NEC PODCAST
“Conversations with the Explorers Shaping Discovery in New England and Beyond”
Hosted by explorer, journalist, and veteran diver Rhonda Moniz, The Explorers Club New England Chapter Podcast takes you beneath the surface of discovery—literally and figuratively. Each episode dives into the missions, challenges, and breakthroughs of explorers shaping science, conservation, and adventure across New England and around the globe.
Episode 1
The Quest to find the Lost Civil War Sub with Vince Capone and Dr. Art Trembanis
Join us as we talk with Vince Capone and Dr. Art Trembanis on their quest to find the long-lost Civil War sub, the Alligator Jr.
About Rhonda Moniz
Rhonda J. Moniz is a specialist in diving technologies, subsea systems, and underwater forensics, with more than 25 years of experience as a scientific diver, expedition leader, and Dive Safety Officer. A Master SCUBA Instructor and internationally recognized expert in subsea operations, she has overseen numerous projects, expeditions, and training programs worldwide. She is the President of the Underwater Investigative Group (UIG), CEO of RJM Consulting, and an adjunct professor teaching underwater crime-scene investigation techniques at several universities.
Ms. Moniz’s fieldwork spans multiple deep-sea expeditions, including significant projects with Dr. Robert Ballard as his first female ROV pilot. Her work has taken her to shipwrecks more than 4,000 meters deep in the Black Sea, archaeological sites off the coast of Turkey, underwater volcanoes, and diverse marine environments focused on geology, biology, and exploration. She has extensive hands-on experience with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and advanced sensor systems, and has designed and delivered training programs for subsea operations worldwide.
She has trained the United States Military and emergency response agencies in marine robotics, underwater forensics, port security, search and rescue, and mine countermeasures. Her expertise has contributed to solving numerous cold cases in aquatic environments, earning her recognition as one of the leading specialists in underwater forensic investigation.
An accomplished journalist and filmmaker, Ms. Moniz was awarded the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Fellowship for Scientific Journalism. She has served as a subject-matter expert for CBS, Discovery, Netflix, CNN, and Anderson Cooper, as well as for multiple PBS programs, including on-air analysis of the 2023 Titan submersible tragedy. She currently produces several ocean-focused documentary projects and podcasts and serves as President of the Board for NERACOOS as well as a member of the national IOOS Board.