It began as the first NC branch of SCUBAnauts in 2019, but it has since broken out into the MERROW AQUAneers! We have two main pathways: 1) SCUBA dive club for teens and their parents and 2) Science Diving Training for teens. Our goal is to provide experiential learning as applied to AAUS science techniques and training. Our participants learn basic first aid/cpr and O2 administration through the Divers Alert Network (DAN). They earn Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, and Rescue certifications. They learn how to identify various NC and Caribbean invertebrate and vertebrates and the different methods associated with collecting the data: REEF roving diver vs. AGRRA quadrats/transects methods as an example. Once an AAUS diver, AQUAneers may participate in research projects with other AAUS organizations like Universities, the National Park Service, and NOAA, for example.

Over the last 5 years, we have initiated a coral nursery, participated in Spot-a-Shark identification projects, removed over 150 invasive lionfish from local and remote reefs, documented invertebrates and vertebrates along the NC coast, documented corals in the Caribbean, worked with the National Park Service, the Nature Conservancy, MOTE Marine lab, Duke, UNC, NCSU, REEF, and ICare! Interested? During the winter, we meet monthly. During the summer, we dive weekly or twice a week! Want more information? Contact janelle.fleming [at] merrowfoundation.org

There is a required medical, required DAN insurance, and swim test. There is a fee to join. Here are some initial documents:

Log your dives here: Dive Logging Site

Follow our Adventures on our social media Youtube channel, FB page and Instagram!

Our first dry meeting!
After our first day in the pool and open water!