John Katchenago

John is a junior officer with the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, providing experience and expertise to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as part of a three-year billet assignment. John serves as the sanctuary’s Unit Diving Supervisor overseeing diving activities. As a member of the sanctuary’s science team, John as a diver, vessel operator, and scientist contributes to a variety of projects and research, such as coral restoration and maritime archaeology. He also supports mooring buoy operations and coordinates volunteers and Team OCEAN activities in the Upper Keys.

Prior to joining NOAA Corps in 2014, John worked as a fisheries observer in Alaska and a dive instructor in Hawaii. His first assignment was as Navigation Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker supporting fish, marine mammal, and seabird surveys, as well as oceanographic projects. Since reporting to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in November 2016,he has developed a serious interest in maritime history and the Maritime Heritage Program. He earned a Master’s of Professional Science degree in Underwater Archaeology at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine at Atmospheric Science in 2019.