Gulf of Mexico Maps?

[TravisT]

Not sure if this is in the right section of the forums or not. If not, feel free to move it elsewhere and hopefully send me a PM letting me know where to place this type of post next time.

My father, brother, and myself are going down to Galveston/Freeport, TX this weekend. My father bought a deep 29' boat that we will be taking down with us. We do have a GPS, but we have no map of the oil rigs or anything down there or the depths of the water, ect.

What we'd like to find is a shallow area to dive about 20-30 miles away from the coast if the weather permits it. With us primarily being freshwater divers we want to be very safe and make sure we understand everything. We're not even 100% sure we're going to go diving this time, possibly just fishing closer to shore. We understand the water can be very dangerous down there.

First off, where can we get a map of the gulf which would give us depth information, and the necessities of navigation while we're down there?

Second, if there are any divers in the area that are familiar with shallow dives in the gulf there, please let me know. We'd love to have someone experienced with the water down there with us.

Are we crazy for even considering this?

 

[Cap335]

My father, brother, and myself are going down to Galveston/Freeport, TX this weekend.

First off, where can we get a map of the gulf which would give us depth information, and the necessities of navigation while we're down there?

Second, if there are any divers in the area that are familiar with shallow dives in the gulf there, please let me know. We'd love to have someone experienced with the water down there with us.

First if you are going to dive you want to do it out of Freeport because the water gets clearer quicker. For charts I would look for one of Hiltons chart books plus a NOAA chart. Hiltons books are available at Academy stores and most marine stores, NOAA charts are available from Baker Lyman on the Gulf Freeway. Acadamy and the marine stores will also carry other charts that would probably be good enough to start with. As for shallow dives you might try the George Vancouver about 12 miles out of Freeport (the numbers are in Hiltons book) top is about 40 bottom is about 60 vis usually runs 10-15. If you are going to try rig diving/fishing you should also invest in a rig hook again acadamy has them.

Have fun be safe and never lose sight of the rig/wreck while diving. Also be carful of currents.

Randy

 

[TravisT]

Wow, so helpful. Thank you Randy. Much appreciated. We've heard that Freeport is where to go but this pretty much seals the deal. I really do appreciate the information.

 

[DandyDon]

My father bought a deep 29' boat that we will be taking down with us.

With us primarily being freshwater divers...

Are we crazy for even considering this?

Maybe....

Running a boat on the ocean is a whole world different from running on your local lake. How well do you know the boat, and the differences in lake vs ocean running?

Diving the ocean is also a whole world different from lake diving. Do you know what you're getting into here?

Two big suggestions:

(1) Leave one person on the boat at all times, always.

(2) Complete your Profile and Dive Info so we can have some idea of your experiences and background.

I have over 200 oceans dives, and I wouldn't do it.

 

[TravisT]

The boat came from San Francisco. Obviously it's not considered a large boat by any stretch of the imagination for sea fishing/diving. However, it is made to withstand relatively calm Gulf waters. Keep in mind, we are aware of the necessities and safety precautions we need prior to going out.

To respond to your suggestions that you mentioned:

1) We certainly intend on doing this.
2) We would be considered "newbies" by many here. We have less than a 100 dives each, all fresh water. This is why we want to stay shallow and just go down, view the pretty fish, not touch anything, and go back up.

If we don't feel secure about doing it, we won't. Simple as that.

Out of curiousity, why wouldn't you do it?

 

[BMETdiver]

A question that I have for you is how much open water navigation you have? I have a 17 foot bass boat and only use it on lakes but have gone out on a few large ones and it is very easy to get lost if you go on any thing large enough to just barely make out the land. So I would think that the open ocean would have the prospect of being rather daunting.

 

[TravisT]

BMETdiver, we will have a GPS, compass, and maps (hopefully we can find these as noted in the second post (thanks again)). We have also been in lakes with this same boat just in the last few weeks where land was hardley visible due to fog. We will also have the necessary safety equipment, including a radio, floatation devices, oars, a flare, ect.

Anything we're missing?

 

[TravisT]

DandyDon requested I post this here for others to read to get various opinions on if this might be to dangerous.

I guess it is hard to say whether i'm ready or not considering i've never actually dove salt water. I know there are weight differences, ect and we'll do our buoyancy testing when we first step off into the water. But aside from ensuring we stay within our depth range of what we feel comfortable in and ensuring we don't touch anything or do anything crazy (IMO) like wreck/cave dives i'd imagine we'll be alright.

My biggest concern is knowing where we're going. And possibly the local concerns of the diving in that area. We'd love to bring a DM with us that is familiar with it. Or anyone who feels comfortable in the water there and is familiar with the region.

 

[nolatom]

BMETdiver, we will have a GPS, compass, and maps (hopefully we can find these as noted in the second post (thanks again)). We have also been in lakes with this same boat just in the last few weeks where land was hardley visible due to fog. We will also have the necessary safety equipment, including a radio, floatation devices, oars, a flare, ect.

Anything we're missing?

I don't know the extent of your experience in operating a boat and navigating with the NOAA charts, but if going offshore is still new to you, I'd recommend a Power Squadrons or Coast Guard Auxiliary course first. I took Power Squadrons when I was a kid and have never regretted it--the navigation and plotting techniques are something I have used ever since. You and your boat may be well-equipped, but the more training you have the better, and less chance Murphy's Law (which is alive and well on the water and especially offshore) will bite you.

 

[DandyDon]

I guess it is hard to say whether i'm ready or not considering i've never actually dove salt water. I know there are weight differences, ect and we'll do our buoyancy testing when we first step off into the water. But aside from ensuring we stay within our depth range of what we feel comfortable in and ensuring we don't touch anything or do anything crazy (IMO) like wreck/cave dives i'd imagine we'll be alright.

Adjusting your weight is one thing, but there are many other differences in the ocean. I guess you've never dived in a current? But then, I'm a long way from the Gulf, so I'm not sure - does the Gulf have currents within 50 miles from shore, aside from rips currents which I believe are tidal?