Welcome to Gloucester

[swampy]

Well went out on the boat today with three friends two were going to be diving and one bubble watcher. Did three dives and got 12 Keepers. During my last dive one of the other divers and the bubble watcher were on the boat when a small boat approached. The drive of the other boat asked if there was anyone in the water which he was told yes two divers. then the driver askeed were we were from. When they told him he stated "We locals dont like you divers here. yur probably raiding my traps".Im just glad to see we are welcome in Gloucester by all the friendly Lobstermen.

 

[Chebby]

Should have told him to f#ck off. I'm serious. Can't stand a$$holes.

 

[ScubaNorth]

It's best to just keep an eye out and avoid any of the locals that act like that. Well anyone that acts like that for that matter. I would just note in my log the boat info, just in case there is an incident. If I rememebr right there was a tire slashing incident recently on Cape Anne. I wouldn't pick a fight with locals you just can't win when Ole Uncle Billy is on the PD or Cousin Eddie is the Harbour Master.

 

[Fireguy274]

Couple buds of mine did a night dive about a month ago at Plum. Three vehicles had their tires slashed up on North St. Another previous weekend dive school from Fitchburg was out at Plum and a Lobster boat supposedly reved its prop over a diver in shallow water. I hate hearing these stories. On another occasion a person on the beach started yelling at us that we were not from Glouchester and shouldnt be on the beach diving. When we were in the water he stated to his friends he should go through our stuff. Fortunately for me my girlfriend was laying on the beach and overheard him. She said why would you want to do that what did they do to you? He backed off. I recently bought a boat to avoid this aggrevation....Artie

 

[matt_unique]

Well went out on the boat today with three friends two were going to be diving and one bubble watcher. Did three dives and got 12 Keepers. During my last dive one of the other divers and the bubble watcher were on the boat when a small boat approached. The drive of the other boat asked if there was anyone in the water which he was told yes two divers. then the driver askeed were we were from. When they told him he stated "We locals dont like you divers here. yur probably raiding my traps".Im just glad to see we are welcome in Gloucester by all the friendly Lobstermen.

Don't let sh*t like this go. It's time to push back. If the local authorities start getting enough specific complaints something is more likely to be done. Have guests bring camera's to take pictures in case a boat drives over a dive flag. This pisses me off to no end. I know few divers at this point that have not had an experience with lobsterman or land owners.

--Matt

 

[ScubaNorth]

I agree that it is time to do something about it but I'm not sure quite what. I have always been curtious and respectful and can't say I have ever had a problem on Cape Anne. Not saying anyone is causing this aggression against themselves but we have all seen scuba hacks giving the rest of us a bad name. Last time I dove Gloucester one of the locals asked me to check his prop on his boat (rich guy huge boat) as he felt he may have an issue. This gent owned the house next to the beach and was truely greatful. He did have a problem and we saved him from having a bigger problem. If there are any lobstermen(women) lurking about the board maybe they will offer some advice. Maybe we can get some good input and do what divers do best police ourselves. Anyone who is buzzed by a boat should call the police as this is clearly assault, if the police don't do anything about it you can go to the court house directly and file charges yourself against the boat owner and he will have to appear in court. Short of divers being willing to step up to the plate all we can do is complain and live with it.

 

[Chebby]

Do boats usually have identification numbers somewhere?

 

[MSilvia]

Do boats usually have identification numbers somewhere?

Yeah, on either side of the bow. If the boat is for lobster fishing, it should have the number displayed for that too.