Florida Sea Base News

The annual local event known as Mini Lobster Season is underway.  It is a two day slaughter of the lobsters.  The season is open to non-commercial fishers only.  Thousands and thousands of divers and snorkelers descend upon the Keys for this brief event.  It is a dangerous time and generally 3 to 5 people die each year during this two day period.  The challenge for the Florida Sea base is continuing to offer a safe program during the event.  We have to deal with S.P.O.R.E.s (Stupid People on Rental Equipment) and persons consuming adult beverages while boating.  Our captains are very aware of the increased risks and will do everything possible to keep our participants safe.

I am still fighting this cold.  I went to the doctor yesterday and was prescribed antibiotics for a sinus infection.  I hope to be feeling better soon.  I had self-medicated with a green liquid and a fizzy drink.  I tend to follow the theory of “if a little is good a lot is great”.  So I may have doubled up on the doses.  Bad move.  Two weeks ago my blood pressure was normal at the cardiologist’s office.  Today it was 150/100.  The doctor told me to lay off the OTC meds.

Despite a killer headaches, mild fever and hacking cough, I finished up the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider course for staff members Karren Supple, Jason Carter, Hank Gordon, Justin Evans, April Oster and Keith MacDonell last night.   I sat on one end of a very long table and tried to keep the staff towards the far end.  I do not want anyone catching this crud from me.

The weather and program activities are all good.  The participants are having a great time.

The General Manager of the Florida Sea Base, Captain Paul Beal, was hospitalized Wednesday.  He is doing very well and should be back in a couple of days.

Have a great day.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
PADI Course Director #39713
Aboard S/V Escape 

AsInvest 91L continues to move west, organize and intensify, it looks like it may curve to the north before reaching the Bahamas or the Florida Keys.  Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.  I have been working to prepare my personal belongings and Escape for the season.  I got to take most of Saturday off and spent some of that time better preparing and organizing in the event of a major storm.  Here’s the latest track forecast, courtesy of Weather Underground.  (We don’t like the blue track.)

Click image to enlarge.

Scuba Commissioner Laura Kuras handled all of the scuba issues Saturday.  Thank you!  The divers actually got in some decent dives yesterday, despite the persistent winds.  ”Thanks” to the Captains, Mates and Dive Staff for making that happen.  The sailors got in some GREAT sailing.  ”Thanks” to the Captains, Mates, and Sailing Staff for their hard work.  The galley served hamburgers for lunch – always a crowd pleaser.All was realitively well.  Captain Rich had another tough day but is enjoying today off.  Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Florida Sea Base, the remainder of this year’s crews scheduled for the Open Oceans Adventure aboard the Schooner Halie and Matthew have been cancelled.  Captain Rich’s job will get a bit easier now.

Yesterday’s north bound traffic was worse than a hurricane evacuation.  From Key West to the mainland the average speed made good could not have exceeded 10 mph.  Everyone is headed home from lobster mini-season.  The normal schedule is something like this.  Hotels and marinas mandate a five night minimum stay.  Enthusiasts arrive on Monday (night one).  Tuesday they conduct reconnaissance (night two).  Wednesday and Thursday they kill lobster (nights three and four).  Friday they celebrate the massacre (night five).  Saturday TENS of THOUSANDS of cars, boats, RVs, boats, motorcycles, camper trailers, and trucks hit the only road out of the Keys.  It would be great if REEF could start a similar program to help eradicate the invasive Lion-fish in our area.

Capt. Steve Willis
Aboard S/V Escape

Shortly before 1700 EDT yesterday, Invest 90L was upgraded to Tropical Storm Don.  The good news is T/S Don poses no threat to the Florida Sea Base and, at this time, is expected to primarily a rain event when it makes landfall in South Texas/Northern Mexico.

Yesterday's initial posting of T/S Don.

Today's 0500 update.

The ocean conditions were too much for the Scuba Certification crew to conduct their open water training dives.  The Scuba Adventure crews (who were on much larger boats) were able to get in their scheduled dives.  We will do what we can to get the Scuba Certification crew caught up over the next two days.

The sailing programs continued per usual.  The captains have done an incredible job this summer insuring that our participants are safe and having a great time.  Sitting at anchor with a 50″ metal rod overhead during a lightning storm can be intense.  The captains have to keep the participants safe and calm.  We have over 40 captains serving an independent charterers to the Florida Sea Base.  Steering that ship is Program Director Captain Richard T. Beliveau.  He is a super-hero.

Captain Holley sent me this photo from the Scuba Liveaboard vessel Schooner Conch Pearl.  Great catch on the opening day of lobster season!!!

Scuba Instructor Megan Ware front row center.  Dive Boat Mate Spencer Olson top left.

According to the National Weather Service, our winds are expected to remain fresh and generally out of the east for the next few days.

Today…East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Tonight Through Saturday…East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet. Seas higher in the gulf stream. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Sunday…East to southeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Monday…East to southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.

It will be a challenging day for the divers.  It’s all about attitude; if the dive staff and captains keep a positive attitude it will be a great day.  So here we go!

Capt. Steve Willis
Aboard S/V Escape