SS United States Move to Escambia County Waters: Is the Lack of a Re-compression Chamber Locally an Unmovable Safety Obstacle?

Could the lack of a publicly-accessible recompression chamber in Escambia County slow the momentum to bring another large wreck to our local waters?

In the recent flurry of activity surrounding the potential move of the SS United States to the waters off of Escambia County, one issue has arisen that is worth consideration.  Safety.

Full disclosure, I am not a diver, I am not a subject matter expert.  But I know folks that are so I reached out to a few that do know this topic.

On deep dives, there are multiple issues that can go wrong.  Sometimes, a diver requires a re-compression chamber after a complication resulting from such a dive.

According to a constituent with whom I spoke--who is not anti-ship or anti-diver-- safety should be looked at when considering whether or not to bring the SS United States to the waters of Escambia --because there are no publicly available Re-compression chambers in Escambia County.  The closest ones are in Mobile County to our West, and Bay County to our East.

This constituent lost her husband tragically due to a complication resulting from a deep dive on the Oriskany in 2016.

"There was no chamber here, and by the time the ambulance was taking him to Mobile---he died" she related.

Acording to a veteran, very well-versed diver who also has experience in healtcare with whom I spoke--Pensacola will never get a recompression chamber.  "They are simply too expensive to purchase and staff for the one or two incidents per year they would be required to treat" said this individual.  He continued--"After all, these hospitals are businesses at the end of the day, and this would be a huge expense that is also not covered by insurance."

According to this individual--divers must purchase their own, stand alone policies that cover such treatment in case of an emergency during a dive.  The average, garden variety health insurance policy does not cover it.

I don't think the lack of a re-compression facility should dissuade us from looking seriously at bringing this wreck to Escambia County--but I do think a clear-eyed, iron clad protocol should be established that dictates severe diving related incidents MUST be treated utilizing an air ambulance that could get such a diver to Springhill in Mobile in a very short time--if such a service is needed.  Perhaps the protocol should be discussed and codified.

Meanwhile, I received another call yesterday in support.  This time from a very successful, local, and well-respected and wealthy real estate developer and outdoor enthusiast.  He expressed support and optimism that our area could not only pull this off, but that this ship's stacks could be cut off allowing for the entirety of the ship to be sunk at depths where the average recreational diver could visit the whole ship safely.

"I only dive once every five years--but I will definitely want to dive this wreck if it is shallow and if we get it.  If we were talking about another wreck at Oriskany's depth--I would not have called you, Jeff.  This conversation would not be happening."  He quipped.

So we will see how the conversations go in the next few weeks.  Again, for my support and yes vote, it has to be funded, completely, utilizing non ad-valorem revenues and no LOST funds.  

But if we can get grants and/or TDT funding or private funding--or even a Triumph Gulf Coast Grant, I am ALL IN!

Support for a First-Rate Regional Tennis Center/Facility at Roger Scott

The Roger Scott Tennis Center hosts national tournaments multiple times yearly, like the Pensacola Open wheelchair tennis tournament, pictured above, from 2013.

One of the greatest assets our area has is the Roger Scott Tennis facility in the city of Pensacola.  

I play there myself on a very regular basis.  Many of my friends and family members do as well.  

The facility has a mix of hard court and clay court facilities--and is a great location for tennis for all levels of players.  

What I like most about the facility is that it's not just about tennis.  It is about the community.

This facility hosts world class tornaments and events that bring folks to our area from around the world- generating hotel stays, restaurant purchases, and other spending that funds sales and use taxes that benefit the area.

Additionally-this facility hosts recreational tennis leagues for men, women, and students from all around the Pensacola Bay area.  The ladies tennis leagues at Roger Scott boast more than 1000 participants per season!  High School tournaments are held here, tennis pros are on the roster to give lessons in tennis to citizens from beginners all the way up to open-flight level, and themed (and fun) casual mixers happen throughout the year and are a blast to play in!

And the facility hosts annual charity tournaments that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthwhile causes.  

So with this all as the backdrop, and seeing the tremendous value this facility brings our area---the center needs an infusion of capital to propel it into the future and to enable this facility to continue to operate safely.

The facility took some significant damage during Hurricane Sally in September of last year, and that damage is being addressed as this post is written.

But in addition to damages from the storm--the facility's hard courts are in desperate need of repair for safety and playability purposes.  If the county and city can work a proportional cost-sharing agreement-the deal could bring a win-win for all citizens-county and city alike.  

You see, currently there is a tiered pricing and membership fee structure which gives a reduced rate to city residents as compared to county residents.  In my discussions with the Mayor on this topic--my vote for the funding support is contingent upon county citizens receiving the same rate for play and membership as the city residents enjoy.   I believe this is a fair and reasonable request.  This email I recently received from the mayor, below, seems to indicate he agrees.

"Subject: Roger Scott Tennis Courts

Gentlemen,

We now have both a design and estimate for the work that needs to be done to Roger Scott Tennis Center for improvements. We have funding or have spent $1.3 million but are still about $1.3 million short. We would like to talk to the County about support of a regional city/county tennis center.

The city would still run and manage but the prices for membership and play on both hard and clay courts would be the same for city and County` residents. Additional[sic] those courts would be at the best level and design for play.

Please let us know a time that would be good for us to get together with you. Thanks.

Grover"

So yes-there are lots of areas that need funding at the moment throughout the county, we know this.  But utilizing a variety of allowable funding sources to improve Roger Scott makes sense to me, will be a huge quality of life improvement (not to mention a tourist/visitor magnet) and I strongly support this.  Hopefully at least two of my counterparts will see the value and lend support to this initiative as well when I bring it for consideration.