Thursday, June 23, 2011

My First Quarter Century

So yesterday was my birthday aboard the Conch Pearl. It was an average Wednesday for us but ended with a little celebration back at the dock. Check out Capt Holley's blog... http://schoonerconchpearl.com/?p=466

Monday, June 20, 2011

Scuba Liveaboard FAQ

Q: Do we get dive computers?
A: Dive computers are not provided. The standard setup is a regulator set with depth gauge, pressure gauge, and compass. Most groups have their tables but because our dives are generally less than 30 ft for an hour or less no calculation of surface time is necessary. I would bring your table with your logbook.
Q: Part of out crew can arrive earlier than the rest. Would you advise them to do so since you ask us to arrive around 2?
A: I would actually recommend they not come early. We dont have any activities they can do. Its easier to do everyone at once.
Q: Do we need wetsuits?
A: The water temp as of June 19th is about 82-83 degrees. We haven't worn wetsuits yet this summer. A rash guard or dive skin might make your dives more comfortable.
Keep the questions coming!
Megan aboard the Conch Pearl

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Liveaboard Photos

Thanks to Mark Rist, Adult leader from 2 weeks ago please follow this link to his photos of their adventure...
http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/2XCSwIvC/1/5156376

Florida Sea Base Scuba Liveaboard Packing List

Hello again adult leaders-

The current crew says the packing list that they were given isn't the most accurate list. So in light of that I have put together this list.

First if you can pack in a soft sided bag because the locker(no lock provided bring your own) to leave your suitcases in while on the boat isn't huge.

As far as what to pack in that bag...

2 pair of swim trunks
Towel
Sunscreen (not the spray kind)
Sea sickness pills (Bonine)
Hat, sunglasses, maybe a buff or bandanna
Shorts and t shirt to sleep in and wear on land for shore leave day
A couple t shirts(or fishing shirts with built in UV protection) to wear on deck to keep the sun off or wear during the dive
Toiletries including shampoo/camp soap(we have fresh water on board), toothpaste, tooth brush, deodorant, etc
A headlamp is nice for anchor/night watch.
A book to read- we have some cards and board games on board.

A dive watch or dive computer with a time keeping function-atleast one per buddy pair
All of the above items will go in a bag provided by Sea Base.

Sleeping stuff- light sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow and a flat sheet. This will give you flexibility to sleep on deck or down below on the mattresses. This can be separate from the bag of clothing.

The crew needs a first aid kit that will come on the boat. Also maybe a bottle of bug spray to share amongst the crew because some nights there isn't a breeze to carry the mosquitoes away.

Any dive or snorkel gear you may have is welcome and will be packed separate from the personal gear. I recommend purchasing a mask fin snorkel set on your own that fits well. Sea Base provides all of the equipment but it is the most basic model and some times it isn't the most comfortable or best fit.

Feel free to look at the Conch Pearl website. There is a special page for Scouts. It can be found at schoonerconchpearl.com

I plan to post all the info I have emailed and more on my personal blog which can be found at gonediving99.blogspot.com

See you all soon!


NOTE: I failed to included that a water bottle (Nalgene style) with a clip or carabiner. and to clarify the lock only needs to be one per crew.

Florida Sea Base Scuba Liveaboard Info

Hello Adult Leaders-

My name is Megan Ware. I will most likely be one of your Sea Base
Staff members for when you and your crew will be here on your scuba
liveaboard trip.
First off I believe Capt Denny has emailed you all. If you have
additional questions please feel free to ask me as well.

There are some things that I feel you need to be aware of or help
orient your scouts before they arrive here.

The first is if you can arrange to arrive at Sea Base closer to 1pm
than 4 pm that would be ideal as we have several hours of prep to do
Saturday afternoon/evening so we can leave Sunday morning. I know for
many of you your flights or transportation can't be changed at this
point but if at all possible please work toward an earlier arrival
time.

Your crew is expected to be able to tie some basic knots. Examples are
cleat hitch, bowline, sheet bend, and how to coil a line/rope. Please
practice with your scouts! Everyone will work as deck crew and need to
be able to tie these. I will have lengths of rope and cleats to
practice with because Capt Denny WILL be testing everyone!

Also, everyone will be working in the galley preparing and cleaning up
from our meals. Capt Holley tries to ensure that we are sanitary
because we are in a small space and germs travel quickly. So, please
show your scouts (or ask your wife or mother) how to wash dishes in a
sink with a dish rack and kitchen towel. They will be expected to wash
dishes at every meal and if it isn't done well enough it will fall to
the adult leaders. A scout in clean, thus this should be a vital skill
to have in life.

Every buddy pair is expected to have a dive watch. To elaborate this
is a waterproof watch that has some sort of timer (either stopwatch or
bezel style) that is a vital piece of dive equipment whether at Sea
Base or any other dive operation. This does not need to be a $100
item. A basic model from a Wal-Mart style store for about $15 that is
rated to 60 ft+.

I personally recommend bringing a pillow, sleeping mat, light weight
sleeping bag and a flat sheet. This will be enough to give you
flexibility between sleeping on deck and below deck on the bunks.

Finally we will need a youth crew leader and assistant youth crew
leader. Please speak to the scouts about this and have 2 people
designated for these by your arrival.

I plan to call each of you and confirm your have received this email.
I look forward to meeting you all!

Summary!

So lots to catch up on! I’ve been here working away at Sea Base since December. I was a conference mate for January, February, and half of March which means I did everything and anything for conferences and retreats. Many, many loads of laundry, cleaning bathrooms, making beds, preparing and serving food, boat mate for snorkel excursions… the list goes on.

March and April I was either scuba instructor or divemaster. So lots of classroom time and some cool ocean dives. We had some excitement when we were headed out on a night dive and ran aground. That was a first for me! It was a long night of struggling unsuccessfully to get the boat free. We transferred all the kids to another boat hoping that would help which it didn’t. Finally first thing in the morning the boat was able to be pulled free.

May brought the Tarpon Tournament, which is a huge fund raiser for us. There was a lot of preparation and for good reason. Base sparkled and we got lots of money! It was several long days but the reward at the end was worth it. Stephanie, Deanza and I went on a Carnival Cruise! We spent way too much money but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

When I got back from the cruise my mom was waiting in Fort Lauderdale and we spend 5 days together. We took a day trip out to the Dry Tortugas, visited the Turtle Hospital and other touristy stuff.

I then got drafted to go out on the Scuba Liveaboard Conch Pearl. Initially I was hesitant about whether I would enjoy it but Holley and Denny won me over! So my new home 5 nights a week is a bunk on the Conch Pearl.

I plan to post a fair amount of information relating to the Conch Pearl and the Florida Sea Base Scuba Liveaboard program. This will be focused on adult leaders that will be coming this summer but will service as a great reference for crews researching Sea Base and what program they want to do.

As a side note I will be posting my adventures because I recently accepted a position to work in Antarctica this winter(their summer)! Stay tuned!