Florida Sea Base News

CONFERENCE

The Food and Conference staff were again occupied by the B’Nai B’Rith Youth Organization.  They are a fun group.

STAFF

Most of the rest of the staff was off.  Captain Christy Clemenson put in a full day preparing information for me to take to Newton Dive Boats on my way to the BSA committee meetings in Dallas.  Captain Rich Beliveau took some of the staff scuba diving.  I stayed on base, doing laundry, cleaning up the head project, putting away tools, etc.  My L7-S1 disc is toast.  It always takes a day or two to recover after a day of bending and twisting like Saturday.  The good news is my left leg/hip (the side with the titanium femora) was good to go Sunday morning.  The bad news is between that and my back I did not sleep any Saturday night.  So i took about a 2 hour nap while the divers were out.

WEATHER

Our forecast looks good for winter; highs in the mid 70s, lows in the upper 60s, slight chance of brief showers, a just a titch breezy at 15 knots from the north.  At 07:00 ET it is 66°F at the Florida Sea Base, -8°F in Cimarron, NM, and -22°F in Ely, MN.

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

STAFF

Rich Goldman spent Saturday teaching a PADI Open Water Diver Course.  Captain Rich Beliveau spent Saturday in Key West.  Meanwhile, I had a pretty crappy Saturday aboard S/V Escape.

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Disassemble broken marine head – yuck!

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Reassemble head with new motor assembly and joker valve.

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Looks good, but does it work?

2012 staff members will remember Divemaster David Kirkner.  He was well respected by his peers and management.  David is registered for the February PADI Instructor Development Course at Florida Keys Dive Center.  If all goes well, I have be able to assist Course Director Bert Hubby with part of the course.  David will then join the Florida Sea Base staff for spring and summer as a Scuba Instructor.  Way to go David!

 CONFERENCE

The Food and Conference staff was busy yesterday with the BBYO group.  I enjoy having them at the Florida Sea Base.  They are very high energy and seem to enjoy themselves very much while they’re here.

WEATHER

We topped out at 73°F Saturday with sunny skies and a mild breeze.  This is the way winter is SUPPOSED to be!

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

It was a very busy day at the Florida Sea Base, but in many different directions simultaneously.

CONFERENCE

The conference staff bid farewell to the Volunteer Development group in the morning and welcomed the BBYO group in the afternoon with a lot of house keeping chores in between.

SAILING

The Coral Reef Sailing captains banned together to take everything out of the fuel shed and then reduced the shed to rubble.

SCUBA

The scuba staff worked on assembling carts for the participants to use this spring and summer to transport their gear to/from the scuba area and boats.

ME

I spent most of the day cleaning and packing items in my office.  I forgot to mention yesterday that I have made reservations to attend several BSA meetings in Dallas next month.  My schedule includes driving from Florida Sea Base to Dallas, stopping in Slidell, LA to check on the progress of the BSA Sea Scout, the newest addition to our stable of dive boats.  Then meet Saturday and Sunday (02-03 February) with the BSA Aquatics Task Force.  Monday I attend the BSA Health and Safety Safety Team meeting followed by the BSA Health and Safety Publications and Educations Team meeting, followed by the BSA Health and Safety Medical Team meeting and culminating with the BSA Health and Safety Support Committee meeting.  Tuesday I attend the High Adventure Committee meeting followed by the Outdoor Adventures Committee meeting.

WEATHER

It was jacket weather all day yesterday.  Our temperature dropped to 58°F and then warmed up to 63.  The winds diminished to zero.  It is 63 this morning but the wind is only 10 knots.  We should top out around 74 today.  Much better!

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

WEATHER

What a difference a day can make.  Wednesday night I had to run the air conditioner to sleep; this morning I have the heater on.  It’s 61°F this morning at the totally unofficial weather station at slip 12 of the Florida Sea Base dock.  Break out the parkas!  Why didn’t I get the optional fireplace installed in the boat?  It’s only 90 miles to Cuba.  I should be able to make that in about 20 hours – less time than driving to Dallas.  I bet it’s warmer in Cuba.  At 16:00 (4 pm) our wind was from the WSW at 3 knots; 17:00 (5 pm) WSW at 7; 18:00 (6 pm) W at 9, and at 19:00 (7 pm) it jumped to NNW at 25 knots.  At 20:00 (8 pm) it peaked at 29 knots and has been easing slowly through the night.  At 05:00 this morning we are down to 21 knots.  THANKS FOR THE WARNING CHIP!  Having advanced notification is greatly appreciated.

CONFERENCE

The Volunteer Development Conference enjoyed their luau last night (despite the wind, light off-and-on sprinkles, and dropping temperatures) and will be heading home today.  Well, they don’t have to go home, but they can’t stay here.  I can’t remember for sure but I think we are expecting about 150 participants from the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) next.

STAFF

The conference staff members were busy with the Volunteer group.  I think the sailing staff worked in the vicinity of the fuel shed which is scheduled for demolition today and remodeling in the near future.  Captain Sargon Smith and Divemaster Brenda Mallory took the one ton truck and a trailer to South Miami to pick up 30 new carts for the Scuba Adventure and Scuba Certification crews to use to transport their dive gear from the scuba area to the dive boats this spring and summer.  MAYBE this will be the last time we have to buy the carts.  That’s assuming that the new pool complex is actually functional by the summer of 2014.  Captain Christy Clemenson worked on staff housing assignments for spring.  Captain Rich Beliveau had a traumatic morning.  He had to have blood drawn for some tests.  Captain Rich does not do well with needles.  I spent the morning working on paperwork and occupied the afternoon starting a serious campaign of tossing old stuff out of the office and packing away unnecessaries.  (Captain Rich was kind enough to stop at U-Haul on his way back from the blood drawing and pick up packing boxes and tape for me.)  Former Office Manager Ellen Wyatt would have been very proud to see four filled trash cans being emptied from my office.  Captain Christy, Captain Sargon and Divemaster Brenda took the Volunteer group on one final sunset cruise.  Unfortunately they were forced back to base early by an approaching squall line.  Scuba Instructor Richard Goldman is returning to the Florida Sea Base for the weekend.

Capt. Steve Willis
Professional Scuba Bum™
Shivering in the Keys

FOR CAPTAIN RICH

To Rich & Carol,
It has been a pleasure being able to call you friends. I started at FSB around the same time you did, with Rich driving for the 2004 DMA. You will be sorely missed. I have always said that the best people I have met in my life were in the Florida Keys. Good luck in all your endevours. Stay safe.
Dave & Barbara

STAFF

The program staff enjoyed a day off Sunday.  I spent the day working on the spring schedule and cleaning the galley/salon area aboard Escape and moving unnecessaries to my storage trailer.  I think Captain Rich got some work done aboard Sienna Belle.  Meanwhile, the 56 participants of the Volunteer Development Conference checked in Sunday, keeping the Galley and Conference staffers busy.

WEATHER

According to the NationalWeather Service, the wind is going to slack off a bit for the next few days but it is going to stay sunny and hot.

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Friday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

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

Rich Goldman arrived at the Florida Sea Base Friday shortly before dinner.  We immediately started to work on closing out the remaining chores from the 2012 Divemaster Academy.  We spent most of Saturday continuing our efforts.  Rich Goldman started work well before 07:00.  I joined in around 08:00 and Emily Sepeta joined the group shortly after 09:00.

We inventoried DMA dive gear including compasses, slates, reels and tape measures used in mapping projects; marker floats and lift bags used in search and recovery exercises; as well as whistles, surface marker buoys, underwater shears, etc.  Then we inventoried office supplies used by the candidates.  We also made a shopping list of supplies needed for this year’s Academy.  After lunch we worked on repairing scuba equipment.

Mr. Goldman returned to his parent’s house in Boynton Beach early this morning.  He will be back to serve on staff before Easter.

Enjoy the day.

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

CONFERENCE

Several members of the National Supply Division have been meeting at the Florida Sea Base for the last several days.  However, they have domiciled at Hawks Cay Resort and have had most of their meals off base.  Captain Rich Beliveau, Emily Sepeta and Mel Rynd took the group snorkeling yesterday. They wind was howling and the conditions on the reef we not conducive to snorkeling; zero visibility, large seas, wind driven surface current, etc.  After a miserable boat ride to the reef line, Captain Rich took the group to a bay-side snorkeling site called The Quarry.

SPRING STAFF

While Captain Rich was entertaining the National Supply Group, I continued working on the spring scuba staff hiring.  I have submitted information for most of the spring Letters of Employment for the scuba department to Cheryl Ferreri for processing.  I still need a couple of scuba instructors.  Hiring for all seasons is a very stressful time.  Since most of our potential staff members are college students and the school calendars vary so much it is very challenging to cover the entire season with an adequate number of qualified staff members.

2014 RESERVATIONS

The online reservation lottery for 2014 Florida Sea Base adventures will open on 15 January 2013 and close on 15 February 2013.  More information is available on the Florida Sea Base website at www.bsaseabase.org.  With that said, there are a few dates available for 2013 from crews who have cancelled their reservations.  And while thrips to the Florida Sea Base are not cheap, they do offer a rather liberal scholarship program.  So don’t be bashful about exploring this option.  There are dedicated funds to help provide the Florida Sea Base experience to all Scouts.

SUMMER STAFF

I have received several applications for summer scuba staff employment.  Please do not procrastinate; if you want to work here this summer you need to submit an application ASAP.

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

DO LIST

Help Emily Sepeta de-tune some other the overhauled regulators.
Help Emily locate scuba tanks needing hydrostatic testing for transport to Quiescence Diving Services.
Take air samples from the scuba compressors to send out for analysis.
Place an Aqua Lung order for Jenna Burton.
Select spring scuba staff and provide info to Cheryl Ferreri for Letters of Employment.
Make preparations for the upcoming PADI Member Forum.

VOLUNTEERS

Steve and Leah Martin and some of our other annual Florida Sea Base winter volunteers are back.  I will find out who else is here.  They always do such great work.  I do not know what’s on their list for this year, but I’m glad they’re back.

CONFERENCES

When I left for the Circle 10 University of Scouting, conference attendees from the BSA International Division had arrived.  They are still here and are reportedly anxious to return again next year.  Meanwhile, a second conference group has arrived.  On top of that, the Florida Sea Base will host the PADI Member Forum Wednesday evening.

I’m running late.

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

I am sitting in the Fort Lauderdale Airport.  Captain Kari Dahlquist and I left the Florida Sea Base around 05:00.  She is headed to California, I’m headed to Dallas.  I left my air card on S/V Escape so I am writing this post on my iPad.  Apparently WordPress and iPads don’t play well together.

All of the program participants, all but three or four of the DMA candidates, and almost all of the program staff departed the Florida Sea Base Thursday.  Thursday afternoon the first conference group checked in.  I believe they are with the International Division of the BSA.

Have a great weekend.

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