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.
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