Merrick VanLandingham
I am originally from Mobile, Alabama. I attended Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women (no kidding) where I took SCUBA diving as an elective course. The rest, as they say, is history. I worked as a dive master in Malaysia and returned to the states to begin working full time in the diving industry working for the Dive Pros in 1997. I became a SCUBA Instructor (NAUI #33639) in 1999. I have been the manager of the Dive Pros since 2001, done commercial diving for FEMA, EPA, US Coast Guard, and even been a golf ball collector!
I am a founding member of O.R.G. search and recovery, a PSI certified inspector, NAUI Instructor trainer, NAUI first aid Instructor, DAN oxygen provider Instructor, Emergency First Response Instructor, and a US Coast Guard certified Boat Captain. I also proudly serve as Chairman of the Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee.
Some of my other interests include (but are not limited to) spear fishing, competitive shooting, motorcycles, reading, politics, hunting, camping, real estate, and travel. I am also a life member of the NRA. It may just be easier to say that if it’s fun I like it.
I can usually be found hanging around town with my wife Laipin, son Jett, and Rocky the super dog.
My favorite local dive sites are the I-10 bridge rubble, Chevron oil rig, Brass wreck, USS Oriskany, and the YDT boats.
My list of great dives worldwide is too long to list. Just to name a few, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominica, St. Croix, Cozumel, Roatan Honduras, Molokini Crater Hawaii, USS Liberty in Bali, Pulau Tioman Malaysia, Bloody Bay Wall Little Cayman, Costa Rica, and many others.