Removing items from the USS Oriskany (interesting dilemma)

[scubadobadoo]

So tell me, what are your plans to ensure divers 20 years from now can enjoy the control panels? Are you going to keep killing off the corals and marine growth that accumulates on them?

It is mother natures to take now, not ours.

 

[The Chairman]

OK,

I must admit, that I was intrigued with what Capt Tim told us and went looking for contact information (which I found) for Robert Turpin so I could invite him (which I did) to this thread. So looky what I found: Ex-Oriskany Reef and here is a quote from that web site:

Divers should not remove any items from the ship, and there is no reason for anyone to enter the ship's interior.

My next quest is to contact Harry White and invite him as well.

 

[scubadobadoo]

...but I would like to see it made, if unofficially, a standing policy to not take anything from the wreck. We are including this into our dive briefings effective immediately...

Thank you. I think this small change in your poilcy is what many of us were hoping for.

 

[The Chairman]

Pete,

While I certainly agree that there is no shame in learning something new each and every day*, I feel like as a "dive professional" who is leading trips to a particular dive site, the operator should be familiar with any regulations pertinent to that site.

Not if there was no education done by the state for these operators. I am not trying to excuse Capt Tim from his actions (or inactions), but it seems that he learned something here. Motive may not be everything, but you have to ask yourself, did he allow this because he is a "bad captain" or because of simple ignorance. I do believe that there are many other captains who not only allow this but who actively encourage it. So, do we merely cast aside the "one" we caught? Or now that he seems to be understanding what we are talking about and just how many PROFESSIONAL divers are appalled by this action, can we exercise a bit of forgiveness and welcome him here to ScubaBoard.

Really, it appears that the State should step up their actions to educate the charter boat operators and the instructors in the area. If this were stressed a bit more, than this would not have been a surprise to Capt Tim.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Well it looks like we have reached a point that Capt. Thorsen is going to take some action. Although I was not satisfied with all of your explanations I commend you for doing some research and checking the legalities.
It would be interesting to hear from divers that have been diving on this ship about other forms of vandalism mentioned like graffiti. We should also find out about other dive shops in the area who may be displaying items stolen from the Oriskany. It would not be fair just to point out Capt. Thorsen's transgressions without checking all the dive Ops.
To those who were questioning why we were making such a big deal out of this can see now that some action is being taken and hopefully we can, as a community, see this through to the point that the sealing and vandalism can be severely curtailed or stopped.

 

[Sasquatch]

Well spoken, sir.

 

[Diver Dennis]

OK,

I must admit, that I was intrigued with what Capt Tim told us and went looking for contact information (which I found) for Robert Turpin so I could invite him (which I did) to this thread. So looky what I found: Ex-Oriskany Reef and here is a quote from that web site:

My next quest is to contact Harry White and invite him as well.

Great idea Pete. As I just posted, it would be great to take this whole dilemma further.

 

[King Kong Matt]

Not if there was no education done by the state for these operators. I am not trying to excuse Capt Tim from his actions (or inactions), but it seems that he learned something here. Motive may not be everything, but you have to ask yourself, did he allow this because he is a "bad captain" or because of simple ignorance.

I would wholeheartedly agree that if the state has been lax in making clear the rules, the situation is a bit more understandable...a bit. Having said that, he made very clear that he has been a dive professional for a long time and I would think a reasonable dive professional acting in a reasonable manner would think to wonder whether the state had placed any regulations on a boat that it intentionally sunk.

In other words, the Captain can't have both sides of the argument, which is exactly what he wants. He can't profess with the left hand that he is a very experienced captain and dive professional and runs a capable operation and with the right hand claim that he simply didn't know the rules...pick one.

I do believe that there are many other captains who not only allow this but who actively encourage it.

Two wrongs not making a right and all that.

Or now that he seems to be understanding what we are talking about and just how many PROFESSIONAL divers are appalled by this action, can we exercise a bit of forgiveness and welcome him here to ScubaBoard.

I would readily welcome him here, but I think we are reading his responses slightly differently. Was it your sense that he "understands" what we are talking about? If so, then my reading unit is probably on the fritz because I saw someone who did his best to avoid every question put to him and who never admitted that he in fact made an error in judgment.

Really, it appears that the State should step up their actions to educate the charter boat operators and the instructors in the area. If this were stressed a bit more, than this would not have been a surprise to Capt Tim.

Agreed...wholeheartedly agreed.

 

[speedhound]

This in an interesting thread to read.

One of the first "mantras" I heard, and still believe, when I became a diver was "to take only memories, leave only bubbles". Legalities aside, that is enough for me, and should be enough for anyone: diver or dive operator.

Just my tuppence worth.

 

[mdmbike to scuba]

Great Job Pete. I read that months ago when researching the ship. If I can find that all the way out here in AZ then he why couldn't he. Just in New to Save the dive kit:
1. Crow bar 3ft long or longer what ever works
2. Hack saw
3. Cutting tools
So if I go on to his boat and take things off it, He wont mind. I'll just say "I did know it was against the law.