A business is only as good as the team. Meet the team that makes us the best dive center in the USVI
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Tommy is our “grumpy old man” and definitely is a man of few words so he may not be the chattiest person on the boat, but he loves what he does. He’s been happily married since 1991 to his best friend, supporter, and the most amazing lady! (Yes, she’s writing this… ) You couldn’t be in better hands on the boat and in the water. He started diving in the 80’s and revived his love for diving in 2018 after introducing his wife to the underwater world. He decided to advance to instructor level and teach. After teaching for a couple years in Costa Rica , he then came to St. Thomas on vacation with his wife in 2022, and never left. He and his wife are the proud owners of Aqua Marine. (It’s quite a leap from his accounting degree and financial software experience.) Tommy is a PADI Staff Instructor, an SSI instructor, an adaptive diver guide trained through Dive Heart, and a U.S. Coast Guard 100 ton licensed captain. You can usually find Tommy driving the boat. Recently beating cancer, he may look a tiny bit different to those who have met him before. We’re all getting use to his new look… but never fear… he is still the same grumpy old man. |
 
MICHELLE (MICH)Owner – PADI and SSI Instructor – Company Admin (paper pusher and usually the voice on the phone) – the nice one |
Mich grew up in the Pacific NW then moved southeast to Alabama where she graduated from Auburn U with an accounting degree and met the love of her life. Once married, she and Tommy tried out a couple of states, then settled back in the Southeast, this time in Georgia, and raised their two boys.
Much later in life, during one of many trips to Costa Rica, Tommy managed (with a lot of effort) to talk her into doing a discover dive and after that dive she was hooked! Each year she added another level of certification and spent as much time as possible diving in Costa Rica and Cozumel. Three years from her first dive and with a dive count of over 600 dives, she completed her instructor course and exam. Not bad for starting out at 50, eh? Mich can usually be found with her buddy Duke, in the dive shop or behind the scenes organizing the trips, purchasing supplies, or doing super exciting paperwork. Most likely you have met her as the voice on the phone. She’s definitely a talker. The nickname, Mich (said Mitch), was given to her as a joke because it rhymed with another word. It stuck because she was too lazy to write out her full name. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way” |
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STEPHLead Instructor & Training supervisor – second Captain – ” the enforcer” – In charge of all things crew related. SSI instructor, PADI instructor/MSDT, Staff instructor – Snickerdoodle cookie connoisseur |
Steph is our amazing “ She is amazing at finding the little critters when leading dives and is our very own octopus whisperer. We don’t know how she does it but she finds them. They cant hide from her! She grew up in Switzerland so you will definitely hear her lovely accent. She started diving in Switzerland and then she spent over two years in Thailand where she earned her instructor certification and practiced her teaching skills. Every now and then we have to let her leave the island to satisfy her love of traveling, but so far she has come back and stepped right back into her role at Aqua Marine. We manage, but we definitely miss her when she’s gone! Steph is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, an SSI Advanced Instructor and also a U.S Coast Guard 100 Ton Captain. She goes above and beyond to make every guest happy and keep them safe. If you hear her talking in German, most likely someone is in trouble. |
DAVIDPADI MSDT instructor – SSI dive instructor – USCG licensed captain – our most “senior” team member – sit down comedian
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David is our David is a retired policeman and discovered Aqua Marine on vacation to the island. He loved it so much here that he did his Divemaster training and his instructor course and certification here with Aqua Marine. He came with the business when Tommy and Mich took over in 2022 and he turned out to be a keeper! Although he alternates spans of time between his island family and his family in the states, he is now considered to be part of the inventory. You can find him guiding, teaching, or captaining the dive boat.. but whatever he’s doing, everyone has fun! Don’t forget to compliment him on his hair. David is a PADI MSDT (Master Scuba Diver Trainer), an SSI instructor, and is the 3rd USCG licensed boat Captain of our team. He is also typically our handyman for odd jobs. You can usually find him eating burgers at Tap n Still or binging Netflix shows if he’s not working on, around, or for the boat or Dive Center. Buy him a beer and he’ll be happy. Oh who am I kidding, the beer is just bonus! He’s always a happy dude. |
ZACHPADI dive instructor – MSDT (Master Scuba Diver Trainer) – tank manager – a true team player – aspiring headband model
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Hailing from tropical Long Island, we have our now second youngest instructor Zach! What he lacks in years, he makes up for with his positive attitude, determination and hard work.
He spent some time at the University of Maryland studying criminal justice before realizing diving was his true passion. He has galivanted the world, diving famous dive destinations such as Truk Lagoon, Roatan, Bonaire, and many others! He joined our team in 2024 as an instructor and was quick to learn our boat procedures and was open to all the experienced advice he got from the old folks. Zach’s attention to detail and love of people have made him a customer favorite very quickly. He has quickly become mention in many 5 star reviews. You’ll know you’ve found Zach when you see his colorful headband and warm smile that is matched only by the Caribbean sun. (He wrote that.. so obviously he has a great sense of humor too.) Zach’s personality shines through and you can’t help but smile around him! His willingness to help with whatever needs doing has made him an integral part of the team! Ask him about his favorite wrecks and he will tell you all you want to know! Also, ask him where the best places to dance on the island are. We may have seen video proof that he’s got some moves! |
LEWISPadi instructor ~ newest baby of the group ~ the guy with the cool accent
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I’m originally from Cornwall, England, and I’m a dual UK and US citizen. I first discovered diving in Thailand and quickly knew it was something I wanted to pursue more seriously. Since then, I’ve traveled and dived extensively across Asia and Australia, gaining experience and developing a real passion for the underwater world.
Back in the cold waters of the UK, I led a nonprofit project as the lead instructor, teaching young people to appreciate the ocean and become ambassadors for protecting it. One of my favorite parts of being an instructor is surfacing from a dive and seeing the happiness on people’s faces after experiencing something new and exciting. Outside of diving, I enjoy cooking Asian food that I learned during my travels, and I’ve always loved the freedom of riding motorcycles, especially when I lived in Asia. People will probably notice my English accent straight away, but I make sure to slow it down so everyone can understand me. I’m excited to be part of the team here in St. Thomas and to share my love of diving with new people every day. |
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Earl joins us from Kansas and has been diving since 1992, gaining a wealth of underwater experience in all kinds of (mostly cold!) conditions. Before trading fire gear for fins, Earl served as an active-duty firefighter/paramedic for 28 years, becoming a jack of all trades and discovering his love of teaching. Now a PADI Instructor with us, Earl is all about making diving fun and accessible for everyone. Having only one leg, he encourages people of all abilities to discover the beauty of the ocean and believes the best part of teaching is watching a student’s face light up the first time they breathe underwater.
When he’s not leading dives or teaching classes, you’ll probably find Earl hitting the mountain bike trails, going out for a run, or training for his next triathlon. As with any diver, there are plenty of stories he’s willing to tell!
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We were lucky to find Abby when she was signed up to get her PADI diving instructor cert and already thinking of making a transition from corporate to under the sea.
(Cue little mermaid music…) We snatched her up before anyone else did, invited her to spend a few weeks getting to know us and the business and realized right away that she fit right into our dive family! I guess she liked us too!! Abby graduated Slippery Rock University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in leadership. She was commissioned as an Army Officer and served 8 years active duty as a MEDEVAC pilot (HH60L) with two combat tours. With an honorable discharge as Captain, Abby entered the corporate world in chemical manufacturing, going from Supervisor to Senior Manager. BUT… her passion is teaching, coaching, and mentoring (and diving!). So here she is with us, sharing that passion with all of us and all of you! Abby completed her PADI Instructor rating in 2024 and has warmed her way into the hearts of the entire team as well as customers! In addition to guiding dives and teaching new divers to love our oceans, you may see her smiling face around the retail shop as well. Abby also specializes in teaching EFR (first aid and CPR) and will be helping on many upcoming projects in the future. Abby is excited to keep learning and build her experience. She is an open book, you can ask her anything! She says it like it is but usually with a huge smile on her face! |
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BENPADI MSDT and Staff Instructor – SSI Assistant Staff Instructor Trainer Thalassophile in this life and the next… Nickname – Ketchup |
Ben is a gem we found already on the island. Usually dressed head to toe in red whenever possible, he is also knows as ‘Ketchup’. (and guess what his gal’s name is… Mustard!) He’s a barrel of knowledge about the marine life and a powder keg of energy and keeps everyone energized and having fun. Unfortunately, he has not yet provided bio details as we have requested many many times so we are forced to make stuff up.. So here goes. He was born half human half fish in Tasmania and raised by a colony of Hairy Nosed Wombats. He swam to the island 20 years ago and decided to stay. He’s actually 106 years old but looks great for his age… although his skin is inherently scaley, the reef safe sunscreen we sell works magic. (You can find it in our shop.) |
DUKEOur favorite shop dog |
Duke was born deaf in an Atlanta shelter in 2011 and was adopted by Tommy and Mich as soon as he could leave mom. You will find him somewhere near Mich almost every second of the day. We did try to make him a boat dog but he insists on washing the faces of all snorkelers and divers as they come up the ladder back onto the boat. As much as we love a clean boat and clean divers, we have found that not everyone appreciates the free salt removal that is offered.
Duke and Mich spend 90% of the time following each other around, watching each other use the bathroom and wondering what the other is eating. |
TOMMY
