Yesterday was a day of administration training including a review of the Florida Sea Base Staff Handbook, policies, procedures, etc.  The staff also donated more blood and platelets yesterday than the local blood company usually collects in 2 to 3 weeks.  Thanks to all who donated.

Today is the final day of official staff training for the 2013 summer season at the Florida Sea Base.

PROGRAM

Here we go!  One Scuba Liveaboard crew and one Eco-Adventure crew arrived yesterday.  We have a Scuba Liveaboard crew and four Coral Reef Sailing crews arriving today.  The arrivals will ramp up very quickly as 2013 will be another record breaker for attendance at the Florida Sea Base.

WEATHER

Last night from the National Weather Service:

… A significant weather advisory has been issued for Middle Keys in
Monroe and Monroe/Upper Keys counties for strong thunderstorm wind
gusts valid until 715 PM EDT…

At 640 PM EDT National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a
couple of clusters of strong thunderstorms centered near Tavernier
and 10 to 15 miles northeast of Craig Key… moving south southwest
at 15 mph. This cluster of strong thunderstorms will also affect
areas around Windley Key… Upper Matecumbe Key… Islamorada… Lower
Matecumbe Key… Layton and Craig Key through 745 PM EDT. Hail up to
one half inch in diameter can be expected along with possible minor
damage. Heavy rainfall will produce ponding of water on roadways and
minor flooding of low-lying areas.

Florida Sea Base is at the lower left corner of the US-1 icon.  Craig Key (referred to above) is about a mile SW of us.)

Here it comes…

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Hold on…

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It’s here but weakening in the middle and going around us…

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Breaking up – no worries – back to work!

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Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

As the Florida Sea Base staff training continues for the 6th day, the first crews will arrive this afternoon!!!  Divemaster Austen Potter will receive one Scuba Liveaboard crew and Mary Kaufman will receive the Eco-Adventure crew after lunch.

Yesterday the scuba staff reviewed dive boat mate training, tying knots, training for safely handling compressed gas cylinders (scuba tanks) and using the scuba compressor.  The sailors practiced sailing and knot tying.  And spent part of the afternoon snorkeling at Alligator Reef.  Then all of the Florida Sea Base seasonal staff members went to Founders Park for a little break and a hamburger and hotdog cook-out.  Noah Sutter handled the arrangements with park management (his dad), Captain Luke Knuttel took charge of the staff, Tim Stanfill and Captain Rae Murphy and the Galley staff brought together the food, Assistant Ranger Mike Stolar and Scuba Commissioner Captain Alex Bergstedt did most of the on-site grilling, and Sailing Commissioner Phillip Ferrier and Captain Bryce Dallmeyer lead the fun.  Everyone seemed to enjoy hanging out, playing a few games, taking a dip at the pool, eating and just relaxing for a while.

BSA POLICY CHANGE

The end.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

STAFF

The staff members had a full day of training exercises yesterday.  Our weather was hot and humid.  After a morning of scuba equipment and check-in procedures training and an afternoon of diving and rescue training the scuba staff got the evening off.  That’s not entirely true.  The Scuba Mates (who prefer to be called Tank Adventure Mates) worked with Scuba Commissioner Captain Alex Bergstedt after dinner becoming familiar with scuba compressor operations.

The sailing staff spent the day practicing paddle sports skills and training for Coral Reef Sailing shore leave days.  They worked on luau skits post dinner with Sailing Commissioner Phillip Ferrier.

SECURITY

I have never included anything like this in this blog before.  If you use your smart phone to post pictures on the web, PLEASE watch this YouTube video.  This is NOT funny.  http://www.youtube.com/embed/N2vARzvWxwY?rel=0

WEATHER

The National Weather Service says we have a 20% chance of rain today with a light breeze (to near calm) from the south (it would be a good day to be crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas) and a high temperature of 88°F with a heat index of 94°F.  As you can see on this Weather Underground graphic, there is no rain in Keys at early this morning.

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I hope you have a safe day.  Keep those less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

The Florida Sea Base sailing staff spent Tuesday polishing their sailing skills.  The scuba staff focused on rescue skills.  It was a very productive day and, despite the forecasted 40% chance, rain free.  Conditions on the reef were decent, with 2′ seas, 50′ of visibility and a water temperate around 80.  The scuba staff returned to the Florida Sea Base shortly before dinner, reloaded and headed out after dinner for a night dive at Alligator Reef.  The sailing staff spent the evening practicing songs and skits for the luau  events (similar to a closing campfire) that we have for the crews on the last night at the base.

Today the sailing staff will focus on kayaking and paddle boarding.  The scuba staff will work on scuba equipment care and maintenance in the morning.  After lunch we will go diving and practice rescue skills.

WEATHER

While a potentially active tropical weather season lies ahead, we are currently very fortunate with our local weather. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost so much in the recent tornadoes and severe weather events.

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This graphic is a product of the National Weather Service.  I find it very helpful so I am going to try to explain how you can use this tool.  Start by going to www.weather.gov.  Enter your zip code in the box and click “go”.  Scroll down the page and you will see a box with a Google® map of your area.  On the map is a green box; this is the specific area for the forecast.  You can use the + and – signs to zoom in and out on the map.  Try to find exactly where you live (or want the forecast) and click there.  That will move the green box and (maybe) bring up a new forecast, more specific for your area.  Now scroll down just a bit more and you will see the “Hourly Weather Graph”.  Click on the graphic and enjoy.  This is a great resource, introduced to me by Senior Marine Forecaster Chip Kasper with the National Weather Service Office in Key West.

I’m running late.  I hope you have a safe day.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

Summer staff training at the Florida Sea Base continues.  Yesterday morning was filled with driver’s safety training and USCG drug testing.  The scuba staff spent the afternoon in the scuba pool area performing and learning how to conduct a scuba skills review and the Snorkel BSA Award.  ALL Florida Sea Base scuba participants – regardless of experience or certification level – are required to complete a scuba skills review before going diving in the ocean.  The sailing staff spent the afternoon on swim reviews and Snorkel BSA Award.  All Florida Sea Base participants, regardless of the program they are attending are encouraged to complete the Snorkel BSA Award while at the Florida Sea Base.

Monday’s training progressed well under the direction of the Sailing and Scuba Commissioners.  Thank you gentlemen.

Today is a very important day of the scuba staff training. PADI Course Director Captain Bert Hubby is going to conduct a rescue review/remediation class this morning.  Weather permitting, we will be on the reef this afternoon practicing rescue scenarios for several hours.  On top of that we hope to be able to squeeze in a night dive tonight.  High Adventure!

WEATHER

The bad news is we got hammered by rain at dinner time.  The good news is the storm subsided considerably just before it hit and, as strong as it was, could have been much worse.

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(The Florida Sea Base is just to the left of the US-1 icon at the edge of the storm as it approached from the northwest.)  This little squall was nothing compared to the tornado devastation that has occurred in Texas and now Oklahoma over the past week.  Our focus is on the tropical weather season this summer.  The outlook is for a busy season.  This image from the University of Miami shows the water temperatures are already very warm in the Caribbean and Atlantic.  This is one sign of a potentially busy tropical storm season.

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So ended the 2nd “Opening Day” of the 2013 summer season at the Florida Sea Base.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

Today will be our second day of summer staff training at the Florida Sea Base.  Yesterday went well.  It was a very long day and we did not get one of the scheduled topics covered, but we have time later to catch up.  I sincerely appreciate the contributions by Food Service Manager Captain Rae Murphy, Director of Conferences and Food Service Tim Stanfill, Sailing Director Captain Like Knuttel, Sailing Commissioner Phillip Ferrier, Scuba Commissioner Captain Alex Bergstedt, Office Manager Susan Mahoney, Marine Superintendent Captain Christy Clemenson and the other staff members who contributed to the discussions.  Today will be another long day, 07:30 until 8 or 9 pm.

Retail Sales Manager Cheryl “CK” Kuras spent most of the day at the Brinton Environmental Center for their first day of staff training but then hustled back to the Florida Sea Base, tired, hungry and perspiring (I almost said sweating but then remembered ladies don’t sweat) but cheerful and bearing gifts.

Administrative Assistant Cheryl Ferreri (our ENTIRE Human Resources Department) deserves a special thank you for giving up her weekend and working both Saturday and Sunday to process in the staff members so they could be placed on payroll.

We also appreciate the Sea Base Alumni and Friends Association for donating Nalgenes® to the Florida Sea Base staff members for a second year.  If you are not a member of SBAFA, please consider joining and or making a donation.

JULIET

Gibsland, Louisiana (just north of Shreveport) holds an annual Bonnie and Clyde Festival.  My elder granddaughter, Juliet, has competed in the Bonnie Parker look-alike contest for the past three years.  She won 1st place in 2011 and again this year.

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Juliet is in the foreground.  Congratulations!  I’m sure you had a great time.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

Most of the staff members have checked in.  Staff training officially begins at 07:30, ready or not.  Today will be a long one.  We will likely be going beyond dinner.  Captain Luke and I will be relying heavily on Sailing Commissioner Phillip Ferrier and Scuba Commissioner Captain Alex Bergstedt this week and for the remainder of the summer.

I was VERY disappointed to receive a call yesterday morning from a Divemaster who decided to not fulfill his promise to be on our staff.  It will put us in a bit of a bind, but it’s probably for the best in the long haul.  Captain Luke has a few folks back out on him relatively last minute.  Its part of the reality of dealing with so many applicants.

The good news is we feel we have an excellent staff for the summer.  There are always a few hiccups; its good to get those out of the way as early as possible.

WEATHER

The forecast for the coming week has not improved.  We have a 30% chance of rain daily, highs around 87 and lows around 77.  We will make the best of it!

CAPTAINS

Saturday was the first of two Captains Training session presented by Captain Luke Knuttel.  The next round is this coming Friday.  Most of the captains are returners with a little new blood thrown in to help keep the energy high.

JUST IN CASE

My potential apologies are offered in advance (if there is such a thing). With the long days and evening training sessions of the coming week I might miss a day or two of posting.  I will try hard to post daily, but I really am getting too old for this.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

By dinner time, the vast majority of the Florida Sea Base summer 2013 staff will have arrived.  Staff training starts at 07:30 tomorrow.  Staff members who are on site have been helping with a few last minute preparations, unpacking, and getting settled in.

WEATHER

We have a chance of rain all week according to the National Weather Service.

The water temperature is 80°F on both sides of the Keys (bay side and ocean side).  It’s rare for both sides to be the same.  The shallower bay side is influenced by the air temperature more easily than the ocean side.  Regardless, 80° is nice for the divers, but the warmer the water the greater the potential for severe weather events.

The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is “home” to me.  We were fortunate to be spared by Wednesday’s tornado outbreak.  Here is a synopsis of the storms from Dr. Jeff Masters.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013:
1739 CDT  1 W Belcherville, Montague Co TX – EF?, spotter
???? CDT  Nocona Lake, Montague Co – EF?, photos
1835? CDT Millsap, Parker Co TX – EF-1, 100 mph; 5 homes significantly damaged
1841 CDT  3.5 SSE Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co TX – EF-0; brief; 4 NW Millsap
???? CDT  West of Annetta South, Parker Co TX – EF?, brief, from Millsap storm
???? CDT  NW Cresson, Hood Co TX – EF? – determined to be in southern Parker Co
1859 CDT  Sunset, Montague Co TX – EF-1, 100 mph, 1 injured, near Hwy 287; 5 homes damaged south of Lake Amon G. Carter, one of them destroyed
1900? CDT Mills Co TX – EF?, spotters
1922 CDT  3 E Millsap, Parker Co TX – EF-0; brief; photograph
???? CDT  Alvord, Wise Co TX – EF?, public and spotter reports
2006 CDT  Granbury, Hood Co TX – EF-4, 6 killed, dozens injured; only foundations left in places; 200 homes damaged/destroyed; 5 dozen of them Habitat for Humanity. First EF-4 in DFW area since the Lancaster tornado in 1994
2006 CDT  6 SE Granbury, Hood Co TX – EF-1, 90-100 mph; near Pecan Plantation; separate path from Granbury tornado
2130 CDT  Cleburne, Johnson Co TX – EF-3, 140 mph, 8.5 mi path, 1060 yds wide
2142 CDT  6 ESE Cleburne, Johnson Co TX – EF-0, 85 mph; separate from Cleburne tornado
2257? CDT North of Evant, Hamilton Co TX – EF?, brief; #1 of two that occurred simultaneously
2257? CDT North of Evant, Hamilton Co TX – EF?, brief; #2 of two that occurred simultaneously

Thursday, May 16, 2013:
0010 CDT  Ennis, Ellis Co TX – EF1, 90 mph, 6 mi path; significant damage in Ennis; began west of I-45 and crossed I-45 south of Ennis Ave

There is no tropical storm activity reported globally this morning.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

Cheerful service is a big part of Scouting.  The Florida Sea Base serves the local area in many ways.  Yesterday the Florida Sea Base had the privilege of taking about 60  fourth grade students, parents and teachers to Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park and Indian Key Historical State Park.  Both of these sites are islands or keys and only accessible by boat.  Captain Ed Miller and First Mates Tyler Giblin and Phillip Ferrier took half of the group aboard BSA Explorer.  First Mates Will Morris and Brenda Mallory and I took the other half aboard BSA Adventure.

WEATHER

Warm, windy and potentially wet pretty much sums up our situation.  For the coming week we are looking at highs of 85°F, lows of 79ºF, east winds 10-15 knots, and 20%-30% chance of rain every day.

STAFF

Here they come!  The trickle of staff arrivals has become a flow.  Today will be a big arrival day and Saturday all but a handful will be on site.  Yahoo!!!

CAPTAINS

The captains and Coral Reef Sailing vessels are also arriving daily.  As a matter of fact, we are very close to having every slip filled and Sailing Director Captain Luke Knuttel has started looking at options to raft boats up until the season begins so that some of the boats are always at sea.  (I wonder if Captain Rich is chuckling right now.)

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape

The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is less than two weeks away.  The Florida Sea Base is as prepared as one can be for any severe weather eventuality.  Over the next several months I will frequently post information on “Invest” weather systems.  I copy or summarize a lot of those comments from Dr. Jeff Masters’ Wunderblog.  Dr. Masters is the founder of Weather Underground which was sold to the owners of The Weather Channel last year.  Weather Underground continues to be my preferred source for radar images and I rely heavily on Dr. Masters’ tropical weather information.

Tuesday Dr. Masters included this explanation is his blog:

What is an “Invest”?
When a National Hurricane Center forecaster sees a tropical disturbance that may be a threat to develop into a tropical depression, the forecaster may label the disturbance an “Invest” and give it a tracking identification number. There is no formal definition of what qualifies as an “Invest”. Declaring an “Invest” is merely done so that a set of forecasting aids like computer model track forecasts can be generated for the disturbance. The “Invest” is given a number 90-99, followed by a single letter corresponding to the ocean basin–”L” for the Atlantic, or “E” for the Eastern Pacific. Other warning agencies assign “Invests” for the other ocean basins–”W” for the Western Pacific, “A” for the Arabian Sea, etc. Detailed microwave and traditional satellite images are available for all “Invests” across the globe at the Navy Research Lab web site.

I also use images and information from the National Weather Service including the marine forecast, drought and fire forecasts, and products from the National Hurricane Center, National Buoy Data Center, and Climate Prediction Center.  There is NO better source for local weather data in the Florida Keys than Senior Marine Forecaster Chip Kasper with the NWS office in Key West.  We sincerely appreciate Chip’s dedication to keeping us informed of potentially hazardous weather conditions.

The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, WindGURU, SailFlow.com, PassageWeather, and other sources are also frequently referenced or consulted.  Weather forecasting involves a lot or science and, in my opinion, is an art form.  While sometimes overwhelming, generally the more information you can amass the better you can plan.

SAFETY

The management of the Florida Sea Base takes safety very seriously.  It is not unusual for me to spend a few hours each day monitoring the weather.  We retain an MD who is a recognized leader in the field of hyperbaric medicine to review the medical forms for the scuba participants.  The scuba staff will spend DAYS during staff training practicing rescue skills.  All of our staff members and charter captains are certified in first aid and CPR and the scuba staff receives additional training in emergency oxygen administration and first aid specific to scuba diving.  I remember my dad telling me (repeatedly) 50+ years ago, “Safety First”!  The staff files incident reports on nearly every mishap so we can review them as a team to look for trends or the possibility of tweaking our procedures to make an activity safer.

Stay informed.  Stay safe.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Aboard S/V Escape