Removing items from the USS Oriskany (interesting dilemma)

[Diver Dennis]

Don...

My special thanks to Don Janni who spoke up for us and tried to clarify the truth

 

[BiggDawg]

And also go after all the other shops the captain said were proudly displaying items from the O.

I think I smell a way for the state to raise more funds for the ex-reef program...

 

[scubafool]

holy cow... scubafool is making sense

Am NOT!!

 

[Diver Dennis]

Don...

Rich Sleppy, while I don't agree with his taking of these things from the wreck, happens to be one of the most responsible divers and instructors that I have had on our boat in a while.

Ken...

The true culprits can be seen at any of the local dive shops where not only Oriskany items are proudly displayed but almost everything of any interest from every dive site in Pensacola. The only things I have displayed are pieces of Calypso given to me by Captain Cousteau and Sean-Michel himself. As for harming the wreck for others to enjoy... talk to the cattle boats who take divers out and not only rape and pillage the wreck but write every sort of graphitti you can imagine all over the wreck. It is starting to look like something in Brooklin NY.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I think I smell a way for the state to raise more funds for the ex-reef program...

Hmmmm. Good thinking BD.

 

[djanni]

Don...

Yeah I know and part of the confusion....... I did two dives that day and Rich did one tech dive going about 180 feet as I recall. Tim showed us the phone during the second dive. So it was not taken that day.

Obviously, I wouldn't know about anything that took place on any other day. Yet it is because Tim made the comment you point to that I am saying nothing was taken that day and that is the truth. It seems that that remains the only day Tim speaks of so this is why I believe him.

This just seems like an awful flame war against Viking Diving by people who don't know any facts.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I do agree Don but I'm just going by what Capt. Thorsen said. I understand that you had a great experience with him.

 

[The Chairman]

Direct questions have been asked and not answered. The first answers we got were highly defensive with no negatives on the facts. This was all precipitated by the diver in question bragging about his conquest via e-mails. If there is any misunderstanding, it is due to the perp running his mouth about his illgotten gains.

There is no need to crucify anyone over this. However, the discussion has proved to be useful in educating the Board about what is and is not legal behavior on the Mighty O.

 

[bigrod]

I'm a local (Pensacola) diver. I travel for business, and don't post a lot, but I have to say something here! I sure don't like having Pensacola diving operators looking like a bunch of rednecks, and I'm hoping that everybody reading this won't think everyone here is like that.
I have talked to 2 local dive shops about the Oriskany. Both those shops (Dive Pros and Scuba Shack) mentioned the "no taking stuff" rule. I took a trip out on a boat called Why Knot, and that captain said "its a long swim back" to some guy who asked if its ok to take something on his second dive.
I am glad to hear all the criticisms from the dive community on this forum. I'd hate to think they'd need to waste marine patrol's time looking for looters. But what would be worst is the Navy never wanting to put a ship in dive-able depth ranges to keep people from stealing stuff. Man, that would really suck!
Good night everybody,
Rod

 

[Rick Murchison]

I took a trip out on a boat called Why Knot, and that captain said "its a long swim back" to some guy who asked if its ok to take something on his second dive.

I like Dave's attitude
Rick