Tony Brady and Roger Gordon all suited up and ready to dive to check out the M/V Spencer F. Baird. - FWS photo

The US Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the M/V Spencer F. Baird in 2006 to replace the aging M/V Togue to be the primary stocking vessel for Region 3’s lake trout program.  In its short life, the Baird has withstood the forces of Hurricane Katrina, a trip up the eastern seaboard to the Great Lakes and one intense field season. 

Through this first year of duty, insufficiencies were revealed in the paint covering the Baird’s exterior.  Peeling paint at the waterline caused concern and left the crew of the Baird interested in the condition of the paint below the water. 

The question, of how to examine the hull of this 95-foot vessel, was raised in meeting with the Baird crew and the Regional Office.  It was decided that SCUBA divers should be used to videotape the hull of the Baird. 

Divers from Genoa National Fish Hatchery were contacted about conducting the dive for the Regional Office.  The Genoa NFH staff used of an underwater camera from the La Crosse Fisheries Resource Office and drove to Cheboygan, Michigan where the Baird was stationed. 

After meeting with the Captain Mike Perry to discuss his concerns and potential hazards the divers could encounter, the Genoa NFH staff suited up and slipped off beneath the cool waters of Lake Huron. 

Divers examined the hull for about an hour then surfaced to show the Baird Crew the condition of the hull.  A second trip beneath the Baird was ordered to capture additional footage of areas that concerned Captain Perry. 

Copies of the tape were burned to CD and sent to the Regional Office and to the Captain Perry.  This work will help the Regional Office and Baird crew decide how to proceed in repainting the Baird.