Florida Sea Base News

Like most of the southern United States, Florida is experiencing a severe drought.  There was rain in much of southern Florida yesterday but we stayed dry at the Florida Sea Base.  There is a 20% chance of rain today in our local forecast.  Rain came very close around 0500 and Plantation Key and Key Largo did get a little rain early this morning.  There are two active tropical systems in the Pacific, but the Atlantic and Caribbean remain quiet today.  At this time of year we have to take it day by day.

Sunday is always a big scuba arrival day.  With Dr. Ellen Wyatt absent due to her sister’s illness, Nancy Wells has moved from her position in Admin as Registrar to working in the Program Office checking crews in and out.  Today will be crazy hectic with arriving crews.  Scuba Commissioner Laura Kuras and I will help her as much as we can.  HURRY BACK ELLEN.  THE PLACE IS FALLING APART!  Capt. Dennis Wyatt reports that Ellen’s sister is improving and Ellen may be able to return this week.

Eco-Adventure News —

New this year as part of Eco adventure is a tour of a working coral growing farm. Our Scouts were able to learn about how coral grows and some of the dangers faced by our reefs before we ventured out to the Atlantic side reefs to snorkel. The tour really helped the Scouts see some of the complexity behind the beauty of the reef. I have attached a picture taken by one of the dad’s on the trip.

Captain Harold Ochstein
561-281-2689

http://island-dreamer.com

I was in the office until about 2100 last night having an emergency session with Scuba Commissioner Laura Kuras re-working today’s scuba staff schedule for this week’s rotation.  About half of the scuba staff is injured, sick, getting sick or otherwise of diminished capacity.  As is common each year, some kind of bug seems to be going around the staff.  (I tell the staff to quit kissing on each other but that doesn’t seem to help.)  Laura and I have until noon today to make sure everything is covered.

Happy Father’s Day!  I love you Dad.  And this is a special Father’s Day for me because my son will be a dad in about 6 weeks.

Capt. Steve Willis
Aboard S/V Escape

I’m sorry to post a little late this morning.  This is the first morning since 07 May that I have slept in.  (I was even up the morning after surgery.)  I managed to sleep in until 0630.  But I didn’t get to sleep until midnight so it was a wash.  Anyway, here’s my report for today:

Friday was the opening day of the 2011 summer season for the Eco Adventure.  The program is best described as Coral Reef Sailing goes green.  The crews will spend time study the eco-systems of the Keys while having all of the fun of a Coral Reef Sailing crew.  They will be sailing on two Morgan 41′ Out-Island boats, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking into eco-systems that the motherships can’t navigate. Captains Harold and Margie Ochstein will be at the helms of S/Vs Morning Dance and Island Dreamer with Dana Ochstein onboard as Mate.  Captains Ochstein maintain a website at http://island-dreamer.com.

In addition to the Eco Adventure crew, four Coral Reef Sailing crews and one Scuba Liveaboard crew arrived at the Florida Sea Base.  Four Coral Reef Sailing crews were in for shore leave.  Four Coral Reef Sailing and one Scuba Liveaboard crew returned to the base for their luau.

The weather is very good and will be perfect as soon as the wind drops 10 knots.  Fortunately, most of our participants are from hardy stock and reported cases of gastroenpukeulitis have been minimal.  Bad news – the wind will be even higher today.  Good news – the wind starts tapering down tomorrow.  Otherwise, there is a very small chance of showers, highs near 90 and lows near 80.  The ocean side water temperature is 82ºF.

Enjoy your weekend.

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape

The Eco Adventure (EA) is a new program for the Florida Sea Base for 2010 and it is a hit!!!  This program is based on our Coral Reef Sailing (CR) program with many twists.  The CR crew size is 6 to 8 on a 40′ – 45′ vessel; EA is a crew of 10 – 12 on two 41′ vessels.  The emphasis on EA is learning by seeing, and doing.  The EA crews visit each of the five major marine habitats of the Florida Keys and receive instruction from their Sea Base Mate and Captains Harold and Margie Ochstein.  Please visit the Ochstein’s blog for a great explanation of the program.  This is a wonderful couple and they are very knowledgeable about the history of the Florida Keys and marine biology.

I want to express my appreciation to Coral Reef Mate John Gilbert.  John is one of the hardest working, quickest to volunteer, tireless, and least complaining staff members we have had in my 10 plus years at the Florida Sea Base.  I’m not sure what his job assignment was yesterday, but when Coral Reef Mate Sophie couldn’t find anyone else to help her with swim reviews John was there.  Yesterday evening Sea Exploring Mate Kyle Moran was having a shortage of certain sizes of snorkeling fins and John was there to help.  It may not sound like a big deal, but these are just two examples.  John volunteers for everything and complains about nothing.  There were others who also helped out last night with the room to room search for snorkel fins.  Coral Reef Mates Bob Der and James Dreger and Scuba Mate Aaron Phoebe, and possibly others were critical in our efforts to make sure the customers were well served.  And I don’t want any of the rest of the staff to feel unappreciated.  They are a great team this summer.  Overall, this is probably the best staff we have ever assembled.  The small example sited above is just one example of their cohesiveness.

There is more wind and rain in the forecast for today and the next several days.  A tropical wave that was off Puerto Rico yesterday was  designated as Invest 97.  This means their is potential for the system to intensify.  We will be watching it closely.  It COULD attain hurricane strength and approach south Florida on Saturday.

From Weather Underground

I am in a hurry this morning because I get to drive a scuba boat.  It will be a bumpy ride.  Take care.

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape