Dr. Ballard's family moved to Pacific Beach, California when he was six years old. He spent most of his time in the tide pools on the coast. The young scientist decided to join a diving school. Later he sailed on a ship called the Orca . Then he headed off for college to earn his Ph. D. (Dr.). When he almost had his first trip underwater he got his Ph. D. His first project was called Project FAMOUS. He dove down in the vessel Ben Franklin. It was like Captain Nemo's Nautilus to Dr. Ballard.