large_diver
Contributor
Still on her Keel – The Legacy of the Chester Poling
VIDEO PREVIEW
I had the chance recently to view an advance copy of this film, which will be debuted to the general public at the upcoming Sea Rovers dive show in Boston (presentation will be on Sunday, March 5 at 3:00PM – one of the daytime seminars). The video was shot and produced by Scubaboard’s very own Peacedog (Aaron), who will also be introducing his film at Sea Rovers.
The Chester Poling is a name that is familiar to almost anyone who dives regularly in New England. Located several hundred yards off the Dog Bar breakwater just outside of Gloucester harbor, the stern half of the Poling is a wreck that that has been visited by thousands of divers during the past few decades. The Poling represents a classic New England wreck diving experience – dark, cold and deep. She lies upright and intact on the bottom in 100 feet of water, covered in anemones and home to a variety of marine life. For many area divers, she is the first wreck and/or deep diving experience they’ve had in their diving careers, serving as the destination for many a wreck, deep or AOW course.
Still on Her Keel tells multiple stories about the past and present of the Poling, from both above and below the water.
The first storyline is certainly the physical story of the wreck – the intense storm in 1977 that broke her in half, the loss of life that occurred during her sinking, and her amazing “re-location” at the hands of the Blizzard of ’78.
The second is a diving story about three friends who shared a special underwater adventure together – exploring a virgin shipwreck. These three local divers (Paul Adler, Jack Hinz, and John Butler) were among the first to dive on the Poling shortly after she went down. The film includes the original footage they took during some of their first few dives on the wreck, juxtaposed with present day footage. Very cool to see the original catwalk with railings and chains intact, shots of the stern with the ship’s name clearly visible, and views of the deck of what was clearly a new wreck…with tools and other debris strewn about as if put down by seamen still patrolling her decks.
These three divers became separated by time and middle age – this film project reunites them as they re-explore the wreck they first pioneered so many years ago.
I’d highly recommend this DVD to anyone who has dove the Poling and is interested in her history. The DVD includes the film itself as well as several “special features” that are both entertaining and informative. I am not sure of Aaron’s exact plans for sale of the film – he should be providing more details at the film’s debut.
Trailer for the film --
http://www.nimbusaudio.com/portfolio.html
For information about Sea Rovers – tickets and schedule:
http://www.searovers.org/
-Chris
VIDEO PREVIEW
I had the chance recently to view an advance copy of this film, which will be debuted to the general public at the upcoming Sea Rovers dive show in Boston (presentation will be on Sunday, March 5 at 3:00PM – one of the daytime seminars). The video was shot and produced by Scubaboard’s very own Peacedog (Aaron), who will also be introducing his film at Sea Rovers.
The Chester Poling is a name that is familiar to almost anyone who dives regularly in New England. Located several hundred yards off the Dog Bar breakwater just outside of Gloucester harbor, the stern half of the Poling is a wreck that that has been visited by thousands of divers during the past few decades. The Poling represents a classic New England wreck diving experience – dark, cold and deep. She lies upright and intact on the bottom in 100 feet of water, covered in anemones and home to a variety of marine life. For many area divers, she is the first wreck and/or deep diving experience they’ve had in their diving careers, serving as the destination for many a wreck, deep or AOW course.
Still on Her Keel tells multiple stories about the past and present of the Poling, from both above and below the water.
The first storyline is certainly the physical story of the wreck – the intense storm in 1977 that broke her in half, the loss of life that occurred during her sinking, and her amazing “re-location” at the hands of the Blizzard of ’78.
The second is a diving story about three friends who shared a special underwater adventure together – exploring a virgin shipwreck. These three local divers (Paul Adler, Jack Hinz, and John Butler) were among the first to dive on the Poling shortly after she went down. The film includes the original footage they took during some of their first few dives on the wreck, juxtaposed with present day footage. Very cool to see the original catwalk with railings and chains intact, shots of the stern with the ship’s name clearly visible, and views of the deck of what was clearly a new wreck…with tools and other debris strewn about as if put down by seamen still patrolling her decks.
These three divers became separated by time and middle age – this film project reunites them as they re-explore the wreck they first pioneered so many years ago.
I’d highly recommend this DVD to anyone who has dove the Poling and is interested in her history. The DVD includes the film itself as well as several “special features” that are both entertaining and informative. I am not sure of Aaron’s exact plans for sale of the film – he should be providing more details at the film’s debut.
Trailer for the film --
http://www.nimbusaudio.com/portfolio.html
For information about Sea Rovers – tickets and schedule:
http://www.searovers.org/
-Chris