Meet Karen Tine

When Karen Tine was the Dock Master at Loblolly Marina, she met Dr. Vincent Encomio, then Director of Research and Conservation at Florida Oceanographic. “He was conducting a survey of oysters and mentioned that they could use a water quality tester in the area,” said Karen. Thus began her 12-year journey of testing water quality in the Indian River Lagoon. To date she has accumulated over 570 volunteer hours.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, she attended Hartford State Technical College and UConn School of Engineering. In 1997, she moved to Florida with her husband, Joe, and daughter, Jen. It was when she was helping a friend move to the area when she had her first experience on the beach: witnessing a sea turtle coming in from the surf to lay her eggs at Hobe Sound Beach. She was in awe!

As a retired boat captain, Karen has always been drawn to the water, but her previous work as a chemical technician helped her realize the role she could play as a volunteer for Florida Oceanographic. “I feel anyone can do water testing if they have an interest,” she said of her impact as a volunteer. “I really enjoy being part of a group of people who know how critical the health of the estuary is to thousands of species of fish, flora, and fauna.”

While at Loblolly Marina, Karen worked as a boat operator, then was promoted to Dock Master and then Assistant Marina Manager. She currently works as the Dock Master at Sailfish Marina in Stuart and continues to test water quality at the Coast Guard Auxiliary dock at Sandspit Park.

When speaking about her work as a volunteer for Florida Oceanographic, Karen is reminded of her young grandchildren, Nolan, six years old, and Eloise, eight months old, saying, “I want them to learn all about this incredible ecosystem that we have to care for!”

Snapshot:
Born in: Hartford, Connecticut
Attended College: Hartford State Technical College and UConn School of Engineering
Hobbies: Boating, fishing, beach combing for sea beans, guitar, singing
Favorite book: Florida’s Living Beaches by Blair and Dawn Witherington (Available in Florida Oceanographic gift shop)