ADMAT USA's Maritime Archaeological Field School

Accommodation & Food

The project will be probably based at the Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory, located on Florida Bay, which has a beach and small dock.

The Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory is a non-profit institution located in "downtown" Key Largo, dedicated to providing low-cost housing and laboratory space to marine scientists studying mangroves, sea grasses and coral reefs in the upper Florida Keys. Located on Florida Bay, the facility has a dock, wet table, and air-conditioned physiology laboratory. A large screened porch accommodates lectures and dining for larger groups (maximum about 12). The KLMRL is built into the bottom story of a house on Buttonwood Bay.

The first floor consists of the following:
1. Two small bedrooms, each containing 2 bunk beds, sleeping 4 people each.
2. One small bedroom off the kitchen with a full-size bed, sleeping a single person or couple.
3. One tiny bedroom off the living room which has a short (not for tall people) full-size bed that sleeps one or a cozy short couple!
4. One larger room that has 2 beds, can sleet 2-3.
5. Large living room.
4. Two baths
5. Kitchen

The KLMRL has sheets, pillows and blankets for the beds, but you should bring a towel with you. There is a washing machine and dryer, also a shared kitchen with cooking and eating utensils, and a living room, outside screened porch (with second refrigerator), a beach and dock and plenty of water to swim in!. There is good snorkelling in the bay, a dive shed and outdoor showers. The house is located on a dead-end street. There is parking for six cars in a circular driveway, plus overflow on the street. This is a very quiet residential neighbourhood on a bay that has only one small hotel, meaning also quiet on the water. The grocery store is across the street about 300 meters away along with a drug store; the post office about 100 meters away....everything is very close.

There are no paid employees of KLMRL - users of the laboratory help with basic chores and maintenance.

There is a telephone which can receive incoming calls which is +1-305-453-0437.

Food

Breakfast and a packed lunch for on the boat will be provided. As there are a number of good local restaurants which provide good value food, evening meals are not included and will not be provided. The team will go out each evening and everybody will pay for their evening food direct to the restaurant. This will provide far better choice of food.

Above: The Dining and Lecture Room

Below: The Kitchen

Above: The Living Room

Below Middle: The Bunk Room

Above: One of the Bedrooms

Living Area

Below: The Laundry Room

Diving

If weather permits it should be possible to have two tank dives during the morning. The shipwreck sites vary in depth from about 9ft deep to 30 ft, so there should be plenty of bottom time. Diving computers are required or divers will be limited to BSAC88 Tables. We are not aware of any strong currents and there will not be any over-head local boat traffic.

As the team is going out to the site each day in local small boats, anyone who suffers from seasickness should bring the usual medication. The average boat ride will be just under one hour each way.

The ADMAT Diving Officer will be responsible for the diving. Full compliance with his instructions will be required.

Participants must have the following certification as a minimum, either: PADI Advanced Open Water, or BSAC advanced Sports Diver (or the equivalent under another agency). Members will be required to send copies of their diving qualifications with their booking. Original log books or certification cards must be presented to the ADMAT Diving Officer on arrival. In addition the medical statement must also be presented upon arrival.

Above: Kathy Schubert on the wreck site during the recce.

Please note: All divers must be fit for duty in the mornings. Under Health and Safety Regulations, anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to dive.


Above & below: Photographs of the wreck site from the recce.

Participants will be given a full brief as to the ADMAT Standards of Diving. These are for your own health and safety, and for the enjoyment of all. Team Members and students are expected to follow the ADMAT Standards of Diving, as well as the Code of Conduct and Archaeological Protocol. In the unlikely event that a member endangers themselves or others by knowingly diving outside these standards, they may be restricted from further diving or asked to leave the project immediately. Participants will be required to attend a Health and Safety briefing upon arrival, and to comply with it during their stay.

Training

All the necessary training will be given.