CaySal Bank 2009
DUE TO REBREATHER TRIPS I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO LEAD TO TURKS AND CAICOS. THE RED SEA TRIP TO EGYPT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE 2011 DIVE SEASON. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS AND CHECK BACK FOR EXPEDITION UPDATES.
Throughout the week of September 12th -19th 2009 we will be broadcasting as much as possible from Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas. This is harder than it might first appear on the surface. Cay Sal Bank is a section of the Bahamas that is actually closer to CUBA than to any of the islands of the Bahamian government. Although it is only 34 miles from Cuba, it well beyond the reach of U.S. or Bahamian cell phone coverage. This site is where we will be uploading trip coverage using an Inmarsat BGAN satellite data system. We will also be transmitting the boat’s location every 10 minutes via a SPOT transponder that you may follow online, whenever you like. We are doing this for a couple of reasons. The primary reseason is to help raise funds and awareness for SUDS (Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba). The second reason is to try to take expedition reporting and interaction to a whole new level. Typically, when Rebreather/Dive Expeditions take place, a trip report is written and posted days, weeks or even months after the participants have returned. Not only will we be transmittting daily from the boat, but you will be able to post responses and interact with us, as well.
SUDS Raffle and Auction
Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and Bethesda Naval Hospital is designed to help improve the lives of injured soldiers returning from Iraq & Afghanistan. By training the soldiers in a challenging & rewarding activity it can help facilitate the rehabilitation process & promote mobility. Offering this venue provides the soldier with a sport they can enjoy throughout their life. Cay Sal Bank expedition is a SUDS fundraising event. It focuses on engaging the diving community in the ongoing support of newly certified SUDS divers through participation in the completion of the soldiers open water certification. SUDS is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization & a chapter of the Wounded Warrior / Disabled Sports Project
Anyone may purchase a SUDS raffle ticket for $10 U.S. per ticket. You may buy as many tickets as you like. We will be drawing the raffle winners on Saturday morning, September 19, upon returning to port. All winners will be posted here. 100% of the procceeds from the raffle will be going directly to SUDS.
There is also a seperate silent auction with items provided by John Chatterton . The silent auction will offer two items. The first is a china teacup and saucer recovered from the wreck of the Andrea Doria. The second item is a styro-foam cup that was crushed by the water pressure while visiting the Titanic via Deep Sea Submersable. The auction will be open for bidding until 8AM Eastern Standard Time on Saturday September 19.
Silent Submersion Scooters will also be donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of any one scooter model that they manufacture. This is a first come first serve offer, so please contact me directly if you would like to support the SUDS organization by purchasing a Silent Submersion Scooter.
I hope you will find the unfolding of the expedition a significant departure from the way these things usually happen and I hope you find SUDS a cause worthy of your support.
James Smith
Expedition leader
