Anthony’s real man from Atlantis
by JOHN BOYCE johnboyce@nationnews.com
WHEN IT COMES to anything pertaining to submarines, ask Anthony Pitt because he has been piloting one for 30 years.
Prior to joining Atlantis Submarines, Anthony had worked for several years at Intel and was also a respected mechanic.
So when his then boss, Earlyn Shuffler, former general manager of Intel, thought of bringing a submarine to Barbados, Anthony had a keen interest in being a part of the voyage.
He had also shared a close friendship with the general manager, for whom he had tremendous respect.
Therefore, the move to Atlantis Submarines Barbados after its official opening in 1987 by then Minister of Tourism Branford Taitt was a no-brainer for Anthony.
He worked in the company for seven years, during which time he assisted with the maintenance of the boats and the sub before moving up the ladder to become pilot of the sub.
Anthony had undergone intense training during which he learnt about the sub and the ocean.
“It was a matter of familiarising myself with the submarine and the internal logistics of how things should be done,” the pilot told the DAILY NATION.
First voyage
He vividly recalled his first voyage to the bottom of the sea. Expecting the unexpected, the pilot said the anticipation was great and containing his emotions was not an easy task.
“I expected to see a Manta ray or a green marine eel, something you would not normally see on a daily basis.”
Though he did not see the ray or the eel, an ecstatic Anthony recalled seeing a whale shark about 30 feet long and a sea horse.
The submarine has a maximum diving depth of 150 feet, and Anthony said he pilots it to 140 feet. And, the occasion on which he saw the whale shark and sea horse, they were about 60 feet on top of the reefs. Overcome with elation, the pilot followed the whale shark close to the surface in conjunction with the surface tender, the boat that is his eyes above water.
That boat, he said, always sails with the sub and gives safety information relative to surface activity.
Though he has not seen any scary sea creatures so far, the pilot has not given up hope.
A resident of Drax Hall Hope, St George, Anthony said it’s a surreal feeling coming from a parish without a sea yet having such a profound love for the ocean. Given the discussions about reparations and compulsorily acquiring the land and plantation owned by Richard Drax, Anthony said his feelings about the saga are neutral, pointing out that his grandmother worked as a cook at the Drax Hall Plantation.
He said she never went into any details about her time working there. Redirecting his mental compass to the sub, the pilot said the one he is presently operating is an upgraded version of that which is on dry dock, has a seating capacity of 48 and is 65 feet long. “The sub was previously operated in the St Thomas Virgin Islands and was in the action comedy movie Weekend At Bernie’s II.”
A father of three, Anthony, who also has a sharp wit, said they do not have the passion for the ocean like he does, and, in fact, prefer the beach. He described himself as “pleasant and easy to get along with” and sees the opportunity to pilot the sub “as a unique one and a privilege”. Anthony added that his job brings him immense joy, so much so that he could say that it lightens the load of any day. He recalled an occasion when he was on the transport vessel and saw whales breaching the ocean’s surface and spouting water several feet in the air, a sight he deemed “priceless”.
Though he has experienced great pleasure in interacting with the thousands of guests, there is one who stands out in his mind – retired astronaut Buz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon.
“He told me he went to outer space and now is the time to see inner space . . . . It sent a chill down my spine when I met him.”
Now 63 years old and nearing retirement, Anthony hopes for a positive life and good health.
DAILY
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