OK, Bill Horn from the Florida Fisheries Commission has confirmed that it is a felony to damage any reef (natural or artificial) in the State of Florida waters. This would include the Oriskany.
Removing items from the USS Oriskany (interesting dilemma)
- Thread starter mike_s
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King Kong Matt
Contributor
NetDoc:
Ouch!
Diver Dennis
Contributor
A felony? Well, that is good to know. I have to say that if Capt. Thorsen knew it was a felony, he would not be allowing it. I wonder how many other dive ops or divers for that matter, in the area don't know that?
Yeah Matt,King Kong Matt:
I think I see a real change from his first post to his last post. I applaud that change, for after all it's what we are all about here: becoming better divers.
As a dive professional, i would have never taken anything from the Oriskany due to my ethics and NOT my understanding of the law. Now I know that ALL reefs are protected by the State: artificial and natural. "Screamers" (real wrecks) do not fall under that category but may still be protected depending on their historical significance and/or location.
Matt I think your right. The problem is he is NOT going to admit anything. If he does then there is a copy of it that could be used to convict him in court."or so he thinks" Thus dancing around the questions. If he cares for the safety of his divers then he should know the laws and the dangers of that ship. This is not the only ship wreck in Florida right so if the laws are the same on all why would this ship be different.....Mark great job guys
scubaaaronh
Contributor
NetDoc:
Agreed his tone has changed from the first one.
Hopefully with the authorities involved the parts can be retrieved from the person who took them and possibly be back where they belong.
Guba
Contributor
Great job, guys! I have to say that this is one of the threads that not only exposes a serious, "real-life" situation, but has done much to inform, illuminate, and perhaps even persuade readers and participants about courses of action that should be taken. (Of course, that's the supposed reason for all the threads here, but you have to admit...some of them are not quite as "deep" as this one is.)
I stayed silent on this issue up to this point simply because I do not know the legalities of the issues involved. Much of my ocean diving is made in an NMS where the laws and regulations are very explicit and they are enforced rigorously by the boat captains servicing the area. In those areas, anything that winds up in the NMS and has ANY growth or sedimentation on it becomes PART OF the reef and subsequent removal is illegal. In orther words, a discarded Coke can that has a crab in it is no longer trash...it's part of the reef. Same thing with fishing line and such. Under those circumstances, taking something like parts of an artificial reef is out of the question, so that's why I'm a bit incredulous that anyone would have the audacity to do so.
Still, the purpose of this board is to make a real difference and impact the way divers and dive operators conduct their business underwater. This thread and all who have contributed input to it have certainly done so in the last couple of days. Well done! I thank you all for the lessons taught and learned here.
I stayed silent on this issue up to this point simply because I do not know the legalities of the issues involved. Much of my ocean diving is made in an NMS where the laws and regulations are very explicit and they are enforced rigorously by the boat captains servicing the area. In those areas, anything that winds up in the NMS and has ANY growth or sedimentation on it becomes PART OF the reef and subsequent removal is illegal. In orther words, a discarded Coke can that has a crab in it is no longer trash...it's part of the reef. Same thing with fishing line and such. Under those circumstances, taking something like parts of an artificial reef is out of the question, so that's why I'm a bit incredulous that anyone would have the audacity to do so.
Still, the purpose of this board is to make a real difference and impact the way divers and dive operators conduct their business underwater. This thread and all who have contributed input to it have certainly done so in the last couple of days. Well done! I thank you all for the lessons taught and learned here.
Unfortunately, Sunshine laws prevent Mr Turpin from posting on our forum. However, he has sent me an e-mail and has asked that I post it for him. You can be sure that they are following this thread with interest. We had quite a lengthy discussion and he assures me that he has spoken with every Dive Op he knows and has let them know that NOTHING is to be removed. There were some navigational aids (lights, etc) that were salvaged when the wreck first went down, but this was a part of the entire sinking operation.
Per Mr Turpin's request, I have posted his E-Mail unaltered and in it's entirety.
Per Mr Turpin's request, I have posted his E-Mail unaltered and in it's entirety.
Robert Turpin:
King Kong Matt
Contributor
NetDoc:
Thanks for the effort with the follow-up Pete. Did Mr. Turpin indicate when he had his conversations with the various ops? In other words, did Mr. Turpin seem to be of the opinion that all dive boats visiting the Oriskany should be "in the know" in regards to the various regulations in place?
This was sent by Mr Bill Horn:
Bill Horn:
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