On May 30^th I began my adventure as the 2024 American Academy of Underwater Science (AAUS) Mitchell Scientific Diving Research Intern for the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS). The first leg of my journey began in New York City where I got to attend the 50^th anniversary of OWUSS. This was my first introduction to the society, so I was definitely a bit nervous. The nerves quickly went away after the first event which was lightening talks with previous scholars and interns. These talks were a great way to hear about where previous interns and scholars are now and where I could be in the future.

2024 OWUSS interns with internship coordinator Claire Mullaney

Along with all the amazing OWUSS events in New York, I was also able to attend world oceans week at the Explorers Club. While there, we got to interact with individuals from all over the world who were working towards preserving the world’s oceans. I found it incredibly fascinating to hear about everyone’s unique backgrounds and their different approaches to educating others about our oceans and promoting conservation strategies. We also got the chance to hear from some amazing people like Dr. Sylvia Earle.

2024 Blue generation group

After New York, I was even more eager to begin my internship on June 10^th. With a 6AM flight from Boston, I finally took off for Washington. As I left the east coast and everything I knew, I was excited, but a little nervous. This was going to be my first time on the west coast, and I wasn’t sure how similar diving would be to back home or what it would be like living at a marine center.

I spent my summer at Shannon Point Marine Center (SPMC) along with the 2024 AAUS Somers intern Teagan Cunningham; two Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) diving interns, Ana Hoffman-Sole and Larkin Garden, as well as six other REU interns Will, Holly, Angel, Mackenzie, Amy, and Kelita; and two Western Washington University art residents Birdie and Myrie. This summer, I got to work with a few local organizations on underwater projects as well as help the scientific diving class attain their AAUS scientific diving certification. This was also a chance to improve my diving and leadership skills by assisting Dr. Derek Smith, the laboratory manager and research assistant professor, as well as Capt. Nathan Schwarck, the Dive Safety Officer (DSO), as they teach the AAUS scientific diving course. 

Upon arriving at SPMC, after unpacking everything and introducing ourselves, some of the REU interns and I wasted no time and decided to go for a swim at sunset where the water was a brisk 52°F. Little did we know that this would become a regular event throughout the summer.

My  first sunset on the west coast

One of the first things we did in the scientific diving class was the swim test. This consisted of a 25-yard swim on a single breath, a 400 yard swim in under 12 minutes, 10 minutes of treading water, and finally towing a buddy 25 yards. After the swim test, we got to try out the gear we would be using for the summer. 

After we had finished swim tests and pool skills, we went out to Rosario beach to complete the open water checkout portion of the class. This was my first time getting into the water out west and getting to see what it was like. Unfortunately, the visibility that day wasn’t the best, so I didn’t get to see anything too exciting, but it was still nice to get into the water and begin exploring what the west coast has to offer.

2024 AAUS interns. Photo by Derek Smith

Helping with the scientific diving class was a great experience for me because it has allowed me to share my own personal experiences from when I took the class myself. I was also able to help some students in the class get past some troubles that I encountered myself and that was a rewarding feeling. 

Taking a break from the water, the art students, REUs, Teagan and I got the chance to see some cool sites around Washington. This was especially cool because aside from the art residents, most of us had never been to the west coast. The first place we got to explore was Deception Pass. 

2024 REU, art and AAUS interns at Deception Pass 

Sharing a common room and kitchen with everyone was a great chance for all of us to become close and have some great bonding experiences from making meals together to watching the local wildlife dance outside.

Some entertaining deer outside the common room

Another great opportunity for us to become close was getting a tour around the islands. We were taken out on the SPMC research vessels Magister and Zoea for a day where we got the chance to see some seals, eat lunch on one of the islands, and get a glimpse of some orcas which was a bucket list item for many of us.

View from RV Magister and picnic on the island

Photos by Teagan Cunningham

While staying at SPMC, Teagan and I got a chance to work on some of the behind-the-scenes aspects that go into a scientific dive class. The first of which was helping Capt. Nate Schwarck with visual inspections for most of the tanks at Shannon Point. This was a great learning opportunity and a fun way to learn more about what goes into being a DSO at a marine lab.

Assisting Nate with visual inspections. Photo by Teagan Cunningham