Herbert vH. Thatcher was born in Boston, MA, in August 1943. He received the B.S. degree in mining engineering from the University of Arizona, Tuscon, in 1970 and the M.S. degree in ocean engineering from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, in 1978.His experience includes positions in labor, engineering, and line supervision in the metal mines of the Southwest. During graduate work at the University of Hawaii he was involved at various levels in the effort to implement Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in the State. After receiving his degree he spent several years providing engineering and operational assistance on a government ROV system designed for 20 000-ft operations. His present position is at Hydro Products, San Diego, CA, a major manufacturer of ROV systems and subsea CCTV systems, where he provides project management, design engineering, and operational assistance on a number of ROV systems.