An unexpected conversation at a Coast Guard unit in Seattle set Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Hansen on a path that would eventually lead to a historic achievement. After years spent repairing navigation buoys, restoring maritime aids and carrying out underwater missions from Massachusetts to Antarctica, Hansen has become the first member of the US Coast Guard to complete the Navy's prestigious Master Diver course. Considered the highest level of qualification an enlisted military diver can earn, the achievement marks a major milestone for the Coast Guard's relatively young diving community and could pave the way for future generations of divers.
