At the end of May, a contingent of NOAA staff from the Howard Laboratory jumped into Ocean Fun Days, an annual public education event sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium and New Jersey Natural Gas.

On May 20 and 21, Amanda Goeller, Pete Plantamura, and Dawn Davis answered questions, handed out fliers, and generally wowed the crowd with paraphernalia from survival suits to posters on the R/V Nauvoo and the NOAA Diving Program. Day One was at Island Beach State Park, and Day Two at Sandy Hook.

Goeller is a NOAA Corps officer, skipper of the R/V Nauvoo, and a NOAA certified working diver. She said the event was a hit. “I am glad that we did both days. It was nice to have Dawn join us on Sunday. She added the scientific side to our presentation.”

Davis, a biological technician in the NEFSC’s Coastal Ecology Branch, said the benthic grab proved fascinating to the kids. “It was a good way to show off the equipment that we use.” Another crowd pleaser was trying on survival suits and getting into R/V Harvey, the Lab’s 21-ft maritime skiff that was on display. Davis is pleased that the NEFSC leadership is putting more of an emphasis on community events. “It’s fun, and it’s a good way to let people know what we are doing and why they should care.”

Plantamura, mate of the R/V Nauvoo, and a USCG licensed master enjoyed the chance to inform the public on some of the typical operations performed aboard the lab’s small research vessels. “People really seem interested in knowing more about the work that we do aboard these vessels, and it’s nice to provide them with a better understanding, “Plantamura said. “I’m looking forward to participating in this event again next year.”

Posted June 15, 2006