Florida Sea Base News

Captain Bert Hubby, PADI Course Director, and Director of Training for the Florida Keys Dive Center, a PADI Career Development Center, was able to conclude this Instructor Development Course a day early.  I will be at the 0730 staff meeting this morning and then in the office.  For the IDC candidates, the Instructor Exam starts this evening and will conclude sometime Sunday afternoon.  Just 2 more audits to go.

Hurricane Irene is over 350 miles away from the Florida Sea Base and we are still getting weather from her.  I don’t know if you can tell much from this photo but check out the palm tree and the waves splashing over the seawall.  This seawall is about 20 feet off US 1 on Long Key.

Click to enlarge.

This photo was taken around 1830 on Thursday, 25 August 2011.  We are getting west winds that make sleeping on the boat like sleeping on the back of an unhappy brahman bull.  Well, maybe a brahman calf.  The point is, it is unpleasant sleeping conditions.

The Bahamas got pounded, as forecasted.  Captain Rich (who else) is leading the charge to see if we can be of assistance in any way to the residents of Marsh Harbor.  Marsh Harbor is the base for our Bahamas’ programs.  Since it is outside the US, we don’t own any property there.  But we may be able to be of assistance to those who lease to us and support our programs.  It’s the Scouting thing to do.  Our Newton Dive Specials have adequate range to get there and can make 20 knots.  They are not “blue water” boats though and we would have to catch a near perfect weather window.  The tough part of the crossing is from here to Bimini.  It’s fairly protected water for the remainder of the trip.  We only need about 5 hours (maybe less under ideal conditions) to make it from here to Bimini.

Regardless of what has happened in the Bahamas, the east coast of the US is likely to be pummeled.  If you are in the projected cone of death, please, take a few days off and visit Nebraska or Idaho.

Click to enlarge.

Two days left for program this summer.

Capt. Steve Willis
Aboard the rockin’ & rollin’ S/V Escape