Northwest Dive Club

I got a call today from a researcher interested in using volunteers to do a survey (fish and invertebrates) on some 4 X 6 panels they have set out by the seawall on the Seattle Waterfront, between the Seattle Aquarium and the new Sculpture park. There are three of these I think - and they are shallow, maybe 10-20 feet under. They just need some divers to go down there and see what's growing on them and if any fish are there too, and possibly snap off some pictures.

Anyone who has a pretty good handle on their critters is welcome to participate. So what's the interest level?

- Janna

I'm in.

Depending on when they wanted it done, I'd be interested. I do work a day job, and can't afford to take time off normal business hours to go do volunteer work. But if it can be done on week-ends or evenings, I'd like to participate ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

nwscubamom wrote:I got a call today from a researcher interested in using volunteers to do a survey (fish and invertebrates) on some 4 X 6 panels they have set out by the seawall on the Seattle Waterfront, between the Seattle Aquarium and the new Sculpture park. There are three of these I think - and they are shallow, maybe 10-20 feet under. They just need some divers to go down there and see what's growing on them and if any fish are there too, and possibly snap off some pictures.

Anyone who has a pretty good handle on their critters is welcome to participate. So what's the interest level?

- Janna

I don't know how many divers are needed over how long a period of time but you might contact the Seattle Aquarium since there are volunteer divers there every day of the week and it wouldn't be hard to get them to go down to the area you are referring to.

Is there shore access?? If not, I can provide a boat for up to 4 divers using single tanks.

Access was going to be one of the problems - they hadn't looked into it that extensively yet. They wanted to see the general interest before hashing out the details.

That's super that you would be willing to provide a boat! That might just solve one of the problems.

I'll let you know more details as I get them.

- Janna

I'd be interested if I can do it without having to take off work.

nwscubamom wrote: That's super that you would be willing to provide a boat! That might just solve one of the problems.

I'll need to check in with the Seattle harbor patrol and possibly the USCG if there's a bigger or military ship nearby (e.g. there has been a tanker at Bell Harbor marina for the past week, also frigates sometimes land there). Both have security zones. Shouldn't be a problem though.

Who are the "researchers" and are these panels already deployed? Both agencies may have some followup questions and I want to be prepared.

It would be a quick run over from Don Armeni ramp.

Richard

The guy who called me was from Washington Sea Grant, and the researchers were from UW and the Seattle Aquarium.

I don't know enough info yet - just said I'd check to see if there's interest first, and then we'll go from there.

- Janna

I think you need permision to dive there. A quick call to the harbor patrol might be in order.

Jeff Kruse wrote:I think you need permision to dive there. A quick call to the harbor patrol might be in order.

Yes you technically need a permit. However if this is associated with the aquarium they already have a permit. And I'm curious why the Aquraium wouldn't use their own divers. I will email Jeff C. and find out the scoop.

The fella who called me was Jeff Adams of Washington Sea Grant. His contact person at the aquarium was a gal whose name I wasn't familiar with. I've written Jeff A. to point him to this thread, so perhaps he'll post here and answer your questions.

I'm excited there's so much interest - and we'll have to see how this shakes loose!

- Janna

Capt Jack is correct. A couple of years ago I took my all black zodiac over to the Seattle waterfront and puttered around on a surface interval. I then went over to cove two ramp. As I tied up harbor patrol pulled up blocked me in and started asking questions. They told me that is a closed area to boats (I had looked real hard and had not seen any signs at all). I had almost tied up and dove under the dock over there, it looked real interesting under them. Now that would of been a boat load of fun to surface to gun boats. Anyway, no problems, I just stay away from there now.

My inflatable is red with a white strip so I look very official! I look like the USCG. Other boats have actually slowed and expected me to board them. San Juan County sheriff even got dupped

I'm sure that those who are spearheading the project are well aware of the limitations of diving in the area and will make it possible for us to do so, and make the arrangements for us.

The study is regarding the impending replacement of the seawall along the waterfront and the critters that grow there - that's my understanding. We were on cell phones and the call got dropped multiple times along the way!

- Janna

Hi Janna...I am interested. Count me in. I can't do it on the weekends but weekdays, during the day work best for me.

I'd be interested in doing something like this, and I have weekday availability.

I can do it on Mondays or Tuesdays if divers are needed on those days.

Let me know.

Have camera... willing to take pics.

Fridays and Saturdays and all week after 2 PM. Sounds interesting. And if anyone needs a buddy........

hi janna. i'm in. still need a photographer? i'm just not sure how to get there from everett though. i'm open monday, wednesday, friday untill 2:30 in the pm, and all weekend long.

Here's a bit more info from Jeff Adams (Washington Sea Grant):

The lead researcher is Jeff Cordell at UW fisheries and the City of Seattle is the partner. I'm not sure how involved the aquarium is at this point. The idea for divers was mine, not the researchers. It seemed like a helpful addition.

I think there are 6 panels and 3 hanging habitat boxes (for lack of a better term, but they're horse troughs filled with substrate) at each of 3 locations.

We can explore boat issues later, but I know the researchers are going to be using boats for some of their work.

Panels were installed this month; sampling starts in March. Frequency and protocols for diving observations would be worked in the next couple months if it works for the research team.

Thanks to all the interested volunteers. Very exciting to see that level of interest.

Cheers!

Jeff

---------------------------------------------------
Jeff Adams - jaws@u.washington.edu
Marine Water Quality Specialist
Washington Sea Grant - Kitsap
University of Washington
345 6th Street, Suite 550
Bremerton, WA 98337-1874
360-337-4619
(f) 360-337-4864
http://www.wsg.washington.edu

Hi Janna

I just got home, and I'd be interested in helping out as well. I can do Mondays/Tuesdays, or alternate weekends.

-Valerie

I'm in too Janna, if you need me. I have during the week availability.

I would but only if once we're finished, we could hunt for artifacts.

I'm in, Pez and I have been looking for an excuse to dive there for some time now! As much advanced notice as possible would be appreciated, so I can get the time off work. I can become "temporarily available" anytime, but evenings and weekends work best fo me. Pez, if you needed a buddy you could have called...