Galleries

Summertime Blues, Sharks that is...

Updated: Aug 16, 2008 5:32pm PST

Jamestown | a Reef from Ruins : In 2006, the 'Old Jamestown Bridge' spanning nearly 7000 feet across Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, was demolished after 60 years of service. The debris from the demoliton was strategicaly placed offshore to create two reef habitats in Rhode Island Sound. Ocean Opportunity participated in the first scientific exploration of these reef sites in 2008 to initiate studies for researchers at the University of Rhode Island and the RI Department of Environmental Management. Scientific dive operations were conducted in cooperation with divers from Conusub and the RI DOT. We will be involved in ongoing studies over the next several years.

Jamestown | a Reef from Ruins

In 2006, the 'Old Jamestown Bridge' spanning nearly 7000 feet across N ...

Updated: May 03, 2008 2:41pm PST

Diving a Dream | Matthew Johnston : Meet Matt Johnston, the world's first ventilator dependent diver. Ocean Opportunity acted as the fiscal sponsor of the Diving a Dream project from 2004-2008, which resulted in Matt overcoming tremendous challenges faced by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to achieve his dream of diving. For more information, please visit www.divingadream.org.

Diving a Dream | Matthew Johnston

Meet Matt Johnston, the world's first ventilator dependent diver. Ocea ...

Updated: Apr 02, 2008 1:11pm PST

Antarctica: Expedition K068 : My participation in the 2002 Antarctic Expedition K-068 represented a 2 month journey both above and below the frozen continent to learn more about global warming and its effects on the marine environment. The project was a collaborative effort between the University of Otago (NZ) and the University of New Hampshire (USA).

Antarctica: Expedition K068

My participation in the 2002 Antarctic Expedition K-068 represented a ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 7:32pm PST

Seascapes of the Caribbean : There are corners of this planet that are perfect. Though rare amidst today's turmoil, when you experience that one brief moment with nature - a rare glimpse of its perfection - it awakens.

Seascapes of the Caribbean

There are corners of this planet that are perfect. Though rare amidst ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 6:46pm PST

el Caribe : Some favorites from around the Caribbean. Enjoy!

el Caribe

Some favorites from around the Caribbean. Enjoy!

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 6:06pm PST

the Blue Holes : The Blue Holes of the Bahamas have been the subject of ancient folklore and modern scientific intrigue. Exploration of these systems has resulted in numerous new species being discovered. As the subject of Bahamian folklore, the Blue Holes are said to be home to 'the Lusca', a half shark/half octupus creature that has claimed the lives of many. To this day, the Blue Holes are generally disregarded as critical habitats, and consequently, are being destroyed by recent development activities.

the Blue Holes

The Blue Holes of the Bahamas have been the subject of ancient folklor ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 5:42pm PST

terra firma : Textures from terra firma. Photos taken in the Exumas, Bahamas.

terra firma

Textures from terra firma. Photos taken in the Exumas, Bahamas.

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 2:30pm PST

Return to Thunderball : Deep into the central Exumas, Bahamas, a little hole called Thunderball Grotto has been in the eyes of the world since the famous James Bond Film. Thunderball represents a gateway to the Exumas environment and culture, showcasing the rich natural beauty of the area, offering an element of mystery, and bringing together travellers from around the world.

Return to Thunderball

Deep into the central Exumas, Bahamas, a little hole called Thunderbal ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 2:15pm PST

Into the Deep : Deep coral reefs around the planet are largely unexplored habitats. Depths from 200 to 1000 feet, commonly referred to 'innerspace' or the 'twilight zone' are now readily accessible using advanced diving techniques. With the last 60+ years of benthic marine science being fueled by shallower depths, this new frontier represents the forefront of new opportunities in benthic science. Enabling science and exploration to these depths is a priority of Ocean Opportunity. This collection of deepwater photography was on display at Lifespan-Rhode Island Hospital in 2007 to assist in meeting our mission of communicating the tie between Exploration & Human Health. In any new frontier, potential for discoveries exist, such as cures for disease, and justify more routine exploration.

Into the Deep

Deep coral reefs around the planet are largely unexplored habitats. De ...

Updated: Mar 31, 2008 6:54pm PST

Your Bio

Leveraging a unique mix of undersea expertise, an affinity for writing, and an attraction for the arts, Michael finds himself involved in numerous projects, microventures, and consultancy activities across all of the humanities subjects. His creation of 'Ocean Opportunity', a 501(c)3 not for profit organization, has afforded the vehicle to apply his innovative, grassroots model for business and exploration to many projects. Just one notable recent success includes the Diving a Dream Project from 2004-2007 which was aired on NBC's Today Show in January 2007.

Michael is the former Diving Safety Officer for NOAA's Caribbean Marine Research Center, and has served as an advisor to the Advanced Diving Council for NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP). He presently serves on the Membership Committee for the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, and is an elected Board Member (2007-2010) to the Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments. Michael is a 1997 Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) award recipient and was also recognized in the 2006/07 Who's Who in Science & Engineering. In 2007, his work in exploration advocacy earned recognition as one of Rhode Island's '40 Under 40' by the Providence Business News, and most recently he has been elected as Member National to the Explorers Club.

Today, Michael is on a mission to take exploration and its influences on science, technology, and society where it has not yet ventured...deeper and longer into the abyss.

For more, visit http://www.oceanopportunity.com
or contact Michael at explore@oceanopportunity.com

All photos by M. Lombardi unless otherwise noted. All sales benefit Ocean Opportunity, a publicly supported 501(c)3 not for profit organization.