Diving into Ocean Exploration with SEAmagine

Doug Downs - Stories & Strategies

How do you build a future beneath the waves—one acrylic sphere at a time?
That’s just one of the questions that surfaces in episode 72 of the Safety Moment Podcast, titled “Submerged Stories and Surface Truths.” Host Mike Sullivan reconnects with his old high school friend, Charles “Chuck” Kohnen, the co-founder and CEO of SEAmagine, to explore how an artistic kid from a Quebec dairy farm became one of the world’s foremost innovators in human-occupied submersibles.

What follows is a rich, insightful, and at times jaw-dropping conversation about entrepreneurship, safety, marine science, climate change, and chasing impossible dreams. Charles’ story is a compelling blend of vision and grit. After completing an electrical engineering degree at McGill and spending years working offshore in the oil and gas industry, he made a bold leap. In 1995, alongside his brother and fellow engineers, he launched SEAmagine in California—at a time when the idea of a private submersible sector barely existed.

Since then, SEAmagine has become a pioneering force in underwater exploration, building over 30 custom submersibles used by researchers, luxury yacht owners, and even coast guards. Charles walks listeners through the early days—when the first sub didn’t even sink properly—and explains the technical precision, regulatory rigor, and creative thinking required to operate safely in an environment more hostile than outer space. 

But the heart of the episode lies in the stories: the unexpected discovery of a previously undocumented shark species in French Polynesia, diving alongside whale sharks in Costa Rica, and exploring shipwrecks that look like Disney set pieces in the deep. With over a thousand dives under his belt, Charles shares the thrill of going “where nobody knows nothing” and the incredible experience of letting nature come to you in absolute stillness beneath the waves.

The episode also tackles serious issues, including the role of climate change. Charles describes how, in just a few decades, he’s seen undeniable changes in ocean temperatures—even as deep as 100 meters, where waters now reach 30°C. He discusses the importance of objective observation and data-driven solutions, noting that SEAmagine’s work supports marine biologists, environmental advocates, and policy-makers in making better-informed decisions.

Throughout the episode, safety remains a central theme. From training sub pilots to pressure-testing acrylic spheres above their operating depth, SEAmagine follows strict protocols grounded in engineering and accountability. With over 13,500 dives and a perfect safety record, Charles contrasts their rigorous approach with high-profile failures like OceanGate, underscoring the importance of responsibility in innovation.

Ultimately, “Submerged Stories and Surface Truths” is more than a deep dive into the ocean—it’s a deep dive into what happens when passion, science, and purpose align. Whether you’re fascinated by exploration, care about marine conservation, or just love hearing about people who carve their own extraordinary paths, this episode delivers.

Catch episode 72 now on the Safety Moment Podcast and see what lies beneath, both literally and figuratively.