What is my role? My job is Director of Maritime Operations, which means I help design, plan and lead these missions. I love creating the kind of projects that take us into the unknown - developing clever ways to find things deep beneath the surface and supporting the team on board as they face the challenges of the sea. Out there, the ocean throws everything at us: rough waves, strong winds, and cold, dark water that is thousands of meters deep. But what I enjoy most is the teamwork — being surrounded by people who are all aiming for the same goal and solving problems together. No day is ever the same.
We start the search with mobilisation. Mobilisation is the moment everything becomes real. It’s when months of planning finally start happening on board the vessel. We fly people from all over the world, load equipment, test systems, and prepare the ship for a long journey. Sometimes it takes 5 days to reach the search area. Sometimes it takes 20. These places are often far away from land, lights, and noise. Just us, the ship, and the ocean stretching out in all directions.
Every project surprises me. But the moment that always inspires me most is when the team pulls together during a tough situation: a tricky operation, unexpected weather, a system that needs repairing. Watching everyone stay positive and focused reminds me why I love this work. And then there’s the best moment of all: when we look at the data and realise we might have found something. That first “wait… what’s that?” never stops being exciting.
Underwater searches might look like just a ship and a robot - but behind every mission is a huge team.
