To the underwater thiefs at Catalina Dive Park: You suck
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idocsteve
Guest
We were at Ginny Springs a few years back, 20 or so of us with a trip set up via a LDS.
One guy who was a "fairly experienced diver" told us he "found a couple of tanks by a cave opening" and brought them back to the shore. He said when the owner came by looking for them he was not at all pleased with the helpful effort he made to retrieve his tanks for him.
Some people are just clueless.
Maybe check the lost and found? Could be a ton of slates and spools and rope over there.
One guy who was a "fairly experienced diver" told us he "found a couple of tanks by a cave opening" and brought them back to the shore. He said when the owner came by looking for them he was not at all pleased with the helpful effort he made to retrieve his tanks for him.
Some people are just clueless.
Maybe check the lost and found? Could be a ton of slates and spools and rope over there.
Nope. But my take on it is this- If it was just an unscrupulous diver who took the stuff, it won't matter- he's a thief and doesn't care what we say. If it was an unsuspecting new diver they probably had an "OH S8!T" moment when they realized what they had done, and either hid the stuff, threw it away, or maybe kept it, but there was probably no way they would just fess up and face the wrath at the time. Hopefully they will confide in someone else, who can then return the items "that they got from their friend that didn't know any better". IF it was just an honest mistake, and they step up directly, then they are better people than we are giving them credit for being, and good on them. Regardless, I doubt what we call them plays into what they do. They either do the right thing or they don't.
Leejnd
Contributor
Wow, how awful.
I have to admit when I first read Ken's post, I couldn't help but think 1) it's possible that some noob, fresh-outa-ow divers (who are not uncommon there) might have thought they came upon abandoned bounty, and 2) Ken's rather...um..."colorful"
language might dissuade a guilt-riddled thief from returning the stuff, thinking "F-U, I'm keepin' it just cause you called me all those names".
But after reading more posts, I realize that it's probably unlikely that it was well-meaning noobs, or it would happen more often, and they would probably have said something to someone. And after thinking more about it, I totally get Ken's anger, and agree that his colorful language will probably have no impact whatsoever on the outcome.
I have to admit when I first read Ken's post, I couldn't help but think 1) it's possible that some noob, fresh-outa-ow divers (who are not uncommon there) might have thought they came upon abandoned bounty, and 2) Ken's rather...um..."colorful"
language might dissuade a guilt-riddled thief from returning the stuff, thinking "F-U, I'm keepin' it just cause you called me all those names".But after reading more posts, I realize that it's probably unlikely that it was well-meaning noobs, or it would happen more often, and they would probably have said something to someone. And after thinking more about it, I totally get Ken's anger, and agree that his colorful language will probably have no impact whatsoever on the outcome.
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Leejnd
Contributor
Now...getting back to the actual topic...
While I agree with others that this was probably NOT well-meaning noobs, I'm wondering...is there a place to put up a sign that would let noob divers know that this park is often used for classes, and not to remove gear from the bottom that may be in use for navigation training or other purposes? It may not help with flat-out scumbag thieves who don't give a damn, but it might serve two purposes: 1) raise awareness that gear on the bottom is likely in use, and 2) let potential thieves know that people are aware that gear has been taken, and you might get caught if you try to steal it.
Bill, have you heard of this happening before? Is it a common problem? Or did we maybe just have a bad day with a couple of scumbags in our beautiful park?
While I agree with others that this was probably NOT well-meaning noobs, I'm wondering...is there a place to put up a sign that would let noob divers know that this park is often used for classes, and not to remove gear from the bottom that may be in use for navigation training or other purposes? It may not help with flat-out scumbag thieves who don't give a damn, but it might serve two purposes: 1) raise awareness that gear on the bottom is likely in use, and 2) let potential thieves know that people are aware that gear has been taken, and you might get caught if you try to steal it.
Bill, have you heard of this happening before? Is it a common problem? Or did we maybe just have a bad day with a couple of scumbags in our beautiful park?
Damselfish
Contributor
the ignore feature is a lovely thing...
A ScubaBoard Staff Message...
OP
Lets not be ignorant.
First off: No way this is noob diver. Picking up a bottle, a can, sure. A weight pouch that fell out of some ill-conceived velcro weight integrated BC? Sure. Picking up a mask at the bottom of the steps and setting it on the wall? Sure. Done that many times myself.
These were items purposefully laid out, and actively in use all throughout the day.
Somebody saw them, looked left, looked right, cut the line and stole the reels and spools.
To think any differently is to be ignorant.
Number two: .0027% of divers read internet dive boards. The odds of the thief seeing anything posted here is very, very remote. However, if his friends see it, or his friends, friends - we may have a chance. The more memorable the post and the easier it is to anonymously return the stuff, the better the chance of seeing it again.
The odds of seeing this stuff again are next to nothing. I'm trying to do a friend a favor. If you don't have information about this incident, feel free to move on. This post really isn't for you.
Thanks
-Ken
First off: No way this is noob diver. Picking up a bottle, a can, sure. A weight pouch that fell out of some ill-conceived velcro weight integrated BC? Sure. Picking up a mask at the bottom of the steps and setting it on the wall? Sure. Done that many times myself.
These were items purposefully laid out, and actively in use all throughout the day.
Somebody saw them, looked left, looked right, cut the line and stole the reels and spools.
To think any differently is to be ignorant.
Number two: .0027% of divers read internet dive boards. The odds of the thief seeing anything posted here is very, very remote. However, if his friends see it, or his friends, friends - we may have a chance. The more memorable the post and the easier it is to anonymously return the stuff, the better the chance of seeing it again.
The odds of seeing this stuff again are next to nothing. I'm trying to do a friend a favor. If you don't have information about this incident, feel free to move on. This post really isn't for you.
Thanks
-Ken
Leejnd
Contributor
Sad...but true. I do hope the guilty party saw this post, or at least heard about it, and knows that his scuba karma has been badly damaged.
But I also think there was another good reason for your post (and for the strong, attention-getting language) - to dissuade any other morally-challenged divers from doing this in the future. People will be on the alert for this now.
Anyone who does something like that deserves to try to deploy the things themsleves, get hopelessly entangled, and see the rigthful owners name on the gear as they draw the last breath from their tank and know that the end has come. Keep your hands off other peoples stuff. In a cave or on a wreck that kind of buttwipe behavior may kill somebody.
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