"Some dive boats already are back in business, although others face longer delays because of damages or other storm-related problems.
The Republic IV dive boat took divers out Jupiter Inlet to water that was still stirred up by the hurricane Wednesday afternoon. They found visibility around 15 feet and a few lobster on their first dive, said Adam Develle of Jupiter Dive Center. Spiny lobster sometimes line up and walk along the bottom to new hiding places after a big storm. Other dive boat captains are planning to venture out in search of bugs this week.
At Sportsman's Park in Lantana, captain Larry Pearce worked in the bilge of the 30-foot Giant Stride dive boat Tuesday morning after he and owner Dave Cullen floated the boat, which sank in its slip during the hurricane.
"We think the lobsters did this," Cullen joked as he worked in the bow. "Now we can put submarine on our business card."
Mike Bruney's 32-foot Luhrs lost a cleat and a swim platform during the hurricane. He attributes the relatively light damage to the 16 lines he used to hold the boat in a variety of winds. Other boats that usually tie up at Sportsman's Park, including the Lady K drift-fishing boat and the Starfish Enterprise dive boat, ran to Islamorada to ride out the storm.
Jim Abernethy decided to dodge the hurricane by running his two remaining dive boats two others sank after being hit by a marina forklift in March to Fort Myers during Frances. But he got stuck on the way back by power lines across the St. Lucie Canal. Abernethy's office said he hopes to resume dive trips again this weekend.
Bob Johnson fled the storm with his family, but left his dive boat, Rampage, moored at Lost Tree Village in North Palm Beach. Despite careful preparations, winds from the south pushed waves over the stern and sank the Rampage.
Dave Lill of Palm Beach Gardens had six anchors on his 30 sailboat north of Peanut Island when Frances arrived. His boat broke loose and floated out Lake Worth Inlet. He found it washed up on Palm Beach, largely undamaged. Lill believes his anchor lines must have broken as Frances crept slowly along the coast, buffeting Palm Beach County."
Check with each operation before you go down to WPB as they may not be ready to dive. :11:
