Category Life As It Happens

Jett Britnell Named IAATO Antarctic Ambassador

Jett & Kathryn Britnell July 6, 2023July 6, 2023 Comments are off

IAATO Antarctic Ambassador

I’m pleased to share that I have been named an Antarctic Ambassador by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators – IAATO.

IAATO is an international organization comprised of more than 100 respected companies and organizations from across the world. Their mission is to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector tourism to the Antarctic.

IAATO’s Antarctic Ambassadors is a global community of people who love and respect the region, educate others by sharing their Antarctic experiences, advocate for Antarctica when opportunities arise and protect Antarctica by making positive changes at home.

An Antarctic Ambassador is someone who…

Loves and respects the region,
Educates others by sharing their Antarctic experiences,
Advocates for Antarctica when opportunities arise, and
Protects the region by making positive changes at home.

There are approximately 500 IAATO Ambassadors worldwide.

Life As It Happens

“Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.”

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 13, 2023May 13, 2023 Comments are off

“Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.”

— Jennifer Hayes & David Doubilet,

National Geographic Underwater Photography Legends

& Storytellers

It’s taken me awhile since last night to soak it all in. Kathryn and I went to Vancouver’s Orpheum to see “National Geographic Live: David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes: Coral Kingdoms and Empires of Ice.” If you have not seen David and Jennifer’s presentation, I encourage you to go see it wherever you can as it is an absolute crowd pleaser.

Somehow, I had missed seeing any advertisements for their show… and it was only late last Friday evening that Kathryn noticed it on her cellphone. She ordered tickets from the car… Row 2, Centre! I reached out the next day to Jennifer to say if they had any available time during their whistle stop to Vancouver… we could perhaps go for dinner or grab a drink somewhere. It was a longshot as these road shows are often heavily scripted by the show organizers. As suspected, it was not possible this trip. But Jennifer said to me…” We can catch up at the show if you make it. David has a book he signed for you, and it has lived in his equipment room… that man.”

We met up soon after their presentation in the lobby just before they were about to sit down for book signings for a long line of people. Jennifer had our book in a bag under her arm and handed to me. I gave her a hug and said how much I we enjoyed their presentation. She replied… “Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.” I totally wasn’t expecting that. We moved on upstairs where David was already signing books. We jumped the que to say a quick hello to David and grab a photo op together.

Thank you, Jennifer, and David, for the gift of your beautifully photographed book “Two Worlds- Above & Below the Sea” inscribed by the author with kind words of support and encouragement. Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do … and continue to do… for the oceans. We’ll see you next visit… or possibly in some far-flung corner of this world.

Life As It Happens

Our Shark Photo Used As Artist Reference

Jett & Kathryn Britnell May 13, 2023May 13, 2023 Comments are off

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”

— Henry Ward Beecher

Our Shark Photo Used as Artist Reference

A long, long, long time ago I embraced photography as my primary form of creative expression. Mainly because I felt I did not possess the talent to be a painter. Anyway, I awoke this morning to a lovely message from an Art Teacher in Monroe, Louisiana. In a roundabout way it seems that one way or another… I’m determined to channel my inner Van Gogh through my photography.

“Good morning, Jett!

I wanted to say thank you for giving my student permission to use your photo as a reference! I am pleased to say that not only did she complete her beautiful drawing, but she won first place in the soft pastel category of our district’s Talented Art show! She has given me permission to share her photograph and information. This was her first time using soft pastel!”

Name: Sara Young

School: Ouachita Parish High School – Monroe, LA

Grade: 9th

Sara LOVES creating artwork inspired by sea life. Thank you again so much!”

— Leslee Gallant, Art Teacher

Life As It Happens

Explorers Club Annual Dinner 2023 in NYC

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 28, 2023May 15, 2023 Comments are off

ECAD Week in NYC

The world’s largest gathering of pioneers of exploration in space, in the oceans and on land came together in New York City on April 22, 2023, for the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) at The Glasshouse to celebrate the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation. The Dinner is the highlight of a week that included special events featuring many of the world’s most famous and distinguished explorers. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City. Since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are just 3,827 Explorers Club members worldwide.

Ice Tower for Explorers Club signature cocktail.

The Canadian Chapter

We had a blast in NYC attending ECAD events and the Annual Dinner. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City and since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are 3,827 members worldwide.

Most of our Canadian Chapter members were able to get together for drinks or dinner during ECAD week. All I will say it was gratifying to see that the Canadian Chapter had commandeered three tables this year at ECAD. I was also told by more than one person that the Canadian Chapter is viewed as being the “gold standard” of chapters. It takes a village and accolades such as this are a direct reflection of the combined efforts of our chapter’s Executive Team and volunteers.

Here’s to Never ending Conversations

I was also the beneficiary of some exceedingly kind words from a remarkably talented individual. Jaclyn Whittal has been forecasting and reporting on the most extreme weather across North America for 13 years. She has stood in front of the world’s largest ever recorded tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma, has been in the centre of 9 hurricanes, and reported on countless blizzards, wildfires, and floods across the U.S. and Canada. She’s worked as a meteorologist, journalist, host, and field producer on the hit storm chasing series STORM HUNTERS for The Weather Network… and is also a Fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a newly elected Fellow in The Explorers Club. With all affection I call her the “storm-chasing babe.” And she has become a trusted friend to both Kathryn and me.

Life As It Happens

Jett Britnell – Chapter Chair of The Explorers Club Canadian Chapter

Jett & Kathryn Britnell January 4, 2022June 4, 2022 Comments are off

Chapter Chair – The Explorers Club – Canadian Chapter

Well, New Year’s Day 2022 is the day I officially assumed the role and responsibilities of Chapter Chair of The Explorers Club- Canadian Chapter. While it all still seems a bit surreal to me, I’m comforted knowing that we have a group of extremely talented people on the Canadian Chapter’s Executive Team. Tomorrow it’s “Ahead warp factor one“…because all things in life should be more about the voyage… than the destination.

“I Truly Never Imagined Any Of This”

Scuba News Canada Story: Link

Life As It Happens

How to become a member of “The Explorers Club?”

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 Comments are off

How to become a member “The Explorers Club?”

Membership does have its privileges and this article which was published a few years ago in Men’s Journal (see link at end of this post) provides a quick overview about membership levels. I was named a Fellow in 2016 and Kathryn was named a Fellow in 2019.

As the article states, “Fellows: They’re the most distinguished of the bunch. Fellows have directly and substantially contributed to the scientific understanding of the world through field research on their expeditions.”

Along with securing letters of support from two current club members, all new member applications are also vetted by a judicious membership panel at the Explorers Club headquarters in New York City.

The 113th Explorers Club Annual Dinner on Ellis Island, NYC, March 25, 2017.jpg

When I was urged by a club member to join The Explorers Club, I was never so bold as to assume I had amassed the required qualifications to become a club member, let alone a Fellow. And yet, here we both are.

Here is the link to the Men’s Journal article: Here

Kathryn & Jett Britnell outside The Explorers Club HQ in New York City.

Life As It Happens

Today is our 13th Wedding Anniversary!

Jett & Kathryn Britnell April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Comments are off

167682508 10157783780790825 2176795312407077646 n

Every year I post on Facebook something about our wedding anniversary. I have decided to share these posts here for posterity. I will just add that some of you have met, or know, Kathryn in the real sense. Others may only know her virtually. I can say with some authority that she is the real deal. A kinder, more charitable, and better soul you can only feel blessed to have in your orbit. The thing is… she does not truly know how she impacts others. I have had a front row seat for almost 14 years and I cannot recount the number of times she has handed her bag lunch over to a homeless person while she is in her car stopped at a red light. Orchestrating the donation of hundreds of pillows to homeless shelters… the list goes on… all without fanfare… she just quietly and selflessly helps those less fortunate. Kathryn has always done things so much more nobler… and more meaningful in the end… than I have ever done.

So, here we go with sentiments I write from the heart.

April 2021

“13 has always been my lucky number.” ~ Jett Britnell

Tomorrow, April 2nd, is our 13th wedding anniversary. A statement I tossed out into the Facebook universe 13 years ago about my pending marriage to Kathryn is pictured below. The following week we were married near Waimanalo Beach which is located on the southeastern corner of Oahu. Kathryn’s wish was to walk along a turquoise blue ocean shoreline in her white fufu wedding dress. A wish… fulfilled.

In the performance arts, “rhythm” is defined as being the timing of events on a human scale; of musical sounds and silences that occur over time, of the steps of a dance, or the meter of spoken language and poetry.

Happy 13th Wedding Anniversary, Kathryn! I fell in love with your courage, kindness, and your flaming self-respect. Thank you for choosing me to be your husband… and also for holding me in the rhythm of your embrace as we trip the light fandango. How beautiful the dance. xo

April 2020

Happy 12th Wedding Anniversary, Kathryn! 🥂

Twelve years ago today, you could have chosen any other Zaddy (for those who may not have been following the story thus far, a Zaddy is a guy who’s attractive and fashionable, with swagger and sex appeal) on this planet to exchange wedding vows with. But, in your infinite wisdom, you chose me instead (trust you can all appreciate the genius here over how I cleverly give myself a pat on the back while simultaneously passing along a heartfelt compliment). During this time, we have experienced “me love you long time” fun together. All good times that made any challenges we encountered seem nothing more than minor annoyances.

I’m sincerely sorry about those early days in the hospital last fall wherein you had to entertain the fear of the unknown while we awaited some test results. I know there were moments when you felt scared. Through it all, you stood tall, and nobody but me will ever know how much you had to rise above to get through that period. Thank you for being the one who I could lean on during one of those exceedingly rare times in my life (it may have been the only time) when I truly needed someone to lean on.

I have always endeavored to surround myself with kind people. When I entered your life, you inherited a cast of good friends, writers, photographers, scuba divers, explorers and dreamers. All of whom I’m sure would say they were happy to have inherited you through me. And so, it goes… you embraced the madness. The world is in a tough place at the moment. The sun will always shine. Never give up, never surrender, and never forget to keep the fights clean and the sex dirty. And, as always, thank you for choosing me to be your husband! xoxo❤️

April 2019

“Blue skies of Hawaii smile. On this, our wedding day.” ~ Hawaiian Wedding Song.

Tomorrow, April 2nd, is our 11th wedding anniversary!

Kathryn , as you know, it was a stupendously gorgeous sunny day 11 years ago when we posed together for wedding pictures on Waimānalo Beach, with our toes in white sand framed by the scenically beautiful cerulean blue Pacific Ocean that stretches along Oahu’s windward coast. We created quite a stir with a few beachgoers that day; with you looking so breath-takingly beautiful in your white Fufu wedding dress, and me clearly trying to “punch above my weight” in a white tuxedo jacket and looking somewhat rakish as if I had just stepped out of an upscale nightclub and gambling den called, “Rick’s Café Américain”, in Casablanca during World War II. Truly, an unforgettable and absolutely perfect day this one turned out to be.

On this joyful occasion there are far too many eloquent things I could say… along with a never-ending river of words I could write. But I will cut to the chase and simply say this. You are both a good woman and a kind-hearted charitable soul who never ceases to inspire me with your unconditional love & sage wisdom. Thank you, for being all that you are… all that you aspire to be… and always… for choosing me to be your husband.

“Happy anniversary, mi amor precioso!”

April 2018

“Two drifters off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end
Waiting round the bend
My Huckleberry friend
Moon river and me.”

10 years go today, I married my Huckleberry friend, Kathryn, at Waimānalo, Hawaii. This photo was taken about an hour after our wedding ceremony. We were driving back to Honolulu when we saw a pull-out overlooking the ocean. It was wild and windy at the Halona Blowhole Lookout, and we looked quite the pair dressed so formal among the tourists who were in shorts and sandals. Ten years with Kathryn has passed in a heartbeat. From the beginning, we’ve been after the same rainbows end. In this regard, we feel blessed and our hearts are filled with gratitude for all the best things in life we have shared together. There’s such a lot of world to see. May the love between us always remain wild and wind-blown. ❤️

April 2017

“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.” ― Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars

Kathryn, I’m confident I could probably have written something as eloquent as this, but hey, we’ve had a busy two weeks what with New York, the all day course today, and more tomorrow. I felt these words captured it well. Happy 9th wedding anniversary tomorrow! XO

April 2016

Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary, Kathryn!

It’s been said a happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short. To miss someone whenever they are not near. To feel truly missed whenever I cannot be there. To know the only thing that can make you feel crazy is the world outside, and never that person with whom you share a bed. To always want more for the other person, than you want for yourself. To be greeted with a warm smile when you awake each morning or after a long day. Sharing steps in time with a soul who loves unconditionally, understands you, desires for your happiness and warmly embraces those whom you love. There is no, “I’ll try to protect you” when I know with absolute certainty and without hesitation that I would step in front of a moving train to save you. Kathryn you make our life together seem effortless. If these things are not the basic ingredients for a good marriage, I don’t know what is? Thank you! …for eight years of wedded bliss and also for choosing me to be your husband. XXX

April 2014

April 2013

“I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it.” ~ From the movie City of Angels

A shout out for my beautiful wife this morning on our “Numero Cinco Wedding Anniversary!!!” If I had to sum up my feelings about our marriage in one word, that word would be… BLISS! Thank you, Kathryn, for being such an Über amazing wife and for choosing me to be your husband! Happy 5th Anniversary, baby!!

Enjoyed an exceptionally wonderful wedding anniversary dinner at Vancouver’s famed French restaurant, Le Crocodile, with Kathryn, the Wonder Spouse, tonight. Life is good! Very good, indeed!

April 2012

Enjoyed an exceptionally wonderful wedding anniversary dinner at Vancouver’s famed French restaurant, Le Crocodile, with Kathryn, the Wonder Spouse, tonight. Life is good! Very good, indeed!

April 2011

“Celebrating our 3^rd Wedding Anniversary!”

“Love is… born with the pleasure of looking at each other, it is fed with the necessity of seeing each other, it is concluded with the impossibility of separation.” ~ Unknown

And yeah, I love you to pieces. Kathryn. Happy Anniversary, lover! XOXO

April 2010

Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary!!! Very few things in life can compare to waking up, or turning in each night, with your best friend. Thanks Katie, for making my life rich beyond compare! You are the best!

April 2009

Celebrating one year of wedded bliss with my one true love, Kathryn!

Life As It Happens

It still works!: Orca Edge Dive Computer

Jett & Kathryn Britnell March 28, 2021 Comments are off

The Orca Edge

The Orca “EDGE” dive computer changed everything. Released in January 1983, Orca Industries Inc.’s EDGE was the first commercial dive computer that proved to be reliable. Weighing in at 1.6 pounds, this brick-sized milled-aluminum, EDGE displayed a diver’s theoretical tissue loading in real-time, and enabled users to do full decompression dives to 200 ft./60 m. EDGE is actually an acronym standing for “Electronic Dive Guide.”

Orca Edge Dive Computer – photo by Jett Britnell

Built Like A Brick

I purchased this EDGE in 1988. It did change our diving profiles and Lord knows, I did take it over the edge a few times. Somehow, we always managed to re-surface in agreement, OK, there was that one time on a remote reef in New Caledonia where, if it could speak, my EDGE would have told me… “You’re, done for.” Hey, there were some feeding manta rays somersaulting between 70 to 110 feet deep that I was hell-bent on photographing. I paid for it by pulling some serious deco time wherein I had to sit alone on the edge of a steep drop-off in 15 feet of water at dusk while the zodiac ferried all the other divers back to the mother ship. The dive guides came back for me and I made it back onboard in time for dinner. My trusty EDGE, however, did not emerge from a never seen before “deep freeze mode” until the next morning. Hey, it was the early 90’s, we were young and revolution was in the air. All this to say, in its day, the Orca EDGE Dive Computer was a technical marvel.

Life As It Happens

A Big Thank You!

Jett & Kathryn Britnell December 31, 2020January 4, 2022 Comments are off

Jett Britnell diving in Pavilion Lake BC Photo by Michel Joseph e1625801221657

Changing of the Guard

On December 31, 2020, my 2-year term as Explorers Club Regional Director, BC / Yukon, Canadian Chapter, came to an end. I would like to seize this opportunity to formally welcome Sunniva Sorby MI’19, as the new Regional Director, BC / Yukon. Since I assumed the role in January 2019, among several other things, we endeavoured to create greater awareness in the community about the Explorers Club. We were able to achieve this prior to the global pandemic literally shut public gatherings down by presenting two public Explorers Talk events; one large event at the Vancouver Aquarium in November 2019 and another smaller one at the Fjallraven store in Vancouver during February 2020. I extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Executive Team of The Explorers Club Canadian Chapter. I can’t thank you all enough and I feel that I have made some lifelong friends in the process. In particular, to George Kourounis for his stalwart leadership and support. One of the benefits of this role was getting to know George on a deeper personal level.

It Takes a Village

I would also like to give a huge shout out to the following BC / Yukon Explorer Club members for their steadfast support, assistance, and encouragement over the past two years: Coleen Clancy, Rosemarie & Pat Keough MED’02, Maeva Gauthier TM’17, Lee Treloar MI’09, Craig Minielly MI’18, Phil Nuytten FI’85, Isabelle Groc FI’19, Jude Isabella FI’19, John Pollack FI’06, Ray Hyland MI’12, Cathie Hickson FI’05, David Byng FI’07, and Kathryn Britnell FI’19. Thank you, one and all!

Explorers Talk evening hosted by Jett Britnell – Nov 5th 2019, Aqua quest Theatre at Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Canada

Happy 2021!

I wish everyone and their families a safe 2021 and a swift end to this global pandemic so we can all more freely continue to exercise our instincts to explore.

With kind regards,

Jett Britnell, FI’16

Life As It Happens

Titanic Adventure: One Woman’s True Life Voyage Down to the Legendary Ocean Liner

Jett & Kathryn Britnell July 20, 2020 Comments are off

“It’s strange to have a friend that you have never hugged, never shook their hand, or looked into their eyes. But you have been touched by their soul, seen the good in their hearts and felt the warmth of their being.”

– Unknown

I’m giving a loud shout out today to someone we have never met in person, but who both Kathryn and I consider to be a friend. Last month during a Facebook conversation wherein I said I was going to source an out of print book and ask the author to autograph it, the author said to me, “I will send you one.”

The person I’m speaking about is Jennifer Carter,
(Fellow in the Explorers Club, Author, Producer, and so much more), who along with her late husband, Academy Award-winning composer, Joel Hirschhorn, co-authored the book “Titanic Adventure: One Woman’s True Life Voyage Down to the Legendary Ocean Liner.” Yes, Jennifer was the first woman to dive to the wreck of the Titanic when she signed on as expedition leader for the all-male French/American Titanic expedition in 1987. And this is but one of her long lists of noble accomplishments.

We feel blessed to be able to call Jennifer our friend.

(Play Nice In The Sandbox, Kids. Ask, Don't Steal)

Category Life As It Happens

IAATO Antarctic Ambassador

An Antarctic Ambassador is someone who…

“Thank you… for your storytelling and all that you two do for the oceans.”

Our Shark Photo Used as Artist Reference

ECAD Week in NYC

The Canadian Chapter

Here’s to Never ending Conversations

Chapter Chair – The Explorers Club – Canadian Chapter

“I Truly Never Imagined Any Of This”

How to become a member “The Explorers Club?”

April 2021

April 2020

April 2019

April 2018

April 2017

April 2016

April 2014

April 2013

April 2012

April 2011

April 2010

April 2009

The Orca Edge

Built Like A Brick

<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3239 size-large lazyload" src="https://jettbritnell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Explorers-CLub-Bar-NYC-Jett-Britnell-1024x757.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="757" />

Changing of the Guard

It Takes a Village

Happy 2021!

“It’s strange to have a friend that you have never hugged, never shook their hand, or looked into their eyes. But you have been touched by their soul, seen the good in their hearts and felt the warmth of their being.”

– Unknown