Help Keep Research and Education Afloat

Here in South Florida, our marine environmental resources are tremendously valuable. An annual income over $6 billion arises from our Southeast Florida corals reefs from Martin County to the Keys, generating over 71,000 jobs, one study found. And in our own backyard, Nova Southeastern University is engaged in a variety of research aimed at understanding and allowing sustainable use of these resources.

Current research at NSU includes generating 3D maps of South Florida’s coral reefs, documenting reef health and fish populations, maintaining coral nurseries to restore reefs, conducting damage assessments of reefs, shark tagging and DNA studies, sea turtle monitoring, unraveling dynamics of the Gulf Stream, and predicting hurricanes. Students are an integral part of all research efforts.

What you can do to help

However, NSU’s research fleet is more than 25 years old and in poor condition. All of its vessels need new power, and the cost of replacing power in these boats is prohibitive given their old age. The college’s most immediate need is a donation(s) of two small vessels.

NSU is seeking two reliable research vessels/dive boats (approximately 26-30’) that can each carry six divers and 18 tanks. The vessels need to be twin engine (outboards or in-board diesel) and easy to pilot since our boat drivers are students who are competent but not highly experienced. Twin engines are more effective and efficient, and there is safety in having the redundancy in power. One of these boats ideally needs a cabin to support operations that require dry space.

Each vessel will average more than 120 days of use per year. They will support dozens of research projects involving many of the university’s researchers and students. The boats will provide the opportunity to conduct field operations offshore Southeast Florida in order to support local, state and federal management, as well as conservation and and understanding of our marine resources.

In order to continue this important research and education mission, two new (or very gently used vessels) are required. Some examples of boats that will work include the Worldcat 32, Parker 28, Newton 31, Island Hopper 30 and May-Craft 27. Other brands also will definitely be considered.

Learn more

Details about the boats that are needed can be found here. 

For more information or to make your donation, please contact Wendy Wood-Derrer, director of development at the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, at wendyw@nova.edu or (954) 262-3617, or Dr. Richard Dodge, dean of the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, at dodge@nova.edu or (954) 262-3651.

And feel free to spread the word if you know of anyone else who might be able to help.