March 27th, 2004 by Fritz Hayes

This year we started making arrangements early to ensure we could have another successful clean up. Because we constantly clean up on our regular dives we wanted to do something out of the ordinary, something special. We decided we would fill the boat with some of our regular gang and find an area we had not dived, an area that could use a real good cleaning!

We put the challenge to come up with such a spot out to Paul, Rob, Jeannine and Guy at Quiescence and then gathered a team. Josh (now SCUBA certified), Karen, Laz and myself were the veterans from a year ago. Long time dive buddy Cindy (despite her preference for water temps over 78) and Nancy jumped on board at the idea to raise the 'clean up' bar this year. Again this year the weather was threatening. The week of the clean-up, wind gusts hit 30 knots. We contacted Jeannine to make sure they knew we were coming regardless. We said if we end up diving a local marina so be it, if it needs cleaning.

Sunday, we arrived at Quiescence at 8:30am and Guy was ready for us. He handed over the Ocean Conservancy cleaning information and aids and ominously told us Rob needed to talk with us. Rob pulled us aside and then floated the plan; Clean up the Key Largo cut! I think he was surprised that not only did we jump at it but Cindy had already put the cut on a "wish" list. We couldn't think of a place more in need because of the road way above, boat traffic and shore fishing. Since diving there is illegal it doesn't get attention. But, we knew it would be like playing on I-95 since the Marvin D Adams waterway is one of the few routes to get from the bayside of Key Largo to the ocean. Rob finished making some arrangements while we watched the clean up video provided and prepared.

We obtained required authorizations, grabbed our garbage cans, net bags, snips and gear, then headed out. We picked up escort. Under the watchful protection of two fire rescue boats with flashing red lights we transformed into the Key Largo Water Emergency Clean Up Team.

Because tidal currents are a big factor in the cut we chose to do the clean up as a series of 2 drift dives. The visibility was at best 5 feet so we paired up to make it easier to pick up items and keep track of a specific buddy if we began to get separated. As we looked down the cut at the fishing lines, boat traffic, current and visibility I think we were all feeling we just might be a little crazy.

After Rob went over thorough safety instructions we hit the water. The vis was terrible and the water was a cold 70 degrees, but diving beat getting run over by boats so we dropped and took off. We got to the bottom and realized the enormity of what we had just undertaken. We quickly began filling our bags with cans, bottles, plastics, fishing hooks and line. We had to leave the 2 shopping carts and bicycle frame deeply buried for another time. The current kept us moving. We also found marine life that persevered in this trashed up world; crabs, lobsters, tarpon, snook and of all sorts of other fish and corals. Some of them living here, some like us, just passing through. We knew we were in the right place, they needed us.

All of us had to make surface trips at one point or another to unload items or hand up bags. That in itself was quite a chore. Buoyancy control, boat traffic, keeping track of your buddy and getting the heavy debris out of the water all added extra effort. As air tanks ran low each team headed to the wall and surfaced, to wait for a pick up. Once Rob collected everyone, we left the cut for a surface interval and to switch tanks. Having been so focused on the job at hand, it wasn't until then we realized how cold and tiring the work had been. We chatted with Florida Marine Patrol and learned about the activities of our topside protectors. The fisherman had been asked to remove their lines as we came by and the boaters were alerted and slowed down. We heard about the several other agencies that had come by to check on us and thank us.

The tide had now changed so we headed back to the cut for the reverse course.With the Fire Rescue boats at each end alerted we hit the water again. We dropped in and immediately found the bottom was covered with cans and bottles. We could have been an "Easter egg hunt gone wild" video. We just about completely filled a bag a piece at the drop point alone. Venturing out in to what had become a stiff current we were swept down the cut. Again we had plenty to do and the hour went quickly.

Exhausted and even colder we climbed on to the boat and headed out, surveying what had once been Rob's clean boat. What an array of stuff: several shrimp nets and poles, a toilet seat lid, a lamp, a blanket, auto parts and other assorted cast offs. In total we had two large trash cans full and more spread all over the deck!

Back at the dock, we still had some more work; rinse equipment, unload the boat and get cleaned up. Pleased yet tired we left the poor guys at Quiescence with the burden of disposing of the stuff and headed to Hobos to recuperate.

With returning energy, yet still some what subdued, we reflected on the day and all that was accomplished. The thought came to mind 'be careful what you ask for' since we certainly got it and were now paying for it. But once feeling came back to the extremities, we felt pretty good!

Side note from Fritz & Laz:
Special thanks go out to all those who made this successful clean up a reality. Rob and his wonderful team at Quiescence Diving Services. The Key Largo Fire Rescue and the Florida Marine Patrol for their much appreciated safety support. The Ocean Conservancy for their incredible efforts in putting together these terrific reef clean up events. But most of all, to our dedicated friends who set aside a wonderful day of diving for some hard work. We could not be thankful enough to all of you. Your efforts and dedication make a world of difference.

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