Scallop Dive 7/29/12

[decapoddiver]

Went back out in search of the beds we had marked last week and eventually found them. My buddy's son was our surface support and while we were down, a women motored over and told him, "This is sailing weekend, you can't be out here". He politely told her to slow down within 100' of a dive flag and to please leave. Vis varied from 5-15'. Temp at depths (50-60') was around 54°. Encountered some surge on dive #3 and as is usually the case, found the mother-lode of scallops once I hit 1000psi. I filled a bag and had to come up. We marked it and plan to be back out next week.

 

[David Sutton]

Sailing weekend ?? so that means the ocean is closed ??brother whats next?? oh this is good veiw from the beach day no one allowed in the water today and all boats have to be docked. Glad you had a great day and nice catch !!

 

[decapoddiver]

Apparently sailboats are entitled to unrestricted access to the ocean. Read the memo.

 

[mmerriman]

Well - as a boater and a sailor and a diver (that just went scalloping 2 weeks ago), it really is bad form to anchor or dive in the channel. Sure its legal - but as a boating instructor, there are a lot of ignorant boaters that will run over your flag not knowing what it is and a lot of arogant boaters that will happily do the same.

 

[David Sutton]

I agree, but after runnin a 27 foot sail boat for yrs i sure can see a boat sitting a long way out, And plan my course around not at them and expect them to move

 

[mmerriman]

I agree - but I know lots of ignorant sailors thinking they have the right of way over everything else on the water.

 

[David Sutton]

My Grandpa told me one day the only thing common about common sence is that its not common anymore ;-)

Mike i'm runnin a restored 81 wellcraft airslot fisherman 24 with a 225 flag bering johnson on it , if you see me wave me down love to meet ya up there sometime

 

[decapoddiver]

A few things: I have been a sailor for over 30 years including being 1st mate on a schooner in Maine and teaching sailing. I never said we were anchored in the channel (we weren't anywhere near the channel). Last time I checked, moving vessels need to navigate around anchored vessels.

I love sailing, rowing and anything else involving movement over/through/under water. It is the perceived entitlement of some people that I find humorous. That and the fact that she motored over to our boat while on plane and completely ignored our three (yes, one 5' and two standard size) flags.

 

[mmerriman]

thanks Dave - I saw the pic of your boat - If i see you on the water I'll say hi - you can take me out for a dive and I'll trade you a day of sail on my Sabre 32 named Finesse...

---------- Post Merged at 04:45 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 04:39 PM ----------

deca - I didn't mean to imply you were in any channel. I was making the statement that diving and anchoring in a channel isn't a good idea - and I have seen people do it in prime boating season on a weekend. Just a few years ago someone in a small boat anchored in the main channel in salem sound in between Misery and Bakers Island and then went diving leaving no one on board. Their anchor dragged and the boat was adrift when they came up. Talk about a bad day. I've also seen people anchor in the channel in the Merrimack river fishing. I mentioned I was scallop diving a couple of weeks ago on a weekend. While the best beds are in the channel, we avoided it also...

 

[decapoddiver]

While the best beds are in the channel, we avoided it also...

Not my beds Even if they were, not worth getting a new haircut via prop to make it worthwhile. I'd rather be safe.