{"id":273470,"date":"2026-05-16T14:34:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T14:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/273470\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T14:34:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T14:34:10","slug":"ocean-of-support-event-held-after-usf-marine-science-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/273470\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Ocean of Support\u2019 event held after USF Marine Science fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this month, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg\u2019s Marine Science Laboratory building<\/a>\u00a0was significantly damaged after a fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Community members and USF staff came together Friday at the \u201cOcean of Support\u201d fundraiser, at the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub, to support students and faculty impacted by the tragedy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The gathering, which was hosted by the St. Pete Innovation District and City of St. Petersburg Council member Gina Driscoll, benefited the USF College of Marine Science and the Florida Institute of Oceanography.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While no injuries were reported, USF officials confirmed that the overall damage is still being assessed. Over 60 units with approximately 200 firefighters were dispatched to the laboratory after the fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue division chief of training Richard Ganci was the incident commander.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He explained to the Catalyst that the impact was \u201cmainly contained to the roof.\u201d Water damage inside the facility also occurred. Drones were used for intel to help secure the fire. <\/p>\n

Ganci believes the Friday event showed \u201cgreat unity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The fire occurred May 2. Photo: St. Petersburg Fire Rescue<\/p>\n

In a USF Bulls by the Bay Briefing sent out Friday, Interim Regional Chancellor Thomas Smith wrote that \u201cmany members of our USF community have worked tirelessly on short-term and long-term recovery efforts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

These have included \u201clocating and salvaging key research materials, data and equipment\u201d and \u201cinventorying and securing research, teaching and office spaces for those impacted by the fire at locations across our city.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

USF College of Marine Science dean Thomas Frazer told the Catalyst that the community support \u201cspeaks volumes to the type of people we have in St. Petersburg.\u201d The most important thing is that \u201ceverybody is safe,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe reality is now we just have to look forward.\u201d <\/p>\n

Chris Stallings, USF professor of biological oceanography, said that the fire was \u201cdefinitely a major setback in our research.\u201d Some individuals have lost samples and \u201clibrary collections that they have been building for decades.\u201d He added that university staff and leaders are committed to helping students return to their studies as quickly as possible. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt kinda reminds me of Covid where it\u2019s a good opportunity to circle the wagons,\u201d Stallings explained, \u201cand really make sure that our group bonds and that we\u2019re supporting each other.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Driscoll said that it was essential to bring the community together to \u201cexchange hugs and stories and give each other that support that we need in a time like this.\u201d She explained that \u201cnot all of the losses are tangible.\u201d The marine science sector, Driscoll added, is a \u201cmajor economic driver\u201d in the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Marine Science Laboratory site initially was a part of a World War II-era<\/a> Merchant Marine training base. Once USF began to utilize the compound, it became a space for research and teaching.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Students and faculty used the site to study marine ecosystems, climate change and ocean chemistry, among other topics. Lab samples and specimens were also kept at the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re so lucky that our community has come together to support not only the recovery efforts, but also the spirit of what the College of Marine Science means to our community,\u201d said E. Howard Rutherford, USF St. Petersburg campus associate vice president of development. \u201cIt\u2019s beyond just brick and mortar here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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