6/2-6/3 Beaufort, NC Trip Report Plus Extra Fun!

[rlskill1]

We (Sea Quest II from Discovery Diving) had a nice weekend of diving offshore Beaufort, NC. Seas kinda lumpy Saturday but smoothed out by lunchtime. We dove the Aeolus and had 30-40' visibility and water temps in the mid 70's (top to bottom). Sunday was a beautiful day seas were less than 2'. We did 2 dives on the U-352 and had 50-60' vis and water temps in the mid 70's.

A US Coast Guard cutter was making the rounds on a few of the dive sites. We could see them on the Schurz and soon they were headed our way. They sent 6 sailors/coasties in a RIB over, 3 of them boarded us, examined our safety equipment and asked if we had any "artifacts" on board. They said they were going to be in the area for a month making "inspections".
We told them we were on the sub, and they wanted to know our GPS coordinates. Maybe they didn't believe us, or maybe they wanted the coordinates for themselves.

Artifacts? Are we now going to be under the watchful eye of big brother??

 

[lsorenson]

Sorry Sir but there is no need to provide you with this information... We did not pull up any artifacts but feel free to have a look around... Appreciate you guys being around and providing assistance when call upon; be safe and have a good day!!!

Nothing more and be sincere when you state "appreciate you guys being around..." JMHO... Was the diving good???

 

[herbdb]

I, for one, have no problem with the coasties making sure dive boats comply with safety requirements.

The Coast Guard is also charged with the preservation of sunken military craft. They were doing their jobs.

WESTERN ATLANTIC AND U.S. COASTAL WATERS - NORTH CAROLINA – SUNKEN MILITARY CRAFT ACT (SMCA) –PROHIBITION
ON DISTURBING, REMOVING ARTIFACTS OR DAMAGING SUNKEN CRAFT
All mariners are advised of the special protections provided to sunken military craft by the “Sunken Military Craft Act” (SMCA) (Public Law 108-375). Along the U.S. East Coast, and particularly off North Carolina, there are many sunken U.S. and foreign military craft. Sunken militarycraft may be the final resting places of military personnel who died in service to their country and are also important historical resources. Onevery notable example is the wreck of the USS MONITOR, off the NC Coast, also protected by the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Underinternational and U.S. law, sunken foreign military craft, including those located in U.S. waters, remain the property of their respective country’sgovernment. Sovereign immune vessels, such as military crafts, are afforded protections under U.S. and international law. Included amongthese vessels are at least three known sunken German submarines (commonly called U-boats) located in waters off the North Carolina coast.These U-boats remain the property of the Federal Republic of Germany. In accordance with the SMCA, no person shall engage in or attempt toengage in any activity directed at a sunken military craft that disturbs, removes, or injures the sunken craft or the associated contents of thecraft except as authorized by law. This includes, but is not limited to, the equipment, cargo, contents of the vessel, and the remains andpersonal effects of the crew and passengers. Mariners are urged to exercise due care when operating in the vicinity of military wrecks, as theycan be damaged by both purposeful or inadvertent activities including anchoring, fishing, diving, and other marine activities. Special dangers,such as unexploded ordnance, may also be associated with sunken military craft, and should be considered when operating in these areas.Violations of the SMCA may subject individuals to penalties of up to $100,000 and to liability for damages. Mariners who witness theft ofmaterial from, disturbance of, or damage to a sunken military craft are asked to report it to the nearest U.S. Coast Guard unit.


LNM: 45/09
Lets help them save these sites for future generations.

We are looking forward to diving with you July 1-3 as part of the Indian Valley Scuba group. Hope we get great conditions too. Last year was great.