Who We Are
The Evolution of Service:
From WETSU Scuba to the WETSU Scuba Foundation
The story of WETSU Scuba begins in 2020, following the retirement of Colonel Steve Oatman, after over 31 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army. Drawing on his experience as an Army Paratrooper and Jumpmaster, the name WETSU, an acronym originated by WWII airborne troops meaning “We Eat This Shit Up,” was chosen to embody the mindset required for diving the North Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina. WETSU Scuba was founded in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, as a dive charter business dedicated to camaraderie and the spirit of adventure.
The Professional Mission and Therapeutic Value
A diver since 1989 and despite growing up in Florida, he was captivated by North Carolina’s unique diving, particularly the thrill of Meg tooth hunting for millions-of-years-old prehistoric teeth. Culminating in the decision to establish his company in NC after becoming both a PADI Scuba Instructor and a Merchant Marine Master Captain in 2021.
From the start, the charter business’s core mission went beyond commerce; it was about sharing the therapeutic benefits of the ocean, especially with the veteran community. Diving provides powerful physical and mental relief. Physically, the neutral buoyancy offers profound respite from joint pain and the constant stress of gravity. Mentally, the silent, deep environment forces absolute focus, acting as an underwater meditation that effectively breaks the cycle of anxiety, stress, and trauma.
WETSU Scuba channeled this mission through a meaningful partnership with the organization Valor and Honor Outdoors. Over several years, VHO & the WETSU Scuba team hosted multi-day Meg Tooth and Spearfishing trips specifically tailored for veterans, primarily from the DOD Special Operations communities, combining adventure and camaraderie with the restorative power of the sea.
The Catalyst for Evolution
Driven by his military character to “never remain static,” Steve sought to expand WETSU Scuba’s impact. During the off-seasons, he volunteered with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Dive Team. Inspired by conservation, and aiming to provide more diving opportunities for veterans and actively support marine research, he began the rigorous process of becoming an American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Scientific Diver in late 2024.
This commitment to scientific contribution and expanded veteran outreach spurred the final transition.
The Creation of the WETSU Scuba Foundation
In the winter of 2024, Steve initiated the non-profit conversion, officially founding the WETSU Scuba Foundation in early 2025. The foundation is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and operates on a comprehensive three-pronged mission:
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Veterans Outreach: Providing unique, fulfilling, and therapeutic diving experiences to America’s veterans and their families.
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Marine Conservation: Actively promoting efforts to protect ocean ecosystems.
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Marine Research Support: Offering diving resources and expertise to aid ongoing scientific research, ensuring the mysteries and beauty of the ocean remain for future generations.
The WETSU Scuba Foundation continues the legacy of service, now equipped to support both America’s veterans and vital marine conservation initiatives.
"Hydro Therapy"
Meet The WSF Boat
The WSF dive chariot is a 30-foot World Cat power catamaran that has been painstakingly customized to provide the optimum in diveabilty and safety. From the gunnel mounted stand-up tank racks, custom speargun racks for up to 10 full-size spearguns, custom descent & ascent line system, and extended length dive ladder, to the custom mounted drum winch anchor system. Everything about the "Hydro Therapy" has been tried, tested, and modified to enable diving in the harshest conditions.
Powered by twin 300 HP outboards and boasting an average cruise speed of 26 knots (30 MPH) with a fully loaded max speed of 38 knots (44 MPH) your ride to and from the dive sites is comfortable and fast.
Crew and guest safety is a top priority when dive sites are 25-30 miles or more offshore in the open and unforgiving North Atlantic Ocean. "Hydro Therapy" is equipped with an emphasis on redundancy and being able to respond to and treat an emergency until advanced treatment care is reached or arrives. With safety a top priority, "Hydro Therapy" has been outfitted with Starlink, an ACR EPIRB, and a Garmin InReach, three VHF radios, two 90-minute emergency O2 kits, a USCG approved Trauma First Aid kit, and an AED onboard. Additional amenities include guest cooler, a freshwater rinse and an enclosed head with a freshwater sink
Meet the Staff
With over three decades of underwater exploration and military service, I bring a lifetime of adventure, discipline, and heart to everything I do. I'm a USCG-licensed Master Captain and certified PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) and SDI Instructor, passionate about sharing the magic of the ocean with others.
Before diving into the world of marine education and conservation, I proudly served as a U.S. Army officer for 31 years—an experience that shaped my commitment to teamwork, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.
Whether I'm guiding dives, mentoring new divers, or building community through WETSU Scuba Foundation, I lead with experience, empathy, and a deep love for the water.
Steve Oatman
Captain & Founder
At 56, my greatest passion is diving the North Carolina coast—from hunting teeth on the famous Meg ledge to the world-class spearfishing. By day, I work as an insurance adjudicator, which gives me the flexibility to volunteer and dive as part of the WSF crew. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our guests discover the underwater treasures that make our coastline so special.
My love for diving started long before I ever got certified, as I listened to the stories by my Dad about diving in the Philippines in the early ’70s. Those stories lit a spark, that took way to long to become a flame. When I finally got certified in 2013, I couldn’t believe what I’d been missing.
From that moment on, diving became my life and I quickly forged my way into the diving industry, becoming a service technician, instructor, and eventually managing a dive shop in Wilmington, North Carolina. Then COVID hit—and like so many others, everything came to a stop. The shop closed, and I found myself back on the water, mating on dive boats just to make ends meet.
That’s when I came across a Facebook post from a guy recently stationed at Ft Bragg, NC. He had a boat, a dream to dive the coast seriously, and was looking for dive buddies. I never could have imagined responding to that single post would spark what would eventually become what we have today—the opportunity to do and share what I love, within a tight-knit dive community built on friendship, purpose, and a shared passion for the sea.
James Morrison
Megaholic
