Florida Sea Base News

While I have not been apprised of any details, a memorial service for Captain Joe Maggio is tentatively set for 20 April 2012 in Coconut Grove (Miami).  I will post details as soon as I have them.

The divers first stop yesterday was at a spur and groove type reef named Hammerhead.  They saw several invasive Lionfish, one or more of which were reportedly large enough to eat.  [I feel a staff dive being organized in the near future to destroy these dangerous fish and make a tasty treat for the conquerors.]  The next stop was Bacon and then Donut.  Last night was the night dive at Alligator Reef.  Attending Florida Sea Base scuba programs in the slower weeks of spring allows nearly unlimited latitude in our diving schedule.  (Just a thought for potential future attendees.)

Roger and Brian spent the day photographing and videography sailing crews.  The wind was very light so some of the images may show sailboats under full sail with diesel exhaust trailing behind. The shore leave sailors had a great time.  I believe the photographers will be going to the Brinton Environmental Center today.

Captain Rich has completed the schedule for boats, captains and crews attending this summer.  This is a massive accomplishment.  Hopefully I can work on the scuba part of the schedule today.

We have a 30% chance of rain Friday night and Saturday with a very slight chance of showers lingering through Monday.  According to the national Weather Service in Key West,

A WEAK PRESSURE PATTERN WILL PREVAIL OVER THE COASTAL WATERS THROUGH FRIDAY…FEATURING GENTLE WINDS. HIGH PRESSURE WILL THEN EXPAND SOUTHWARD ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD BY FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…RESULTING IN FRESHENING NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS. HIGH PRESSURE WILL BECOME CENTERED OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC THROUGH TUESDAY…MAINTAINING FRESH TO STRONG EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS.

We have one Scuba Adventure crew arriving Sunday.  One Coral Reef Sailing crew arrives on Saturday, three arrive on Sunday and three more arrive on Monday.  Once these crews depart, the spring session of the 2012 Florida Sea Base high adventure programs will conclude and preparations for the 2012 Tarpon Tournament will begin.

Today is going to be very tough for the sailing staff; five Coral Reef Sailing crews are in for shore leave and five Coral Reef Sailing crews and one Sea Exploring crew are returning to base for luau.  The only way we can cover all of the crews is by having Captain Rich, some of the scuba staff, some of the Admin staff and me help on the dock with the returning crews and driving to pick up the Sea Exploring crew.

I would like to initiate a “rant” at this time, but it is not appropriate to speak disparingly of the organization.  So, I will wish you a safe and profitable day and sign off.

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

BSA photo/videographer Roger attended yesterday’s morning staff meeting.  His partner, Brian, met us at breakfast.  I then introduced them to the scuba staff and off they went.  They took pictures and/or videos of the crews gearing up, loading the boat, diving, eating and playing on the boat, diving, unloading and securing gear.  Today they will be shadowing one or more sailing crews.  Then they will go to the Brinton Environmental Center to take more photos and videos.

The weather was great.  The divers went to Ham, Cheeca Rocks and Capt. Grumpy.  The sailors on shore leave spent the day kayaking, small boat sailing, tubing and playing volleyball.  Today was Captain Teri Wells’ first lesson in operating the tubing boat.

Mr. Scott Wyatt from the IT department of the BSA National Office is on property to resolve some of our computer issues.  I certainly hope he is successful; our internet, network and overall computer system is a disaster.

Captain Rich found time to call Newton Dive Boats.  They said the Newton 36′ Dive Special being purchased for the Scuba Certification program should be ready around 11 May.  We were hoping to have it by 01 May for christening at the Tarpon Tournament.

I didn’t sleep very well Monday night, had a killer headache all yesterday and essentially accomplished nothing.  Today will be better.

I hope you have a good day.

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

That’s right.  Today is the last day program for the 2011 summer season at the Florida Sea Base.  Tomorrow the last of the Scouts will depart for home.  Therefore, most of the staff are gone as well.

Sunday afternoon we will have a victory dinner for the few remaining staff members.  Then, in just a few more days, Captain Rich and I will celebrate for real when 99.9% of the staff are gone.  Laura Kuras and Kyle Moran are staying on as Program Mates.  Christy Clemenson will be the fall Office Mate.  Two or three will be working as rangers (maintenance) and a few more will stay to man the galley and work as Conference Mates.

We continue to have on-again-off-again rain showers locally.  I do not think they are related to Hurricane Irene, just normal summer rain events.  Hurricane Irene is still a threat to the east coast, but the forecast has been downgraded significantly.  It’s 0445 and I’m watching the Weather Channel while finishing this post.

Click to enlarge.

In my time away from the Florida Sea Base due to my IDC audit, I was remiss in posting a few photos that were submitted by readers.  Here’s the first submission:

Capt. Steve,

Thanks for your daily blog. It helped our troop to prepare for our trip to FSB. We completed the Scuba Certification process last Wednesday. I read in your blog today that you appreciate photos. Here are two photos taken on Tuesday of divers getting back on the boat after completing our last dive at “Landing Strip”.

Thanks again!

Marc Keuser
BSA Troop 122
Newark, New York

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

Thanks for the pictures Marc.

It appears Marsh Harbor, Bahamas survived Hurricane Irene much better than expected.  Here is a link to some photos from a network TV news station in Miami.

http://www.local10.com/slideshow/weather/28974547/detail.html

I will post one or more photos from Captain Dennis Wyatt tomorrow.  Have a great day.  Be safe.

Capt. Steve Willis
Aboard S/V Escape

It was a relatively quiet weekend at the Florida Sea Base.  There was a little staff drama Saturday but no one was injured.

Our weather looks great for the coming week with a “slight chance” of showers next weekend.  Otherwise it should be mostly sunny with seasonable temperatures (lows around 76 and highs around 87).

The first of two Captain’s Training sessions (for Captains and Mates in the Coral Reef Sailing, Sea Exploring, Eco Adventure, Order of the Arrow Oceans Adventure, Open Oceans Adventure, and Scuba Liveaboard program) is scheduled for this Thursday, 12 May.

Niccole Sherman from PADI was kind enough to send me copies of over 300 photos taken during the PADI/BSA photo shoot at the Florida Sea Base last month.  The coconut telegraph (now referred to as the wireless coconut) reports that a photo of Divemaster Jessica Arms may be used in one of the PADI Go Pro ads.  I’m sure that several of the photos will be used in articles and marketing pieces by PADI.  Here’s one of my favorites with PADI Instructor Dave Ball supervising gear assembly as his Scuba Liveaboard crew (SLS041611A) prepares for their scuba skills review.  (Click on the photo to enlarge.)

PADI Instructor Dave Ball & crew.

That’s all for today.

Capt. Steve
Aboard S/V Escape