Meet Captain Tim!
Captain Tim is one of 4Ocean's captains. We were able to sit down with Tim recently and find out more about him.
Q: Where were you born and raised?
A: Well actually my dad was in the coastguard. At the time he was stationed in Cape May, NJ and I was born in Ventnor, NJ which is a little island out of the sea canal. I did all of my schooling there and lived a block from the beach and a block from the bay so we were in the water all of the time.
Q: Why did you want to become a captain?
A: I've just always been out on the water and have always just been intrigued by the sea. Even as a kid watching all of those Jacques Cousteau films that used to be on TV. I became a scuba diver at the same time and just being 15-16 years old and being able to see so many amazing things was remarkable.
Q: What prior experience do you have working as a captain?
A: I've been a captain for over 40 years. I was blessed that when I got my license I started working for Subaru corporation, the car company, so we traveled around the world. They built a 65' sports fisherman so we just started going further and further. We went down to Belize and then I took them to the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. And then we'd come back and go fish Venezuela, Aruba, and just been really blessed throughout my time as a captain.
Q: What is your favorite part about being a captain?
A: Just being on the ocean and seeing all of the amazing things that are just - you can't describe. From the moment the sun rises until the sun sets. We've traveled at night - say going to Bermuda is about 610 miles so that takes 80 hours. So you get to see the sun rise as you're headed east and then it sets behind you in the west. In the morning - another sunrise and then a full moon at night. You just see amazing things. I've seen whales - sometimes a little pod of killer whales will swim right by the boat and that's really cool.
Q: What is your best memory out on the water?
A: I was off the coast of Columbia when I worked for Tyson. This was another operation - we had a 175' mother ship and then a 65' sport fisherman so we could go anywhere for six months. So I told Mr. Tyson, "let's go down the canal, and go down the border of Colombia, and into this little bay." Up this river, I had heard from a few people that there was this Kuna Indian tribe. One day when I had time off, which, I never have time off, I took the smaller boat and went all the way up this river. I had a couple of mahi mahi with me and a few little tunas. Two hours up this river, it was like something you would see out of a Tarzan film, were all of these little huts on bamboo stilts. I took one of the fish out and all of these little kids came running down. I gave a mahi mahi and a couple tuna to this lady, and a man of the tribe came down and gave me this beaded necklace, and I thought that was really cool. I started eating those little cubes of ice from the cooler and didn't think anything of it - because it was hot - and the children were just watching me with these wide eyes. And then I realized: they've never seen ice before. So I took a piece of ice and put it in their hand and this little girl was like, "ahh!" and ran back to her mother. But after that they loved them. Then I had some Hershey kisses in the cooler and I showed them how to unwrap them and eat them - they've never had chocolate before. It was cool to experience that and meet the tribe.
Q: Why did you want to become a captain for 4Ocean?
A: There are many people out there who don't realize that everything we do has an effect. Too many people use the oceans as their trashcan. With 4Ocean I saw an opportunity to make a difference and teach awareness to all of those people who are not knowledgeable. We try everyday to explain to others what we are doing and how it has an effect.
Q: What items do you find most on your cleanups?
A: I would say that we find a lot of bottle caps, smaller pieces of trash - which are bad for the environment. We find a lot of thin film, water bottles - mainly plastic.
Q: How do you feel you've influenced others to help make a difference when it comes to ocean pollution?
A: I try my best to teach what I can about what I've learned over the course of time and I've been on the water for about 50 years. If someone has a question about anything, I answer them as best I can and teach them what I know.
44 Responses
Elisa Alvarez
We sometimes need a reminder that people can do wonderful things. Thank you!
Susan
I am so proud of Captain Tim and the entire 4Ocean team and all you do. The ocean is my refuge and strength. The wonderful difference you are making to help restore this incredible gift of nature. Everyone needs to take stop littering to help care for our oceans every day! Bless all of you and your work!
Neta Umschewif
Thank you so much Captain for who you are and the mission you are serving for the planet.
And thank you very much the whole crew
Tatjana Unkelbach
Although i live in central europe, far from the sea and ocean, i feel connected and responsible. The creatures in the ocean are fascinating and they influence our complex life. Who wants to stifle in his own dirt? We must take an example of the animals, they’re behaviour – live in harmony with our wonderful planet.
Thank you for that great job! What a super idea. T.U.
Vernon
Great work, I live in Austria, in the long Alpine winter I work in the ski resorts. In the spring I go to the Algarve/Portugal, after 6 months of snow and ice I need some sand and ocean, I always take an empty bag with me when I go to the beach, picking up discarded plastic bottles, doing my bit to help keep our oceans clean. :)
Donna Curry
Thank you ~ Thank you ~ Thank you and MILLION MORE THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Moore
Thanks for all you do! I have lived in Louisville, KY all my life but travel to and own a condo in Panama City Beach, FL. While there, I do walk the beach and pick up trash left behind by people. It is very heartbreaking! But one day while throwing away trash, I found a $20.00 bill just laying in the middle of beach. I just brought a bracelet!! I plan to buy more for friends/family and maybe future condo guests. I will spread the word on what an awesome organization 4ocean is!
Ann
What a fabulous life you’ve lived! I appreciate all that you are doing for our oceans. I live on the upper Sea of Cortez & see first hand daily the filth that is being deposited in the ocean. We have our morning patrol which consists of a group of ladies known as the “trash pickers” that pick-up mostly plastic and styrofoam from the beaches. I fear we are trying to work against something that is too late to correct, BUT we all have to try and keep on trying! Thank you for all you do! Ann
Donna Ogden
Thank you so much for what you are doing! You are amazing!
Marie Antoinette D'Amore
Thank you Captain Tim for all you have done and continue to do! PS…I know Ventnor very well and I currently have a home in Brigantine NJ 1/2 block from the beach! Bless you all.
Patricia Munson
I’m thankful for what you do and happy to support the cause. I was born and raised in Cape May so I know how Important it is to keep our oceans and beaches clean. Thank you
Donna V.
Thank you a million times over Captain Tim & crew. You are doing an awesome thing…I’m a Jersey girl and love my beaches. It really makes my heart happy to see all the good you guys are doing. I have two of the bracelets for myself and plan on getting more for my family and friends. Absolutely love them. Thank you for all you do!! <3
Janet
Thank you Captian tom and 4 ocean. I so worry about our oceans. Being in the water is literally my heaven on earth. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to make a difference!
Power on team! N
Penney
Is there any part of this program that isn’t anything but totally awesome ? #NO
Elisabeth
I am glad I can do my small part to help with this process. I’m a Jersey Girl who spent her teen years living “Down the Shore”. I have a deep love and respect for the ocean. I want to thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. I want everyone to realize, as Capt. Tim does, for every action, there is an effect. We need to teach people to respect the world we live in.
Mary Kompass
Thank you for all that you do! What I wouldn’t due to live your life! I grew up in L.I. New York, on the sound, and I currently live in New Smyrna Beach Fl. I think salt water runs thru our veins once you have lived by the sea. I always think, as I look at the ocean, in my favorite spots, its the only thing in this life that you can look at that is forever. At least, I hope so, thanks again for your efforts to make it just that, forever.
Susan Vaughn
I am a San Diego native transplanted to the Intermountain West. I miss ‘my ocean’ so am very happy to have found 4 Ocean and learn about the great work that is being done to clean up the oceans around the world. I bought two braceets and will continue to support this excellent work through 4 Ocean. Thank you Captain Tim for your love of the oceans and for your work with 4 Ocean. ❤️
donnna miller
Being from NJ and spending summers in Margate, I appreciate your story! I too was inspired by Jacques Cousteau and have loved the ocean my whole life. I love my bracelet, it reminds me that everybody can make a difference. Thanks for all you do.
Victoria Andrich
I’m from Atlantic City and I too grew up walking the beach, rescuing horseshoe crabs and cleaning up trash. Raised my kids on Maui to love and respect the ocean. My daughter just went to the Dominican Republic to restore mangroves and “plant” baby coral. We love the work you are doing – thank you!!
Tammy Mozingo
Keep up the great work and thank you so much for alll you do.
Jane
My sincere appreciation to Captain Tim and all the others to take time out to help clean our ocean. It’s the heart of these individuals that make this world a better place! I don’t live near the ocean but it’s so important to make sure that we treat it with respect. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
Debra Lee Turk Hoon
You are a hero! I can only imagine how many sea critters you and your crew save each year. Saved from being caught in the six pack plastic(s), tangled up in nets and fishing line! Not to mention from eating stuff that is not meant for in and on the water of our beaches, again not to mention eaten by the critters. Keep doing what your doing, I support you and the crew 100 percent. I have all three bracelets that are currently and wear them proudly!
Thank you!
Judy Czubati
This old Jersey Girl is so happy to see this. Gives me such warm feelings..something hard to find these days..looking forward to my bracelet!
marie caranci
Thank you Captain Tim and all the others at 4Ocean for all you do. I live just outside Philly and love going to Sea Isle City! We also vacation in Key West so the ocean clearly is “my happy place”. Years ago I adopted a turtle that is a permanent resident of The Turtle Hospital in Marathon Florida as part of what I could do for turtles. I assist whenever I can afford it to help turtles. My visit to the Galapagos thru Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic added to my desire to do all I could to help clean the oceans. They are very concerned about our environment as you probably know and I saw people that respected all living things on land and sea. I wish we here in our country did the same. I just cleaned trash thrown from cars (cigarette butts are the main items) from my lawn. I bought 3 bracelets so far and will be getting more.
Thanks again for all you do.
Wendy
Thank you Captain Tim! I might be land locked and not get to the ocean as much as I would like but am fortunate to live near one of the “fresh water oceans” as we call it. I’m thrilled to be part of something much bigger than I can imagine. Keep up the crucial work to everyone’s future! Peace!???
Mary Dargen
I wish them continued success. I bought 2 bracelets and will be buying more in the future. I really feel the money is not lining someones pockets. I have there bumper sticker on my car in hopes that far more people get involved. Save our Oceans and that will also save the ocean life!
Toni
Thanks so much Captain Tim and 40cean…it’s the people like you that make the world a better place. Your compassion and drive is needed in us all…THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!
Christopher Lowry
That’s great posting it about Captain Tim which can influence everyone who needs to be understood what’s causes the water environment such as marine biologist. I know for sure turtles under the water would say thanks Captain Tim! Great efforts with every respect for the water needed to be clean… :-) Namasté happy change
Sally McKay
Thank you for what you are doing. You are someone that is truly making a differene and making our world a better place!
Mary kowalski
Purchased 4 bracelets for me ànd friends and love where the dollars are going! Thank you for your efforts!
Dave
I’m from North Jersey ,so it’s great to see a jersian being a captain at this ,thank you and all others for cleaning out oceans !!
captain Tim!
I thought I was the only one!!! Thank you for what you do! I do as much as I can at Boston harbor
Bianca
Thank you so much for all that you do xxx
Tim Falcone
its awesome to see what you are doing and the satisfaction you are getting and the impact you and your team is making. Thank you please keep up your hard work
Jon
Thanks 4Ocean and Captain Tim! I live north of LA and surf in Malibu, Oxnard and Ventura. I see trash in the water during most sessions! I pick up what I can because I believe many Little Efforts and some Big Efforts (like yours) will make a difference! Thanks for all you do!!!
Jessica
Hi. I would like to help. Do you have something in Miami.
Please let me know.
Thank you.
Barbara
Thank you so much!
You are awesome, and what you do for the Ocean is just amazing.
I wished I lived at ths coast to be able to help personally.
Lots of love from Wuerzburg, Germany
Barbara
Sherry
Thank you for what you’re doing. I think it’s wonderful and teaches people to be more aware of leaving their trash. I bought 2 of the bracelets and will continue to do so to help make our oceans cleaner!
Mary
Thanks for your dedication. I’m a Philly girl with a house in North Wildwood so I can appreciate your love of the ocean.
Lisa Beth Akers
Thank you for ALL you do. I LOVE the Ocean and one day will reside in it. The bracelets are awesome my beach baby girls and I all have one. Now I am buying them as bday gifts! Keep up the good work, if you are ever in Pasadena, MD I would love for you to come to our school. St. Jane Frances would be excited to take part in 4Ocean!
Angel Slaughter
This is amazing! Sometimes I lose faith in humanity and it’s hard to see the food in and on our planet. It’s testimonies like these that make my day and make me think our planet really does have a chance. Some people do care! Thank you for sharing this great story and for not just caring about our oceans and our planet, but also for actually taking action and cleaning it up! :)
Thao Duong
Awesome people, awesome work! Thank you!
Denise
Thank-you for this great interview with Captain Tim and thank-you helping save our environment. What you do is so great!! God Bless!!
lynda circelli
It’s people like you who make a difference in our world. I’m sure this is a difficult job, but something you love doing. I admire your efforts. Keep up the good work. It’s sad that people don’t treat the ocean with respect.
Thank you
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in Blog
22 Facts You Might Not Know About Earth
Inside Look - An Interview with Earth Day Network
4Ocean is a global movement actively removing trash from the ocean and coastlines while inspiring individuals to work together for cleaner oceans, one pound at a time.
4Ocean Team
Author