NOAA Fisheries Diving Medical Technicians assist with non-NOAA diving incident

The M/V Spree, a 100ft liveaboard dive vessel under contract to NOAA, was conducting diving operations in the Dry Tortugas off SW Florida on 15 May 2010.   Around 2100 Capitan Frank Wasson of the M/V Spree overheard a radio transmission from the charter dive boat M/V Playmate to the National Park Service (NPS) rangers at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.  The transmission was regarding a diver on the M/V Playmate who was exhibiting symptoms of decompression illness (DCI) and that the vessel was headed to the fort.  The NPS ranger acknowledged the vessel transmission and notified the M/V Playmate that the Park's EMT would be standing by and that NPS was initiating a medical evacuation.  The NPS ranger also issued a general radio call for any available parties in the area to render assistance if capable.

 At this time Captain Wasson asked his passengers if there were any medically qualified persons willing to lend assistance.  NOAA Corps officers LTJG David Gothan and LTJG Justin Keesee notified the captain that they were qualified Diving Medical Technicians and that they were willing to assist the NPS EMT with the treatment of the injured diver until additional help arrived.  Captain Wasson notified the NPS ranger and made arrangements for LTJG Gothan and LTJG Keesee to be transferred to shore.  LTJG Gothan and LTJG Keesee gathered their DMT kits and made preparations for transport.

 Upon arrival on the M/V Playmate, LTJG Gothan and LTJG Keesee found a conscious diver lying in his bunk with the main complaint of chest pains.  The NPS EMT already had the diver on 100% O₂ and was monitoring his vital signs, all of which were normal.  Once informed of the situation LTJG Gothan continued to monitor the patient's vital signs and administered a neurologic examination, while LTJG Keesee talked with the vessel's captain gathering details on the events leading up to the incident.  According to the diver and his buddy, the dive profile was not excessive, four dives to ~65fsw for 35min each.  Exact times and depths were not readily available because accurate records regarding the divers' actual profile were not maintained on board and the diver’s computer was not easily accessible.  According to the diver’s buddy and the captain, the diver only made four of the five scheduled dives of the day and had sat out the second to last dive because he was nervous about a shark encounter on the previous dive.  100% O₂ continued to be administered to the diver for one hour while the evacuation helicopter was en route from the Florida Keys.

 The patient’s vital signs remained stable throughout this period, and the neurological assessments did not show any significant deficits, however the diver’s complaint of chest pains had not subsided and the patient added that there was now some numbness in his left hand.  Upon arrival of the helicopter the EMT and DMTs transferred the patient to the flight crew with his gear and all information that was gathered.  LTJG Gothan and LTJG Keesee were thanked by the M/V Playmate’s captain and the NPS ranger for their assistance and were transferred back to the M/V Spree.

 During a follow-up meeting between LTJG Keesee and the captain of the M/V Playmate it was determined the injured diver was treated in a recompression chamber in the Florida Keys and released with no residual symptoms.

LTJG Keesee

LTJG Gothan

The MV Spree left Key West on May 13, 2010 for a ten day cruise to the Dry Tortugas for a cooperative NOAA/UM/FWC/NPS biennial reef fish and spiny lobster census. 29 researchers participated over two 5 day legs, with 878 dives completed to obtain 638 fish counts and 164 spiny lobster surveys. The area sampled included the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. An additional 10 day cruise is scheduled for June 9-19 to complete the 2010 study.

Dave McClellan performing a RVC reef fish survey.

Waiting for a pick up by the MV Spree

Please welcome the newest member of  NDC's administrative team - Celestia Mayasleca. Celestia can be reached at Celestia.Mayasleca@noaa.gov or 206-526-6932.

NOAA Expedition Probes Lake Huron Shipwreck Mystery

Mystery Beneath the Waves: Exploring the Shipwrecks Defiance and Audubon

Messenger (1866-1890; 190 foot depth)

            A NOAA-led research expedition this week in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding the collision and sinking of two Great Lakes commercial schoonersOn Oct. 20, 1854, the John J. Audubon sailed north to Chicago with a load of iron railroad tracks. At 1:30 a.m., the southbound Defiance emerged from the darkness and fog, striking the Audubon’s mid-section.  The collision reportedly opened a deep gash in the Audubon’s hull, severely damaging the Defiance. in Lake Huron more than 150 years ago.

            The Audubon sank quickly, though the Defiance struggled on, finally sinking just a few miles away. Miraculously, both crews survived. Today, the Defiance and Audubon rest mostly intact in more than 180 feet of water.

            A team of archaeologists, historians and divers is hoping to determine what happened that ill-fated morning, a period when the press for speed and profit encouraged shipping companies to take greater risks on the Great Lakes.

            The team will document the sites with carefully drawn survey maps, individual and panoramic photographs, and video. The research will not only reveal the stories preserved in these nationally-significant shipwrecks, but will be critical in their long term preservation.  The sanctuary will use this   “baseline” to monitor future changes to the shipwrecks.

           The data also will help the sanctuary nominate the wrecks to the National Register of Historic Places and interpret these exciting shipwrecks through exhibits and programs at the sanctuary’s visitor center, the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

           “The wrecks of the Defiance and Audubon capture a dramatic moment during a century that transformed America,” said Russ Green, deputy superintendent, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  “The research conducted during this expedition  will help us better understand and preserve these and other shipwrecks for future generations of divers and non-divers.  Like all historic shipwrecks, they are irreplaceable. Protecting them requires a team effort between archaeologists, historians, divers and public.”

          The team will also evaluate several other historic shipwrecks in the region, including the steamer Messenger, which the sanctuary discovered in 190 feet of water off Rogers City, Mich. in 2008.

          Expedition partners include Thunder Bay and Monitor National Marine Sanctuaries, the Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research and Technology, and the University of Connecticut’s Marine Sciences Diving Program.

          Located in northwestern Lake Huron, Thunder Bay is adjacent to one of the most treacherous stretches of water within the Great Lakes system. Unpredictable weather, murky fog banks, sudden gales, and rocky shoals earned the area the name “Shipwreck Alley.” Today, the 448-square-mile Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects one of America’s best-preserved and nationally significant collections of shipwrecks.

300-foot long steamer Norman

Schooner Defiance (1848-1854; 185 foot depth)

        "We assessed the wrecks of the schooner Defiance (1848-1854; 185 foot depth), brig Audubon (1854-1854; 170 foot depth), steamer Messenger (1866-1890; 190 foot depth), and steamer Norman (1890-1895; 210 foot depth). All are in the potential expanded sanctuary boundaries and possess a significant degree of archeological, historical and/or recreational significance. Each has something different going for it: Defiance is a pretty early schooner for these parts, Audubon is a brig and collided with Defiance under somewhat mysterious circumstances; the Messenger is a target we found in 2008 during a side scan sonar cruise, and the 300-foot long steamer Norman is a sistership to the Grecian (within the sanctuary) and the Northern Light (down in the Keys). A bulk freighter, the Norman represents a type of vessel that made possible the explosive industrial growth of the United States just before the  turn of the twentieth century. Her east-bound cargoes of iron ore made possible the fortune of J.P. Morgan, and made his U.S. Steel Corp. America’s first billion dollar company.

Schooner Defiance

        Given it’s early date of build, we focused a bit more on schooner Defiance, created profile and plan view site maps and mosaics, and took comprehensive video and stills. We also confirmed the indentify of the Messenger and produced a mosaic. With less time to spend at the other sites, we produced mosaics, stills, and video of the Audubon and Norman. In short, we attempted to assess these sites through a common “resource management” lens

       Prior to this expedition, we had limited or fragmented data on each of the sites.  Given their remarkable states of preservation, popularity among the tech diving community, historical/archeological significance, and the potential for sanctuary expansion, the timing was excellent to start getting a handle on these amazing and complex resources that we may soon be responsible for managing. The results, methodologies, recommendations will be covered in forthcoming report."

  Enjoy some of the images produced by the team: Russ Green, Tane Casserley, Joe Hoyt, Wayne Lusardi, Pat Labadie, Doug Kesling (CIOERT), Scott Fowler (CIOERT),  Mike Abbot (NOAA, Woods Hole), Joe Mangiafico (University of Connecticut).

   

~Russ Green, Deputy Superintendent Thunder Bay NMS

On the Web:

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary:  http://thunderbay.noaa.gov

The Return of the Queen

NDC is happy (and relieved) to announce the return of Laurie Barber to the Diving Center as  Financial Administrative Program Specialist.  Laurie can be reached at her old phone number - (206)526-6695.
Welcome Home, Laurie!

May 2010 Working Diver class

Alki Beach, Seattle WA

New NOAA Scientific Diver Training/Certification Program

Call for Instructor Candidates

New NOAA Scientific Diver Training/Certification Program

Beginning in 2011, NOAA employees, contractors and volunteers interested in becoming NOAA certified Scientific Divers will be required to complete a new training and certification program.  This program was developed by Diving Science and Technology in collaboration with the NOAA Diving Program.  The program consists of academic instruction, “hands-on” training, and skills evaluation. 

The academic portion of the course includes information taken directly from the NOAA Diving Manual and can be completed via self-study or instructor-lead classes.  Instructional guides and PowerPoint presentations were developed to lead students and instructors through both the academic and practical sessions.  Tests of knowledge and a final examination are also included in the course. 

The practical portion includes instruction on specific equipment and techniques unique to NOAA, as well as evaluation of a variety of swimming and diving skills in confined and open-water.

Although the training program will be offered periodically at the NDC, it was designed to be conducted at the unit level by NOAA-certified instructors.  The minimum qualifications for instructional certification are:

·         Divemaster certification or higher by NOAA or another nationally recognized certification agency for a minimum of one (1) year, 

·         Log a minimum of 100 dives,

·         Be approved by the NOAA Diving Program Manager, and

·         Successfully complete a “train-the-trainer” course provided by the NDC. 

The date, location, and duration of the first “train-the-trainer” course is still being worked out, but will probably occur in January or February 2011 and last 5-days.  Since instructor candidates will be asked to complete the same academic and practical requirements as those participating in the training/certification program, the location will probably in a warm climate. 

If you are interested in becoming certified to conduct this training program, please complete the attached form and forward it to your Unit Diving Supervisor.  The UDS will review the application and forward it to the respective Line Office Diving Officer, along with his/her recommendation.  The LODO will review the application and forward it to the NOAA Diving Program Manager (DPM), along with his/her recommendation.  The DPM will have the final decision on who attends the train-the-trainer class.

There will be no fees associated with attending the train-the-trainer class.  Travel and per diem costs are the responsibility of the attendees.

Like the US Marines, NOAA is looking for a few good men/women to become instructors for this new program.  I hope you will give this training opportunity serious consideration.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact your UDS for an application.

~ DPM Dave Dinsmore