Do you dive from your boat leaving no one aboard?

[matt_unique]

We call them Canadians.

Here we call them "conservative hypocritical religious wackos".

--Matt

 

[matt_unique]

I used to dive with my boat unattended. I have since decided solo diving with someone doing topside duty is much safer.

Perfect example of what can happen....this past Sunday we arrived at the dive site a few miles from shore. Winds were out of the West....I set anchor and my buddy rolled in. Within 15 minutes the winds shifted 180 degrees to the East - not kidding or exaggerating at all. I was sitting there and watched the dive flag swing to the other side of the pole and my boat swung to the "other side". My anchor held but that kind of wind direction change can release an anchor.

My real eye opener was a few years ago. We dove down, I made sure the anchor was set as usual, and we proceeded with the dive. Topside we're tearing down, chatting about the dive, and stowing gear. I was not paying close attention to our position, not expecting to move at all. Within a few minutes I realized we had broken free and had drifted 50 yards fast in steady wind. The speed of the drift was impressive....neither of us would have wanted to try to swim to catch the boat.

I decided at that point I will never dive without someone in the boat with access to my laminated procedures for cold engine start, USCG communications, and GPS coordinates to all my usual dive sites. I wrote the procedures as though the person knew nothing about boating. I use a different GPS card for the area we're cruising.

--Matt

 

[DennisS]

I suspect they have other things to worry about than a handful of Cubans who will work their butts off doing jobs the Americans don't want.

Terry

That's all that's been on the boats, so far. How many loose nukes are out there?

 

[Cacia]

Yea, I would never solo with nobody on the boat....myself.

I do see this 80 year old guy out there about three miles spearing alone from his zodiac. It always makes me feel more optimistic about aging.

 

[DennisS]

I dive from an empty boat fairly frequently. I just make sure I'm close to the anchor. I don't range too far.

 

[Cacia]

yes, I find keeping an eye on the stress/tension on the line very important. This way, you can judge the current and wind topside.

 

[tedwhiteva]

Yea, who cares if they aren't happy. Somebody is always unhappy.
Nemrod, you're my idol.

The government needs to worry about their own business like building highways and national security. When they get that going well, then we can talk about how I run my details. I live for the day they butt out.

Tell you what - next time you need help on the water, email Nemrod.:mooner:

 

[Cacia]

Those are generally the types I have in my call log on my boat. And in these parts, they are pretty quick to help you, we know who we are, it is our local code. I would call them before the Coast Guard, just what I have learned from observing how things go in my area.

I'm sure it is different in Fairfax. In Hawaii, boaters rely heavily on each other, no strings attached. My experience was similiar in the Caribbean and the boating communities I have been in. I sure don't know everything, but the 180 degree view I have of the bay allows me to observe what happens to who, and who helps them get out of a jam, off the reef, etc.

And...it ain't the government. They get there long after it is all over to fill out the forms. That is just the reality here as I see it.

 

[Teamcasa]

Those are generally the types I have in my call log on my boat. And in these parts, they are pretty quick to help you, we know who we are, it is our local code. I would call them before the Coast Guard, just what I have learned from observing how things go in my area.

I'm sure it is different in Fairfax. In Hawaii, boaters rely heavily on each other, no strings attached. My experience was similiar in the Caribbean and the boating communities I have been in.

Yet another reason to live in paradise!

Off to Kona in 3 weeks!:14:

Dave

 

[tedwhiteva]

Those are generally the types I have in my call log on my boat. And in these parts, they are pretty quick to help you, we know who we are, it is our local code. I would call them before the Coast Guard, just what I have learned from observing how things go in my area.

I'm sure it is different in Fairfax. In Hawaii, boaters rely heavily on each other, no strings attached. My experience was similiar in the Caribbean and the boating communities I have been in. I sure don't know everything, but the 180 degree view I have of the bay allows me to observe what happens to who, and who helps them get out of a jam, off the reef, etc.

And...it ain't the government. They get there long after it is all over to fill out the forms. That is just the reality here as I see it.

I would suggest your 180 degree view is a bit myoptic - the CG in Hawaii has saved 83 lives, assisted 78 other people, and saved $400,000 in property this year. You missed a couple of chances to observe parts of the real world.

'nuff said. Didn't mean to hi-jack my own thread, but some people don't have as big a picture as they think.:no