The ASA and Sally Ward

[Superlyte27]

As most of you know, a few months ago the Aquatic Science Association gained a permit to the Sally Ward cave system inside Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. In part, our mission is to verify existing data on hand about Sally Ward and to find a connection from Sally Ward to Indian Springs Cave.

We're about two months into that permit, and we thought that you might want to know what's been happening.

Last month's dives presented us with gin clear water and high flow. Our goal was to get a feel for the cave, figure out what to expect and learn things like best place to stage bottles and hide ourselves from the massive flow during decompression. Bear in mind, most of our team had never dove Sally Ward. It is quite an amazing site with rooms the size of parking lots and depths reaching 300 feet.

This week, we are back in Sally Ward. Flow is down, but so is visibility. Also, we're finding that the manatee have first dibs on the spring head. We've bagged a few dives waiting on the giant creatures to find a better place to hang out.

When the manatee are not present, we're working on exploring and surveying. We've also got some raw video footage that hopefully we will have processed soon for your viewing pleasure.

[OFG-1]

http://www.monkeyspit.net/sites/manatee/recipes.html

[Superlyte27]

Those people that wrote that article were newbs at best. Everyone knows the best way to eat manatee is via smoker. You ever eaten Drunken Chicken? That's where you put the beer can in the chicken, season, then smoke it? You do the same thing with the manatee. The difference being, that instead of using a beer can, you have to use a full keg of beer. And obviously you don't use hickory, you use cypress wood. You'll need a larger smoker too. But that's common sense.

[LiteHedded]

sounds cool. looking forward to the video

[OFG-1]

Perhaps, but do you club them like a seal, or gig them like a flounder?

Seriously, about 30 years ago, we were replacing the entire outfall structure at the FP&L (Flicker, Plunder and Loot) Riviera Beach power plant. A group of manatees moved into the outfall canal, the water is about 4 degrees warmer, and stayed there for 2 1/2 months. Every day, we had to wait for the wildlife officer to come and look and see if we were allowed to work.

[jebernot]

Before the rumors start to fly, let me clear the air, while I am sure it is tasty Peter never has and does not endorse smoking Manatees. This is a joke.

[Michael F]

Before the rumors start to fly, let me clear the air, while I am sure it is tasty Peter never has and does not endorse smoking Manatees. This is a joke.

[Superlyte27]

Thanks Jon, I'm certain someone here had already used my joke to incriminate me.

[adam_Hughes]

Peter never has and does not endorse smoking Manatees. This is a joke.

That's different from what I heard...

[Superlyte27]

LOL, love the signature Adam