Speakers

Marine Science and Conservation

Daytime

Sunday

3:00PM-3:45PM

Doc Edgerton

Schoolyard Films inspires the next generation of ocean stewards through free, award-winning documentaries for students worldwide. This presentation highlights films on octopuses, polar bears, and oysters – stories that connect kids directly to the sea and the urgent need for conservation. From the intelligence of cephalopods, to the resilience of oysters, to the polar bear’s fight against climate change, each film shows children that they, too, can be scientists, advocates, and caretakers of marine ecosystems. By blending powerful imagery with accessible science, Schoolyard Films empowers young audiences to understand, value, and protect this magnificent blue planet.a

Amy Giannotti is a marine ecologist, scuba diver, and enthusiastic science communicator.  She is the Director of Development for Schoolyard Films, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2008.  Schoolyard Films brings the planet’s most remote locations into schools and classrooms via high-end environmental documentaries for youth. Raising awareness through expert filmmaking provides a bridge for connecting humans to nature.  She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment, combining her scientific expertise, leadership, and a profound commitment to conservation through education.

Animals

Daytime

Sunday

3:00PM-3:45PM

Cousteau

The Coral Triangle is the epicenter for marine life biodiversity. It is one of eight major coral reef zones in the world. Colorful nudibranchs, cryptic marine life, and giant manta rays, make it a diver’s paradise.  Please join Andy to see why this area is on most diver’s bucket list!

Andy Martinez has been diving and photographing marine life for over 50 years. His work has been used in many magazines and books and aquaria. His popular app, Marine Life North Atlantic, is a necessary resource for anyone wanting to know the critters from this area.  He has led many diving groups to the Philippines, Indonesia and many islands in the Caribbean

Photo/Video

Daytime

Saturday

3:00PM-3:45PM

Doc Edgerton

I’ve spent over a decade helping divers make underwater images, while continuing to hone my own craft; I’ve spent the last few months doing a deep dive into the hard drives of another – a Sea Rover, accomplished diver and explorer, photographer, and friend – Captain Joe Mazraani, who passed away July 29th, 2025. I have learned much from my journey into Joe’s images about growth as a photographer and the intersection of exploration, art, and legacy.  Join me in discussing why imaging in exploration matters and how to maximize the impact of your work.   

              Raised on wreck diving and photography Becca Boring has been the Operations Manager of Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo for the last decade. She is passionate about documenting and helping others capture the beauty of the underwater world and has a particular fondness for the wrecks of the Pacific.

Wrecks/Maritime History

Daytime

Saturday

4:00PM-4:45PM

Gimbel

Take a deeper look into the wrecks of Malin Head, Ireland with a focus on the classics and capturing underwater imagery in the 60-100 meter range with a focus on offboard lighting.

Ben is a full-time dive professional that specializes in technical diving and underwater photography and videography. Ben has experience teaching and diving all over the world. Ben currently teaches open circuit technical diving, overhead (cave & wreck), and CCR courses (CM O2ptima & Divesoft Liberty SM). Ben is an Instructor Trainer for TDI and offers instructor level courses for a variety of technical diving programs and the Dive Rite CM O2ptima. In addition to teaching, Ben has a passion for organizing diving expeditions in remote and harsh environments and capturing these images for others to enjoy.

Photo/Video

Daytime

Saturday

2:00PM-2:45PM

Doc Edgerton

Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Cristian Dimitrius invites you on a journey through his evolving process of underwater image-making. Blending powerful stories from the field with cutting-edge equipment, creative lighting, and a unique artistic approach, this talk reveals how the search for the perfect light becomes an act of storytelling, connection, and transformation. From deep technical insights to poetic reflections, this is a masterclass in seeing — and feeling — the underwater world in entirely new ways.

Cristian Dimitrius is a Brazilian Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, photographer, and presenter specializing in wildlife and underwater filmmaking. Renowned for his bold visual style and innovative camera techniques, Cristian’s work pushes the boundaries of natural history storytelling. Over the past two decades, he has filmed in some of the planet’s most remote and challenging environments, contributing to acclaimed productions for BBC, National Geographic, Netflix, Disney+, PBS, and more. Named Boston Sea Rovers Diver of the Year in 2024, Cristian is on a lifelong mission to inspire love for nature through powerful, immersive imagery that connects emotion, science, and cinematic beauty.

Dive Safety/Training

Daytime

Sunday

11:30AM-12:15PM

Gimbel

Managing a Diving Injury in remote locations can be a significant challenge. An overview of  these challenges will be illustrated using  real world dive injury cases. Outlined in the discussion will be appropriate considerations when preparing for your next dive in a remote location.

Dr David Charash is Dive Medicine Physician Board Certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He has been caring for the Undersea Community for over 30 years. He has lectured Locally, Nationally, and Internationally on all topics related to Dive Safety, Dive Technology and Dive Medicine. Dr Charash was honored in 2022 by receiving the Prestigious DAN Rolex Diver of the year, and has been recognized by the United States Navy for his dedicated teaching and Support of the Navy's Undersea Community. Dr Charash is a volunteer researcher with Divers Alert Network. He is also the Host of the Fitness in Diving Podcast features on Spotify and Apple

Caves and Mines

Daytime

Saturday

2:00PM-2:45PM

Cousteau

This presentation provides an overview of Phreatic Organisation, a non-profit based in Sardinia, Italy, committed to the study of drinking water resources and to cultivating the young next generation of explorers, project divers, and scientists through structured apprenticeship programs and exploration initiatives.

Dorota, GUE’s Executive Vice President and Board member, began diving in 1996 and instructing in 1999. After leaving academia in 2001, she managed dive operations in Egypt before joining GUE in 2005, drawn to its mastery-based philosophy. With thousands of dives, she is an experienced manager and diver, trained in CCR, cave, photogrammetry, and scientific programs. Through Phreatic ApS, she pursues collaborative speleological projects to protect freshwater resources. An educator and leader, she develops GUE’s training platform, mentors young divers via the NextGen Legacy Project, and advances organizational excellence to support high-level diving performance and scientific collaboration.

Locations

Daytime

Sunday

2:00PM-2:45PM

Gimbel

Faith's recent expeditions to the Southern Ocean have set records for exploration and their discoveries. Learn more about the challenges of this type of exploration and the incredible things we have discovered along the way.

Faith Ortins has spent her life educating people about diving through her love and enthusiasm for the ocean. She inspires people and instills in them a passion for diving in all its forms. In early 1990’s, she worked with DUI to develop the first women’s drysuits before becoming DUI’s VP of Sales and Marketing for 20 years. She created the DUI DOG Rally and Demo Tour Program which promoted local diving facilities across the US, teaming dive retailers together while divers test dive DUI products. She now is the co-owner of Blue Green Expeditions which guides expeditions to all the oceans on the planet including multiple polar expeditions. She is a 2010 Inductee to the Women Divers Hall of Fame and associate member of the Boston Sea Rovers.

Animals

Daytime

Sunday

2:00PM-2:45PM

Cousteau

In 1978, I made one of my checkout dives off the Caribbean island of St. Croix to earn my YMCA certification. Like so many others, I immediately fell in love with the clear waters of the tropics. At that time, I was hoping to become a coral reef ecologist if I didn’t make it as a shark researcher. For the last 25 years, I have been doing both. This presentation highlights the intense research we have been conducting on the sharks of the Caribbean. You will learn how high-tech tagging is now revealing the ecology of tiger, lemon, reef, and other shark species in this incredible ecosystem.

Dr. Greg Skomal is an accomplished marine biologist, photographer, and author. He heads up the Massachusetts Shark Research Program, which studies the life history, ecology, and physiology of sharks. He has written dozens of research papers, and his work has been highlighted in several film and television documentaries for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and PBS. His most recent books are the Great White Shark Handbook and Chasing Shadows, which debunk the mysteries of the great white shark. Greg is a member of the Explorers Club and the Boston Sea Rovers, and he is the 2016 Diver of the Year.

 

Caves and Mines

Daytime

Saturday

1:00PM-1:45PM

Cousteau

Mine diving is not for the faint of heart! Swimming through shafts, tunnels, and down railway beds often in dark, icy cold water is truly an adventure.  However, diving in mines is a great way to learn about history, archaeology, technology and people. A particularly specialized form of overhead diving, mine diving requires some additional skills. Sometimes mines are in remote locations, deep underground and require special access. One must be self-sufficient and physically capable of getting to and from the water’s edge in addition to doing the dive. Join us as we share our explorations of mines in Sweden, Hungary and the Northeast US.

David Caldwell and Heather Knowles are the co-founders of Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions, Inc. They operate their dive charter boat, Gauntlet, with a focus on shipwreck diving and exploration. Dave and Heather are fellows of the Explorer’s Club and have explored some of the world’s notable shipwrecks, mines and caves. They have made shipwreck discoveries and identifications in their local waters, including the steamer Allentown and USS Nezinscot and have collaborated on research projects with NOAA in support of exploration in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Dave is a passionate educator as a NAUI Technical Examiner and Northeast US and Eastern Canada regional manager. Heather served as the diving member on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, holding leadership roles, from 2008-2023.

Dive Activities

Daytime

Saturday

10:00AM-10:45AM

Doc Edgerton

Exploration isn’t limited to distant oceans or polar frontiers—it begins in our own backyards. In August 2025, a team of Canadian divers made the first descent on a virgin deep-water schooner off Toronto, a wreck never before visited by divers. This expedition illustrates how disciplined planning transforms curiosity into discovery. The presentation highlights the four pillars of exploration—vision, preparation, flexibility, and documentation—through the lens of this first dive. Attendees will see how thoughtful planning not only enables technical projects, but also fosters a mindset of exploration that can be applied to any dive site, at any depth.

Diving since 2002, Heison Chak has explored Great Lakes shipwrecks and Florida’s submerged caves, uncovering hidden histories beneath the water. Passionate about mentoring divers, he provides training that opens pathways into technical and cave diving. Heison served on the 2023 and 2025 NAUI Technical Subcommittee and currently leads as President of the Ontario Underwater Council and Standards Trustee for GUE. Through his involvement with NAUI and DAN instructor training programs, he is committed to advancing dive safety, nurturing leadership, and inspiring the next generation of divers to approach exploration with curiosity, discipline, and a sense of discovery.

Wrecks/Maritime History

Daytime

Saturday

10:00AM-10:45AM

Gimbel

In 1852, The famous ship-of-the line "Lefort" sank in just a few minutes during a huge storm in the Gulf of Finland, taking more than 850 lives with it. The shipwreck was discovered in 2013 by a team of divers, who spent the next three years exploring this nearly intact time capsule and finally managed to discover what specifically happened during the last travel of that man-of-war.

Ivan Borovikov has been diving for 20 years and holds certifications from TDI Advanced Trimix, GUE Tech2+/Cave2/CCR, etc. Over the last 10 years, He was a key member of an exploration team in the Baltic Sea region, where they discovered and identified around 50 new wrecks. These included the famous wooden battleship "Lefort", 18 Soviet WWII-era submarines that were missing for nearly 80 years, and many other fascinating finds 

 

Wrecks/Maritime History

Daytime

Saturday

2:00PM-2:45PM

Gimbel

In 2025, a team from D/V Tenacious announced the discovery of the wreckage of the steam trawler Seiner, a WWI-era fishing vessel that disappeared in the fishing grounds of Georges Bank in January of 1929. Seiner was last heard from on January 18 before she disappeared without further trace. Her entire crew of 21 men went down with the ship.

A team from D/V Tenacious, led by Captains and BSR associates Joe Mazraani, Jennifer Sellitti, and Eric Takakjian, discovered the wreck site in 2022 and returned on July 27 and 28, 2025, to dive the wreckage and confirm the identification. Mazraani died two days later while diving another shipwreck on Georges Bank.

Public announcement of the discovery led to communication between the team and the descendants of John Hann, a fisherman lost aboard Seiner. Hann’s loss haunted the family for almost 100 years, especially his son Joseph. Both the discovery team and Hann’s family found closure and healing through their meeting and this historic discovery.

Jennifer N. Sellitti is a lawyer and a shipwreck hunter. A criminal defense attorney by profession, she and her partner, Joe Mazraani, spend their spare time operating D/V Tenacious, a vessel that locates, dives, and salvages artifacts from shipwrecks in the North Atlantic. Jennifer is a US Coast Guard–licensed ship captain and a certified diver. She was part of the crew that discovered the wreckage of the 1855 passenger steamship Le Lyonnais, the WWI casualty West Point, the bow of M/S Stockholm, and other shipwrecks. She has served as surface support for expeditions to RMS Lusitania, SS Andrea Doria, and Titanic’s sister ship, HMHS Britannic. Jennifer is an associate member of Boston Sea Rovers and passionate about educating people of all ages about maritime history. 

 

 

Animals

Daytime

Saturday

11:00AM-11:45AM

Cousteau

Amidst the vast, sandy expanse and rugged seascape, an oasis of life emerges, teeming with a myriad of peculiar and enchanting creatures. Beneath this seemingly barren landscape, divers can encounter bobtail squid, a blue-ringed octopus, ghost pipefish, colorful nudibranchs, and other fascinating macro subjects. Each species reveals remarkable adaptations that allow them to thrive in this shifting environment. Join Jim and Pat for an extraordinary underwater adventure as they uncover the secrets, behaviors, and habitats of these strange and captivating creatures that turn the sandy seafloor into a vibrant, living world waiting to be explored.

Jim and Pat, Associate Members of the Boston Sea Rovers and Fellows of The Explorers Club, are acclaimed underwater filmmakers known for capturing extraordinary animal behavior, shipwrecks, and remote dive destinations around the world. Popular presenters across North America, they inspire audiences with breathtaking imagery and tales of discovery. The Stayers have discovered several shipwrecks, co-authored three books, and produced hundreds of multimedia presentations. Their footage has appeared on major international networks, and they’ve directed several film festivals. Pat is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, and Jim, a USCG Captain. Together, they continue to lead a remarkable life of exploration and adventure.

Marine Science and Conservation

Daytime

Sunday

2:00PM-2:45PM

Doc Edgerton

Coral reefs are an essential provider of coastal protection, livelihoods, food, cultural and intellectual stimulation…and to divers an enormous source of joy.  Globally, coral reefs are now experiencing what our friend Elon Musk puckishly refers to as “unscheduled disassembly.” This is the result of human errors: climate change mostly, but also overfishing, overdevelopment, over many things.  I will share a vision for the long game in coral reef stewardship, and discuss what the diving community can do to help squeak this sacred underwater world through a Great Climate Hiatus.

Les Kaufman is a marine conservation scientist and naturalist based at Boston University. He specializes in coral reef ecology and the superdiverse fish communities of tropical reefs and great lakes.   He has for the past two decades been working on coral restoration, in particular with the NGO Fragments of Hope in Belize and Mission Iconic Reefs in Florida.  A pragmatic optimist, he sees many possibilities for a better world, and better diving, despite the global challenges.  His hobbies are diving, birdwatching, fishing, and other outdoorsy things.  He has one son and a beloved young granddaughter who is big time into plants.

Marine Science and Conservation

Daytime

Sunday

1:00PM-1:45PM

Doc Edgerton

The frozen places of our planet have profound effects on ocean currents which in turn support a stable climate and thereby our very existence. The AMOC approaches the tipping point. “+1.5 C,” arbitrary though it is has been overrun. As the life of the oceans collapses, what will divers of the future inherit? Things much talked about, in practice ignored. How can we consolidate distress into action? My contribution is through the beauty of the Natural World. I will present along with the science, the ineffable beauty of wild things that depend on the ice and of the ice itself.

Mark Seth Lender is a producer for nature content and the Explorer is Residence at Living on Earth (Reach: 250 Public Radio stations, 1.2 million listeners). His fieldwork on which his broadcast segments and his photography are based spans three decades and all seven continents. He lectures on many aspects of the Natural World and has been a featured speaker at numerous National Wildlife Refuges, libraries, public schools, Brandeis, Yale, Boston Sea Rovers, and the Explorers Club. Mark’s first solo exhibition of photography, “The End of the Ice” is now in preview, and opens December 2025 at Artevistica, Chester, Connecticut.

 

Wrecks/Maritime History

Daytime

Saturday

1:00PM-1:45PM

Gimbel

On Christmas Eve 1974, Cyclone Tracy tore through Darwin, sinking ships and claiming lives that remain unaccounted for to this day. Among them was skipper Ray Curtain of the Darwin Princess, whose body was never recovered. My presentation explores the haunting search within this wreck—now lying upside down on the seafloor, accessible only through a narrow crawl space, leading toward the engine room where his remains may rest. With low visibility, tiger sharks, and crocodiles as constant companions, the dive is fraught with challenge. The talk also highlights the discovery of three additional wrecks, including the stern of USS Peary.

Mark Tozer – Ocean Explorer, Technical Diver, and Conservation AdvocateCome rain or shine, Mark Tozer embarks on his daily coastal stroll along the enchanting South Australian shorelines, immersing himself in the splendor of his aquatic sanctuary. His affinity for the ocean finds its roots in his childhood in Birkenhead, South Australia, where weekends were devoted to snorkeling with his father at Semaphore beaches, exploring seagrass beds, and marveling at the wonders of marine life.Beyond his love for diving and the ocean, Mark dons various hats. As the owner/operator of a substantial commercial furniture factory in Lonsdale and an iconic retail furniture store in Mile End and the Northern Territory employing over 80 Australians he seamlessly intertwines business acumen with a profound commitment to community welfare.In 2013, Mark established “Dive for Cancer”, a charitable initiative that transcends Australian borders, supporting the global fight against cancer through contributions to the Cancer Council. With a diving history dating back to 1987 and an impressive 9000+ logged dives, Mark is an accomplished technical diver with extensive experience in deep diving, mixed gas, and rebreather technology, emphasizing safe and efficient underwater exploration. His expertise spans everything from open circuit diving to advanced closed-circuit rebreathers, allowing him to reach depths and wrecks that remain inaccessible to many.Mark’s academic journey brought him to Charles Darwin University in 1991, where he delved into Building Design and Engineering before making the pivotal decision to relocate to the Northern Territory. His exploratory dives around Darwin Harbour fueled his passion for discovering WWII shipwrecks and relics from the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy in 1974. This passion for maritime history and underwater archaeology has led him to investigate some of the most mysterious shipwrecks across Australian waters.Venturing beyond Australia, Mark has explored some of the most significant wreck diving sites in the world, including Truk Lagoon, the SS President Coolidge, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Santo, focusing on historical deep-water wrecks. His technical diving expertise enables him to document and study these sites in ways that preserve their history for future generations.Mark’s fascination with sharks, ignited by the USS Indianapolis story, evolved into a lifelong friendship with South Australian icon Rodney Fox. In collaboration with Rodney’s son Andrew, they co-own Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions, with a mission to foster shark appreciation through research and education. The expeditions bring divers face-to-face with great white sharks in a safe and ethical manner while advancing scientific understanding of these apex predators.Mark’s dedication to marine conservation and education materialized in the form of the “Rodney Fox and Mark Tozer’s Museum and Research Centre.” This passion project showcases an extensive collection of vintage and historical diving equipment, exhibits on sharks and sea creatures, and interactive displays designed to inspire ocean conservation. The centre not only educates visitors on the evolution of diving technology but also highlights the importance of marine conservation efforts through compelling exhibits and hands-on learning experiences.Adding another accolade in 2022, Mark assumed the role of Director at “Sharks and Rays Australia (SARA),” an organization committed to conservation through science and public outreach. His involvement underscores his dedication to protecting misunderstood marine species such as sawfish, rays, and various species of sharks.Mark Tozer’s journey is a testament to his profound love for the ocean, unwavering commitment to conservation, and passion for technical diving and education. Through his leadership in shark conservation, shipwreck exploration, and marine research, he continues to inspire future generations of divers, scientists, and conservationists, ensuring that the ocean’s mysteries remain preserved for years to come.

Locations

Daytime

Sunday

3:00PM-3:45PM

Gimbel

The three islands of the Republic of Malta (Malta, Gozo and Comino) lie in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and Tunisia.Today, Malta is emerging as a tourist mecca and one of Europe’s capitals of culture. For SCUBA divers, the clear waters of Malta abound with diving opportunities waiting to be explored, from historic shipwrecks to spellbinding blue holes. In this presentation, Eco-Photo Explorers will journey to Malta and reveal its underwater treasures.

                 Michael Salvarezza and Christopher Weaver have been diving the waters the world since 1978.  They have presented their work numerous times at the Boston Sea Rovers Underwater Clinic, and all of the major dive conferences, and have published more than 200 articles in numerous magazines, including National Geographic Adventure. Their work has been used to support a variety of research and educational programs. Their expeditions have taken them from the Arctic to the Antarctic and many places in between.

 

 

Wrecks/Maritime History

Daytime

Saturday

9:00AM-9:45AM

Gimbel

In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Andrea Doria sinking, we will bring stories of the adventures of divers and artifact recoveries from the last 7 decades, many of which will be on display in the artifact exhibit.

Mike Dudas has been diving the wrecks off the East coast of the US since 1988. His first dive to the famed Andrea Doria was in 1998 and he continues to return as often as possible. Mike has also travelled extensively to dive shipwrecks from New Zealand to Thailand and spent some time working in Bikini Atoll diving the sunken nuclear fleet. Mike dives regularly in New Jersey with the D/V Tenacious on their east coast expeditions.

Richard M. Simon grew up diving and crewing on New England dive boats. Rick is a Boston Sea Rover, 2005 Frank Scalli Intern, and a TDI dive instructor with recreational and technical ratings. He is the president of Manta Industries, a dive equipment manufacturing company and the vice president of Shoreline Diving Services, Inc., a commercial diving company specializing in inspection, salvage and construction. Rick is an avid diver, especially enjoying cave and wreck diving mostly on the East Coast but anywhere around the world. When he is not diving, he enjoys spending time with his wife Erin and their many farm animals.

 

Locations

Daytime

Sunday

1:00PM-1:45PM

Gimbel

Need an altruistic reason to justify your next dive trip? Join Nancy for an inspiring seminar on the unsung ecotourism heroes of Misool, Indonesia, and Helen Reef, Palau—two of the world’s most stunning marine destinations. Through captivating video footage and firsthand stories, discover how passionate individuals and organizations are protecting these fragile ecosystems with sustainable scuba diving and conservation efforts. Watch how coral reefs are being restored, endangered species protected, and local communities empowered. Learn how you can support these initiatives through responsible travel. Don’t miss this chance to explore the intersection of adventure, conservation, and community empowerment in marine ecotourism!

Nancy McGee is a celebrated underwater explorer, filmmaker, and adventurer with over three decades of experience. A member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and an Explorers Club Fellow, Nancy has piloted the Exosuit, scuba dived on all seven continents, and captured rare footage of extraordinary marine encounters, including snorkeling with whales, crocodiles, and diving with an elephant. Known for blending scientific exploration with storytelling, her work promotes ocean conservation and has been featured in numerous documentaries, publications and exhibitions. Nancy continues to inspire others to explore and protect our planet’s most remote and fragile aquatic environments.

Projects/Expeditions

Daytime

Sunday

9:30AM-10:15AM

Edgerton

Splitting time between his two favorite worlds, SCUBA diving and Star Wars, documentary producer Paul Cater Deaton makes the most of expeditions to Japan and Mexico. He dives the frigid muck of Osezaki before attending Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, then explores the mysterious cenotes of the Yucatan and joining 300 costumed members of the famed 501st Legion for a galactic parade through the streets of Merida, Mexico. Between exotic sites and marine life here on Earth to denizens of a galaxy far, far away, one need not be a Star Wars nerd to enjoy this film.

Paul Cater Deaton is an award-winning Writer, Producer, Director and Cinematographer. Based in Galveston, he works all over the world on film, TV, music video and documentary projects.

PCD is a member of Boston Sea Rovers, Television Academy, Explorers Club, Historical Diving Society and American Advertising Federation. Credits include The Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, HBO Documentaries and The Amazing Race.

He was certified in Global Shark Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation by Cornell University and the University of Queensland, and has been named a Philippines Specialist by the Philippines Department of Tourism

 

Animals

Daytime

Sunday

1:00PM-1:45PM

Cousteau

Although octopuses are renowned for sophisticated behaviors, their reproductive behavior is poorly known and was thought to be rather boring. While filming the Nat Geo production of Secrets of the Octopus at Lizard Island, GBR, we stumbled upon some highly complex and colorful courtship, mating and mate guarding. With repetitive days of diving we discovered a new elaborate “nuptial dance” by males as well as very choosy females. Plenty of fun amazing video.

   Roger Hanlon is a diving biologist who studies the behavior of cephalopods (octopus, cuttlefish, squid, nautilus). He has conducted detailed field studies worldwide with the aid of diving citizen scientists and film crews, and has published 260 scientific papers, several dozen of which involve two dozen octopus species worldwide. He is a Senior Scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole and was trained at Florida State University, the University of Miami, and Cambridge University. Active public outreach includes TED 2019, BBC, NOVA, Discovery, National Geographic, TEDx 2015, New York Times, and others.

Dive Safety/Training

Daytime

Sunday

9:30AM-10:15AM

Gimbel

This presentation examines real crimes that have been committed while scuba diving and the prosecution of those crimes.  The presentation is entertaining and puts the audience in the role of a jury deciding guilt or innocence.

Ron is an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Connecticut.  He has been a prosecutor for over 30 years.  Ron is also a Criminal Law Professor at Quinnipiac Law School.
He is a PADI Scuba Instructor, a PADI Public Safety Diver Instructor, and has assisted Public Safety dive teams with training on evidence recovery and preparation for trial.  He is also a POST instructor for police officers at the Connecticut Police Academy. Ron often speaks on topics involving the intersection of law and scuba.

Projects/Expeditions

Daytime

Sunday

11:30AM-12:15PM

Edgerton

 

For 21 years, the Sea Rovers’ Summer Internship has played a major role in our mission to produce the next generation of diving leaders.  During the summer, the Intern partners with members of the Boston Sea Rovers and associates located throughout the United States to experience a wide variety of jobs and career choices.  Based in part on the personal interests of the Intern, the Internship provides advanced dive training courses and ample opportunities to dive and train with a variety of dive professionals in a broad cross-section of diving environments.  Opportunities can include hands-on work with professional under water photographers and filmmakers, educational specialists, marine engineers and scientists, equipment manufacturer’s representatives, and dive shop owners.  In addition to the unique time spent with some of our most distinguished members, the Sea Rovers Intern is outfitted with dive equipment (provided by Sea Rover corporate sponsors) for their use throughout the summer and will receive the necessary financial support to ensure travel and living expenses.  

Sofia Butler of Boston, Massachusetts is the 2025 Boston Sea Rovers Annual Summer Intern. Sofia will be attending the University of Rhode Island and plans to major in marine biology. She wants to use her education and diving skills to contribute to marine conservation eff orts through fi eld work and research. Sofia holds Advanced, Nitrox, and Dry Suit certifi cations. She has worked as a Conservation Intern at the New England Aquarium, as a field technician doing sea turtle rehabilitation in North Carolina, and on coral restoration projects in Florida. Sofia is also very active in theater arts.

 

Dive Safety/Training

Daytime

Sunday

10:30AM-11:15AM

Gimbel

Scuba diving offers more than exploration—it can be a form of medicine. Diveheart has pioneered adaptive scuba programs that bring healing and hope to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and others facing life’s toughest challenges. This presentation shares powerful real-life stories that illustrate the physiological and psychological benefits of diving, while highlighting the safety innovations and training practices that make these experiences possible. Attendees will gain new insights into how adaptive diving bridges the worlds of adventure, medicine, and human resilience.

Tinamarie Hernandez is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, helping them recognize their unique value and embrace their potential. After a 26-year career in technology consulting at Accenture, she transitioned full-time into nonprofit leadership as Executive Director of Diveheart. In this role, she has devoted her passion and expertise to creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities to experience freedom, confidence, and healing through adaptive scuba diving.With a deep commitment to building inclusive communities, Tinamarie has helped expand the Diveheart reach across the globe. She has shared her message of hope and healing at over 50 leading institutions and conferences, including the Mayo Clinic, and was most recently honored as an Everyday Disability Hero at the 2024 Springboard Consulting Disability Matters North American Conference & Awards.Her work is rooted in a simple belief: everyone has the ability to redefine their story when given the right tools and encouragement. Tinamarie’s message uplifts, inspires, and reminds us that hope can often surface in the most unexpected places—sometimes, even underwater.