The logistics team for the Florida Sea Program worked hard the past couple of months to get ready for the final push of the season. It was a whirlwind in the palm fronds. The Keys to Costa Rica Semester completed their Wilderness First Responder course while we readied their instructors to travel with 14 students and all of the necessary gear for the next two months. All the while supporting the instructors working Veterans courses. All of our students have been so proud at course end and appreciative of the behind-the-scenes work the logistics staff has been doing.
The end of the season is in sight and preparation for the closing up of our facilities and transporting our boats and gear has begun. The list of logistical coordination needed grows exponentially by the day. These details keep us busy, and help keep the surprises in April to a minimum. Later this month, when we depart the Florida Keys for the better part of the following seven months, we will be prepared to have a smooth transition over the 1,900-odd miles north.
Late February presented a slight lull in activity and made our time in paradise much closer to vacation than to work, at least for a few days anyway. The air was warm, albeit a bit muggy. The sun has been bright, although a bit aging. And the breezes have been just light enough to allow the no-see-ums to force us inside the house in the evenings.
March brought us a long string of back-to-back courses starts. Miles of receipts, shopping lists, final inventories and checklists followed. The long process of attempting to prepare our gear and boats for travel and storage whilst avoiding the Florida sun and the elements of the open road are being pieced together in between. More than one cold front headed our way! The breeze freshened, which kept the no-see-ums at bay. The air cooled a little and the sun decided to let us keep our youth a little bit longer.
There is a long road ahead of us before we travel back to Maine, and we are excited to have a little bit more time down here in paradise.
Fair winds and smooth sailing~
FL Sea Logistics Team (there might not be an I in team but there sure is a me!)
-Nate Miller, Head Logistics Coordinator