Graham Hawkes
Graham Hawkes – Life, Career, and Famous Insights
Graham Hawkes – biography, quotes, and the life and career of the pioneering English (London-born) marine engineer and submarine designer. Discover his innovations, philosophy, and legacy in underwater exploration.
Introduction
Graham Hawkes (born 23 December 1947) is a London-born marine engineer, inventor, and submarine designer who is considered one of the most influential figures in civilian and research submersible technology. Over several decades, Hawkes has pushed the boundaries of how humans explore the oceans — designing deep-sea vehicles, atmospheric diving suits, and “flying submarines.” His work has enabled scientific missions, commercial ventures, and inspired new possibilities in underwater access.
Though his name may not be as widely recognized as that of some explorers, his technical achievements and innovative spirit remain deeply respected in marine engineering circles. In the era of climate awareness, ocean science, and the push to understand more of the planet, Hawkes's life and work hold enduring relevance.
Early Life and Family
Graham Hawkes was born on 23 December 1947 in London, England. Growing up in post-war Britain, he would have come of age during periods of rapid technological change and renewed interest in exploration, including undersea work. (Specific details about his parents or early family life are less readily documented in public sources.)
He developed an early fascination with engineering, mechanics, and the promise of reaching parts of Earth that were harder to access — the ocean’s depths. That curiosity would later guide his educational and professional paths.
Youth and Education
The public domain lacks detailed, widely cited records about Hawkes's formal school or university education. It is known, however, that he trained as an engineer (marine / mechanical / naval), and early in his adult life gravitated toward subsea engineering challenges.
What is clearer is that Hawkes’s inventive drive was evident early. By the mid-1970s, he was already designing submersibles and diving suits, meaning that his formative years and education laid the groundwork for bold experimental work soon after.
Career and Achievements
Early Career & First Designs
In the 1970s, Hawkes began developing one-man submersibles and atmospheric diving suits. Among his earliest creations were:
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Wasp: a one-atmosphere deep diving suit (a rigid suit that allows a diver to withstand external pressure) designed in association with OSEL in Great Yarmouth.
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Mantis: a one-man microsubmersible incorporating manipulator arms, designed in 1978. Mantis was later used in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, with Hawkes piloting it in a large tank at Pinewood Studios.
These early innovations established Hawkes’s reputation for combining mechanical artistry, lightweight materials, and novel modes of underwater access.
Deep Ocean Engineering & Deep Rover
By 1981, Hawkes moved to the United States and co-founded Deep Ocean Engineering (DOE). Deep Rover, a manned submersible capable of diving deep and operating with a high degree of reliability.
Deep Rover’s early versions used pressure hulls made of cast acrylic, effectively creating a large “window” into the deep ocean.
In 1985, Hawkes set a world solo dive record down to 1,000 meters in Deep Rover, remarking dryly after the dive, “It means … I got my sums right.”
By some estimates, during the 1980s–1990s, Hawkes was responsible for designing 70% of the crewed submersibles produced in those decades.
Hawkes Ocean Technologies & the “Flying Submarines”
In 1996, Hawkes left the daily operations at DOE to form Hawkes Ocean Technologies (HOT), based in San Francisco.
One flagship line is DeepFlight — submersibles that are positively buoyant (i.e. they float upwards unless propelled downwards) and use wings and thrust to “fly” underwater. DeepFlight Aviator (two-person trainer) and Super Falcon are among his prominent realizations.
Under HOT and its affiliates, Hawkes has also pursued unmanned systems (ROVs) and lighter, more accessible ocean technology — e.g. the SeaRocket—a probe/lander intended to enable broader access to underwater measurement and imagery.
Volume and Scope
By some counts, Hawkes has designed and built more than 60 manned submersibles and more than 350 remote operated vehicles (ROVs) across scientific, industrial, military, and recreational domains.
Other Inventions & Ventures
In addition to marine vehicles, Hawkes has also ventured into other domains. He invented the Telepresent Rapid Aiming Platform (TRAP) — one of the earliest robotic remote aiming systems.
He also engages in educational, accessibility, and outreach efforts. For instance, his current venture HAWX Open Ocean focuses on making subsea access more democratized — developing cost-effective probes and systems so communities, students, and citizen scientists can participate.
Historical Milestones & Context
The Age of Deep-Sea Exploration
In the 20th century, deep-sea exploration was dominated by large, government-funded vessels and extreme-pressure submersibles. Innovators like Hawkes ushered in a more modular, lightweight, and experimental phase, bridging science, recreation, and commercial uses.
Rise of ROVs and Submersibles
Hawkes’s career paralleled the rise of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and the increasing value of underwater mapping, resource exploration, archaeology, biology, and film. His early contributions to ROV affordability (for example, the Phantom series) had ripple effects in how nations and institutions approach undersea work.
Innovation Without Heavy Subsidies
Remarkably, Hawkes often preferred private sponsorships over heavy governmental funding — meaning many of his more ambitious projects required persuading patrons, film studios, or private donors. This approach brought both creative independence and financial challenges.
Influence on Film, Science & Public Imagination
Hawkes’s submersibles have been used in films and documentaries, including For Your Eyes Only (James Bond) and Aliens of the Deep (IMAX). These appearances helped popularize advanced underwater technology in public mindsets.
Legacy and Influence
Graham Hawkes’s legacy spreads across several domains:
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Technological influence: His designs and philosophy influenced subsequent generations of submersible designers, especially in emphasizing lightweight materials, hydrodynamics, and modularity.
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Democratizing exploration: His push for lower-cost probes and broader access (e.g. HAWX Open Ocean) challenges the idea that only governments or large institutions can explore the seas.
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Inspiration to engineers and explorers: Hawkes shows how one person with creativity and persistence can reshape a technical field.
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Cultural footprint: His submarines in films and public dives enhanced awareness of the ocean’s mystery and possibility.
In many ways, Hawkes is a bridge: between classic deep-sea engineering and a future where underwater flight and citizen access become more routine.
Personality and Talents
Hawkes is often described as laconic, pragmatic, and fiercely driven by engineering logic. During one dive when asked, “What does this mean to you now that you’ve gone deeper than anyone alone?”, his reply was simply, “It means … I got my sums right.” That understatement captures a mindset deeply rooted in precision, rigor, and modesty.
He tends to regard innovation as originating from imagination rather than expectations — striving to do what others haven’t yet considered. He also embraces risk, patience, and the repeated iterations that complex engineering demands.
Famous Quotes of Graham Hawkes
While Hawkes is not widely quoted in the way literary figures are, a few remarks capture his mindset:
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“It means … I got my sums right.” (after his record solo dive)
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On innovation: “They can copy where I’ve been but they don’t know where I’m going.”
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On accessibility: He has emphasized that ocean exploration should not be reserved for elites — advocating systems that let communities “observe, understand and manage their own ocean backyards.”
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Reflecting on being called “lunatic fringe” by critics:
“Perhaps I can help see the future, but it’s different from what is expected.”
These quotes reveal humility, forward-thinking, and a conviction that true innovation often runs counter to convention.
Lessons from Graham Hawkes
From Hawkes’s life and work, we can draw several lessons:
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Imagination over imitation
Real breakthroughs often come from venturing where others haven’t thought to go, not from refining what already exists. -
Persistence in the face of funding constraints
Many of Hawkes’s most daring projects required creative financing and personal conviction, not reliance on large institutional backing. -
Bridging art and engineering
His vehicles are not only functional but elegant — a reminder that beauty and performance can go hand in hand. -
Democratize access
The more people have practical tools to explore, the more collective knowledge and stewardship will be possible. -
Quiet confidence
Hawkes’s understated demeanor — letting results, not rhetoric, speak — is a model for engineers and creators.
Conclusion
Graham Hawkes has charted a rare path: one where engineering excellence, fearless innovation, and a deep love for the ocean converge. From atmospheric diving suits to winged submarines, his designs have broadened humanity’s reach beneath the waves.
As we confront new challenges — climate change, ocean health, exploration of the unknown — Hawkes’s legacy invites us to imagine, to build, and to make access to the deep not just a dream of the few, but a possibility for many.