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current North Shore Frogmen discuss the downs and ups of local dive adventures. All Members are welcome to participate. This area is strictly for discussing scuba diving experiences. Please do not post or comment to this page on any other matter, as it will be removed. Any other material of interest to the club or divers-at-large should be submitted to the webmaster for inclusion on the Breaking News pages. Thank you for your cooperation.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Diving in Overhead Environments - Eagle Island, Sunday August 24th
The weather was fine with light seas and pleasant temperatures, “Damn Boat” pulled up to the south east end of Eagle Island. Capt Geoff dropped the anchor in 20 feet of water and with the bow pointing at Halfway rock, we prepared to dive. On board, Jodie was about to do her first open water dive, the rest of us, the two Dans, Paul S, Todd, Steffen and the author have been diving since Moses was a kid. First in was Todd who returned shortly with a bag of scallops. After swapping the full bag for an empty one and indicating the direction of the scallop beds he went on his way. Dan H, Dan T and Steffen followed. Paul should have made up the first group but in reality was the first of the second group. Capt. Geoff and Jodie went next, yours truly following behind.Setting my compass to Todd’s directions it became obvious that anyone wanting scallops would be in an “overhead environment”. The volume of traffic across the Damn Boat’s bow had been rising all morning; by eleven it was beginning to resemble the chariot scene from Ben Hur. Interestingly, hanging a couple of dive flags on the boat had no effect on how close passing vessels came. However, tales of scallops, and lobsters “walking around on the mud” were too tempting, and, as long as no emergency ascents were called for, no other hazards presented themselves. The dive was as advertised, scallops and lobsters, mostly short lobsters, to be found in the mud, though the constant roar of boats passing overhead was a little disconcerting. ![]() With hindsight this was probably not the smartest place to dive. Vis of six to ten feet on the first dive dropped to four to six on the second dive. Water temp was cool at fifty two, particularly for those diving wet. Many thanks go to Todd and Paul for shucking and gutting the scallops. Todd becomes a human buzz-saw with a shucking knife in his hand. Unfortunately, the t-shirt he was wearing did not survive the shuck. By the end a good two pounds of scallop shell, guts and sand were embedded in it. The addition of sun on the shirt made for an unpleasant aroma; at least I assume it was the shirt. Dan found a piece of old plate which he claims could be from the “The Kings Boat” ![]() "June 17th, 1733, The Kings Boat a large 2 masted vessel with a keel of 29 ft that ferried the affluent-upper-class 'round the islands SANK in a storm off the NE tip of Eagle Island (exactly where we were diving!!!!) The boat was lost with 12 out of the 14 crew aboard missing (dead). The passengers were women and children, It was a modern boat for it's time, equipped to handle the wealthy passengers with the utmost of comfort. The wreck was later salvaged, but remnants remain.” The picture shows the priceless artifact. Many thanks to Capt Geoff for the use and skippering of Damn Boat, on what turned out to be a great days diving. Cheers Graham
Comments:
Great write up! I just beg to differ on the assertion that it "was probably not the smartest place to dive." Tons of bugs, scallops and an artifact? Sounds brilliant to me. Too bad the stinkpots and wind bags don't know what a dive flag means. The smarts was lackin' but it weren't the divers.
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Monday, August 18, 2008
2nd dive was the NE side of the island. No surge or pesky ferry boats, and better viz. We opted to hunt in the sand out in the channel. Lots of large male lobsters just strolling around in the open. The boat took a good haul, Adam H found a hot spot for scallops and landed half a bag full. We had a big lunch and spent a few hours jumping off the stern of the boat and laughing it up over some post-dive refreshments. A quick T-storm passed over the main land but it never touched us, we were dry when we off loaded the boat back at the dock. It was an excellent day on/in the water and a great time was had by all. CHEERS! Thursday, August 14, 2008
Dan Hering and Todd Randall have been getting some great cardio workouts snorkeling off Mingo Beach.
The water has been very warm with no need of a wetsuit, just mask, snorkel & fins. Just off shore is Black Rocks a real interesting site with lots of fish. We meet there every Tuesday and Thursday if anyone wants to come along. Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Sunday, August 3rd - Damn fine day on the "Damn Boat"
Captain Geoff graciously hosted Steffen, Paul, Dan H, Bree P, and Dan T on Sunday. We spent the day diving Halfway Rock.The weather was beautiful, water was warm with a mild current, viz was 30+ easy. Lots of bugs (Dan T hit his bag limit, photo by Steffen) and an abundance of marine life was observed. Around noon people began surfacing after the second dive to the wonderful aroma of Porterhouse steaks cooking on the grill (Compliments of Steffen, and cooked to perfection by the Captain) and a huge pot-luck lunch was served in the cabin as a brief T-storm passed overhead. No one seemed to mind because we were all busy with fresh shrimp cocktails, homemade 'tater salad, sushi, watermelon, and garden salads as we talked over our dives. The sun came out again and everyone caught some rays on deck over a few cold ones. It was such a perfect day that those in attendance unanimously rated it as "The best dive of the year...thus far." Paul and Steffen brought their cameras and really took advantage of the conditions, we will be having one heck of a photo contest this year! CHEERS Saturday, July 26, 2008
![]() ![]() Saturday, July 26 Harry VGH and Dan H had planned on meeting in Nahant for a few shore dives at noon. At the last minute, a call from Capt Kevin Miller came in, and an offer to dive Halibut point off the boat was gratefully accepted in haste. 1st dive was a max of 48 ft, viz was 25 ft +, lots of marine life and good hunting, and a fairly new pair of sun glasses were found. 2nd dive was 20-30 ft, closer to shore, viz was 10-15 ft due to surge/waves. Lots of huge eggers and hangers. 1st time at this location for Harry and Dan, great diving! The boat hauled a total of 14 bugs, Capt Kev. landed a "Max-size" monstah lobstah, the gauge just fit! On the way in we saw what we thought was an extreamly large kite flying off the beach on the horizon, as we approached we realized it was flying on it's own over the middle of Ipswich bay, abandoned, with it's water logged reel trailing behind in the water. We cut the wheel and Harry snagged the airborne flotsam. This was one piece for most "unusual find". The green head flys are really nasty this time of year on the Ipswich River, so the Capt brought out a bottle if listerine as a bug repellent (many people have recieved various emails from many diffrent sources regarding this) and figured he'd try this email myth. The results were favorable by all 3 divers. A large dose of this seems to repell the critters significantly, without the greasy bug spray feeling and smell, but it does wear off, especially on a breezy boat ride, and after 2 dives in the salt. CHEERS!
Comments:
Thought the readers might enjoy my Lobster Claw regenerating slide show-
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http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/lobster-claw-regeneration-slide-show/ The Lobster Molting Video and Pictures - http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/another-view-of-lobster-molting/ http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/lobster-molting-video-at-captain-joes/ Sunday, July 13, 2008
Folly Cove Boat Dive Capt. Kevin Miller hosted Harry VGH and Dan H aboard "The 2 Sons" for a pre-meeting 2 tank dive. We cruised down the Ipswich river and accross the bay under blue skys and over calm, warm seas. 1st dive was the outer mouth of the cove, we decended to 75+ Ft and found little to no marine life there and later determined the bulk of the lobsters were in about 20 Ft of water. Great hunting on the 1st dive. 2nd dive was further into the cove, total kelp forrest, lousy hunting but GREAT for photography and observational diving, (pictures are courtesy of Harry VGH), lot's of fish of various species. The total haul for the boat was 11, Dan H got to use "The good side" of the gauge for 3 big-uns. Thanks to Kevin for his generosity and thanks to Harry for providing post-dive-refreshments! CHEERS!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Monday, July 7th Capt. Geoff L. hosted Arnie P, Dan T., Paul S.,Bree P., Todd R., Alexis R. to a 2 tanker on the USS New Hampsire site. Dan recovered a pristine 10" spike and Alexis dug out a terrific "J" nail and several bullets including an unfired one, Bree dug out some fantastic finds as well. The water was glass calm and a very warm 68 degrees. Viz ranged 15-20 feet; a beautiful 2 dives.Thank you Arnie for guiding us and thank you Geoff once again for your generosity. Saturday, July 05, 2008
Comments:
Congratulations to you both. Alexis, keep diving this summer, and make dad bring you to the club meetings!
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Todd R and daughter Alexis spent 90 minutes in the water snorkeling at Loblolly Cove. The water temperature was a balmy 67 degrees and the visibility was astounding..perhaps 25+ feet. Saw several schools of stripers swim by.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Bugging was mediocre except for the 15 -18 pounder that was found and unfortunately remains in his hole. Many thanks once again to Geoff for his generosity.
Comments:
I was highly impressed by the marine life around the wreck. Unfortunately I had some issues with my strobe. Todd, we have to do it again. Other pictures of the day are available on www.h2ostsee.de
Thank you Geoff Steffen
It was a nice dive on the wreck. Lot's of marine life. Other pictures as usual on http;//www.h2ostsee.de.
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Check the gallery. Thank you Geoff Sunday, June 08, 2008
Magnolia Rocks - Club Dive - Sunday, June 8, 2008
Dan, Dan & Todd had a very tasty fish fry Sunday afternoon; nothing better than flounder so fresh they're still flapping!!! Getting out at mid-tide with 2 to 3 foot surge was very challenging and Jack was eagerly lending a welcome hand to exiting divers.
Halfway Rock - Saturday June 7, 2008
Saturday Geoff Loynd accomodated, Todd, Dan, Dan, Paul, Steffen, Ryan on board the "Damn Boat". The 1st dive was at Halfway Rock which treated us to the best viz of the year. After steaming out in dense fog, we set the hook and by the time we splashed, the sun was coming through and the water was flat calm.Viz 40 - 50 feet with comfortable temperatures at depth. The second dive was midway between Satan Rock and the middle breakers. The viz dropped to 15-20 feet and a dozen or so lobsters were landed. A great day on the water. Monday, June 02, 2008
![]() Saturday, May 31st following a nice dive at Lanes Cove, Dan T., Dan H., Todd R. & Harry V. paid homage to the Dive Locker with Jack Munroe and Paul Harling.Following our visit Harry noticed a sea gull struggling on a nearby rock; he shortly reallized the gull was severely entwined in monofillament. Harry, Todd and Dan proceeded to hold the bird as still as possible while Harry cut all the line free of the bird. As if the gull was offering thanks, it actually sat still while having his head scratched. All in all a pretty cool experience. Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Dan, Harry, Meg, Todd & Dan were guests of new NSF member Geoff Loynd aboard the "Damn Boat". We splashed at Pickett Ledge and a second dive at Graves Ledge. The dives yielded close to 20 lobsters between us as we finally enjoyed the best visibility of the season thus far.Water temperature is beginning to be alot more comfortable; those who wore wetsuits said they were comfortable. Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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Todd Randall & Dan Turner Dove the Poling on Saturday; although a beautiful sunny day with fairly calm seas the viz was no more than 3 feet with a bottom temperature of 36 degrees. Hopefully visibility will start improving soon.
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