1-1-08

Well, for those come to read this it has been a while since I've written anything. Back in August lightening took out nearly every electric thing in my home.....totally killing my computer. I was able to do emails but the site was on hold as I went to a mac instead of another PC. I have done many dives including to the new wreck off Va Beach....which is still unidentified. We also caught an 86lb tuna while sitting on the wreck.

I also went cave diving with Tom Sawicki just before Christmas. We did a numbe rof different dives, but I don't thnk any was as hard to do as Telford.......going up current around 100 yards in the river to the mouth which is only about 6" deep for about another 100ft to some slimey rocks you have to go over. Don't think I'll do that dive again.

I am taking charters for the 2008 season, so don't wait to book yours now.

7-16-07

The Hatteras Report

I hate to keep saying its getting better, but that’s what’s happening. On Sat. July 14th we had a late departure because of a late email (that I didn't get, I'm in Hatteras and do not get emails always)and I was left setting at the dock trying to figure who was suppose to be there or coming or not. It is best to call me on my cell if you’re going to be late or something. With all the boats heading to the wrecks for a freediving spearfishing contest our group picked the Dixie Arrow to dive. Once there we found that there were two boats with divers in the contest. One diver had blacked out while fighting an amberjack and been saved by another freediver(they hold their breath…no tanks)who had seen it happen. The diver was doing fine but had lost all his gear…gun, shaft, knife, weight belt etc. We were asked if we found any of it if we would return it. Not a problem!

Doug rolled in to tie us in on the bow, vis was an easy 80-100ft and temp 80. The seas were flat and no current at ALL! Once again it was so good that the group asked to stay there for the second dive. We did some fishing during the SI and several snapper were caught all meeting the 12inch TL required to keep them. We watched the free divers do their thing and Nancy grilled hotdogs for everyone. Even the local Capt & mate from one of the boats there. She fixed them up, wrapped them in Alum. Foil to retain the warmth, put them in a zip bag and Doug swam them over so our friends at the dock could have a nice hot lunch with us. Pizza Hut ain’t got anything on us! Let them try that delivery.

On the dive divers saw mass amounts of sea life and some even dived in nothing but shorts and a tee shirt. Nancy should have some photos up in a day or two from this trip. Sunday however was not the same. With a forecast that makes you wonder, all the dive boats stayed at the dock in Hatteras.

Doug had recovered all the items with help from others and the diver came to my boat to get it and say thanks...by way of a 12pack for Doug, I do not drink.

Have fun and dive safe

7-11-07

Sorry for the late report, having been at Hatteras for nearly two weeks straight I didn’t have any free time to write. For a few days I had a problem with the fuel system and as I only cancelled one trip due to it, it took days to finally discover it was a fuel hose liner that would collapse every once in awhile. Talk about a real hard problem to find.

6-23-07

Another weekend of diving has passed and clearly it just keeps getting better. With a walk on group this weekend it was a mix bag of divers. Two divers from PA would experience their first open ocean wreck dives and had the shaky nerves to go with it. They didn’t get much sleep on the boat the night before and that may have been because I failed to tell them or they didn’t hear me, but the boat does not supply pillows and blankets. So I always try to tell divers if they are staying on the boat to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, or blanket. The boat has nice clean bunks with cushions, a hot shower, LCD TV for movies, and plenty of cool AC. Fishing during the SI has been a lot of fun and you may notice a lot of the photos show that. Our dive site was the British Splendour. At a depth just less than 100ft this Tanker was sunk in April 1942 by the U-552. With a length of 441ft it is a wreck that is best done with both dives just to see it all. It was an overcast day with 3 ft seas but not bad at all. The first report I got was we were tied in on the bow, I had dropped the hook just fwd of the stern so I guess that it was possible. I had left my drysuit back in my truck(that is all I have, I don’t dive wet anymore) so I didn’t get to dive and check for myself. I was told the vis was top to bottom and the temp was 77. I fished and caught Triggerfish, snapper, amberjack, and Mahi Mahi (dolphin). The freediver on board speared two Mahi Mahi and an amberjack. The divers came back very happy with all they saw and couldn’t wait to go back down. After the second dive they told me we were on the stern, hey ain’t that at the other end were I dropped the hook? Gee tell me I’m wrong and then I find out I’m right.

6-30-07/7-01-07

“A Tale of Two women”

This was a charter that was for fishing and diving. Kim Cowan had put this trip together for a group of divers and non-diver friends. The weather wasn’t the best and we delayed the departure for better seas and we headed for the FW Abrams. Once at the site divers went in and saw mass amounts of sea life, which the sharks took center stage. Divers Trey Knox and Kevin Kraemer had never dived any of the clear warm stuff (only Va Beach & quarries) and had the time of their lives. Kevin, once back at the dock said he’d go right back out if I would….but he had to wait until the next day.

On Sunday the forecast was good in the morning and picking up in the afternoon. So we headed for the British Splendour. The vis was great the fishing great ….everything! But we had to leave to come in closer for the blow that was coming. So we went to the Abrams. It had begun to blow some but not bad. We were tied into the bow and Kevin Sullvian helped divers get in. Now his girlfriend Lisa was diving with Kim and Kim was to untie after their dive. So this trip now becomes a “Tale Of Two Women”! Well once Lisa finally made it to the wreck she realized that the current was not strong at all. Having to pull herself down she must have thought that it was a really bad current. Looking down at her feet she had forgot to put her fins on! So she pulled and walked around the wreck. Once she was done she came up and Kim began to untie. Kevin S had placed a liftbag on the chain as this keeps a strain on the hook and helps prevent tear outs in bouncy seas. Kim being Kim forgot to let some of the air out of the bag and up it went leaving her on the bottom. So after a little song and dance she came to the surface and inflated her see me float and I came and picked her up.

7-4-07

I ran a fishing charter on this day and we pretty much had a banner day. We started out trolling offshore and after listening to the fleet on the radio it was clear that there was not a bite happening. We had caught one Mahi Mahi and made the call to switch to jigging the wrecks. We went over to one of the deep ones and everyone stayed hooked up for nearly 2 hrs….amberjack, Mahi Mahi . rainbow runners, were all caught. Then we headed for some really deep dropping in 600ft for snowy grouper. While running there I passed over a new wreck in 430ft covered with fish. I made a fast turn around and marked it again. So we fished it, ……snowy grouper, snapper, and amberjack came up. It was a great day!

7-6-07

Once planned for a new wreck I had in 120ft I cancelled it when I had the fuel problem on the boat not knowing if I would have it corrected by then and it changed to inshore student dive. Nancy had a couple of divers that had to be done. One was the Capt. of the famous marlin fishing boat “Bill Collector”, it can’t be chartered and Capt Mario takes it all over the world for its owner. We picked up two more divers looking for shallow stuff and with just four divers I headed for AR230. Once there they had lots of fun. Vis was 40 plus feet and temps close to 80. Even sharks and grouper were on the wreck a great day.

7-7/7-8-07

This was the one of the best weekends I have seen. Flat seas, good vis, and just a little current. Lauren Hermley had chartered the boat and divers Andy& Dana Hatcher, David Preo, Michael Word, and Kevin Campbell joined her. They wanted to dive the Proteus. At dinner on Friday we heard that one of the other dive boats was also going with mass divers. So with a small group it is easy to change things up so we departed at 6am to get there first. Not hard to do when they are already sleeping on the boat. Once at the site Doug rolled into tie us in just aft of the boilers. Divers reported that two large Jewfish and a very big Bull shark were on the wreck vis was 50-60ft and a strong current on the bottom. All these divers did it easy with no complaining, they even choose to do their second dive there. I went down and shot a 50lb grouper only to have the shaft pull out during the struggle. This group had to be one of the most low maintenance groups I have ever had on the boat. The second day they liked leaving early at 6am so we headed for the Dixie Arrow for two dives. Once there divers reported vis of 80-100ft and a temp of 80. They saw everything from cobia to African Pompano. With flat calm seas lots of sunshine and not another dive boat around for two full days, the 6 divers on board had the time of their lives. We were back at the dock by 1:30 so everyone got a good head start for the drive home. Photos of these trips can be seen on my site.

Hope you enjoy and dive safe!

6-18-07 Being addicted to the sea as I am, it would have seem to me that if a mans wife, son, or daughter didn't send them out for a little R&R(fishing or diving) on father day’s would have been not only wrong, but down right cruel. For all those fathers out there who had to endure a weekend of something else, let me rub some salt(saltwater) into that wound.

As the weekend rolled around and most all the boats stuck at the dock for Wed- Friday because of bad weather. To me it was just setting up a perfect weekend of outstanding weather in Hatteras. For those who fall into the glass is half empty or are a member of the doubting Thomas’s when reading the marine forecast, it must have made you think you were going to get a pounding. Here’s a clue for understanding the marine weather forecast…..if you don't understand highs or lows, the period between the seas, or wind direction for the area you're going. Then don't look at the forecast because when it says 3-5 ft or 4-6ft that doesn't mean anything. It’s the speed and direction of the wind and if the wind is only 5mph then it is going to be a swell…..(read flat or very nice seas)

On Saturday I had a family of three, one from PA, and another from Newport News. With a request for something 100ft or less I enter British Splendour into the GPS. At a depth just less than 100ft this Tanker was sunk in April 1942 by the U-552. With a length of 441ft it is a wreck that is best done with both dives just to see it all and then that is not enough.

We headed out early in the morning and the ride out was great. Once at the site I dropped Doug off just fwd of the stern section so divers could go in a different direction for each dive, seeing new stuff each time. He came back to report vis of a blue 50ft plus ft and a temp of 75. Pretty damn good after the little blow we just had.

Mike Boring had his wife Lynn and daughter Rebecca diving with him then Kelly Vay and Anthony Twiford teamed up for their dive. While they geared up and Nancy (mate, co owner, and better half) helped them out, I picked up fishing pole and made a cast….hooked up and then hooked pulled. This happened 3 times and then it stuck. I reeled in a 12 pound gag grouper. Anthony had been on my boat before and he knew what he was going to be doing during his SI. Once back from the dive I heard how great it was and all the fish they had seen etc. and BTW did I mention that the seas were flat? NO I mean Flat…….

While Doug and Anthony fished Nancy and I did a dive, she watched me shoot a grouper and then he got out of my bag. Well I guess shit happens. Back on the boat a nice Mahi Mahi came up behind the boat and Anthony hooked him. Nice fish 15lbs. We ate grilled hotdogs, chips, and watermelon. Everyone went back in and while they were down a pod of dolphins showed up, one came up to the back of the boat and rolled on his side and looked up at us. I was hoping that the divers would look up and they could see them. They came back and were just floating behind the boat and I asked them….no was the answer, but just then the dolphins came back and were swimming around the boat while the divers were still in the water ……. everyone got a good show!

Sunday they asked for the Proteus so we departed very early and once we got out a few miles I could see the weather man had it wrong as seas were at least 4ft and the wind 15. So we pulled up at the Dixie Arrow a tanker sunk in March 1942 by the U-71, divers came back to report of 40ft of vis temp of 74. Some divers saw a ray of about 8ft and had 5-6 cobia with him. The decision was made to move closer to shore in hopes of getting out of the bumpy seas.

Once at the F.W. Abrams depth 85ft the seas and winds started to lie down. The Abrams was a tanker that was sunk June 1942 by of all things Allied mines. With no more white caps and better condition we ate grilled hotdogs, chips, and watermelon for lunch. Divers said vis was better here at 50ft and still a temp of 74. I did some fishing and caught an amberjack of about 40lbs. Everyone got a kick out me fishing while they ate and I would say I was tired and stop for a minute, then start right back.

Thursday we head for the EM Clark, the number one dive in Hatteras for those able to do the depth of 250ft in the washout. For the weekend I have a couple of spaces still open for dives of less than 130ft. After that I do not have anything open on the weekends until July 15 and then not another weekend open until August 18&19. I still have some trips open during the week.

Have fun and Dive Safe

5-29-07- There is only one thing you can say about this past Memorial Day weekend! WOW! With a forecast of good weather that ran from Friday until and including this week, it was the best weather I have seen for the holiday in over 10 years. Truth is it was so good that if you did anything else that did not include being on a boat on the ocean, then you were really on the shitty end of the stick.

Those that chose to purchase some of the "sleprock" insurance (inside joke)that was available and went to the quarry to dive need to have a head examination.

On Saturday we headed out for the British Splendor in rolling seas of 3ft. Only out a couple of miles we heard that one of the larger boats with mass divers on board were heading to the same site. A quick vote was taken and the Dixie Arrow was plugged into the GPS so that 5 divers and crew could have the wreck to themselves. Once there as the crew helped divers in I put out a fishing line with squid and floated it away from the boat, before the last diver was even getting into his gear a massive mahi mahi took the bait. Diver (now angler) Charles Johnson was on him for a fight that was enjoying just to watch.

Divers came back to report vis of 50ft hor. and 100ft vert. temp was 72 on the bottom. Once it was found that I had fishing poles on the boat the SI became fishing and hotdog time. One of the crew who was asleep when the decision was made to go the Dixie Arrow did her dive and came back to report that the British Splendor looked alot like the DA this year. ;-) We had a laugh about that!

Once at the dock the Mahi Mahi and snapper that were caught became the evening cookout meal for everyone but me. I don't like fish so it was barnyard pimp for me. Lots of food was consumed and stories told. It was one of the funnest days I've had in awhile.

Sunday the hardcore divers who enjoy the excitement of deep exploration had the boat. Greg, Jim, Chip, Charles, and Tom came looking for new wrecks and I had found one. First thought to be in 300ft I did not want to go until I had seen it on the bottom machine first. Many boats will sell exploration trips or new wreck scam adventures to get divers to go........I am not that kind of person. So earlier in the week I went out and marked the wreck to guarantee to them and myself that it did exist. Once there I found it to be in a high current location and less of chance to dive it than any wreck in NC. But the depth was not as deep as first thought..only 250ft. I emailed them the news so they could be ready for anything. I also arranged for 3 different fishing boats who would leave before us and go to the area before we got there and radio me what the current was doing long before we got there. Only out 6 miles the call came from more than those three of current of more than 3 knots on the wreck. Bummer...... The EM Clark (250ft deep and most other divers first choice, all but 2 of these divers had already done it many times)was chosen as the next wreck and away we went. Once there and the wreck hooked I again put out a fishing line and another Mahi Mahi was caught before any diver got into the water. The current here was about a knot plus and as they discussed the options the two without scooters gave it a try. They came back after only reaching the anchor line and worked on a new plan. STREAMLINE was the call and after some discussion everyone went. All made it to the wreck only to find it was hooked in a bad way and chose to turn the dive...... Once back we now head for our second dive known as the Paddle Wheeler 160ft deep. The current here was only 1/2 knot and vis of about 60-80ft temp 75. The wreck was loaded with fish and sharks but it is very small. Again another Mahi Mahi hit the line I put out and Doug for a very big guy seem to have trouble whipping this fish of only 10 pounds. Always looks easier when someone else is doing it. We headed back for the dock and ate popcorn with friends.....the new wreck still waits for us as does another that I sent one of my fishing friends to check out and he says is there in less than 130ft of water. But I will still go and see for myself before I run a trip.

Monday what can I say, with flat seas and not another boat in sight the sub "Tarpon" depth 139ft was the call. I'm not a very big fan of sub wrecks because they offer little profile or challenge, those that love them hunt them...... those that don't call them the "Steel Dick" or just the "Pipe Wreck". Once there Doug came back to report great vis and said it was loaded with grouper and massive numbers of Lion Fish. Diver/anglers caught Amberjack and a King Mackerel while I went down to pull the hook and I also shot two nice groupers so I could pay off my debt to those who helped me with the new wrecks.

Next weekend I get to entertain the Atlantic Wreck Divers , but still have a few spots open (very few) for the month of June. Hope to have photos up in a day or two. Keep checking the site for up dates! If you do not wish to receive these let me know!


Hope to see ya
Capt JT

5-6-07- Well I finally got out of the boat yard on May 2nd and took the boat down to Hatteras. We had our boat training on May the 4th and tried to make it out to a wreck. The seas were not all that big but very close which made it not very fun so we turned back and headed for the dock. I heard someone had a a banana on the boat ....figures. With a forecast for the weekends charter looking bad I called Paul Mcnair (he had the boat) to see if I could stop him from doing a long drive down. He informed me he was already down at Hatteras. Well we decided to met for breakfast the next morning. I awoke the next morning to very light winds and we all headed for "Sonny's". With everyone in high hopes and knowing the forecast would only get worse for the next couple of days we decided to head out and see what it was like. As Paul put it, I drove 9hrs I would like to go if we can. We loaded the boat and headed for the Dixie Arrow depth 100ft with the back up wreck as the Abrams depth 85ft if it was to bumpy. The surface temp was 72 degrees and the seas 3-4ft but kinda close together as we neared the DA. I dropped Doug off on the bow and we were tied in very fast. He returned with a report of 30-40ft of vis. and the bottom in the sixties. I had a cold so I could not dive so Co Capt Greg did the untie. Divers reported that the vis was a solid 50ft of blue water and the bottom a warm 69 degrees. Lots of sharks, groupers, amberjacks, and really to many kinds to list. WOW and I had to miss it. Paul also reported several portholes uncovered during the winter and at least one from last year near ready to come up. Damn this cold......

Well we headed to the Abrams for the second dive with the seas dropping down hoping to get the dive in before and if it picked up any. It was the same plan with Doug hooking and Greg doing the untie. Greg was diving with Lauren from GODIVENC as she was trying out her new DS. Diving dry is something needed to do when heading to deep cold water wrecks as well as other things which is where she is aiming. Not alone with that in mind on this trip was Kristine Rea who has a few goals of her own in mind. Both will do well in techdiving I think and did very well on this trip.

We lost a couple degrees of temp on the surface which was now only 70 degrees. Doug returned to report we were tied in fwd of the boilers and the water 69 still on the bottom with 50ftvis but more of a green instead of a blue. Pauls group reported lots of sharks and sea turtles this time. On the ride in we watch a movie and eat popcorn as the seas really layed down. For the first trip of the year it was very fun. With high seas for the next few days I have come home. Will head back for trips on starting on Thursday. Want to go diving give me a call......

4-20-07- Due to some scheduling conflicts and some key people having to work on April 28 the boat rescue training has been cancelled. I hope this does not cause any problems with other crew needing some training. The May 4th ocean training will still be held in Hatteras as planned and is by invitation only.

4-12-07- FYI I am getting all my permits in order again for this year.(I had them last year also) But NC has a new fishing lic. this year and the diveboats are listed to have one. So if you are going out on a diveboat this year in NC and are planning on doing any spearfishing or anykind of fishing for that matter be sure to ask the Capt. if you can see the boat fishing licence. If he only has the NC fishing permit or nothing (which is free but required if the Capt. chooses to not get the Fishing Blanket Lic.) you will be required to purchase your own fishing lic. I purchased the blanket licence for my boat so my customers do not need to buy a lic. If the boat you go on does not have this and you do not have your own lic. you will be getting a ticket this summer. If you spear a grouper, snapper, Mahi Mahi, or wahoo then the boat is also required to have those permits also, be sure to ask the Capt. if he has his grouper/snapper, Mahi Mahi, and wahoo NOAA Federal Fishers permits .....I've been told that both(you & the Capt.)can get that ticket if the Capt. does not have those for the boat. Generally they just ticket the Capt.

If you are diving off a boat in VA they also need to have the blanket licence for VA or you need to have your own lic. if you are spearfishing..... they to also need the NOAA Federal Fishers permits for the above mentioned. The Capt. also needs to have his Vessel Operator Permit Card which has his photo on it.

So be sure to ask the Capt. on the boat you are going on to show you all his permits if you are planning to spearfish or fish. Don't let a an operation that cuts corners get you a ticket.

BTW don't for get the tuna stamp as well.......

4-10-07- Well looks like I will be a Captain for at least another 5 years. I was in my renewal this year and the USCG issued my new licence 4 on of all days my birthday....4-3-07 looks like another great year to be on the water. I have 4 new confirmed wrecks to do exploration dives on this year so it will make a very interesting year. Funny some divers are willing to pay anything to dive wrecks like the Doria & Monitor. Some call diving these wrecks a right of passage, while others might call it a ripoff. I guess if you have already done those things or don't see where you have to, it seems like way to much money. I guess that's why you see a lot of inexperienced divers on those trips now days. Looking to dive a wreck that will give them some kind of status in the techdiving community. Really it will never give them any status to the divers who you hear about all the time doing news worthy dives. Follower or Explorer....think I'll go with the latter.

4-2-07- I will be speaking at the Va Beach Angler's Club on April 4th Wed.night at 7:30 pm. for anyone interested in what some of the Va/NC wrecks look like and the fish down there . Hope to see you there.

3-26-07- I got back from BTS yesterday....we had a blast. I met several friends and missed a few who only were coming for just Sunday, which is the day we left. I had a chance to met many people including Jeff Heim one of the key people with BTS. Very nice man. I had a few divers come up and introduce themselves to me and they thanked me for my site which they said was a great learning tool for them. Through our conversation I found that they were under the impression that I only ran tech trips on my boat. I have tried to tell everyone that there are just not enough techdivers out there to run just tech trips all the time, add in the fact that I require a checkout dive first and that I only attract tech divers who are confident/safety minded etc. means my pool of tech divers is very small. So I will always run more recreational dive trips than anything. Which really is great for Nancy.

Seems the wreck I went and looked at below is a new one, it did not match the numbers or the size is much better than the wreck I thought it to be.

3-17-07 - Well I went and looked at yet another new wreck turns out I think I already know what that one is and only had the wreck in TD's so it wasn't a totally waste of time as I now have them in GPS. But there is another wreck near there that we did not have time to go look at. I did also catch a 6lb seabass. A good trip.

I have also heard that 3 divers just died diving the Spiegel Grove in FL Friday. You know at times it really gets to me. I'm sure the debate rages over whether they were trained for entering the wreck(they went into the wreck and the bodies are being removed)and whether the Capt/dive operator checked to see if they had cards/training for this. I have tried to tell divers how to survive diving wrecks and for the most part they never listen, often they are going to do what THEY THINK THEY can do. Once they leave the boat there is little that can be done to stop them from doing anything they want regardless of their training. But even if they were trained that card is only a learners permit to keep diving, dive safely, train, and educate yourself with diving procedures. Diving is a very unnatural thing humans do. Divers that fear/respect the dives will often survive, those that you often hear boost how relaxed they are and how that can't happen to them are the ones that need to be watched closely. I hope that the family does not blame the boat. Any good self respecting diver will have a talk with their wife etc.or family before these things happen explaining to them that unless the boat runs over them or something like that he/she(diver) is accepting the risk of their own actions while diving.

3-9-07 - I went and looked at another new wreck, it does not appear to be as big as the Capt.(fisherman) stated but it is still very interesting. It rests in 325ft and has relief up to 300ft. But I'm happy to know it is there. It is 4 miles from the other new wreck from last year so it opens the possibility for many things. We kinda got our butts kicked on the way in as we got caught in some high winds. I felt like I was in the Bearing Sea /Bering Sea crab fishing. Nice to be back on land sometimes.

3-6-07- Well I'm going out tonight to look at the new wreck with the bottom machine that was just found, it rest in 350+ft and is said to be very big. The same guy gave me the new wreck that we dived last Sept. Hope all goes well, it may get a bit bumpy on the way in tomorrow. It has just finished blowing a gale and we have a small window to get out there and back.

3-2-07- I just got off the phone with my fisherman friend and it seems I will be going out with him next week to mark two new wrecks. One he says looks look a sub on the machine but it is the other that got my attention. A wreck that he says is around 600ft in length and has 60-70ft of relief. WOW that's really big. The bad part is it rest in 400ft of water. Well I know of only a handful that can do that dive. Sounds like another fall trip for that one.

3-1-07- Hi Capt,

Just wanted to know whether you will include your ppt
presentations(on dive accidents)or others similar to
this in you website(OR OTHER RELATED WEBSITES).

Divers in Manila would like to learn more about this.

Hi Sorry but I will not be able to do this. The presentation had video clips of Suzanne Johnson and Jackie Smith on their last dive. It also contained some of the contents for a book later. Mostly it had a lot of narration that needs fine tuning for writing as I was able to answer questions during the presentation. I will add some tips in this blog later on to help.

2-28-07- Well I'm in the middle of doing my winter work to the boat and it consumes nearly all my time.But I do get a number of emails that I will answer. I was informed that a diver who had been on my boat last year had a tragic fatal accident. He had only been the one time last year and at the end of the trip I had a heart to heart talk with the man. I had the feeling that this diver was past his prime for technical diving and suggested that he not do this anymore. I told him I would no longer take him to do deep wrecks like the Clark, Malchase, etc. But not to total kill his dream of techdiving I said I would allow him on dives to 160ft max, he was already trained and had the cards. I knew he would never come back with me because I had put limits on his diving. There are others I have done this with as I can see them as a huge risk. Often these are the divers that dislike me and talk degrading about me to others and discourage them to go on my boat. There is nothing I can do about that, but at least I know I tried to save their life. This diver thanked me for being honest and said no one had ever told him he shouldn't be doing "it". I hoped this would be one that would listen. I never would tell this but I would hope that people will listen to me, but they never do. They either think I'm wrong or I'm talking about someone else. I took measures to ensure this diver did not die on my boat during his trip with me and gave him advice that could have prevented his death. Telling someone they are not suited for something that brings them joy is a hard thing to do. I don't think anyone will ever listen when you are talking about them.

I can't wait for the upcoming season, I think I may suffer from "SAD" Seasonal Affective Disorder or Seldom Actively Diving. With many things planned, interesting wrecks, fishing trips, overnighters, and a steady season in the works I have alot to look fwd to.I will be going to Beneath The Sea on Friday and Saturday this year and hope to see a lot of divers. Hope to see everyone there.

2/14/07- Diver>I hate to look stupid, but I am new to the area. Other than the depth maybe, what's up with the Clark?

The Clark is a very big beautiful natural wreck laying in a depth of 230ft -250 in the wash out. The current, weather, and seas make it a 50/50 shot at getting to dive her. Some have drift dived it but more than once these are FL divers who do not understand that it is wreck 20 miles offshore, not a half mile off the beach like FL. They shoot their bag to late and the boat doesn't see them, more than once a fishing boat has found them miles and hrs away from the wreck after the diveboat has made the radio call for everyone to be on the look out. Many years ago 2 FL divers where found many miles from the wreck by a fishing boat. The fishing boat asked if they needed a lift, they said no the dive boat was coming to get them. The fishing boat called the diveboat and told them they had found the divers, but the divers say they are waiting for the dive boat. The diveboat Capt. told the fishing boat Capt. "tell them stupid MF to get on your boat"! Check my photo gallery for photos of the wreck. And just google EM Clark for more info.

2/13/07- I had a great time talking and meeting many of the divers at the Richmond Dive Club. I even saw a few divers who I had not seen in a while. I looked fwd to diving with them this summer. I hope everyone remembers the rules for diving safely and how to manage their gas when diving a wreck.

2/12/07- Just so divers know, I run way more recreational dive trips than I do technical trips. Just don't believe everyone when they tell you they are doing "it". There are thousands that do hundreds of deep dives while logged on to a chat room for diving, very few actually get in the water that visit these NG. When their number of post exceeds their number of logged dives they are just an internet diver.

2/11/07 - I am starting this page to address many of the emails that I get and things of interest. I will update this page from time to time to entertain the visitors of this site. Have a question send it to me and should it be worthy of interest I will answer it on this page. Of course I will not name you unless you tell me it is OK.

I will be speaking at the Richmond Dive Club on 2/13/07 for those who are interested. It will be a PPT presentation on some of the dive accidents that happen recently and rules that could have changed the out come.

Also I am holding two boat rescue training this spring, the first will be April 28th, 2007 at Owl's creek boat ramp at 10am. It will be open to anyone who wants to come. The second will be May 4th at Hatteras ,NC and requires approval to get on. Check my schedule for more info or back on this page from time to time.

When the original VBTech group was formed one of the things that was instituted was spring boat rescue training for all Captain's, crew, divemasters etc. With the change of membership and rise of another group this important training has been past over. It is my hope to bring this back and get everyone on track with safety. This year was a costly year in which I had at least three friends depart this earth while diving. There were also two deaths here in Va Beach, but I only knew one of those divers. Hopefully this will increase everyone's chances of saving a fellow diver when the time comes. So please plan to attend.