Peacock summer hours?

[stairman]

Yesterday we did a dive late in P1 and didnt get out till 5;30. Glad Janet is gone or I would have gotten a butt chewin, but we got to the gate and the ranger told us divers are suppose to be out of the water at 5pm, but the park doesnt close till 8. She wasent upset with us a bit and thought it was kind of dumb herself. I thing 6pm would be alot easier and maybe the ranger could petition for a change. She just sits and reads a book after the divers leave and very rarely has anyone else come in. Probably a bunch of buerocratic bs to get it changed I reacon.

[Line Squirrel]

All Florida State parks, with very few exceptions, are to close at sunset. Not sure where they get this 8pm stuff.

http://floridastateparks.org/thingst...aq.cfm#general

FAQ:

What are your days and hours of operation?

Most of Florida's state parks are open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset every day of the year. Museums, visitor centers and historic sites may be closed two days per week and their hours may vary. Check the park's webpage for specific information.

*********************
http://floridastateparks.org/peacocksprings/default.cfm

*********************

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/USA/Florida.asp

Sunset was around 8:38pm in Mayo yesterday

[RN]

Contact Kelly Jessop. As president of the NFSA, he would be the best person to talk to regarding this and whether it's even a feasible request.

[Sludge]

Sunset in Luraville is around 8:45 in June and July. Having to be out of the water at 5:00 is ridiculous.

I know, I know, don't make the rangers mad. They might close the park to cave diving.

[stairman]

Well that ranger didnt mind a bit. After looking at my computer this morning I didnt even surface till 5:24, So it was closer to 6 when we pulled out. Maybe Kelly can see about summer hours. Ill even vote for 7pm.

[Sludge]

I admit, the "out of the water by 5pm" is a bee in my bonnet. Several years ago my buddy and I drove to Peacock for a day trip. The plan was to leave Columbus at 9am, drive to Peacock for two dives, and drive home.

When we got there at 1pm we figured we'd make Dive 1 from 2 to 3, have a two-hour surface interval, make Dive 2 from 5 to 6, and be on the road at 7. But when we got out of the water after Dive 1 we were told we couldn't make another dive because of the 5:00 rule. Needless to say, we were perturbed.

When I complained about it the next day on the CDF several people tried to suppress discussion of the rule - "Don't make the rangers mad! We'll lose Peacock altogether!"

[Line Squirrel]

The reason these time limits started was because there wasn't any time limit, you just had to be out of the park by closing.

Divers were getting out of the water just before closing. Then they couldn't just throw their gear in the truck (or car, whatever) and leave, they had to take their sweet time changing then proceed to break everything down and put every piece of gear in their designated storage bin. Rangers were having to close the front gate at the normal closing time so nobody else would get in but then wait for the divers to finish up and then let them out. The rangers were closing 1/2 hour, an hour later than the normal time.

So in reality, we only have ourselves to blame.

But in the height of the summer, ending diving over 3-1/2 hours before the park is supposed to close is ludicrous. The rule, IMHO, should be you must be out of the water approximately 1 hour before closing. I say approximately because actual closing time changes a minute or two daily with the sunset. So round it off into 15 minute blocks or something and post exit times at the iron ranger.

[Cave Diver Wayne]

It sure seams like something could be dicussed with Park as I would love to dive there after work,

[Sludge]

The rule, IMHO, should be you must be out of the water approximately 1 hour before closing.

[Kelly Jessop]

So in reality, we only have ourselves to blame.

I will make some inquiries on this. Realize,this is one of the most abused areas by divers. I have heard numerous stories of divers coming 1 hour before closing,for a "quick dive",and they get out of the water at closing time,but have to doff gear and leave-the whole time the staff is waiting,and they don't get paid overtime,so this is on their own time. Budgets have been cut,and quite a bit of staff has been laid off or a hiring freeze through out state parks,and am amazed at the job they do with the limited resources. Next time your at the park,thank the rangers for the job they do,all of us deserve some appreciation,and that can go miles toward resolving issues like this. (I recall a study I read,that among employees in all jobs,appreciation was #1,and pay was #2)