I forgot to tell you... I have developed a technique (nothing big but needs to be part of my routine) which allowed recovery of another piece of equipment. This time it was an acoustic recording device. Probably much more valuable than the dive gear recovered a few weeks earlier.
I am learning. When I dropped off two divers with the acoustic recorder I did the MOB thing as mentioned in the previous recovery post. I was then to go away since the water lapping on the boat would add too much background noise for the recording. So, much to my dismay (I feel very responsible for the safety of my divers), I moved the boat well away from the drop zone. Their plan was to place the recorder on the bottom in 30 feet of water. Then surface for 10 minutes, quietly resting. They were to keep an eye on the recorder so as to not lose it. I was watching them and thought their actions bothersome. I returned and received the news that they had lost sight of the recorder. They had been pushed away by the current. I, again, put out the tag line. They held on. I returned to the point I put in the navigation gear and put them right over top of the recorder. Found and recovered.
Now, one would think a simple buoy tied to the recorder would have done the same thing. These folks did think to do that. They got a small buoy and put about 25 feet of line on it. How deep was the recorder?
I feel like I have really helped when I find their lost "stuff".
cz, 2120 12/28/2014
Happy almost 2015, Chuck! Just pretend this is one of those totally random walk-by 518 visits to catch up on pix of your children and grandbaby. Sorry it's been too long and I've not communicated. Don't assume you're not missed or thought of often, you are! In fact, with today's balmy 21 degrees, I'm definitely thinking of your sunny beaches. (But I do have plenty of clean water and an oven that works.) I've enjoyed reading about all your adventures on Broad Key and thank you for sharing them with the rest of us who will never be bold or talented enough to do something like this. I imagine you like a composite of a not-so-old man and the sea and castaway Tom Hanks with his buddy, Wilson. Take care, keep blogging, and know that your WV friends are with you in spirit! Sincerely, Elaine
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