Sea what I see?

Danette Goulet

Wide-eyed fourth-graders on Friday explored the mysteries of the ocean

through the eyes of a 15-year-old diver at the Newport Beach Nautical

Museum.

When Austin Brown disappeared below the harbor’s surface, he took with

him state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment which enabled students to

interact with him as he mingled with the marine habitat.

Students saw mussels, sponges and fish -- in addition to trash -- all

just below the surface.

“It’s because when people throw out trash, it goes into the storm drains

and then into the water,” said Annie Savoji, a fourth-grade student from

Newport Heights Elementary School.

The educational program, created by the Orange County Coastkeepers, is

intended to give students a better understanding and appreciation of the

Newport Harbor ecosystem.

Coastkeepers is a nonprofit organization founded by Garry Brown a year

ago to preserve and protect the harbor, beaches and wetlands. Its goal is

to teach students that the harbor belongs to everyone and not just those

who live at its edges, Brown said.

Austin, who is Brown’s son, began diving six months ago and has been an

integral part of the new program at the museum.

“I can only see about six inches to a foot in front of me right now,”

Austin told the children from a depth of 8 feet. “It’s apparently 59

degrees right now.”

The interactive diving program, which started in November, is part of a

larger school field trip to the museum.

Children also have the opportunity to climb aboard an Orange County

Sheriff’s Department fire boat, where they try on firefighting gear and

operate the fire hose.

“It’s heavy,” said fourth-grader Lauren Alexander, dressed from head to

toe in a firefighter’s uniform. “It feels good on a cold day -- it’s warm

inside.”

After spraying down the harbor, students trooped inside the museum for a

tour.

The model ship displays of World War II battleships were a hit with the

fourth-grade boys, while the girls were fascinated by the artifacts in a

traveling Polynesian exhibit.

“I like that thing they used instead of a backpack,” said 9-year-old

Vanessa Raimondo, pointing at a wicker basket.

The children’s enjoyment in learning about the sea will remain with them,

Brown said.

“There’s a whole living habitat down there,” he said. “Some kids who come

here have never even seen the harbor before.”