I am returning to the 'Keys' in four weeks for another two month stint of scuba diving at the Florida Sea Base aboard the Schooner Conch Pearl. I only have four week long trips scheduled on the Conch Pearl but there is plenty of work to do otherwise. I think this is my eighth year there. My first season was the Spring of 2005 and I have been going back to volunteer every year since; sometimes for Spring and sometimes for part of the Summer seasons.
I keep returning for many reasons. First is because they let me. It's an oasis for me...not so much because it's in the beautiful Florida Keys (although that's a big part of it) but because of the people. Some of the best people I have met throughout my life are the people I have met at the Florida Sea Base. I enjoy their company and friendship and have learned much from them. Another reason I return is because it keeps me from getting older or at least it is slowing the process. I went from an active, dynamic, stimulating job to being at home with the dog, disabled. I need the interaction and activity.
I have spent alot of time preparing a detailed packing list for this year's trip. I usually prepare a list but often manage to forget a few items (CRS). This time I'm even putting packing lists in the different containers in hopes that I can keep track of everything. You would be suprised how many little things you need to take along.
Alot of people wonder how I can accomplish this while being disabled with Narcolepsy. I am fortunate that they know about my Narcolepsy at FSB and they allow me to nap pretty much whenever I need to.
So I'm already preparing to go in hopes that an early start will help me to make sure I take everything I need.
Showing posts with label Florida Keys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida Keys. Show all posts
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Friday, April 22, 2011
SLS041611A Good Friday, Earth Day, Last Day
Yesterday was Good Friday and Earth Day. I hope everyone remembered the meanings of the day.
The crew had a good last full day with Florida Sea Base. It was an early start leaving the mooring off of Key West in hopes of getting in one last dive. We started out as always, putting up the sails and heading out to the ocean. We started the compressor and began filling tanks. As we turned the corner in front of Fort Zachary Taylor the wind hit us hard. It wasn't long after we got into the wind that we decided that we would have to 'call' the dive. It was just too rough. The spray was coming over the bow so we had to slow down and take our time motoring back to the dock at Stock Island. Most of the crew used the time to pack their gear.
We arrived back at the dock and it was time to get to work. The crew off-loaded all of their gear then started a completed cleaning of the boat inside and out. The boat needed to be scrubbed down to remove all of the salt from the spray. After the boat was cleaned it was time for lunch. All of the leftovers from the week were brought out along with the usual lunch.
The Sea Base vans arrived on time to pick up the crew. We loaded up the trailer, said goodbye to the Conch Pearl and headed back to base.
On the way back we stopped at Baby's Coffee, the 'southern most' roaster of coffee in the Keys. Everyone went in and got something; coffee, soda and snacks. For the rest of the ride everone slept...at least I did.
Back at base we emptied the trailer, washed all of our gear and then the crew was free until 17:45 for flags. After a quick flags ceremony the crew went to Luau where they did the Raisin Bran song. A few other crews did skits then they all played Hawaiian Tug-O-War. It was brother against brother, son against father. After the games we had a Luau dinner.
After the dinner we retrieved all of the gear that we had washed and returned it to the scuba storage room. Now all of the work was done.
We sat down at the quarterdeck and did a Thorns and Roses to review the high points and low points of the trip. It seems there was a common theme of anchor watch as a low point. As each crew member went I handed them their Florida Sea Base Patch.
A few hours later, 1AM, we met again for breakfast and to load their transportation home.
I hope you all enjoyed your time in 'the Keeeeeeeeeeys'.
The crew had a good last full day with Florida Sea Base. It was an early start leaving the mooring off of Key West in hopes of getting in one last dive. We started out as always, putting up the sails and heading out to the ocean. We started the compressor and began filling tanks. As we turned the corner in front of Fort Zachary Taylor the wind hit us hard. It wasn't long after we got into the wind that we decided that we would have to 'call' the dive. It was just too rough. The spray was coming over the bow so we had to slow down and take our time motoring back to the dock at Stock Island. Most of the crew used the time to pack their gear.
We arrived back at the dock and it was time to get to work. The crew off-loaded all of their gear then started a completed cleaning of the boat inside and out. The boat needed to be scrubbed down to remove all of the salt from the spray. After the boat was cleaned it was time for lunch. All of the leftovers from the week were brought out along with the usual lunch.
The Sea Base vans arrived on time to pick up the crew. We loaded up the trailer, said goodbye to the Conch Pearl and headed back to base.
On the way back we stopped at Baby's Coffee, the 'southern most' roaster of coffee in the Keys. Everyone went in and got something; coffee, soda and snacks. For the rest of the ride everone slept...at least I did.
Back at base we emptied the trailer, washed all of our gear and then the crew was free until 17:45 for flags. After a quick flags ceremony the crew went to Luau where they did the Raisin Bran song. A few other crews did skits then they all played Hawaiian Tug-O-War. It was brother against brother, son against father. After the games we had a Luau dinner.
After the dinner we retrieved all of the gear that we had washed and returned it to the scuba storage room. Now all of the work was done.
We sat down at the quarterdeck and did a Thorns and Roses to review the high points and low points of the trip. It seems there was a common theme of anchor watch as a low point. As each crew member went I handed them their Florida Sea Base Patch.
A few hours later, 1AM, we met again for breakfast and to load their transportation home.
I hope you all enjoyed your time in 'the Keeeeeeeeeeys'.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Lionfish in the Florida Keys
Lionfish, although beautiful, are an invasive species here in the Florida Keys. Their natural location is in 
the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. This is a problem because they are dangerous to divers as they have venomous spines. They have no natural predators here and they reproduce in great numbers. They are displacing important commercial fish and reef fish. To combat this invasion a large scale assault is taking place against the lionfish. Many divers are arming themselves with small fishing spears to kill the lionfish. Once dead they become food for other fish, or more recently, food for people. They are rumored to be quite delicious. It's going to be quite a battle but divers here in the Florida Keys are ready to fight the invasion. For more information on lionfish see: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/welcome.html
the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. This is a problem because they are dangerous to divers as they have venomous spines. They have no natural predators here and they reproduce in great numbers. They are displacing important commercial fish and reef fish. To combat this invasion a large scale assault is taking place against the lionfish. Many divers are arming themselves with small fishing spears to kill the lionfish. Once dead they become food for other fish, or more recently, food for people. They are rumored to be quite delicious. It's going to be quite a battle but divers here in the Florida Keys are ready to fight the invasion. For more information on lionfish see: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/welcome.html
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