Florida Sea Base News

WEATHER

On Friday morning the conditions at the Florida Sea Base were cool with no wind, overcast skies, and by late afternoon we had a light but steady drizzling rain.  By very early Saturday morning we were down to 60°F with north winds gusting to 20 knots.  Escape was rocking and rolling enough to disrupt sleep.  This morning it’s 55°F with north winds at 20 knots.  It’s not raining, but we are surrounded by some decent showers and should see some light showers a little later this morning..

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STAFF

I believe the program staff members are scheduled to work half a day today.  We are still working on hiring summer seasonal staff.  Captain Luke hired seven or more sailing staff members.  I was distracted by other chores and did not hire anyone, but I did get some more emails sent out.  Hopefully I can get a few hired today.

CONFERENCE

One hundred participants from the Miami BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) have invaded the Brinton Environmental Center for the weekend.  Eighty participants from the Temple Beth Sholom are spending the weekend at the Florida Sea Base.  They are a very young, rambunctious group and it is a delight having them at our facilities.

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

I am still out of town as is Captain Rich.  Kyle Moran continues to manage the daily program related needs of the Florida Sea Base.  I received a call from former Florida Sea Base Scuba Instructor Steven Raymond Wednesday.  Steven has signed a contract with Disney Cruise Lines but is interested in returning to the Florida Sea Base next spring.  Talking with Steven made me think of some pointers to share with wanna be staff members and wanna be returning staff members.

CHRISTMAS SEASON & DIVEMASTER ACADEMY

Christmas (winter) staff applicants were generally identified during the exit interviews at the end of the summer season.  It is rare for us to hire non-returning staff at Christmas; we simply do have time for any sort of staff training.  I have submitted the information to Florida Sea Base Administrative Assistant Cheryl Ferreri to prepare Letters of Employment for the Divemaster Academy staff and three of the Scuba Adventure/Scuba Liveaboard positions.  The filled positions include:

Reed Beazley – SA/SC Dive Boat Mate and DMA assistant
Captain Alex Bergstedt – DMA Instructor
Captain Christy Clemenson – DMA Captain
Captain Kari Dahlquist – DMA Instructor
Richard Goldman – DMA Instructor
Hank Gordon – Divemaster (specific assignment pending)
Kyle Moran – DMA Divemaster
Captain Dennis Wyatt – SA/SC Captain and DMA assistant
Ellen Wyatt – Office Manager

I believe I have five scuba positions still open:

1 Scuba Certification Instructor
1 Scuba Certification Divemaster
2 Scuba Liveaboard Divemasters or Instructors (2 positions total)
1 Scuba Adventure Divemaster

I do not have the summer exit reports with me, so if you are a former Florida Sea Base scuba staff member interested in working the Christmas season, please send me a reminder email.  I am 99% sure Emily Sepeta has asked to fill one of the DM positions, so that leaves four openings.  I wil be back at the base in a week and will review the exit reports again.

I have no idea of how far along Captain Rich or any of the other hiring managers are.  If you are interested in a winter scuba position and haven’t heard from me yet, I suggest you send me an email.  If you are interested in a sailing position you might check with Captain Rich next week.

SPRING & SUMMER 2013

It is NOT too early to submit applications for spring or summer.  The sooner you apply the better your chances of being selected.  Former staff members hoping to be rehired need to send a new application; again, the sooner the better.  Here are a few hints about applying:

1. Neatness counts – if we can’t read your email address and phone numbers your application is worthless.
2. Apply early – sometimes, first come is first accepted.
3. Dates of availability are important – BE ACCURATE.  Check with your school and parents to confirm your dates of availability.  Being available for the full season is a HUGE bonus.  If you are only available from mid June to early August, your chance of acceptance is marginal at best.
4. Do not expect to get extended time off – FSB policy allows a MAXIMUM of ONE three day absence.  Asking for a week off for a wedding or family activity is not appropriate.
5.  If you work the spring season, you will get preferential consideration for summer.
6. Returning staff members’ past performance and adherence to FSB & BSA policies will be given heavy consideration.
7. Talk with your references and make sure they are going to give you a positive referral.  Sometimes the reference tells us we shouldn’t hire you.  That is not what you want.

CRITICAL SEASONAL POSITION OPENINGS

Laura Kuras and Ellen Wyatt have elected to move on to bigger and better opportunities for 2013.  Therefore, I am accepting applications for a Scuba Commissioner and Office Manager.  These are seasonal positions of major responsibility.

The Scuba Commissioner runs the day-to-day operations of the Scuba Adventure, Scuba Certification and Scuba Liveaboard programs.  The Commissioner must be available for the spring and summer seasons.  Former FSB scuba staff experience is preferred.  PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor or higher certification and USCG Master (50 tons or more) are very desirable.  Computer skills (especially Excel) and leadership experience are mandatory.

The Office Manager reviews all incoming scuba paperwork, especially the medical forms and contacts crew leaders when issues arise.  This is a very demanding job.  The Office Manager should be available from the first or second week of January until the end of August.  This is for continuity in reviewing the medical forms and communicating with crew leadership.  The Office Manager must be proficient with Excel and Outlook and have excellent phone and organizational skills.

If interested, please submit an application AND resumé through the usual channels.  In addition, please send me an email so we can talk one-on-one. These are truly critical positions to the success of the Florida Sea Base scuba programs.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
PADI Course Director #39713

If you applied for a summer scuba job at the Florida Sea Base, your wait for an answer is nearly over.  I will DEFINITELY finish up by the end of the week.  While “patience” is not listed in the Scout Law, it is a virtue.

Before breakfast I repaired two whips on the scuba tank fill station and started and washed a load of clothes.   After breakfast I worked on office chores for a while.  Then it was back to the scuba area to organize some repair parts.  After lunch I sent several hiring related emails and then studied for an hour or two.

In between chores I spotted Captain Rich hard at work on sailing staff hiring.  It looks like both of us will have  very few returning staff members this year.  It’s common for staff members to return for a second summer.  Some return for multiple seasons.  Some promote up the ranks from galley to program to divemaster and even to scuba instructor and/or captain.  Watching them grow is one of the benefits of my job.  Eventually most of them seem to fall of the face of the Earth never to be seen by human eyes, their existence only know via their Facebook page.

I was mistaken in yesterday’s (first) post; four Coral Reef Sailing crews (not two) returned to the base yesterday for their shore-leave day.  Four more will be in today.  Former seasonal staff member turned new Coral Reef Sailing Captain Derrek Polk was one of those in for the shore-leave day.  Captain Derrek is a quiet man but I could see in his smile that he is having a great time so far.

Our weather was warm, sunny and breezy yesterday.  We are expecting more of the same today.  One of the dive boats will be out for a night dive tonight and the other boat is scheduled for tomorrow night.

I received a pleasant phone call from Facilities Director Captain Keith Douglass yesterday afternoon.  He has finally secured a permit for the utilities installation for the new docks along the Chapel Seawall.  Better late than never.  Hopefully the Keys Electric Co-op can get out very soon to set the new service pole.

Upper Keys Construction has officially completed the harbor dredging.  Several workers spent all day yesterday cleaning the dredging barge and preparing it for phase 2 of the project; installing new pilings along the Chapel SeaWall.  The renovations that were guaranteed to be completed before the beginning of our spring season MAY be done by the beginning of our summer season.  This is not the fault of the contractor.  Delays in permitting is the primary culprit.  During the summer the harbor is going to need an experienced air traffic controller to control the traffic flow and reduce the chance of collisions.

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

With help from Scuba Commissioner Laura Kuras, I made significant strides towards finalizing the summer scuba staff choices for the Florida Sea Base.  I did not have time to notify all of the winners (and losers) yesterday.  Don’t panic yet and PLEASE don’t inundate me with emails.  I will contact you as quickly as I can.  Believe me, NO ONE wants to see this process completed more than me.

Captain Rich Beliveau is also making good progress towards hiring the 2012 summer sailing staff.

Despite high winds, the scuba crews were very successful in completing their first open water dive of the week.  Scuba Instructor Rich Goldman commented that the seas were only about 2′.  He also commented that our dive boats look a lot alike from underwater.  Same mold, same bottom paint, it makes sense to me.  I wonder what he meant by that?

Mr. Robert Kolb was a big help in Captain Scott Martin (BEC), Captain Rich Beliveau (sailing) and I in posting our 2012 S.M.A.R.T. goals.  In an attempt to not disparage the organization I have no further comments regarding this exercise.

Captain Rich asked several of the Coral Reef Sailing captains to drive around in our newly dredged harbor yesterday morning.  We were at a slightly low tide.  No one struck bottom.  Yeah!!!!

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At the Florida Sea Base we are VERY dependent on the weather.  The forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate continued high winds.  Weather Underground is forecasting much gentler breezes, and AccuWeather is covering the gambit with predictions like 12 miles per hour gusting to 25 miles per hour.  The Molasses Reef buoy (east of us) has reported winds under 20 knots since 1800 (6:00 pm) yesterday.  The Sombrero Reef buoy (west of us) continues to report winds in the 20 knot range.  At 0415, my best guess would be to send the boats to the east (less wind).  Obviously the conditions will have to be re-evaluated closer to 0900 to make a more timely decision.

All of the weather services agree that it will be warm and we have a chance of some scattered showers today.  Warm is good.  Warm with 15 knot winds from the north would be near perfect for the divers and sailors.  Regardless of the conditions, we will give the Scouts the best adventure safety will allow.

There are no crew arrivals or departures today, but two of the Coral Reef Sailing crews are scheduled for shore-leave at the Florida Sea Base.

I’m going to try to get an hour nap.

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

Not really, just a plain squall.  It is Sunday at 1126 EST and I am aboard S/V Escape.  We have a squall line approaching.  Wind gusts of 50 to 54 knots are anticipated.  The base has been prepared for a blow.  I plan to monitor the system from Escape.  I have rapid access to all of the sailboats on the dock and can see all three of the Newton Dive Specials from here.  The front is approaching from the Northeast but our winds are currently from the South.  The approaching squall is sucking air into it as it approaches.

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The Florida Sea Base is where the US 1 sign is on the map.

1145 EST: The wind is here, clocking to West.  Escape is already healing to starboard in the slip 3-4º when the gusts hit.

1147 EST: Whammo.  The squall is upon us.  The satellite TV is losing reception.  Escape is prancing about the slip like a startled horse in a stall.  She is not meant to sit side to.  She instinctively knows she should be pointing into this blow.

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1149 EST:   I went to the cockpit to video some of this, but apparently pushed the wrong stupid button.  While I thought I was videoing, I saw Captain Rich Beliveau coming off his boat, Schooner Sienna Belle, in a hurry.  I laid down the camera and went running.  Captain Kennard “Hammer” Harris had his vessel, S/V Jewel of Athena, secured to the outside of the T-dock.  The change in wind direction caused the fenders to pop out from between Jewel and the dock.  It only took a minute to adjust the lines and put the fenders back in place.  Captain Hammer is in the worst spot on our dock for this blow.  We were all soaked by the time we returned to our prospective boats.

1205 EST:  The rain has already past.  The wind speed dropped for a few moments but is now filling in behind the squall.

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1215 EST:  The wind borne waves are here.  Escape is still complaining.  She wants the waves on her bow, not her beam.  She is struggling, constantly swaying from 1º port to 4º starboard.

Since the rain has stopped I need to walk the base to see if there is any damage.  The wind is clocking more to the North and we have whitecaps just off our dock.  I measured the wind at 25 knots on our dock.  The Long Key Station of the National Data Buoy Center recorded gusts as high as 35 knots as the system passed.  (The Long Key Buoy is approximately 7.7 miles from the Florida Sea Base.)

1311 EST:  I did not find any damage on the base.  The apparatus used to take the Coral Reef Sailing crews tubing is somewhat askew (it usually rests on the top of the boat.  But that was all I found.

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By 1530 EST the wind had clocked far enough to the North to be much less of an issue in our harbor.  We are still getting bounced around by the gusty winds but not so much by the waves.  The concern now is how difficult diving may become on the reef.  The wind is clocking eastward faster than expected.   I am optimistic that we will be okay today and tomorrow.  The remainder of the week is concerning.  But it is only a forecast and maybe it will laid down sooner than expected.

Back to more routine business:

We had one Scuba Adventure crew and one Coral Reef Sailing crew arrive Sunday afternoon.  This will be a challenging week weather wise, but, as always, we will find a way to make this an adventure with life-long memories.

Dr. Ellen has caught up with the back-log of summer scuba medical files.  We’re not sure how long this will last, but she is relieved for now.

Some of you who have applied for summer have received contract information from Cheryl Ferreri.  Don’t panic if you haven’t.  I am working feverishly to get through the applications and references and will be contacting you soon – either way.  If you have not received an email or phone call saying you are NOT being hired then you are still under consideration.

0400 EST Monday:  The squall line is brining us strong winds and cold temperatures.  It is 62º this morning with North winds blowing 26 knots.  We have likely not bottomed out temperature wise.  The air conditioners will get a rest for the next several days.  We are expecting a high in the mid 70s today.

I have a phone interview with PADI at 1100 this morning.  This interview will account for more than 50% of the decision on whether I am accepted into the Course Director Training Course.  I have no idea of what will be asked, and while I know several of the corporate employees, PADI has assigned someone that I haven’t met.  I assume this to maintain impartiality.

Have a great day.

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

Monday may have been a bad day world-wide.  My wife had a very bad day, Dr. Ellen, Captain Paul Beal, Captain Rich Beliveau, Cheryl, Nancy, almost everyone I dealt with seemed to be having a miserable day.  Sunday’s Daytona 500 was postponed because of rain and was supposed to start at noon yesterday.  Then it was postponed until 1900 (7 pm).  I turned on the TV just as Jimmie Johnson was getting t-boned on the driver’s side by David Ragan.  I hope your day went well.

Florida Sea Base Director of Program Rob Kolb is back after being away for a week.

For those of you who are summer scuba staff hopefuls, I spent as much time reviewing applications as I possibly could yesterday.  The issue most responsible for the slow progress is the time required to follow-up with your references.  I will try to send an email out Friday for those who have been hired.  HOWEVER, if you don’t get an email Friday, don’t freak out, and please don’t swamp me with emails and phone calls.  That will only further delay the process.  I am actually ahead of schedule and moving forward as quickly as I can.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!  The Florida Sea Base has a pathetic internet capacity.  Many leaders are scanning and emailing their scuba crew medicals.  Yesterday, the whole computer network at the Florida Sea Base shut down from data overload.  Please fax the medicals to 305-664-5632 or mail them to Florida Sea Base, PO Box 1906, Islamorada, FL 33036.  If you must send them electronically, consider copying them onto a CD and mail that to us.  Or, email the medicals ONE PARTICIPANT AT A TIME.  We are hopeful that General Manager Captain Paul Beal will consider our plight and add another internet feed (or two).

The participant dorms, General Manager’s residence and Quarterdeck were all “tented” yesterday for termite treatments.  I will post some photos tomorrow.

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

Today is Cyber Monday, the internet equivalent to Black Friday.  Most of the Florida Sea Base full time staff will be back at work today.  I hope to finalize the 2012 spring scuba staff hiring today and get all of the information to Cheryl Ferreri for processing.  If you are working for me this spring, please be watching for an email from Cheryl sometime this week.

Also on my list is preparation for Friday’s Florida Sea Base Advisory Committee Meeting, ordering a few more Divemaster Academy training aids, completing the spring scuba schedule, finishing September’s (and maybe October’s) expense report, and maybe getting a couple of loads of laundry done.  Rarely do I come close to finishing a daily list; too many interruptions.

It looks like we may have a front pushing through this afternoon.  The forecast calls for winds starting from the southwest and clocking to northwest with a decent chance for rain and the low dropping to 67º Monday night.  This week’s forecast is much like last week’s.  But last week’s forecast never came to fruition.  Stay tuned.

Today: A chance of showers, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Breezy, with a west wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north between 15 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. North wind around 15 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Friday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Happy Cyber Monday.

Capt. Steve Willis
Aboard S/V Escape

Hiring of the summer seasonal staff is winding down very quickly.  Today is the deadline imposed by Rob Kolb.  That doesn’t mean there won’t be a few stragglers hired, but it does mean the chances are slim.

Capt. Rich spent most of yesterday off base.  I worked on routine office stuff.  The Coral Reef Sailing crew from S/V Spindrift was on base for shore leave.  The Scuba Adventure crews spent the morning completing their scuba reviews and salt water buoyancy checks.  After lunch they boarded BSA Adventure with Captains Carol and Kate or BSA Centennial Eagle with Captains Dennis and Scott and went to Alligator Reef for dive #1 of the 11 they should complete this week.  The construction crew started work on remodeling the Galley yesterday.  I am extremely disappointed that this project could not be scheduled during one of the month we don’t have program participants on base.  It’s like having road construction during spring break.  It is a MAJOR inconvenience but it will be nice when its completed.

The weather is holding out nicely.  It’s a little bumpy on the ocean side but sunshine and warmth abound.  It is hard to convince staff and participants alike that they need to wear sunscreen in what many consider to still be winter time.  The lobster red glow of their skin should be a clue.  Of course by then it’s really too late.  I suspect we will have more compliance to our request for everyone to use sunscreen today.  I heard a lot of excuses yesterday when the boats returned from diving.

Have a great day.  Don’t get sunburned.

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape

Here’s the weather forecast for the Florida Sea Base, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 15 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Capt. Dennis called fairly early yesterday morning.  He and Capt. Alan had arrived in Mexico well ahead of schedule.  They will rest, take on fuel, water and provisions and continue towards Belize.

We had three Coral Reef Sailing crews enjoy their day on base yesterday doing the usual routine; small boat sailing, tubing, kayaking and volleyball.  They were aboard Misty Shoals, Excalibur. and Chanticleer.  At least three more Coral Reef crews will come in today for mid-week and two Coral Reef, one Eco Adventure and two Sea Exploring crews will be returning for the end of their program.  It will be another long, hot, active day for the sailing and galley staff members. Laura Kuras has been the mate on one of the returning Sea Exploring crews.  She is technically my Scuba Commissioner this year and it will be good to have the opportunity to put her to work on scuba related projects.  I will likely let her take the day off tomorrow and then put her to work on Saturday.

Rob Kolb is hosting a meeting at 10:00 this morning for us to discuss updates to our National Camp Standards.  This process works a little differently for National High Adventure Bases than for Council camps.  The National Council of the BSA sets standards annually for all BSA camps from Cub Scout day camps to week long resident camps.  The National High Adventure Bases use the standards as the basis for preparing their own, individual standards.  Each Base (Northern Tier, Philmont and the Florida Sea Base) writes its own standards because the programs we offer are so different from each other.  We have no horses at the Florida Sea Base so it doesn’t make any sense for use to have camp standards addressing issues involving horse care or horseback riding.  Likewise Philmont and Northern Tier don’t deal with the Coast Guard so they don’t need standards addressing those issues.  It also makes it challenging when we have our annual “visitation” to insure our compliance with those standards.  (They used to call it an annual inspection but the kinder, gentler BSA changed it to annual visitation.)  The inspectors, I mean visitors, are a mix of Professional Scouters and Volunteers who are sometimes not aware that our standards are different from council camps.  On occasion this causes minor issues that we have to explain.  At the Florida Sea Base we do n exceptional job of meeting all of the standards dealing with our programs each year.  Our goal is to offer a safe and enjoyable high adventure experience.

Summer hiring is progressing well.  If you applied for a scuba job and haven’t heard from Cheryl, please be patient.  I am wading through the applications as quickly as I can.  Well, maybe not at any record setting pace, but I’m working on it every day.  (I think I sent seven more approve applications to Cheryl yesterday for processing.)  This IS paradise and I am under doctor’s orders to not get stressed.  (Yeah, right.  No stress is why I’m up at 03:30 composing a blog entry.)

I hope you had a better night’s sleep than I had.  (This is two nights in a row.  I had broken this habit, I thought.  Stress is a killer.)

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape

Sunday was very quiet at the Florida Sea Base.  The University of Miami shark group caught, tagged and released 8 sharks today (6 nurse sharks, 1 sharp nosed shark, and 1 hammerhead).  This afternoon/evening the Center for Professional Development (BSA National Office) had folks checking in for Professional Development Level 2 and People Management Level 1 training.  When I left the office Sargon Smith was meeting the arrivals and showing them to their rooms.

Capt. Rich is the proud owner of a new bicycle.  He and Capt. Carol are riding about 35 miles in two hours per day.

Our weather was very nice yesterday.  Today we are shooting for a high of 75-77.  The water temperature on our reefs has dropped to 69º.  That’s about where it bottoms out so we should see a slow warming trend starting very soon.  Here is our forecast for the coming week.  If you hurry, there may be space available for you to book a crew for spring 2012 at the Florida Sea Base.

NWS Forecast for: Marathon FL
Issued by: National Weather Service Key West, FL

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 15 mph.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

I spent much of the day in the office, primarily working on summer staff hiring.  We have an excess of Divemaster applicants for this summer.  If all goes well, all or most of our Dive Boat Mates will be Divemasters instead of Rescue Divers and the Scuba Mates will be Rescue Divers or Divemasters.  That gives us a lot more flexibility and will allow us to rotate personnel between assignments.  The down side is I don’t have enough Scuba Instructor applications yet.  But there is time and I have not reached panic mode yet.

Yeah Monday!

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape