A Brief History of The Aggressor Fleet
Editor's note: The Aggressor Fleet is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014. Below you'll find a history of the fleet since 1984, including a look at celebrities past and present who have sailed with the fleet over the years in the photo gallery above. Go here to get an idea what it's like to spend a week aboard the Cayman Aggressor IV_ today, diving Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac._
In the 1980s, the oil industry in Louisiana collapsed, and other sectors of the economy that supported the oil industry were adversely affected as well. At about that time, Paul Haines, an oil-crew-boat owner and avid scuba diver, met scuba instructor Wayne Hasson working in Grand Cayman. In early 1984, Haines invested in retrofitting an oil boat in order to convert it to a dive yacht, with Hasson hired as captain. The first ship in the Aggressor Fleet was named the Cayman Aggressor, precursor to today’s Cayman Aggressor IV.
Company Expansion
In 1988, another oil-crew boat was refitted and named the Belize Aggressor, serving the lower Caribbean and Belize. That year, the company also started its franchise operations. From 1988 to 1990, Aggressor Fleet expanded to Costa Rica and Hawaii. In the 1990s, the company continued to grow, adding more locations and ships. In 1999, the company began installing moorings at dive sites that minimize damage to coral reefs and marine life.
In 2007, Augusta businessman Wayne B. Brown purchased the company from the Haines family, and subsequently sold a minority share to its longest-serving employee and first captain, Wayne Hasson. The following year saw Brown buy a competing company, the Dancer Fleet, increasing the company’s fleet size and number of locations.
Current Operations
Today, Aggressor Fleet has operations in 19 locations around the world, with a fleet size of 16 yachts. In 2014, the company announced an expansion into the Red Sea. Aggressor Fleet also donates to various organizations that promote maritime safety and education.
Ships and Destinations, A Timeline
1984: Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Islands
1987: Belize Aggressor II, Belize
1988: Okeanos Aggressor, Cocos Island
1989: Kona Aggressor II, Hawaii
1990: Palau Aggressor, Palau
1990: Komodo Dancer, Indonesia
1992: Turks & Caicos Aggressor, Dominican Republic
1993: Galapagos Aggressor, Galapagos Islands
2002: Sun Dancer II, Belize
2009: Maldives Aggressor, Maldives
2010: Island Dancer, Fiji
2010: Wind Dancer, Cocos Island
2010: Tropic Dancer, Palau
2012: Carib Dancer, Bahamas
2013: Thailand Aggressor, Thailand, Indonesia
2014: Red Sea Aggressor, Egypt, Red Sea
For more information on Aggressor Fleet, or to book your next dive adventure, visit: http://www.aggressor.com/
Editor's note: The Aggressor Fleet is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014. Below you'll find a history of the fleet since 1984, including a look at celebrities past and present who have sailed with the fleet over the years in the photo gallery above. Go here to get an idea what it's like to spend a week aboard the Cayman Aggressor IV_ today, diving Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac._
In the 1980s, the oil industry in Louisiana collapsed, and other sectors of the economy that supported the oil industry were adversely affected as well. At about that time, Paul Haines, an oil-crew-boat owner and avid scuba diver, met scuba instructor Wayne Hasson working in Grand Cayman. In early 1984, Haines invested in retrofitting an oil boat in order to convert it to a dive yacht, with Hasson hired as captain. The first ship in the Aggressor Fleet was named the Cayman Aggressor, precursor to today’s Cayman Aggressor IV.
Company Expansion
In 1988, another oil-crew boat was refitted and named the Belize Aggressor, serving the lower Caribbean and Belize. That year, the company also started its franchise operations. From 1988 to 1990, Aggressor Fleet expanded to Costa Rica and Hawaii. In the 1990s, the company continued to grow, adding more locations and ships. In 1999, the company began installing moorings at dive sites that minimize damage to coral reefs and marine life.
In 2007, Augusta businessman Wayne B. Brown purchased the company from the Haines family, and subsequently sold a minority share to its longest-serving employee and first captain, Wayne Hasson. The following year saw Brown buy a competing company, the Dancer Fleet, increasing the company’s fleet size and number of locations.
Wayne Hasson (second from left), Stan Waterman (third from left) and Peter Benchley (second from right), along with Wendy Benchley and their two children.
Kimio Aisek, Anne Hasson and Wayne Hasson. Aisek is Truk’s oldest and most experienced dive guide. Born and raised on the island, as a teenager he witnessed the WWII battles on the islands and watched the destruction of many of the ships that Aggressor now dives. He helped locate most of the wrecks in the lagoon; largely due to his efforts, the wrecks of Truk Lagoon were brought to a wider audience. Aisek would come aboard every week to tell his story and teach guests about the history of the wrecks.
Current Operations
Today, Aggressor Fleet has operations in 19 locations around the world, with a fleet size of 16 yachts. In 2014, the company announced an expansion into the Red Sea. Aggressor Fleet also donates to various organizations that promote maritime safety and education.
Ships and Destinations, A Timeline
1984: _Cayman Aggressor IV_, Cayman Islands
1987: _Belize Aggressor II_, Belize
1988: _Okeanos Aggressor_, Cocos Island
1989: _Kona Aggressor II_, Hawaii
1990: _Palau Aggressor_, Palau
1990: _Komodo Dancer_, Indonesia
1992: _Turks & Caicos Aggressor_, Dominican Republic
1993: _Galapagos Aggressor_, Galapagos Islands
2002: _Sun Dancer II_, Belize
2009: _Maldives Aggressor_, Maldives
2010: _Island Dancer_, Fiji
2010: _Wind Dancer_, Cocos Island
2010: _Tropic Dancer_, Palau
2012: _Carib Dancer_, Bahamas
2013: _Thailand Aggressor_, Thailand, Indonesia
2014: _Red Sea Aggressor_, Egypt, Red Sea
For more information on Aggressor Fleet, or to book your next dive adventure, visit: http://www.aggressor.com/
