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The JASON project (www.jasonproject.org)
chartered the boat for three Argonauts and
Dr. Bob Ballard to visit the Flower Garden
Banks and HI-389. All I can say is WOW!, and
maybe there is a little hope for our future.
The JASON project, part of national
Geographic, gathers 9-12 high school
students per year and each year there is a
theme for the students to dwell on. This
years theme is marine ecology, so a trip to
the Flower garden Banks was in order. A full
production crew was with us (sound, cameras,
producers, directors, and 2 gaffers), as
well as the host scientist (Ballard), the
owner of W&T offshore (operator of HI-389,
Tracy Krohn), Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary
Superintendant GP Schmahl, and FGB Education
Specialist Kelly Drinnen. The three
Argonauts had a great time snorkeling the
East Bank, using the ROV from Texas A&M
Galveston on the West Bank and HI-389, and
breaking the Stetson number 3 mooring on
Sunday afternoon in rough seas. We came home
after that.
Bob Ballard is one of those exceptional
individuals that you get a few chances to
meet in your lifetime. His stories of
finding the Titanic (some of it is now
de-classified, and Nat Geo should have a
special out soon, telling the real story),
searching and finding Phoenician shipwrecks
in the Black Sea, his time spent on spook
boats, etc. kept me with my jaw hanging open
for most of the trip. If you ever get a
chance to meet him or hear him speak
publicly, I highly recommend you take the
time. If you meet him in a bar, be sure to
root for the Red Sox or New England
(whichever season it is), and he likes a
flavorful beer. Fat Tire Amber seemed to
suit him quite well. Captain Frank
M/V Spree
Freeport, Texas |
