The sixth annual PADI Project Aware cleanup starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Frenchtown Marina, sponsored by Marty Martinez of Admiralty Dive Center and Hard Rock Café.
This year's project area is from the CYOA Marina dock to the little dock at Villa Olga. Last year the project focused on Hassel Island where Martinez said about 50 people picked up two tons of trash. And this year he is hoping for more volunteers — he's sure there'll be more trash.
Martinez pointed out that all the trash from the harbor winds up in Frenchtown, and it's an enormous amount. He will supply free snorkeling and diving equipment to certified divers. He said they need divers, snorkelers, shoreline picker-uppers, data recorders and people with other useful skills.
Martinez said this week celebrates International Earth Day, and this is the island's contribution.
"It's a win-win situation," Martinez said, "We clean up, it's a worthy cause, and everyone who lives here is a winner." Or visits here, for that matter.
Helping out for the day will be UVI oceanographer Steve Posterman, other UVI personnel, Donna Griffin of Fish and Wildlife, along with a group from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
A couple of years ago, two teenagers turned up some unusual fringe benefits from the project. Emily and Andrew Luscz, while busily scouring about, discovered some valuable antique bottles and a ceramic olive oil bottle. Since their parents own the Hook, Line and Sinker restaurant near where the treasure was found, they were quite surprised.
A special prize will be awarded to anyone who can bring in cleanup T-shirts for each year dating back to 1995.
Among the other prizes this year will be a gift certificate from Hook, Line and Sinker, along with gifts from several island merchants and other dining spots. And, Martinez said, there will be food and drink supplied for the volunteers.
Free Hard Rock T-shirts will be given out to the first 50 volunteers. Everybody should bring foraging equipment, gloves, footwear, sunscreen and hats, Martinez said.
For further information, call (340) 777-9802.
