Angler charged after pulling up diver

[idive2]

While there are always going to be knuckleheads out there that is no reason to not use a flag. Just yesterday
I observed a flag very close to the boat channel. From my position I cannot say with certainty it was in the channel
but it was very close. I saw two boats notice the flag and gave way a bit from that side of the channel. There are still
some aware boaters out there and this flag does serve a purpose.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

For every boater who will give one a wide berth, there are many more who will change course to come close to see what it is ... and some who will attempt to "salvage" it.

The problem stems from the fact that you don't need any training to own and operate a boat ... and in fact, all you need is sufficient money or credit. Add to that the percentage (fairly high) of boaters who think that boats and beer are a great combination, and you have a recipe for problems. Something floating in the water attracts these people like moths to a light.

I've a friend back east who, upon surfacing next to his float, found himself staring into the business end of a shotgun. The lobsterman holding it told him to raise his hands, and he'd better not have a lobster in them. Sadly, that is not an isolated incident.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[supergaijin]

I assume picking up lobster on scuba is a no-no there?
Or the guy thought he was pilfering his pots?
Or was he just another gung-ho lunatic with a gun?

 

[matt_8777]

First of all, if it was me he hauled up, I would have congratulated the old fella for capturing the elusive diverfish. Secondly, I would inform him that the "diverfish" is on the protected species list and that hauling to the surface is punishable by my own law with a minimum punishment of having one's face smacked off but not to exceed a free trip to the bottom of the ocean for a sight-seeing tour of the original species that he was fishing for. This old man doesn't deserve to ever be on the ocean in a boat again and receive a major fine. He should be banned from the water for this act of ignorance and compulsive violent behavior. Attemped murder....nah....but let him spend a few weeks in jail and have to look at that ocean knowing he is not allowed on it anymore. Divers don't affect fishing. They feed whether divers are in the water or not. I keep my flag on a reel that I hold in my hand as I dive. Never, ever, ever connect the reel to your person while diving. In case of entanglement, cut line. He would have never gotten me to the surface that fast I don't believe. Glad she wasn't injured worse.

 

[scubajudy]

He's getting off WAY too easy....

Ditto that!

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

I've a friend back east who, upon surfacing next to his float, found himself staring into the business end of a shotgun. The lobsterman holding it told him to raise his hands, and he'd better not have a lobster in them. Sadly, that is not an isolated incident.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Holy crap, as a former police officer I would be prosecuting that one to the fullest. Just WOW.

 

[keithbt]

I've a friend back east who, upon surfacing next to his float, found himself staring into the business end of a shotgun. The lobsterman holding it told him to raise his hands, and he'd better not have a lobster in them. Sadly, that is not an isolated incident.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)


You need to explain more about this....You said lobsterman so I assume it was a commercial trapper pissed that he cannot have ALL the lobster but please explain more?????? And I never have lobsters in my hand when I come up ....they are in my bag....

 

[Reck Diver]

I believe the fisherman was 74 years old, not the diver.

Clearly this wasn't a shore dive, so where was the boat that got her there?

Seems like there should have been another surface vessel there besides the fishing boat.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I keep my flag on a reel that I hold in my hand as I dive. Never, ever, ever connect the reel to your person while diving.

Given what she was doing down there, quite likely she was using both hands to write notes on a slate ... which would be why the reel was attached to her. In this case, she probably should have had a support diver down there with her who could have managed the buoy.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

---------- Post Merged at 06:16 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 06:13 PM ----------

I assume picking up lobster on scuba is a no-no there?
Or the guy thought he was pilfering his pots?
Or was he just another gung-ho lunatic with a gun?

People are allowed to catch lobster on scuba ... you just have to have the correct license for it.

The guy may have thought he was pilfering pots, but more likely just didn't like divers messing around in the area where he put his pots ... maybe he just didn't want the competition.

Lobsterman and commercial fishermen tend to be rather protective of "their" waters ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[nimoh]

Given what she was doing down there, quite likely she was using both hands to write notes on a slate ... which would be why the reel was attached to her. In this case, she probably should have had a support diver down there with her who could have managed the buoy.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

the reel I use for my float has a lock switch on it, so if I need both hands, I can just lock it and let go (temporarily) and the reel will just float there, of course this won't work all that well with some current, or at depth where the float is not directly overhead. However, I will also put it on the bottom sometimes with a rock on it, when I will be in the same area for a while.

At the very least, if it needs to be attached, it should be with some form of breakaway connection where a good swift tug will release it.