Amy visits Berkeley
Halloween frights!!
Practicing for the photo shoot
Renee, modeling for DiveRite
Underwater at Cliff Pool
The evening’s presenters
It was another early morning for the Cambrian Crew. Bob was finishing up his movie clip for tonight while Karl was preparing his camera for the dive today. After a quick breakfast, the team planned the day’s dive. Our dives are usually planned the night before, but because we got in late last night, the team felt it was better to wait until the morning. The objectives of the day were discussed and after going through a checklist, our gear was loaded into Annie’s truck. We once again headed to Cliff Pool, where our objectives today were to assess the current condition of the line and to provide photo documentation of the cave environment. These photos will be used to help with the eventual cave map as well as with educational programs in the future.
Karl, his “model†(Renee), and his lighting assistant (Bob) got suited quickly once on site. Before entering the water a walkthrough of the photography dive was conducted. We practiced hand signals along with positioning of ourselves and the lights as if we were in the cave. This made things much easier while on the dive. This section of cave is a bit silty. It is especially important to see that gear is stowed properly and fin kicks are gentle to avoid unnecessary silting. We moved along at a nice slow pace in order to get the best photos. After a few minutes we found ourselves in cave we had not yet seen. It was neat to get to see more passage in this system and evaluate the line in the area. It was difficult to turn the dive after only 45 minutes with so much cave ahead we had not yet seen.
This morning Amy went to Berkeley Academy to speak to the students about their upcoming Human ROV experience at Cliff Pool. Mark Outerbridge from the Aquarium was Amy’s personal driver from the dive site to Berkeley. Thank you, Mark!! She met with Ms. Burrow’s class, most of whom will be joining us for the ROV experience tomorrow. The students were briefed for a little over a half hour on what to expect tomorrow. Amy also shared a video featuring Apopka Blue, a sinkhole in Central Florida where the human ROV has been previously used.
Amy also visited BUEI in preparation for tonight’s presentation before returning to the dive site moments before the team surfaced. They had a very productive and successful dive. Before leaving Cliff Pool, Mrs. Tucker, the landowner, stopped by with a Halloween treat. After, the team quickly packed up their gear and returned to Clear View Suites to rinse gear and work on the final touches for tonight’s presentation.
The team gathered at the girls’ villa and waited for our taxi to bring us to BUEI. After a quick run-through, the doors were open to the public and the show began. Amy and Renee did a fantastic job speaking about the foundation’s goals and more specifically, the work we’ve done here in Bermuda. During the presentation, a short film about the dry cave workshop by Bob was premiered. Dr. Illife and Jen Cate also spoke about their research here on the island. The audience was very interested and eager to learn more about the natural wonders of their island. After the presentation, we had a fantastic dinner at La Coquille.
Team Members
- Jen Cate
- Rima Franklin, Ph.D.
- Amy Giannotti
- Bob Giguere
- Anne Glasspool, Ph.D.
- Betsy Hackley
- Tom Iliffe, Ph.D.
- Gil Nolan
- Renee Power
- Karl Shreeves
- Bernie Szukalski
- Terrence Tysall
- Jack Ward
Hi,
What about any critters you are seeing in the caves? Anything new and different than you see in Florida.
Amy I was wondering if you had any contact with Lee’s Mom before you left? I think she would be so interested to read Julie’s message.
Amy, the girls are getting ready to celebrate Halloween and we will send pictures.
Heather, you must be so proud of Betsy!!!! I’m so happy that she was able to go with the Cambrian group.
Be safe, and we will see you Saturday! Love and hugs to all,
Linda(Mom)
Hi Linda!!
The critters in the Bermuda caves are “definitely more marine†according to Renee. There are many sponges and hydroids, unlike Florida’s Caves. Because the caves are salt water and connected to the ocean, many times we’ll see fish who’ve wandered into the caves.
Amy hasn’t talked to Mrs. Hole recently, but she’s planning on contacting her upon her return to the states.
I hope the girls had fun trick-or-treating! All of us look forward to seeing pictures soon.
I feel very privileged to have been able to join the Cambrian Foundation once again in the field, it’s good hearing from you!!
Betsy
Dear Trilobite,
I have a question, what is a guideline? Is it something pre-existing or do you have to put it in place? Also please let my friend Betsy know that I will hold it to her that she misses NE when she comes back and we are standing outside during mofo. And tell her to not worry because no one has died (or been injured) in her absence but, we all miss her and will drink a cotb coffee for her on Wednesday. In addition, I love reading the daily updates and hope the whole team is having good times and safe dives.
Best Wishes,
Lauren
Hey Lauren!!
A guideline is line that a diver puts into a cave to lead the way in or out. A major rule of cave diving is to have a continuous guideline to open water. Caves can get confusing with all the twists and turns and different passages… not to mention it’s quite dark. All of the lines in caves are placed there by divers at one point or another. Many caves have permanent line in them, but some less traveled passages do not, so extra reels are brought in to continue from the main line.
I really do miss the cold, it’s so warm here it doesn’t feel like Halloween at all. I look forward to seeing everyone again, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.
See you soon,
Betsy