Bodega Marine lab director Susan Williams has followed her love of the sea from Alaska to the Caribbean Unnatural environment

She did four tours in the Hydrolab, each one seven days, which was very challenging even for an avid diver like herself.

"We are not fish, so it is a very unnatural environment for humans to be in," she said. "It is hard on your body.

"My hair never dried. I was lucky because many aquanauts develop skin problems, lung problems or ear problems because you never dry out. The oxygen and air under pressure has a high percentage of oxygen saturation, so some get what is called aquanaut's cough."

Williams said she was in her 30s then, but she has thought about doing it again. "It was one of the most exciting things I've ever done. I was truly part of the habitat, and it opened my eyes."

The Hydrolab, where she was science director, also gave her expertise she draws on daily in her Bodega Bay post, Williams said.

"I was in a highly technical operation. It involved life support, it involved boats, it involved diving and diving training, it involved safety, proposal review, facilitating the scientists' getting their work done, collecting samples and (studying) the impact on the environment.

"I don't believe you can be a marine lab director and be ignorant of the technology we use to probe the ocean. That kind of experience makes me better qualified to be a marine lab director."

You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bnorberg@pressdemocrat.com.