Interview With Robert Ballard

Robert Ballard is one of the best known deep-sea explorers. He is known for discoveries of hydrothermal vents, the sunken R.M.S. Titanic, the German battleship Bismarck, and other shipwrecks around the world. He is a pioneer in the early use of deep-diving submarines. His new high-tech Inner Space Center at the University of Rhode Island links scientists all over the world and makes it possible to identify new discoveries in real-time.

When he was a child: 

"I was a very active kid with lots of interests including sports (football, basketball, and tennis), scouting (Cub Scouts, Boys Scouts, and Explorer Scouts), YMCA Club, fishing, and studies."

Favorite saying: 

“Never get into the thick of thin things."

JOB: Marine geologist, deep-sea explorer, and NG Explorer-in-Residence.

WHAT HE DOES: Uses new technologies to explore the deep ocean.

FAVORITE PASTIME AS A KID: Sports, scouts, fishing, and studying.

HERO: Captain Nemo [from the book, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne] and his submarine the Nautilus.

TYPICAL DAY: Working with staff across New England via the Internet, or traveling on the E/V NAUTILUS ship or raising funds to support my work.

FOR FUN: Traveling to the Bahamas, Jackson Hole, and Block Island.

FAVORITE  PLACE TO EXPLORE: Bora Bora [in French Polynesia].

BEST ADVICE: Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone talk you out of them.

TRAVEL GEAR: Sudoku [puzzles].