Stage 2: Swim Around the Island 7/12/7

The Squad took advantage of another beautiful Block Island day to swim from Ballard's Bait Dock to the Fred Benson Town Beach. It was an arduous kick at times, but WhiteWave, Monkfish, Fozphorescence, GuitarFish, and SeaCucumber navigated the murky channel, delighted in the eel grass off the Beachhead, and braved the sandy desert just south of town beach.
many species were encountered, including striped bass, black fish, tautog, lobster, and scup. The members each gave a lick to a moon snail for good luck.
The next dive is today, 7/13 at 1500hrs. The squad will be swimming from the town beach to Clay Head.
Check the message board at SeaSquad Headquarters for dive info.

Swim Around the Island

SeaSquad has commenced their epic swim around the perimeter of Block Island. The feet will be done in stages, and stage one began on Monday with SeaSquad members MonkFish, WhiteWave, Fozphorescence, and GuitarFish taking to the waters at Ballrad's Jetty.
Numerous species were encountered: striped bass, sand eels, pollock, lobster, fluke, cunners, tautog. WhiteWave was generous enough to forage some sea lettuce on which we all munched.
The next stage of the dive is set for tomorrow-- Ballard's Beach to Seal Cove. Dive on in and join us.

Clear, cold and lovely

Guitar Fish and I, Looking Glass, made our first extended immersion into the bracing waters of the East Side on Friday, June 1, and were greeted by absolutely stellar conditions. We conservatively estimate the visibility to be in the realm of 50 feet, it was that clear.
The location was the Surf Hotel/Beachead beach. The tide was on its way in and the time was approximately 1500. The excursion resulted in the observation of: one juvenile lobster, two juvenile tautog, and one skate.
The following day, we went again. Conditions were not as perfect given an outgoing tide and a steady breeze from the west. We also noticed that the water was appreciably colder from the afternoon before. This was especially apparent to Guitar Fish, who, despite a new wetsuit, went hoodless. Nevertheless, it was a special day for me especially: this was the maiden voyage of the S.S. Bubble-- my new Canon Camera and housing.
The photos you see in this post are the result of that day. I'm looking forward to posting many more.
As was the case the day earlier, Guitar Fish spotted striped bass that I didn't see. But this was only the case on the East Side dives. In Great Salt Pond on June first, we both saw plenty of bass.
Why the Great Salt Pond? We have taken our unspoken orders from Dr. Boze Hancock, an authentic Australian scientist, who is heading up the North Cape Restoration Project for NOAA and U.R.I. He is on-island to help with a scallop restoration project. As a member of Sea Squad, I felt compelled to join in this effort and, with the help of Guitar Fish and others, we have collected 57 native scallops to help with the project. Photos of these will be forthcoming.
As you can see from the photos, the world below is crisp and crystal clear. We surmise that the warmer water toward the end of the summer is what brings the less attractive "fuzzy" algae growth to the otherwise crisp surroundings. Stay tuned for more. L.G.

MIssive from the President 5/7/2007

This is important and it is for real.
There we be a meeting at SSHQ next Saturday May 12, time to be decided upon. This will be a briefing of our first mission and everyone should attend. It is imperative that SeaSquad members are excercising daily as the success of our mission depends on
it. The Mission will be covered by the press and will be filmed for documentary purposes.
Capt. Kid aka MonkFish

First Dip 4/21/7

LookingGlass and GuitarFish take the first non-wetsuited swims of the year. Things got icy quick. Luckily the air warmed us up in no time.
The Squad looks to make some more training dives post haste.

Report from el Presidente

Official Sea Squad Report
From the desk of the President:
1.This summer Sea Squad will have scheduled dives. Sea Squadders will be
encouraged to catalog animals and plant life seen. Time and water visibility
etc
2. This summer Sea Squad will have a minimum of four beach partys.
3.Sea squadders are encouraged to feel good about themselves. You are part
of a CARING team.
4. Get in shape now. Sea Squadders are encouraged to do physical training.
Swimming.walking, running, free weights and aerobics are great ideas to make
your snorkeling this summer more enjoyable and safer.
5. Buy your gear now. Be prepared for summer. Mask, snorkel, fins, and a wet
suit are a must. I wear two wet suits plus a hood,bootys and gloves and I am
warm in the water.
Snorkeling is a wonderful experience and with friends its even better! Keep
this list and get ready. This summer is going to be great.
Sincerely,
MonkFish

3/20 Sea Weed

Exceptionally low tides have faciliated seaweed foraging this week. At Cooneymus I found bladderwrack, also known as rockweed, and collected a quantity of Irish Moss. According to Wild Man, Steve Brill, expert forager, bladderwrack must be cooked for an hour to be tenderized. I am going to try adding it to my lentil soup tonight, although my roommate Megsy does not have high hopes, commenting that it smells like something died in our house. The Irish moss is drying out. Once it turns white I will make the pudding blancmange with it, although I am tempted to make it this weekend for the Block Island Poetry Project teachers so they can get a true taste of the island. Today the tide was the lowest I've ever seen it off Ccopacatty's, one of the squad's favorite dive spots. With a pair of rubber boots,one could have walked to Guano Rock. Eel grass beds were exposed, as were rocks covered in copious bladderwrack. The real thrill for me, however, was finding several strands of kelp, known in Japanese as the delicious kombu, and one strand of sea lettuce. According to Brill, sea lettuce must be eaten immediately. I'll report later on its flavor and effects. Carol Payne showed me a seahorse she found lying on the beach last Sunday in this location. Today is the Spring Equinox. I look forward to diving with you all soon!
Whitewave