OUR DISCOVERY TEAM
Trent Tresch
Director of Research
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UofA Founding Director at Center for Human Space Exploration
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Co-Director at Biosphere 2
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Balloon Pilot
David Darmstandler
Finance
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Co-Founder at Datapath
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Board Member at FinDeck
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Adventurer
Emily Higgins
Director of Marine Restoration
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Co-Founder of Intellireefs
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Marine permitting manager
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MSc Marine Biology
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BA in Archaeology & Anthropology
About
OceanHope is a global nonprofit organization committed to the responsible exploration of the world's oceans. Through partnerships with universities, research institutions, and governments, we identify, excavate, and preserve historically significant shipwrecks and submerged sites—unlocking stories long lost to the sea.
But our mission goes deeper.
Each project we undertake is grounded in mutual respect, scientific rigor, and a firm commitment to local communities. We believe that uncovering history should lead to hope, not just headlines.
Preserve
We work side by side with academic institutions and national heritage offices to ensure our expeditions are ethical, transparent, and aligned with local cultural priorities. Our teams include world-class archaeologists, marine engineers, divers, and historians—many of whom are embedded in local partner institutions.
Discover
All OceanHope expeditions operate under strict conservation standards. We never remove artifacts without permission, and we prioritize non-invasive research methods. Our goal is not exploitation, but shared preservation and knowledge exchange.
Empower
We are a service first organization. OceanHope funds local education initiatives, creates training opportunities, and helps develop tourism and heritage programs that benefit the communities we work with long after a project ends.
Let's Partner
Whether you're a university looking to expand marine research or a government seeking trusted partners in cultural preservation, OceanHope stands ready. Together, we can unlock the stories beneath the waves—responsibly, ethically, and with lasting impact.
