Tim Taylor, president and CEO of Research Vessel Tiburon Inc. has been elected as the newest Fellow of the prestigious Explorers Club for his discovery of Sherwood Forest. This year the Explorers Club celebrates its 100th anniversary.   Tim joins the ranks of a world-renowned assembly including noted explorers such as Sir Edmund Hillary, Buzz Aldrin, Neal Armstrong, Sylvia Earle and Eugenie Clarke. Scuba diving icons of this century Earle and Clarke both sponsored Tim’s induction. 

In the early 90’sTim Taylor first discovered, explored and named Sherwood Forest Reef, a unique and ancient reef where coral grows at the unusual depth of 60 to 130 feet into an amazing canopy of mushroom-like formations. In late August of 1997, while Tim was hosting a group of scientists aboard his research vessel R/V Tiburon, the site was discussed and at Tim’s suggestion, they visited the reef. Although not a part of their original reconnaissance survey of the Dry Tortugas National Park, the group made two additional trips to Sherwood Forest - a testimony to its uniqueness. As a direct result of this expedition, Sherwood Forest became the poster child for scientists to rally support from the state of Florida and numerous other national groups to establish the Tortugas Ecological Reserve. Since its inclusion in the nation’s largest permanent marine reserve as part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sherwood Forest continues to astound divers and scientists alike with its beautifully-colored  false bottom full of nooks and crannies where fish and other marine creatures can find shelter. The reef, estimated to be over 9,000 years old, is one of  only two formations of its kind in this hemisphere. It remains one of the best nursery habitats in the U.S.; an absolute necessity to the health of the surrounding waters.

For more information about Tim and his future expeditions, interested parties can go to www.rvtiburon.com