Shipboard Educators Meet at Inland Seas Education Center

Sixteen individuals representing nine different organizations participated in a Shipboard Education workshop today at the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay. Represented were Inland Seas, Maritime Heritage Alliance, Annis Water Resources Institute of Grand Valley State University, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Highlander Sea, Sea Ports Great Lakes, Boy Scouts of America, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Great Lakes Education Program and Northwestern Michigan College Water Studies Institute. Vessels represented were Inland Seas, Liberty, W. G. Jackson, D. J. Angus, Highlander Sea, Madeline, Welcome, Champion, Prevailing Winds III, R/V Northwestern and GLEC chartered vessels.

A wide range of issues were discussed including transportation costs and other impediments to school participation, public and private support for shipboard education, public awareness, and evaluation of program effectiveness. Participants also made a commitment to continue to work together for the betterment of the Great Lakes and experiential shipboard education.

Dr. Janet Vail agreed to host next year's meeting in Muskegon.

Top Photo: Meeting attendees in the Boat Shop with Instructor Chuck Dickerson

Bottom Photo: Shipboard Educators Group

Using Advanced Technology to Understand Our Bay

Public Seminar on Aquatic Monitoring Technology in the Grand Traverse Bay Region

Suttons Bay, MI – The Inland Seas Education Association will present a seminar that focuses on aquatic monitoring technology at 7pm on Wednesday, January 14th, at the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay. The program, “Aquatic Monitoring Technology in the Grand Traverse Bay Region” will be presented by Hans Van Sumeren.

In 2005, the University of Michigan’s Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory introduced the Grand Traverse Bay Observing System as part of a regional collaboration aimed at collecting and compiling real-time oceanographic and meteorological data. In 2007 and 2008, the National Park Service used an underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) to determine the bottom conditions in Lake Michigan that seemed to harbor the botulism toxin responsible for thousands of bird deaths in 2007 alone. Van Sumeren will discuss technologies such as these that help monitor the health of Grand Traverse Bay and help researchers better understand conditions in Lake Michigan.

Hans Van Sumeren is the Director of the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College. He has worked across the Great Lakes, Alaska, and the US coastal oceans on a wide variety of programs involving coastal processes, environmental and habitat monitoring, shipwreck investigations, ship hydrodynamics, and remote sensing. Van Sumeren was previously at the University of Michigan’s Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratories where he served at various research, education, outreach, and administrative positions from 1991 through July 2008. He holds a BSE and a MSE in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan and specialized in Marine Environmental Engineering.

The Inland Seas Education Association is a non-profit organization based in Suttons Bay, Michigan, dedicated to science education on the Great Lakes. Its shipboard and shore-side education programs are designed to inspire young people’s interest in science and to provide for the long-term stewardship of the Great Lakes. For further information contact the Inland Seas Education Association at (231) 271-3077 or on the web at www.schoolship.org.

!st Volunteer Class, Winter Boatshop Work

The first Volunteer Instructor Class was a great success with 50 people in attendance. If you missed the first class, you can still participate - just come Wednesday evening at 6:30 to Glen Loomis School and get started in your new career with Inland Seas.

Bob Hagerman refurbishing the Achillies inflateable rescue boat.

Work continues at the Education Center Boat Shop on a refit of the ship's inflateable rescue boat and the Boston Whaler utility boat. The Canoe Building Class had a break yesterday while the new garage door was installed. The new door has a row of windows which brings additional natural light into the shop. Instead of working in the shop, students watched a video of traditional boatbuilding in Alaska. -TK

Capt. Remy Champt beginning work on the new bow fender for the Boston Whaler.

2009 Volunteer Instructor Class Begins Tonight

ISEA begins its 21st season this evening with the first of 12 sessions of the 2009 Volunteer Training Class. Even if you cannot attend tonight, you can come next Tuesday and still get everything you need to help teach aboard ISEA's Schoolships. For the complete schedule and course outline go to http://www.schoolship.org/membership/?id=182

Hope to see you this evening at Glen Loomis School in Traverse City (note the 6:30 pm start time). --Tom Kelly

Liberty and Inland Seas this afternoon. Cleared some heavy snow and ice off the covers. The electric mixers are keeping the harbor ice free.

Merry Christmas from Inland Seas

A Christmas Scene Out My Window....

Sanding Canoe #7 in the Boat Shop, earlier this month. Work will resume on the canoe in January.

Best wishes for a Merry and Hopeful Christmas, -- Tom Kelly

FLOW Showing Sunday to Benefit ISEA

The Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay will show the movie Flow on Sunday December 21 at 2pm. A portion of the proceeds will be given to ISEA to further our work of education and stewardship of the Great Lake's waters. For more information go to: http://www.leelanau.com/thebay/nowplaying.html

Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century – The World Water Crisis. This cautionary documentary is determined to stir things up. Water, the quintessence of life, sustains every creature on Earth. The time has come when we can no longer take this precious resource for granted. Unless we effect global change, impoverished nations could be wiped from the planet. Roused by a thirst for survival, people around the world are fighting for their birthright.

Showtime: Sunday, Dec. 21 - 2:00 pm

After the film, Q & A with Jim Olson, environmental attorney and Holly Wren Spaulding, film contributor and water activist.

FLOW is being underwritten by Leelanau Cheese Co., Tamarack Craftsmen Gallery, Bill Rastetter & Cary Weed, and The Bay Theatre. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Inland Seas Education Association. Advance Tickets at Bahle’s and Brilliant Books (Suttons Bay) and Higher Grounds (Traverse City).

"Flow makes the case against the privatization of water, which is happening in gazillions of impoverished communities around the world, not to mention North American backyards."- Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

Winter Activity in the Boat Shop

Remy working on the Whaler.

Planking completed!

The Boat Shop is an active part of ISEA all year around. SB students have just completed planking canoe #7, and fairing and epoxy coating will be next. Capt. Champt is beginning a refit of our 13' Boston Whaler which we use as a utility/rescue boat. And we have just received funding that will enable us to put a new insulated roof on the shop. A great Christmas gift!

Stop in and lend a hand, or just come by to see what's new.

View from the office window. Today the cove is beginning to ice over.