Action to be taken on dive flag regulation. PLEASE READ!

[joeabroad]

Bottom line for me - I am going to continue to go about my business as usual and be respectful of the area and it's many user groups. This should be a wake up call for us to continue our efforts at making divers more welcome in Cape Ann.

So, are you suggesting that, prior to heaping tons of abuse on the town of Gloucester and boaters and lobster fisherman, threatening pathetic economic boycotts, and generally reaching for the pitchforks, we should have taken the time and effort to make sure we knew what we were talking about? Come on, that’s not how we do it in Boston.

 

[Damselfish]

So, are you suggesting that, prior to heaping tons of abuse on the town of Gloucester and boaters and lobster fisherman, threatening pathetic economic boycotts, and generally reaching for the pitchforks, we should have taken the time and effort to make sure we knew what we were talking about? Come on, that’s not how we do it in Boston.

:lol:
Sometimes there are rules on the books for a long time that don't get enforced, but if someone decides to dredge up and enforce a bad old rule it's no better than a bad new rule. (Maybe worse since it's already a rule and nothing new actually has to be passed?) I don't know if thats the case here.

 

[crlavoie]

So, are you suggesting that, prior to heaping tons of abuse on the town of Gloucester and boaters and lobster fisherman, threatening pathetic economic boycotts, and generally reaching for the pitchforks, we should have taken the time and effort to make sure we knew what we were talking about? Come on, that’s not how we do it in Boston.

Word...:14:

 

[crisis_12]

:lol:
Sometimes there are rules on the books for a long time that don't get enforced, but if someone decides to dredge up and enforce a bad old rule it's no better than a bad new rule. (Maybe worse since it's already a rule and nothing new actually has to be passed?) I don't know if thats the case here.

I'm not a resident, but I do come up for at least a week of diving and a couple of long weekends every year. We've been doing this for 5 year now. Since you mentioned old laws being enforced, I wanted to remark about something that happened a couple of weeks ago....

I was on a SI at Plum Cove and my 8 year old son had been wading around the shallows with his younger brother around for about 20 minutes. I guess he got bored harassing the hermit crabs, so he ran up to our gear and got his mask, fins, and snorkel to go exploring. As he was getting into the water, the Lifeguard approached him and said that he couldn’t use his snorkel. Liam, my son, came back to drop his snorkel back off and relayed what the Lifeguard had told him.

I walked over to the Lifeguard and asked what was going on. He explained to me that the City had a rule that you had to be certified to snorkel. I related that this hadn’t been in effect during the last 4 years we had visited and he informed me that it was an old rule that they had been directed to start enforcing. I didn’t want to harass the kid and ask why he had not asked me to see my c-card. I like Cape Ann diving and didn’t want to give the residents fuel for disliking us. Anyway, I didn’t ask what prompted this snorkeling crackdown, but went over to Liam and explained the issue to him. He was having fun, so it didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Lesson learned, next year I’ll run him through the Skin Diver course and have a card ready for the Lifeguards.

Dave

 

[MSilvia]

Just a reminder that the meeting in Quincy is tomorrow.

 

[Scubar]

As he was getting into the water, the Lifeguard approached him and said that he couldn’t use his snorkel. Liam, my son, came back to drop his snorkel back off and relayed what the Lifeguard had told him.

I walked over to the Lifeguard and asked what was going on. He explained to me that the City had a rule that you had to be certified to snorkel. I related that this hadn’t been in effect during the last 4 years we had visited and he informed me that it was an old rule that they had been directed to start enforcing. I didn’t want to harass the kid and ask why he had not asked me to see my c-card. I like Cape Ann diving and didn’t want to give the residents fuel for disliking us. Anyway, I didn’t ask what prompted this snorkeling crackdown, but went over to Liam and explained the issue to him. He was having fun, so it didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Lesson learned, next year I’ll run him through the Skin Diver course and have a card ready for the Lifeguards.

Dave

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Needing a C-Card to snorkel at the beach!!

 

[LobstaMan]

Wow, those town councilors have some free time on their hands...thinking that stuff up! And just think my councilors were worried about an unimportant Prop 2 1/2 override! They got to get work on some important issues like banning coffee drinking without a spill-proof cup and walking without the proper permit.

LostaMan

 

[PeaceDog]

It occured to me in conversations with other local divers - and quite frankly it made me a little uneasy - that if this law passes there's the potential for some serious repercussions. You wouldn't believe the diabolical plans that I've heard some guys hatch. Rediculous, but diabolical.

Once again, it only takes a few bad apples to ruin for all of us. Remember that, kids.

 

[STOGEY]

I think the problem is that most of us don't live in Gloucester. Basically, we don't have reps to voice our concern.

If you dive then it should concern you once this one little community starts to enforce this law, other communities may start to follow suite. Your local state rep may not be the same one that represents the N. Shore area, but there may be other bills that your rep is interested in. So he or she may be able to help the Rep that represent the N. Shore to mitigate thie dive flag bill.

 

[STOGEY]

I may know why divers are not liked in Cape Anne. After our dive a Folley cove we went to the small tiny seafood restaurant on the north side you know the one with the restroom so small your knees touch the wall when sitting down. Well my buddy ScubaBills had to go so bad after eating he believes he may have flooded the toilet as we left in a hurry. If this is the case, I can see why we aren't liked very much.

That is one of the many reasons why I use a wet suit not a dry suit.