Grant: 20-029C
Project Title: Sea Turtle Transport Vehicle for The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Laboratory
Project Manager: Catherine Eastman
Organization: University of Florida - Whitney Laboratory (Research and Educational Institute)
Grant Amount: $28,987.14
Completion Date: 2021-06-04
Summary: This project will help the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Laboratory purchase a sea turtle transport vehicle. We are very much in need of a dedicated vehicle for our Hospital and program. We are currently using staff and volunteers' vehicles and occasionally the graduate students' dedicated vehicle to respond to after hour strandings, transfer patients to and from CT imaging, transport to other rehab facilities (mostly VMSC), transport to releases, and evacuation during hurricanes. By having a transport vehicle, the Sea Turtle Hospital would be able to have a reliable method of moving patients and stranded turtles on our own timetable, instead of relying on vehicle coordination with staff and volunteers. This vehicle would be wrapped and logoed with colorful sea turtle imagery, the Sea Turtle License Plate and associated language as well as the FWC hotline.
Results: The purchase of the 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van Tradesman van was able to commence as soon as funding was received, before the end of the purchasing fiscal year. That meant we were able to receive the van July 28th. We worked with SignsNow to create a graphic that was eye catching and met the needs of the Sea Turtle Hospital and Sea Turtle Grants Program (and FWC verbiage). The van wrap was completed September 18th and plated by the University shortly after. Our autumn has been a very busy stranding season and the Transport Vehicle was put into use immediately. Our volunteers were oriented with the vehicle and began transporting (triaged patients) from our hospital to mostly Volusia Marine Science Center. Additionally, the transport van has been transporting current patients to Precision Imaging in St Augustine for monthly CT scans. We have received fun feedback from other drivers (waving, taking cell phone pictures and, thumbs up)! The Van is not only a much-needed mode of transport, but also a big hit in town.