We're Back!!!

What a great trip. I just started downloading pictures from my underwater camera and there are 444. I'll burn on a CD and get to all participants.

I'll send out a final request for reimbursement for the airboat ride, checked bags on return trip, etc. soon.

In Transit

We are on our way to the Everglades for a fan boat ride through alligator infested waters!  From there we head to Miami airport.

Last Day Another Adventure

All is well on last day. We dove a spot called the landing strip. Then we toured town a bit, fed some Tarpin. Heading to our luau soon!  

Frisbee

The guys playing frisbee (picture above)

We had two great dives today, especially the second one at a place called "Daivs Reef". This reef was teeming with sea life. 

Tomorrow we have our last dive. Bummer!  Wish we had another week. Tomorrow is our Luau: the end of the adventure celebration.

Night Dive A Success

We all survived the night dive!  It was quite an adventure. Saw a green sea turtle which was the highlight of the night. Returned in the dark through a storm, but it cleared up before we docked.

Two dives today!  Happy Monday!

Today, Sunday

We had two great dives today. We went to a place called the Labrynth and another called Boing.  Saw lots of cool coral and sealife. Saw sharks, lobsters, moray eels, spotted eels, parrot fish, rays, and many more.

Our Dive Boat is Ready for Our Night Dive

The boat is loaded up and ready to go. The guys are excited!

Another Great Sunset

Beautiful!

Panoramic View of Waterfront

I'm not sure how this will post, but thought it was cool so worth trying. This is the waterfront at sunset.

Downtime

The guys play cards during downtime. 

Divemaster

We had a great day of dives today. First we dove Long Key Ledge. Saw several sting rays, moray eels, horse eyed jack, and other cool sealife.

Next was the Pillars of Atlantis.  An old bridge was demolished and the pieces of cement pillars were dumped into the ocean as an artificial reef. Lots of coral has grown on the pillars and now its an amazing dive site. We saw rainbow parrot fish, more rays including a spotted eagle ray, but even more amazing was the way the light shone through the structure and the way the coral grew.

Our divemaster for today was Terri. We took this group photo after she signed our log books.

Tonight the guys are relaxing for a big day tomorrow. We have two dives in the day and a night dive. The guys are pretty excited.

I have lots of underwater pics, but no means to download them from my camera, so I will distribute when we return. Bill has some excellent photos and videos he will try to post. 

Sunset Sea Base Style

Ate lunch on the boat today and then did snorkeling on Cheeca Rocks.  Had a great dinner and all is well.

Today

Today was a great day at Sea Base. We did two dives on patch reefs. Saw more sharks!  There were sightings of Barracuda and Scorpion fish. Sorry no pics. Took lots on my other camera and will post later.

Newton 46

Sea Base has 3 Newton 46 dive boats. These are the best you can get.

The Explorer

This is our dive boat:  The Discover.

Today we completed our dive review and then did our first dive in the ocean on Alligator Reef. Saw LOTS of tropical fish!  Parrot fish, angel fish, moray eels, and tons more. We even saw our first shark!  Cool!!! 

Everyone is well. The food has been great so far. In their spare time, the boys have been working on their poker merit badge.

Morning Formation by Crew

Flag raising ceremony.

Good Morning Sea Base!

Regards,
Victor
(703) 855-8428 (cell)

Manatee Swimming Under Dock

There were two adults and a baby.

Sunset of Our First Night

The boys all had a great dinner. We have SCUBA review in the am then our first open water dive tomorrow afternoon.

Dorms

Sea Base!!! We've Arrived.

Regards,
Victor
(703) 855-8428 (cell)

Arrived in Miami

Regards,
Victor
(703) 855-8428 (cell)

Scout Shirts and Packing

1. Let's all wear our Sea Base t-shirts for the airplane ride down.
2. Remember TSA packing restrictions. Liquids (shampoos, etc) must be under 3 oz and fit in a quart size bag. The pack list tells you to bring 16 oz of sunscreen and insect repellent. We'll put the sunscreen and insect repellent in the check-in bags. Please write your name on your sunscreen with a Sharpie.

Sea Base Departure Day Details

1.  Let's plan on meeting at Reagan at 7:00am on June 15.  We'll gather in the departure area for American Airlines.  Look for the guy that looks really tired - that will be me.  :-)

2.  Have all your items packed in a carry-on size bags with the exception of your blanket, sheet, and any personal SCUBA gear you will bring.  If you don't fly regularly, let me know and I can send you the dimensions for a carry-on bag. 

3.  Please only bring a mask and snorkel unless you are really partial to your fins.  We'll need one bag just for fins if everyone brings them.  They have plenty of fins at Sea Base. 

4.  The first thing we'll do is load up the check-in bags with the masks and snorkels and blankets and sheets. 

5.  Next, I'll collect the following items from everyone:

   a.  Proof of age (see previous email)

   b.  Certification card

   c.  Dive Log

6.  Then we'll check in.

7.  You CAN bring an iPod or electronic game system for use on the airplane and bus.  I'll collect those when we get to Sea Base. 

 

Please arrive promptly at or before 7am!  Once we get to Miami, we're jumping on a chartered bus to Sea Base. 

Any questions, let me know! 
--
Regards,
Victor
(703) 855-8428 (cell)

--
Regards,
Victor
(703) 855-8428 (cell)

Packing

I was able to fit all my gear into a carry on size bag with the exception of my sheet and blanket and mask and snorkel! We need 2-3 large pieces of luggage to use as shared check-in bags for the blankets, sheets, masks and snorkels. Please contact me if you have a bag we can use.

Air Boat Ride

Mr Andrews was able to arrange an airboat ride for us on our last day (June 22). Details are below:

Airboat Rides

Sea Base Necessities

Please remember to bring the following items:

1. Certification card (please pick up from the Dive Shop if you have not already)
2. Dive log (has first dives logged)
3. Proof of age (one of the following):
a. School photo ID and copy of birth certificate
b. Current passport
c. Valid government issued ID (Driver's license)
4. Scout shirt (and shorts if you have them)
5. Hawiian shirt (scout friendly)

I will collect the certification cards and proof of age documentation at the airport before we head out. Without these items, a participant will not be allowed to dive.

For everything else, see the pack list in the participant guide (page 50).
I recommend each scout pack a small carry-on bag. I will bring one large bag to check-in where folks can add their masks and snorkels. If you want to bring more than your mask and snorkels (e.g., fins) then let me know.

Sea Base Itinerary

Depart Washington Reagan on Wed, June 15, 8:40am
American Airlines Flight 2097 to Miami
Return Washington Regan on Wed, June 22, 7:10pm
American Airlines Flight 526 from Miami