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FORCE BLUE Visits Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary!
FORCE BLUE, a non-profit organization created to help assimilate combat veterans to civilian life while using their skills to further conservation diving efforts, came to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary in early May! It was a full week for everyone involved, with activities including a land-based education day at the Ocean Discovery Center, removal of 125.5 lbs of marine debris from a local salt marsh ecosystem, dives at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary to collect biodiversity data, and special FORCE BLUE participation in the Gray’s Reef Southeast Regional MATE ROV competition! FORCE BLUE’s visit helped Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary refine Southeast Regional Ecosystem Assessment survey methods and provided local veterans a chance to learn fishing basics and learn about fishing best practices.
We love working with partner organizations like these to extend our reach to the community and enhance our research. Veterans bring a unique skillset of leadership, resilience, and technical discipline, which inspires the younger generation and further protects our resources for the future.
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 The sanctuary Research Program Specialist and FORCE BLUE members putting fishing best practices to the test on the deck of the Captain Hook headboat in Hilton Head, SC. Photo by Vernon Smith/NOAA.
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 Taking a break from the wind, participants and FORCE BLUE members share their fishing stories. Photo by Vernon Smith/NOAA.
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Gray’s Reef Welcomes New Team Member!
Through a partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary welcomed a new member to the team. Cindy joined the team as a NOAA affiliate with the role of Regional Support Specialist for the Southeast and Gulf (Eastern Regional Office). Cindy will support the regional director and national marine sanctuary sites, including Gray's Reef, Flower Garden Banks, and Florida Keys national marine sanctuaries. Her focus will be strategic planning, budgeting, and coordination of the administrative needs of the region. We are so ecstatic to have her as a member of the team!
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R/V Gannet Transits to Jacksonville for First Yard Period
The crew of the R/V Gannet spent the past 3 months training and preparing the vessel for operational status. From orienting a new captain and deckhands to the NOAA small boat program, learning the vessel and how it operates, developing standard operating procedures, completing a small boat inspection, and qualifying an Operator In Charge (OIC), our team is excited to be one-step closer to field operations on the R/V Gannet. The crew’s efforts culminated with a 10 hour overnight transit via the Intra Coastal Waterway (ICW) and open water to safely deliver the boat to its first yard period since its commissioning. This marks a significant milestone in the R/V Gannet becoming a reliable, mission ready vessel for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and southeast partners. For more information about the R/V Gannet please contact voc.grnms@noaa.gov.
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 Captain Ring securing the vessel. Photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade Christina Starsinic/NOAA
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 Captains Ring and Macpherson monitoring GPS screens. Photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade Christina Starsinic/NOAA
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 Sunset off of the R/V Gannet. Photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade Christina Starsinic/NOAA
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Super Sanctuary Summer - July 7 - August 28th, 2026
We're coming back this summer with our third annual Super Sanctuary Summer! | | |
