EP 8: Tim Wakefield of Dead Calm Seas Marine Services

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Tim Wakefield, founder and CEO of Dead Calm Seas Marine Services. Tim shares how his Navy background and passion for the ocean led him to build a multimillion-dollar marine services company that now leads projects in offshore wind, salvage, subsea infrastructure, and underwater archeology. The conversation highlights the vital role of safety, training, and union values in high-risk environments, the future of skilled trades in marine construction, and why crossover skills and certifications are key to long-term success in this challenging yet rewarding industry.

00:00 – Introduction to Tim Wakefield and Dead Calm Seas Marine Services
02:40 – How Tim and Anthony met, and how their union partnership began
03:35 – The overlap between marine and land-based construction work
04:00 – Why trust and safety are foundational in offshore diving
05:03 – Building a training center specifically for underwater construction
05:38 – What Dead Calm Seas actually does (diving, salvage, offshore wind, archeology, more)
06:46 – Addressing substandard labor practices and “the race to the bottom” in diving
07:59 – Why ongoing training is essential in high-risk underwater work
08:57 – What “salvage work” really involves, from fires to wreck recovery
10:31 – Tim’s path into diving through the U.S. Navy
11:57 – Union vs. non-union labor practices in international waters
12:42 – Comparing global safety standards: U.S. vs. Europe vs. Asia
13:57 – Why certifications and training create better business outcomes
15:03 – How Dead Calm Seas integrates union workers and shifts jobsite culture
16:09 – The future role of skilled trades and unions in offshore wind development
17:47 – The truth about turnover in commercial diving and why it’s so high
18:25 – The hidden value of paid apprenticeships and crossover skill development
20:56 – How diving as a lifestyle can shape career decisions
21:26 – High-profile jobs: shipwreck salvage and underwater archeology in Peru
23:48 – Giving back: recovering lost soldiers through underwater missions
23:59 – Closing thoughts on the partnership and the future of the industry