Anchoring caution

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Just something to watch out for I noticed on a dive this past weekend:

I was out on a popular NC wreck on a charter boat this past weekend. The conditions were relatively rough, with occasional 4' swells, but nothing really severe. We took our time sending divers down, and as the last group was gearing up, another dive charter came along side us. Our divermaster and captain were courteous and even offered to help them set their hook. They chose to set their own hook. No problem, but as they were setting up, I noticed they were attempting to anchor directly in front of us, upwind and upcurrent, not even 50 yards away. With the swell, and wind I was concerned about the set-up, especially after seeing the small anchor line they were using. I pointed it out to our DM, saying they were leaving very little room for error if their line parts for some reason. Our DM mentioned it to the other boat, but apparently they blew it off, and set anyway.

I entered the water with my buddy, keeping an eye on the boat. Everything seemed fine, but just kept in mind the situation. Apparently, as soon as we ascended, the line did break and the boat drifted straight towards ours and came pretty close. They even had a diver in the water. The remainder of the anchor line nearly fell on us as we descended.

Everything turned out fine and the diver was quickly recovered. I just wanted to point out to everyone to be aware of your surroundings, not just necessarily just what is happening on your boat. The other captain obviously did not consider the possible scenario that panned out. Just watch and make sure there is room for error, because ya never know what might happen!

 

[Kriterian]

Would you mind naming the operation that was running the renegade boat? Also, would you mind naming the organization you were diving with at the time?

Being an up-and-coming NC diver, I'm curious to who to avoid and who to dive with.

 

[ShakaZulu]

We have wrecks, where you can have up to 5 boats at anytime, very dangerous....... We tied down on a wreck bouy once with another boat (divers down) and the wreck bouy came undone while we where grearing up.........nice.

 

[Bob3]

I got nailed by an anchor once, most of the hit got taken by my reg & valve or I could've really had some damage. My face got planted in the bottom pretty briskly the way it was.

 

[widebody50]

We were in La Paz a couple of weekends ago. The second day we went straight out to El Bajo and anchored on the middle pinnacle, at about 70fsw. While we had divers in the water, another boat from the same dive operation came and anchored right on top of us! Scared the bejeeziz out of some of the divers in our group. Near hit them with the anchor. Fortunately, the wifey and I were down at the bottom, at 100fsw depth. Really cool dive, but when we came up they had apparently just dropped anchor, over the edge of the pinnacle, where divers were ascending. We could see the anchor line slipping until the anchor set. Of course, it was the owner's son who was the DM on the second boat, so our DM didn't want to say anything.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Would you mind naming the operation that was running the renegade boat? Also, would you mind naming the organization you were diving with at the time?

Being an up-and-coming NC diver, I'm curious to who to avoid and who to dive with.

I don't want to name the renegade boat, but I can say I highly recommend Outer Banks Dive Center in Nags Head. They seem to be very strict with their safety standards.

 

[DanBo]

Hi Obxdiveguy,

Is the diveshop Outer Banks Dive Center in Nags Head directly across from Jockey's Ridge on Route 12? I've passed them a few times but have always wondered where they docked their dive boats? How far out do you guys go for the wreck dives? I know there are shallow beach-accessible wreck dives in 20 fsw. Maybe next time I go back to OBX I'll give them a shot. Thanks for the info

Dive Safe,
Dan

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Yup, they are right by the sand dunes. Their boat is moored in Wanchese, about 15 minutes away from the shop. The wrecks are anywhere from 6-12 miles out, but they do also have a couple of great guided beach dives available.

here is the link:
www.obxdive.com

 

[String]

Yet another reason i detest anchored dive boats

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Yet another reason i detest anchored dive boats

Is there another way to do it? they actually use a grapnel hooky thing rather than an anchor.

I'd like to see permanent mooring stations out there. It's a big process for approval, but I'm looking into it.