Our team spends a lot of time out on the water, especially in the summer. We have a great crew and we always prioritize safety, but those skills need tending! We spent a full week in June doing just that with our friends at the UC Davis Boat and Dive Safety Program. The Bodega team consists of James Fitzgerald and Greg Flederman, who led the team topside on boat safety, and Jason Herum and Shelby Kawana, who led dive safety operations. Below are some photos from the week and some thoughts from our staff. Thanks Bodega team!
Sarah Teman, Research Assistant
Our boating and dive safety training week couldn’t have been better. James, Jason, Shelby, and Greg really helped me become more confident and competent as a boater and as support staff for our divers. Thanks to them, I feel ready to tackle a fieldwork-filled summer with safe seamanship and teamwork at the forefront of my mind!
James leads rescue operations while Michelle, Sarah and Leigh Ann focus.
The Molly B as seen from the surface.
Mira Lutz-Castle, Education Coordinator
When such a dedicated, passionate, and deeply caring team of trainers comes together around a positive mission, awesome things happen. James and Jason boosted my confidence to jump in and help in a medical emergency. Jason and Shelby improved my diving technique, trim, and gear-management, and showed me the skills I need to work on to become a solid lead diver. I did not know I could tow a much bigger diver a long way while doing rescue breaths, but Jason had me rescue Joe and prove myself wrong (Joe survived!), one of the highlights of my week. Greg guided me in dive tending calmly and expertly, giving me great respect for the responsibilities topside that keep everyone safe above and below.
Leigh Ann Gilmer, Regional Director
We all take our work and the safety of our colleagues very seriously, and our training week with James, Jason, Shelby, and Greg really increased our confidence and our skills in boat operating and diving. This was my first training week with the crew, and it became immediately clear to me how important this continuing safety education is for our mission and work to heal the Salish Sea. I am looking forward to continuing to work with this awesome team to make sure we are always honing our skills and keeping up with the safest practices in boating and diving.
Michelle Homewood, Administrative Assistant
Our week with the Bodega Bay team was nothing short of incredible. I was constantly impressed by our instructors’ wealth of knowledge. James, Jason, Greg, and Shelby are passionate teachers, and their hands-on method was the perfect way to learn. They didn't just talk about immersion suits - they had us race to put them on and jump in the water! I am now able to support our research team with top-notch topside boating skills, plus I have the training and confidence to handle a medical emergency. I learned so much throughout the week, and had a great time doing it!
Erika Nilson, Executive Assistant
I always look forward to our time with the boat and dive safety staff. They take their job seriously while still making it fun and supportive. They work with each of us to up our game no matter what level we’re starting from. The big lesson learned was that our smaller boat can easily tow our bigger boat if there was ever trouble. AND we got to demonstrate it practically with each of us driving the boat while towing. So cool!
Joe Gaydos, Science Director
Big thanks to team Bodega! We are so grateful for the training experience they provide to our dive and boat teams.
Bob Friel, Salish Sea Wild Producer
The safety of SeaDoc’s diving operations begins and ends with boating safety and our topside support crew. The work James and Greg did with the team on boat handling, dive tending and rescue drills elevated the entire program. Having Jason and Shelby buddy up with us down below to evaluate our dive procedures and to run us through in-water rescues was another huge confidence booster. Add in the crucial lifesaving training for everyone, and the Bodega Bay Bunch left Team SeaDoc with a new higher level of skills, spirit, cooperation and communication. As always, James Fitzgerald’s leadership was responsive and beyond impressive.
Justin Cox, Communications Manager
That was probably my favorite week of the year so far--equal parts challenging and incredibly fun. Our team always takes safety seriously, but this kind of deep, experiential training is a strong reminder of how quickly circumstances can change when you’re on the water. Being prepared for that mentally and physically, and knowing with certainty that you can trust your gear, is so crucial. Especially when you have SCUBA divers 100 feet below and the currents and wind patterns are constantly changing. I feel sharper than I ever have thanks to James and his team, and I slept like a baby every night that week.