Dr. John P. Craven
PhD 1951 in Mechanics and Hydraulics
Dr.
John P. Craven has had more than 40 years of experience in the innovation,
development, design, construction and operational deployment of major
oceanic systems. As a child he pursued ocean technology in the Brooklyn
Technical High School and acquired a familiarity with the ocean on
the beaches of Long Island and on the waterfront of New York City.
During World War II he served as helmsman on the Battleship New Mexico
operating in waters of the Western and South Pacific and earned two
battle stars.
Following the completion of a PhD in what is now called "ocean engineering" he served as trouble shooting scientist/technologist with the United States Navy with at sea experience with minesweeping and with the development of the submarines Albacore, Nautilus and SeaWolf. He received two civilian service awards in connection with these developments. At age 34 he was chosen as Chief Scientist of the Navy Special Projects Office for the development of the Polaris Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine System. In this role he was roving trouble-shooter and innovator for all aspects of this complex system. In the aftermath of the loss of the submarine Thresher he was chosen to be the project manager of the Navy Deep Submergence Program. This included the direction and management of the Navy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, the NR-1 nuclear powered research submersible, Sea Labs II and III, the initial suite of intelligence submarines, the Navy Large Object Salvage system, etc. Upon completion of these assignments he turned his attention to civilian applications of ocean technology and came to Hawaii as Dean of Marine Programs at the University of Hawaii and Marine Affairs Coordinator of the State. In this capacity he was responsible for the establishment of the Natural Energy Laboratory, the initiation of Mini-OTEC the development and initial operation of the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory.
Having acquired a law degree through study at night, he was also responsible for the direction of the International Law of the Sea Institute. In 1990 he established the Common Heritage Corporation for the management of innovation for the benefit of the common heritage. He also is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.