Our Team

AJ has saltwater in his veins and a compass in his heart—his journey in the dive industry has taken him from the shores of Massachusetts to the reefs of Roatán. With a degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Miami and years of hands-on experience at dive operations like Squalo Divers in Florida and …

Allison has been drawn to the water for as long as she can remember. A competitive swimmer growing up, being underwater always felt natural, and summers were spent at the beach searching for sea turtle nests and exploring anything ocean related she could find. That early connection shaped a path toward marine biology, diving, and …

Mike’s journey into diving started with a single, unforgettable moment: his very first dive in Cozumel, where a passing manta ray greeted him. Captivated by the experience, he didn’t just sign up for more dives—he convinced his entire family to get certified alongside him. That spark launched a lifelong fascination with the ocean and the …

Paul’s dive journey began in 1999 at Roger Williams University, where he earned his NAUI Open Water certification under the guidance of New England diving legend Vinny Malkoski. That first dive lit the spark, but things really took off in 2002 when Paul joined the New England Aquarium. Since then, he’s logged thousands of closed-system …

Kim fell in love with diving during a try scuba session in Curaçao—it was included in the all-inclusive resort package, and she figured “why not?” The moment she surfaced, she turned to her travel partner (already certified) and said, “Dammit, now I’m going to have to get certified… and I blame you.” Twenty years later, …

Born and raised in Southern California, Georgia earned her certification in the iconic kelp forests off Catalina Island before relocating to Boston, where she dove headfirst into the chilly waters of the Northeast. Since then, she’s embraced cold water diving fully—it’s the only kind of diving she’s done, and honestly, she wouldn’t have it any …

Ali has loved the ocean for as long as she can remember. She’s been sailing since she was 7 and practically grew up on the water—but everything changed when she discovered SCUBA. She started diving in 9th grade through East Coast Divers and hasn’t looked back since. From Boston to the British Virgin Islands, Ali’s …

Allison has been drawn to the water for as long as she can remember. A competitive swimmer growing up, being underwater always felt natural, and summers were spent at the beach searching for sea turtle nests and exploring anything ocean related she could find. That early connection shaped a path toward marine biology, diving, and …

Jake Tovrov is an integral part of the East Coast Divers family, and since joining the team, he’s brought more than just experience—he’s brought presence. Calm, kind, and endlessly patient, Jake is the kind of instructor who can make even the most nervous student feel like they belong in the water. His dive career began …

A water creature from birth, Fritz McGirr grew up exploring the Great Lakes and eventually found his way to the East Coast, joining ECD in 2020. Since then, he’s done it all—helping customers find the perfect mask, wrenching on gear, and now leading the charge as an instructor for our Advanced Snorkeling Team. For Fritz, …

Kerry got into diving through the Three Seas Program at Northeastern University while earning her master’s in marine biology. It wasn’t just a certification—it was a turning point. Through science diving, she’s explored kelp forests in the Pacific Northwest, studied coral reef dynamics in Panama, and dived all around New England investigating local marine habitats. …

Henry got into diving as a way to reset from the intensity of his day job—and let’s just say he committed. Before ever setting fin in warm water, he logged over 100 dives in New England, including more than a few under frozen lakes. That grit laid the foundation for what became a full-blown obsession …

Matt started diving back in 2000, but in those early years it was more of an occasional adventure than a full-blown obsession. That all changed when his daughter got certified. Suddenly, diving became more than just a hobby—it became a way to share time, experiences, and a little bit of underwater challenge with his family. …

Originally from Israel, Danny’s connection to the water runs deep—and started early. He’s been freediving since the age of four, spending his childhood camping by the Red Sea with his family, where he and his brothers would spend entire days in the water holding their breath, chasing fish, and learning, instinctively, how to move through …

Tom started his dive journey in the Red Sea while living in Jordan, making weekend trips to Aqaba and soaking up the vibrant coral life. Since moving to the Atlantic, he hasn’t slowed down—now diving every weekend, year-round, in Massachusetts waters. He’s especially drawn to night dives, where the ocean transforms and the full cast …

Jason got his start in diving through The Tactical Reintegration Project (TRP) and East Coast Divers back in 2019, and he’s been building on that foundation ever since. Whether he’s racking up certifications, guiding shore dives, or crewing on the Cape Ann Diver II, Jason brings energy, curiosity, and a solid sense of humor to …

Brian first got into diving during college, and one of his very first checkout dives was in Lake Champlain… in February. It was snowing when he got out of the water, and his hands were so numb he couldn’t even get his suit off. That experience definitely left an impression—and while he’s tough enough to …

Ed got certified way back in 1985 while still in high school—but it wasn’t until 2012 that diving really hooked him. That year, he and his wife walked into East Coast Divers to ask a simple question: “Have you ever heard of an island called Curaçao?” The answer changed everything. Since then, Ed has worked …

William got certified at East Coast Divers in 2019 after trying scuba for the first time at a Boston Sea Rovers event—and he’s been hooked ever since. Not long after, he joined the MetroWest Dive Club, where weekly “Date@8” dives with experienced members helped kickstart his development as a diver. That routine built both his …

Ed first got certified back in 2000, but for a long time, diving was a rare vacation treat—just a couple of dives a year in tropical destinations. That all changed in 2018 when he decided to spend a summer at Utila Dive Centre in Honduras and earn his Divemaster certification. It planted a deeper seed, …

Simon’s dive story began in 1978 at the age of 17, back when training took place in frigid English quarries and “dive gear” didn’t include BCDs, octos, or computers. Despite the cold and the gear gaps, something clicked—and he’s been hooked ever since. While he’s explored wrecks, depths, caves, and currents over the years, Simon …

Kate’s dive story began in 2015 with a simple goal: trade ski boots for fins and convince her husband that tropical vacations were the way to go. Fast forward nearly a decade, and things have flipped—she’s now an active technical diver being pulled into shipwrecks and caves by that same husband, and loving every minute …

Tom’s relationship with the underwater world started young—in true 1980s fashion—with a garden hose, an airbrush compressor, and a backyard pool in Michigan. Somehow surviving that first DIY “dive,” he went on to get formally certified in 1985, and became an instructor with East Coast Divers just a few years later, in 1989. Since then, …

Lisa grew up in land-locked Colorado but always had an admiration for and fascination with the ocean. She began diving in 2006 while living in Bermuda, eventually earning her Open Water Instructor certification with the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). Lisa moved to the Boston area in 2013 and had to learn how to dive …

Give Barrett a camera and some water, and he’s gone. Whether he’s teaching, photographing, or (ideally) doing both at the same time, that’s his happy place. He’s had the chance to dive some truly epic spots—Maldives, Caymans, Carolinas, the Channel Islands—but what sticks with him most isn’t just the scenery. It’s the moments shared: catching …

Born and raised in Brighton, Mike has been diving since 2015 and serves as a full-time Boston firefighter. With over two decades in the Army Reserves, Mike’s life has always been rooted in service—but like many veterans and first responders, that path came with its own challenges. After battling PTSD, Mike found diving to be …

Kim’s connection to the ocean started young—beach days, boat trips with family, and plenty of time spent wandering through aquariums. She was scuba certified at just 13 years old, and her dive path took off from there. In 2008, she was selected as the Boston Sea Rovers Frank Scalli Intern, and today she serves as …