Mission Blue

This excellent documentary outlines the life and work of one of the best oceanographers and marine biologists on the planet – Dr. Sylvia Earl. Inspirational and moving, it takes viewers on a journey from Dr. Earl’s childhood home on the Gulf Coast, to a lifetime of dedicated work on waters around the globe. Dr. Earl has lived a fascinating life, breaking through the glass ceiling all her life: studying marine algae for her doctorate, working as a researcher at the California Academy of Sciences, UC Berkeley, and Harvard, living underwater as the lead aquanaut in TEKTITE II in the Caribbean, working as a biologist on multiple research cruises, and co-founding a company that built some of the most innovative submersibles. She has logged thousands of hours underwater, scuba diving as well as descending to shocking depths in submersibles. She was also the first female Chief Scientist of NOAA. Since 1998, she has been a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Adoring fans address her as “Her Deepness”, in honour of her incredible life dedicated to ocean exploration.