Senior Aquarist Paul Leonard normally spends his time at the Aquarium caring for penguins. Now, he's joining the Divers and Expeditions Blog from Eastport, Maine, where New England Aquarium scuba divers are plunging into freezing cold water and navigating extreme tidal currents in search of cold water specimens.

The first day of diving was interesting and short.  We had to get an early start to the day.  Up and down to the docks by sunrise.


Good morning, Canada… yup that's them across the water.

Once our holding pens were setup and all of the gear stowed, we made our way out for our first dive of the trip. We were psyched for about five minutes. The marine forecast called for 25-35 wind gusts and 4-6 foot waves.  Everywhere you looked there were white caps. We had a following sea and boy…some of the rollers were intimidating!  Our captains said that this was the most seas they’ve seen while crossing the bay.  I looked around and noticed that there were no other boats out on the water.  Hmmm???

Our skipper was pretty frosty as always and navigated the surf masterfully. It took us a little longer than usual but we reached our destination. What an awesome dive! We went down about 50 feet. Bottom temp was 53 degrees F and our visibility was about 10 feet. We saw Acadian hermit crabs, green sea urchins, sea peaches, coldwater soft corals, snails and one large sea raven.

Our voyage back to base camp was just as exciting.  Unfortunately, our next dive was aborted because it was going to be at night and the weather was not going to quit.  It would have been too dangerous to attempt any crossings at night.

Well, it will be an early evening and we'll do it all again tomorrow.

Senior Aquarist Paul Leonard normally spends his time at the Aquarium caring for penguins. Now, he's joining the Divers and Expeditions Blog from Eastport, Maine, where New England Aquarium scuba divers are plunging into freezing cold water and navigating extreme tidal currents in search of cold water specimens.

Some of the most amazing and beautiful scuba diving around is not where you think!

Hi! My name is Paul and I’m a senior aquarist with the New England Aquarium. I spend most of my days indoors cleaning up after and feeding the Aquarium’s penguins. It’s a really cool job that has kept me pretty busy for the last 9 years.


Paul prepares to weigh a penguin chick born at the Aquarium.

People sometimes ask if I get a chance to do any other cool things at the aquarium and the answer is always, “Yes!”  I’m also an Aquarium scientific scuba diver. Being an aquarist has some amazing and extraordinary benefits. The New England Aquarium leads many different diving expeditions to some very remote and incredible locations. I’ve been lucky to travel with them to the crystal clear, warm, waters of the Bahamas to help collect specimens for the Giant Ocean Tank. 


Scuba diving in the Bahamas


Crystal blue waters of the Bahamas

They’ve taken me on several other great expeditions along the East Coast over the years. The most memorable has been the Eastport, Maine, Coldwater Collection Trip. For nearly 30 years, a small team of the Aquarium’s most elite scuba divers trek up to the most northeastern region of the United States to spend a week of what some call extreme diving. They setup camp at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy with hopes of collecting unique animals to display in the Aquarium’s Northern Waters exhibits.

This is my sixth trip with this team and I would pick this trip over any other. The water is cold, emerald green, intense, and beaming with life. Before for you even think of dipping your feet in out here, you better have a dry suit, thermal undergarments, wool socks, extra lead weights, lift bags, and extra safety gear.  The tidal changes here are up to 30 feet every 6 hours and all of the dives are performed the Aquarium’s dive boat, the Lophius.


The Lophius docked in Maine


Cold water scuba diving requires a lot of specialized gear.


Note the hood, gloves and puffy dry suit for cold water scuba diving

This year I wanted to share this incredible experience with you. Keep posted for some more exciting updates!

— Paul


Paul is no stranger to the GOT Divers and Expeditions Blog. Catch up on his post about the Boston Sea Rovers here. Another helpful link: Learn cold water scuba diving in this previous blog post by fellow aquarist Bill Murphy. 

Hi,
My name is Paul and I am a senior penguin keeper here at the aquarium. I am also a back up diver for the Giant Ocean Tank dive team. Working with this group over the years has given me the opportunity to participate in many animal exams, transports, and several diving collection expeditions. It has also connected me to the many different elements of the diving industry and community.

About 5 years ago I was introduced to the oldest dive club in the country, The Boston Sea Rovers. Since 1954, this group (made up of mainly volunteers) has gotten together with the mission of holding a clinic with the hopes of "Raising the Level of Knowledge of the Underwater World." Some of the world's greatest oceanographers and explorers like Jacque Cousteau, Dr. Robert Ballard, and Dr. Sylvia Earle, have participated in these events. This collection of avid divers is known internationally for having the "Longest Running Underwater Show on Earth."

A quote from their website states "The history of the Sea Rovers is, in many ways, the history of scuba diving." The funds generated from the clinics help support various internships and non-profits like SeaMark Vision Clinic (pdf) and the Cotting School for children with special needs. This March 7th & 8th will mark the 55th time that the clinic will be held. They will have workshops, seminars, and a world renowned film festival. Below are some pictures of the clinic. I will be volunteering with them that weekend and invite you to join us.

Cheers!


2008 Eastport, Maine Coldwater Collection Trip



Clinic Sponsors



Exhibit Hall


Film Festival Presenters

Video of the event:



subscribe