NSF Dive Talk

New Years Day Dive, by Graham Smith

For most people, New Years Eve activities tend to negate much in the way of New Years morning activities. Not for the Froggies though.

Tuesday morning saw seven intrepid souls changing into dive gear on a windswept Marblehead seafront at Fort Sewell, preparing for hand-to-hand combat with the wintry ocean. The seven, Dan, Dan, Dave, Dave, Jack, Steve and me Graham, were carrying on with a Froggie tradition of starting the year with a dive on day one. Like pagan priests encouraging the dive spirits to show favor in the coming months, we donned our diving vestments, gathered up our accouterments and walked into the sea.

Where the deed was done
The left-hand steps (facing the water) lead to a small gravel beach; this provides easy access to the water. Because the tide was low a prominent rock offers the choice of two channels into the sound. The right channel is deeper and the best choice. The two Dans and I swam out into the sound and made to the left towards the Fort. On descending I followed the two as they dug for Lobsters in the rocks and scoured the sand for Scallops. The wind topside was pushing my flag float towards the shore, which meant I had to tow it in my downwind hand so the line didn't get tangled in my first stage. The Dans were not so encumbered - if you know what I mean. Food finding stirred up the water and dropped the viz from 10 to 3ft or less, so I reversed direction and went for a look around. Some big Starfish, Sand Dollars, Clams, Scallops and Crabs made up a typical New England bottom. Fish were nowhere to be seen and none were reported by the other divers. I started with an HP 80 at 2900psi so at 42 minutes and 38 degrees I called it a day.

The group had varying lengths of dive, Dan Turner, getting the most out of his new Dry Suit, did the hour plus. Jack has to be commended, or maybe offered counseling, for being the only wet-suit diver. Water temperatures were reported from 37F to 39F with depths 22ft to 34ft.

Post dive triumph
"The Mighty Warriors Who Became the Seven National Heroes of a Small Town"
[Imdb.com: Tagline for The Seven Samurai]

By the time we were all out and getting changed the wind was sharper than a mother-in-law's tongue, and to add to that a freezing rain had begun. Several passers-by commented on how brave we were and one chap thanked me for "keeping the oceans safe" - must still have been suffering the effects of the loopy juice from night before.

The author with a pained expression, and Dave, who is stood on a live wire

"There is a spot mid barren hills,
Where winter howls and driving rain
But if the dreary tempest chills
There is a light that warms again"
Emily Bronte

Steve with Mickey Mouse dive gloves

Mein Host with Dan Turner promising turkey sandwiches in excess
Steve Levey provided "a light that warms again" with splendid turkey sandwiches at his nearby home. Others brought food and drink and a grand time was had by all. I can safely say this was the best dive of the year.

Graham Smith 01/04/08