Don and Elaine Dvorak met during the Cordell Expeditions and have been together ever since. Elaine brought a lot of support to the expedition with planning and mission support and Don and Sue were photographers. They all were a part of the entire Cordell Expeditions missions for nearly the entire time. This interview was conducted in 2012.
| Question | Summary | Download Mp3 Sound File or PDF Transcript |
|---|---|---|
| With the commercial fishing, was that a boat out of Sausalito that you went on for your first trip out to Cordell Bank? | Elaine tells of her first experience on the Bank, on a tiny fishing ship | Mp3 File (2MB) PDF Transcript |
| What was the so-called competition like with fishing out there? | Elaine explains fishing controversy surrounding bottom trawling at Cordell Bank | Mp3 File (795k) PDF Transcript |
| Could you describe the feeling, the sensation of going down there and seeing it for the first time? | Sue describes her first full dive, and speaks of the unexpected beauty and visibility | Mp3 File (2MB) PDF Transcript |
| Don, what was your impression after first facing this incredible place? | Don talks about the safety issues, mental state, and multiple aspects of the dive | Mp3 File (7MB) PDF Transcript |
| Where did you go on practice dives? | Don and Sue speak of their practice dives at locations around CA | Mp3 File (7MB) PDF Transcript |
| Is there anything at other places you may have dove that is similar to what you saw at Cordell Bank? | Sue and Don describe a few locations similar to unique Cordell Bank | Mp3 File (2MB) PDF Transcript |
| Did you realize the value in the long run of the photos and specimens when you were diving? | Sue talks about the mindset of Cordell Expeditions during the trips | Mp3 File (1MB) PDF Transcript |
| Were there any noticeable changes from year to year in terms of species abundance? | Don and Sue recall variance in the dives they took | Mp3 File (4MB) PDF Transcript |
| Were there any memorable wildlife encounters at the surface? | Don tells a story of one memorable day with sharks | Mp3 File (1MB) PDF Transcript |
| Were there any memories of bird aggregations or feeding frenzies? | Don, Sue, and Elaine discuss the birds and some intimate moments with the wildlife | Mp3 File (3MB) PDF Transcript |
| Please summarize your career with Cordell Expeditions | Don, Sue, and Elaine each sum up the years spent with Bob Schmeider and Cordell Expeditions | Mp3 File (8MB) PDF Transcript |
| When you first dived did you believe that you were the first ones to be out there? | Don, Sue, and Elaine explain the mystery of the man-made holes out on Cordell Bank | Mp3 File (3MB) PDF Transcript |
| Did any of you get involved with NOAA or the National Marine Sanctuaries? | Don and Sue recall their involvement in bringing about Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary | Mp3 File (2MB) PDF Transcript |
| Where does Cordell Bank stand among other amazing places you’ve dived? | Don, Sue, and Elaine praise Cordell Bank as an unforgettable trip and sum up their feelings towards the seamount | Mp3 File (6MB) PDF Transcript |