A Lifetime of Experience to Share
Jim Abernethy
Jim Abernethy’s love for our oceans wildlife started at a very early age. Growing up on the beach at Singer Island, Florida, Jim was blessed to meet a Northern Right Whale face-to-face at only 10 years old while swimming alone. This encounter was overwhelming and life-changing.
Not long after Jim happened across a turtles nest so large that little Jim thought, “this must belong to a dinosaur!” Turns out, he was right. Having met conservationist Eleanor Fletcher shortly after, she confirmed, “Jim you’ve found one of the very last dinosaurs, the only remaining warm-blooded marine turtle, the leatherback.”
At the age of 12, he achieved his open water scuba certification. After completing college with a degree in business management, Jim immediately became both a licensed scuba instructor and boat captain, and launched himself into business.
Jim has now spent more than 4o years leading shark expeditions, pioneering the business of cage-less large predatory shark encounters. He has led himself down a path of following all of his dreams, spending his entire life with our oceans beautiful creatures and fighting for their protection.
Over the years Jim has observed the massive decline in wildlife populations. In response he has funneled his conservation efforts through his nonprofit “Wildlife VOICE” www.wildlifevoice.org
It is his continued hope that his tours and outreach spark a fire for conservation in the hearts of all of his guests.
Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures (JASA)
Based in South Florida, Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures pioneered and set the bar high for shark diving, leading the industry with cage-less encounters among large predatory sharks.
For over 40 years Jim has been the premier outfitter for up-close and personal encounters, in addition to world-class photography opportunities with Tiger, Great Hammerhead, Oceanic White Tip, Bull, Lemon, Nurse and Whale Sharks. He is best known as a passionate crusader for shark protection.
For decades Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures, Inc. has conducted top-rate charters and expeditions in south Florida, Mexico, and the Bahamas. In 1997, JASA added a 14-passenger liveaboard vessel, the Shear Water, and has since been the leader in shark ecotourism expeditions. Since day one JASA has remained steadfast in its mission of changing the misconception of sharks to their true nature and turning liveaboard guests into shark conservationists!
Michael O’Hagan – Captain
Michael is a photographer, divemaster, captain and shark guide on our liveaboard, the Shear Water. Originally from Detroit Michigan, Michael started diving in 2016, and always has found his way under the waves from diving the cold clear Great Lakes, to sailing the blue waters of Caribbean.
Whether at sea or on land, his goal is always to seek friendship with as much wildlife as possible!
If he is not underwater at tiger beach with our favorite sharks, he is usually exploring the ocean and throughout the world with a sailboat and a camera!
Nick ‘Hex’ Van Sicklen – Divemaster
Nick “Hex” Van Sicklen is one of our shark addicted dive masters. Hex’s love for sharks started at a young age growing up hunting for sharks teeth on Florida’s beaches and which drove him to start diving and getting to see sharks up close. He’s now been diving with sharks since 2010 and has travelled the world working in some of the most notorious shark hotspots. Hex joined our crew at the end of 2019 and brings with him a wealth of shark knowledge. He loves sharing his passion and introducing guests to our shark friends.
Gabrielle Wolfe – Chef, Divemaster & Nurse
Gaby does it all aboard the Shear Water! Recently relocating to Florida in January 2024 to follow her diving passions, Gaby has quickly become an essential part of our crew. Gaby brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our expeditions. Whether she’s diving with Hammerheads & Tiger sharks or preparing a gourmet meal, Gaby is always ready to assist. Her latest thrill? Mastering the art of the shark crew as the Divemaster! Gaby never misses a sunrise on the Shear Water and is committed to ensuring each guest has an incredible experience. Outside of work she’s often found freediving or snorkeling, and is known for removing fishing lines to keep our dive sites beautiful! Protecting our planets’ wildlife is in her blood!
Koy Jacobson – Scuba Instructor
Koy Jacobsen, a scuba instructor born and raised in Sarasota, FL, Koy moved to Key West to attend The College of the Florida Keys. He is graduating with a degree in Diving Business & Technology. Koy absoulutely loves teaching people how to scuba dive, properly so they can also enjoy the underwater world that inspires all he does. Koy loves underwater photography, ocean conservation and large aquatic wildlife, espiacially sharks.