Dive opportunities for DMAV members only!

Christine Shourot has scheduled some diving opportunities reserved for DIVEMASTERS Association members only, starting with a charter boat dive aboard the Bayou Runner in Cape Hatteras, NC  This will be a two-tank wreck dive on the Dixie Arrow and the F.W. Abrams..   The trip is scheduled for July 29, 2001

In March of 1942 the Dixie Arrow was en route from Texas City TX to Paulsboro NJ with a full load of oil.   On the 26th of  March at 9 am, as she steamed past the Diamond Shoal Light Buoy she was struck amidship by 3 torpedoes fired by the U-71.  The first hit destroyed the forward deck house killing all of the deck officers and several other crewmen. The next two torpedoes set the ship ablaze and caused it to buckle amidships. In all 33 souls were lost, and more would have died if not for the heroic efforts of helmsman Oscar G. Chappel, who stayed the helm and went down with the ship, providing the opportunity for many of his mates to abandon ship.  The wreck site is large (450'x75' ), and the tanker sits intact and upright on a hard sand bottom. The bow is still intact and the boilers provide relief.  The marine life is abundant and in the spring it is not unusual to find sand tiger sharks as well as barracuda, grouper, snapper, hog fish, corals and other tropical life aplenty. Bottom temps in the 70's and 80's in the summer and vis ranging from 30 to 100 feet are not unusual.

The F.W. Abrams  was a tanker sunk when it came in contact with a mine on June 11, 1942.  The F. W.  Abrams was being guided through the fog off of Hatteras by the Coast Guard Cutter 484 when she lost sight of her escort and  strayed into an allied minefield and was rocked by explosion.  The captain, erroneously interpreting the mines as torpedoes, tried to take evasive maneuvers, turning instead directly into the thick of the minefield. The ship struck two more mines before she finally sunk. Today both ships lie in about 90 feet of water less than six miles apart.   She sank without any casualties.  Both wrecks are visited by large rough-tail and southern sting-rays, sand tigers, and huge Atlantic barracuda. 
Cost for this trip is only $35.00.

Season Kick-Off Dive on the Gulf Hustler and Hanks on Saturday, June 23, 2001 Aboard the Pro 48 Custom out of
Virginia Beach, and departs 8 a.m..  Dive Club members pay only $30.00 for the day.  There are only 20 spots available. First come first served.  Contact Chris Shourot (826-3945) at Underwater Adventures to sign up for these dives.  Both of these dives are sure to be a fun club activity.

Key Largo Florida, Ocean Reef Club /Atlantis Dive Center  Trip  6/27 - 7/1

Join many of your fellow dive club members on this trip and dive with the Atlantis Dive Center to explore coral reefs and canyons.  Be one of the first divers to dive the Speigal Grove, a 510 foot WWII Landing Ship.  The largest to be sunk for divers ever!  Hotel accommodations for this trip are at the exclusive club community at the Ocean Reef Club.  This trip is definitely going to be a lot of fun.  Contact Christine Shourot at 826-3945 and sign up now.


4 Night Accommodations / 3 Days of 2-Tank boat diving (w/ tanks and weights)
3 Night Accommodations / 2 Days of 2-Tank boat diving (w/ tanks and weights)
VAN Transportation in Florida

4 Night Accommodations $499.00   3 Night Accommodations $389.00

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