Just spent last weekend at Cape May, NJ. Found out there isnt a dive shop or dive charter boat anywhere within 35 miles. Is this information accurate?
If it is, seems to me that this would be an ideal NE location to open one or both. Beautiful beach entry dives here not to mention possibility of chartered whale and dolphin dives. (They have at least 2 if not 3 boats for charter there that garuntee marine mammal sightings already (went on one and was not dissapointed)).
What about tourism diving charters? Simular to going to Club Med uncertified and they offer you a few hours pool time then take you and a group down for some underwater tourism / site seeing. (Still trying to figure out how they swing that one and why it isnt offered anywhere else besides the tropical resorts.)
Anyone ever dove off of Cape May before?
Spydertek
diver_paula
July 30th, 2003, 07:37 PM
I haven't done any diving in Cape May but spent a few weeks every summer on the Point while growing up. My parents sold their home there a couple years ago. :(
Always thought it would be interesting to dive the remains of the concrete ship (off Sunset Beach. Not sure how safe it would be, though. The remains of the bunkers may be interesting.
Good luck whatever you decide. It's a beautiful part of the country.
Paula
diverjed
July 31st, 2003, 08:21 AM
There was a guy that ran a dive charter out of Cape May a few years ago, I went with him a few times around 97 & 98, but haven't been with him since. I want to say his name was 'Captain Bob', or something like that, but can't recall for sure, he sold us t-shirts of which I have since lost unfortunately. (it was a cool shirt too dammit!)
His boat was docked in one of the main marinas there. Try a search on the web.
diver_paula
July 31st, 2003, 08:27 PM
When I was talking to my dad on the phone today I asked him if there were any dive shops in Cape May. (He's a diver and lived there through 2001.) He said there were not any dive shops in the recent past. But he does remember non-local clubs &/or dive shops putting charters together. Perhaps on one of the fishing charter boats.
Paula
diverjed
August 1st, 2003, 07:54 AM
If I remember correctly, "Bob' may have run fishing charters in addition to dive charters...
Jersey
August 1st, 2003, 08:59 AM
Hi Tek. You would be correct re: no local/close shops. To the best of my knowledge, the closest is East Coast Dive, Rte 9, Pleasantville, just outside Atlantic City. As for charters, last year my LDS ran 2 trips out of Cape May, none this year, there is one out of Sea Isle City, I'm drawing a blank on the name at the moment, it will, on some trips run down the coast for the wrecks just off the Cape. Jed is correct, most of the boats run both dive & fishing charters - have to pay the bills somehow. I know a few folks in CM who dive from their own or friends boats - one is an endontist (sp) running his 40-something Ocean out, diving solo, on some strange home-brew gas mixes. I wouldn't get on a boat with him.
As for the lack of the resort trade, I can venture a few guesses - seasonal business (at most 16 weeks), probability of being blown out (further reducing those 16 weeks), liability costs, the perception there is 'nothing to see', less then favorable conditions - low viz, cold, subject to currents & surge. Probably not the conditions to introduce people to the sport.
Hi Paula - I've oftern thought about diving the concrete ship remains as well, there should be some good life around it, an easy beach swim, putting it on my list! As for the bunkers, depending on the storms, they are either on the beach or right at the edge of the surf. Last time I was there they were fairly well roped off, I think they are detoriorating rapidly. I remember going down in the 1980's & climbing all over them.
Tek - were you vacationing, down for the weekend or day tripping? I was in Cape May myself Sunday with the family walkin & shoppin. The dolphin/whale charters have really taken off, the Delaware Bay is a prime summering over/breeding spot for a ton of sealife - whales, dolphins, turtles, rays/skates, & one of the favored east coast breeding grounds for sharks, we even have a manatee who treks up from Fl once the water warms up. He's been commuting for years.
If anyone is in the South Jersey area, drop me a line, there is always room at the table & a few cold ones in the fridge!
diverjed
August 1st, 2003, 09:54 AM
Jersey once bubbled...
Hi Tek. You would be correct re: no local/close shops. To the best of my knowledge, the closest is East Coast Dive, Rte 9, Pleasantville, just outside Atlantic City. As for charters, last year my LDS ran 2 trips out of Cape May, none this year, there is one out of Sea Isle City, I'm drawing a blank on the name at the moment, it will, on some trips run down the coast for the wrecks just off the Cape. Jed is correct, most of the boats run both dive & fishing charters - have to pay the bills somehow. I know a few folks in CM who dive from their own or friends boats - one is an endontist (sp) running his 40-something Ocean out, diving solo, on some strange home-brew gas mixes. I wouldn't get on a boat with him.
As for the lack of the resort trade, I can venture a few guesses - seasonal business (at most 16 weeks), probability of being blown out (further reducing those 16 weeks), liability costs, the perception there is 'nothing to see', less then favorable conditions - low viz, cold, subject to currents & surge. Probably not the conditions to introduce people to the sport.
Hi Paula - I've oftern thought about diving the concrete ship remains as well, there should be some good life around it, an easy beach swim, putting it on my list! As for the bunkers, depending on the storms, they are either on the beach or right at the edge of the surf. Last time I was there they were fairly well roped off, I think they are detoriorating rapidly. I remember going down in the 1980's & climbing all over them.
Tek - were you vacationing, down for the weekend or day tripping? I was in Cape May myself Sunday with the family walkin & shoppin. The dolphin/whale charters have really taken off, the Delaware Bay is a prime summering over/breeding spot for a ton of sealife - whales, dolphins, turtles, rays/skates, & one of the favored east coast breeding grounds for sharks, we even have a manatee who treks up from Fl once the water warms up. He's been commuting for years.
If anyone is in the South Jersey area, drop me a line, there is always room at the table & a few cold ones in the fridge!
Jersey:
There is a shore dive in your area I was told about one time that offered the remnants of 1920's ere Speak-Easy establishment. Ever been, or know what it is?
Jersey
August 1st, 2003, 11:03 AM
Hi Jed. Never dove, never heard word about anything remotely resembling what you describe. When you say 'Speakeasy', I'm think 1920's building on land. I could be off base - it could have been a floating party barge or party boat.
I do know that Avalon used to be several blocks longer then it is now - it is possible something that used to be on 1-6th Streets was washed out. I believe a storm in the 30's wiped out part of the inlet. I am a member of the Avalon Hysterical (Historical) Society & could stop in to talk to some of the old timers. Do you have any more info - what town, approximate year, storm cause the damage?
I've tried to stay current with most of the wreck books covering the area, not that there aren't plenty of others out there, but never saw anything like this. Now you've got me interested!
Jersey
diverjed
August 1st, 2003, 11:28 AM
A few years ago a wreck dive of ours was blown out from Cape May, and the DM on the boat said if we were itching for a dive, he mentioned this 'spot' north of the area a little ways (it may have been closer to AC, it's been a few years) that we could pick up from a shore dive. It was in an inlet, and the remains were of some kind of Speak-Easy establishment, whether a party boat, or a building that went down in a storm, can't exactly recall. But he gave us the exact directions at the time, and that occasionally divers would find old booze bottles and such. That much I do remember. We never went because my dive buddy at the time wasn't interested....
If you find any more detailed info from the locals, let me know and I'll meet you there for a dive. Always up for doing someting different.
CaptStaab
August 12th, 2003, 02:41 PM
Hi- I wanted to let everyone know that next season (2004) I will be running dive charters out of Cape May, NJ. My new boat(40' Viking) will be ready early spring, until then I can not legally charter dives on my current boat (31' Silverton). If you need some info. about diving in that area I could point you in the right direction. Please contact me via e-mail captstaab@snip.net
deepstops
August 12th, 2003, 03:05 PM
CaptStaab once bubbled...
Hi- I wanted to let everyone know that next season (2004) I will be running dive charters out of Cape May, NJ. My new boat(40' Viking) will be ready early spring, until then I can not legally charter dives on my current boat (31' Silverton). If you need some info. about diving in that area I could point you in the right direction. Please contact me via e-mail captstaab@snip.net
That's cool. I turned down a trip to Wildwood this year because I couldn't find any charters in the nearby area. What kind of range will your boat have?? I have a few specific targets in mind that are about 200 nm roundtrip. Thanks.
CaptStaab
August 13th, 2003, 07:06 AM
200nm is not a problem. I don't know exactly yet, But 200 should be a safe number.It holds 350 gallons of diesel.
I'm glad I found this site. I was wondering how much interest the cape may area had for divers. A friend of mine, who is a diver, suggested the idea of running charters. I've received a few e-mails also. so I guess there is some interest. Do you know the name of the sites that you were interested in diving?
deepstops
August 16th, 2003, 11:24 PM
CaptStaab once bubbled...
200nm is not a problem. I don't know exactly yet, But 200 should be a safe number.It holds 350 gallons of diesel.
I'm glad I found this site. I was wondering how much interest the cape may area had for divers. A friend of mine, who is a diver, suggested the idea of running charters. I've received a few e-mails also. so I guess there is some interest. Do you know the name of the sites that you were interested in diving?
I think the S-5 and the City of Athens might be in range. Are you familiar w/ these?
Jersey
August 19th, 2003, 10:20 AM
This sounds like it could be a good thing. I would be up for chartering. As for sites, anything works for me. Which Marina are you in? I have a few non-diving friends (sorry - Ocean owners, everyone!) over in the Canyon Club, am there frequently. Grew up in Utsch's oiling the teak on my grandparents old Owens...
Can you get together pricing, availability, etc? PM is you are not comfortable posting. I will talk to some other friends as well. We all spend the summer in Avalon, so Cape May is very convenient.
Thanks!
Jersey
wrekdiver2
August 23rd, 2003, 07:00 AM
diverjed once bubbled...
A few years ago a wreck dive of ours was blown out from Cape May, and the DM on the boat said if we were itching for a dive, he mentioned this 'spot' north of the area a little ways (it may have been closer to AC, it's been a few years) that we could pick up from a shore dive. It was in an inlet, and the remains were of some kind of Speak-Easy establishment, whether a party boat, or a building that went down in a storm, can't exactly recall. But he gave us the exact directions at the time, and that occasionally divers would find old booze bottles and such. That much I do remember. We never went because my dive buddy at the time wasn't interested....
If you find any more detailed info from the locals, let me know and I'll meet you there for a dive. Always up for doing someting different.
I prefer to dive up here in Central Jersey, but for the last 3 years, one of the dive boats, Dina Dee II, up here in Pt. Pleasant has taken his boat down to Cape May for two weekends. Its nice to dive somewhere locally yet only have to drive an hour or two. Not to mention dive some "new" wrecks. Nice to see something different once in a while.
Getting back to that site you asked about? I'm pretty sure you are referring to the Deauville Inn up in Strathmere, NJ. Its just off exit 17 on the Garden State Parkway. You can get more information on the site by looking in Dan Berg's New Jersey Beach Diver.
I know of one "local" boat that does diving charters out of Cape May. I believe the boat is the "Black Night"
CaptStaab
August 25th, 2003, 01:45 PM
Hi deepstops-
sorry I did'nt respond quickly. I was on vacation last week. I know the city of athens( been there fishing many times), but not the S-5. I will research that site.
Jersey,
I am at Utschs Marina. I pretty much grew up there as well. As soon as I get my Coast Guard vessel certification, and proper dive insurance I will post rates as well as open dates.
Your grand parents had an old owens huh, My dad had a old chris craft at utschs. I've been there ever since.
talk to you both later
Capt.Staab
deepstops
August 25th, 2003, 04:09 PM
Here's a link that shows the surrounding area:
http://www.mikey.net/aue/delmarwrecks.html
The S-5 is an interesting story and rests now in 160'.
CaptStaab
August 26th, 2003, 02:46 PM
I checked out that site. It looks like the S-5 is about 45 miles from Cape May. Thats not a problem. I wonder if anything is left in the sub? I guess there is one way to find out, huh. see ya
RESCUEDIVER
August 27th, 2003, 11:42 AM
For those of you interested, East Coast Diving, Northfield NJ (http://www.eastcoastdiving.com) runs numerous charters on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays-covering areas from Long Beach Island to Cape May. We have a boat leaving from Sea Isle City, just 15 minutes north of Cape May, and dive numerous wrecks off of the Cape May area
For the person interested in the "Speak Easy" beach dive, the reference is probably to the "Deauville Inn" located bayside in Strathmere (Upper Township)- just north of Sea Isle City- the Inn has historical signifigance (http://www.deauvilleinn.com)- and was rumored to be an illegal distributor of alcoholoic beverages during prohibition- numerous bottles in sand behind the Inn- this dive is better done in late fall (when boating traffic is lighter) and at slack high tide. Incoming and outgoing tides are severe in this area, so caution when diving
Enjoy
Jersey
August 27th, 2003, 12:47 PM
Rescuediver: Thanks for the info. Do you work for East Coast? I think one of my friends does some DM on the Ursula for EC once in a while.... The Deauville dive sounds interesting - what is the dive exactly? From your post it sounds like bayside, off the current beach behind the Inn? I've seen their website, couldn't find anything about diving there.
Very familiar with the inlet there - according to my charts - non-navigable! Lots of fun to take my waverunner through in a running tide, though.
Capt Staab - how's the fishing been? I heard not too good - the big tournaments were not bringing in anything of size? Good luck with the USCG cert & insurance & let us know. What are you doing with the 31' Silverton?
Jersey
RESCUEDIVER
August 28th, 2003, 12:21 PM
Go off of the beach behind the Inn. You will hit 20-30' water in the channel leading to the bridge. You can also dive around the bridge pilings, as they are a good debris catch. Sometimes, there are items of interest there.
The channel is somewhat narrow in width- 80 yards or so. It's a nice way to kill some time.
Although the channel is "not marked in the inlet" there are plenty of boats up to the 24' range, and PWC, that use this area leading to the State Park at the end of Strathmere. This fact limits safe diving to days and times when boating traffic is at a minimum.
Given that Dive Flags seem to attract PWC traffic like flies to ----, it really won't be too pleasant surfacing and having a wave runner become a new set of teeth
