COASTAL RESOURCES

Okaloosa successfully deploys 105-foot vessel as new artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach

On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team successfully deployed a 105-foot vessel as an artificial reef off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast. 

• The RMS CYCLOPS is a decommissioned offshore supply vessel that was used in the oil industry. 

Okaloosa County contracted with Marine Environmental Services LLC last year for the preparation, transportation and deployment of the RMS CYCLOPS and RMS ATLANTIS. RMS CYCLOPS was deployed approximately 4.24nm southeast of Destin East Pass in the newly permitted Okaloosa County Fish Haven 22. (State waters)

• The new artificial reef was deployed in 72ft of water, which allowed for the vessel to maintain the permitted clearance of ½ the water depth.

The main reason for deploying this vessel in state waters is that the county hasn’t had a state water vessel deployment since 2000 (Eglin Landing Craft). 

“A lot of the vessels currently in state waters are getting old, they’re breaking down and the dive and fishing industry are really screaming for some high profile, large artificial reefs for them to be able to visit with some of their more novice divers or in smaller boats that don’t have to go very far offshore to access these vessels,” said Coastal Resource Manager Alex Fogg. 

• “The highest point of the vessel is at a depth that is very accessible to very novice divers,” added Fogg. “But it is also going to be an outstanding fishing site once it matures as it’s a large structure that’s certainly attractive to a lot of those reef fish species.”

While the CYCLOPS is a large vessel, it does not have a ton of vertical relief. Fogg says that because of this, it will remain relatively stable in storms and in other rough weather that have demonstrated the ability to move vessels.

As with any deployment of an artificial reef, there can be unexpected challenges and there is always the chance that things don’t go as planned. During Tuesday morning’s deployment, the vessel actually  landed upside down. 

• “Deploying artificial reefs is a complex and challenging process, and unfortunately, unexpected events like this can happen,” said Fogg. “In this case, we suspect that air became trapped in the bow of the vessel and prevented it from landing upright.  Our team will work with the contractor to cut additional holes in future vessels to prevent  this from happening again. While this certainly wasn’t how we wanted the vessel to land, it will still make an outstanding reef that’s a bit different from some of our other vessel deployments in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.”

The addition of RMS CYCLOPS is a nice bonus to Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s 5-year artificial reef plan that actually started with the purchase of the RV DOLPHIN and RV MANTA. 

“We were expecting to spend around $2 million on the RV DOLPHIN and RV MANTA, but because we came in well under budget, it opened up the door for us to acquire a couple of additional vessels,” added Fogg. “The 5-year plan includes building out our state waters with some of these vessels down the road, but we were able to accelerate that portion of the plan to get these in the water.”

Looking ahead, the Coastal Resource Team is planning the deployment of another vessel, RMS ATLANTIS. It is also a decommissioned offshore supply vessel.

If you’re looking to explore the new RMS CYCLOPS, here are the coordinates:

• RMS CYCLOPS: 30° 20.838 N, 86° 26.239 W

Full list of reefs are here: https://www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/artificial-reefs/

THINGS TO DO

Construction Junction Kids’ Day is back, featuring BIG trucks, helicopters, K-9 demonstrations and more!

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s largest community event, Construction Junction, is back on April 22, 2023 from 10am-2pm, and is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

• This event, now in its 21st year, is a joint effort between law enforcement, civilian, and military organizations and has become a community tradition that continues to grow year after year.

According to Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage, Construction Junction is the pinnacle event that the Fort Walton Beach Police Department does every year.

The event showcases:

• Military vehicles
• Police vehicles
• Tow trucks
• Dump tucks
• Helicopters
• K-9 demonstrations
• Fire trucks
• and more

There will also be a live DJ and free food for all guests, with hot dogs and hamburgers served all day. In addition, every guest will receive a ticket at the door for a free raffle prize, with door prizes expected to be drawn every 30 minutes.

Construction Junction is a completely free event, and all are invited to attend.

“It’s a major event where partners from all over our communities show up,” Chief Bage explains. “This includes the military, various service organizations, the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office, FWC, the Coast Guard, and Florida Highway Patrol. The Public Works departments from both the city of Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County will also be there.”

The event started with the idea of showcasing large, heavy equipment or trucks from policing, SWAT vehicles, fire trucks, and vehicles from public works, to engage the children in the community. The event also provides an opportunity for the community to engage with various law enforcement agencies and other nonprofits.

• “We probably get about 2,000 people that come out every single year,” says Chief Bage. “There will be food, refreshments, and local nonprofits. If you have any questions about law enforcement, you can engage on a personal level with somebody from one of those agencies at Construction Junction.”

So mark your calendars for April 22 and head to the NWF Fairgrounds located at 1954 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.

COMING SOON

Seaside School announces multi-million dollar expansion with NWFSC

Seaside School, Inc. has announced the Seacoast Collegiate High School (SCHS) Expansion Project in partnership with Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC), marking a multi-million dollar investment in the community.

• This project aims to provide a permanent home for SCHS at the South Walton Campus of NWFSC while expanding the collegiate programs to more students in Walton County.

According to Patrick McCarthy, Seaside School Foundation President, Walton County and the surrounding areas are currently experiencing rapid growth.

“We believe investing in the people of our community is needed and necessary now more than ever,” he said. “By expanding this partnership between two historically successful institutions, we will make Walton County an even better place to live and thrive.”

Currently, ninth and tenth grades at SCHS operate in five classrooms that are leased from NWFSC at the South Walton Campus, while eleventh and twelfth grades attend classes on the Niceville Campus of NWFSC. With this expansion project, The Seaside School, Inc. will be able to consolidate all high school students at the NWFSC South Walton Campus and add additional instructional space for students in grades nine through twelve and the community.

“Our goal is to create a vibrant epicenter for not only dual enrollment education but also higher learning opportunities that will not only benefit our students but will provide all high school students in Walton County more access to a college education and fulfill their educational goals,” said Kim Mixson, The Seaside School, Inc. Chief Academic Officer.

The Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project will be developed on 5-acres of land provided by NWFSC, consisting of three additional buildings for both SCHS and NWFSC classrooms, shared lab space, “The Accelerator” for workforce development, continuing education, and other workforce preparedness opportunities for the community, as well as green spaces to unite the campus.

• “Our college’s commitment to provide expansive educational and training opportunities for the citizens of Northwest Florida is evidenced once again in this strong partnership with Seacoast Collegiate High School,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Northwest Florida State College. “We believe dual enrollment opportunities are the key to advancing educational attainment in our region and in Florida.”

Despite the growth, SCHS holds strong to their core values of providing a small learning environment with a focus on students’ individual learning needs and independence in combination with a collegiate program. The school has consistently had a 100% graduation rate and more students qualifying for the Bright Futures Scholarships than any other high school in Walton County.

“This project will allow us to remain committed to fostering a high level of academic achievement for our students while providing them with skills to contribute to the area’s business community,” said Joy Robbins, The Seaside School, Inc. Director of Strategic Development. “Currently, our high school students are working on earning their Associate of Arts degree, but with this level of growth and expansion, we will be able to offer our students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Business Management.”

The Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project is expected to break ground later this year with doors opening to students in 2025. The project includes naming and gift opportunities, campus renderings, and upcoming informational sessions.

For more information on this project, visit SeasideSchools.net.

NEWS

Okaloosa County mosquito spraying schedule for 2023

The Okaloosa County 2023 Mosquito Control Spray Schedule has been released. Okaloosa County’s Mosquito Control Division of Public Works expects the schedule to activate in the coming weeks, based on various environmental factors.

MONDAYS: 
North County

• C4A to Escambia Farms to Hwy 189 East
• Beaver Creek to John Riley Barn Hill to Hwy 189 West
• Crestview: Rattlesnake Bluff to Old Antioch Rd, from Aplin Rd south to Live Oak Church Rd.

South County

• Wynnehaven Beach, Florosa and Valparaiso
• Destin: County Line to Airport Rd 

TUESDAYS:
North County

• East side of Hwy 189 to Hwy 2 to Garden City Area
• Baker and Holt South of Highway 90
• Crestview: Aplin Rd north to Hwy 90, Old Antioch Rd to Hwy 90, west of Hwy 85

South County

• Airport Rd to Destin Bridge, Mary Esther/Fort Walton Beach and Bluewater Bay

WEDNESDAYS:
North County:

• Holt north of Hwy 90, Baker West to Galliver Cutoff, South Poverty Creek Rd to Garden City
• Crestview: Old Bethel Rd to Airport Rd, North Airport Rd to Laurel Hill
• South Airport Rd to Hwy 90

South County

• Streets off of Lewis Turner Blvd to Carmel Dr, Rocky Bayou, Fort Walton Beach from Brooks Bridge to Memorial Pkwy

THURSDAYS:
North County

• Auburn Rd to Poverty Creek Rd, Hwy 393 to Campton, Laurel Hill to County Line to Lake Ella
• Baker from Galliver Cutoff to Old River Rd
• Crestview: Staff Rd to Arthur Estates Area

South County

• Shalimar, Ocean City, Mooney Rd area and Niceville

COASTAL RESOURCES

World’s Largest Lionfish Tournament to be held in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, May 20-21

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are getting ready to celebrate the 5th Annual Lionfish Removal & Awareness Festival.

• The festival, which takes place on May 20-21, 2023 on the Destin Harbor,aims to raise awareness about the invasive lionfish species and mitigate its growing threat to native fish in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Lionfish are an invasive species that prey on native fish with no known predators due to their venomous spines. The Emerald Coast Open tournament is a key component that helps mitigate the growing lionfish threat in the Gulf of Mexico. 

But it’s not just about raising awareness; the festival also includes the Emerald Coast Open Tournament on May 19-20. This tournament is a key component of the festival, giving divers the chance to compete for prize money totaling nearly $100,000 in categories like “most lionfish caught” and largest and smallest lionfish. 

• Last year’s tournament was a great success, removing 13,835 lionfish from local waters. Tournament weigh-ins will be held behind AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar on May 21.

“The success of this annual event is undeniable,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “It not only helps to remove this invasive species, but it brings so many different local industries together within a family-friendly atmosphere that’s accessible to the public. This event grows each year and it could not happen without the hard work of the Coastal Resource Team within our Tourism Development Department.”

Leading up to the tournament, the festival offers a unique culinary experience for the public. The Emerald Coast Open Restaurant Week features lionfish dishes prepared by chefs at local restaurants. Each dish will be judged, and the winning chef crowned at the end of the week. 

But the festivities don’t stop there. On May 20, Lionfish & Libations will be held at the HarborWalk Village. This event will feature various local brews paired with food from participating vendors, giving attendees a taste of the local cuisine.

“Emerald Coast Open and the Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day Festival continues to grow and provide awareness of lionfish removal, which lessens the threat to our native wildlife in Destin-Fort Walton Beach,” said Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager, Destin-Fort Walton Beach. “Our community sponsors make it possible for us to host an event that is not only educational but an enjoyable experience for families to attend on the Destin Harbor.”

If you’re interested in participating in the tournament or learning more about the festival, be sure to visit the official website at www.emeraldcoastopen.com.