NSF Dive Talk

Posted 11:17 AM by Rob Falk

Diving in Overhead Environments - Eagle Island, Sunday August 24th

Overhead environments -- environments in which divers do not have direct access to the surface

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

Posted 7:48 PM by Dan H

August 16, 2008 - Cat Island

Capt Geoff, Adam H, Ryan T, Paul S, Todd and Alexis R, Steffen S, Harry VGH and Dan H spent the day diving off Cat Island. 1st dive was Cat Cove, warm water and clear blue skies, heavy surge, countless large eggers, so many it almost seemed pointless to continue hunting. Dan H got one keeper that was completely shell burned (Ugh!), he threw it back. There have been few reports of this disease so far this year, so hopefully it's on it's way out. Paul S actually found a really big female, no eggs or v-notch, and wound up with the Monstah Lobstah of the day. (see photo)

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!

Posted 8:44 AM by ALI V

NSF Dive Talk

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.

Posted 5:27 PM by Dan H

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

Posted 9:52 PM by Dan H

MILLER TIME!!!!!!

Posted 4:26 PM by Dan H

Thursday, July 10th

Posted 8:35 PM by ALI V

NSF Dive Talk

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.

Posted 10:15 PM by ALI V

First Dive

I am very proud of my daughter Alexis who accompanied me on her first recreational ocean dive with me at Cape Hedge in Rockport, MA. She is 14 years old in August and went thru John M.'s class out of Undersea Divers.

Posted 5:42 PM by ALI V

Loblolly Cove - June 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.

Posted 9:13 PM by ALI V

A nice day for the Poling

On Saturday, Dan H., Dan T., Geoff L., Steffen S., Paul S., Todd R., and Bree P. tied up to the Wreck of the Chester Poling bouy in flat calm seas and had decent visibilty. This was the 1st experience on this wreck for Steffen and Geoff and both enjoyed the dive. Steffen shot this picture of Todd peering out a port hole from inside the galley of the ship. The 2nd dive was at Egg Rock which presented moderate visibility and warm temperatures.

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.

Posted 8:14 PM by ALI V

Magnolia Rocks - Club Dive - Sunday, June 8, 2008

Sunday..what a gorgeous day...Mary H., Dan T., Todd R., Jack M., Steffan S., Al M., Peter E. and John F. tackled Mag Rocks at dead low tide. After a tough entry the dive was very rewarding, 20+ foot viz, comfortable temps and Dan & Todd pulled out 10 bugs and 5 flounders.

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.

Posted 8:06 PM by ALI V

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.

Posted 10:14 AM by ALI V

Aviary Rescue

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.

Posted 7:01 AM by ALI V

Picture Perfect Dive Day

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.

Posted 7:35 AM by ALI V

NSF Dive Talk

NSF Dive Talk
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.