James Barnett

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

We operate maintain and repair Remotely Operated Vehicles. We travel long distances and sometime live aboard a marine vessel for extended periods of time. As an ROV pilot we are at the forefront of Marine research. We have worked with scientists from all over the world attempting to study everything from tectonic plate movement and seismic activity, to flora/fauna collection and observation. The common denominator for all this research is the need for an ROV. The bottom of the ocean is a harsh and unforgiving environment, and an ROV allows us to deploy, maintain and recover scientific experiments where we previously were not able to.
While being away from home for sometimes weeks at a time can be hard, being present for a moment of scientific discovery is exhilarating.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I have always had an affinity for anything electronic or mechanical. From Cell phones to F1 cars the engineering and Innovation that goes into these machines is incredible. I've also always loved the Ocean. Being able to work on a complex robot in a marine environment is a bit of a dream come true.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My first organic Chemistry Professor at University. He not only guided my direct study in the field of Chemistry but challenged my knowledge and insisted I question everything. His pursuit of knowledge was inspiring.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating part of our job is the discovery of new things. The ocean floor is least explored part of our planet's surface. Being at the center of this exploration, we sometimes see things that no other human has seen before, and that is exciting.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I have been an ROV pilot for 6 years now. I've worked with many different science outfits from Japan, Australia, Spain, USA, Canada and more. They all have one thing in common. Every single one of them has heard of the Nautilus and Hercules. When the opportunity to work as part this very reputable team came up, I couldn't say no.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

My love of the ocean and marine life led me to my career. After graduating from university with a chemistry degree, I realized I didn't want to work in lab. I was on a sail boat, recreationally, when I witnessed a small group of guys doing a subsea pipeline inspection with a small ROV called a falcon. After talking with the guys on the dock for a short time, I realized this was the line of work I wanted to do.

What are your degrees and certifcations?

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry -- Simon Fraser University 2014

What are your hobbies?

I love playing hockey and golf. I also like to play piano to relax.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

Most people who become ROV pilots start in oil and gas. They have the training regiments and the positions for new ROV pilots breaking into the industry. As for actually doing the work, Mechanical engineering is a very good steppingstone. Although, In my opinion the ability to troubleshoot and work collectively with your peers is more important than your academic background.