Catalina Summer Work FAQ
What are the accomodations like?
We would share an apartment (three beds in one bedroom)
Do we cook meals for ourselves, and if we do, what are the cooking facilities like?
Yes, we would do our own cooking and the facilities are reasonable. Nothing Graham Kerr would 'die for', but passable.
Are there laundry facilities, and does it cost money to use them?
Yes, and they are coin-operated machines. It's about $1.25 for washing and drying.
Would I need to bring sheets and/or a sleeping bag, or are sheets provided?
Sheets / blankets are provided
Is there a place to secure belongings, or should I make sure I have a suitcase with a lock?
Crime hasn't been a problem in the past, but if you're concerned bring a locking suitcase and a padlock for your dive locker.
Should I get insurance for my equipment or myself (aside from my DAN diving insurance), or am I convered under a team expedition insurance?
There is no 'team insurance'. DAN is good, and anything else is up to you.
What would a typical day/week be? Number of dives and duration, time in the lab, meals, etc.
There is not much to do on the island, so we tend to work INTENSIVELY! We would try to get in three dives a day. Two AM dives (back to back) and one PM dive. We would average about 3-4 hours per day under water. Non-diving time is focused on observations of fish in the lab, tissue processing... I realize you are volunteering, so I wouldn't work you like a dog, but expect to work hard. Meals would probably be as follows:
Early heavy breakfast (gotta keep warm), sack lunch, long hearty dinner (followed by complete exhaustion).
What kind of a suit do you recommend to stay warm during research dives?
I use a 1/6 inch suit and have no problem with the cold. A hood is good for cold days, but I don't like 'em so I don't use 'em. Aqua Flite (1-800-581-7916) has supplied many of our divers with wetsuits, and we have been pleased with their quality and price.
Would I have access to a telephone?
There's a telephone at the lab you can use, but you need to either call collect from it or use a calling card.
Would I have access to email where we'll be working?
If you have an account somewhere else (e.g. ASU West, you can telnet from the Wrigley Institute's computer lab). If you use Eudora, you should bring a floppy disk to store your emails.
What do you do in the time that you're not actually diving?
Lab observations, data analysis, animal fixation, tissue processing, eat, sleep, and some beer with ping pong...
Where will we be staying on Catalina Island?
USC has a marine lab at Two Harbors which is now called WIES, the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies (http://wrigley.usc.edu). The address and number there is:
USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, 1 Big Fisherman Cove Avalon, CA 90704 (310)743-2411 or 510-0811
How do I get from the coast out to Catalina Island?
However you do it, you should make reservations in advance. USC runs a boat (either the Yellowfin or the Seawatch) from their dock in San Pedro directly to the Wrigley Institute about twice a week (last year it was Mondays and Thursdays). It leaves from:
Southern California Marine Institute 820 South Seaside Avenue Terminal Island, CA 90731 (310)519-3172
To check when it would be leaving for WIES and to reserve a spot for yourself, call the Wrigley Institute at (310)743-2411.
Alternatively, you could take the faster and smoother ride (about 90 minutes) on the more expensive (~$18) Catalina Express from San Pedro or Long Beach to Two Harbors, and then take a Shore Boat (like a water taxi) over to the Wrigley Institute. The number for Catalina Express is: (800)995-4386 or (310)519-1212. They advertise "up to 25 daily departures." Your are technically limited to two bags on Catalina Express, but we've always brought more to the dock and never had a problem. The person making reservations seems to have more of a problem about it than the captain.
*These questions were put together by Mike Black, A graduate student working in Dr. Grober's lab, before he went to work at Catalina Island in 1997. If you have any other questions please contact Dr. Matthew Grober.