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Lost City Expedition: Mission

The Alvin Group

In order to successfully operate and maintain the submarine, Alvin Group needs people with a diverse mix of talents and knowledge. There is no particular career path or educational experience required to become an Alvin pilot. In fact, the current Alvin Group hails from all over the United States and in the past has included people from Canada, the Phillipines, and England.

Alvin is made up of literally thousands of pieces. The many nuts, bolts, and screws that make up the physical framework are just as important as the batteries, cameras, and computers that run the sub’s navigation and data collection systems. One of the requirements for the members of the Alvin team is the ability to work with mechanic, electronic, and hydraulic components. Often, people are not trained in all of these areas, so a valuable trait for a successful Alvin team member is a willingness and ability to learn new things.

Daily Alvin operations require a well coordinated effort aboard Atlantis: swimmers, A-frame operators, the launch coordinator, surface controllers, engineers, crew members and pilots are all involved. Getting scientists to the bottom of the ocean and back again isn't the easiest job in the world, but Alvin pilots make it look that way. Hard work is the main key to the success of Alvin Group. On top of technical ability and thirst for knowledge, team members have to get along with each other, work well together, and live at sea together for 8 months a year. The Alvin Group may be the first to tell you that they are a little crazy, but definitely enjoy having one of the world’s most unique jobs .


Pat Hickey

  • Pilot, Expedition Leader, mechanic
  • 15 years at sea with Alvin, about 500 dives
  • Previously a commercial diver, sub and ROV operator
  • Originally a Canadian, now a US Citizen

As Expedition Leader, Pat is responsible for the management of Alvin Group and coordination of all activities and personnel supporting Alvin.


Anthony Berry

  • Electronics, Pilot-In-Training
  • 1 year at sea with Alvin, 5 Dives
  • Previously a co-op student with WHOI
  • Graduate of Worcester Polytech

Gavin Eppard

  • Mechanics, Pilot-In-Training
  • 2 years at sea with Alvin, 5 Dives
  • Previous experience with the MATE program, as a graphic artist and scuba diver

Phil Forte

  • Pilot, Mechanic
  • 5 years at sea with Alvin, 70 Dives
  • Previously worked as a mechanical engineer and welder
  • Graduate of University of Minnesota

Phil is transitioning from Alvin Group to WHOI's Deep Submergence lab to work with the ROV Jason.


Noel Masias

  • Electronics, Pilot-In-Training
  • 2 years at sea with Alvin, 3 Dives
  • Previously an electronics tech with the US Navy and Honeywell

"Loves his Mom and apple pie..."


Mark Spear

  • Mechanic, Pilot-In-Training
  • Less than 1 year at sea with Alvin, 1 Dive
  • Previously a commercial diver and mechanical engineer
  • Graduate of Cal Poly
  • Class of 2000, still wet behind the ears”

Bruce Strickrott

  • Pilot, Mechanical Team Leader
  • 6 years at sea with Alvin, about 90 Dives
  • Previously a US Navy radar tech and ocean engineer
  • Graduate of Florida Atlantic University
  • As M-Team Leader, Bruce is responsible for all mechanical components of Alvin.

Anthony Tarantino

  • Pilot, Electronics Team Leader
  • 3 years at sea with Alvin, 40 Dives
  • Previously an electrical engineer with Brucker
  • Tony is the latest Alvin Pilot to qualify, #58 since 1964
  • Graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology
  • As E-Team Leader, Tony is responsible for the condition of all electronics on Alvin

"Con-Graduations to Kristin..."


BLee Williams

  • Chief Pilot, Electronics
  • 10 years at sea with Alvin, about 300 dives
  • Previously US Navy Submariner and Reactor Refueling Engineer
  • As Chief Pilot, BLee is responsible to the training of the Alvin Group and supporting members of the crew, and assisting the Expedition Leader in the management of the Group.

Soon to leave for married life in Canada, "Hi Honey...", and occasional (much less than 8 months a year) offshore work.