• Caryn Self Sullivan-a former real estate broker who started a second career in life as a biologist. Caryn is the Principle Investigator and leader of our efforts
• Pam-the logistics intern from Australia. Pam had been studying Dugongs (a close relative of the Manatee) when she heard of the opportunity to study Manatees in Belize. She put in her application, bought a round-the-world ticket, and made her way to Belize.
• Clifton-a 22-year-old Belizean who was our intern from the University of Belize. Clifton is from the Punta Gorda area in south Belize and is studying Environmental Resource Management.
• Jack-a 50-something executive with "a major corporation in Pennsylvania." He told me the actual division he works for, but I forget.
• Dalen-a 3rd year law student. Dalen is originally from San Diego and hopes to practice Sports Law in California after graduation.
• Louise-a 17-year-old, soon to be a 4th Form student from England. She grew up in a small town and hopes to be a veterinarian some day.
• Debbie-a legal assistant from Toronto who hopes to see a manatee up close while here in Belize.
• Katie-a junior at a private college in New York state. Katie will be attending a semester at sea the week after she returns from Belize.
• And, myself, Sam Gallagher, Departmental Web Manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We piled all our things aboard the Blue Tang, a 27-foot dive boat that has been converted for ferrying passengers back and forth to Spanish Lookout Caye. Our belongings, food, beverages, and other supplies for the coming week were stacked into the boat leaving little room for much else.

Jerry, our boat operator, expertly guides us down the Belize River which doubles as a secondary thoroughfare. Once we reached the mouth of the Belize River, we head out past the distinctive lighthouse and into the open sea. On the horizon about 8 miles away are a collection of islands called the Drowned Cayes, the location of our study site and where we'd spend the next couple of weeks.       -- More --