MY WEBLOG

Club Blog
This is the weblog (blog) of the NJ Divers Association Dunellen Dive Club. This is the place we post interesting articles relating to scuba diving in NJ and around the world. Members are encouraged to take advantage of this facility to post interesting info, to share discoveries, to post personal pictures and links to cool sites, to advertise stuff for sale, and just about anything else you want to share with the group! Just email me with the info you'd like posted, using the return address for the monthly club bulletin.
07.15.03 @ 12:36 PM EDT [link]

New Federal Rules for Lobsters - Effective May 1, 2006
From the Federal Register - March 14, 2006
American Lobster Fishery Final Rule

(Parts that apply to divers only - typed by Peggy)

(a) Minimum Carapace length --
(3) The minimum carapace length for all American lobsters harvested in or from Nearshore Management area 2, 4, 5 and the Outer Cape Lobster Management area or the Offshore Management Area 3 is 3 3/8 inches.

(b) Maximum Carapace length -
(3) The maximum carapace length for all female American lobster harvested in or from the EEZ nearshore Management Area 4 is 5 1/4 inches except as provided in paragraph (b)(7) of this section.
(5) The maximum carapace length for all female American lobster harvested in or from the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 5 is 5 1/2 inches, except as provided in paragraph (b)(7) of this section.
(7) In the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 4 and the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 5, recreational fishing vessels and divers engaged in recreational fishing, regardless of the platform from which they dive, are allowed to possess one female American lobster per fishing trip in excess of the maximum carapace length specified in paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(6) of this section.

(c) Mutilation
(1) Subject to the rebuttable presumption in 697.7(c)(3), no person may remove meat or any body appendage from any American lobster harvested in or from the EEZ before, or at the time of landing, or have in possession any American lobster part other than whole lobsters,....

(d) Berried females.
(1) Any berried female harvested in or from the EEZ must be returned to the sea immediately. ...

(e) Removal of eggs.
(1) No person may remove, including, but not limited to, the forcible removal and removal by chemicals or other substances or liquids, extruded eggs attached to the abdominal appendages from any female American lobster.

(f) Spearing
(1) No person may spear any American lobster in the EEZ.
(3) No person may harvest or possess any American Lobster which has been speared in the he EEZ.

(g) V-notched females
(3) No person may possess any female lobster possessing a standard v-shaped notch harvested in or from the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2, 4, 5, 6 and the Outer Cape Lobster Management Area or the EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 map possess
04.17.06 @ 09:05 PM EDT [link]

DIVE WITH DEEP SEA DETECTIVES JOHN CHATTERTON & RICHIE KOHLER
TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE MICHAEL J. NORWOOD MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND

Long Beach Island, NJ – Join Deep Sea Detectives John Chatterton & Richie Kohler on May 19th – May 21st for a weekend of wreck diving and events to raise money for the Michael J. Norwood Memorial Research Fund which has been established to advance the research initiatives conducted by the Divers Alert Network (DAN). The event, sponsored by 10 New Jersey & New York dive operations and 3 Local Restaurants, will consist of 2 wreck diving days – Saturday, May 20th & Sunday May 21st -- 2 dinner events with presentations by Mr. Chatterton & Mr. Kohler on Friday, May 19th and Saturday, May 20th; and late afternoon BB-Q on Sunday, May 21st.

For a complete schedule of events and sponsors please visit www.mjnmemorialfund.com.

Tickets are available by calling Blue Water Divers at (201) 327-2822

The Michael John Norwood Memorial Research Fund was established in memory of Michael Norwood who died on December 6th, 2003 while diving in Palau, Micronesia filming an episode for the History Channel’s Deep Sea Detectives of which he was the co-host. With his co-host and friend, John Chatterton, Michael had the opportunity to combine his skills as a diver and educator. These qualities were developed over many years of work and training in England where he was a detective with Scotland Yard. In his spare time he started diving and eventually established a technical diving school with his dive partner an! d friend, Richard Stevenson. That school, Deep Blue Diving, is still operational and is currently headquartered in Plymouth, England under Richie’s leadership.
04.17.06 @ 09:04 PM EDT [link]

GAS DRILLING OFF VIRGINIA’S COAST? New Jersey & New York Shores at Risk
Calls to Governors of New Jersey, New York, and Virginia Needed NOW!
The coasts of New Jersey and New York are in the hands of Virginia’s Governor Tim Kaine (D-Va), who will decide within the next week whether to open Virginia’s coast to gas drilling. Recently, Virginia’s General Assembly passed a bill that promotes opening-up Virginia's long-protected coast to drilling activities. Governor Kaine is poised to sign or veto this bill by April 10th.

The Virginia bill puts New Jersey and New York’s coasts at risk. Pollution from drilling activities that would take place in Virginia waters threatens states’ natural resources, tourism & recreation, commercial and recreational fishing industries, and citizens’ enjoyment of the sea. The Gulf Stream current would bring pollution from drilling north to the waters off New Jersey and New York.

YOU CAN HELP DEFEND NJ & NY’s COASTS!
Please act now to protect the coasts of New Jersey and New York. Telephone calls or emails are desperately needed by April 7th to the Governors of New Jersey, New York, and Virginia to stop Virginia’s destructive drilling bill.

If you are a resident of NJ: Call NJ Governor Jon Corzine today at 609-292-6000 or send an email using the online form at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html. When calling, ask to speak to a policy aide. Tell the policy aide that you are a resident of New Jersey. Tell the aide that you urge Governor Corzine to call Virginia Governor Kaine to tell him to protect the coast and veto the Virginia Bill (SB262).
If you are a resident of New York: Call NY Governor George Pataki today at 518-474-8390 or send an email using the online form at http://161.11.3.75/govemail. When calling, tell the office assistant that you are a resident of New York. Tell the assistant that you urge Governor Pataki to call Virginia Governor Kaine to tell him to protect the coast and veto the Virginia Bill (SB262).
All Citizens: Call VA Governor Tim Kaine today at (804) 786-2211 (Dial 6 to reach the Governor’s Policy Office) or send an email using the online form at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm. When calling, tell the office assistant that you are a resident of nearby New Jersey and New York (and perhaps a vacationer to Virginia). Urge Governor Kaine to veto the drilling bill (SB262).

Here are some additional talking points for your calls or emails:

The nation’s shorelines are vacation destinations for millions of Americans each year, and the economic lifeline for coastal communities fueled by tourism and commercial and recreational fishing.
Currently, there are no oil and gas leases in existence off the Mid-Atlantic Coast (from Block Island, RI to Cape Hatteras, South Carolina), for good reason. Studies show that there is not much oil or gas available.
According to a federal agency, the entire Mid-Atlantic offshore region’s natural gas would only last about three months, using current national consumption rates. Is this small amount of gas worth risking so much?
Drilling activities create excessive amounts of waste and debris.
Seismic surveys performed for drilling are harmful to marine mammals.
WHAT IS AT RISK IN NJ AND NY?

The waters off New Jersey and New York are home to more than 300 species of fish, nearly 350 species of birds, 7 species of sea turtles, and many marine mammals, such as 10 species of whales and several species of seals and porpoises, frequent this region.
Recreational and commercial fisheries provide enormous economic benefits both in food production and recreational activities. In New Jersey, annual commercial landings of finfish and shellfish generate $100 million to the New Jersey economy annually. New York’s commercial fishing industry contributed a total of $149.6 million to the state’s economy and directly employed approximately 10,500 New Yorkers in 1999.
According to the American Sportfishing Association, there are 805,870 recreational anglers in New Jersey and 1,549,637 in New York. In 2003, recreational fishing brought $724,634,011 in retail sales to the state of New Jersey. Also, recreational fishing accounts for 12,021 jobs in New Jersey, with salaries and wages totaling $328,359,434. As for New York, recreational fishing generated $1,116,861,525 in retail sales in 2003 and accounted for 17,083 jobs and $503,486,172 in salaries and wages.
Travel and tourism in New Jersey contributes $32 billion in economic activities each year and generates 416,000 jobs (the second largest private sector employer). The four coastal counties – Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Monmouth – account for more than 72% or $21.6 billion in annual economic activity in New Jersey. In New York, coastal tourism contributed $2.9 billion to the overall economy in 1995 (the most recent numbers accessible), comprising 62.5% of the state economy.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Currently, the nation’s coasts are threatened by numerous proposals to drill for gas, as well as for oil, offshore. Stay tuned for another action alert to save New Jersey and New York’s coasts from oil drilling.

Prepared by Clean Ocean Action, April 5, 2006.
04.17.06 @ 09:02 PM EDT [link]

BECOME A VOLUNTEER DIVER AT ADVENTURE AQUARIUM!
National Volunteer Recognition Week begins April 23rd, and we here at Adventure Aquarium salute all our volunteers.

If you're looking for a new ADVENTURE, dive into our world now and become a volunteer diver here at Adventure Aquarium!! Certain requirements apply. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

http://www.njaas.org/Volunteer/Volunteer.html

Some of the requirements are:

Divers play a vital role in ensuring that aquarium guests have a wonderful experience.
Requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Possess a certification from a nationally recognized scuba certification agency
- Have at least 25 logged dives (5 in the last 2 years and 2 in the last 12 months)
- Ability to volunteer 16 hours a month by committing to a set schedule of two full days ( 9:00am ? 4:00pm ) per month on permanent days. (i.e.: 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 2nd and 4th Saturday
- Successfully complete an interview and pool test.
- If chosen, you will be required to complete a physical and to become CPR and First Aid certified.

For more information about ADVENTURE AQUARIUM, our exhibits, tickets, groups, directions and more please visit our website at www.AdventureAquarium.com

Adventure Aquarium is in Camden, NJ
04.17.06 @ 09:00 PM EDT [link]

2 articles on exploding scuba tanks
Please check your extra tanks in the garage!
(Does anyone know the VIP and Hydro rules for scuba tanks in Australia?)
Recently, an aluminum scuba tank that was being stored in a garden shed exploded, splitting the tank entirely in half and damaging the walls of the shed. Not good.

Fortunately no one was injured but it has highlighted the need for these old tanks to either be professionally tested and rated by a qualified person, or disposed of.

This incident has prompted a warning to consumers about scuba tanks made of aluminum that are fifteen to thirty years old.

Scuba tanks were once made of a material called aluminum alloy 6351, and this material is susceptible to sustained load cracking, (SLC), when it becomes aged and is stored containing compressed air.

Gary Wellstead started diving in 1978 and became a dive instructor in 1981 on the South Coast of Western Australia. "The problem is some of these cracks aren't easily detected and it's with this particular alloy which was used between 1975 and 1990."

It's not if but when these tanks fail or develop a neck crack, according to Mr Wellstead.

However, diving is not all about exploding scuba tanks and Mr Wellstead believes, "It's about seeing something that's not happening on land where we walk around and switching off what's on top. Very few people experience that weightlessness, the sense of quite and peace...it's a drug. "

Even in the cold waters off the South Coast of Western Australia, diving has a huge appeal. According to Mr Wellstead, "We've got a very diverse range of marine life, hard corals, soft corals, fish of all shapes, colors and size on show every day of the year."

Diving in Western Australia does sound fantastic but here's one more reminder about the exploding scuba tanks. Consumer Protection has been advised of at least twelve tanks rupturing in recent years throughout Australia, of these occasions five have caused injuries.

Alloy 6351 tanks have historically been manufactured by a number of cylinder manufacturers. SLC is not a manufacturing fault, but a metallurgical p! henomenon that occurs in later years after manufacture of the product.

Anyone who owns alloy 6351 tanks manufactured prior to 1990, should contact your state based Consumer Protection's Product Safety Unit.

04.17.06 @ 08:59 PM EDT [link]

Dan Brown sent this out - important for all the RR Bridge divers!
Divers, I dove the "new" Manasquan RR bridge today. I had 10-12 foot of visibility and 46 degrees water temperature. There was really no marine life to speak of as yet. There are still plenty of mussel beds, even under the new span. Be careful diving in limited visibility because they left pilings stacked up in a criss-cross manner under the middle of the bridge and the top end of one of those pilings is probably only 7-10 feet below the surface at high tide. I spent just over an hour down checking out the new "landscape".

04.17.06 @ 08:57 PM EDT [link]

New Electronic Magazine for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center
NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center has launched The F-files, an e-zine profiling current research, scientific meetings, people, and community projects at the Center's six locations. Scan the headlines daily and watch for changing top stories and features. The e-zine can be accessed at: www.nefsc.noaa.gov/ffiles/.
04.17.06 @ 08:55 PM EDT [link]

DAN's Statement on SSS and Insurance
PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM DIVERS ALERT NETWORK
DAN Speaks to Insurance Issue

We deeply regret that many DAN members and others in the diving community were the focus of a recent broadcast email campaign by the SSS Network. The latest statement from SSS is designed to intimidate and frighten DAN members, and much of the information is untrue, misleading and contradicts previous statements from chambers within the SSS Network.

DAN and SSS are in dispute over the excessive treatment charges, which DAN believes are not reasonable and customary in comparison to other hyperbaric chambers, and which will damage the diving industry long term if not addressed now. By refusing to accept DAN insurance, SSS is attempting to place the burden of payment on the diver in order to gain leverage to force DAN’s insurer to accept higher treatment charges.

We find it hard to believe that SSS facilities would be closing due to insurance issues involving DAN’s insurer. SSS has claimed that insurance purchased through DAN represents only a small percentage of their business. They have now stated that some of this is being driven by a slowdown in diving travel, especially to dive locations that experienced hurricane and tsunami damage.

DAN has always supported remote facilities through our Recompression Chamber Assistance Program (RCAP). This program is part of the not-for-profit mission of DAN, and provides equipment to help chambers remain fully operational so they can remain open and viable and assist divers in need without having to resort to overcharging injured divers.

The recent SSS press release implies that there is something suspicious about Accident & General Insurance, Ltd. (AGI), a wholly owned subsidiary of DAN that underwrites a portion of the diver accident insurance purchased through DAN. On the contrary, DAN has referenced AGI in all of its publications and presentations about DAN. Revenue generated by AGI supports DAN’s mission activities, including medical services and research. No DAN employees receive compensation from AGI.

DAN has worked hard to bring this dispute to an equitable resolution. A court date is set for early May 2006. A mediation session is scheduled for late March. The tactics employed by SSS are unfortunate choices in a dispute that we choose to handle in a more professional manner.

While SSS keeps changing its position (see DAN website at http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/news/article.asp?newsid=735 for a chronological records of their statements), DAN has always maintained a consistent message and approach to the issue:

A. DAN Members will be treated at all SSS recompression chambers.

B. DAN Members with Dive Accident Insurance purchased through DAN are fully covered.

C. In the event of a dive injury, call the DAN Emergency Hotline immediately.

D. DAN will handle all the necessary matters and no DAN member will be out of pocket.

DAN has been here to protect divers for over 25 years, and during that time we have been true to our mission to keep divers and our sport as safe as possible. We will continue to do so. DAN is and will remain “Your Dive Safety Association.”
03.27.06 @ 08:38 PM EDT [link]

NJ Historical Divers Assoc. museum display - April 1st
InfoAge, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to "inspire kids to learn" is holding an open house on April 1st from 10 am to 4 pm. InfoAge is located in the Marconi Hotel at Camp Evans, Wall, New Jersey.

The New Jersey Historical Divers Association, Inc. is a member organization of InfoAge. We are setting up a museum display in one of the hotel rooms for the public to enjoy. Five other organizations will also be participating. Our 288 square-foot display is a small example of the 1,200 square-foot display NJHDA will be opening in the near future.

Directions to InfoAge can be found on the NJHDA website by going to http://members.aol.com/aqualieb and clicking on "Events." At the bottom of that page are directions to InfoAge. For more information on InfoAge, go to www.infoage.org to visit their website.

The event is open to the public. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. All proceeds go to support InfoAge.

Thanks,
Dan Lieb, President
NJHDA, Inc.
03.27.06 @ 08:36 PM EDT [link]

Lobster Ruling - NMFS
It appears that the sport diving community has won a minor victory regarding the maximum carapace length. A NMFS proposal for maximum carapace lengths in Area 4 and 5 (includes federal waters off New Jersey) was published in the Federal Register in September 05. At least 20 sport divers responded. The final rule was just published and requires a maximum carapace length for female lobsters of 5 and 1/4 inch in Area 4 and 5 and 1/2 inches in Area 5. However, it allows recreational fishermen and divers to possess one female lobster in excess of the maximum limit (trophy lobster). Go to the National Marine Fisheries Website for Northeast Region and click on Hot News. The website also contains a good identification on female lobsters.

I am still studying the exact wording in the Federal Register and will send further info later.
Jack Fullmer

03.27.06 @ 08:33 PM EDT [link]

New Web site highlights boating safety regulations
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 03/15/06
BY KIRK MOORE
STAFF WRITER
EWING — State Police this week launched a new Web site at www.njsp.org/maritime with information about the new state boating safety requirements - the number-one subject of phone calls this spring to the state police Marine Services Unit.

Recent changes in state law now require that all boaters born in 1969 or later obtain a state boating safety certificate by June 1, as part of a rolling program to have boaters of all ages certified by summer 2009.

The web site provides links to safety trainers, and information on how experienced boaters can take a certification test.
03.27.06 @ 08:32 PM EDT [link]

New Seafood and Health Page on NOAA Web Site
A new NOAA Web page provides information on the connection between seafood and health. NOAA’s goal is to provide balanced information that puts the benefits and risks of seafood consumption into perspective to help consumers make educated decisions about their diet. Please visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/seafood.htm.

This is the first paragraph...
The connection between seafood and health is undeniable, yet information available to consumers is confusing at best and often conflicting. The Food and Drug Administration is the primary government agency that manages food safety/food health issues. However, as part of the Department of Commerce, NOAA Fisheries Service has an obligation to help make information about seafood products more accessible to the general public. Consumers want to know if fish and other seafood is healthy and safe to eat and feed to their families. The following links will help answer this question. Our goal is to provide balanced information that puts the benefits and risks of seafood consumption into perspective to help consumers make educated decisions about their diet. As new information becomes available, we will post it here.
03.27.06 @ 08:31 PM EDT [link]

Wreck Valley crew featured in Northeast Dive News
1) We would like to congratulate diver Jim Fazzalorie (crew member aboard the charter boat Wreck Valley) who made the cover of next months Northeast Dive News. Jim is featured holding one of his huge lobsters. Also in the magazine is Capt. Berg's Linda Shipwreck article. Please stop by the Northeast Dive News BTS booth and pick up a copy. Divers should also note that the Eastern Dive Boat Association BTS booth will be featuring a local shipwreck display this year.

2) The new 2006 Aqua Explorers Catalog is now available online as a PDF file. Just go to www.aquaexplorers.com and you can print the catalog.

3) The 2006 Wreck Valley will be available early next week. It will also be accessible online as a PDF file.

Safe Diving
Capt. Dan Berg
Wreck Valley
www.aquaexplorers.com
03.27.06 @ 08:29 PM EDT [link]

DAN Member Discount at Beneath the Sea
DAN is always looking to add even more value to your DAN Membership. In that spirit, we offer a discount of $5 off tickets to Beneath The Sea 2006.

Dates of the Show: March 24-26, 2006

Location: Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ

Here's how it works:

Print a copy of this email;
Bring the email AND your DAN Member card to the show ticket booth at the entrance; and
Get $5 off your ticket price.
For more details about the show, go to: www.BeneathTheSea.org

To receive this discount, you must purchase tickets at the show. At that time, show this email and your DAN card.

DAN Presentations at Beneath the Sea 2006

“Rhubarb and the Risk of Decompression Sickness,” 1 p.m., Sunday, March 26.
“Breathing Underwater is an Unnatural Act,” 3 p.m., Sunday, March 26.
And the following DAN Training events:

DAN Dive Safety Workshop, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, March 25
DAN Dive Safety Workshop, 1-4 p.m., Sunday, March 26
Trainer Update, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 25 (Hampton Inn next to the show)
Instructor Update, 11 a.m.-Noon, Saturday, March 25 (Hampton Inn)
Neuro IT Trainer Workshop, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Sunday, March 26 (Hampton Inn)
DAN is Your Dive Safety Association

03.11.06 @ 07:16 PM EDT [link]

DAN Reply on SSSnetwork
Here is the DAN reply to the SSSnetwork e-mail this morning:
- --
Dear Peggy,

Thanks for contacting us. DAN does now and will continue to take care of all DAN members. Please see our statement attached. There will be more information available next week.

Thanks,

L. Anthony Bacci
Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
Divers Alert Network ( DAN )

March 10, 2006

Dear DAN Member,

We can assure you that DAN members will be treated at all these facilities. If you are charged any fees or have any out of pocket expenses associated with your treatment, you will be fully reimbursed by DAN’s insurance. We advise all DAN members that if they are injured, call our emergency hotline immediately and we will manage the emergency and liaise with the chamber and member for payment of any claims.

Divers Alert Network
03.11.06 @ 07:14 PM EDT [link]

RSTC Member organizations approve use of standardized hand signals.
The recreational scuba training industry is a self-regulated industry that is responsible for development of training standards that are used as a minimum platform for participating agencies to develop their own standards.

The Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) was formed in 1986 to meet industry needs and has developed training standards from open water diver level through instructor trainer level.

In November of 2005 RSTC approved standard hand signals and common hand signals used by divers. Many of these standard signals were originally an ANSI standard. They are based on the standard hand signals used by training agencies when training entry level divers.
The approved hand signals are posted on the World Recreational Training Agency (WRSTC) web site at www.wrstc.com.

RSTC consists of International Diving Educators Association (IDEA), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Professional Dive Instructors Corporation (PDIC), Scuba Diving International (SDI) Scuba Schools International (SSI) and Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and meets throughout the year to deal with issues involving training in the scuba industry.

RSTC is also the Secretariat for the ANSI Committee Z-375,
Scuba Diving Training Standards and Safety.
For additional information on RSTC contact any member organization or contact
RSTC at P.O. Box 11083 Jacksonville, FL 32239
or info@wrstc.com.
03.09.06 @ 07:45 PM EDT [link]

Shipwreck Symposium - Workshop Added
The New Jersey Historical Divers Association, Inc. presents our fourth
New Jersey Shipwreck Symposium
Saturday, May 6, 2006, 2 PM to 6 PM
InfoAge Learning Center, Camp Evans, Wall, NJ

Admission is $15 per person. Reservations are required - seating is limited.
(payment in advance guarantees seating)

Our event will be hosted by explorer and author
Gary Gentile

The speakers and scheduled events are as follows:

Shipwrecks and Lifesavers
Tom Hoffman, Park Ranger, Historian

Shipwrecks in New Jersey Waters
Lee Cox, Jr., Underwater Archaeologist

Exploring New Jersey's Artificial Reefs
A video presentation by Steve & Maureen Langevin

(50/50 and intermission - light refreshments available)

The Sunken Locomotives of Long Branch
Dan Lieb and Jim LuBrant, New Jersey Museum of Transportation, Inc.

Workshop:
Advanced Wreck-Diving and Technical Gear Configurations - $50.00 p/p
Gary Gentile is offering a workshop geared for divers who want to extend their knowledge of diving beyond that which is obtainable from certifying agencies. It includes the topics Deep Diving, Wreck Penetration, and Decompression Diving, and Technical Gear Configurations. This is very much a "nuts and bolts" workshop. Emphasis is placed on gear configurations rather than theory and physiology. The student will see how today's technical divers are gearing up - not necessarily so he can dive to 300 feet on mixed gas, but so he can familiarize himself with the techniques, and apply them to his own diving regimen. 9 AM to Noon. A continental breakfast will be provided (ask us about lunch when signing up for this workshop).

Directions from North:
Take Garden State Parkway SOUTH to EXIT 100 onto Route 33 east. Continue to Route 18 South. Get off at EXIT 7A. The exit will merge you onto Brighton Avenue. Follow Brighton to the bottom of the hill and turn RIGHT onto Marconi Road. After a few hundred yards, you will see a parking lot entrance on your right. Enter and follow the directions of the parking attendants.

Directions from South:
Take the Garden State Parkway NORTH to EXIT 98. Bear to the right and take the exit for Route 138 East. Follow 138 to the Route 18 North exit. Follow 18 North to Exit 7. The exit ramp will put you on Marconi Road where it intersects Brighton Avenue. Go straight. After a few hundred yards, you will see a parking lot entrance on your right. Enter and follow the directions of the parking attendants.

Directions from West:
Take 195 EAST, to Route 18 NORTH. Follow 18 North to EXIT 7. The exit ramp will put you on Marconi Road where it intersects Brighton Avenue. Go straight. After a few hundred yards, you will see a parking lot entrance on your right. Enter and follow the directions of the parking attendants.

Directions from East:
Take 33 WEST, to Route 18 SOUTH. Get off at EXIT 7A. The exit will merge you onto Brighton Avenue. Follow Brighton to the bottom of the hill and turn RIGHT onto Marconi Road. After a few hundred yards, you will see a parking lot entrance on your right. Enter and follow the directions of the parking attendants.

For reservations and more information please call
732-776-6261 (press 2 when prompted) or e-mail NJHDA@aol.com

Alterations and substitutions to the schedule may occur without notice.

NJHDA, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable historical research organization. All donations are tax deductible.
03.02.06 @ 08:53 PM EDT [link]

2/27 Deep Sea Detectives - New shows
The NEW SEASON OF DeepSea Detectives IS ABOUT TO KICK OFF ...FINALLY
STARTING MONDAY FEBRUARY 27
check the history channel for time in your area.
2/27: Pharaoh's Lost Treasure

3/6: Train Wreck in Lake Michigan

3/13: Mystery of the Channel Collision

3/20: Blackbeard's Mystery Ship

3/27: Great Lakes Ghost Ship

Rest of the show dates yet to be determined.
02.26.06 @ 12:41 PM EDT [link]

EPA OKs USS Oriskany for Reef
EPA Clears the Way to Sink USS Oriskany as an Artificial Reef off the Florida Panhandle
By Underwatertimes.com News Service

The U.S.S. ORISKANY CVA-34 "The Mighty O"

Atlanta, Georgia (2006-02-16 18:27:16 EST)
The EPA issued to the U.S. Navy and the state of Florida an Approval to Dispose of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) contained in electrical cable and other non-liquid materials and equipment onboard the decommissioned USS Oriskany. This approval allows the Navy to deploy the ex-Oriskany as an artificial reef in the East Escambia Large Area Artificial Reef Site, located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 23 miles south of Pensacola, Fla.

"This is a significant milestone for EPA, the Navy and the State of
Florida," said EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg. "We are pleased to be able to work with the Navy and Florida in protecting our environment and moving this project forward."
Based on EPA's and the Science Advisory Board's review of the information provided by the Navy in the PCB disposal application, including leaching studies, fate and transport models, and human and ecological risk characterizations, EPA has determined that sinking the ex-Oriskany will not pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. This EPA PCB Disposal Approval for the Navy and Florida applies only to the ex-Oriskany.
EPA is currently developing a national approval process for disposal of ships containing non-liquid PCBs through reefing.

The Navy has prepared the vessel for reefing off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., by removing or minimizing materials that may adversely impact the marine environment. An estimated 700 pounds of PCBs contained in felt and foam gaskets, electrical cable, insulation, and heat-resistant paint remain aboard the vessel. In accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) and its implementing Federal PCB regulations, the Navy applied for a risk-based PCB disposal approval to sink the vessel with the non-liquid PCBs onboard.

The state of Florida and the Navy have developed an agreement that will result in the transfer of the reefed vessel to the State. The PCB Disposal Approval requires the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in cooperation with the Escambia County Marine Resources Division, to establish a monitoring program to ensure that fish caught at the ex-Oriskany site
remain safe for human consumption.
02.26.06 @ 12:40 PM EDT [link]

New Jersey Shipwreck Symposium Preliminary Notice
Preliminary Notice

The New Jersey Historical Divers Association, Inc. presents our fourth New Jersey Shipwreck Symposium
Saturday, May 6, 2006 2 PM to 6 PM
InfoAge Learning Center Camp Evans, Wall, NJ

Admission is $15 per person. Reservations are required - seating is limited. (payment in advance guarantees seating)

Our event will be hosted by explorer and author Gary Gentile

The speakers and scheduled events are as follows:

Shipwrecks and Lifesavers
Tom Hoffman, Park Ranger, Historian

Shipwrecks in New Jersey Waters
Lee Cox, Jr., Underwater Archaeologist

Exploring New Jersey's Artificial Reefs
A video presentation by Steve & Maureen Langevin

(50/50 and intermission - light refreshments available)

The Sunken Locomotives of Long Branch
Dan Lieb and Jim LuBrant, New Jersey Museum of Transportation, Inc.

Workshops will be announced shortly.

For reservations, directions and more information please call
732-776-6261 (press 2 when prompted) or e-mail NJHDA@aol.com

Alterations and substitutions to the schedule may occur without notice.

NJHDA, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable historical research organization. All donations are tax deductible.
02.11.06 @ 11:03 AM EDT [link]