Blue Heron Bridge Trolls III

[Divin'Papaw]

A group of us plan to come down for night dives Oct 13 and 14. We are getting some conflicting information about the current vs new rules. Supposedly, we can dive Friday the 13th because of a grandfather clause, but on the 14th we have to hire a guide because of "new rules". Anyone understand any of this? Has the county changed how this works? We have always just gone down and signed up with either Pura Vida or Force E.
Feedback is greatly appreciated.

New rules? I've not heard or seen anything about any rule changes. I'm pretty sure you just register with whichever shop is sponsoring that night dive and then make sure you are out of the park by 10 pm. That's all I've ever done.

I'll be interested to hear if anyone else has heard of any "new rules".

 

[Green Frog]

The story behind this shooting would be interesting,

I’d be willing some adult beverages and/or recreational pharmaceuticals were somehow involved!

 

[MrChen]

A group of us plan to come down for night dives Oct 13 and 14. We are getting some conflicting information about the current vs new rules. Supposedly, we can dive Friday the 13th because of a grandfather clause, but on the 14th we have to hire a guide because of "new rules". Anyone understand any of this? Has the county changed how this works? We have always just gone down and signed up with either Pura Vida or Force E.
Feedback is greatly appreciated.

I'm with Divin'Papaw and not quite sure what rule you're talking about.

Sponsored night dives in October:
October 11th HT is 7:30pm, sponsored by PV
October 12th HT is 7:41pm, sponsored by PV
October 13th HT is 8:17pm, sponsored by Force-E

October 14th is not listed as a sponsored night dive. HT is close to 9pm, which doesn't give you much time to do a full dive and be out of the park by 10pm. This might be where some of your confusion is? If you want to dive the bridge on the 14th, you might want to consider reaching out to a charter and convincing them to go out that night. They'll only do it if they have enough divers to make it worth it.

If you aren't familiar with the dive site, the sponsoring dive shops might do guided group dives. I do not know if there's a fee for this.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Here are the new rules referenced above @stevenkimbell @MrChen. Looks like this applies to just Pura Vida. Does anyone know if Force-E is making the same changes???

From Pura Vida’s FB page:

Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive Update
To access Phil Foster Park after hours, dive operators are required to adhere to policies set forth by Palm Beach County. Unfortunately, we have received reports and observed firsthand divers violating the County’s rules. This puts our ability to offer diving activities at the park at risk.

Moving forward, Pura Vida Divers will no longer facilitate parking passes for self-guided divers. Guests interested in night diving at the Blue Heron Bridge must be accompanied by a guide or instructor. ***If you have already made reservations for upcoming Blue Heron Bridge night dives, those will be honored through the end of the year.***

We are making these changes in order to help enhance diver safety and ensure future access to Phil Foster Park for scuba divers. A number of different guided dive and class options are available to divers interested in exploring Blue Heron Bridge after dark.

We appreciate your understanding as we strive to protect access to this popular shore diving location on behalf of the dive community. If you have questions about these changes or would like to discuss available night diving activities, please call us at (561) 840-8750.

If you would like to learn more about Blue Heron Bridge Night Dives, please visit our website: 2023 NIGHT DIVES AT BLUE HERON BRIDGE

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

hmmm. I don't see that as a good idea.. who's gonna sign up for a guided night dive? Not me!

 

[tarponchik]

Just got out of water at 19:34, in the dark already. At least 4 other groups of divers were still at the bridge, packing gear and taking shower. Police lights were in the NW of the park, they did not approach us. When we were driving out, one police cruiser was following right behind our car but turned the other way at the park exit light.

Re the dive, the vis was rather poor, but we saw a batfish and fluing gurnard. The park was 3/4 empty, though now you do not have to walk across the street to reach the beach. We booked a boat for tomorrow to see the groupers but they had to cancel because the boat was not full enough. What's wrong with you, people?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

hmmm. I don't see that as a good idea.. who's gonna sign up for a guided night dive? Not me!

Me neither. Following a herd on a ‘guided’ night dive is not my idea of fun. Hoping Force-E doesn’t go this route as well for their night dives.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Just posted this morning by the Blue Heron Bridge Dive Club group on FB. Sharing here as I know many of you aren't on the Book of Faces.

As we posted last week, Phil Foster Park is a county park with limited access. Night diving is by permit only, and even then, you must be out of the parking lot (not just the water) by 10pm. A few local dive shops have always generously pulled permits (which they pay for) and offered free night dives when the tides are right. Unfortunately, there have been too many abuses of Phil Foster Park’s rules, putting the dive shops’ relationship with the park in jeopardy.

Due to these concerns, effective immediately, Pura Vida Divers is no longer offering free night dives. If you have already signed up for a future night dive with them, they will honor your booking. Otherwise, going forward you will need to be with a guide or instructor to dive under PVD's night permit.

We have not heard if other dive shops are following suit, so we will no longer be posting the upcoming month’s night dive schedule. Call your own local dive shop to confirm when - and if - they are hosting night dives.

We have also been told that Phil Foster Park is cracking down on early morning access. The “pool” opens at sunrise and if you arrive earlier than that, you may find yourself turned away by a park ranger.

 

[scubadada]

...Unfortunately, there have been too many abuses of Phil Foster Park’s rules, putting the dive shops’ relationship with the park in jeopardy...

Anybody know what this statement is about regarding night dives at the BHB?

 

[MrChen]

Just posted this morning by the Blue Heron Bridge Dive Club group on FB. Sharing here as I know many of you aren't on the Book of Faces.

As we posted last week, Phil Foster Park is a county park with limited access. Night diving is by permit only, and even then, you must be out of the parking lot (not just the water) by 10pm. A few local dive shops have always generously pulled permits (which they pay for) and offered free night dives when the tides are right. Unfortunately, there have been too many abuses of Phil Foster Park’s rules, putting the dive shops’ relationship with the park in jeopardy.

Due to these concerns, effective immediately, Pura Vida Divers is no longer offering free night dives. If you have already signed up for a future night dive with them, they will honor your booking. Otherwise, going forward you will need to be with a guide or instructor to dive under PVD's night permit.

We have not heard if other dive shops are following suit, so we will no longer be posting the upcoming month’s night dive schedule. Call your own local dive shop to confirm when - and if - they are hosting night dives.

We have also been told that Phil Foster Park is cracking down on early morning access. The “pool” opens at sunrise and if you arrive earlier than that, you may find yourself turned away by a park ranger.

That's one way to lose local business to Force-E. The secret is that Force-E sponsors before and after their official sponsored day. I swing in and fill out the paperwork there anyways. It's more convenient and they stay open later than PV. If PV wants to cater to the herd of turkey divers, then they've drawn the line on their target clientele and given me less reason to go there.