

and in 2014, he was presented <strong>the</strong> ADCI<br />

President’s Award <strong>of</strong> Excellence.<br />

Today, Jon lives in South Florida with his<br />

wife, Colleen, and provides consulting services<br />

to <strong>the</strong> industry through his new company,<br />

Hammerhead Marine Services, LLC. He provides<br />

services as an expert witness on diving<br />

accidents and contract disputes; he served as<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> instructors for <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps<br />

<strong>of</strong> Engineers Dive Safe Safety Administration<br />

courses; serves <strong>the</strong> ADCI on special projects;<br />

and as a designated third-party auditor, conducting<br />

dive safety audits on member dive<br />

firms, and commercial diving schools.<br />

Additional information is available at<br />

www.hammerheadmarineservicesllc.com.<br />

Jon Hazelbaker, founder<br />

AMERICAN INLAND MARINE, INC.,<br />

CEANIC, STOLT OFFSHORE,INC.<br />

Top: Jon Hazelbaker, raw water intake<br />

repair project, Lake Michigan.<br />

Above: Jon Hazelbaker receiving <strong>the</strong> 2014<br />

ADCI President’s Award <strong>of</strong> Excellence.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

107


DRYDEN DIVING<br />

COMPANY, INC.<br />

Above: Donald Dryden.<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> Company, Inc., is owned<br />

and operated by Donald Dryden, whose family<br />

has been in <strong>the</strong> marine construction industry<br />

since <strong>the</strong> 1930s. Don started working in <strong>the</strong><br />

marine construction industry in 1970 and<br />

founded Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> in 1979. <strong>The</strong> company<br />

was incorporated in 1985.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company’s early success was due to <strong>the</strong><br />

fact that Don was an experienced journeyman<br />

dockbuilder prior to attending commercial<br />

dive school. Dive school taught him how to<br />

go underwater, he already knew how to work<br />

when he got <strong>the</strong>re.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> early days <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nuclear industry,<br />

Don and company pioneered some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

first diving in radioactively contaminated<br />

water on reactors and nuclear fuel handling<br />

systems. Over <strong>the</strong> past thirty-five years, <strong>the</strong><br />

company has conducted safe and efficient<br />

diving operations at eleven American nuclear<br />

power plants and has current blanket service<br />

agreements with two.<br />

In response to <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nuclear<br />

power plant industry, Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> developed<br />

its on-call response program. Dryden is<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few commercial dive companies<br />

that maintain a crew <strong>of</strong> divers with staged<br />

equipment on standby to respond to emergent<br />

work at any time <strong>of</strong> any day. <strong>The</strong> company’s<br />

emergent work dive crews <strong>of</strong>ten work<br />

at five or more different locations in one<br />

week. Clients know <strong>the</strong>y have a dependable,<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional, and well-equipped crew ready<br />

when <strong>the</strong>y need <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

Today, Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> continues to perform<br />

marine construction, salvage and<br />

nuclear diving as well as potable water,<br />

contaminated water, marine structure inspection,<br />

and ship husbandry for domestic and<br />

international shipping.<br />

In 2013, Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> initiated <strong>the</strong><br />

development <strong>of</strong> a wet welding program. Today,<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> has qualified procedures and<br />

diver/welders to perform Class B structural<br />

welds as per AWS D3.6M:2010 for A36 and<br />

A572 steel. <strong>The</strong> company intends to qualify a<br />

stainless steel procedure for <strong>the</strong> nuclear<br />

industry by <strong>the</strong> fall <strong>of</strong> 2017. <strong>The</strong> company’s<br />

diver/welders provide pr<strong>of</strong>essional structural<br />

welding services directly from Dryden <strong>Diving</strong><br />

as well as for o<strong>the</strong>r diving companies requiring<br />

‘wet stick’ structural welds.<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong>’s affiliation with <strong>the</strong> United<br />

Bro<strong>the</strong>rhood <strong>of</strong> Carpenters gives <strong>the</strong> company<br />

access to <strong>the</strong> approximately 1,000<br />

commercial divers in its membership<br />

nationwide. This ready pool <strong>of</strong> trained<br />

diving mechanics allows Dryden <strong>Diving</strong><br />

to operate anywhere in <strong>the</strong> United<br />

States with a largely local workforce.<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> has conducted diving<br />

operations a mile from its <strong>of</strong>fice in<br />

New Jersey to Palau in <strong>the</strong> Pacific Ocean.<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> Company, Inc., looks<br />

forward to continuing servicing <strong>the</strong><br />

broad customer base it has developed<br />

over <strong>the</strong> years and meeting <strong>the</strong> challenges<br />

<strong>of</strong> new technology and markets<br />

as <strong>the</strong>y arise. For additional information,<br />

visit www.drydendiving.com.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

108


Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong>, Inc., based in<br />

Portsmouth, Virginia, provides a broad range<br />

<strong>of</strong> services, including ships husbandry, salvage,<br />

construction, water treatment facilities,<br />

power generation facilities, along with many<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r underwater needs. <strong>The</strong> firm’s experienced,<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional divers provide services<br />

coast-to-coast as well as internationally.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company was founded in 1986 by<br />

Bill and Donna Santabar. As Donna recalls,<br />

Bill noticed a ‘For Sale’ sign on <strong>the</strong> property<br />

next door to his one day and came in to<br />

announced he was going to buy <strong>the</strong> building<br />

and make it into a dive shop. “My reply was,<br />

‘You are crazy!’” Donna says. “It’s a good thing<br />

he didn’t listen to me.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> new business was a natural for Bill,<br />

who was <strong>the</strong> diving supervisor at <strong>the</strong> Norfolk<br />

Naval Shipyard after retiring from <strong>the</strong> Navy’s<br />

Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team at Fort<br />

<strong>Story</strong>. Bill earned numerous awards for developing<br />

underwater techniques and promoting<br />

efficiency while underwater.<br />

After operating <strong>the</strong> dive shop for fourteen<br />

years, Bill was ready to retire and play golf. <strong>The</strong><br />

business was sold in 2000 to three employees:<br />

Aaron Addison, Jay Wilson and Martin Dorn.<br />

Addison trained under Bill, Wilson was a scout<br />

swimmer in <strong>the</strong> Marine Corps before attending<br />

dive school and signing on with Chesapeake<br />

Bay <strong>Diving</strong>. Dorn served in <strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy and<br />

joined CBD shortly after. Bill deemed <strong>the</strong> trio<br />

capable <strong>of</strong> carrying on <strong>the</strong> Santabar legacy. “Bill<br />

was like a second fa<strong>the</strong>r to me,” Addison says.<br />

“We’ve tried to pick up where he left <strong>of</strong>f.”<br />

In recent years, Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong> has<br />

expanded its heavy salvage capability and has<br />

been involved in clean up following a number<br />

<strong>of</strong> Gulf Coast hurricanes. <strong>The</strong> company has<br />

<strong>the</strong> resources to cleanly extract petroleum or<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r products from submerged vessels while<br />

protecting <strong>the</strong> safety <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local ecosystem.<br />

Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong> can design, manufacture<br />

and install any c<strong>of</strong>ferdam a vessel may<br />

need. It can also help set up a maintenance<br />

schedule for hull inspections, hull cleanings,<br />

propeller polishing, and seachest cleanings.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se inspections help lower fuel costs and<br />

insure hull integrity.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company is also involved in construction<br />

work, including form work, welding, burning,<br />

CHESAPEAKE BAY DIVING, INC.<br />

epoxy injection, and jacketing. In addition,<br />

Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong> provides turnkey power<br />

generation services that include stop logs, cleaning<br />

intake gratings and trash racks, repairing<br />

and replacing valve, and all o<strong>the</strong>r maintenance.<br />

Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong> also has <strong>the</strong><br />

means to locate and inspect submerged and<br />

buried pipelines to verify coverage prior to<br />

potential exposure, and to perform any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

pipeline maintenance.<br />

“We’ve done about everything <strong>the</strong>re is to do<br />

over <strong>the</strong> years, from finding a lost engagement<br />

ring to huge salvage operations,” Addison<br />

comments. “We’ve got a well rounded group <strong>of</strong><br />

guys who are well trained and equipped.<br />

“We’re proud <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work we do and look<br />

forward to carrying on <strong>the</strong> proud tradition<br />

begun by Bill Santabar.”<br />

Above: Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong> attending a<br />

container ship at <strong>the</strong> local cargo terminal.<br />

Bottom: Bill Santabar diving on <strong>the</strong><br />

Chesapeake Light Tower.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

109


RESOLVE<br />

MARINE GROUP<br />

Joe Farrell outside <strong>of</strong> Resolve Marine<br />

Group’s headquarters.<br />

Joe Farrell was only twelve years old<br />

when his family moved from <strong>the</strong> inner<br />

city <strong>of</strong> Boston to <strong>the</strong> Quincy, Massachusetts,<br />

coast, and at that age, he found a job<br />

with a boat rental firm. His love <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

sea was born from this experience and<br />

sparked a career that eventually became<br />

Resolve Marine Group, a worldwide leader<br />

in salvage and wreck removal, emergency<br />

response, and maritime training.<br />

At eighteen years <strong>of</strong> age, he joined <strong>the</strong><br />

United States Coast Guard. After attending a<br />

U.S. Navy diving school, he became a ship’s<br />

diver and an engineman on a USCG icebreaker<br />

working in <strong>the</strong> Arctic, followed by duty as<br />

an explosives advisor in Vietnam. After four<br />

years, he left <strong>the</strong> military and joined <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation<br />

Center (AUTEC) in Andros Island, Bahamas.<br />

He spent <strong>the</strong> next four years recovering torpedoes<br />

as a diver jumping out <strong>of</strong> helicopters,<br />

strapping <strong>the</strong> surface floating weapons and<br />

flying <strong>the</strong>m under <strong>the</strong> helicopters back to <strong>the</strong><br />

AUTEC base.<br />

After leaving <strong>the</strong> Bahamas, Joe served as<br />

<strong>the</strong> Chief Engineer on a large Dutch-built<br />

oceangoing salvage tugboat. After a few<br />

years working onboard <strong>the</strong> tug, <strong>the</strong> owners<br />

allowed Joe to use <strong>the</strong> tugboat in an attempt<br />

to independently develop work. Joe was able<br />

to use <strong>the</strong> tugboat to perform <strong>the</strong> salvage projects<br />

and eventually allowed to purchase <strong>the</strong><br />

vessel. He promptly renamed <strong>the</strong> tugboat<br />

Resolve after having resolved what he wanted<br />

to do in life.<br />

Over <strong>the</strong> next ten years, Resolve undertook<br />

salvage jobs in <strong>the</strong> warm waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Caribbean, working on various small<br />

freighters and island vessels. Following <strong>the</strong><br />

1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, <strong>the</strong><br />

Coast Guard established new regulations for<br />

OPA-90 and Joe realized if he wanted to<br />

remain in business, he would need to meet<br />

those requirements. In short, Resolve needed<br />

a shipboard firefighting team and <strong>the</strong> best way<br />

was to build his own training facility. Resolve<br />

soon became <strong>the</strong> only salvage company with<br />

an in-house team <strong>of</strong> experts who also served<br />

as pr<strong>of</strong>essional firefighting instructors. This<br />

effort led to establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Resolve<br />

Maritime Academy, which has trained more<br />

than 37,000 pr<strong>of</strong>essional marines and port<br />

firefighters from around <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

Resolve’s core business is vessel emergency<br />

response and has more fully stocked and<br />

owned response warehouses globally than any<br />

emergency vessel responder. <strong>The</strong> company<br />

operates worldwide and with facilities and<br />

staff in Singapore, Shanghai, Gibraltar,<br />

Mumbai, London, Rotterdam, Cape Town,<br />

Florida, Alabama, and Alaska, in addition to<br />

twenty-two OPA-90 SMFF depots in <strong>the</strong><br />

United States.<br />

Resolve has also successfully performed<br />

extremely complex salvage operations<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> world. <strong>The</strong> company has<br />

experienced salvage masters, naval architects,<br />

engineers and divers standing ready to assist<br />

clients around <strong>the</strong> clock.<br />

In 2006, Resolve, in conjunction with<br />

<strong>the</strong> U.S. Navy, sank <strong>the</strong> decommissioned<br />

USS Oriskany aircraft carrier to create <strong>the</strong><br />

world’s largest artificial reef <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong><br />

Pensacola, Florida. <strong>The</strong> challenging project<br />

took more than two years and more than 150<br />

full-time personnel. While completing <strong>the</strong><br />

project, Joe learned <strong>the</strong> Oriskany was <strong>the</strong><br />

aircraft carrier that a young Lieutenant<br />

Commander named John McCain flew <strong>of</strong>f on<br />

October 26, 1967. McCain was shot down<br />

over Hanoi and spent five and a half years as<br />

a captive <strong>of</strong> North Vietnam. It was also on <strong>the</strong><br />

deck <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Oriskany where McCain’s fa<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

Admiral Jack McCain, assumed command <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Navy’s Pacific Fleet while his son was<br />

being tortured in Hanoi.<br />

As a token <strong>of</strong> appreciation, Joe saved a<br />

porthole from <strong>the</strong> Oriskany and presented it to<br />

McCain, now a U.S. Senator, in his <strong>of</strong>fice at<br />

<strong>the</strong> U.S. Capitol.<br />

For nearly thirty-eight years, Resolve<br />

Marine Group has met some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> biggest<br />

maritime challenges throughout <strong>the</strong> world. As<br />

Resolve has grown, it has remained steadfast<br />

in its commitment to reinvest pr<strong>of</strong>its in people<br />

and businesses that align with Resolve’s<br />

core mission: to protect life, <strong>the</strong> environment,<br />

and property at sea. Joe attributes his phenomenal<br />

and successful growth and good fortune<br />

to giving more <strong>the</strong>n you ask for in return<br />

and to simply treat people <strong>the</strong> way you would<br />

like to be treated.<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

110


ASSOCIATION<br />

OF DIVING<br />

CONTRACTORS<br />

INTERNATIONAL<br />

BY PHIL NEWSUM<br />

<strong>The</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors<br />

International stands today as more than just a<br />

trade association. Since 1968, <strong>the</strong> ADCI has<br />

become <strong>the</strong> voice and symbol <strong>of</strong> safety for<br />

commercial diving and underwater operations.<br />

<strong>Industry</strong> stakeholders such as government<br />

regulatory agencies, militaries, schools,<br />

vendors, manufacturers, <strong>the</strong> medical and<br />

insurance communities, as well as those that<br />

engage in <strong>the</strong> operations <strong>of</strong> commercial diving<br />

all look to <strong>the</strong> ADCI as <strong>the</strong> premier entity for<br />

<strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> industry best practices.<br />

One reason for <strong>the</strong> longstanding sustainability<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association is its willingness to engage<br />

in open dialogue with <strong>the</strong> industry when developing<br />

<strong>the</strong> guidelines and recommendations<br />

within <strong>the</strong> International Consensus Standards<br />

for <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> and <strong>Underwater</strong><br />

Operations. <strong>The</strong> hallmark and strength <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Association is its diverse make up, which allows<br />

it to approach industry challenges on a variety<br />

<strong>of</strong> levels. <strong>The</strong> ADCI’s regional chapter framework<br />

provides an outlet for both members and<br />

non-members to share <strong>the</strong>ir lessons learned and<br />

notable operations conducted, all <strong>of</strong> which supports<br />

<strong>the</strong> Association’s focus on safety, education,<br />

and communication.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re have been many individuals over<br />

<strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> last fifty years who have<br />

helped make <strong>the</strong> ADCI what it is today. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

can be found in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Hall<br />

<strong>of</strong> Fame, serving on a committee or on <strong>the</strong><br />

Board <strong>of</strong> Directors. <strong>The</strong>y can be found working<br />

on a pipeline, a dam, or in an <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />

Supporters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Association serve <strong>the</strong> industry<br />

in a variety <strong>of</strong> different ways. Over <strong>the</strong><br />

course <strong>of</strong> its history, <strong>the</strong> ADCI has become<br />

adept at listening to and acting upon feedback<br />

in <strong>the</strong> best and most effective way to better<br />

<strong>the</strong> conduct <strong>of</strong> underwater operations. In<br />

short, <strong>the</strong> key to <strong>the</strong> ADCI’s first fifty years<br />

and <strong>the</strong> key to its next fifty years, will be its<br />

ability to embrace change and focus its efforts<br />

for change on positive terms.<br />

As <strong>the</strong> current Executive Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

ADCI, I am honored to serve in <strong>the</strong> footsteps<br />

<strong>of</strong> those who’ve paved <strong>the</strong> way for me to try to<br />

make a difference. I am also blessed to work<br />

every day with <strong>the</strong> longest tenured employee<br />

in <strong>the</strong> Association, <strong>the</strong> Grande Dame and my<br />

colleague, Barbara Treadway. No one person<br />

has seen more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> progression <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ADCI<br />

firsthand than Barbara.<br />

I have also encountered o<strong>the</strong>rs who have<br />

helped me to lead organizational change, build<br />

positive industry relationships, learn from my<br />

mistakes, be open to new ideas, take <strong>the</strong><br />

initiative, and fix fatal flaws. I cherish <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunity to hold this position and be a part<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> positive impact that <strong>the</strong> Association <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International has on <strong>the</strong><br />

underwater industry.<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Intervention, UI 2018.<br />

SHARING THE HERITAGE<br />

111


SPONSORS<br />

American Marine Corporation.............................................................................................................................................................94<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors International ................................................................................................................................111<br />

Chesapeake Bay <strong>Diving</strong>, Inc. .............................................................................................................................................................109<br />

Collins Engineers, Inc. ........................................................................................................................................................................63<br />

<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Services, Inc.........................................................................................................................................82<br />

Divers Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology.............................................................................................................................................................84<br />

DRS Marine Inc. .................................................................................................................................................................................88<br />

Dryden <strong>Diving</strong> Company, Inc............................................................................................................................................................108<br />

Eason <strong>Diving</strong> & Marine Contractors, Inc. ...........................................................................................................................................78<br />

Enviroscience, Inc...............................................................................................................................................................................63<br />

Global <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage, Inc. .............................................................................................................................................................90<br />

Hammerhead Marine Services, LLC/<strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> Services, Inc................................................................................................107<br />

Historical <strong>Diving</strong> Society USA .............................................................................................................................................................63<br />

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. .................................................................................................................................................................70<br />

Lakes & Rivers Contractors, Inc..........................................................................................................................................................63<br />

Logan <strong>Diving</strong> & Salvage......................................................................................................................................................................74<br />

Mainstream <strong>Commercial</strong> Divers, Inc. ..................................................................................................................................................80<br />

Marine <strong>Diving</strong> Technology Class <strong>of</strong> 1973—Santa Barbara City College................................................................................................92<br />

Marion Hill Associates <strong>Diving</strong> and Marine Services Group ................................................................................................................102<br />

National University Polytechnic Institute ............................................................................................................................................63<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ocean Corporation ......................................................................................................................................................................63<br />

ONYX Services, Inc...........................................................................................................................................................................104<br />

Randive, Inc........................................................................................................................................................................................63<br />

Resolve Marine Group.......................................................................................................................................................................110<br />

STS Chile (STS Marine Engineering and Constructing Limited)...........................................................................................................98<br />

Subsalve USA....................................................................................................................................................................................106<br />

Teichman Group <strong>of</strong> Companies...........................................................................................................................................................96<br />

U.S. <strong>Underwater</strong> Services, LLC .........................................................................................................................................................105<br />

<strong>Underwater</strong> Construction Corporation................................................................................................................................................64<br />

W.J. Castle P.E. & Associates, P.C. .......................................................................................................................................................86<br />

Walker <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Underwater</strong> Construction LLC ...................................................................................................................................100<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

112


ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />

M IKE<br />

C OX<br />

Mike Cox, an elected member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Texas Institute <strong>of</strong> Letters, is <strong>the</strong> author <strong>of</strong> more than a<br />

score <strong>of</strong> non-fiction books and hundreds <strong>of</strong> articles over <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> a career dating back more<br />

than forty years. In 2010 he received <strong>the</strong> A. C. Greene Lifetime Achievement Award<br />

and has earned numerous o<strong>the</strong>r recognitions for his writing over <strong>the</strong> years. His most noted work<br />

is a two-volume history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> legendary Texas Rangers, published in 2008-2009. A long-time<br />

newspaper writer turned state government spokesman, Cox lives in Austin. When not writing,<br />

he spends as much time as he can fishing and hunting or traveling and o<strong>the</strong>rwise enjoying life<br />

in Texas.<br />

ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />

113


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Bakersfield: It’s <strong>the</strong> People, And a Whole Lot More<br />

Black Gold: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> Texas Oil & Gas<br />

Black Gold in California<br />

Carter County, Oklahoma: <strong>The</strong>n and Now<br />

Cheyenne: A Sesquicentennial History<br />

Coastal Visions: Images <strong>of</strong> Galveston County<br />

Davis County: On <strong>the</strong> Move<br />

Fort Myers - City <strong>of</strong> Palms: A Contemporary Portrait<br />

Garland: A Contemporary History<br />

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Historic Albany: City & County<br />

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Historic Brownsville: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Charlotte:<br />

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Historic Chautauqua County: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Cheyenne: A History <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Magic City<br />

Historic Clayton County: An Illustrated History<br />

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Historic Hampton Roads: Where America Began<br />

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An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Bakersfield and Kern County<br />

Historic Lafayette:<br />

An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Lafayette & Lafayette Parish<br />

Historic Laredo:<br />

An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Laredo & Webb County<br />

Historic Lee County: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> Fort Myers & Lee County<br />

Historic Louisiana: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Mansfield: A Bicentennial History<br />

Historic Midland: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Mobile:<br />

An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mobile Bay Region<br />

Historic Montgomery County:<br />

An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Montgomery County, Texas<br />

Historic Ocala: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ocala & Marion County<br />

Historic Oklahoma: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Oklahoma County: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Omaha:<br />

An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Omaha and Douglas County<br />

Historic Orange County: An Illustrated History<br />

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Historic Pennsylvania An Illustrated History<br />

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Historic Santa Maria Valley<br />

Historic Scottsdale: A Life from <strong>the</strong> Land<br />

Historic Shelby County: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Shreveport-Bossier:<br />

An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Shreveport & Bossier City<br />

Historic South Carolina: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Smith County: An Illustrated History<br />

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Historic Texarkana: An Illustrated History<br />

Historic Texas: An Illustrated History<br />

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Historic Wilmington & <strong>The</strong> Lower Cape Fear:<br />

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Historic York County: An Illustrated History<br />

Iron, Wood & Water: An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> Lake Oswego<br />

Jefferson Parish: Rich Heritage, Promising Future<br />

More Than a River: Decatur-Morgan County<br />

Loudoun County, Virginia:<br />

Preserving Tradition, Embracing Innovation<br />

Miami’s Historic Neighborhoods: A History <strong>of</strong> Community<br />

Old Orange County Courthouse: A Centennial History<br />

Plano: An Illustrated Chronicle<br />

<strong>The</strong> New Frontier:<br />

A Contemporary History <strong>of</strong> Fort Worth & Tarrant County<br />

Rich With Opportunity:<br />

Images <strong>of</strong> Beaumont and Jefferson County<br />

Salt Lake City: Livability in <strong>the</strong> 21st Century<br />

San Antonio, City Exceptional<br />

<strong>The</strong> San Gabriel Valley: A 21st Century Portrait<br />

Southwest Louisiana: A Treasure Revealed<br />

<strong>The</strong> Spirit <strong>of</strong> Collin County<br />

Terrebonne Parish: Stories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Good Earth<br />

Tyler: A Natural Beauty<br />

Utah Valley: Heart <strong>of</strong> Utah<br />

Valley Places, Valley Faces<br />

Water, Rails & Oil: Historic Mid & South Jefferson County<br />

WORKING UNDERWATER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Story</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Commercial</strong> <strong>Diving</strong> <strong>Industry</strong><br />

114


LEADERSHIP SPONSORS<br />

ISBN: 978-1-944891-50-3<br />

Historical Publishing Network

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