Chapter 1: A Life in Science

In 1984, I embarked on a research expedition off the coast of New Caledonia, a group of islands situated 750 miles east of Australia. This journey aimed to investigate the daily migrations of the nautilus, a creature known for its extraordinary lifespan. I was joined by Mike Weekley, a 26-year-old marine biologist with a wealth of experience from his time at the Waikiki Aquarium. Mike was not only fearless but also an expert diver, making him an invaluable companion on this venture.

On the fifth day of our research, we noticed thieves approaching one of our holding cages, which was tethered to a buoy and contained ten nautiluses for our studies. Nearby, a long rope led to a deep cage where we were conducting a vital experiment on how deep a nautilus could expel air from its chamber. Our French captain readied his rifle as we sped towards the thieves, but they were fast. We spotted them lifting the buoy before we could reach them. Mike and I swiftly jumped into the water. Thankfully, both the cage and rope remained intact. My task was to inspect the rope for damage, while Mike was to keep any aggressive white-tip sharks at bay. After a few minutes underwater, I turned to signal Mike, only to find he was missing. Instead, I heard a faint "hoot" from below.

The waters around New Caledonia are exceptionally clear. As I gazed down, I saw a small, human-like silhouette far below, eerily still. I descended past the 100-foot mark, my heart racing with fear. Approaching the figure, I realized it was Mike, resting against black coral as if cradled in an embrace. His regulator was out of his mouth. I quickly pushed it back in, praying he would take a breath. In that moment, I knew he was fighting for his life, still conscious but terrified.

I pulled Mike up, attempting to expel the air from his lungs before it expanded. Tragically, it was in vain; the ascent ruptured his lungs. Two hours later, he lay lifeless on the floor of a New Caledonian hospital. The rescuer, who had sustained severe injuries, was a stark reminder of