Stellwagen Bank
Volunteer Divers Recognized
by National Marine Sanctuary Office
3-1-2001
contact:
Anne Smrcina, 781-545-8026, ext. 204
BOSTON
-- The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary's volunteer dive team
members will receive the first ever Team Ocean - Champions of the Blue/Team
Ocean Recognition Awards from the National Marine Sanctuary Office at
the annual Boston Sea Rovers Clinic on March 3. This new program recognizes
the efforts and achievements of volunteers serving the 13 sites in the
marine sanctuary system.
The Stellwagen
Bank volunteers, all highly skilled divers based in communities from
Braintree to Plymouth, have formed the first official sanctuary dive
team. Organized two years ago, the team has assisted in the photodocumentation
of local marine biodiversity, research cruises, and shipwrecks. All
team members have received NOAA science diver certifications.
"What
is truly remarkable about this team," notes Sanctuary Superintendent
Craig MacDonald, "is the depth of experience of its members and their
dedication to the Sanctuary's goals of marine resource protection. We
are extremely fortunate to have such a highly skilled volunteer force
ready and able to assist us in so many ways."
Volunteer
dive team leader Bob Michelson, a professional underwater photographer
and videographer from Braintree, has been a key player in the development
of the team and in the production of educational support materials for
the sanctuary. He has been assisted by team member Douglas Costa, a
PADI Master Instructor and Manager at Diver's Market Scuba Center in
Plymouth, Mass, Rounding out the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary volunteer
dive team are Stephen Neuger, a PADI Assistant Instructor and Rob Murray,
a PADI Dive Master.
The team
has combined training and experience in photo/videography, archeological
research, search & recovery, wreck, deep, mixed gas, and cave diving.
Each diver assists with cross-training the other members so that the
entire team benefits from this breadth of expertise.
The Team
Ocean Diver Recognition Certificates will be presented to the team on
Sat., March 3 during an 11-11:45am Sanctuary-sponsored seminar at the
Sea Rovers Annual Underwater Clinic at the Copley Plaza Hotel.
The Boston
Sea Rovers is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious dive
clubs; this is their 47th annual underwater clinic and show.
The Gerry
E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 sites
in the National Marine Sanctuary System. This historically important
fishing ground and prime whalewatching site was designated a National
Marine Sanctuary in 1992. The 842-square-mile site is located at the
mouth of Massachusetts Bay between Cape Ann and Cape Cod; its headquarters
are located in Scituate, Mass.
