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James Talacek I grew up in the small town of Clayton, North Carolina, with a large pond in my backyard. This allowed me early access to fish, snakes, turtles, etc. along with all the other critters that accompany living out in the "boondocks." So, from an early age the water always intrigued me. My family went on frequent weekend trips to the beach where I gained respect and admiration for the ocean. After high school I attended UNCW where I earned my first diving certification. Diving on the wrecks and ledges off North Carolina made me realize that working underwater was how I wanted to make my living. All of my early jobs consisted of construction work, which I was eventually able to couple with my diving experience and a job with the NC Department of Transportation Underwater Unit. My primary job was underwater bridge inspection, but also included extensive underwater repair work, including pumping concrete, welding and burning, epoxy injection, and a lot more. I also trained and learned surface supplied hard hat diving while working with the DOT Underwater Unit, became a certified Divemaster, and obtained my Coast Guard Captain's license. This led me to a side job of dive boat captain during the weekends. During my last six months with DOT I was diving supervisor for the Outer Banks area. After 7.5 years I left the DOT to take my current job with UNCW, based in Key Largo at the National Undersea Research Center. However, before leaving I also obtained my Commercial Diving Supervisor certification. My main hobby is skydiving, but I also enjoy spearfishing, BASE jumping (BASE stands for Building, Antennae, Span, Earth, and is skydiving from fixed objects), rollerblading, going to concerts, and NASCAR races. An anonymous quote I read on an inspirational skydiving poster has always stuck with me, and I feel it relates to any quest in life: "Courage is absolute trust in your own abilities, only fear can keep you grounded." |
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