Weekend Pics

12-06-2004 11:31 PM

**Jay** · 12-07-2004 07:44 AM

Nice Pics Chip!!

Jay

**MikeH** · 12-07-2004 08:23 AM

That first picture is perfect. Nice silhouette, no particulate in the water, a little bit of the section your in lit up but not so much as to overshadow what's in front of you. Nice job.

Mike

12-07-2004 09:07 AM

Thanks Jay and Mike

The first picture was taken by Ray two weekends ago. I believe it's a picture of John Green. All of the other pictures were taken last Sunday. I just purchased my camera setup last Friday night, so I am just getting use to it. I can hardly believe you can get into a whole 3.3 MP underwater digital camera package for about $500. Let me know if anyone is interested in the details of this camera package

**crazyduck** · 12-07-2004 09:45 AM

Chip,
Do the Manatee act any differntly towards the rebreather with no bubbles verses open circuit divers. Just curious. Great photos.

Andrew

12-07-2004 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by crazyduck

Do the Manatees act any differently towards the rebreather with no bubbles versus open circuit divers?

I was under the impression it is against the law to scuba with manatees, either open circuit or rebreather. Of course, this is just second-hand information I got in the dive shop (in Georgia). Does someone know what the law actually is?

Russell

**MikeH** · 12-07-2004 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Sludge

I was under the impression it is against the law to scuba with manatees, either open circuit or rebreather. Of course, this is just second-hand information I got in the dive shop (in Georgia). Does someone know what the law actually is?

Russell

In Florida, it's illegal to approach the manatees. I think you have to stay at least 20' away. If you are there, and they swim to you...well, that's a different story. Some rangers say you are supposed to swim away, others say just don't touch them if they come up to you.

I think as long as you don't do anything to harm and/or scare them(like chase after them) you won't have any problems.

Mike

12-07-2004 10:30 AM

Andrew … Yes, I have a lot of Manatee approach me on a dive, using the closed circuit rebreather, instead of the open circuit divers who are with me. On a dive, with Bill Bowden last year, I had about three which were all around me as I proceeded down the spring run. Bill had some questions for me after the dive.

12-07-2004 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by MikeH

Originally Posted by Sludge

I was under the impression it is against the law to scuba with manatees, either open circuit or rebreather. Of course, this is just second-hand information I got in the dive shop (in Georgia). Does someone know what the law actually is?

Russell

In Florida, it's illegal to approach the manatees. I think you have to stay at least 20' away. If you are there, and they swim to you...well, that's a different story. Some rangers say you are supposed to swim away, others say just don't touch them if they come up to you.

I think as long as you don't do anything to harm and/or scare them (like chase after them) you won't have any problems.

Mike

At Blue Springs, in Orange City, you have to initial and sign a wavier before you can dive. One of the items that you initial states that you must maintain a distance of at least 50’ (I believe its 50’) between you and a Manatee. This rule is strictly enforced! The Rangers and the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) Officers keep a close on the divers, snorklers and swimmers. They even have web cameras, which they monitor and record.

The fines are very steep and it’s a felony for each offense. I believe it’s a $125 felony if you don’t maintain the distance. We also found out it can be a $125 felony for using a flash to photograph a Manatee. They can charge you with trespassing, revoke your state park pass, take your scuba gear, and ban you from the Florida State Parks for violating the Manatee rules.

These rules are for the Manatee’s protection. They want to discourage the human and Manatee interactions for the Manatee’s safety. This is to help prevent boating accidents. Almost every Manatee which I have seen has propeller scars.

Yes, as Mike said, if they swim up to you, you are supposed to swim away. They swim up into the springs during the winter to stay warm. The springs are like an electric blanket for the Manatee and the Rangers don’t want you to scare them off.

A mother and small baby were present up by the head spring. I dropped down for a rest, by the tree off to the side of the run, and the Manatee started swimming around in front of me. I didn’t make any motions toward the Manatee. I just sat in a kneeling position on the bottom and proceeded to take pictures.

Great questions everyone and thanks for the complements about the pictures! I plan to write a dive report in the near future, where I will go into a little more detail about the dive.

**Neptuno** · 12-07-2004 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by MikeH

In Florida, it's illegal to approach the manatees. I think you have to stay at least 20' away. If you are there, and they swim to you...well, that's a different story. Some rangers say you are supposed to swim away, others say just don't touch them if they come up to you.

I think as long as you don't do anything to harm and/or scare them(like chase after them) you won't have any problems.

Mike

does that mean I can't eat anymore deep fried manatee???

they are so good...

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