a 501(c)3 Ocean Outreach Project
Honoring the men their memory and their mission
Tim Taylor is an accomplished ocean explorer and entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit “Ocean Outreach and the Lost 52 Project. He has spent over thirty years working in the marine industry with innovative diving technologies and leading underwater expeditions. His work with the scientific, archaeological and oceanographic fields has yielded his discovery of numerous reefs, including Sherwood Forest Reef, considered the centerpiece of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve, Pulley Ridge, the deepest hermatypic coral reef in the world, numerous shark research projects, supported underwater archeological discoveries in Cuba as well as hosted numerous cross-disciplined National Geographic expeditions. He has worked for hand in hand with noted biology, geology, ichthyology, archaeology, environmental and climate change experts. Included in this list are Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Eugenie Clark, Frank Goddio, Dr. Sue Hendrickson, Wes Skiles, Philipe Cousteau, University of Miami, Mote Marine Lab, Scripps Marine Institute, European Institute of Archaeology, University of Havana Cuba, Cuba's Carisub, NOAA, EPA, BEA and US Navy.
Tim pioneered long-range elite team deployment and mapping of the ocean depths when from 2008 to 2012 he mapped 6173 square nautical KM of remote (370 KM/200 Nautical Miles) ocean bottom at 1500 meters utilizing state-of-the-art AUV. He has discovered, explored, and archeologically documented 7 lost WWI submarines the final resting place of 288 sailors to date.
In 2021 Tim was presented the US Navy’s highest civilian award the “Distinguished Public Service Medal” for his discoveries. He is a Fellow in the Royal Geographical Society, United Kingdom's learned society and professional body for geography founded in 1830, and was inducted as Fellow of the Explorers Club in 2004, and in 2008 he was the 40th person in the club's 104-year history to receive its prestigious Citation Of Merit award in recognition of his explorations. He is the recipient of the International Navy Leagues “Man of the Sea” award and the Brazilian Navy Honorary Submariner Medal and the Brazilian Navy League Medal of Honor for his work with the USS R-12.
He has been profiled in the London Financial Times, The New York Times, Bloomberg News and appears regularly on FOX, CNBC, BBC, CBC and CNN as ocean technology and robotics expert. He is an on-air expert for CNN, BBC, CBC, FOX, MSNBC and CCTV on ocean search, exploration, diving operations, sciences, ocean environmental issues, climate change, conservation, and advanced underwater robotics. He currently is CEO and President of Tiburon Subsea Inc., based in New York City, specializing in underwater autonomous robotic operations.
Our team of explorers are dedicated to preserving and telling the story of WWII Submarines and Submariners. Our quest is to provide the fullest possible accounting of our missing WWII Navy Sailors for their families and the nation.
STEP Ventures, LLC
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Andy Taylor is a retired US Air Force Lt Colonel with over 28 years of experience in military operations and logistics, training development and execution, contract management, budget analysis, information, video technologies and simulator management. Andy is a combat decorated veteran, having flown combat missions in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, as well as Noble Eagle Combat Air Patrol missions over Washington, DC and New York City. Throughout his career he was extensively involved in military training operations and development, operational deployments of aircraft and equipment to remote locations, and logistical standup and technical support of field level operations. Andy’s post military career has continued to build upon his military experience. As a contractor in the defense industry, he has been involved in the budgeting, contracting, acquiring, testing, integration and fielding of advanced equipment for multiple combat aircraft, including airborne Targeting Pods. He served as Information Technical Lead and managed the logistics and planning of launching, recovering and analysis of sonar operations for the AUV systems operation development team that was responsible for mapping 1800 square miles of ocean bottom in over 1500 meter. Andy comes to us from Infinite Technologies where as a Senior Program Manager and Training Consultant he was involved in software development, training and operational use of software designed for the Air Force, supporting over 3000 users, in managing sustainment requirements for all Air Force weapons systems totaling more than 18 Billion dollars a year. He has been instrumental in the standardization and development of over 75 courses supporting software processes and functionality using industry tools. Andy’s extensive experience dealing with training, logistics and operations brings to the team proven leadership for our world-wide operations and training development.
Christine Dennison is the Co-founder and President of Mad Dog Expeditions an internationally recognized technical scuba diving, adventure and exploration company based in New York City. She brings years of experience working with an international clientele and media combined with successful marketing and branding of her boutique company to Tiburon Subsea. Christine worked with Casio G-Shock Japan on two watch campaigns one of which produced a limited edition Mad Dog Expeditions watch sold internationally. She has a network of clients and colleagues, which will be instrumental in helping us maximize our products and services through media exposure. Christine has worked on several expeditions using underwater robotics and is very familiar with the industry and trade. She was inducted as a Fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society and supports marine and wildlife conservation issues through non-profit work. . For her roll in the discovery and exploration of the USS R-12, with two Brazilian officers entombed, she has been awarded the Brazilian Navy League’s Medal of Honor. She appears regularly on CNN FOX, CNBC, BBC, SKY and CBC as an ocean technology, logistics and expeditions expert and is currently working on an upcoming North Pole Expedition and she is a native New Yorker.
Robert "RB" Havens has more than 30 years of engineering and project management experience in marine and industrial environments ranging from waste to energy power plants to state of the art marine robotics. This diverse background has allowed him to become proficient in multiple engineering disciplines including steam electrical power systems, hydraulic controls, steel and alloy fabrication, marine and industrial electrical power generation and distribution systems, ship propulsion systems, ship/robotics navigation systems and fully integrated computer control systems.
Over the years RB has been responsible for team management of up to 100 employees and tens of millions of dollars in annual operational, contractual and capital project budgets. During the last ten years RB has logged thousands of hours as the Lead Operator and Maintenance Technician of offshore and inshore geophysics, inspection and search and recovery projects utilizing ROVs and AUVs.
Mr. Yutaka Iwasaki is a naval architect, system engineer, and historian researching US submarine operations in WWII against the Japanese merchant marine and Imperial Japanese Navy. He is a Japanese Navy expert, especially CV Shinano. Yutaka Iwasaki is a Japanese Naval Advisor, Historian, and Translator. He graduated from the Osaka University with a master's degree in 1981. He spent 8 years at the KURE shipyard the very same yard that the battle ship YAMATO was built.
He was a contributor to the expedition that search for the battleship YAMATO 1999. He provided map and modeling services derived from data collected on prior explorations. His prediction of the probable hull condition of the YAMATO was that she would be completely broken in two or possibly three sections. TAMIYA Inc. made diorama representing the discovery that is on display at the Kure YAMATO Museum. This expedition was sponsored by TV media, 'TV ASAHI
He was a major contributor to the successful USS Grunion (SS-216) Expedition mounted by John, Bruce and Brade Abele, the sons of the commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Mannert L. Abele, offshore Kiska, Alaska. He also contributed to Paul Allen expedition to locate the Japanese Battleship Musashi in 2011 and again 2015. He provided valuable Japanese resources and advice as part of the search team. In 2016 Yutaka contributed to the documentary about Battleship Musashi produces by Paul Allen and Vulcan Productions.
Historians - Research
Team
David Johnston DCC (SS/SW) (Ret.) A native of Ann Arbor, MI., and enlisted in the Navy in September 1983 and attended Recruit Training at RTC Great Lakes. Upon successful completion, Chief Johnston moved on to the Basic Enlisted Submarine School at SUBASE New London and completed that course in January 1984. His first sea duty assignment was aboard the USS Darter (SS-576), homeport in Sasebo, Japan serving in the Navigation Division as a Quartermaster. He Qualified in Submarines on 31 October 1984. Chief Johnston decided to leave active duty in October 1987 and pursue a civilian career.
After the events of 11 September 2001, he re-enlisted in the Navy Reserve. Living in Des Moines, Iowa he was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO, Det. 516 at NMCRC Des Moines. He retired from active duty after 21 total years of service to the United States Navy and the Navy Reserve on 31 August 2019. His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “M” and Hourglass devices, and a COMSUBGRU SEVEN Letter of Commendation. Chief Johnston is Qualified in Submarines and Surface Warfare.
Chief Johnston is a recognized historian, contributing articles to various naval history websites and has been a contributor to the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine. His work as a technical consultant on two historical books and one novel has been specifically noted by the authors. He is a cofounder of Pigboats.com and a is photo analyst and researcher for Navsource.org, both naval and submarine history websites.
