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Expeditionary CV

Expeditionary Experience

 

RMS Titanic Expedition 2023 – Newfoundland, Canada

Expedition Manager & Mission Director | May – June 2023

 

Following the continued success of the Titanic expeditions, I once again led OceanGate Expeditions as Expedition Manager and Mission Director on the third phase of an archaeological and biological survey of the wreck with the Titan submersible. As Mission Director and the reporting party on-scene, I was designated as the On-Scene Coordinator by the Unified Command and personally lead the search efforts for the submersible coordinating private assets along with US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, French oceanographic vessel L’Atalante and 8 other commercial vessels.

Experts on board during the 2023 expedition included:

  • †Paul-Henry (PH) Nargeolet – Having led six expeditions to the Titanic wreck site and lectured at numerous Titanic exhibitions around the world, PH is a former French Navy Commander who served 25 years as deep diver and a submersible pilot. He also served as the Captain of the Deep Submergence Group of the Navy (Former Bathyscaphe Group) and joined the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER).
  • Rory Golden – Titanic dive veteran and expert with 44 years of dive experience around the globe including Titanic expeditions in 2000, 2005, 2021, 2022 and the Apollo F-1 Search and Recovery Project
  • Dr. Steve Ross, Research Professor, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

 

RMS Titanic Expedition 2022 – Newfoundland, Canada

Expedition Manager & Mission Director | June – July 2022

 

Following the success of the 2021 expedition, I led OceanGate Expeditions as Expedition Manager and Mission Director on the second phase of an archaeological and biological survey of the wreck. The nearly 60-day expedition consisted of five 8-day long missions and was 100% successful, having all participating clients reach the final resting place of the world’s most famous wreck. While funded privately by citizen scientists and investors, the expedition crew was composed of world-renowned experts, scientists, and professionals.

Experts on board during the 2022 expedition included:

  • †Paul-Henry (PH) Nargeolet – Having led six expeditions to the Titanic wreck site and lectured at numerous Titanic exhibitions around the world, PH is a former French Navy Commander who served 25 years as deep diver and a submersible pilot. He also served as the Captain of the Deep Submergence Group of the Navy (Former Bathyscaphe Group) and joined the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER).
  • Rory Golden – Titanic dive veteran and expert with 44 years of dive experience around the globe including Titanic expeditions in 2000, 2005, 2021 and the Apollo F-1 Search and Recovery Project
  • Dr. Bridget Buxton – The Associate Professor of History and Archaeology at The University of Rhode Island.
  • Dr. Scott Parazynski – A highly decorated physician, astronaut, and tech CEO, who was recently inducted into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. He flew five Space Shuttle missions and conducted seven spacewalks and has participated in numerous expeditions including two on Mt. Everest. (unable to join in-person due to an eye injury)
  • David Concannon – A well versed expedition leader who’s lead six expeditions to the Titanic, the Apollo F-1 Search and Recovery Project, two Mt. Everest expeditions, and expeditions to the HMHS Britannic and the German battleship Bismarck.

In addition to the historical and archaeological goals of the expedition, the 2022 science objectives also focused heavily on the collection of DNA in the water column and around the wreck. The OceanGate Expeditions 2022 Titanic Expedition marine biology crew was comprised of marine biologists from the U.S. and Scotland including:

  • Dr. Steve Ross, Research Professor, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
  • Dr. Lea-Anne Henry, Chancellor’s Fellow, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr. Murray Roberts, Professor of Applied Marine Biology & Ecology, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr. Anna Gebruk, Scientific Project Manager, University of Edinburgh

The expeditionary crew also included environmental DNA experts from eDNAtec including Beverly McClenaghan, Senior Ecologist, eDNAtec. These studies were supported by OceanGate Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which provides financial support for marine research and applied technology. eDNAtec will conduct the eDNA analysis in their state-of-the-art research center, the Centre for Environmental Genomics Applications (CEGA), in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

After thoroughly exploring the Titanic wreck and collecting DNA water samples, the expedition team discovered a previously unknown volcanic formation near the wreck of the Titanic at approximately 3800 meters depth. This groundbreaking discovery was led by Paul-Henry (PH) Nargeolet and uncovered a wonderland of sponges, corals and many marine animals never seen in the area before. This new area will be a scientific focus for the 2023 expedition and has already gained the attention of the scientific community.  

Portions of the were filmed by CBS and BBC onboard and will be broadcast in several TV specials airing later that year.

 

RMS Titanic Expedition 2021 – Newfoundland, Canada

Expedition Manager | June – July 2021

 

This first expedition to the Titanic for OceanGate Expeditions focused on documenting the wreck with high-definition cameras and proving OceanGate’s newest submersible. As the Expedition Manager I oversaw many of the logistics and client needs during the planning phase an while underway. The expedition successfully explored the wreckage of the Titanic and fully demonstrated the feasibility of the pioneering carbon fiber submersible Titan.  

Designed in collaboration with NASA, the University of Washington and Boeing, Titan is a Cyclops-class manned submersible designed to take five people to depths of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) for site survey and inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, and deep-sea testing of hardware and software. Through the innovative use of carbon fiber and titanium, Titan is lighter in weight and more cost efficient to mobilize than any other deep diving submersible. A combination of ground-breaking engineering and off-the-shelf technology gives Titan a unique advantage over other deep diving subs; the proprietary Real Time Hull Health Monitoring (RTM) systems provides an unparalleled safety feature that assesses the integrity of the hull throughout every dive.

Experts on board during the expedition included †Paul-Henry (PH) Nargeolet, Rory Golden, David Concannon, Scott Parazynski, Bridget Buxton and Dana Wilkes (NOAA).

 

Wrecks of the Northeast Expedition 2020 – New York, USA

Expedition Manager | October 2020

 

Leading the team as the Expedition Manager during the Wrecks of the Northeast Expedition, I oversaw the use of OeanGate’s Cyclops 1 submersible to survey several targets near the Hudson Canyon. This exploratory mission was in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island and sought to better understand the significant maritime wrecks in the New England area. The expedition team included Dr. Bridget Buxton, the Associate Professor of History and Archaeology at The University of Rhode Island.

 

Hudson Canyon Expedition 2020 – New York, USA

Expedition Manager | September 2020

 

Using OceanGate’s Cyclops 1 submersible, I was the Expedition Manager during the Hudson Canyon Expedition. Located approximately 100 miles east of New York, the Hudson Canyon descends nearly 3000 meters of the continental shelf. Dives sought to better understand the biology of the largest underwater canyons in the USA. The expedition was in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island.

 

Six Gill Expeditions 2019 – Washington, USA

Expedition Manager | July – August 2019

 

During the Possession Sound Six Gill Expedition the OceanGate team baited and documented six gill sharks in the Puget Sound near Seattle using OceanGate’s Cyclops 1 submersible. In coordination with the Seattle Aquarium, dives operated twice a week for 4 weeks documenting six gill populations and behavior.

 

Bahamas Submersible Expedition 2018 – Abaco, The Bahamas

Expedition Manager | April 2018

 

In 2018 OceanGate completed testing of its new Titan submersible and explored the eastern coast of Abaco Island in the Bahamas. In coordination with the Bahamian government, the University of the Bahamas and the Marine Mammal Institute, the team explored depths down to 3700 meters.

 

Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek 2017 – Kathmandu, Nepal

Expedition Leader | June 2017

 

Co-organized by my company Unavita Adventures and Go for Nepal, I acted as the Western Guide and led the group on the 14-day trek from Lukla to Mt. Everest Base Camp. This trek was also the launch of Charity Climb (charityclimb.org) an organization I founded to help individuals create fundraising treks and climbs to support charitable causes.

 

Glacier Peak 2016 – Washington State, USA

Trip Leader | August 2016

 

A successfully led a party of 4 on a summit climb of the least monitored and dangerous volcanoes in the lower 48. This six-day 10,541ft glaciated climb is considered one of the most difficult and remote in Washington State.

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro 2015 – Tanzania, Africa

Western Guide | July 2015

 

Named the “Kili for Cancer Project” this trek was in direct support of the Children’s Cancer Association. Organized by my company Unavita Adventures and Ian Taylor Trekking, 8 climbers including myself made the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. This successful climb was able to raise funds for the CCA and was featured by several local new outlets in the Washington and Oregon area.

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro climb & Safari 2012 – Tanzania, Africa

Climber | July 2012

 

This 8-Day Machame route climb and safari in support of Cancer Climber Association based in Colorado. Lead by Grand Slam Explorer Sean Swarner, our group successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and was able to raise funds for the association as well as for local guides and porters.

Other climbs and adventures

 

  • Mt. Kilimanjaro (3 climbs) 2012, 2015, 2026
  • Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala (2 climbs)
  • Mt. Baker, Washington USA (2 climbs)
  • Mt. Rainer, Washington USA (6 climbs, 2 winter attempts)
  • South Sister Volcano, Oregon USA (1 climb)
  • Mount St. Helens, Washington USA (6 climbs)
  • Mt. Adams, Washington USA (3 climbs)
  • Half Dome, Yosemite California USA (2 climbs)
  • Mt. Baker 50 Mile Ultra Trail Run
  • Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek
  • Deception Pass Ultra 50k

 

Other notable accomplishments

  • Founded Campstuff Coffee a mobile coffee shop located at Deception Pass State Park offering coffee and helping to support outdoor empierces for families.
  • Founded Survivor Mind (www.survivormind.com) a blog and podcast dedicated to exploring and fostering resilience, personal growth, and mental fortitude in the face of adversity.
  • Founded Charity Climb (www.CharityClimb.org), a logistics organization that helps to create unique group fundraising treks and climbs.
  • Founded Everest Endeavor, a project with the Children’s Cancer Association to inspire young explorers and climb the highest mountain in the world.
  • Organized a fundraising campaign for a Kilimanjaro guide named Filbert Akira for him to complete college. Filbert now works on the National Taskforce on Anti-Poaching (NTAP).
  • Founded Unavita Sandals, a retail company that sold African inspired footwear and donated 51% of its profits to charitable efforts in Tanzania and Kenya.

 

Professional affiliations, certifications and credentials

  • Explorers Club Member National
  • PADI Open Water & Dry Suit Scuba Diver
  • Level 1 OGI Submersible Pilot
  • EMT-B – Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
  • R-EMT – Remote Emergency Medical Technician obtained from Remote Medical Training
  • Washington State EMT Certification
  • US Coast Guard MCPIC (Medical Care Person in Charge) Certification
  • US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential
  • US Coast Guard STCW95  (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Certification
  • TWIC
  • NFPA FF1 – National Fire Protection Agency & Washington State Patrol Certified Firefighter
  • ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) Level 2 Rope Rigging and Rescue
  • Camano Island Fire & Rescue – Firefighter EMT (2013-Present)
  • Member of the ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association)
  • Board Member of the Deception Pass Park Foundation 501c3
  • Member of Global Medical Response Emergency Response Team