More than 400 sea turtles have stranded along north-shore beaches on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and are in need of transport to aquariums where they can be cared for. Several kinds of migratory turtles, which spend the summer in New England waters but head south in winter, have been driven ashore by a sudden drop in water temperature and strong onshore winds. Leslie Weinstein is coordinating the aviation effort, working with state and federal officials to secure transport from the Air National Guard, and also working with Pilots N Paws and other volunteer groups to solicit help from general aviation pilots. (Click link to read more from this article: https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Endangered-Sea-Turtles-Need-GA-Transport223138-1.html)

PNP Pilot Jeff Bennett’s Narrative About The Turtle Rescue

“On Saturday prior to departing on our last transport we were made aware of an emergency situation involving Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles that had been cold shocked up in New England. The Coast Guard was going to be flying about 190 of these turtles to Orlando, Florida on Tuesday and the turtles required transportation to several facilities around Florida that are Federally approved to receive endangered turtles.

Receiving groups included Sea World, The Florida Aquarium, Disneyworld, Miami Seaquarium, The Turtle Hospital in Marathon and a group in Panama City an another in Boca Raton.

Since Heather and I were already in Orlando delivering pups, we agreed to spend the night and take the 42 Miami and Marathon turtles to their destinations the following day. The weather was not the best as you can see from the photos and the Coast Guard plane arrived about an hour late due to strong headwinds.

Once they were on the ground, we received our VERY detailed paperwork from Florida Fish and Wildlife allowing us to transport endangered animals and started out for home. We delivered the Miami turtles around 9:30 PM and the Marathon group at 11:30 PM.”

Jeff Bennett

Cirrus SR22-GTS

N630LD (Lucky Dog)

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