Texas Clipper Reefing Date

[Joanna.Cordry]

Maybe they'll delay to the end of next week, and then it will be a weekend again...

I have to admit that I'm amused that the weather/conditions are "too bad" to sink a ship.

 

[chairmanTARAC]

The front has passed Decision to take her out today will be made in a few hours Tugs are on standby Noaa calls for seas in the 3 to 5 range for the next several days.

 

[k-valve]

I feel your frustration. I was scheduled to be one of the first divers on the ship and now I had to give up my slot b/c of the delays. Oh, and the money paid for the dives is nonrefundable. Since we have to wait 48 hours after she sinks to dive her, that puts the scheduled dives on Monday, that's if (IF) there are absolutely no more delays.

That's just wrong that your payment is completely non-refundable. Especially on such an iffy dive as this would be.

 

[RTRski]

I have to admit that I'm amused that the weather/conditions are "too bad" to sink a ship.

You can just sink a ship fine in any old weather. When you want it to sink where you want, in an upright orientation, it takes a little more finesse.

Wasn't there an artificial reef ship sunk in Florida somewhere that went down sideways, and later a passing hurricane caused enough of a wind surge to upright it again? Seem to remember reading about that.

 

[ReefHound]

That's just wrong that your payment is completely non-refundable. Especially on such an iffy dive as this would be.

Yeah it sucks but those were the terms for this unique trip. CHUM booked the whole boat as a "sink date + 48 hours" charter because we want to be the "first" public divers on it. Price was divided up based on 20 divers so to refund anyone would mean going back to the others and saying "we need more money".

I'm in the same situation as Shannon, as are several others. So anyone out there who wants to grab this unique opportunity, PM me. Just be warned that it is a "flexible" arrangement and there is not a defined dive date until the Clipper is resting safely on the bottom.

Shannon, do not despair just yet, few want to step up and claim a spot under such chaotic terms but once it goes down there's a decent chance that SB can release empty slots back to American and they can drum up some locals who will sign on.

 

[ReefHound]

The front has passed Decision to take her out today will be made in a few hours Tugs are on standby Noaa calls for seas in the 3 to 5 range for the next several days.

TPWD says the rule of thumb for going is "sea state under 4 feet" and winds "no greater than 15 knots". Do you know if they are following that strictly or loosely?

I would think they are going to send out a scout beforehand for a firsthand look at the conditions regardless of what NOAA says.

 

[carlislere]

The Texas Clipper is on her way to her final resting place. We watched her come down the channel from the Port of Brownsville and past the jetties. Quite a crowd gathered for the sendoff. She will be reefed in the morning.

 

[Texasdivechick]

Well, I've decided that I can always get another job if I get fired, but I'm taking Monday off to dive the Clipper. You're right RH, this is a unique opportunity and I knew that it was nonrefundable when I signed on to go. It's really not so much the money as it is the hassle. This trip is not an easy one under any circumstances. It's a 8 hour drive. It's cold. We have to be at the docks at 5:15am. We have to miss work. We may not even get to make the dive. Then we have to drive 8 hours back on Monday night and go to work on Tuesday (some of us do). But it will be so worth it! See you on Sunday mate! AaaarrrR!

 

[carlislere]

The first diveable day is Tuesday Shannonjon22. I believe that is when the Houston club is diving the boat. Steve at American Diving was talking about that this afternoon. Call your club contact.

 

[ReefHound]

Well, I've decided that I can always get another job if I get fired, but I'm taking Monday off to dive the Clipper.

With that I think you have now established yourself as a true diver.