Interesting conversation at Manatee (with a new Ranger)

[jeandiver]

As Fred and I were picking up our cards this afternoon at Manatee , there was a ranger at the desk I had never seen before , and she said she was NEW there. She was VERY inquisitive about our dive. We told here our exact route. She said she was new at Manatee (along with a new Park Manager) and was asking questions to get more knowledge. Then the big question from the ranger: "Did you use scooters?" We said , no. She said "Good , because you can't use scooters here ! ". I said , "Well , I thought they were allowed". She said , "No , it's always been NO SCOOTERS".

Note: I have never scootered at Manatee btw.
I have seen cavers use scooters in there. Mostly launching from Catfish etc.

I can't remember her name (on the name tag)

But she was certainly trying to make an impression on Fred and myself. We said "thank you" and left.

Did the rules change there? Maybe they always have NOT BEEN allowed there and I just didn't know it.

Just thought everyone should know.
Maybe it's always been "no scooters" at Manatee, and I was just misinformed. And our course , we were very nice to her to AVOID raising ANY feathers etc.

Thanks again!
Jean

[ScubaSteveL]

I used one there a month or so ago and didn't have any problems with the rangers. As far as I know, they are allowed.

[mdax]

She must be confused, we've used scooters the last handful of times diving there and it was allowed. Seems important for someone to correct her thinking at some point before she causes issues for someone...hopefully no rules have changed.

[the dude]

I dive manatee a lot, and it's common to see scooter teams doing huge push dives, with multiple scooters per team member. if the rules have changed, or if scooters were never allowed, no one checks. It's more likely that the new staff is misinformed. I've been told that I couldn't carry lights by new staff members, when signing in with a full cave card to dive Friedman. As annoying as this is, it takes some time for the new staff to be educated.

[PfcAJ]

I once had a ranger open the gate and allow me to drive my truck up to waters edge to load my scooters. It was close to closing time and they wanted to go home a little early. I think (hope...) this new employee is just a bit misinformed.

[Kelly Jessop]

The cave diving rules and multiple agencies are quite confusing to them. It is good you don't argue,but try your best to educate. There is a common thought that scooters cause cave damage,where this erroneous,it lingers;but there is a possibility a future management plan for Manatee has no scooters in it.

[gasdiver]

Do you this ranger transferred in from some place where scooters are not allowed and just assumes the rules are the same everywhere?

[John L.]

The way the flow is there, you won't get too far in there without one!

[mdax]

Seems that someone who is currently communicating to them could try and get them to allow certified scooter divers. Is anyone here currently talking to the admins there? Are you stressing the removal of scootering, certification or allowing them?

[Ben M]

anyone have a link to the current rules?