- Jim Urban
- Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU)
I was born in Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in Anoka, Minnesota where I graduated High School. Joined the Navy after graduating — best thing I could’ve ever done!!! After completion of Gunners Mate school I went to the U.S.S. Portland (LSD-37). When I had enough of the haze grey (“Ships” for the civilian types) stuff, I attended dive school in Panama City, Fl. I started my dive career aboard the U.S.S. Grapple (ARS-53). My first tour as a salvage diver was very rewarding. My next duty station was MDSU-2 out of Little Creek, Va. During my 2nd salvage tour, I experienced once in a life time jobs. I took part in the engine recovery of the U.S.S. Monitor and salvage of the stranded ship U.S.S. La Moure County (LST), and other various salvage jobs. Then it was time to head on to 1st class Dive School, with following orders to NEDU. There I work in the Gas King shop (“gas blending”). I’ll have done about 3 years here and about to roll out and head to the dive school for instructor duty. I live here in Panama City, Florida with my wife Marica, and my daughter Danielle. In my spare time I enjoy the good-life of fishing and spearfishing, or just going out and blowing bubbles and finding “junk” on the bottom. Can’t keep me out of the water!!!
