OP
oldflounder
Contributor
- Messages
- 543
- Reaction score
- 76
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
I really did not mean to open up a can of worms here. I understand what happened to me and I am not looking for revenge or to cause a stir. I accept it as a low key threat to "stay out of my 
neighborhood." Living in a state where tourists and visitors from outside are an important part of our economy, it just erks me that a community will take physical action against those visitors
. There are ways to do it with proper signage and local ordinances. I also was curious if this type of thing had happened to others recently. If so I felt that this would be a good forum to warn others such as myself that drive around NE exploring different dive sites. At least be forewarned that you may have an issue at a certain site or need to bring pockets full of quarters, etc..
Before writing the post I had done a Scubaboard search of Lanes Cove and was aware that there are some past issues here. I followed ScubaSarus' advice and did a further search. I have also read crlavoie's site reference to "Lanes Cove....Beware" a few postings back. Also Reefseals' thread in 2003.
It is quite obvious that the issue here is much more than just vandalism and a few neighbors not wanting visitors or people parking near their homes.
Cape Ann Divers will not even mention Lanes Cove:mooner: as a dive site because of its history of "friction" at the site [Aug 2005]. In the past the lobstermen would drop cinderblocks and bricks on divers below. The residents would block the lane with cars to keep divers out. Diving was not allowed within 20' of a lobster pot, so the waters were flooded with pots every 20'. Valves were yanked out of tires. Nail-studded boards were placed under rear tires and covered with dirt. Obviously the Lobsterman/Diver war mentality is still bubbling in the pot.
See Lanes Cove Harrassment 6-17 by Dash_Riprock 18 Jun 2006
See Reefseal's posting Lanes Cove 21 Oct 2003
See a lobsterman's posting of 1 Jan 2004 where he states that "the area from behind Pigeon Cove Harbor to past the Lanesville shore is an absolute [guarantee] that you will be robbed by divers if you fish there."
This area has a long, well-documented history of "friction" between divers and the local lobstermen. We are not going to change that mindset no matter what we do. It is now in its 2nd and even 3rd generation there.
If I had my way I would do as ScubaSarus says and create a sticky of "NE Dive sites to be Aware of" - a place we could post current problem areas for those new to those sites. At the very least you would know what you may be getting into. [I don't mind a nest of bees in the woods, at least point them out to me so that I can avoid them. There are 2 sides to the coin - maybe they have a right to exist also]
In response to David -- I am not going to spend a good part of a weekend [and the gas money, etc.] going back down to Gloucester to fill out a complaint about something I have no proof of except a nail studded piece of rubber. I had to spend $118 yesterday on a new tire
- no more.
My local diving goes from Portland, ME to Newport, RI. I am blessed with all these choices. From now on I will be avoiding Cape Ann and the local divers will have one less to trip over.
I learned my lesson. To continue would be like
neighborhood." Living in a state where tourists and visitors from outside are an important part of our economy, it just erks me that a community will take physical action against those visitors. There are ways to do it with proper signage and local ordinances. I also was curious if this type of thing had happened to others recently. If so I felt that this would be a good forum to warn others such as myself that drive around NE exploring different dive sites. At least be forewarned that you may have an issue at a certain site or need to bring pockets full of quarters, etc.. Before writing the post I had done a Scubaboard search of Lanes Cove and was aware that there are some past issues here. I followed ScubaSarus' advice and did a further search. I have also read crlavoie's site reference to "Lanes Cove....Beware" a few postings back. Also Reefseals' thread in 2003.
It is quite obvious that the issue here is much more than just vandalism and a few neighbors not wanting visitors or people parking near their homes.
Cape Ann Divers will not even mention Lanes Cove:mooner: as a dive site because of its history of "friction" at the site [Aug 2005]. In the past the lobstermen would drop cinderblocks and bricks on divers below. The residents would block the lane with cars to keep divers out. Diving was not allowed within 20' of a lobster pot, so the waters were flooded with pots every 20'. Valves were yanked out of tires. Nail-studded boards were placed under rear tires and covered with dirt. Obviously the Lobsterman/Diver war mentality is still bubbling in the pot.
See Lanes Cove Harrassment 6-17 by Dash_Riprock 18 Jun 2006
See Reefseal's posting Lanes Cove 21 Oct 2003
See a lobsterman's posting of 1 Jan 2004 where he states that "the area from behind Pigeon Cove Harbor to past the Lanesville shore is an absolute [guarantee] that you will be robbed by divers if you fish there."
This area has a long, well-documented history of "friction" between divers and the local lobstermen. We are not going to change that mindset no matter what we do. It is now in its 2nd and even 3rd generation there.
If I had my way I would do as ScubaSarus says and create a sticky of "NE Dive sites to be Aware of" - a place we could post current problem areas for those new to those sites. At the very least you would know what you may be getting into. [I don't mind a nest of bees in the woods, at least point them out to me so that I can avoid them. There are 2 sides to the coin - maybe they have a right to exist also]
In response to David -- I am not going to spend a good part of a weekend [and the gas money, etc.] going back down to Gloucester to fill out a complaint about something I have no proof of except a nail studded piece of rubber. I had to spend $118 yesterday on a new tire
- no more.My local diving goes from Portland, ME to Newport, RI. I am blessed with all these choices. From now on I will be avoiding Cape Ann and the local divers will have one less to trip over.
I learned my lesson. To continue would be like
