Disaster Response DIVE Experts: GSD

Updated: Aug 23, 2021

Dive Experts GSD Disaster Response Outreach

Not ALL Super Heroes Wear Capes, Some of the Best Wear DIVE Gear!!!

Global Support Development is a newly established 501(c)(3) organization based out of the Bay area in northern California. GSD partners with the FlyFleet for joint efforts in environmental and humanitarian outreach initiatives. We are a mutual support team within our disaster response/relief and outreach initiatives. We continue to seek outreach opportunities through the network of amazing individuals and organizations within global humanitarian and environmental industries.

IntelliReefs Deployment with GSD Dive Gurus

GSD and FlyFleet (Dragon Fly) recently completed a joint initiative for the Intellireefs installation in St. Maarten, which encouraged us to understand that advanced science can save coral reefs globally. These dives to deploy the Intellireefs were conducted in conjunction with Nature Foundation St. Maarten. Photo Credits @Ian_Kelletstory

GSD Team with @SeaLegacy Coral Reef Rescue

During the month of November, in addition to the Intellireef installation, GSD and FlyFleet completed a joint initiative in the Galapagos Islands to provide water tanks and filters at schools with donations of stainless steel water bottles, completed a 1 week humanitarian relief initiative in Saipan for post-Cyclone Yutu support, and currently have multiple personnel supporting the California fire response efforts.

Working with Reeflife, SeaLegacy, Sea to Sky Ventures, during the Intellireef installation was an amazing opportunity that gave everyone a strong sensation of professional reward. It was an honor to be the first dive team to install first Intellireefs for a pilot program, and we hope that this research leads to a new era of coral regeneration efforts and results in the coming years!

BIOS FOR OUR 7 DIVERS ON THIS SEA LEGACY INTELLIREEFS PROJECT

Nicole Wilson

I am a South African MSDT PADI Dive Instructor and have been teaching diving for 4 years. I have a big love of the ocean and for freediving and marine conservation. I completed my dive training on the east coast of South Africa in Sodwana Bay, which led me to work on and explore islands in the Indian Ocean such as Mauritius, Seychelles and Zanzibar. I am now lucky enough to work on a private yacht, sharing with people the wonders of the ocean while exploring some of the most remote parts of the Pacific.

Ryan Penne

I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to work with Sealegacy. My experience with diving began in 2008 as a Pararescueman, I have continuously maintained my diver qualifications for use in search and rescue operations. Additionally, I gained advanced certifications from NAUI and PADI so I could enjoy diving in my free time as well. For me, SeaLegacy represents a chance to use my training in a more meaningful and impactful way. Diving has given a lot to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return the favor. I look forward to working hard and making a difference to the health of the ocean.

Pavel Havlicek

I began my diving experience as a military diver in 1994 and I continue to enjoy freediving and SCUBA diving. Growing up in California and living in Hawaii today, i’ve developed a deep love and appreciation for our oceans. I understand the stresses coral reefs are undergoing as a result of climate change and rising CO2 levels and am grateful to be able to help with projects that seek to study and alleviate these stresses.

Joshua Charnin-Aker

I learned to dive in the Navy and have spent most of my life in the water. I swam at Stanford in college, and I’ve taken part in relay races across Lake Tahoe and from Maui to Lanai. In 2015 i completed a solo swim across the English Channel. I’m looking forward to working with SeaLegacy to help promote and advance their mission to build up coral reefs in the region.

Kerry Coughlin

I work for the National Marine Mammal Foundation and conduct health assessments of wild dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico to study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I have recently helped to establish Mexico’s only marine mammal stranding facility in Baja in conjunction with the University of La Paz. I have worked as a civilian contractor for 18 years in support of the Navy Marine Mammal Program. I’ve been a SCUBA diver for 25 years and enjoy diving the San Diego coast where I currently live. The ocean has always been a big part of my life, and I appreciate the opportunity to help maintain the coral reefs.

Adam Scheer

I am currently a reservist in the US Navy, with a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Binghamton. I learned to dive while in the Navy and have been with GSD for a little under one year. Currently I am attending New York University’s Stern School of Business, specializing in Finance. Having completed 10 years of diving I am ready to help find ways to strengthen our oceans and support the reef systems that make diving so great for all of us.

Kier Boyea

I learned to SCUBA dive in Lake Tahoe when I was 16, totally fell in love with the water and have never looked back. I continued diving in the Navy and enjoyed diving all over the planet. I’ve spent a few years as a divemaster in Key West and I’m looking forward to being part of a team helping to rebuild reefs and coming up with efficient means to improve the state of our oceans."