07/17/2026
SeaBase Adventure – Day 9!
Some of us slept better than others, but everyone was up around 7:00 this morning. The Scouts voted to keep breakfast simple, so the menu included coffee, cereal, bagels with cream cheese, and Pop-Tarts.
Our first destination was Alligator Reef, near the iconic lighthouse. The snorkeling here was absolutely incredible! We saw schools of colorful fish, barracuda, bonnethead sharks, and even massive Goliath grouper. The visibility was fantastic, but so was the current! The ocean definitely kept us on our toes today.
Not everything stayed aboard the boat, though. One Scout accidentally dropped his open water bottle overboard while trying to refill it. It now has a permanent home on the sandy bottom of the Atlantic. Fortunately, one of the leaders had a spare bottle to loan him for the rest of the trip.
That same Scout also discovered that rough seas and snorkeling don’t always mix. Let’s just say he “fed the fishes”—and the fish wasted no time showing up for lunch. Thankfully, he felt much better afterward.
Our second snorkel stop was Cheeca Rocks. While three of us were in the water, we looked up and realized… the boat was getting farther away! It turned out the boat had slipped free from the mooring ball after it hadn’t been secured properly. I won’t name names. Thankfully, the current wasn’t nearly as strong there, and we were able to swim safely back to the boat. Cheeca Rocks was another beautiful snorkel site, although our crew unanimously agreed that Alligator Reef was the favorite. One Scout was convinced he spotted a jellyfish, while the Scout and leader beside him maintain it was just a plastic bag. The debate continues.
Back aboard, we enjoyed sandwiches, Pringles, and oranges for lunch. As we were finishing our meal, we heard an “Emergency” call over the marine radio from the BSA snorkel boat at the neighboring reef, reporting an unconscious snorkeler on a nearby (non-BSA) vessel. We listened to the entire Coast Guard radio exchange as the emergency unfolded. Through the radio traffic, we learned that the other boat’s captain had jumped into the water to rescue the snorkeler and that a physician, who was also a Scout leader aboard another BSA boat, had swum over to assist with CPR. From our boat, we watched the Sheriff’s boat arrive, transfer the patient aboard, and head toward shore with the Coast Guard escorting them. It was a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change on the water and how important training, teamwork, and preparedness are. We hope for the very best for that individual and their family.
Once everything had settled, Captain Mihai had us raise the sails. With a steady breeze on the beam, the Black Sea came alive. For the next 3–4 hours, we sailed at around 7 knots, cutting through the turquoise waters of the Keys. It was exactly the sailing experience we’d been hoping for.
As we made our way back toward the bayside for the evening, we were treated to an unexpected sight—an eagle ray launching itself completely out of the water!
After dropping anchor, the fishing rods came back out. Several more fish were caught, including two catfish.
Dinner was hard to beat: grilled steaks, mashed potatoes, salad, and fresh pineapple, all enjoyed while watching another spectacular Florida Keys sunset.
Another unforgettable day aboard the Black Sea.
