Florida Sea Base News

I woke up at 0200 to use the bathroom and then got to thinking about one of our scuba instructors who will be in my office for some “counseling” later this morning which in turn really woke me up, so here’s an early morning post.

We are watching Invest 94L, a low pressure system in the Caribbean, below Jamaica.  Dr. Jeff Masters made the following post on Friday:

Central Caribbean disturbance 94L
Disorganized heavy thunderstorm activity continues in the region between Central America and Jamaica. Wind shear has fallen to the moderate range, 10 – 20 knots, and is predicted to continue to fall over the next two days. This should allow the disturbance, dubbed Invest 94L by NHC on Friday afternoon, to increase in organization, though it will take many days for it to approach tropical depression status, since it is so large and poorly organized. The last two runs of the NOGAPS model have developed the disturbance into a tropical depression or storm by early next week, with the system moving northwards into Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and eastern Cuba. The other major models do not show the disturbance developing during the coming week. NHC is giving the disturbance a 10% of developing into a tropical depression by Sunday. A surge of moisture accompanying a tropical wave may aid development when the wave arrives in the Western Caribbean on Sunday. Water temperatures in the Central Caribbean are about 1°C above average, 29°C, which is plenty warm enough to support development of a tropical storm. Residents of Jamaica, eastern Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic should anticipate the possibility that heavy rains of 2 – 4 inches may affect them today through Sunday.

This system poses no immediate threat to the Florida Sea Base but we will remain vigilant in monitoring its progress.  There is some concern by Miami forecasters that it will effect our weather on Thursday but that is not yet confirmed by the most recent computer model forecast for 94L:

Click to enlarge.

Sunday we welcomed six Scuba Adventure crews, one Scuba Certification crew, four Coral Reef Sailing crews and one Sea Exploring crew to the Florida Sea Base.  Five Coral Reef Sailing crews were in for shore leave.  Four Coral Reef Sailing crews and one Sea Exploring crew returned to base for Luau.

I received the following comment from former Sailing Commissioner Kaitie Kessler:

Hi Capt Steve!
I truly enjoyed ready your current blogs! It sounds like the 2011 summer is off to a good start! I agreed to spend 2 months this summer as an Aquatics Director for a council camp near Terre Haute IN. Our staff week started yesterday hut ive been here since wed. I oversee 2 staff and a man-made lake that offers rowing, canoeing, swimming and life saving merit badges. I will be teaching life saving and then rotating through the other three. I also will be incharge of any events that take place on my waterfront. Our first round of campers arrive on sunday so we have been mostly setting our areas up and discussing lesson plans, campfires etc.
I spent a grueling week at National Camp School where interestingly enough i saw one of my adult leaders from the only sea exploring crew I had in 2007. After a few memory triggers ( Jolly 2 Rover, Capt Joey Mike Simpson) he did recognize me and later that day we caught up. He told me that that was the best time he has ever had and he says he still talks about that week. I of course agreed because I also had a fantatstic 2 yrs working for Sea Base.
As I am thrust back into scouting, I have flashbacks to my days there and I miss it. I miss the people, the programs, the diving and the ocean. I hope someday soon to visit and to go diving again( because i havent dove since 2006- which is a sin for a marine scientist!)
Hello to all Staff and I hope the weather continues to be fair and the hurricanes few. Have a fantastic and safe summer!

Kaitie Kessler CRM/SEM, Sailing Commissioner Summer/Fall 2006, 2007

Kaitie did an excellent job for us and the local council is very lucky to have her.

I’m going to try to get back to sleep.  The staff can usually tell when I’ve had a tough night.

One last thing…….Capt. Rich was notified on Friday (I think it was Friday) by our Director of Program, Mr. Rob Kolb that two captains positions and several mate positions are open immediately on the 123′ Halie and Matthew that will be sailing weekly from Key West to the Dry Tortugas in our Open Oceans adventure.   Anyone interested should call Capt. Rich Beliveau at 305-394-0365 today!!!  The Halie and Matthew is a gorgeous boat and this is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.

Good night.  I mean good morning.  You know what I mean – back to bed.

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape