National Association of

Black Scuba Divers

Science and Education Committee

Spring/Summer Report June 2011

A. Jose' Jones, Ph.D. Chair

 

The Science and Education Committee (SEC) has under its charge: (1) coordinating all scientific and educational activities under the organization's umbrella, (2) monitoring projects and assisting clubs when requested, (3) acting as a clearing house for proposed projects and attempts to secure funding sources for approved projects, and (4) making certain that clubs are made aware of the magnitude of the Science and Education projects through an inventory of projects that is posted on line.

 

The Science and Education Committee’s current projects are:


DIVING WITH A PURPOSE (DWP) - Ken Stewart (Coordinator)

·         DWP is one of NABS' most successful and best attended offerings.  In 2011, DWP was held at Biscayne Bay for the seventh year; there were 26 participants.

·         Currently, DWP has 21 certified instructors in advocate underwater archeology, and 67 trained advocates

·         DWP is now a PADI Specialty

·         DWP is planning to include a Water Quality component to its offering.  Students will learn how to determine such parameters as Turbidity, Salinity, Oxygen Concentration, pH, Total Bacteria Counts, Fecal Coliform Counts, Water Temperature Measurements, and Adopt a Reef with Coral Restoration.

·         DWP and the Search for the Guerrero -  In July 2010 NABS/DWP divers along with divers and archaeologists from the National Park Service (NPS), the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society (MFMHS), and NOAA searched in an undisclosed location in Florida for the wreck of the Guerrero slave ship. The NABS divers were Ken Stewart, Erly Thornton, Erik Denson, Jay Haigler, and Jose' Jones.

·         The NABS/DWP divers have received invitations from South Africa, Ghana, Mozambique, the Dominican Republic, the Virginia Archeological Society Group, NOAA and the NPS for assistance in locating and mapping wrecks.  The reputation of NABS' DWP advocate archeologist has increased since NABS' DWP won the Interior Department's national award for volunteer service and the publication of an article in Archeology Magazine on DWP.

 

PROJECT OCEANOLOGY (University of Connecticut) - Charlie Lumpkin

 

The Science & Education Committee made their fourth visit to the University of Connecticut Project Oceanography.  They currently have 21 students and adults investigating such activities as Rebreathers, ROV, Hyperbaric Chambers, Sub-base-One, and living on and operating nuclear submarine (visited a submarine base in the area).  They boarded the Project Oceanography vessel and learned about water temperature, salinity,density of water, and collecting marine animals. 

SEA BASE 1 PROJECT - Dr. Jose' Jones

 

SeaBase 1 is the underwater habitat that is proposed to be built in Belize.  The project is underway, and NABS divers are going to play a significant role. The project is on the internet; you can find it by looking up SeaBase LLC or SeaBase, Inc. SeaBase had a booth at Beneath the Sea in March and they presented a seminar at the show.Dr. Jones and the SeaBase crew also presented a seminar at the DEMA Show in October 2010 held in Vegas

FUTURE AFRICA PROJECTS - Dr. Jones 

 

Dr. Jones was contacted by Mozambique and South African representatives about getting help on documenting the wrecks they have along their shores. They want NABS divers to be involved in these projects. Dr. Jones visited Mozambique and South Africa in April as a member of the Southern Africa Slave Ship Route Project (SASSRP). The group dove on potential slave ships in both countries.  The SASSRP is currently rewriting its grant to include NABS. While in Mozambique, Dr. Jones met  and dove with members of the indigenous, Botong Divers Club. They wish to become a NABS club. Should any NABS members want to be a part of these projects in the future; you need to first complete DWP.  Also, please contact the Committee in writing and express your interest.

NOAA/NABS PARTNERSHIP - Bill Murrain, Michael Cottman

 

The NABS Science and Education Committee under the leadership of committee members Bill Murrain, Michael Cottman and Jose' Jones has been engaged in a collaborative project with NOAA titled Voyage to Discovery (VTD). The elements of the project are:

  • Develop the research to tell the story of the maritime history of African American people in the relation to the seas and the nation's bodies of waters: (1) Develop an interactive website, (2) Develop a scholarly database, and (3) Launch a search for sunken wrecks which contributes to telling this story
  • Support the efforts of the NABS Youth Committee to engage and involve more minority youth in maritime and oceanographic activities.  NOAA's foundation has contributed $7500 to support this year's Youth Summit. 
  • Building on the proven record of the NABS DWP marine archeology surveying program developed and led by Ken Stewart and Erik Denson, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) has contributed to providing training regimen in Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) certification for NABS members.  All applicants for the NAS certification must have completed the DWP certification.  The third class is scheduled to be launched this this summer:
  • NOAA partnered with NABS to select NABS members to participate in a ten-day saturation dive in October, 2010 at the Aquarius Underwater Research Lab, Key Largo.  Participants were involved in developing and broadcasting a podcast for middle and high school level students.  Ernie Franklin (UAS) and Dr. Jon Parker (Morgan State Club) were selected.  Over 20 schools and 600 students were involved around the nation.
  • NOAA also hosted three NABS Youth at their Thunder Bay Michigan facility in July, 2010.
  • NABS/VTD has launched a first-class website:http://voyagetodiscovery.org.
  • NABS was mentioned in the National Marine Sanctuaries, 2010 Accomplishment Brochure and the fall 2010 edition of Sanctuaries Watch, both produced by NOAA.
  • Dan Basta, Director of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries and Margo Jackson of NOAA were guest speakers at the NABS Presidents' Meeting hosted by MASK in Detroit in April, 2011.

 

It must be mentioned that without Bill Murrain and his tireless efforts, none of these NOAA accomplishments would have happened.  He wrote the original grant, spearheaded the effort and performed the yeoman's share of the work. 

SAND SAMPLES

 

Dr. Jones was contacted by a Prof. Maslon in Korea who is collecting sand samples worldwide.  NABS has agreed to help collect these sample which will help to add to a global data base.  NABS members are asked to collect samples on beaches and under water.  Each sample should be dried, placed in a zip-locked bag, and labeled thusly: collector's name, date, place of collection (be as specific as possible). Mail samples to NABS' Headquarters.  Dr. Jones will send them to Korea.

 

YOUTH SUMMIT AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES - Ken Stewart

 

Another highly successful activity of NABS is the Youth Summit.  It is getting better and better each year, and it is earning a national reputation for excellence.  Several other organizations are modeling their youth programs after NABS.

  • While in South Africa, Dr. Jones was invited to bring the NABS Youth Summit there.  SA wants to send their representatives to the NABS Youth Summit to see how we do it.
  • The 2010 Youth Summit had 37 attendees; and the 2011 is slated to have 28+.attendees.
  • NOAA has volunteered its facilities around the country for hosting the Youth Summit.  NOAA has also help sponsor all of our recent Summits, and they have sent representatives.
  • Dan Orr, President of DAN Inc. has attended both of the 2010 and 2011 Youth Summits.  DAN sponsored the receptions at both Summits and brought many gifts for the youth.
  • Kwadjo Tillman received a summer fellowship from the National Park Service to work at Key Biscayne Park this summer;  he was also featured in the NOAA's Sanctuary Watch Magazine
  • Three NABS youth graduated from high school this year. Two will major in Marine Biology in college and one will major in journalism.
  • Three NABS youth, Kwadjo Tillman, Matthew Edwards, and Evan Mann, were hosted by NOAA at its Thunder Bay facility in 2010.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Jose Jones

My Goal:  Make NABS the "go to" organization when anyone wants divers for projects, movies, TV, research, etc.  This is beginning to happen now.  .......A. Jose' Jones