“As soon as I heard how many service members and civilians were losing their lives to the ocean in Okinawa, it struck a chord in me. I knew I had to put my foot down and do something.”

Cpl. Madeline Prine, an automotive maintenance technician with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, uses her diving skills and passion for water safety to increase the readiness and knowledge of service members on Okinawa.

“I fell in love with diving shortly after arriving in Okinawa,” said Prine, a native of Dallas, Texas. “It wasn’t until I saw Marines and others around me losing their lives to the ocean that I took a large interest in water safety.” Prine became a scuba diver instructor in October 2021 with the inspiration of utilizing her diving skills and spreading the message of water safety.

In addition to leading scuba diving lessons, Prine has been teaching the importance of water safety to new Marines arriving in Okinawa at her battalion new-join brief for over a year. Every Marine that comes to her unit receives a class from her, ensuring they have the basic skills and knowledge to stay safe in the water.

Prine explained that every day, including weekends, she is in the water teaching a class on scuba diving or water safety. She said that being able to help service members provides her a sense of happiness and pride as she expands their opportunities and capabilities.

“I first met Cpl. Prine when I was giving a water safety class to new Marines on Okinawa, and she was instantly interested in our program,” said Jason MacDonald, a water safety program administrator with Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “We began collaborating, and now we both teach water safety classes together. She even put together her own course to teach water safety based on her diving experiences in Okinawa.”

MacDonald, a native of Nova Scotia, Canada, explained that the work Prine is doing to increase water safety awareness is essential due to the dangerous water climate in Okinawa. He said that the sharp coral reefs and deep waters pose a serious threat to anyone swimming or scuba diving. Individuals of all ages should seek proper instructions and guidance regarding water safety survival skills before getting in or around water.

“I preach water safety all the time, but I don’t want the message to be ‘you’re going to drown,’” said Prine. “The message is, the waters of Okinawa are beautiful, but not to be messed with. Not many people get the opportunity to live here and explore the waters that have such a unique environment. Nobody should pass that opportunity up, and I made it my mission to teach others how to dive and enjoy the waters safely.”