Hello from NJ

[giantfan]

Hello all,

My name is Ted and I am from central NJ.
I am new to scuba and am currently taking my online PADI course. I have done a couple of resort dives and always wanted to get certified but never seemed to have the time. I have a trip planed in Feb to the BVI's, where we are renting a boat for the week (picking up the boat in Tortola and who knows where we will go from there) and wanted to be able to dive with a friend of mine that is already certified.

I have a 34' Pursuit Express (see picture below) that I keep in Keyport NJ and look forward to going down and seeing my fishing spots from a different perspective. I also will like having the ability to have my scuba gear on board for our offshore trips so if I have to get to my running gear to cut lines or something of that nature, I can do so without holding my breath

This seems like a great site from what I have seen so far and look forward to learning a lot from all and hope to be able to contribute as I move forward with my knowledge and experience.

 

[RJP]

Welcome from a fellow NJ diver!

Please, do yourself a favor and don't dive off your own boat without a buddy, surface support, emergency O₂ etc. Just not worth it...

However, if you need a DM to go diving WITH you feel free to give a shout!

PS - where are you doing your training?

 

[giantfan]

Welcome from a fellow NJ diver!

Please, do yourself a favor and don't dive off your own boat without a buddy, surface support, emergency O₂ etc. Just not worth it...

However, if you need a DM to go diving WITH you feel free to give a shout!

PS - where are you doing your training?

Thanks for the welcome.

I would never dive without a buddy or having someone topside.... I just have to figure out how to keep the guy that will be topside from hooking us when we are down there ... all of my friends that I would trust my boat with fish.

I haven't signed up for my pool work anywhere yet. I'm thinking Dosils or East Coast Diving Center (any suggestions?) I am going to do my open water dives while I am in Tortola.

My boat has plenty of room and I am guessing that having a DM on board, sure wouldn't be a bad thing. I have a few friends that dive quite a bit and think that I will be getting plenty of dive time next summer. I also have a pretty extensive list of wrecks in my plotter and will be looking to check them out to see where the fish like to hang around.

 

[Jersey]

Welcome and sweet ride, Ted! Yes, please keep all the emergency stuff mentioned by RJP in mind - all good advice. Diving brings a whole new insight into your fishing spots and your catch as well - no need to bring in useless garbage fish or juvies on a hook when you can choose from flounder, tog, bass, etc. on your spear and bugs!
Jersey (...one depressed Iggles fan...)

 

[giantfan]

(...one depressed Iggles fan...)

Can't say I'm happy with the outcome of our game either.....

 

[RJP]

Thanks for the welcome.

I would never dive without a buddy or having someone topside.... I just have to figure out how to keep the guy that will be topside from hooking us when we are down there ... all of my friends that I would trust my boat with fish.

Have them take a break while you're down there. I've actually been hooked by an errant fisherman on a diveboat once...not fun.

 

[RJP]

Can't say I'm happy with the outcome of our game either.....

My two favorite teams are the Giants and whoever is playing the Eagles.

 

[Jersey]

...pretty soon MY favorite team is going to be whoever is playing the Eagles...:depressed:

 

[Viscya]

I just have to figure out how to keep the guy that will be topside from hooking us when we are down there ... all of my friends that I would trust my boat with fish.

Welcome to the board!

Once your friends see all the fish you can catch with a spear gun, they will want to learn how to dive.

 

[dsmclaughlin]

Welcome to SB!

I just got back from a week on Tortola, where I had a great time diving with Sail Caribbean. There are a lot of fun dive sites to check out around there.

Since you're from NJ, I hope you'll stop in on the Dive NY forum which is inhabited by a bunch of active and friendly local divers.

Safe diving!