Dive Boat Sinks in Pompano Beach

[JohnN]

Opinions vary.

Can you explain when a stern tie-off is preferred. I really have no axe to grind here, having watched Jaws, it does seem counter-intuitive to me

 

[Manatee Diver]

I have stern tied 46 foot Newton boats countless times when the sea is flat calm.

It is more difficult to stern tie and is done so the divers can jump in and immediately be on the mooring line instead of having to swim to the front of the boat.

Surface currents in Pompano can vary from non-existent to over 3kts. When there is a strong surface current it's nearly impossible for most people to pull themselves on a granny line, but trying to pull down any fixed line in those conditions is no fun either. Last month I was down there and watched a friend of mine CO2 himself while trying to pull down in a stiff current, no bueno.

Full disclosure, I've jumped off the Safari Diver at least a half dozen times.

Can you explain when a stern tie-off is preferred. I really have no axe to grind here, having watched Jaws, it does seem counter-intuitive to me

Ken and Jim explained it in prior posts, I quoted them so they are easier to find.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Can you explain when a stern tie-off is preferred.

Diving a 100 foot deep wreck like the Spiegel Grove when the divers should descend to the wreck on the line instead of a free-fall. The divers jump in and the down line is immediately in their grasp.

It is simply a matter of convenience for the divers.

The stern tie should only be done in a flat calm sea and minimal if any current.

 

[jadairiii]

...It is simply a matter of convenience for the divers....

And a convenience for Captains too. It is far "simpler" and (IMO) safer to just hot drop a wreck. But (a) most divers have no clue how to properly "hot drop" and it would become a complete disaster/CF doing it, and (b) very few Captains are capable of consistently hot dropping divers on wrecks in current. Of all the wreck diving I've done, I've only found 2 captains that could consistently hot drop in ANY current and not miss the wreck, ever.

So, we accept certain deviations from the norm for "convenience" (or lack of competence)

And Jim, before you burst a blood vessel, I am not alleging you cant hot drop divers consistently, but I know for damn sure trying to hot drop a group of tourist divers on the SG would be horrifying to watch!

 

[tekkydiver]

Who was the Captain of the vessel that sank?

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

but I know for damn sure trying to hot drop a group of tourist divers on the SG would be horrifying to watch!

Absolutely!!

Stern tying is more difficult than tying to the bow --

 

[jadairiii]

...Stern tying is more difficult than tying to the bow --

I wouldn't know.....I've never done it....

 

[johndiver999]

And a convenience for Captains too. It is far "simpler" and (IMO) safer to just hot drop a wreck. But (a) most divers have no clue how to properly "hot drop" and it would become a complete disaster/CF doing it, and (b) very few Captains are capable of consistently hot dropping divers on wrecks in current. Of all the wreck diving I've done, I've only found 2 captains that could consistently hot drop in ANY current and not miss the wreck, ever.

So, we accept certain deviations from the norm for "convenience" (or lack of competence)

And Jim, before you burst a blood vessel, I am not alleging you cant hot drop divers consistently, but I know for damn sure trying to hot drop a group of tourist divers on the SG would be horrifying to watch!

LOL.. 2 captains.. It ain't that hard! You just have to have divers that can enter the water on command and immediately descend vertically in an expeditious manner. Normally not that big of a deal for the boat driver or divers.

 

[jadairiii]

LOL.. 2 captains.. It ain't that hard! You just have to have divers that can enter the water on command and immediately descend vertically in an expeditious manner. Normally not that big of a deal for the boat driver or divers.

Actually, for a capt, it is exceedingly hard, it is a skill. They have to contend with current, wind, waves, other boats and timing. Time the drop early, divers never see the wreck, too slow, divers drift forever, and never see the wreck. There is no room for error.

 

[kensuf]

Ken and Jim explained it in prior posts, I quoted them so they are easier to find.

Since I was quoted, let me clarify. When there's a stiff current, my preferred method of getting on a wreck is a hot drop.