Return to Sea utilizes experienced Captains and safe vessels for Drifter deployment into the Gulf Stream, with deployment positions ranging from 8 to 22 miles offshore Jupiter, Florida.  Dr. McDowell analyzes daily NOAA maps of Gulf Stream position to identify the surface core (highest speed) of the Stream for optimum positioning of each Drifter.

Deployment timing is determined by equipment readiness, participant availability and prevailing weather and sea conditions — with safety as the highest priority.

Why is it best to deploy our Drifters in the Gulf Stream current offshore Florida?
​
 The Gulf Stream is one of the world’s most powerful and consistent ocean currents. Flowing northward from the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s east coast and then into the open Atlantic, it provides a direct and natural pathway to the vast sea. Because of its depth and strength, the current does not flow back onto the shallow continental shelf or nearshore waters.

This makes Palm Beach County an ideal location for Drifter deployments, allowing Loved Ones’ ashes to be carried far offshore into the vast North Atlantic on a truly meaningful journey. Learn more on our Gulf Stream Characteristics page.