The Airchive-Chalk's Ocean Airways Planespotting

	Chalk's Ocean Airways - Watson Island Base (Miami, FL) and Bimini, Bahamas Base Now known as Chalk’s Ocean Airways, after being purchased by a former Eastern Airlines captain, from bankrupt Pan Am II in 1999. Chalk’s, America’s oldest continually operating airline flew under the Chalk’s Banner from 1926-1996 The airline, founded by Pappy Chalk, had several owners including Pan Am II. Incidentally, the “Ocean” in the airline’s name is from a major investor, Miami’s Ocean Bank. For a time, Chalk’s discontinued its one of a kind seaplane service from it’s Watson Island Sea Base in Miami Beach to Bimini and Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Key West service was discontinued some years back. The terminal, a small building and a trailer for customs, couldn't accommodate more than 2 aircraft at a time though I never saw more than one. At the end of the day, the Mallard’s are flown to Ft. Lauderdale for over-nighting. It was quite a rush to fly this venerable institution as well as watch it take out from a boat. The coast guard created a clean path for the plane taking off next to the massive cruise ships, where it reaches VR at usually 300 feet or so. What a wonderful adventure. December 19, 2005: A Chalk's Mallard tragically crashed on take-off today around 2:30pm EST just east of the Miami Harbor Watson Island base. Early reports are there was an explosion onboard, followed by the wing snapping off and a death roll into the ocean at Government Cut between the South Pointe pier piling and Fisher Island. Conditions were IFR with fog and low clouds. There are no survivors reported of the 20 souls onboard. The plane was probably no more than 200-300 feet above the water when the explosion occurred. Amateur video shows the plane crashing with a trailing fireball which seems to be a separated engine and/or wing. Airchive's prayers are with the families and crew. As of mid 2006, the airline had yet to resume services as the Mallard's were grounded by the FAA.
	This photograph was taken on approach to Bimini, “The sport fishing capital of the world”.
	4 shots taken in December, 1998 of the Chalk’s Mallard splashing down, coming off plane, converting to an amphibian on land, and finally sitting at the airline’s Bimini sea base. When the plane hobbles onto land, it actually crosses the small main street of the island literally stopping traffic.

	This shot of the cockpit of the Grumman G-73 Turbo Mallard was taken on the ground at the Bimini, Bahamas sea base. In December of 1998, when I flew Chalk’s Ocean (known as Pan Am Air Bridge at the time) from Miami Watson Terminal to Bimini, there wasn’t a door on the cockpit affording a great view. Through the 25 minute, 50 minute flight the maximum ceiling was 3,000 feet.
	Chalk's Ocean Airways Mallard seen in 2000 at the Miami Watson Island base. Post September 11th, Watson Island service has been dramatically curtailed and shifted to Ft. Lauderdale.
	Written Off G-73 This is not the aircraft which crashed in December 2000, but an aircraft used occassionally from the Watson Base until it was destroyed and flipped over in Hurricane Katrina.

	Chalk's Ocean Airways ticket counter at the Watson Island base.
	A circa 1981 post card of the Mallard floating on Biscayne Bay in front of downtown Miami, just off the Watson Island Base.
	A vintage postcard of a Chalks G-73 Turbo Mallard at the Bimini base, circa late 70s.