Island Times Blog

Hi all,

Wow, can you believe it is only 4 months till summer starts?  Next thing you know we will be heading back down to the boats and another awesome summer aboard!  Seems we just got home!  Things are rocking along here, sign ups have been on track and next summer is looking to be as exciting as ever! 

Flights – A lot of you are looking at and booking flights.  As always we recommend using Dede Thea – Travel – 800-466-4603 ext. 5657  Please remember to run your flight info by me before booking and to send me a copy once you have confirmed it.

Paperwork – We are still missing paperwork from some folks. We must have your registration form! You can find it here. We also need your TravMark Insurance Form and a digital photo on file. If you’re not sure what you need to turn in, you can find everything on the SeaTrek website here in the forms library

Program Fees – February 1st payments where due yesterday.  You will be receiving a reminder mid-month about program fees that are due on March 15th.  Please note to make checks out to SeaTrek BVI not to Capt. Monk:):)

Know Before You Go and need To Do Pages –  We have added something new to the website, “Know Before You Go” and need “To Do” pages.  You can find them here. The idea here is to answer last minute questions and to help alleviate the multiple informational emails that are sent out in May.  If you old timers think of anything that we should add please don’t hesitate to let us know.  We are constantly looking for ways to make things better.

BVI Main Program Science Projects – You can check them out here.  

For FATHOMS project info, see next section below. 

As you may or may not remember you have several options available to you in regards to the science program. 

Option 1.  Participate in the presentations and activities that are part of our main program itinerary. Along with all main program students, you will attend presentations and get a general overview of various marine science topics as well as some hands on experience. 

Option 2.  Participate for fun or community service credit as a volunteer and help students that are doing projects.  With this option you’ll get your hands dirty but you don’t have to do any homework:):) 

Option 3.  Do a science project, either for community service credit or academic credit. This entails doing some ground work and getting your hands dirty.  One of our biologists will work directly with you to answer your questions through hands on activities and investigations. 

If you’re interested in Options 2 and 3 and you want to receive any type of credit (community service or academic), you must contact us so we have you on our list to participate. So please contact Angie and let her know which project(s) you want to be involved in. IMPORTANT – For credit you have to clear it with your school ahead of time.  We cannot guarantee school credit because all schools have different rules and criteria, but we will assist in any way possible to make it happen for you. Use this link (SeaTrek Academic Credit Options) to find out more about earning academic credit.

BVI FATHOMS Science Projects – Check them out here. This program has several science projects and activities already built into the itinerary. Go to the link above to find out more about these exciting projects. After signing up for BVI FATHOMS, Angie will email you a short questionnaire that will outline your project and credit options. Just answer the questions, return them to Angie and you’ll be good to go!

FATHOMS Academic Credit and Specialty Course Certification Options – The FATHOMS BVI and Bahamas programs give you additional options for earning academic credit and dive specialty certifications. Use this link (SeaTrek Academic Credit Options) to find out more about earning academic credit. The two dive specialty courses offered are the 1) Introduction to Scientific Diving Principles and Skills for Research in Coral Reef Habitats and 2) Marine Heritage Awareness. If you are interested in any of these options, contact Angie to find out more.

Optional Sailing Classes – As you all know in the BVI we live on sailboats and you will have the opportunity to learn sailing:):)  For those of you that want to do and know more you have the option of participating in the ASA Sailing Course 101.  This is an optional class and incur additional fees ($400).  It includes academics, additional hands on experience and certification.  These classes are scheduled so as not to interfere with any other activities.

We will also be offering – the NAUI U/W Photo Specialty as an option ($200) again this summer in the BVI/Bahamas.  This course will introduce you to the basics of Underwater Photography.  We supply the camera and you supply 6 to 8 AA batteries (AAA for the Bahamas) and an SD (2 gb or less) Flash Card.  We must know before May 15th if you wish to participate in either the ASA Course or Photo Specialty.

Online store – We are constantly receiving new stock.  We just got in a huge order of rash Guards!  Those of you with RGs on back order you will be receiving them shortly:):)  Now is the time to start looking at what you want to get from the online store.  Most items are in stock but some have to be special ordered.  Click here to visit the store.

Packing lists – Are now available online.  Click here to see them. Please keep in mind that there is a different list for each program.

NAUI Student Record Folder – We are going to do things a little different this year pertaining to the NAUI Student Record Folder.  Instead of sending you the folder with your text materials we now have it available for download here.   Look for the Blue NAUI Student Record Folder icon.  Everyone must print it out, fill in the appropriate blanks and return it to us either by mail, by fax 810-487-1633 or scan/email within 7 business days.  This will alleviate lost folders, forgotten folders, unsigned folders and folders that are not filled out correctly:):) 

This folder is mandatory for participation in any of our water activities and it is a nightmare when participants show up without them.

Notes: We have highlighted the sections that must be filled out. 

a.) If you are under the age of 18 it must be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian.  It is asking for the participants information other than the small section on the lower part of page 1.

b.) On page 2 you put the participants name in the blank that follows “I”

c.) On the bottom of page 2 you only need to fill out the 1st section that starts with “I have read this agreement….”

d.) On page 3 in the Medical History Section you must write Y or N and this must be signed by both the participant and the parent or guardian.

For your viewing pleasure– Various photo links from 2013 can be found here.

Things will start heating up around here soon….lots of things to do in the warehouse as we start getting things ready.  A couple of us will be heading down in April to start getting the fast boats ready and of course there is the ever present paperwork:):)

Let me know if you have any questions,

Monk:):)