Meet the captains, crew, and instructors aboard the Scuba Express!
Capt Ryan Beale- Master Captain / PADI Divemaster
Ryan is one of the true locals of Murrells Inlet. He has been with us for several seasons, beginning as just a dive intern to now captaining Scuba Express. His diverse skill set is a vital component to the dive crew. Ryan is a skilled spear fisherman, chat him up for advice or if you want a private lesson! When he is not in Murrells Inlet, you can find Ryan out west. During the off-season, he works as a heli-ski guide in Utah.
Kati Prandi – PADI MSDT/ Master Captain/ Gear Technician/DOT Hydrostatic Tester/PSI-PCI Inspector/ EFR Instructor
Kati is our dive instructor that started as a dive intern back in 2021. She recently achieved the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating as well as a handful of specialty instructor ratings. She has obtained her Masters Captain’s license and is the co-captain of Scuba Express. Kati is also the shop’s scuba technician, servicing gear and performing visual/hydrostatic testing on tanks. She really does it all! Kati has dove all over the world but considers South Carolina to be the best of the best!
Nikolas Rassenfoss – PADI Divemaster/ Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Nik is the newest member of the dive team and has been an outstanding addition. He is an avid outdoorsman; sailing, surfing, rock-climbing, running ironman races, you name it – he does it! He completed his Divemaster over the summer of 2023.
Nathan Smith – PADI Divemaster/ Gear Technician/ PSI-PCI Inspector/ DOT Hydrostatic Tester/ Discover Scuba Diving Leader
Nathan began as an intern in 2023 and completed his Divemaster the same year! He graduated from Coastal Carolina University and while attending, was an officer for the university’s dive club. Nathan is a Cressi technician and works part time as a gear technician at the shop. When not in the shop or on the boat, he is working on his master’s degree studying the effects of fishing on Striped Bass. Chat him up if you’re interested in new gear or fun fish facts!
Mitch Haselden – PADI Divemaster
Steely Hays – Master Captain/ PADI Divemaster
Clayton Beasley – PADI Divemaster/ Discover Scuba Diver Leader/ Marine Biologist
Clayton started in 2021 as a dive intern, working his way up to Divemaster. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences and is now completing his master’s degree in Art History. Clayton appreciates the beauty in marine animals and enjoys sharing his passion for the natural world through his guided tours! Clayton is also our head DSD Leader, stop on in if you want to give scuba diving a try!
Nick – PADI DiveMaster
Originally from Pennsylvania, Nick got certified as a diver on the island of Sardinia while living in Rome, Italy. His career with the U.S. Department of State took him around the world where he was able to dive at some of the best dive locations in the world. Upon retiring, he moved to Myrtle Beach and continued his PADI education at Express Watersports becoming a Master Scuba Diver and an Assistant Instructor. You’ll find him on our dive boat during the summer months helping people get ready for their dives and conducting tours of our many wreck sites. Nick is also an accomplished professional photographer and has written a number of books.
