Caiden Gagner

Ship Store Associate

“For all my years of college, Sea Base has been able to be my home away from home, while still giving me incredible life lessons to take away from every season. I have been able to grow and be supported throughout all my years while in college working here, and I’m so very thankful for SBAFA being able to provide scholarships like these that can help cover higher education. While I’m sad my college years are about to be over, I’m excited to see what new adventures I can take and hope that Sea Base and SBAFA continues to inspire staff to never stop learning and growing.”

Dalton Gray

SCUBA Adventure Mate

“My first Experience at sea base was as a participant in 2019, it was when I fell in love with diving and being underwater. Coming to sea base as a staff this summer, I knew exactly how much I was about to change the lives of scouts under my care. Being able to give back to the program, to watch scouts grow, and to improve their skills as divers has been fantastic and something I feel is unparalleled by any internship or scout camp worldwide. I can't wait to keep learning, giving back, and improving myself through all the opportunities Florida Sea Base has given me.”

Jonah Pahel

SCUBA Instructor / SCUBA Liveaboard Mate / Sea Exploring Mate / Program Mate

“Staffing at Seabase has always been a great experience for me. Working many different programs I’ve always discovered something new! Whether it is sailing from Key Largo to Key West and back on tall ships, being either up in the rigging or down in the bilges, or helping kids plant corals on the reefs I love to dive on. What I find so great about these adventures is the educational aspect to them. Each week I get to see the kids grow in a knowledge of something new and grow a deeper connection to the ocean. when they leave it’s almost like we’ve planted a seed that will hopefully lead them down a path of ocean conservation!”

Andrew Sherburne

Program Mate

"Over this past summer, working at Sea Base has allowed me to work with some amazing people, meet scouts from across the country, and do it all while living in the Keys. Every workday was a new experience with new and rewarding challenges. Outside of work, having the ability to dive, snorkel, and appreciate the local wildlife of the Keys was priceless. Although I am leaving Sea Base at the end of the summer, the lessons, experiences, and people of Sea Base will stick with me forever!"

David Fejer

Dr. Marshall Hollis Scholarship

"I am very grateful for the opportunity Sea Base has provided. I have been able to grow personally and professionally through experiencing various adventures and meeting scouts and visitors from all over the country. My time so far at Sea Base has ignited new passions and hobbies through the resources available here that are not available where I grew up. I look forward further developing the future of Sea Base to pass along the experience to every scout.”

Henry Niedbalski

Galley Mate

Capt. Rae Murphy Food Service Staff Scholarship

“Sea Base has brought about great change in me. Before my time at Sea Base, I was weary of new things and experiences but because of my time here, I am a different person. I have had the ability to try new things and meet people I could not have met anywhere else. I have met people that I would consider lifelong friends.  My time in food service has allowed me to strengthen my intrapersonal skills in addition to my work ethic. Furthermore, working in Sea Base Food Service showed me that background jobs are just as important as ones that are more upfront. The connections I have made with people at the Sea Base have allowed me to try new things and help me grow as a person.”

Matthew Meals

SCUBA Liveaboard Mate

Pippin Family Scholarship

"Regardless of how or when you work at Sea Base, I think it’s hard to not have a good time. However, if you work a desk job for a year before working at Sea Base, you will have criminal levels of fun. Life is too short to be stuck looking at a computer 40 hours a week - and Sea Base helped me realize that.”