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Meeting the Sea Rover Family |
3/4/2005 |
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The ride from Coventry Connecticut to Boston Massachusetts, while only two hours long, seemed to take forever. Navigating the Boston streets was no easy task. After finally locating the hotel, I took a moment to gather my thoughts and prepare for an extraordinary weekend. I had no idea what was in store for me. As I rushed into the Fairmont Copley Hotel, I was momentarily taken aback by my surroundings. I took my seat in COMS (Career Opportunities in Marine Sciences) and began my journey as the 2005 Frank Scalli Summer Intern.
Time seemed to fly by and the next thing I remember is getting ready for the Pre-Clinic reception. My heart was pounding the entire ride to Gamble Mansion. I must have had 500 names and faces swimming in my head. I don’t know what I would have done without Cynthia Butts as my evening guide. She introduced me to many of the distinguished Sea Rovers and divers in attendance that evening.
What stands out the most during the evening was meeting the Scalli family and hearing about Frank Scalli during the evening tribute. He was indeed a remarkable man who had an impact on both the diving and non-diving community. I was left overwhelmed and speechless, something that does not happen often, by all the wonderful people that I met that evening. It seemed to take forever to fall asleep that night as the days events played back in my head.
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An Eventful Film Festival |
3/5/2005 |
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I woke up bright and early to get ready for the 51st Clinic. The presentations that I attended were outstanding. My only disappointment was that I could not be in two rooms at the same time. I took a quick break to go out to lunch with my friends from the Gillmen and Innerspace Explorers. I could not wait to get back to the Fairmont to attend the afternoon program. Before I knew what was happening I was back into my suit and heading to dinner with the Sea Rovers.
At dinner I sat with Ernie Brooks II on one side of me and Dave Morton on the other. The other people at my table were Kate Douglas, the 2004 Intern, Al Giddings, and Mike DeGruy. Looking around the table I could not believe the wealth of dive history and knowledge I was surrounded by. It seemed impossible but every event that I had attended seemed to out do the one before. I could not imagine how this evening could be any better. Little did I know what was in store for me that evening at the Film Festival.
Walking into the John Hancock Hall through the sea of people was incredible. I took my seat in the front row anticipating the events to come. Before I knew it Patrick Scalli was at the podium speaking about his father’s love of diving and desire to inspire young people to discover the underwater world. As I hung onto Pat’s every word I heard my cue and walked onto the stage. As I went to head back to my seat Dave Morton pulled me back stage and had me wait.
Ernie Brooks II was next up to speak. I was so intent on listening to his message that I almost didn’t hear him call me onto the stage. He presented me with a copy of his book, inscribed with a personal message. His love of diving and compassion for people make him a truly remarkable person. He made an evening that was already special even more memorable.
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Last Day of the 51st Clinic |
3/6/2005 |
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I woke up with an excitement and a sadness that the weekend was coming to a close. The alarm clock was screaming and I knew if I didn’t get out of bed I would be late for Kate’s presentation. After hearing Kate’s presentation and seeing the high standards she has set I knew I had my work cut out for me to raise the bar even higher for next year.
I went to see some more presentations then off to lunch with Dave and Pat Morton. We discussed the internship and most importantly diving. After getting fitted by Faith for a new DUI Dry Suit I didn’t think my day could get any better. Once again I was mistaken.
Before I left Pat and Dave asked me to stop up at the suite. When I arrived Dave emerged from the room and presented me with the dive gear I would be using during my internship. I couldn’t find the words to express what I was feeling. I slowly opened the bag Pat exclaimed that it was Christmas for me.
As I packed my bags and prepared to leave I still could not get over the weekends events. The ride back to Connecticut went by quickly. Before I knew it I was back home to catch up on some well needed rest.
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DUI Dry Suit Demo Days |
5/14/2005 |
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When I met up with Dave and Pat in the parking lot of Stage Forte Park, I knew it was going to be an exciting day. From the first moment that I saw my new dry suit I was in awe. I still cannot believe that it is mine to use for the internship. During the Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic, when Faith fit my suit I had no idea how perfect it was going to be. Faith cut my neck and wrist seals so that my suit would fit like a glove. Next she showed me how to properly take care of a dry suit.
Vin and I then suited up for my first dive in my new suit and to check out all that Stage Forte Park had to offer.
I was greeted when I got out of the water by Patrick Scalli who was there checking up on me. Patrick was pleased to know that all was going well. It was nice to get out of the water and still be totally dry. Soon after exiting the water, I changed out of my dry suit, and had the opportunity to enjoy lunch with the many volunteers and guests at the DUI DOG Days event.
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Off to the Great Lakes |
6/26/2005 |
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On my way to the airport my mom commented, “Why is it that every other day of the week I can’t get you up, but if your going diving you’re up bright and early.” Hmmm...wonder why? While sitting waiting for my plane I realized that I’m trusting all my diving gear to the airport, scary thought. I hoped it would be there when I get to Detroit, and it was. The next thing I can remember was cooling off in Jim and Pat's pool with some of their friend’s. Later that night both Jim and Pat taught me how to putogether their cameras.
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My First Day of Diving and What a Day! |
6/27/2005 |
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We gassed up the boat and took the 6.2 mile ride to the Mary Alice B. a 65.5 foot tug boat that sunk in 92 feet of water. Although I was told that the ship sits upright, fully intact on the bottom, I was not prepared for what I was soon to experience. Before I knew it we were over the wreck and suiting up. As we descended the wreck came into view at about 50 ft. Being from Connecticut I had never really seen a fully intact wreck with artifacts still in place. The only thing I could think of on the dive is how every thing was frozen in time.
The next site we dove on was the Regina it sits in 77 ft of water and sits turtle. This was a very cool wreck. In Connecticut, with all my prior wreck diving I have never seen rows of intact portholes still on ships. On this dive I also got my second experience shooting with Pat’s video camera. I give them a lot of credit, it’s not easy shooting video. Before I knew it Pat had me editing my footage and giving me pointers on how to improve my video footage. This most incredible day came to a close with me helping Jim fill tanks and get the boat ready for tomorrows dives.
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Hot and Cold |
6/28/2005 |
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As we drove out to the wreck in the hot 90 degree Michigan sun I could hardly contain my excitement, especially afteryesterdays great diving. Before I knew it we arrived atour destination in Jim’s boat, the “WildKat”. We were floating over the wreck of the New York. This ship sits
in 120 ft of water, upright, mostly intact. As we where suiting up the heat almost over took me, but soon enough I was floating on the surface, camera in hand, waiting for Jim. As we descended we passed threw the thermocline. At 50 feet we slammed into frigid 38 degree water. As we hit the bottom I could see one of the ships predominant features....
The wreck still has half of its arch-up, which was difficult to see in the 20 foot visibility.While viewing one of the ships two portholes I was overcome by the cold, Jim and I made our accent. The next wreck we dove was the Colonel A.B. Williams. This
ship sits in 90 ft of water. Despite the fact that this wooden ship is only semi intact its beauty and story drew me forward like a magnet. The ship's bow was very elegant looking resting on the bottom of the lake. The excellent visibility on the wreck made me forget about the cold. Filming this ship allowed me to hone my underwater video skills. Later that night Jim got a big surprise, his new housing came for his high definition camera. I could be
wrong, however, I think Jim spent all night setting it up to use the next day.
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A Day of Great Visibility |
6/29/2005 |
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As the Wildkat pulled up to the mooring on the Sport I was very surprised, I could see the wreck from the surface. It was amazing that while
looking up from the bottom I could see Jim and Pat’s boat. I got the overwhelming urge to call my father and joke about the horrible visibility on the wrecks. He was not amused!!
Most of this wreck lies on its side. As I explored all the Sport had to offer, Pat took some footage of the wreck with Jims new camera. On the next wreck the Elisa H. Strong the visibility wasn’tthat great, maybe 20 ft, the water however, was a warm 60 degrees. A very nice relief from yesterday’s coldwater. Later, back at Jim and Pats house I started assembling my footage. With Pat’s guidance I know that I will pull togethera video that captures the amazing experience I have had this week.
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Let The Wind Blow |
6/30/2005 |
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We got blown out due to the weather. Since we couldn’t go diving we decided to go explore the Lake Heron Light Ship Museum. This is a light ship put on land and made into a museum. We explored every nook and cranny of the vessel. Next we went back to Jim and Pat’s house to work on my video. I never realized how labor intensive making a video was. I spent numerous hours assembling my footage.
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A Day of Editing |
7/1/2005 |
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Of course when the wind blows it can’t last for one day it has to last for two. I decided to finish up my editing and assemble my first DVD ever, thanks to Pat’s help. Some of Jim and Pat’s friends arrived including Pete V. a friend from Connecticut. We did our daily tradition of laying around in the pool talking about diving.
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