Warning - Nubble Light Maine

[divedivediver]

Folks,

Just a heads up.....took a couple of folks diving at Nubble Light last week. Came up during my first dive and noticed a "tour boat" nearby....a little close to the dive flag, but far enough away to not be all that concerning. Just as I was entering the water for the second dive, the same boat "the Finest kind III" came through the cove and ran up against another group of divers dive flag. It sent them hugging the bottom and the Capt clearly has no issue running through a bunch of divers flying a flag or not.

I called the owner son of the tour boat and put him on notice that it was unacceptable that his Capt did what he did.

I am also a Capt and realize, we all need to share the water..if not, someone will get hurt. Please let me know if you have a similiar expereince in this cove or with this operator.

Thanks

divedivediver

 

[Mad Scientist]

It is such a shame, the nubble use to be a GREAT place to dive.

 

[Ken abucs]

Happens all the time. You just need to stay at the bottom, and you'll be okay.

 

[Cecil]

Hate to agree with Ken, that is what that boat does every time it cruises through that cove. There are only two boats that come in the cove at the Nubble, the cruise boats and lobster boats, neither could care less about divers or flags. They're working you know.

All of above is true, not that I agree with it but that is the reality. Just another reason to hate dive flags, it gives the boaters something to aim for.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Somebody needs to record this boat doing this and deliver the tape and pics to the proper authorities. If they get fined, they will stop. If not, they will continue to put lives in danger. Sharing the water is great, but showing a blatant disregard for the safety of a human is not only illegal in this case, it's simply not moral. If it were this Capatain's children diving down there and he saw another boat do this to his family, I bet he would be really pissed and would reconsider his own actions. Talk about the law, proper boating procedures, and sharing the water all you want. What this really comes down to is a blatant disregard for human life.

 

[Mike W]

Hey DiveDiveDiver,

Just curious, what was the boat owners reaction when you confronted him about his boat coming close or running over dive flags and divers. I have also seen the same thing happen there for many years. With all that's happening on Cape Anne with boats and dive flags, this operation should be held responsible for his actions before someone gets injured or worse.

Mike................

 

[divedivediver]

At first he was a little stand offish.....explained to me that is props are covered and protected.....probably so they don't get fouled in a lobster trap line. When I explained to him that besides being a divemaster with roughly a 1000 dives I was also a licensed Capt. I think at that point, he understood I wasn't busting them off on him. He told me he was going to have a talk with the Capt of the boat and that this Capt has never cuased any problems. I basically explained, that the area of Hubble light is packed with tourists taking pictures and video taping. The probability of him running over a diver and having it on film is high. He said he would correct the problem, and I told him that I am taking this as serious as a heart attack and if I see it again...or hear of it, I will go to the Coast Gaurd. Which ironically, the lighthouse is managed by.

Additionally, I know that when divers and boats are in the same proximity, they will get too close. I also understand that most boat owners have no idea what the Scuba or the Alpha flag looks like or know what it means. However a licensed Capt., making his/her living on the H20 knows and should know better. Trust me, if his ticket (license) gets pulled, it will make every operator in the area aware that they better play by the rules.

 

[Mike W]

For what it's worth, I appreciate you taking the time to address this with the boat owners. As I said, I have been in the water and seen and heard the boats coming very close to divers before. You made a very good point about the tourist videos and speaking from your experience as a boat captain, there wasn't much he could say. It's that kind of respectfull dialogue that will go a long way to show that aoll divers are not bad. Thanks

 

[Green_Manelishi]

And that is why I do not tow a flag at Nubble.

 

[kirwoodd]

And that is why I do not tow a flag at Nubble.

ZZZZZZZZZZOWIE!
I HATE not having a flag. Even when I boat dive, I am too paranoid that I am going to have to surface away from the boat, and without a flag......

boaters may ignore flags, but I dont believe for a second that they AIM for them. If I saw a Captain AIM for a flag, and I was 100% sure of it, I would kick his *** on the spot. But they dont do that, they may not pay attention and not see them, which is TOTALLY wrong, but they dont aim for them.