Florida Sea Base News

Captain Rich and I spent 12 hours yesterday driving (round trip) from the Florida Sea Base to Cape Canaveral to look at prospective program boats.  It was the most time we have had to sit together and discuss program enhancements is a VERY long time.  The conversation was quite enjoyable.  But I am having an issue with my 2010 Honda Civic.  Below 68 mph everything is good.  At 68 to 70 a vibration sets in.  It gets much worse above 70.  It also seems to be worse when decelerating (as in coasting, not braking) or driving downhill (another situation when the drivetrain is not under load).  Captain Rich and I looked at the tires and they seem to be okay, now noticable bulges or unusual tread wear.  The tires have 39,000 miles on them, decent tread, have been rotated at every oil change and are inflated to manufacturer specs.  Any ideas?

No one died at the Florida Sea Base while we were gone so we will call it a good day.  The Scuba Adventure and Scuba Certification crews decided they could share a boat yesterday.  They went to Port Antigua and had a successful dive experience.  Then they ventured out to Alligator Reef but conditions were too rough for the Scuba Certification crew.  The Scuba Adventure crew completed a dive at Alligator and then the crews returned to Port Antigua so the Scuba Certification participants could complete their final PADI Open Water Training Dive.  It was a long day for all involved with the boat returning to base around 1730 (5:30 pm).

Other than the two scuba crews, the only other crew on base yesterday was the Sea Exploring crew that returned from the Calypso Gypsy.

Divemasters (now Scuba Instructor Wanna Bes) Steven Raymond and Michael Roesel will be heading out early this morning for day one of the PADI Instructor Development Course with Captain Bert Hubby at the Florida Keys Dive Center.  They will train for the next eight days and then spend two days taking written and practical exams.

Captain Carol Chapman is on spring break from nursing school.  But instead of having a wild and crazy time on a beach or in one of those disco bars you see on TV, she’s fighting a cold.  Captain Rich said he’s trying hard to not catch it.

Scuba Instructor Rich Goldman arrived back at the base late last night.  He is very fortunate that he is able to perform his “work” remotely.  I think the plan is for him to be clocked in from 8 to 5 and then work with the staff members on their PADI Open Water Scuba Diver certifications in the evenings.

The placement of the pilings is proceeding nicely.  However, the dredging will resume soon; even the barge ran aground yesterday!  Our harbor is NOT at 5′ at low tide (yet).

Make it a good day.

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