My Underwater Welding Story:

When people used to think about diving, tropical vacations and swimming next to brightly colored fish came to mind. But there was another world of diving, a grittier and more challenging one: commercial or deep-sea diving. These were the guys who kept the world running above the water, doing the hard work below it.?

And for 6 very challenging years, I was proud to be a part of that gritty and thrilling world down there.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I was raised in the beautiful landscapes of Alaska, where I developed a love for construction and adventure. After graduating high school, I decided to pursue a career in welding and aluminum boat building, especially following the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

One fateful day, I had to deliver an aluminum rack to Martec, an underwater salvage and construction company in Anchorage. While waiting in their main lobby, I was awestruck by the large underwater photos of deep-sea commercial divers at work down there at the bottom of the Sea.

It was a transformative moment.

Right then and there, I knew that I wanted to become an Underwater Welder.

Eager to chase my dream, at 22, I packed my bags, sold my chevy truck and headed to Long Beach, California where I enrolled at the prestigious College of Oceaneering. This 12-month comprehensive commercial diving school in the heart of Long Beach Harbor became my training ground. Under the close guidance of my mentor, the legendary "Duke Ogden," a Vietnam-era sniper, special operator and warrior, I excelled as an underwater welder following his teachings. In fact, I even had the honor of qualifying the school's underwater welding procedure, a feat that had never been accomplished before.

In 1994, armed with my newfound expertise and unwavering determination, I moved to Louisiana to kick-start my career at Global Divers in New Iberia. I started at the bottom as a dive tender, working my way up the ranks with some of the toughest men and women divers judging and considering me to "Break-out" as I busted my ass, proving my worth. It took me two years to become a diver, making many dives along the way before "Breaking-out", and from there, I specialized in air and mixed gas diving, focusing primarily on underwater welding, including challenging nuclear projects.

Becoming a deep-sea diver hadn't been easy. It required thorough preparation and a diverse skill set. To stand out in this competitive field, I knew I had to be mechanically proficient, possess strong common sense, and maintain confidence without arrogance. I strived to be the best I could be, never settling for mediocrity. It wasn't just about earning a few bucks; it was about pursuing my passion with unwavering commitment.

As a deep-sea diver, I tackled a wide range of jobs. From manual labor to intricate instrumentation installations, there was always something important to be done underwater in addition to the mid-water welding work. I served as the "eyes and ears" for topside welding engineers and "company men", gathering crucial information that couldn't be obtained by anyone else. And as a construction diver, I took on concrete forming, welding, cutting, rigging, hand-jetting and various other tasks, all while enduring the challenges of working in cool, sometimes freezing, waters with limited to absolutely zero visibility.

Securing a job as a deep-sea diver had undoubtedly been competitive. However, what set me apart from other candidates was my relentless work ethic, eagerness to learn, and adaptability in challenging situations. My background in welding and construction, coupled with my physical fitness and problem-solving abilities, made me a standout candidate. Moreover, my effective collaboration and clear communication skills proved invaluable in demanding scenarios.

My journey as a deep-sea diver was a testament to my unwavering determination and dedication to safety and professionalism. I constantly strived for self-improvement and thrived under pressure, knowing that the importance of our work extended far beyond what was visible on the surface.?

I was proud to be a part of the team that kept the world running, even at the muddy depths of the ocean or under a nuclear reactor burning rods, wet welding for 10 hours at a time.

Over the course of those six years, my experience as a deep-sea diver laid a solid foundation for my future career path. It equipped me with essential skills and knowledge that propelled me towards becoming a certified welding inspector, certified pipeline inspector, construction quality manager, and ultimately, a commissioning manager in the renewables industry. The challenges I faced and the dedication I displayed during those years helped shape my professional journey and prepared me for the diverse and demanding roles I would assume in the years to come.

I pushed myself for my dream, took the lessons learned and kept going!

Go for your dream!!

?"Make it Hot"!