I am Fred Massie owner/operator of Marthas Quarry Dive facility in Wilson County, TN. I can be reached via phone at (615) 860-9390 and have a website
http://marthasquarry.com. I do not have an alias like bengalsmgtsucks to show I have a problem with someone (grow up).
If you have complaints and choose to go public with it at least put your name on it. (Be a Man)
I have problems with your comments. Your comments were ridiculous and false (Liars make false statements) Trying to blow off a dangerous practice as something miniscule and full of contradictions.
Go to Vortex Springs, Ginny Springs, Morrison Springs, Mermet Springs or Dive Cerulean to name a few and throw rocks in the water of any size. See what happens. Imagine yourself in the water with or without students wondering where the next rock will fall and of what size. Would you not surface and put a stop to it? That is why we have HERO Instructors. They are there to insure this or any other unsafe practice above or below the water is stopped. Most of the time they are bored non-divers. This is the first time it has been a dive leader.
There is a type of entry that we do from 12 ft. It is not a giant stride. A Giant Stride from this height is unsafe. However safe entries from this can be performed at this height and greater.
From where did you get your information pertaining to Aggressor Fleet? Who possibly would believe that as luxurious and wonderful as any of the vessels contained in this fleet would have their clientele do a 12 ft. giant stride. You must have really been grasping at straws to come up with something to justify your training misconceptions.
The Aggressor Caribbean fleet has 1 ft. platforms on all vessels. The Aggressor Pacific fleet dives from skiffs. My source for this information is Julie at Aggressor Fleet 800-348-2328 (She laughed).
Now, do you really believe anyone believed you? Do you think anyone will ever believe you again? Do you think we assign a babysitter for the rock throwers? Will they watch how close and gauge the size of stone being thrown? Do we tell people dont do stupid crap? Do we make 10,000 rules? Wouldnt it be better to use common sense and lead by example?
Besides trying to blow off giant strides from cliffs and rock throwing. Lets discuss the motorcycle. It wan not a mini-bike, it was a large (almost as big as my Honda car) Harley (Beautiful). Hi so called (by you) 1.5 second rev allowed him to do three consecutive donuts in my driveway. Showering gravel everywhere with part of your group standing close by. Forget eye damage from flown gravel think about losing control and either the rider and / or your group being injured. And you blow this off as a 1.5 second rev Is this leadership?
He was politely approached, asked not to do it again (Didnt Work) when leaving Marthas Quarry he started in gravel spinning the rear wheel, losing control when reaching asphalt almost colliding with oncoming traffic (one of my neighbors). And you say we cry, cry, cry over a 1.5 sec rev. Are you misleading anyone from the truth? No wonder you use bengalsmgtsucks instead of your real name.
I have a hard time sorting out who is coming back and who is not. At first you said 7 did not want to come back, next you said none (which is correct? Or grasping at straws again?) Some have already returned.
I have some wonderful Dive Trainers working with me, not for me. They have always stepped up to the plate for me and they have always stepped up for Safetys sake. I cannot allow anyone to call them Horrible, Hero, or say they cry, cry, cry and not step up for them. They are great folks just like the group you brought with you. I really enjoyed then and wish I could spend more time with all the people diving with us. This whole letter is about 2 people. Yours and one others behavior.
Admit your wrong dont blame it on cry babies and dont blow it off. Bottom line your folks are salt of the earth as a matter of fact I purchased a vehicle from one. I had not driven or ridden in it. He told me nothing was wrong with it and I paid him cash. I have driven several days and guess what is wrong with it - NOTHING. I have always said we get a great cut of society in scuba. Unfortunately occasionally a bad apple rolls under the fence and as a leader we deal with it and repair our driveways.
Fred Massie
Marthas Quarry
P.S. When you go to Cerulean dont throw rocks or tear up Dave Westerfields Driveway. He will eat you for breakfast. He is a safe operator and a businessman as well as a good man. Please dont say he is horrible for being this way. We cant help ourselves.