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1.
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Call Marine Advisory Committee Meeting to Order - Called to order at 5:33 p.m. |
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2.
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Attendance Roll Call - MRD Update: Re-appointments for Districts 1, 3 and 5.
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3.
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Minutes Approval - The November minutes were reviewed verbally. Merrick Van Landingham made the motion to approve as read. Eilene Beard seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
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4.
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Diving Safety & Emergency Response
MRD Information: Recently, a recreational SCUBA diver was injured and died. This unfortunate event reminds all divers, diving professionals, emergency response and medical professionals of the need for training, fitness, dive equipment maintenance & proper use, following safe diving practices, appropriate emergency procedures & response, etc. Divers Alert Network (1-919-684-8111) is an important resource to provide the location of the nearest operational recompression chamber. DAN should be contacted as early as possible in the emergency response timeline.
MRD will meet with stakeholders, including one representative of MAC (to avoid Sunshine Law violation), diving professionals, agencies representatives, emergency response and medical professionals, Escambia County staff, and others to review the recent incident and existing protocols/procedures. Any improvements to the recent incident/response and/or procedures will be brought back to the MAC and made available to the public and all pertinent parties.
MRD will schedule an Annual Dive Safety & Emergency Response Symposium in conjunction with Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee Meeting in January of each year. Additional Annual “Waterways Safety” Symposia will include Boating Safety (each February), Seafood Safety (each March), and Lionfish Workshop (each April).
Keven Brockway (was involved in the incident at the Oriskany on November 26) shared that it took approximately 40 minutes to arrive at the NAS pier. 911 was called upon arriving at the pier. The diver was transported to Baptist Hospital, evaluated and then transported to Springhill Medical Center in Mobile Alabama. Approximately 4 hours elapsed from arrival at the NAS pier to arrival at Springhill Medical Center.
Merrick Van Landingham stated that the FWC website lists Baptist Hospital as the primary facility for treatment of dive incidents.
Keith Millie (Department Head at FWC, on phone) shared that the incident highlighted the need to update the website to the current reality.
Eilene Beard stated that there is an overall lack of knowledge as concerns diving accidents.
Robert Turpin stated that Escambia County EMS is well aware of the protocols, but they did not transport the injured diver to Baptist Hospital.
Julio Garcia (Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at Springhill Medical Center) has previously met with Escambia County Officials concerning the lack of a recompression chamber in Escambia County, Florida. Baptist withdrew recompression support in 2010, leaving Fort Meyers as the nearest hyperbaric recompression chamber in Florida. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death.
Bill Capliger stated that he had heard that the injured diver ascended too quickly to decompress and the other divers could not follow. With the Oriskany being the tourist draw it is in the dive community, Escambia County should be willing to solve the issue of medical response to dive incidents.
Merrick Van Landingham stated that he had seen the incident report and noted there was no equipment malfunction. The injured diver was found in distress on the boat.
Clint Retherford (Dive Commander, Escambia Search and Rescue) shared that it’s been a known issue for EMS. The Coast Guard and FWC have clear protocols of response and are willing to assist as needed.
Kerry Freeland has spoken to dive operators in Destin and Panama City. All had similar stories of response to dive incidences. Dive operators have had good relations with the Coast Guard in the past. When Coast Guard command changes, the relationship suffers and must be reestablished.
Merrick Van Landingham stated that the response protocol was written in 2004-2005. How can the county be induced to act and resolve the dive incident response issues?
Robert Turpin suggested that the EMAC can convey the concerns of the committee through a resolution to the County Commission.
Clint Retherford stated that Escambia County EMS is under the management of Escambia County. The County, State and Federal agencies must be on the same page in response to dive incidences. Merrick Van Landingham stated that he is in full agreement.
Sidney Clopton asked how soon the Coast Guard was contacted after discovery of the distressed diver. Keven Brockway stated that contact with the Coast Guard was not made, as they were out of radio range.
Kerry Freeland made the motion to resolve as follows:
“In order to prevent unnecessary injury or loss of life and to preserve the safe and attractive tourism potential of Escambia County, the Escambia Marine Advisory Committee recommends that the Escambia County Commission direct the Escambia County Administration and/or Staff conduct an annual review of the ‘Escambia County Dive Accident Protocols’ and to reach out to the neighboring municipalities for reciprocity.”
Merrick Van Landingham seconded the motion. All voted in favor. |
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5.
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10836 Lillian Highway Public Boat Ramp
MRD Update: Consultants are obtaining additional survey and other data to develop final design and permit applications.
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6.
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Natural Resources Damage Assessment - Oil Spill Restoration & Recovery
MRD Update: MRD submitted funding proposals for artificial reef and waterways access projects. Review process should take approximately four months. |
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7.
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New Inshore Reefs at Pensacola Reef
MRD Update: Army Corps of Engineers has issued Public Notice for the Casino Beach Snorkeling & Kayak-Fishing Reef. MRD will submit the project for the upcoming FWC Grant Application. |
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8.
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CCA Reef Partnership
MRD Recommendation is to remove item from Agenda. |
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9.
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Comprehensive Waterways Management
MRD Update: Natural Resources Management Department Director directed MRD to work with County Attorney on a proposed Boat Ramp Regulations Ordinance, and take each issue to the County Commission individually. |
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10.
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Lionfish Issues/Developments
MRD Update: MRD will work with FWC as authorized by existing Agreement to coordinate the 2017 Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day event in Pensacola, May 2017. |
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11.
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Old Business - None
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12.
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New Business:
* Proposed No Wake Zone in Bayou Garcon
MRD Update: MRD has discussed the issue with FWC Boating & Waterways staff in Tallahassee. They are reviewing the site and will discuss with MRD in early 2017.
* Additional New Business
MRD Update: FWC is considering taking over the existing “Idle Speed; No Wake” zone in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) between Galvez Landing and Big Lagoon State Park. MRD conducted an on-water site inspection with FWC Boating & Waterways staff from Tallahassee. FWC will provide a written plan to MRD in early 2017. |
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13.
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Adjournment - Eilene Beard made the motion to adjourn. Sydney Clopton seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm. |