Michael R. Smith
National Undersea Research Center
University of North Carolina at at Wilmington
mike@blinkylights.org

I was born in Birmingham Ala., but my family moved several times throughout Georgia as my father's electrical engineering career advanced. In 1980, we settled in Wilmington, NC, where I grew up. It was in Wilmington that I developed a strong respect and love for the ocean. As a kid, recreation usually involved the water. Camping on barrier islands, skiing, surfing, boating, and excursions in the salt marsh were my favorites, and these experiences enhanced my desire to learn about marine biology. During school I worked aboard the Henrietta II, a paddle wheel dinner boat on the Cape Fear River, and earned my 100 Ton Captains License at the age of 22.

I started college at UNCW where I planned to major in Marine Biology. I also learned to dive at UNCW. I later transferred to Cape Fear Community College, where I enrolled in their Marine Technology program. This gave me a lot of hands on experience. I graduated with an Applied Science degree in 1994. In 1995, I accepted a job in Louisiana where I served as First Mate aboard the R/V Pelican, the research vessel for the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON). Working for LUMCON and aboard the Pelican gave me great experience related to seamanship skills on large vessels, and familiarity with scientific instrumentation, especially related to data acquisition. I was looking, however, to return to NC and I was next hired by UNCW as mate on their new research vessel, the R/V Cape Fear.

While in Wilmington, I learned about the NURC program, and the Aquarius habitat in Key Largo. I volunteered as a support diver for an Aquarius mission in 1999, and because I already worked for UNCW it was a bit easier to break into the rotation. The volunteer experience really got me interested and excited about working with the Aquarius team. In February of 2000, I was able to relocate to Key Largo where I began work as a research diver for NURC. Working with Aquarius has been challenging and incredibly rewarding. With new technology and growing interest in the versatility of our habitat, Aquarius promises an exciting future.