The continuing sagas of the Blue Heron Bridge

[BHB ScubaTroll]

That story sounds pretty funky, I saw at least 40 divers in the water today and no one seemed to have difficulties. Also the current was very reasonable today, I had a very novice diver with me today, it was only his second time in the water(and first at that location) we didn't have any problems. Not to sound mean but if a diver can't do that dive then they really need to work on their skills. They probably went under the bridge too early, its amazing what a couple of minutes can do for slack tide.

That is the concurrence of PMs I have received that give a 3rd party view. I will give an easy ending to this person's misery... Watch...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/5215734-post19.html

 

[DennisW]

Jim, a very kind offer indeed. If completely true, it sounds like the OP and buddy were not very well prepared and probably novice divers. They should have known more about the tides themselves rather than just ask the dive shop, but even I might have done that. And if they had researched the dive a bit more and entered (I assume the west side) close to the ramp there under the bridge, even in a heavy tide, they should have been able to turn and get out of it. Since spear fishing is not allowed at the park, it makes me wonder about the story in general. But I have seen stranger things.

 

[brucet]

I myself, have gotten into the water a little to early before, trying to push the window. Once I realized the strength of the current, I headed back to the sandy area and hung out for about 15 minutes til it was managable. Sometimes just a small amount of common sense can go a long way. Not saying this to be rude. But one should know what one can handle.

 

[scuba70]

Since spear fishing is not allowed at the park, it makes me wonder about the story in general. But I have seen stranger things.

While spearfishing may not be allowed at the park, I have personally witnessed someone in the water doing just that.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

In this case, I received a PM from someone topside who said that two divers entered the water with poles, not spearguns and fished the panic divers out of the water. According to the PM, the men were standing in the first pylon row between the bridge and the fishing pier. That area is less than 5' deep and many of us will stand up in that area

 

[DennisW]

Now that makes sense.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Well, I received an updated PM that corrected me. There were two fisherman with fishing poles in wading in the water, but two divers were just at the drop off there and brought the ladies up

 

[sportxlh]

I know that I frequently get in the water a hour prior to high tide on the west span: I duck behind a bridge piling if the current seems too strong and watch or photograph whatever is in the area. Too bad those divers did not have someone with them that could have suggested a similar strategy.

Cooltech: that was a really kind offer on your part. hopefully they took you up on it so they could see how enjoyable a dive at bhb can be.

 

[snaphappy]

I tend to enter early, but I always enter in the shore area, down aways from the pilings but naturally west of the roped off swim area. There's always a little current, but it tends to be quite manageable and there's often cool things to see in the sand. A few weeks ago, I totally missed out on slack tide by the pilings because I was finding so many cool things in the sandy area! Robyn

 

[D2Diver]

There were 2 people with pole spears on the West side on Sat & dead fish with prong holes in them to prove it. There were also people taking cushion sea stars today. The life guard spoke to one, a boater.
Protect our bridge. If you are uncomfortable saying something then get the lifeguard.
There was also a diver trying to get in the water with a speargun recently but was stopped. This is a crowded swim & dive area someone could get hurt.