Can you dive anywhere you like?

[Scubant]

My question is can you dive anywhere in the state you like? I know reservoirs and maybe some public beaches are off limits but where can you get info about and area you want to dive? I'm a newbie in CT.

 

[Thalassamania]

The area around the subs in New London is off limits.

 

[almitywife]

down here i think i can dive most places although i guess if diving near navy bases you should always be careful.

once while diving from Clifton Gardens (near HMAS Penquin & Bravo Base) we came across the navy seals practising with their rubber guns and they told us to get out of the area but i dont think they train there anymore

 

[spectrum]

My question is can you dive anywhere in the state you like? I know reservoirs and maybe some public beaches are off limits but where can you get info about and area you want to dive? I'm a newbie in CT.

It comes down to public access and if there are any specific restrictions. If you can get there without trespassing and nothing is posted then go for it. Many of our dive sites do not appear in published dive guides (expect my site). Not to be overlooked are friends or acquaintances with waterfront property. We have even had some good luck asking property owners if they would mind us using their property to gain access to the water.

Other than those practical considerations a site will not be specifically sanctioned for diving.

In southern Maine my site has some info. There are also several published guide books. I imagine they exist from anyplace with significant dive opportunities. Networking with dive shops and clubs can also give you some leads. Many clubs have Web sites with guides. Keep an eye on the Diving USA feature in Dive Training magazine. Getting involved with your regional Forum here on ScubaBoard is a tremendous resource.

I should add that you need to understand the site. Avid any tide and current problems high boat traffic and those sort of things. Avoid the circulators of nuclear power plants. You will make them nervous and you may glow in the dark afterwards. Just common sense stuff like that.

Pete

 

[don Francisco]

If you can get to and from the water you can dive just about anyplace you might want to, unless there's a posted rule otherwise. Make sure you know enough about the site; current, surge, boat traffic, pollution, navigation hazards, etc. to keep yourself safe.

Also be sure to respect the legitimate security concerns of others. Don't dive within 50 yards of a commercial vessel, avoid sensitive areas such as power plants, gas lines, airports, military vessels or bases, etc.

Piers often make good dive sites, but don't be surprised if you find police or security personnel waiting for you on the surface. If you use common sense, most likely the worst that'll happen is you'll have to apoligize and promise not to dive there again.

 

[ScubaSteve]

This has been a big question for me over the past year because I am hard core on looking for new unpublished sites. I have recently started actually using nautical charts as linked below and some drive time for personal viewing to try new sites. This, used with Google Earth, I have been able to find a couple that I deemed to be possible sites. Unfortunately a lot of the other sites are personal property to someone and I am not sure if they will allow us to cross. But, we have tried new spots and found them to be reasonable diving but mainly because it is much closer to home than my other common sites.

I personally say go ahead, find new sites and be smart about it. Safety is always first.

 

[Scubant]

Piers often make good dive sites, but don't be surprised if you find police or security personnel waiting for you on the surface. If you use common sense, most likely the worst that'll happen is you'll have to apoligize and promise not to dive there again.

Can you be fined/ticketed by police if you come up and find them waiting for you? I'm not sure of the laws on LI sound. Alot of friends ask if you can dive anywhere (lakes ,rivers, ponds,ocean) and I dont know how to answer.

 

[robint]

Can you be fined/ticketed by police if you come up and find them waiting for you? I'm not sure of the laws on LI sound. Alot of friends ask if you can dive anywhere (lakes ,rivers, ponds,ocean) and I dont know how to answer.

Your LDS should be able to answer that and give you information.

Here in NM we have very little water and the lakes/springs are on private land or reservations or govt land and special permission is required on many of them. Also, some places allow divers but only at specific times of day or in specific parts of the lake and some require permits. Just going out and diving could get you put in jail here.

 

[ScubaSteve]

.........Just going out and diving could get you put in jail here.

Obviously that is not the place to live by the rule: "Sometimes is better to ask for Forgiveness than Permission".

 

[boulderjohn]

Your LDS should be able to answer that and give you information.

Here in NM we have very little water and the lakes/springs are on private land or reservations or govt land and special permission is required on many of them. Also, some places allow divers but only at specific times of day or in specific parts of the lake and some require permits. Just going out and diving could get you put in jail here.

Colorado is similar. We have very few legal options, and some of the ones we do have are very tightly regulated. That is one of the reasons that a SB member from Colorado used to have a sig line that said that Colorado is just a plane flight away from really great diving.