As a maritime archaeologist who works around the globe, Jim has spent decades in the fascinating world of underwater exploration. From diving in the shallows to supervising some of the most cutting-edge modern expeditions that have spanned the seven seas, Jim is known as a respected, passionate leader whose prime directive is helping keep maritime archaeology alive and accessible to everyone. He has worked on some of the most famous shipwreck sites in history, from Titanic, the lost fleet of Kublai Khan, the USS Arizona, the fabled “ghost ship” Mary Celeste, the atomic bombed fleet at Bikini Atoll, and his expeditions have solved long-lasting undersea mysteries, brought closure to families, and connected the modern world with powerful, human stories from the past.

During his 46-year career, he has been privileged to host the popular television show The Sea Hunters for five years. He was Executive Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for 15 years, and was Executive Director and then President of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) from 2006-2010, before beginning his tenure as Director of the Maritime Heritage Program for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries from 2010-2017. In May 2017, Jim became Senior Vice President of SEARCH, Inc., where he continues to bring more history and archaeology alive for scholars and the public alike.  When an amazing discovery is made in the ocean, if Jim’s not there, he’s asked about by the world’s media.

Jim speaks on a wide range of topics that speak to his decades of work on and under the sea, and from meeting amazing people who have shared their stories with him, from veterans of wars, Pearl harbor survivors, both American and Japanese, Nazi war criminals, Alcatraz inmates and correctional officers, scientists who helped develop and the men who dropped the first atomic bombs, rock stars and many ordinary people rendered extraordinary by exceptional circumstances. He is the author of more than thirty books, numerous articles in magazines, newspapers and a frequent guest and host on television specials and breaking news stories.

TOPICS:

TO BOLDLY GO:  THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF UNDERWATER EXPLORATION

THE BOMB: THE DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY HISTORY OF ATOMIC WEAPONS

DIVING AND DOCUMENTING THE DAWN OF THE NUCLEAR AGE AT BIKINI ATOLL

DIVING AND DOCUMENTING THE TITANIC

THE LOST SHIPS OF PEARL HARBOR

CONESTOGA:  SOLVING ONE OF THE U.S. NAVY’S GREATEST MYSTERIES

WAR AT SEA:  AN UNDERWATER TOUR OF OUR GREATEST BATTLEFIELD

DIGGING THE PAST:  WHY HISTORY MATTERS

AQUANAUTS/ASTRONAUT:  INNER SPACE, OUTER SPACE AND HOW THEY CONNECT

LOST, UNKNOWN AND THEN FOUND:  THE FORENSICS OF SHIPWRECKS

SUBMARINE PIONEERS:  THE ORIGINS AND EARLY HISTORY OF HUMANITY’S QUEST FOR THE DEEP