May 8, 2017

Meet Capt. James Sullivan of Boston Scuba

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Capt. James Sullivan.

Capt. James, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I took my first SCUBA diving class in October 1992, I was instantly hook. I loved being underwater exploring different dive sites around the Massachusetts coast line. I dove often in the early to mid-90, and gained lots of experience. I was a very proficient diver, able to handle the challenges of ocean diving. In September of 1997 I became a PADI Dive master. PADI is the largest SCUBA training agency in the worldwide. PADI certified divers are recognized a certified (trained) dives anywhere in the world. As a new PADI Divemaster I was able to work at local dive shops as an entry level professional.

In March 1998 I spent a few weeks in Florida, and completed my PADI Instructor course. Now I could teach other student divers anywhere in the world. I came back home to Massachusetts, and work at some local dive shops for the next couple of years. Working a dives shops, I gained more experience at teach students, filling tanks, customer services, and the general daily operations of a retail SCUBA diving shop.

I finally start my own business in April 2001. At this time I had successfully complete my USCG Captain’s Course, and became a licensed boat captain. Boston Harbor Diving Company was started in my home office. In the early years the business focused on small classes teaching people how to SCUBA dive. I also offer boat charters on a small dive boat I had purchased in 2000. I would take certified dives out around many of the local dive sites in Boston Harbor. The business was home based for about 10 years.

Then in January 2011 Boston Harbor Diving Company was reformed into Boston SCUBA Inc. I was able to open a retail dive shop at the marina where I have been operating my dive boats for the past 10 years. Now I operate a retail dive shop. The shop offers SCUBA instruction from entry level to professional level courses. We operate a dive boat all year round… Yes, even during the winter we take certified divers out SCUBA diving around Boston Harbor. Certified divers are able to get tanks fills, rent SCUBA equipment, or even have their own SCUBA gear serviced.

In April 2017 Boston SCUBA is celebrating 6 years in business.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me the business always grew bigger every year, and thankfully that trend still continues today. Of course there are challenges along the way. Long hours, mechanical troubles with boat motors and air compressors, financial problems, staffing issues. Operating your own business isn’t easy. The decisions you make every day will either make your business stronger or weaker. Hard work, and good business practices will help you over comes most obstacles.

Boston SCUBA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Boston SCUBA is a full service retail dive shop. We specialize in SCUBA diving classes, and SCUBA diving charters around the Boston Harbor Islands. I dive charters are probably what we are known most for. The dive boat Keep-Ah runs all year. During the summer months we offer 8 different charters every week. We visit dive sites around Boston Harbor. Places like Grave’s Lighthouse, Outer Brewster Island, Martin’s Ledge, Wreck of the Romance, Shag Rocks, and Calf Island are some of the more popular dive sites we visit.

We also offer lobster hunting dives, we properly permitted divers can collect their lobster while diving in Massachusetts. Boston Harbor also has some great Sea Scallops beds, were divers can drift along the ocean bottom, and collect their sea scallops for dinner.

I now have a large, experienced staff of SCUBA diving instructors. Our SCUBA classes offer the best SCUBA training in the Boston area. We are also the only dive shop in the Great Boston area that operates their own dive charter boat.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Opening the dive shop back in April 2011. Finally getting rid of the home office, and having an actual brick and mortar dive shop was my greatest moment so far.

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