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