BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — An ocean explorer made a pit stop in Bowling Green to discuss his experiences while navigating the depths of the ocean.

Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered the wreckage of the Titanic, visited Western Kentucky University and shared some of his stories about when he was younger. He said people did not believe in his abilities because of his dyslexia.

“I’m dyslexic, I went through a very difficult time. I was told I was ‘stupid’ when I know I wasn’t,” Ballard said. “I got knocked down a lot. And it was my passion that got me back up.”

“I’ve always felt that failure is your greatest teacher, and when it knocks you down, it’s your passion that gets you back up,” he continued. “I thought if I just stayed in the game, it was sort of the tortoise outrunning the rabbit.”

Initially, Ballard thought that his dyslexia was a liability, but found out it was a gift.

“I’ve discovered this gift that I thought was a liability,” Ballard said. “Cause I went down a road that was perfect for a dyslexic person.”

And that road was marine geology and oceanography, exploring the floors of the ocean. Ballard learned at a young age that the ocean is a force to be reckoned with.

“At 17 years old I was almost sunk by a wave,” Ballard said. “It literally ate my ship. I went under, took on green water, that means you’re under the ocean, and I popped back up and I said ‘Now, that was a wave.’”

But Ballard was still determined by his curiosity, and passion to explore the ocean floors. 

Over the course of many years, he went on over 165 explorations. Some of his prominent findings were the German battleship Bismarck, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, and, of course, the RMS Titanic.

However, Ballard does not believe that discovering the Titanic was his most remarkable achievement.

“My mom said ‘We saw you on all the talk shows, the neighbors are all excited, but it’s too bad you found that rusty old boat,’” Ballard said. “That’s exactly what came out of my mom’s mouth. And I said, ‘Well, why do you say that?’”

“And she said ‘Well, you’re a great scientist. Your discovery of hydrothermal vents and chemosynthetic life forms rewrote biology books. Your exploration of the mid-ocean ridge proved the theory of plate tectonics and rewrote the geology book. Your discovery of high temperature black smokers rewrote the chemistry book. Now, they’re only going to remember you for that rusty old boat.’ So, those three things that I mentioned are what I am most proud of,” he explained.

Ballard also commented on the recent Titan submersible implosion, stating the submersible had “crossed the line” for it to implode and that he feels sorry for the losses from the implosion.

“In 1960, we went to the deepest depths of the world’s oceans,” Ballard said. “Since then, we have never lost a single person. Not a single individual has died in a submersible. Why? Because we dived in certified pressure holes.” 

“I’ve been to 20,000 feet, I’ve never feared a pressure hole because it had been tested,” he continued. “I knew it would not fall. They went in an untested pressure hole. They crossed the line, tragically. I feel sorry for their loss and the families’ losses.” 

Despite the achievements in science and marine geometry, however, Ballard states the importance of having a diversified team. 

Ballard also noted that other kids should follow their passions, even if they get knocked down in the process. 

“I think it’s very important that kids follow their passion, particularly 20% of kids like myself, who are dyslexic,” Ballard said. “It’s one of those things that I want to champion. Kids can overcome these things, turn it into your advantage.”