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In the Tides CREW
Issue No. 71 July 2021
Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
7 Editor's Note
Consulting Naturalist John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu
9 Around the Reef 11 Students Study Wetlands
The Bitter End Columnist Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com
13 Top 10 Boat Names 15 Conserving Rare Plants
Around the Reef Columnist Michelle Riley michelle.riley@noaa.gov Contributors
16 American Icon: Bald Eagles 21 Saving Fort Pulaski
Portia Miller Gray's Reef Nat'l. Marine Sanctuary
23 Satellites Study Ocean Color 25 Phytoplankton Studies
Emily Kenworthy UGA Marine Extension & GA Sea Grant
26 10 Tips for Trailer Tires
Rick Lavender GADNR Wildlife Resources Division
28 Community Updates
Michael Sullivan Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
30 The Bitter End
Tim Keyes GADNR Coastal Resources Division
Copyright © 2015-2021
All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission. Southern Tides is a free magazine, published monthly, and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, Ga., to Beaufort, S.C.
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We love this months' cover photo of our national bird! See article beginning on page 16 about how bald eagles are faring in coastal Georgia. Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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Editor’s Note
S
ummer is in full swing and I hope you’re each able to get out there and enjoy all our lovely stretch of coast has to offer, or even travel further afield to explore more of the world. As you’re enjoying the season, please keep an eye toward potential articles for Southern Tides. If you enjoyed an experience, place or activity, others likely will too, so let us know. We may be interested in writing about it. A few other thoughts, before you turn the page. Hurricane Season As I write this, Hurricane Elsa is churning across the Greater Antilles and is predicted to turn and move up the west coast of Florida before curving eastward again and aiming for us, here on the coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) experts state clearly in the messages section of the storm information pages that the forecast remains largely uncertain because they’re unsure how the storm will behave after crossing Cuba and entering the Gulf, so all we can do is watch, wait, and be ready. Earlier in the week, Tropical Storm Danny developed right off our coast and thankfully it was a minor event. But two storms heading for our stretch of coast, this early in the season is a little worrisome. I know you’re probably sick of hearing me say it, but please, please make sure you’re prepared for whatever this hurricane season may throw at us. If you need help, send me an email and I’ll direct you to resources and potential assistance. Thank You SCYC Kirk Glenn (AKA Captain Kirk) reached out to me recently to ask if Captain Gator and I would be guest speakers at the South Carolina Yacht Club monthly meeting at Windmill Harbor and we happily agreed. We enjoyed the opportunity to share stories of our experiences that led to the articles we write, and promote the magazine to a group of fellow boaters and coastal residents. Thank you, SCYC members, for the invitation, the warm reception, the awesome Yeti cups, our delicious dinners, and interesting conversations! Subscriptions I know some of you may have had trouble finding the print issue recently and I sincerely apologize for that. As you all likely July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Image from the GOES-East Satellite of Tropical Storm Elsa just before print time on July 5. Image provided by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR
know, nearly every industry is dealing with being short-staffed and Southern Tides is as well. While we are lucky to have solid distribution in some areas, we’re struggling in others. If you know of a small marine business that would be interested in swapping advertising for delivery, or someone reliable who would like to earn a bit of extra spending money, please direct them to me. Alternatively, if you’d like to subscribe and have the magazine mailed directly to your home and/or office, please do! A link to our online store is on our homepage at SouthernTidesMagazine. com. The subscription cost is a little higher than what you might expect for a small magazine. The price covers the cost of envelopes, labels, and postage (we don’t yet qualify for bulk mailing rates), and the time it takes a staff member to package and mail them out each month for 12 months. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this issue. Please remember to tell our advertisers you saw their ads and appreciate their support of the magazine – without them Southern Tides wouldn’t exist. See you out there!
Amy Thurman
Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com 7
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Around theReef By Portia Miller Communications Intern Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
A
re you looking for a summer adventure close to home? Eager to learn more about Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and Georgia’s waterways? Look no further! You’ll find fun, education, and even prizes in Science for Georgia’s 2021 Scavenger Hunt to The Sea. As you may know, water keeps our planet alive and is one of our most important natural resources. Unfortunately, it often isn’t given enough appreciation. Science for Georgia’s scavenger hunt explores the connected water systems that begin in our state’s 52 watersheds. No matter where you are in Georgia, you’re in a watershed! Imagine them almost like a bowl made of land. The rim of the “bowl” includes areas like hills, mountains, or higher ground that create the watershed’s boundaries. When rainwater falls or snow melts, gravity pulls the water downward. It eventually drains into bodies of water at the bottom of the watershed, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, which benefit humans and animals alike. For example, lakes provide spaces for recreation, rivers help supply water for farming, and oceans provide homes and travel routes for marine animals like the fish found at Gray’s Reef. Now, you know how watersheds play a key role in the stars of the scavenger hunt: our waterways. This scavenger hunt takes inspiration from a past Gray’s Reef communications intern, Taylor O’Neill. You might remember her virtual “Voyage Around Savannah” scavenger hunt from last October, where participants learned about Gray’s Reef by looking for clues in downtown Savannah. Science for Georgia’s hunt expands on this idea, adds almost a dozen new partners, and takes you through 14 of Georgia’s most important water systems, including Gray’s Reef. Other stops include iconic spots like Lake Herrick, the Okefenokee Swamp, and Skidaway Island State Park.
You can complete all the stops virtually, and some have optional in-person activities. After visiting the other exciting stops, you’re in for a treat at the end - Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is stop 14 in the hunt. Gray’s Reef is part of the Altamaha River watershed, which is the largest in Georgia. The reef itself is 19 miles offshore, so many of Georgia’s other watersheds drain into it. Our stop focuses on telling the story of the reef and explains why it is so important to Georgia’s waterways. So, without giving too much information away, what can you expect? The stop provides interesting facts and pictures about our variety of marine life like dolphins and sea turtles. Of course, you’ll learn about Sam Gray and how his name became attached to the reef. You’ll also learn what exactly a national marine sanctuary is and how they are vital to our planet’s health. If you’re interested in learning more about the science side of Gray’s Reef, the stop has information about research, experiments, and more. You can participate from your home, boat, or even across the coast! All you need to complete the hunt is a Google account and a phone, tablet, or computer. Each stop works through a Google form. You’ll watch videos, read interesting facts, and learn about the resources at each stop. Then, you’ll be asked questions to quiz your knowledge. Don’t worry, they aren’t tests; they’re fun! Those who complete all 14 stops will be entered in a chance to win a goody bag. To participate in the hunt, visit Science for Georgia’s official website at scienceforgeorgia.org or go directly to the passport at scienceforgeorgia.org/ga-scavenger-hunt-21-passport/. The hunt runs until Oct. 31, 2021. There’s plenty of time left to learn and get a chance to win some awesome prizes. Get out and take pride in your water systems and local marine sanctuary! For Information contact Michelle Riley: (912) 598-2417 michelle.riley@noaa.gov Diver framed by ledge at Gray's Reef. Divers, anglers, and researchers are fascinated by what goes on in Gray’s Reef and Georgia’s other waterways. Photo by Greg McFall, NOAA
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Students Study Wetlands By Emily Kenworthy Public Relations Coordinator UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
collected by the college students. They are also able to conduct experiments in the wetland using some of the research equipment, like a rain gauge, that was set up by the college students. According to Garrett, engaging students in the natural world encourages them to use scientific inquiry, investigation and exploration to complement their science curriculum. Having the students work through lessons that are directly connected to this important habitat at their school will help foster a sense of stewardship of this natural resource. “They’re able to see the wetland and how it can be affected by their actions, so hopefully they can take that and create ideas for future actions or create their own opinions on environmental issues,” says Garrett. The project has also supported summer interns to carry out some of the objectives. During the summer of 2020, Samantha Lance, a rising junior at Washington University in St. Louis, created a series of teaching materials such as middle school lesson plans, educational activities about freshwater wetlands and climate change, an Instagram story, and a coloring book featuring wetland plants and animals. During the summer of 2021, Hunter Molock, a rising senior at Savannah College of Art and Design, will illustrate and design a series of educational signs to enhance the Discovery Trail at Oglethorpe Point Elementary School. The final signs will highlight wildlife, habitats and more, and will be installed during the fall of 2021. “The overarching goal of this project is to foster appreciation and conservation of coastal freshwater wetlands,” Smith said. “We hope the resources created during the project will provide students with continuing opportunities to learn about, study and protect this important habitat.”
UGA
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is working with students at the College of Coastal Georgia to monitor a freshwater wetland adjacent to a local elementary school and develop educational lesson plans on wetland ecology for elementary and middle school students. “Freshwater wetlands in coastal regions provide important habitat and resources for wildlife as well as ecosystem services that benefit humans, like water filtration and buffering against flooding and storm surge,” said Katy Smith, water quality program coordinator at UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “This project will allow us to study this habitat, learn from it and encourage stewardship of these areas for the benefit of wildlife and humans alike.” As part of the project, which is funded by the GADNR Coastal Resources Division, Smith teamed up with College of Coastal Georgia faculty, James Deemy, lecturer of environmental science, and Amy Sneed, assistant professor, to provide experiential training for undergraduates at the college. Deemy and Smith are working together to advise students who are pursuing a degree in science to carry out research activities at the site. Kayla Russo, a rising senior at the College of Coastal Georgia, learned about the wetland project during her hydrology class and decided to assist with weekly monitoring. “I was taking different water measurements, like conductivity, turbidity, and also running soil moisture transects,” said Russo, who is majoring in environmental science. “I was enjoying the stuff I was doing in class, which was limited because we didn’t have all of the instruments, so I was able to go more in-depth through the [wetland] program.” The baseline monitoring data on the wetland is being incorporated into lesson plans developed by senior-level teacher candidates at College of Coastal Georgia, with guidance from Sneed who coordinates middle grade and secondary education. During the first year of the project, six lesson plans were developed that cover hydrology and soils, water chemistry, plant classification, environmental impact, and wildlife life cycles and habitat. The lessons are being piloted by students participating in Oglethorpe Point Elementary School’s Marsh Lab program, which is led by Karen Garrett, who teaches at the school. As part of the program, Garrett works with all grade levels to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it outdoors through interactive experiences. “I take their science curriculum and make it come to life,” Garrett said. “Since they can’t do hands-on science experiments in the classroom due to time constraints, they come to me every other week and we do experiments.” With the new lesson plans, the students are learning about topics like water clarity, amphibians, soils, and trees, using real data July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Elementary students in the Marsh Lab at Oglethorpe Point Elementary School on St. Simons Island learn about the wetland adjacent to their school through interactive lesson plans developed by college students. Photo provided by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant 11
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Top 10 Boat Names for 2021
I
t’s been a tumultuous year for Americans and getting away from it all on a recreational boat has given many the respite they’ve needed. With lives upended, some recreational boat owners have chosen to reflect on the times when selecting a name for their boat. Social Distancing rocketed to the No. 2 spot on the BoatUS Top 10 Boat Names list for 2021. The choice of boat names, which were requested from the BoatUS online Boat Graphics service, may also tell you a little about the owners. Here’s this year’s Top 10 Boat Names list: 1. Andiamo: There’s no mistaking the meaning of this Italian word for “let’s go.” While this name has made the list in the past, never before have so many boaters wanted to go and get away from it all, making this the No. 1 boat name for 2021. 2. Social Distancing : An affirmation of the times, physically separating by escaping to the water gives this boat owner the space they need to recover and rejuvenate during a crazy year of change. 3. Grace : Elegance, a refinement of movement. This owner may have chosen a vessel with classic lines – a bit of tumblehome, a raked stern and overhanging bow. There may even be Grey Poupon aboard. 4. Shenanigans: Moving up the list from No. 7 last year, this boat owner is definitely up to something. For other boaters who may share a dock with this vessel’s owner, playful pranks are always part of the summer boating season. Better make sure your binoculars don’t have a layer of black charcoal smudged on the eyepieces before you use them. 5. Cool Change: Also moving up three spots from the previous list, time for a “cool change” can be the escape this boat’s owner is looking for. The literal meaning, which describes the change from a hot summer day to a cool afternoon breeze and thunderstorms ahead, comes from Australia and sparked a pop song. 6. Island Time: Falling from the No. 2 spot last year, everything is more laid back aboard this vessel. Let down your hair, relax – you will get there when you get there. Literally and figuratively, this owner is on island time. July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Escaping to the boat has been a common theme during these tumultuous times. Photo provided by BoatUS
7. Knot on Call : Moving up two spots, this is a name often chosen by medical professionals. It also likely appeals to a wider group of boat owners where technology has made them always available to the office. 8. Mojo: Got yours back yet? Boating regains this owner’s energy and enthusiasm. 9. Freedom: Ever since appearing on the Top 10 Boat Names list for the first time after 9/11, this perennial favorite explains everything that boating gives this boat owner. Let it all go – no one is stopping you. 10. Serenity : An all-time favorite that was No. 1 last year, this name may indicate the owner’s need to find time away from a high-stress job or life. It’s often a name found on sailing vessels. For a look at all of the BoatUS Top 10 Boat Names lists over the years, go to BoatUS.com/Boatgraphics/Top-10-BoatNames.
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Conserving Rare Plants By Rick Lavender Communications and Outreach Specialist GADNR Wildlife Resources Division
P
lant conservation in Georgia just got a lot more promising. A partnership led by the GADNR has been awarded nearly $780,000 to sample, grow and save 14 imperiled plant species. The federal grant will also boost capacity to preserve the plants at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Chattahoochee Nature Center, while spreading that expertise and support to others in the nationally recognized Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance. DNR senior botanist Lisa Kruse calls the impact “expansive.” And that’s not only for the targeted plants, which vary from swamp pink to hairy rattleweed and are all federally listed as endangered or threatened. “The grant is going to fortify (the Georgia alliance’s) main partners and build the diversity and number of botanical gardens that can help preserve rare plants,” said Kruse, referring to the network of 50-plus universities, agencies, nonprofits and companies that have combined their clout to conserve plants. Plants often play second fiddle to efforts to recover rare animal species. But Georgia’s five-year project landed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Challenge grant on the strength of its plan to safeguard the 14 plant species and add Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance members who can do the work. Jenny Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, said conservation horticulture is the cornerstone of the alliance, which is coordinated at the Athens garden, a part of the University of Georgia. “It takes careful observation of natural habitats, experimentation and horticultural expertise to safeguard imperiled plants,” CruseSanders said. “Georgia is a leader in identifying critical habitat, imperiled species and the conservation action needed to preserve our precious natural heritage in the southeastern U.S., one of the most botanically diverse areas of our country.” Safeguarding refers to a complex practice that varies from protecting a species’ genetic stock to propagating the plants in a nursery and planting them back in the wild. Combined with protecting and restoring habitats, safeguarding is crucial to saving populations of at-risk plants. The roles for Atlanta Botanical Garden, based in Midtown, include providing seed-banking expertise and facilities, leading collections for six of the target species, and managing a statewide safeguarding database. President and CEO Mary Pat Matheson said safeguarding imperiled plant species is at the heart of the Atlanta garden's mission. “And support for that strengthens the coordinated efforts of our Southeastern Center for Conservation,” Matheson added. “Those efforts, in turn, go a long way toward educating the public about threatened species and the importance of connecting people with plants." July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Work supported by the grant has already begun. Chattahoochee Nature Center, co-coordinator for the project in northwest Georgia, has collected tissue samples from Morefield’s leatherflower and Alabama leatherflower. In Georgia, the species are known from only one site each. Sampled plants have been tagged. Root cuttings may be next. There are also plans to collect seeds to bank at Atlanta Botanical Garden and grow at the nature center. “Chattahoochee Nature Center has been working to preserve endangered Georgia plant species for over three decades, thanks in part to the passion of our senior director of operations, Henning von Schmeling,” said DeAnn Fordham, senior director of development and marketing at the Roswell center. “We are honored to be a part of this incredible endeavor and partner with leaders in plant conservation from across the state.” The focus on the grant’s 14 species is important, yet the need to conserve plants is great. Georgia has 443 plant taxa – or group of related plants – rated critically imperiled in the state; 83 of those are imperiled globally. Though often overlooked, plants purify air and water, provide raw materials and stunning beauty, shape cultures and economies, prevent erosion and play vital roles in our heritage. Kruse noted, too, that conserving plants involves restoring natural habitats, which improves the outlook for animals “up and down the food chain.”
Top of page: Fringed campion (Silene polypetala). Photo by Pete Pattavina, USFWS Above: Hairy rattleweed (Baptisia arachnifera) Photo by Jacob Thompson, GADNR 15
Our American Icon: The Bald Eagle Georgia Nesting Update
By Rick Lavender Communications and Outreach Specialist GADNR Wildlife Resources Division
An adult bald eagle resting on a convenient perch. Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR
T
lakes in the midst of extensive development.” This was especially the case on the north edge of metro Atlanta and the margins around Savannah. Have bald eagle numbers soared to the point that the best territories are taken, and birds are nesting in areas they once shunned? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates there are 316,000 bald eagles in the lower 48 states, a fourfold increase since 2009. Georgia nest totals grew from about 100 in 2007 to 200-plus in 2015. Florida, home to more than 1,500 territories, is documenting eagles nesting in unexpected places, including near urban areas and on electrical towers and other man-made structures. “Perhaps more eagles, especially those classified as floaters because they sort of hang out waiting for territories to become available, are discarding the rule and building homes closer to us,” Sargent said.
he bald eagle is holding its own in Georgia. Six coastal counties were surveyed by helicopter in the winter and spring and another 12 nests were monitored on foot. The coastal counties reported nesting totals almost identical to 2020 and in line with annual averages. Those 71 occupied nest territories fledged 81 young, and 55 nests fledged at least one eaglet. Survey leader Dr. Bob Sargent said six new occupied nest territories were found on the coast, plus three elsewhere in the state. All told, the 83 territories monitored this year fledged 94 young, or 1.5 young per nest, which is the long-term average in Georgia. What isn’t average: Sargent is seeing more eagles nesting closer to areas where there’s more human activity. As a rule of thumb, most eagle pairs in Georgia avoid nesting near man-made structures and human-associated disturbances. While there have been exceptions, Sargent said 2021 featured increased reports of eagles nesting "or exhibiting behaviors associated with the establishment of nesting territories on small 16
Southern Tides Magazine
July 2021
Photo provided by GADNR
Photo provided by GADNR
NEST NUMBERS • Six coastal counties: 71 occupied nest territories, with 55 nests fledging at least one eaglet (78 percent success rate, which is average), 81 young fledged (1.5 per successful nest – average) and 1.1 young fledged per occupied nest territory (average). Six new occupied nest territories found. • Monitored on foot: 12 occupied nest territories, with nine fledging at least one eaglet (75 percent success rate), 13 young fledged (1.4 per successful nest) and 1.1 young fledged per occupied territory. All of these stats are average for the state. Three new occupied territories found. • Totals: 83 occupied nest territories, with 64 fledging at least one eaglet (77 percent success rate), 94 young fledged (1.1 per occupied territory) and 1.5 young fledged per successful nest. Again, these stats are average.
This bald eagle photo was taken at the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Clay George, GADNR
NEST SURVEYS Largely because of the eagles’ sustained recovery, in 2018 DNR switched from flying the entire state each year to checking coastal counties annually – they have the most nests and potential development impact issues – and alternating between checking nests in the Piedmont and mountain ecoregions in even years, and the rest of the Coastal Plain in odd years. The change maintains standardized monitoring, syncs with the raptor’s range-wide comeback and mirrors slimmed-down eagle surveys in some neighboring states. It also frees money for other conservation projects. Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
About Bald Eagles
Photo by Jim Ozier, GADNR
• The bald eagle’s scientific name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, means sea (hali), eagle (aeetos), white (leukos), and head (cephalos) as in the feathers on the eagle’s head. The word “bald” comes from the old English “balde,” meaning white. • Unique to North America, these birds are among the largest on the continent. The Bald Eagle's wingspan is slightly greater than a great blue heron, measuring an average of 80.3 inches. They range in height from 27.9 to 37.8 inches and can weigh up to 222 ounces (13.88 pounds). • Although they prefer fish, they are opportunistic feeders and will prey on other birds and mammals, steal food from other birds, such as osprey, or even eat carrion.
Photo provided by GADNR
• Bald eagles begin breeding at the age of four or five and may mate for life. In our coastal region they nest in trees, usually choosing trees taller than the surrounding forest. They frequently reuse their nests year after year, adding on material with each nesting season. • Males and females both build the nests and tend to their young. Fledglings typically begin flying at 10 - 12 weeks. • In Georgia, the species is listed as threatened and protected under Georgia's Endangered Wildlife Act, and also at the federal level under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (as noted) and the Migratory Bird Treaty ActViolation of this act is punishable with fines and imprisonment.
Photo provided by GADNR
To Learn More About Bald Eagles The Georgia DNR: www.georgiawildlife.com/bald-eagle The Audubon Society: www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/bald-eagle The Cornell Lab: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/id# The American Eagle Foundation: www.eagles.org/americas-bird-the-bald-eagle/ July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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Billy Gartside 912-844-1804 billygartside@yahoo.com Justin Hill 912-660-3763 a3opax@gmail.com
Saving Fort Pulaski By Emily Kenworthy Public Relations Coordinator UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
“We were really being baptized by fire,” Soucie said of the project. “It’s more than just designing a septic system or a wastewater system. It’s about all these moving parts and trying to get them moving in the right direction. It’s been a lot of learning, which is exciting.” The students virtually showcased their final presentation to Fort Pulaski administrators, Tybee Island officials and representatives from both the U.S. National Park Service and Coast Guard at the end of the spring semester. Fort Pulaski superintendent Melissa Memory, herself a 1989 graduate from the Department of Anthropology at UGA, was thrilled by the quality of the students’ work. “They’ve blown it out of the water metaphorically and literally with how far they’ve taken this project,” said Memory. “A lot of student projects are good at concepts, but it’s rare that they get it this far and give us a clear direction on path forward…They far exceeded our expectations for what they’d be able to do for us.” Consultants are already working on pipeline designs and concepts based on the students’ presentation, which represents significant savings for the fort. Memory and US Park Service officials are exploring ways to finance the project. The demand for coastal engineering will only increase in the years to come. The students’ efforts — both in engineering and politics — is a showcase for how communities need to work together to combat the growing effects of sea level rise, said Brian Bledsoe, director of the College of Engineering’s Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems who mentored the students on the Fort Pulaski project. “Fort Pulaski is not the only park or monument that’s grappling with having to adapt to climate change and sea level rise and a rapidly changing world,” Bledsoe said. “I think this could be a good example of how partnerships with adjacent communities can work. When we share infrastructure, we can keep our options open and maybe find more long-term and cost-effective solutions. Hopefully this is something that the park service can hold up as an example of what other entities can do.”
A
trio of UGA engineering students have found a way to maintain the Fort Pulaski National Monument site as a viable destination for park visitors for the foreseeable future. Sea level rise, severe storms and more frequent flooding have made it difficult for the wastewater in the park’s septic drain fields to filter out through the soil. “That could mean contaminated water is rising up onto the ground, and that’s not safe for humans or the environment in general,” said Sarah Pierce, a recently graduated senior who worked on the project. Without a way to safely remove the waste, the park would not be able to continue welcoming the more than 350,000 guests who visit the National Park Service’s Civil War battle site each year. Currently, there are only six functioning toilets and two functioning urinals on the property. Pierce and fellow College of Engineering seniors Emily Mitchell and Sawyer Soucie spent the past year working with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant on a senior capstone project to develop a sustainable solution that would be resilient to changing water levels and not harm the protected marshlands that make up the majority of the park. The team studied the infrastructure on Cockspur Island, where the park and a U.S. Coast Guard station are located, looking at sea level rise projections, soil composition and wastewater volume. They ultimately proposed three different ideas: building an improved, mounded septic system; developing a mini wastewater treatment plant on Cockspur Island; and installing a network of pipes to transport the wastewater to the municipal wastewater treatment facility on neighboring Tybee Island. The piping option was the clear choice. While all three proposals would solve the park’s issues in the short term, piping the wastewater off the island was the only solution that could permanently eliminate the need for the 13 septic systems on the island, including those used by the Coast Guard. “Environmentally it’s safest for the long-term,” said Mark Risse, director of Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and a mentor to the engineering students on the project. “On a barrier island with sandy soil and increasingly high-water tables, [septic systems] are just less and less effective and more and more likely to cause environmental degradation.” The big question was whether the City of Tybee Island, which is facing some of the same challenges with rising sea levels, would be willing to take on the additional waste from the fort. But city officials recognized that protecting the national monument would benefit the entire region, which relies heavily on tourism as a local revenue source. The students’ designs for the pipeline included the possibility of tying in waste from restaurants and retail shops on the outskirts of Tybee Island, which could soon face the same issues with their septic service. July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Fort Pulaski National Monument welcomes over 350,000 visiters each year. Photo provided by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant 21
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Satellites and Ocean Color By Michael Sullivan External Affairs Manager Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
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esearchers at the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography have partnered with the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and others in an ambitious project to use a dedicated nanosatellite to study ocean color. The nanosatellite, the SeaHawk-1 CubeSat, is about the size of a loaf of bread and weighs less than 11 pounds. It was launched in 2018, and for the past two and a half years, it has undergone extensive testing and evaluation. It is now ready to move from testing into its operational phase, a process called commissioning. Seahawk-1 CubeSat is owned and operated by UNCW. CubeSats are a revolutionary way to study the ocean because scientists get all the advantages of satellite technology, but at a significantly reduced cost and time to design, build and launch a satellite. “With satellites, a whole new world opens up, you have eyes anywhere in the world, including the most remote locations of the ocean,” UGA Skidaway Institute researcher Sara Rivero-Calle said. “You can take global snapshots of what is happening in the ocean, which you can’t do if you have to go out in a boat and take your samples.” Rivero-Calle leads UGA Skidaway Institute’s efforts in the Sustained Ocean Color Observations from Nanosatellites (SOCON) program, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Rivero-Calle first became involved with the project when she was a postdoctoral fellow at UNCW, before joining the UGA Skidaway Institute faculty in 2020. She has now received a subcontract to lead the SOCON Science Program from UGA Skidaway Institute. Scientists can learn much about the ocean by studying its color, including the concentration of chlorophyll, sediment in the water and water quality in general. The Seahawk-1 Cubesat is outfitted with the HawkEye Ocean Color Imager. The HawkEye’s highspatial resolution imagery improves scientists’ ability to monitor fjords, estuaries, coral reefs and other near-shore environments where man-made stresses are often most acute and where there are considerable security and commercial interests. Now that the SeaHawk-1 has entered its operations phase, SOCON will provide free access to all the data that has been collected by HawkEye to researchers from around the world. As the science leader on the SOCON project, Rivero-Calle will serve as a bridge between other researchers studying ocean color and the satellite management team. “Since our mission does not take daily global images of the Earth, but rather high-resolution snapshots of discrete locations, we need to decide those locations,” Rivero-Calle said. “Our team will soon be requesting additional targets from the ocean color July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Artist rendition of SeaHawk-1 in orbit over Scotland. Image provided by Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
scientific community, and we will be coordinating those requests.” Her team will also conduct field work to validate the data collected by the satellite. “However, the aspect that I am most excited about is that we will be using the SeaHawk data to answer pressing questions in oceanography and satellite remote sensing,” she said. The satellite is expected to produce around 100 images per week. All Hawkeye imagery will be made available free of charge via the NASA Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center at oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov. In addition, NASA’s free comprehensive software package for the processing, display and analysis of ocean color data known as SeaDAS (seadas.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ) has also been updated to include support for HawkEye. Rivero-Calle also expects the satellite program will provide UGA students with rich opportunities for experiential learning. She will incorporate CubeSat research and examples into the new Department of Marine Sciences undergraduate course, “Quantitative Methods in Oceanography,” and a new course on ocean color satellite remote sensing that she plans to offer soon. Rivero-Calle is also developing an intensive, summer, hands-on course on “Building a CubeSat 101” that will use an inexpensive, but fully functional CubeSat kit that was developed for educational purposes. “This course would be a great starting point for students with all sorts of backgrounds, from environmental disciplines to computer science, engineering, math and, obviously, marine sciences,” she said. “UGA is emerging as a leader in CubeSat science and technology, and this kind of course will be a fantastic starting point for students before they might join the UGA Small Satellite Research Lab and embark on much more complex student-led satellite missions.” The SOCON partnership also includes Cloudland Instruments, AAC Clyde Space, Spaceflight Inc., and NASA Goddard’s Ocean Ecology Group. 23
R E M � �� ! L � � � �O Marine Trades Summer Social
Thursday, July 22, 6:00 p.m.
Live music, great food, and marine industry networking opportunities. Hosted by the Georgia Marine Business Association
For more information: www.georgiamarinebusiness.org amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
Phytoplankton Studies By Emily Kenworthy Public Relations Coordinator UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
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very Thursday, a group of dedicated UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant volunteers collect water samples from the Skidaway River. They process the samples in the lab at the UGA Aquarium, counting and identifying the phytoplankton in each sample as part of the National Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN). “I absolutely adore it,” said Sandy Haeger, a PMN volunteer. “Thursdays are really special to me because I love getting to see the marine animals at the aquarium, collect data with the team and catch up with the staff.” Phytoplankton are critical organisms that serve as the base of the marine food web and they provide at least half the Earth’s oxygen. In a balanced ecosystem, phytoplankton provide food for a wide range of sea creatures including shrimp, oysters and jellyfish. When too many nutrients are available, phytoplankton may grow out of control and form harmful algal blooms. These blooms can produce extremely toxic compounds that have harmful effects on fish, shellfish, mammals, birds, and even people. The PMN program was created in 2001 by the NOAA as a system to monitor marine phytoplankton and the potential for harmful algal blooms. The network has 250 sites in 22 states across the U.S., including Skidaway Island, Georgia. PMN volunteers collect ecological data and send it to NOAA, state and federal agencies and industry professionals in true citizen science fashion. “The more information we have, the better we can understand (algae blooms) and organisms and hopefully better protect people from their harmful effects,” said Jennifer Maucher, one of NOAA’s PMN program coordinators. “Our volunteers are instrumental in this effort.” The monitoring program at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is one of the organization’s longest running volunteer efforts. Since 2003, volunteers have gathered data such as water and air temperature, salinity and tidal flow in addition to the water samples collected every Thursday morning. The volunteer program has been so successful that a new monitoring site was added in 2019 in Oglethorpe Bay, the waterway behind Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Brunswick facility. “These are not folks that came into this with the knowledge to do this monitoring. They were interested in contributing, and we do our best to support them through it,” said Katie Higgins, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s volunteer coordinator. Higgins works to ensure that each volunteer is trained in the data collection process before starting. They learn to collect samples by towing a plankton net for three minutes at a time. Then, they bring their samples into the lab and analyze them under a microscope where they look for 12 target organisms, or phytoplankton organisms with potential hazards. The volunteers will take the data July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
PMN volunteer Sandy Haeger holds up a plankton net, used to gather phytoplankton samples from the water. Photo provided by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
they have collected and enter it into the national NOAA database for future analysis and studies. “At the first meeting I attended, I hadn’t been near a microscope in almost 50 years, so it was a steep learning curve for me, but everyone was so helpful,” said Haeger. “Learning is so important, especially life-long learning which is what this volunteer program is for me.” The life-long learning and citizen science component of the program is what makes it so special, Maucher, Higgins and Haeger all say. Regular people with an interest in scientific efforts, their immediate environment, public health and safety, or climate change and its effects can play a role in phytoplankton monitoring whether or not they have a background in it. According to Higgins, one of the biggest successes of the PMN program is how volunteers have shifted into playing an education role within the organization. UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant hosts a variety of educational public programs, some of which are tailored around teaching the general public, both adults and children, about phytoplankton monitoring. On numerous occasions, volunteers like Haeger have taken the lead on teaching aspects of the programs since they are doing the work weekly and know firsthand its impacts. “[UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant] utilizes not just citizen scientist volunteers but incorporates PMN into their summer camps for kids,” said Maucher. Anyone interested in being a part of this program is encouraged to join. To find out more about the Phytoplankton Monitoring Network volunteer opportunities, visit: gacoast.uga.edu/phytoplankton-monitoring-network/ 25
10 Tips for Trailer Tires A little knowledge will keep your boat on the trailer, and tires on the road.
2. Inflation BoatU.S. Trailer Assist service providers say tires are the main reason they're called to help members experiencing trouble on the road. Under-inflation is the cause of most tire trouble because temperatures increase when the tire pressure (measured in pounds per square inch, or psi), is too low. So, check inflation prior to going on the road. Remember, boat trailer tires typically need to be inflated to higher psi than tow-vehicle tires. And be sure to also check the psi of the spare tire.
3. Load Range Every tire has a load range, and trailer tires are no different. Marked on the sidewall, the load range runs from the lightest weight the tire can carry (Load Range E) to the heaviest (Load Range A). Load range is a measure of an individual tire's maximum capacity to carry a boat and trailer. Most boat trailer tires have a Load Range of B, C, or D. If a tire has load range C, it can carry 1,820 pounds. If it's on a single-axle trailer, this means both tires can carry a total of 3,640 pounds, which includes the weight of the trailer, the boat, the engine, fuel, and anything else inside the boat. Single-axle trailers can carry 100 percent of the load rating. Double-axle trailers require the load be reduced by 12 percent. As load range increases, psi increases.
By BoatU.S. Editors
T
ires aren't exciting, until something goes wrong. Then, tires become the Topic of the Day. In this article, BoatU.S. is going to take you on a boat-trailer tire tour, with some tire basics so that your tires will always be ... well, tiresome. 1. Trailer Made A tire's sidewall is where you learn everything: dimensions, capacities, age, and most important, purpose. A tire made for a boat trailer is going to have "ST" on the sidewall, or the words "Trailer Use Only." Unlike tires on your car, trailer tires have strengthened sidewalls to handle the weight of a boat, especially when rounding corners. (See image at right.) Trailer tires are either bias ply or radial. Bias-ply sidewalls are stiffer, less expensive than radials, and are preferred if the trailer isn't used for long trips. If you take long trips, then radials are a better choice because there's reduced heat buildup as compared to bias ply, greater load capacity, and less road noise. Use all bias ply or all radials; never mix them. 26
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4. Tire Wear Your tires will tell you when something's wrong and usually give plenty of hints before becoming the topic of conversation. This chart shows the usual causes of excessive wear on the tire tread:
6. Tread A penny is a good measure for tread depth on both car and boat trailer tires. Place the penny upside down on the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is worn and it's time to start looking for new tires.
7. Valve Stem Often overlooked, the valve stem may be the cause of continued low psi. Press your finger against one side of the stem and listen for any loss of air. 8. Balance And Rotate Tires? The answers are "yes" and "maybe." Like tires on your car or tow vehicle, trailer tires that are balanced ensure proper tire wear and reduce vibration. Single-axle boat-trailer tires usually don’t need to be rotated. A tandem-axle trailer rotation isn't necessary unless you notice increased wear that’s occurring faster than normal. In that case, rotate the tires from front to back, preferably in an "X" configuration. 9. If The Trailer Sits Outside Trailer tires face a pair of threats outside: (A) Sun — prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays will deteriorate trailer tires, causing spiderweb cracks. This can be easily resolved by putting tire covers over the tires if the trailer is going to be parked for an extended period of time. (B) Moisture — the worst thing you can do to a trailer tire is to park it on grass for a long period of time where moisture is going to slowly get into the tire's protective surface. This can be solved by either removing the tires during the winter (also deters theft) or positioning the trailer tires on concrete or plywood. 10. Motion Is Good A parked trailer means the tires are bearing the weight in the same position on the tire for a long period of time. This can result in "flat spots" on a tire. If the trailer is parked for a while, check the tire pressure from time to time to ensure the tires are properly inflated.
5. Sidewall Inspect the sidewalls for spiderweb cracks, which is evidence of dry rot (and imminent failure).
Quick Facts • Most boat trailer tires have a maximum speed of 65 mph. • 75 percent of drivers wash their cars at least once a month while only 1 out of 7 (14 percent) correctly check tire pressure. (www.tiresafety.com) • Every 10-degree decrease in air temperature leads to 1 psi of air loss. If you’re traveling somewhere that the morning temperature varies greatly from the afternoon temperature, check your air pressure first thing in the morning and again as the temperature increases. July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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This article was reprinted with permission of BoatUS Magazine, flagship publication of the membership organization Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). For more expert articles and videos to make your boating, sailing or fishing better, visit BoatUS.com.
www.boatus.com/syndicated
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Community Updates
Shorebirds Reminder
FRESH! Tue - Thu 12-6 Fri - Sat 10-6 Sun 11-5
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(912) 756-8868
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Least tern chicks on a Georgia beach. Photo provided by GADNR
Beach-bound this summer? Keep an eye out for birds. Georgia’s beaches are not only vacation destinations, they’re top spots for nesting shorebirds and seabirds and for migrating species feeding on flights to the Arctic. American oystercatchers, Wilson’s plovers and least terns use sites such as Little Tybee Island, St. Catherines Island bar, Cumberland Island and Jekyll Island's southern end. Among other species, black skimmers, royal and sandwich terns, brown pelicans, and gull-billed terns also nest on Georgia beaches and sandbars.
When these birds are nesting, human disturbance poses a significant threat. Shorebirds and seabirds also face risks from predators and high tides. Pets can be destructive, too, killing or scaring birds. How can you help? • Avoid posted sites. (Eggs and chicks are camouflaged and easy to overlook.) • Walk below the high-tide line. • Back away from any nesting birds you accidentally disturb. Adults frightened Wilson plover chick. from a nest will often call loudly, exhibit Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR distraction displays – such as dragging a wing – to draw predators away and even dive-bomb intruders. • Enjoy beach birds, but from a distance. • Leave dogs at home or, if visiting a beach where they are allowed, on a leash.
Sea Turtle Season Update
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Sea turtles are still nesting on our coastal beaches. At print time, there are 1,736 nests on Georgia shores. Cumberland Island leads the way with 456 nests, followed by Ossabaw Island with 268. There have been 1,381 false crawls and 25 nests lost (storms/tides or predators). There are an estimated 50,930 eggs to date. Most of the nests were laid by loggerheads, with two greens, one Kemp's Ridley, and two of unknown origin. Loggerhead sea turtle. Beach goers are reminded to Photo by Mark Dodd, GADNR observe all turtle safety protocols, to include no lights on or near the beach and not disturbing turtles as they leave and enter the water. To follow nesting season data, visit: www.seaturtle.org/nestdb/?view=3
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Marine Industry Networking Event - July 22
The Georgia Marine Busineass Association (GAMBA) will host its annual Summer Social on Thursday, July 22, at Thunderbolt Marine's Crew Lounge, in Thunderbolt, Ga. The event is open to anyone in the marine industry. It will include live music by Savannah Steel Drum, food provided by Tortuga's Island Grille, an open bar, drawings for door prizes, and an opportunity to network with other marine businesses in the coastal region. For more information on this event, to contribute door prizes, or to become a GAMBA member, visit: GeorgiaMarineBusiness.org or call (912) 484-3611.
RETAIN GPS and Satellite Communications Act
Taking from one and giving to another has consequences. A bill introduced on June 22, by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), aims to right the wrongs of an April 2020 FCC decision to permit Ligado Networks LLC to use radio spectrum in a way that would cause interference with GPS, and force the company to pay for costs incurred by businesses and consumers to ensure continued GPS reliability. Ligado’s slice of licensed “L-Band” radio spectrum, designated for space-based navigation and communications, is located near lower frequency bands used by hundreds of millions of GPS units in public safety, health, government, transportation, military, commerce, agriculture and more. BoatUS and other coalition members believe that, as the Ligado network is rolled out, instances of signal interference will increase. Beyond the issue of safety, failure of the GPS system could potentially cost the national economy approximately $1 billion a day or more, according to a study commissioned by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Passage of the “RETAIN GPS and Satellite Communications Act” would fix the issue of fairness of who should pay to ensure GPS remains reliable. While the 2020 FCC decision included language to ensure “Ligado shall expeditiously repair or replace any U.S. government GPS devices that experience or are likely to experience harmful interference from Ligado’s operations,” nongovernment users were left holding the bag. BoatUS also notes FCC’s decision didn’t provide an adequate description of the potential costs to federal agencies whose budgets are ultimately supported by American taxpayers. The RETAIN (Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary) act acknowledges the harm to GPS and satellite communications end users caused by the FCC decision and ensures the burden of costs to all users sits squarely where it belongs — on Ligado — and not on boat owners, aviators, farmers, weather forecasters, transportation companies and many other users. Joining BoatUS in support of RETAIN are nearly 100 industry and public/private associations including the Air Line Pilots Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, International Air Transport Association, American Trucking Associations, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Weather Association, U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, National Defense Industrial Association and others. “It is critical that recreational boaters have a reliable GPS system to safely navigate,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “Ligado must be held accountable for any costs to maintain continued reliability of the GPS system for all users. We thank Senator Inhofe for working on behalf of recreational boat owners and many other users who rely on GPS every day.” BoatUS urges boaters and anyone who relies on GPS to ensure their state’s senators sign on to the RETAIN legislation as cosponsors.
If your organization or business has news to share, please send it to: amy@southerntidesmagazine.com July 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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The BitterEnd
Many tomes could be filled with the fact and fiction that creates the pirate mystique, but we also owe many of our everyday colloquialisms and idioms to our seafaring history. For example, making money "hand over fist" comes from an early sailing term “hand over hand,” used in the Royal Navy and later changed by American sailors to hand over fist. This term comes from advancing up a rigging line to furl and unfurl sails. Today it means to advance one’s status or financial gain. Another expression, though one that has gone out of style is, “I like the cut of his jib.” Meaning you like the outward appearance of a person. Its roots go back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it was pretty easy to determine a boat’s country of origin by the shape of its jib – the foresail on a boat. Turning a blind eye, or to intentionally ignore something, also comes from our maritime roots. In 1801 at the Battle of Copenhagen, Admiral Nelson intentionally held his telescope up to his blind eye so he couldn’t see the flag raised by the commander of the fleet instructing him to cease bombardment. Well mates, it’s time to wrap up this side show we call The Bitter End. Guess I’ll sit back and enjoy another cup of joe, which, by the way, is
Pirate Patois and other Seafaring Slang By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill
W
hat do you get when you add water, boats and an occasional splash of rum? Instant pirate! Piracy on the high seas goes back to not long after man pushed his first log into the water and started paddling. When we think of pirates and swashbucklers, it’s usually that golden age from about 1650-1730, that comes to mind. Names like Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Anne Boney, and Errol Flynn. Hold on a second, Errol Flynn wasn’t a pirate, though he played a very convincing one on the big screen. Although I could spend pages on this subject, I’ll whittle it down to a single one, lest I upset dear editor. Walking the plank is an image that leaps to mind when thinking of pirates. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as The Goonies and even Peter Pan, all feature this iconic torture. Hate to pop your bubble folks, but this form of execution was extremely rare. It did play well to movie audiences as it built suspense to watch one forced to walk ever-closer to the edge of their demise. (Queue the circling sharks.) In reality, offenders were likely dispatched with either a round through the head or the quick slash of a cutlass. But by and large, most of the carnage aboard ship was kept to a minimum. Why? It’s hard to find good help. If you felt you were going to be killed, you’d fight to the bloody death to avoid capture. “Aargh,” says you! “Nay,” says I! I’ll have to plunder yer booty of pirateese. Is that even a word? [If you’re referring to aargh, yes, according to Merriam-Webster, it is now a word. If you’re referring to pirateese, no. It isn’t. ~ Editor] Although Arrgh is commonly associated with pirate-speak [That’s better. ~ Editor] this word showed up and was immortalized by the actor Robert Newton in his classic role of Long John Silver, in Treasure Island. One might think of pirates as bloodthirsty chaps who ruled their ships with an iron hand (or hook). Once again, not so much. Most captains served under the blessing of the crew and could be voted out. Yes, pirates were mainly democratic. Captains and crew also had competitive benefits packages. They earned paid retirements and even workers comp. Scratching your head over that one? The loss of a finger could yield you 100 pieces of silver, or a slave, as recompense. The loss of a right arm might bring you 600 pieces of silver, or six slaves. And no taxes withheld!
The Bounty, a replica of the original 18th century tall ship HMS Bounty, just months before being lost off Cape Hatteras. Photo by Captain Gator
a nautical term going back to 1913, when Josephus Daniels took over as Secretary of the Navy. One of the first things he did was remove the officer’s wine mess, as well as all other alcohol from naval vessels; the strongest thing you could have was coffee. Often a toast was made with coffee to “Old Joe.” Sailors carried this back to the civilian world, and we’re enjoying our joe to this day. I’ve slipped in a couple other maritime terms here. Can you find them? Have any unusual ones you’d like to share? Shoot me an email over the bow! Till our wakes cross again, peace and love and shrimp and grits. I’ll see you on the water!
Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com 30
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July 2021
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