Topsail Beach, NC - The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center 

Sea Turtle Hospital News 

Eleven of our patients had circled February 3rd in their day planners. Up before the sun, hospital volunteers were loading them into carriers and heading out in a caravan to Fort Macon. But halfway there word came from the Coast Guard that their ride was having mechanical problems. Eleven angry sea turtles were returned to the hospital, with the promise that we’d try again soon. 

On February 9th our cruise director, Jean, awakened twelve turtles before dawn. Once again they were loaded into carriers and the caravan eased on down the road to freedom, as the turtles kept their flippers crossed that they’d make it onto the boat this time. They did.

To say it was snug quarters on "Fort Macon 47211" is an understatement. The four hospital volunteers were attired in bulky survival suits, as were the crewmen. Of the twelve turtles, four were good-sized loggerheads. "Nettie" weighing in at 175-pounds was assigned to the "wet corner," the corner that was constantly taking on spray. Because she could hear, smell and taste the ocean she attempted to self-release for the entire 2-1/2-hour voyage. Crouching under her tarp our hospital volunteers spelled one another during the trip, patting and reassuring her that "we’re almost there." Sea turtles are not known for their alluring aroma so I’m guessing that the clothes they were wearing have probably been burned!      

Two other loggerheads, "Surf" and "January" traveled on deck, while loggerhead "Nine" entertained the eight baby greens and our other three volunteers below deck. Our patients were kept nice and toasty by tarps, blankets and insulated containers (for the little greens). But our super high-tech secret for keeping the travelers warm was a cooler full of socks that had been filled with rice and microwaved. As soon as the socks around a turtle began to cool they were switched out. 

Arriving at the coordinates provided by Wendy Cluse (ex hospital intern and now sea turtle biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission) they found that the water temperature was a disappointing (and turtle-chilling) 64°. The crew suggested that they travel out about another five miles, where the water was averaging closer to 70°. Forty-two and a half miles out to sea our turtles were finally home.   

It was time to let the turtles go. Because the boat was so compact that honor was turned over to the sure-footed crew. Doing an incredible job of keeping excited turtles under control, they moved them safely to the lower deck where they would be released. Of course Nettie was the first to splashdown, and with a wave of the flipper she was off in the warm, clear, deep blue water of the Gulf Stream. A picture really is worth a thousand words. Go to our website, www.seaturtlehospital.org and see for yourself what happy turtles look like. 

This couldn’t have happened without a "village." Credit goes to our hospital volunteers who worked so hard all winter to get these critters healthy enough to make the trip. Thanks to our volunteers who transported the turtles, and the four (Terry Meyer, Beth Howard, Jennifer Bragaw and Eston Jones) who braved the trip out and back. A huge thank you to the US Coast Guard and the crew, Jimmy Cannette, Aaron Strickland, Ken Grande and Darren Cullipher. They were professional, friendly and treated our volunteers and patients like VIP’s. Thanks to Wendy Cluse who acted as our liaison in making the arrangements. Flipper hugs to all of you who support our efforts. 

Questions, comments or suggestions for stories
Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com.  This column will appear approximately every two weeks during the winter months.