Pearson, James (Jim)

Having dived since his teens, Jim Pearson has logged over 10,000 dives, and he continues to be active underwater both personally and professionally. Jim has instructor certifications from NAUI, PADI, Los Angeles County, CMAS, and TDI, including a variety of specialty and technical instructor ratings in surface-supplied, open-circuit, and closed-circuit apparatus. Jim loves teaching and has served as guest speaker at numerous diving educational conferences and seminars. His articles and photographs have appeared in several periodicals. Jim continues to teach underwater activities and guide divers to locations in California and throughout the world. He has received several honors, including United States Spearfishing Championship Team, SCIP Underwater Instructor of the Year, Theodore Vail Medal of Heroism, Presidential Lifesaving Commendation, and SSI “Pro-5000 Diver.” The Los Angeles Times called him “a diver whom the experts label an expert.”

Jim has worked in both volunteer and sworn capacities in training public-service rescue and recovery units. He has a Criminal Justice degree and a Master’s License for 100-ton watercraft. He was a US Navy Diver in the Seventh Fleet, serving in Southeast Asia and Vietnam.
A law enforcement officer for ten years, Jim helped launch the Los Angeles Police Department Underwater Unit and served as its first Divemaster and Training Director, facilitating cross-training and multi-agency operations with the US Coast Guard, LAPD Air Support Division, LA Port Police, Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, US Secret Service, and the US Navy SEAL Teams. In 1981, Jim received the LAPD’s Meritorious Service Award for his work with the unit.

Jim is currently active with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary as Flotilla Commander, District Staff Officer of Surface Operations, and Commander of the Coast Guard Dive Casualty Investigations Team in the investigation of underwater accidents.
Jim owns Cinema Rentals and CineMarine Aquatics. With over 3000 titles, Cinema Rentals provides motion-picture production support equipment and service, including specialty cameras for high-risk situations like crash stunts, explosions, car chases, and underwater and unmanned remote-controlled aerial filming. In 1994, the company was nominated for an Academy Award in Technical Achievement for work with remote-controlled aerial filming. CineMarine Aquatics provides nautical and underwater coordination, safety, training, and stunt actors for film sequences. Jim has served the motion picture industry as a Technical Advisor, Underwater Cameraman, Underwater Coordinator, Marine Coordinator, cast and crew Underwater Trainer, and Safety Coordinator. He is a member of the IATSE Marine Local 80, the Screen Actors Guild, and AFTRA. His credits include commercials, music videos, television shows such as CSI, NCIS, The Last Ship, and Ultimate Diver Challenge, and feature films such as Apollo 13, The Italian Job, G.I. Jane, Next Action Star, Bourne Identity, U-571, Fantastic Voyage, Men of Honor, Pacific Rim, Star Trek Generations, Charlie’s Angels, 24, and JAG.

    • Location: USA
    • Website: Link