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South Florida Divers, Inc. 


April 2008 Newsletter

CONTENTS
President's Message Come Join The Fun !

 MEETING LOCATION
Calendar for April and Beyond April Meeting Program
A Safety Minute FAQ'S  
Meeting Location FLASH Summer 2008 Overseas Trips
Lobster Law Changes Trivia Question
SFDI SHARE A BOOK March Dinner at Large Pics
Where's Kansman Happy April Birthday
Lots of Laughs and Other Wisdom Brians Corner

 

 

                                        

                                                                    

President's Message

Summer is coming........

~ By Pete Stephinson

Well, here I am on a Sunday evening ( March 16th) writing another President's letter. I've just come in from a great afternoon of diving and socializing with 16 of our fellow members. Thanks to Chris & Stan for organizing a great dive off Pompano. On my dives, I saw a nurse shark, a green Moray swimming across the reef, and a turtle. I also caught a couple of bugs (one of which  I let go as it was bearing eggs). It was beautiful out on the water and one of those days which makes you realize how lucky we are to live in South Florida. 

The ocean is an amazing place. We see creatures of incredible beauty, yet it can also be a harsh and dangerous environment. Two recent events highlight these points. The first was the tragedy which happened off the Bahamas. I'm sure you have all read of the diver who was attacked by a shark while on a shark dive. Shark feeding, to lure sharks so that they can be observed by divers is a controversial subject. It is now illegal here in Florida, and as a result of this tragedy, action to stop it may also be taken in the Bahamas. On shore, we discourage people from feeding alligators as this creates dangerous situations for people. Further north, the feeding of bears is discouraged for the same reason.  Sharks are wild creatures which can be dangerous. Just like alligators and bears, they should be treated with respect. To do otherwise, and create situations where they can hurt people will only increase public prejudice against them. What is needed is an awareness that sharks are a species under threat and what is needed are efforts to preserve them.

The second event I am referring to, is the story of a dolphin, "Moko" who rescued a pod of stranded whales. This is an amazing story which illustrates the "altruistic nature" of Dolphins to sense the needs of others in danger and to take action. You can read about it at http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/nz.whales.ap/index.html  These two recen events illustrate the diverse and often contradictory aspects of the life we witness in the ocean.

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see the calendar for 2008 is filling out, We have a number of dives and activities planned. While this is good to see, it is the same hard working people who are organizing these events, and we all appreciate their contributions to the club. If each of the people who regularly attend club dives took the responsibility for organizing just one dive or activity during 2008 our calendar would be full. If you attend club dives, I challenge you to organize just one dive or event during 2008. Pick your favorite dive, and we will guide you through the process of setting it up so that we can all enjoy it. Just speak to Dave, myself or one of the other eboard members and we will give you all the support you need to make it happen.

And lastly, just a reminder that our venue for the monthly meeting has changed - check the directions elsewhere in the newsletter and I look forward to seeing you there

Hope to see you in the water some time soon

Pete 

 

 NEW MEETING LOCATION

 

New meeting Location for General Meeting starting Wednesday April 2nd:

 

American Legion Post 36

   1600 W State Road 84

 

 

Directions:

 

From I95 go East on State Road 84(Marina Mile)

The America Legion is on your right immediately before the lights on SW 15th

 

Easy way into Parking Lot:

 

Make a right at SW 15th, then take a right on the first street you come to, then go to the end of that street and make a right into the parking lot

 

 

 

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PLEASE SEE NOTE ABOVE !!

 

SFDI meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at the

American Legion Hall. The meeting starts at 7:30   If you are not a member, and you are reading this on the Internet, please join us because visitors are ALWAYS WELCOME!

In an attempt to condense the length of the meetings, we are going to start the meeting PROMPTLY at 7:30. Please come earlier to socialize before the meeting starts.

 

 

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         WELCOME YOUR NEWEST DIVE BUDDIES!

 

We are delighted to welcome new members

Lorayne Vitrone, George Cornette and Larry Mullins!!

   We look forward to diving with you. 

         As a Reminder to Everyone, We are a NO-DECO Dive Club.        Always adhere to Safe Recreational Dive Depths and Limits.

 

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       April 2008...   and Beyond

                                                        - By Dave Schneider, Vice President, Calendar

 

        Phone numbers of event coordinators are not posted to ensure privacy.  If you are a Club member please consult your Buddy List for the number you need.  If you do not have a copy of the Buddy List one will be available for you at the next General Meeting.

        Just a quick reminder.. The Calendar exists for the information of all our members.  Should you see an event that is of interest to you please contact the Coordinator directly.  You can sign-up for the event(s) of your choice at any time of the month. The Coordinator will be more than pleased to place your name on the list and tell you where to mail payment.

        HELP MAKE YOUR CLUB BETTER ! ....  We need more people to step up and run events.  If you are interested in coordinating a dive.. a trip.. a dinner or any other type of event please contact an E-Board member. Any member of the Board will be more than happy to advise and assist your efforts.

March 20:  Dinner-at-Large (Thursday)  Let's join Chris and Stan for an evening of culinary delights at TropicBleu, a student-ran restaurant on the campus of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu School.  Dinner bell at 7:00. They do not have a liquor license, but you can bring your favorite bottle of wine!  Conveniently located at 3221 Enterprise Way (off Miramar Parkway between Red Rd. and Palm Ave.).  For more information call Chris or you can reach the restaurant at 954-438-8828.
 

March 22:  Shark Valley Bike Ride (Saturday)  Julie Taylor has her bike greased and ready to go into the wilderness of Shark Valley.  Throwing caution to the wind, Julie says "come on out and watch me wrestle some alligators".  The ride will start at 11:00 AM so get a good nights rest and enjoy a day in the great outdoors. For more information give Julie a call.

March 23:  Easter Sunday  

March 28-29-30:  Advanced Open Water Class  Kyle Russell has arranged an Advanced Open Water class to be held at Divers Direct.  The cost will be $325.00 (+/-) for everything.  Classroom work will be on Friday evening, lake dives and instruction Saturday and ocean dives on Sunday.  This is a great opportunity to get your advanced certification before the upcoming overseas trips and the summer diving season.  Call Kyle for more information.

March 29:  8:00 AM Show  8:30 PM Go (Saturday) "Private" Boat Dive  Dave and John are ready to lead a flotilla to sea for a day of good diving and camaraderie.  This is an "almost the last day of lobster season" event so get your snares and nets out and join the crazed bunch as they savage the feisty crustaceans. The fleet leaves from John U. Lloyd State Park at 8:30 sharp so be sure to be on time or you'll be buying your dinner at the local supermarket

April 2:  General Meeting  7:30 PM (Sharp!)    New location!!  New Location!!  New Location!!            American Legion Post 36   1600 W. State Road 84   Directions are available at another location on this website.  Hope to see y'all there.

April 4 - 6:  3rd. Annual Camp & Canoe Weekend  Well attended for the past two years and back by popular acclaim, Craig and Linda Sandel beckon all into the uncharted wilderness of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound.  Ok, so there are electrical hook-ups, running water, clean restrooms and canoe rentals, it still is a weekend in the woods amid the splendor of Mother Nature. As always, you will have to supply your own tent, gear, food and beverage and maybe some firewood.  Craig and Linda will provide the trees, campsite, racoons and other wonders of the great outdoors.  Some great trail biking and nature walks are also at the park. Information packets will be available for those that sign on.

April 7:  SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road.  The meeting starts promptly at 7:30.  We encourage any and all members to attend and assist in making your Club even better than it already is.

April 12:  8:00 AM Show 8:30 AM Go  Shore Dive!  Fred Miller has checked out his gear and is ready to lead a batch of rugged divers over the sand and into the surf.  This is the first shore dive this year so let's have a good turn-out.  Fred wants to meet on the beach one block south of Commercial, at the east end of Datura Avenue.  For those unfamiliar with the area, give Fred a call and he will give you all the specifics.

April 12:  Pig Roast! (Saturday)  We've got the date, we've got the place (Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, 2637 Whale Harbor Lane, Ft. Lauderdale) and we got the pig.. well, maybe not the pig quite yet, but you get the idea.  Starting time will be 5:30 PM, somewhat earlier for the pig.  For the bargain entrance fee of $5.00 per member and first guest, $10.00 for each additional guest, plus a covered dish to share you will be able to feast like a king (or queen) on chicken, pork and assorted side dishes and desserts, quaff beer and wine to your hearts content and revel the night away.  This is one of our most popular social events (the pig would take exception if it was still able to speak) so be sure to be there.

April 13:  Jimbo's Birthday (Sunday)  For those of you who didn't get enough revelry in at the Pig Roast you can always stop in to Jimbo's on Virginia Key and help the old man celebrate his 81st. birthday.  

April 17:  Dinner-at-Large (Thursday)  It's time to go back to John Kansman's favorite restaurant, Don Arturo's, for some outrageous Cuban cuisine.  The festivities will begin at 7:30.  Conveniently located, Don Arturo's can be found at 1198 SW 27 Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale.  For more information give John a call.
 

April 18 - 20  Ocean Fest  Volunteers are always needed to help us "staff" this traditional event. 

April 20:  Passover

April 26:  1:00 PM Show  1:30 PM Go (Saturday) Advanced forecasts are for flat seas, lots of warm sun and great vis, so plan to join Dave Schneider and the friendly fishes off Boca/Deerfield for an afternoon of excellent diving from off the stern of the Lady-Go-Diver.  All inclusive cost of $50.00.  Call Dave for more details or go to www.dixiedivers.com. 

April 26:  Pete Stephinson's Annual Golf Scramble (Saturday)  Pete will be hosting his annual golf outing at the Boca Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boca Raton.  A $50.00 fee pays for golf, cart, trophies, prizes, buffet lunch, beer and sodas.  Such a deal.  All abilities are welcome so contact Pete for more details.

April 27:  April Birthday Blow-out (Sunday)  The April birthday boys and girls welcome all to a party to end all parties.  The details aren't finalized yet but it will be held at Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield.  More information as it becomes available.

May 7:  General Meeting  7:30 PM (Sharp!)    New location!!  New Location!!  New Location!!            American Legion Post 36   1600 W. State Road 84   Directions are available at another location on this website.  Hope to see y'all there.

May 10:  8:00 AM Show  8:30 AM Go (Saturday) "Private" Boat Dive  Once again our intrepid crews are taking their flotilla onto the open seas for a day of underwater fun.  As always, the boats will be leaving from John U. Lloyd State Park and, as always, it will behoove you to be on time.  Call John Kansman or Dave Wills for more information.

May 11:  Mother's Day

May 12:  SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road.  The meeting starts promptly at 7:30.  Summer is just around the corner, so why not think of an event to sponsor and join us at E-Board to get it on the Calendar?

May 15:  A Night at the Opera (Thursday)  Joe G was so pleased with the response to "Spamalot" that he is going to invite all opera lovers to a performance of Julius Caesar by the Florida Grand Opera at the Au Rene Theatre in Riverwalk.  The curtain goes up at 7:30.  Ticket prices will be in the $55.00 range.  Please give Joe a call for more details and go to www.floridagrandopera.com for additional insights.

May 17:  1:00 PM Show  1:30 PM Go (Saturday) Three Tank Dive Trip  Fred Miller and Kim Hunziker are planning to host a three tanker aboard the American Dream.  This promises to be a highlight event featuring Tenneco Towers, a 60' reef and a shallower third dive, all for the bargain price of $75.00, tax and tip included.  Call Fred or Kim for more info or go to www.scubafortlauderdale.com. 

May 22:  Dinner-at-Large  Back by popular demand, Gerry Cowen will be hosting an evening of oriental delights at Ichiban Japanese Restaurant, University Drive, just south of I-595.  The dinner gong will resound at 7:30 so be sure to bring your chopsticks and appetites.  Call Gerry for more information.

May 24:  Pre-Roatan Party    Only for those going on the Roatan trip.

May 24:  8:30 AM Show  9:00 AM Go (Saturday)  Parrot Island Adventure  Jeff Raffa had such a good time in March on Fathoms of Fun that he wants 11 other people to join him for another great day of diving and friendship.  The boat leaves from Pompano, right up close to the Hillsboro inlet.  Total cost, tax and tip included, is $50.00.  For more info call Jeff or go to www.parrotislandscuba.com. 

May 25:  Pre-Cozumel Party  Only for those going on the Cozumel trip.

May 26:  Memorial Day

May 31 - June 7:  Cozumel!  

Just a "teaser" of some future events:    July 26: Member Appreciation Day    

                                              August 15-17:  Annual Keys Weekend

 

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS FOR 2008

May 31 - June 7:      Cozumel - Iberostar Resort    Jeff Raffa, Coordinator   Space still available

June 15 - June 22:    Roatan - Fantasy Island Beach Resort    Dave Schneider, Coordinator   Space available for one (1) female

July 12 - July 19:     Dominica - Castle Comfort Lodge    Peter Stephinson, Coordinator    Space available for one (1) female

January 6 - 18, 2009:   Raja Ampat, Indonesia   Seven Seas (liveaboard)     $4500.00+/-                                                               The trip includes 12 nights on the Seven Seas, all diving, meals, coffee, tea, drinking water, sodas, optional land and beach trips.  Trip cost is based on double occupancy with a deposit of 30% and balance due 90 days before departure. Cancellations made up to 90 days before departure are subject to a $500.00 cancellation fee and within 90 days there are no refunds. Not included are all airfares, hotels, transfers enroute to Sorong and mandatory trip insurance. Departure will be on or about January 2, 2009.  Return home should be by January 20,2009. For more information please go to www.thesevenseas.com or give Fred Miller a call.

AND SOME LAST IMPORTANT NOTES...

Club Policies on Dives and Trips:

Dives, Trips, Activities and events are run according to the SFDI Policies and Procedures, which are available to everyone.  If you don’t have a copy, please ask the Membership VP, or other E-Board member at the next General Meeting. Here is a summary of some of the important ones:

1.      Payment for Dives, Events and trips:  A member is confirmed on a dive, trip or event only after they have paid.  Payments for dives should be made when signing up.  Payments for trips should be made according to the schedule as outlined by the trip coordinator.  In the event that a dive/trip/activity is oversubscribed, then those confirmed will be determined by the order of payment.

2.      Cancellation:  Once a member signs on for a dive/event he or she is obligated to pay for that dive/event unless they contact the coordinator for that dive/event and cancel by the specified cancellation time.  Not paying immediately does not eliminate the requirement to make full payment if you do not cancel within the designated cancellation period or simply fail to show up for that dive/event.

3.      Certification Requirements:  Some dives will be restricted to divers with certain minimum certification levels.  For example Advanced Open Water.  In some cases, these requirements will be set by the dive operator.  In others they may be set by the dive organizer in conjunction with the E-Board based on the profile and characteristics of the planned dive.  In these cases the minimum certifications required for the dive will be clearly identified on the sign up sheet and in the published calendar.  No exceptions will be made for any reason.

4.      Special Needs:  Some of our members have “special needs” when participating on a dive or trip. These can be cases where the diver needs extra assistance on a dive boat or a member has particular requirements regarding accommodations. Dive organizers will check for the common ones, such as the requirement for extra assistance getting into or out of the water.  However, it is the responsibility of the member to make sure that his/her needs are known to the organizer and if there is any doubt the member should contact the operator in advance.  It is the responsibility of the club member to verify that their needs can be accommodated prior to the event/trip/activity.

 

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Chris Higgins and Gerry Cohen Hit it Big the Last Weekend of Lobster Season...

It was Fun and Friendship on The Recycled  !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capt. Chris and the Smilin Fish !!

 

 

 

 

March Dinner at Large Pics

 

On March 20th, More than 40 SFDI Members Joined

Chris and Stan Pierce at Le Cordon Bleu School for a Great Evening of Wining and Dinning !!

Photos by Capt. Chris

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

April Dinner at Large

 Thursday, April 17

 

 

   It's time to go back to John Kansman's favorite restaurant, Don Arturo's, for some outrageous Cuban cuisine.  The festivities will begin at 7:30.  Conveniently located, Don Arturo's can be found at 1198 SW 27 Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale.  For more information give John a call.

 

 

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April Meeting Program

 

RESCUING ROUGH TOOTHED DOLPHINS AND FALSE KILLER WHALES
 
Have you ever wondered why marine mammals strand themselves?   To understand this and other issues regarding marine mammals, please join SFDI on April 2nd to learn about the Marine Mammal Conservancy from its President, Robert Lingenfelser.  Located in Key Largo, the Marine Mammal Conservancy provides researchers and NOAA Fisheries with valuable data on techniques of rescue, treatment, re-adaptation and release;  medical condition and baseline medical data on healthy species;  and marine mammal behavior and live interaction, unobtainable from dead specimens.  It also provides sanctuary for marine mammals after stranding events, and from unsuitable, artificial, or overcrowded public display situations, to either reintroduce them back into their natural environments or provide for them a quiet retirement.  Operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, this not-for profit, all volunteer organization has already responded to over 150 marine mammals covering some 75 stranding events and has helped train over 3500 public volunteers.  You can check out the website at www.marinemammalconservancy.org 
 
ABOUT ROBERT G. LINGENFELSER, JR.
 
Robert G. Lingenfelser, Jr. served in the US Navy from 1976 through 1982.  He worked as a commercial diver in the oil fields of Asia and the Middle East through the 1980s.  As such, he installed and performed maintenance and inspections of offshore production platforms and pipelines, performing bell-bounce and saturation dives up to 540 feet.  In addition, he was the lead diver and supervisor on several salvage and cargo recovery projects including two WWII German U-Boats, the WWII Japanese freighters Tigu Maru and Hakone Maru, and what came to be known as the Nan-King Cargo, a wreck filled with Ming and Transitional Porcelain sunk around 1742.
 
Robert has been a member of the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network since 1987.  He qualified as an Article IV Designee under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1995, and has received ongoing training through National Marine Fisheries Service since 1995.  He is part of the team that helped developed the rehabilitation guidelines adopted by NMFS for implementation throughout the National Stranding Network.  He founded the Marine Mammal Conservancy in 1995, and has given lectures and training to over 5000 members of the public since that time, including members of Congress.

 

 

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SFDI SHARE A BOOK
 

Read any good books lately?  If you have, perhaps you would like to share them with your dive buddies.

Bring a book you would like to share to the monthly meeting. We’ll put it in our “Library” with the following book plate on it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Date)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recommends this book.

 

(Name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They

 

want

it back

 

 

do not want

 

 

 

 

 
         

 

 

If the book hasn’t circulated in 90 days and you don’t want it back, we’ll donate it to Hospice

 

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All Dive Computers are NOT the same.

 

A Feature by Brian Hufford

 

 

 

Almost everyone uses a dive computer to monitor their bottom time.  I can't remember the last time I saw someone use dive tables.  That said, not all computers are the same.  The simplest ones are little more than an underwater watch, while the more complex are “air integrated”, which combine the monitoring of both air and bottom time.  Before computers, all a diver needed was a pressure gauge for air consumption, depth gauge, dive tables, and a watch.  Now the dive computer tells us everything we need to know. 

 

The air integrated models give you an added benefit, they they give you the time remaining based on either the nitrogen loading ( based on depth and time) or air consumption , whichever gives the smallest time remaining.  For instance, if you were to dive to 100' for 20 minutes, you're nitrogen loading would max out, but you're likely to have over 1000#'s in the tank, enough for more diving.  On the other hand, if you dove at 20' like much of the beach diving we do, you'll never max nitrogen loading.  The air integrated models help best when the diving is in the 40'-80' range, where the individual dive profile will dictate air consumption versus nitrogen loading. 

 

Dive computers use math formulas, called algorithms, to calculate remaining bottom time.  Some algorithms are more conservative than others, meaning conservative algorithms give less bottom for the same dive profile.  This can provide the diver with an additional margin of safety.  I have an Oceanic console and a Suunto Viper wrist model.  When I use both at the same time, the Suunto is always more conservative.  Suunto's Mosquito is said to be one of the most conservative dive computers. 

 

When you're looking for a dive computer, think about the benefits and costs of all the models before selecting the one that best fits your diving style.

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LOBSTER LAW CHANGES

 

by Stan Pierce

 

The Florida State FWC is about to adversely change the Lobster catch laws to favor the Trap Fisherman and reduce the sport diver's opportunity to enjoy their sport.

 Chris and I attended the Spiny Lobster Ad Hoc Advisory Board meeting at the Fishing Hall of Fame

Many points were raised but the absolute consensus was the FWCC Ad Hoc Lobster committee is under represented by recreational interests and as such, the commercial harvesters (trappers) currently have free reign to change the rules to ensuring themselves of a stable catch level taken from a dwindling resource.

A few numbers to think about:
- less than 500 trappers make a living from trapping lobsters yet they take 70+% of the resource
- over 130,000 recreational lobster stamps were sold to FL residents last year yet they only account for 20% of the catch
- commercial lobster divers account for 7% and bully netting accounts for the remaining 2-3%

We feel the Spiny Lobster Advisory Board was stacked in favor of the commercial trappers. The board is comprised of 4 commercial trappers, 3 wholesalers, 3 recreational fishers (divers) and 3 NGOs. No dive industry representative was appointed.

The meetings were held State areas, which were not populated with sport divers or dive industry businesses.  

As Divers we are not against a shorter season for all parties. We are not against a larger license fee FOR ALL PARTIES (slotted for enforcement). We welcome any suggestions leading to a sustainable lobster fishery resource.

It is proposed to:
•    Lengthen the season for Commercial Trappers.
•    Require State issue catch tags for Sport Divers
•    Reduce the limit for Sport Divers
•    Put an end to mandatory trap reductions

SAVE YOUR SPORT

 Send in your comments or need additional information go to:
 
http://myfwc.com/marine/workgroups/index.html#Spiny_Lobster

 

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America's Boating Course

 

Hey, we all spend a lot of time on boats. Why not take advantage of the Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron's "America's Boating Course" (ABC) to improve your knowledge of boating skills and safe boating practices. The course is run monthly at no charge. Details can be found at http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/ABC.html. The course is held on the first Monday of every month from 7-9PM and concludes the following Saturday from 9 til 2PM.(lunch provided).  Each person who completes the course receives an ABC text book, an informative CD and a certificate of completion which may help in reducing insurance rates for boat owners. If you are interested in signing up, or finding out more, email the Power Squadron at ABCCourse@aol.com including your name and contact information.

 

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A SAFETY MINUTE

                                                               This Months Feature by Joe Giandinoto

 

Diving is all about safety. After all, the equipment we wear is designed to let us humans go safely into an environment that we otherwise could only stay in for maybe a minute (or seven minutes if you’re a trained free diver).  Following good, safe diving practices and having the right safety gear makes our diving experiences that much more enjoyable.

 

April 2008 Safety Minute