A Deep Blue Dive Center's
Trash Splash 2010
Click Here for pictures of the
Sep. 18, 2010 event
KEY COLONY BEACH, Florida Keys - A Deep Blue Dive Center, Key Colony Beach, participated in Ocean Conservancy's 25th Anniversary International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 18.
The dive shop has been participating in underwater cleanups with Ocean Conservancy, Project Aware and World Ocean Day since the owner Jeff Neidlinger took over in 2003. The project was prompted by a potentially dangerous incident during a dive on the Thunderbolt Wreck -- a diver's regulator was ripped out of her mouth because it became entangled in monofilament line.
Saturday, the weather conditions were less than desirable with winds blowing 15 to 20 knots. High seas, 4 to 6 feet, scared away six of the confirmed 15 divers set to volunteer for the cleanup. Nonetheless, A Deep Blue Dive's Boat "Tortuga" left dock with nine dive professionals determined to get the job done.
“Years past proved to be detrimental to fish, crabs and other sea animals,” Neidlinger said. “We have worked to free those still living with hopes they could recover. And we hope by retrieving miles of monofilament from the wreck each year will help preserve the sea life that makes the wreck their habitat. Not only that, but we hope we are creating a better recreational dive to our residents and visitors … one that not only looks better, but is also safer.”
The Thunderbolt, nicknamed the T-bolt, was scuttled March 6, 1986 as part of the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association project. The T-bolt was originally named the USS Randolph and was used by the Army in World War II to plant and tend defensive minefields. In 1949, she was transferred to the Navy but was never commissioned. After 1961, Florida Power and Light bought her for research on the electrical energy in lightening strikes -- hence her name, Thunderbolt. FP&L donated the vessel to the Florida Keys Artificial Reef Association. Her 189-foot hull now sits upright in 120 feet of water with the super structure beginning at 80 feet. Ocean Conservancy's 25th Anniversary of International Coastal Clean up is this Saturday, September 25, you may search for a clean up near you at www.oceanconservancy.org.
It is very important to A Deep Blue Dive Center to protect and conserve the resources the Ocean provides to us. Those interested in volunteering for future cleanup and preservation endeavors can e-mail adeepbluedive@aol.com.
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