Milbrook - Lines

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chrpai

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Location
Cedar Park, TX
# of dives
I just don't log dives
As I recently noticed someone has been laying alot of line around the bottom of milbrook. There now seems to be lines connecting almost all of the wrecks and platforms. On my first dive yesterday we started from beach two and headed about 180 due south to follow the ridge down to the winnabago. We were about 30' from the "wreck" when all of a sudden we noticed a line that lead straight to it. Also going from the second platform off beach two is a line that goes down to the airplane. Now that one has been there as long as I remember. But also from the airplane is a line that goes to the cabin cruiser. From there there is a line that goes to a platform near beach 1. Also from the cabin cruiser there is a line that goes up over to the car and the truck.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand it makes nav easier and more enjoyable. On the other hand it makes nav too easy. Also I couldn't help notice the entanglement hazards. I got caught on it over by the winnabago and my buddies got caught up by it a couple times to. Nothing to panic over but seemed like a risk.

What does everyone else think?
 
What kind of line did they use? Is it on/near the bottom or just suspended somewhere in the water column?
 
One place I have seen a l lot of line is Gilboa...but most of the line linking everything is pretty taunt...It is also rope that is about 5' off the bottom. The only line that really sticks out is the one from the Bus to the tubes...On days when there is little to no viz...it feels like you're just wandering along in the abyss.

I guess there are some good pro's to that line...#1 being you can get from the bus to the tubes without getting lost and heading over the wall (which is a straight drop to 120-ish, or so I speculate). Personally I've never seen anyone get caught up in the lines up there, but I am sure it has happened.

One place I have seen badly laid line is France Lake...or hidden paradise....there have been several attempts to lay line linking the few row-boats and (I think 2) platforms. Some people I know have gotten caught up in it....it used to be a fairly trasparent line (I think it was like plastic wrapped cable at one point). and That crap still exists and catches people up from time to time.
 
O-ring once bubbled...
What kind of line did they use? Is it on/near the bottom or just suspended somewhere in the water column?

Its a mix. I've seen different colors and thickness. Sometimes on the bottom, sometimes it buries under the bottom, sometimes its in the middle of the water column. ( Like when it changes depths but there is a bottom then wall then shelf.
 
chrpai once bubbled...


Its a mix. I've seen different colors and thickness. Sometimes on the bottom, sometimes it buries under the bottom, sometimes its in the middle of the water column. ( Like when it changes depths but there is a bottom then wall then shelf.
Wonder who's been doing it.. I'll have to check it out on the 14th-15th..
 
Without some type of overall coordination, I think the lines are more trouble than they’re worth. A few lines are nice, like the line from the platform to the airplane, but with everyone running lines on their own, they’re turning into a spider’s web. I’d like to see the quarry management adapt the policy that you must remove any lines you put in, the same weekend. If they do, I’d volunteer to help cut the old ones out.

Many instructors are using the lines as a crutch for tours instead of teaching good navigation skills. You paid for that compass; learn how to use it!

Mike
 
MikeS once bubbled...
Without some type of overall coordination, I think the lines are more trouble than they’re worth. A few lines are nice, like the line from the platform to the airplane, but with everyone running lines on their own, they’re turning into a spider’s web. I’d like to see the quarry management adapt the policy that you must remove any lines you put in, the same weekend. If they do, I’d volunteer to help cut the old ones out.

Many instructors are using the lines as a crutch for tours instead of teaching good navigation skills. You paid for that compass; learn how to use it!

Mike
Nobody said you can't remove it! ;) I think you just got elected Chief Line Remover..

Better yet, reroute the lines to a dead end in the middle of the quarry - you know the place, where there is nothing but cold and silt and leave a sign there that says "Learn how to use your #@$%&ing compass"
 
O-ring once bubbled...

reroute the lines to a dead end in the middle of the quarry - leave a sign there that says "Learn how to use your #@$%&ing compass"

Now that's funny....I would vote on seeing that option.

IF it is feasible...mount an u/w video cam that is triggered on by movement to get the faces and reactions of those that are "navigationally challenged"
 
So I guess the question now is do we ask permission to remove them or just treat it as a qausi project aware quarry clean up day?

I wonder what The Dive Shops position on this is.
 
chrpai once bubbled...
So I guess the question now is do we ask permission to remove them or just treat it as a qausi project aware quarry clean up day?

I wonder what The Dive Shops position on this is.
I'll leave that to the newly appointed Chief Line Remover. I don't mess with other peoples' lines..
 

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