Diving the Gulf and the oil leak.

[mike_s]

It seems that it's NOAA not BP:

Oil spill: NOAA expands fishing closures even more | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Here's a larger pic of the map:

http://cmsimg.pensacolanewsjournal....Ref=AR&Profile=1006&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

I think it's just closed to fishing. Even says it on the map. but who wants to dive in oil if it's there.

btw.. that's the June 1st map. Here's the most recent (June 7th) from NOAA

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA Opens 430 Square-Mile Fishing Area in Gulf of Mexico - June 7th

Hi Res map June 7th http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/images/closuremap_060710.jpg

 

[Halftime]

I just talked to MBT and they told me that the H2O Below has been activated by BP so as of now they don't have any boats to go to the Oriskany. The "O" is still open.

 

[evensplit]

The Oriskany is still open for diving, and for those that can get out, conditions have been beautiful.
The trip this weekend was cancelled because BP has hired all of the local captains...which as of today includes the H2O Below. Doug held out for as long as he could, and we thank him for his dedication.
We are diligently working to find alternative vessels to get folks out, and will report as soon as we get something worked out.
Jim

 

[KY_BOB]

The Oriskany is still open for diving, and for those that can get out, conditions have been beautiful.
The trip this weekend was cancelled because BP has hired all of the local captains...which as of today includes the H2O Below. Doug held out for as long as he could, and we thank him for his dedication.
We are diligently working to find alternative vessels to get folks out, and will report as soon as we get something worked out.
Jim

Now that makes since.

 

[mike_s]

I just talked to MBT and they told me that the H2O Below has been activated by BP so as of now they don't have any boats to go to the Oriskany. The "O" is still open.

Though I was affected by dive boats not going out 2 weeks ago and it was frustrating, with the low number of vacationers down due to the onslaught of the National Media making it look like the beaches are 'covered' in oil, I can't blame the charter boat captains for doing what they have to in order to keep their boat employed.

 

[KY_BOB]

Though I was affected by dive boats not going out 2 weeks ago and it was frustrating, with the low number of vacationers down due to the onslaught of the National Media making it look like the beaches are 'covered' in oil, I can't blame the charter boat captains for doing what they have to in order to keep their boat employed.

Agreed, be it dive boats, fishing charter boats, or commercial fishing boats. They have bills to pay. Tourism and commercial fishing aren't going to pay their bills.

I'm disappointed in not getting to go but I have a better understanding of why now.

 

[tstormdiver]

The Oriskany is still open for diving, and for those that can get out, conditions have been beautiful.
The trip this weekend was cancelled because BP has hired all of the local captains...which as of today includes the H2O Below. Doug held out for as long as he could, and we thank him for his dedication.
We are diligently working to find alternative vessels to get folks out, and will report as soon as we get something worked out.
Jim

Yep makes sense. Thanks.

 

[GLENFWB]

If someone still wants to go out to the Oriskany, last I heard Gary (the OP of this thread) was still making trips out to the O. If you want to make a trip, speak with him....link posted below.

Gary's Gulf Diver - Home page

Dr Dive Pensacola, FL - Home of the USS Oriskany

Dr. Dive is another charter to check with before giving up on diving the Oriskany. Both of these guys run nice fast boats that will get you out there....IF they are still running. As Evensplit said, I went a few weeks ago and the conditions were awesome!

 

[Hetland]

It seems that it's NOAA not BP:

Oil spill: NOAA expands fishing closures even more | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Here's a larger pic of the map:

http://cmsimg.pensacolanewsjournal....Ref=AR&Profile=1006&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

that is what is closed to FISHING, and that's an old map. Last I checked, 33-37% was closed.

you should still be able to dive in an area closed to fishing, but if they closed it to diving then it is what it is.

 

[NAUIwowee]

We have an OW cert class scheduled this weekend in Panama City. Our usual charter, PCDC, has their boats dedicated to BP, so their not running dive charters. Dive Locker is currently still running trips with their boats, so we are tentatively scheduled with them unless the oil makes a move on PCB this weekend.