About eighteen years ago I saw a National Geographic TV program about the invention of a one-man submersible capable of maneuvering at speed in deep water. Although most impressed by the ingenuity and dedication of the inventor, I did nothing about it other than mentally store the information. Years passed without hearing more but whenever I came across anybody connected with deep-sea exploration, I enquired if they knew anything of the project. Note even remembering the inventorâs name, I drew a blank on each occasion.

Eventually I met Patrick Stafford, an owner and president of Deep Sea Systems and learned that the inventor of the submersible was his close friend and associate, the now renowned deep-sea engineer, Graham Hawkes. I met with Graham and together with Patrick and another friend, Brian Power, formed the company Spirit of Adventure with the goal of constructing a two-man submersible designed on the lines of a jet fighter airplane that could maneuver at speed in deep water. The company was formed not as a commercial enterprise but as a hobby.

Our son, Edward, an engineer, joined Grahamâs team and the Aviator project commenced in late 1998. Wonderful progress has been made and sea trials are tentatively scheduled for late 2001.

I am convinced that the Aviator will be a land-mark in deep sea exploration comparable to breaking the sound barrier in aviation.

On a personal note I intend to offer my services as honorary physician during sea trials and possibly obtain training and occasionally pilot the Aviator at some time in the future.

Gerard Seery

Gerard Seery, MD, FRCS, FACS is a Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon and former Director and Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California at Davis. He is an authority with many publications on surgery of the scalp. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on this and other topics.