Florida Sea Base News

Happy Birthday to Scuba Commissioner Laura Kuras and (almost) Captain Theresa Wells.  (It’s not polite to ask a lady’s age, but the last digits are 6 and 1.)

Yesterday morning started out well at the Florida Sea Base; staff meeting at 0730, flag ceremony at 0745, breakfast at 0800.  The dive boats got off the dock on time.  Now back up to Sunday.  Sunday night I told the divers the weather might get a little dicy on Wednesday or Thursday and they should start taking Bonine® to start getting it into their system.  I’m sure they were thinking that I had lost my mind.  ”Why take seasick medicine when there’s no wind?”  Wednesday’s count was 7 pukers on one boat and at least two on the other boat.  Six hours at sea while suffering from gastroenpukeulitus is HIGH ADVENTURE

The seas were medium bad, about three feet.  The divers in California would probably love a day of three foot seas.  Maybe that’s why the (Florida) National High Adventure Sea Base is a success where it is.  (Maybe.)  Here’s our marine forecast from the National Weather Service for the remained of this rotation:

Today…South winds 5 to 10 knots…except near 25 knots and gusty in and near scattered showers and thunderstorms before sunrise. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters a light chop. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms early…isolated showers and thunderstorms after sunrise.
Tonight…South to southwest winds near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters a light chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms.
Friday…Southwest to west winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms.
Friday Night…Northwest to north winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday…Northeast winds near 15 knots…increasing to 15 to 20 knots late. Seas around 2 feet…building to 2 to 3 feet late. Nearshore waters a moderate chop…becoming choppy. Isolated showers.
Sunday…Northeast to east winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters choppy. Isolated showers.
Monday…Northeast to east winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop.

The sailing staff was busy with four Coral Reef Sailing crews in for shore leave and another in for luau.

I woke up at 0345 this morning and noticed some lighting in the distance.  I closed the hatches and laid back down.  About 30 minutes later a storm was upon us.  Fortunately it passed in time for our morning staff meeting.

Click to enlarge.

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