World's first dive charter boat

[Sam Miller III]

It is well know that SoCal was the nucleus of diving in the US - too many first to list -- one was the world first dive charter boat

Now for a history quiz - open to all - but hopefully knowledgeable pioneer divers like @drbill, will chime in as will hopefully @MaxBottomtime, @Ken Kurtis (new kid on the block- but has contributed so darn much)
so lets begin

!) Name the worlds first dive charter boat ?

2) Captain of the worlds first dive charter boat ?

3) Deck hand of the worlds first dive charter boat ?

4) Were was Worlds first dive charter boat docked ?

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Additional questions

A) What other diving vessel did the Captain own and operate ?

B) What book did the owner write ?

C) Name the early training movie made on the boat ?

D) Name the two divers featured in the movie ?

E) what was a unique feature of their SCUBA equipment ?

So much history in SoCal soon to be lost forever - this is just a small portion that will be soon lost- Won't even be in google

Sam Miller, 111

 

[MaxBottomtime]

1) Name the worlds first dive charter boat ?
Moray

2) Captain of the worlds first dive charter boat ?
Mort Toggweiler

3) Deck hand of the worlds first dive charter boat ?
Ron Merker

4) Where was Worlds first dive charter boat docked ?
Pierpoint Landing, which was at the end of Pier A in Long Beach

I seem to recall Mort Toggweiler wrote a book about DIY camera housings but I don't remember the details.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Max you get the blue ribbon for part one-- good ole google !

Pier point landing is no more but there is an area designated in honor of the landing.
The daughter of the founder and operator of Pier point currently lives about 5 miles from me - She will be delighted that it has been remembered by the modern divers.

Now what famous local diver did Ron teach to dive ?
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Now how about part two ?

A) What other diving vessel did the Captain own and operate ?

B) What book did the owner write ?

C) Name the early training movie made on the boat ?

D) Name the two divers featured in the movie ?

E) what was a unique feature of their SCUBA equipment ?

Sam

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Didn't need Google. You already answered many of your questions here.

 

[drbill]

Sam, I'm not even close to being an expert on diving history. I'm a marine biologist who uses diving as one of my tools to study critters. On top of that, I was isolated at Toyon Bay pre-Internet for a decade (1969-1979) with a self-contained dive operation (our own compressor and dive boat) so I didn't have any experience with mainland diving and boats other than my original trip to Catalina on the Golden Doubloon to start my career here on the island (August 24, 1969). Other than that trip, there was no reason to take a mainland dive boat to Catalina since I was already there!

Appreciate your knowledge of the history though.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Darn Kids with computer educations !
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Now what famous local diver did Ron teach to dive ?
Hint It was just after God filled up the ocean
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Now how about part two ?

A) What other diving vessel did the Captain own and operate ?

B) What book did the owner write ?
Hint on UW Photography - your specialty

C) Name the early training movie made on the boat ?

D) Name the two divers featured in the movie ?

E) what was a unique feature of their SCUBA equipment ?

Sam