Automated VHF Radio Check System Installed at ISEC

The Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay is now hosting and automated radio check system for boaters.  This system was installed last week with assistance from Sea Tow.  To use the system, boaters should tune their VHF radio to Channel 28 and say "Radio Check, this is (vessel name)" and then wait for the automated reply.  A successful reply indicates that your radio is transmitting.  Thanks to ISEA volunteer Lee Hepner for installing this system for the benefit of area boaters.  (Note that radio checks are prohibited on Channel 16).

Inland Seas is on her way to Frankfort

Our schooner Inland Seas left Suttons Bay today for Frankfort under the command of captain Ben Hale.  We will be doing programs for the public and the Friends of Betsie Bay and the Benzie Water Council.  Join us for an open house (boat) at Jacobson's Marina on Tuesday evening.  Contact the ISEA office for sailing opportunities in Frankfort.

Young scientists check out the fish catch with Capt. Ben Hale 

We will also be stopping in Leland on the way home on Thursday.  We will have an open house in the evening and a free "Making the Great Lakes Great Sail" on Friday morning.  Call for times and sailing reservations.

Astronomy Sail, Sunday, August 19, 2012

We had another great evening under sail as Dick Cookman guided us through the stars and planets as they appeared in the darkening sky.  Enthusiasts from as far away as Hawaii were aboard to enjoy the beauty of the night aboard Inland Seas.

The setting sun lit up the few remaining clouds as we  left the dock in Suttons Bay

10:45 pm and everyone still seems wide awake!

 Join us on Saturday evening, Sept. 1 for our last Astronomy Sail of the season.  Call the ISEA office at 231-271-3077 for reservations.   ---Capt. Tom

Advanced Invasive Species Field Course, Little Traverse Bay

Harbor Springs Light

Underwater camera follows the core tube to the bottom

Fire & Abandon Ship Drill

Sailing on Little Traverse Bay

Fairwell Photo

On the last day of the course we sampled in Little Traverse Bay and enjoyed some nice sailing.  The crew agreed that this was the best group of teachers we had ever worked with.  We will miss you.  --Capt. Tom

Advanced Invasive Species Field Course - St. Helena Is. to Harbor Springs

After we sampled near St. Helena Island, we hoisted all six sails and sailed and motorsailed along the coast to Harbor Springs.  We tied up at Irish Boat Shop (thanks for the hospitality!) and everyone enjoyed a bit of civilization and the hot showers.

Monie checks out the plankton sample

Bottom sample of sandy mud, small stones, mussels

Wing & Wing to Harbor Springs

At Irish Boat Shop, Harbor Springs

Advanced Invasive Species Field Course, Lime Is. to St. Helena Is.

From Lime Island we proceeded down the St. Mary's River to DeTour and into Lake Huron.  We sampled the river off Lime Island and Lake Huron near St. Martin Reef Light in 150'. We bucked headwinds all day, but arrived at St.Helena Island with plenty of daylight left.

Chris hauls in the PONAR Dredge

Freighter House north of DeTour

DeTour Light

Albert captures the Bridge

Ben & Tim 

Into Lake Michigan.  Emily took the photo

Ben pilots the inflatable into St. Helena Island

St. Helena Light

Smores on St. Helena

Sunset on St. Helena

Evening at the St. Helena Island anchorage

More to come....Capt. Tom

Advanced Invasive Species Field Course, August 4 - 9

The crew on this trip consisted of Tom Kelly, Ben Hale, Tim Davis, Emily Shaw and Kathy Kane.  Our students were 9 teachers from around the region (Chicago, Michigan and eastern Ohio) plus ISEA's Intern, Morgan.

We began our course at Petoskey on Sunday where we met the shuttle bus to take us to Sault Ste. Marie.  Ben, Emily and Kathy were already at the boat.  After arrival and stowing of gear, we walked to the Soo Locks and watched as the tanker Algosea locked up.  We had a tour of the Locks Museum before walking back to the boat (with a stop for ice cream).

On the bus, about to cross the Mackinac Bridge.  Next time we will go under the bridge!

Algosea locking up.

On Monday morning the students got a tour of the LSSU Aquatic Research Laboratory in the Sault Edison Power House.  We then departed the marina and sampled the St. Mary's River just south of the Carbide Dock. From there we motored and later sailed in the river and narrow canal cuts to Lime Island.  Lime Island was once a coaling station for lake ships, but is now a park run by the State of Michigan.  We did some exploring of the island, including the restored schoolhouse and director's house.

We sometimes shared the St. Mary's River with 1.000 ft freighters.

Entering Rock Cut on the St. Mary's River.

Remains of the old marine railway on Lime Island

Lime Island Schoolhouse.

Discussing scientific research papers on Lime Island.

Inland Seas tied up to old fuel dock. 

Abandoned buildings, with director's house in background.

Inside the director's house. 

Old rowboat on Lime Island.

LSSU Oceanography Days 4 & 5

On July 26th we sailed from Beaver Island to St. Helena Island.  At one point in the trip we could see 5 lighthouses: Gray's Reef, White Shoal, Isle aux Galets, Waugoshance Point and St. Helena.  We had a nice tour of the St. Helena Light station and smores on the beach at night.  The students had to take their final exam on the Island (how many students can say they took an Oceanography exam on an island?).

Coring tube coming aboard

Gray's Reef Light

St. Helena Light

Approaching Big Mac

LSSU Oceanography Class at St. Ignace.  ISEA crew is to the left.

On Friday we tacked against an east wind up the Straits of Mackinac, passed under the bridge and sailed into St. Ignace.  We had a great time with the students and Dr. Derek Wright of Lake Superior State University. 

--Capt. Tom

High School Students to Study Lake Michigan Ecology Aboard Tall Ship

Inland Seas Education Association is recruiting high school-aged young men and women who will become scientists and crew for two days onboard the schoolship schooner Inland Seas as they conduct research projects related to the ecology of Lake Michigan. To accomplish their research objectives, students will learn to perform water chemistry analyses; determine the thermal structure of the lake; collect fish, plankton, and benthos; and analyze lake sediment. Students will also record weather observations several times a day for the National Weather Service. Students will enter their data on the shipboard computer for analysis, and prepare and present a short research report. Research results will be posted on ISEA’s website.

Students will also experience shipboard life and the demands of sailing a traditionally-rigged vessel. Students will learn boating safety, navigation and sailing theory. They will stand watch, help in the galley, and assist the crew with all phases of vessel operation including raising the anchor, hoisting sails, sail handling, and steering the boat. Team-building techniques will promote the students’ ability to work cooperatively with their peers.

The Young Men in Science trip, August 23-24, 2012, is free to all participants through scholarships from the Traverse City Optimist Club and the John Schulz Scholarship fund. This trip will begin and end in Suttons Bay, MI. The Young Women in Science trip, August 15-16, 2012, only has four spots available with two scholarship spots for Petoskey-area girls and two pay spots, $300 for the two days, open to any girl. This trip will begin in Charlevoix, MI and end in Suttons Bay, MI. High school students interested in attending should contact Inland Seas Education Association at (231) 271-3077!