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.
Alyssa Martin- PADI Staff Instructor/ Master Captain/ EFR Instructor/ PSI-PCI Inspector
Alyssa has been with us since 2021 where she started as an intern while attending Coastal Carolina University. Alyssa worked her way up to Divemaster and went on to get her PADI MSDT, and even more recently her PADI Staff Instructor. Alyssa can teach a range of specialty courses as well as train Emergency First Responders! She is also certified to instruct the OceanReef Full Face Mask Specialty, a fun and exciting new way to experience diving. Alyssa is also one of the store’s managers, she can be found in the shop behind the counter running the whole operation! She recently obtained her Masters Captain’s license, so make sure to look for her out on the water!
Kati Prandi – PADI OWSI/ Master Captain/ Gear Technician/DOT Hydrostatic Tester/PSI-PCI Inspector/ EFR Instructor
Kati is one of our instructors that started as a dive intern back in 2021 and now runs the dive crew. She has obtained her Masters Captain’s license and is training to captain Scuba Express. Kati is the shop’s scuba technician, servicing gear and performing visual/hydrostatic testing on tanks. She has dove all over the world researching coral reefs. During the offseason, she volunteers with the Coral Restoration Foundation in the Florida Keys as one of their dive team leaders. Graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in marine science, you can be sure to learn a lot about the underwater world from her!
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!
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.
