2015 Kerry Dillon Oculina Coral

Prior to beginning a NOAA Funded Technical Diving

Research Mission on these Marine Protected Areas:

Oculina Bank

Steamboat Lumps and

Madison /Swanson Preserve

Technical divers from many agencies and companies

gathered to practice their techniques and learn proper

usage of new high definition cameras, scooters, dive

computers, sonar units and other equipment in the

clear ocean waters off Key Largo, Florida

Key Scientists

Research Technical Divers

Ship Captain, Crew and Support Divers from United Space Alliance, LLC. under contract with

NASA Space Shuttle Booster Recovery Team

“ Freedom Star ”

Technical diver during drifting decompression stops

Oculina varicosa

A slow–growing, delicate, and branchlike coral that is often associated with high biodiversity and whose thickets provide ideal spawning sites

for numerous species of reef–dwelling fish, including economically important species such as groupers and snappers

Reefball with attached Oculina. The orange float is for relocation

with the ship’s ecosounder.

Experimental reefblocks with Oculina Recruits

Oceanic Sunfish (Mola Mola)

Sea Floor Depth = 290 ft / top of pinnacle 210 ft

Jeff’s Reef, south end of Oculina Bank Preserve

USS RANKIN

AKA 103

Martin County’s Largest Artificial Reef

Deployed 1988 sea floor depth 130 ft

USS MULIPHEN

AKA 61

St. Lucie County’s Largest Artificial Reef

Deployed 1989 sea floor depth 170 ft, scour depth 204 ft

USS MULIPHEN REEF

Photo depth ≈ 170 ft in cargo hold

Photo credit: Michael Barnette

Association of Underwater Explorers

Large Warsaw Grouper

Sea Floor Depth = 215 ft

St. Lucie County’s Deep Tugboat Reef


Bow view in 100 ft + visibility

Wickstrom Reef, a 168 ft. coastal freighter deployed 2003

Large Warsaw Grouper


Wickstrom Reef, a 168 ft. coastal freighter deployed 2003

Florida Special Reefmaker Unit with Oculina Coral


100 ft west of the Wickstrom Reef

Oculina Coral growing on upstream end of Tension Barge



Oculina Varicosa Coral on Tension Barge

Large Scamp


Frances Langford Memorial Reef

Banks Butterflyfish


Oculina Coral on rebar / Frances Langford Memorial Reef

Golden Coney

Rarely seen by divers


Frances Langford Memorial Reef


Juvenile Oculina Coral on concrete / Frances Langford Memorial Reef


Juvenile Oculina Coral on concrete / Frances Langford Memorial Reef

Adult Red Grouper


Madison Swanson Preserve, Gulf of Mexico

186.7 miles from where you’re sitting

Adult Red Grouper


Madison Swanson Preserve, Gulf of Mexico

Adult Yellowmouth Grouper


Madison Swanson Preserve,

Gulf of Mexico

HAILEY GLASRUD REEF

Formerly DM ONE, a general cargo freighter

Deployed: April 24, 2014

Depth: 188 ft

A Closing Note

At an early age, Recreational Diving allowed me the

youthful chance to discover the ocean’s many wonders

beneath the waves. Commercial Diving has given me

the opportunity to make an exciting, rewarding career of

diving adventures from what once was a hobby.

Technical Diving has taught me the required techniques

and opened new aquatic avenues to further explore the

underwater world safely. Regardless of which type of

diving we choose, it’s all about being underwater and

exploring. So far there is nothing in cyberspace that can

compare. Thanks for your time today and . . .

“ Lets Go Diving ”

Larry Collins, Dive Operations DirectorUnited Space Alliance (NASA space shuttle dive team)

Larry and his great dive team created the safest environment for the technical divers in challenging

conditions during the Oculina and Madison Swanson Preserves deep diving projects down to 300’ deep.

Without their topside support these projects could not have occurred.

Caption James Kirk, and crews of both the “Freedom Star” & “Liberty Star” NASA owned ships utilized as our support vessels used for the

technical deep diving research missions discussed in this presentation.

Their professional topside support was invaluable for these missions.

Grant Gilmore PhD, Senior Scientist & Acclaimed Ichthyologist Estuarine, Coastal & Ocean Science, Inc. & Harbor Branch Foundation

John Reed, M.Sc. Principle Investigator & Research ProfessorHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institution

Chris Koenig, PhD, Felicia Coleman, PhD, & Sandra Brooke, PhD Florida State University Coleman/Koenig Coastal & Marine Laboratory

Michael Barnett, Technical Diver / Scientist/Underwater Photographer National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration

Jon Dodril, Keith Mille and Bill Horn, “THE MIGHTY THREE” State of Florida, FFWCC Artificial Reef Program

Environment

2015 Kerry Dillon Oculina Coral