Encouraged to take up SCUBA by his brother John at an early age, Mark received his dive training from NAUI instructor Jean-Francois Aubineau  #2581 in 1973 at the University of Minnesota's Cooke Hall Pool.  After open water check dives in a cold lake in Wisconsin, Mark received his certification on 5/1/1973.  In early June of that year, he joined his brother on a road trip to the Florida Keys for his first taste of ocean diving.  That began a series of vacation trips to Caribbean islands as well as return trips to the Keys.  Summers were spent diving Minnesota lakes and around Isle Royal on Lake Superior were Mark spent some time as a tour boat captain.

Diving equipment has changed dramatically over 40+ years of diving.  Pressure gauges, dive computers, BCDs, all were new tools of the trade acquired along the way.  Advancements in underwater photography were also dramatic.  Quality equipment at affordable prices began to arrive around 2000.  Rather than having to spend thousands to be able to shoot quality underwater photos, it could be had for hundreds.  Mark's first camera was a Sea-Life film camera.  Then came a 1.5 megapixel digital Sea-Life camera with flash.  Some of his favorite shots came with that early camera. Then a GoPro Hero 3+ Black and now a GoPro 5 is the latest favored video equipment.  This camera can shoot great HD video as well as great stills.  In addition to this website, Mark also posts videos on his YouTube Channel:   markhewitt3

The warm and clear waters of the ocean were always the first choice of diving locations. In 2001 Mark and his wife Peg purchased a 2nd home in Tavernier, in the Upper Florida Keys.  This led to easy access to the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary and more frequent opportunities to enjoy more diving. 

Currently living just minutes from the nearest reefs, Mark uses a 2006 Hydra-Sport 2800CC adapted for diving.