Breaking News

Posted 5:43 PM by Rob Falk

Get Your Raffle Tickets Here!

President Todd Randall says, "This fund raiser is a key event to help offset banquet costs to the members and also to raise enough money to really have an awesome banquet with quality door prizes, raffle prizes and other giveaways."

Tickets are available online here for $25.75 each, plus 30¢ per order. We have added a 75¢ per ticket and 30¢ per order fee which just covers our PayPal expense in offering this to you. Todd Randall will scan and email your numbered ticket to you. Your ticket will be entered and we will keep track of your entry for you. If you come to the drawing, we will have your ticket available for you. You do not need to be at the drawing to win. Details on prize delivery/pick up to follow. Keep your eyes on the Breaking News section for updates!

Posted 12:54 PM by Rob Falk

Please join the North Shore Frogmen on the shore of White Beach, Manchester, MA as we welcome back the United States Coast Guard for the second year.

The USCG Jay Hawk helicopter will be performing a simulated at sea rescue by deploying a Rescue Swimmer and demonstrating the various techniques involved with an air rescue mission. The search and rescue demonstration show cases the incredible talent and discipline of our brave men and women in uniform serving the USCG.

The Cape Cod Air Station will start the demonstration at 6:00pm and will work in conjunction with USCG support vessels from Station Gloucester. This is not only a great chance to see a rescue live, its also a chance to see the protocol involved should any of us ever need a rescue at sea.


There will be hot dogs , hamburgers and soda available on the beach for a small donation.

There will be an underwater navigation contest starting at 4:00pm.

1st prize: Free Dues for 2010 & 2 tickets to the Presidents Banquet
2nd prize: 2 tickets to the Presidents Banquet
3rd prize: Free Dues for 2010.
Also a few extra items for raffle.

The MA Environmental Police will be on the beach discussing new laws / ordinances, etc. pertaining to divers in Massachusetts from 4:30pm to 5:15pm.

Posted 2:02 PM by Rob Falk

Bobby Boyle's Undersea Divers PRE – SEASON SALE MAY 16-17, 2009

UNDERSEA DIVERS
42 Water St. Beverly, MA 01915
978-927-9551 www.underseadivers.com

PRE – SEASON SALE MAY 16-17, 2009

Saturday 10-5
Sunday 10-3

Get Here Early For The Best Deals In New And Used Equipment
Rental Equipment Sale

Prices Start At

Wetsuits $25.00
BCD’s $125.00
Masks $15.00
Fins $15.00
Hoods,Boots, Mitts $15.00

CLOSE-OUTS 50% OFF
Wetsuits BCDs
Hoods Gloves
Masks Fins
Boots Skins
Undergarments
Accessories


2009 Regulator and BCD Special

Buy a new Aqualung or Apex regulator and receive:

*Free parts for life
*Free labor for life

Buy a new Seaquest BCD and receive:

*Free labor for life
*For original owner only. Must be serviced annually.

AIR CARD SPECIAL!

60 FILL CARD $240
That’s 4 bucks a fill! No expiration date. Two days only.
(Cash or check only)

TANK SPECIALS

Aluminum 80s $235.00
Steel 80s $375.00
Steel 100s $410.00
*Buy a new tank and receive free VIPs for life!
*For original owner only. Must be serviced annually.

DIVE COMPUTER SPECIAL

*Buy a new Suunto dive computer and receive free battery change for life
*For original owner only. Must be serviced annually.

New 2009 Equipment

20% OFF SELECTED ITEMS

Masks Snorkels
Fins Equipment Bags
Lights Combo Gauges
Wetsuits Boots Gloves
Hoods Accessories

Rental Discount Card $39.95

Rent at ½ Price
Lifetime Card
We keep the card on file


DIVE TRAVEL WITH UNDERSEA DIVERS

Posted 2:05 PM by Rob Falk

Raffle Prizes This Thursday's Stan Waterman Symposium

Emerson Inn by the Sea
Cathedral Ledge
Rockport, MA
(2) One Night Stays
Absolutely beautiful inn located just steps from diving Cathedral Rocks.
www.emersoninnbythesea.com

Captains Bounty Hotel
Front Beach
Rockport, MA
(2) One Night Stays
Fantastic ocean front rooms just steps from diving Front Beach
www.captainsbountymotorinn.com

Sea Life Underwater Digital Camera
Undersea Divers
Beverly, MA
Brand new point and shoot digital underwater camera
www.underseadivers.com

Lobsta Land Resteraunt
Gloucester, MA
$25.00 gift certificate
Great place to eat after diving Cape Ann
www.lobstalandresteraunt.com

George's Café
Gloucester, MA
Breakfast for 2
Arguably the best breakfast on the North Shore. Great place to eat before diving Cape Ann

Creations by Dugie
Beverly, MA
A one of a kind beautifully hand crafted cribbage board made from wood and Paul Revere nails recovered off the wreck of the USS New Hampshire
www.creationsbydugie.com

Danvers Hardware
Danvers, MA
$35.00 underwater “wrex-cavating” set
2 lb. hammer, long cold chisel, artifact bag great for excavating underwater wrecks
www.danvershardware.com

Easy-Diver Dive Charters
Gloucester, MA
(1) 2-tank dive charter
Great location from Cape Ann Marina / short ride to many nice spots
www.easy-diver.com

North Shore Frogmen
Beverly, MA
(2) Paid memberships for remainder of 2009 and 2010
www.northshorefrogmen.com

New England Aquarium
Boston, MA
(1) Pair of tickets to the Aquarium Exhibit
If you have not been for a while there’s a lot of new features
www.neaq.org

Diver Dave Scuba
(1) Nitrox Course
Great opportunity to get your Nitrox Certification
www.diverdavescuba.com

Tasty Foods
Peabody, MA
$25.00 Gift Certificate
Great place for home cooked style meals
www.tastyfoodspeabody.com

Royal Roast Beef
East Boston, MA
$20.00 Gift Certificate
A long time favorite and staple of E. Boston

Posted 5:00 AM by Rob Falk

Latest Patrick Tax Plan Takes Double Toll on Massachusetts Divers

BOSTON (Reuters) A little noticed provision in Governor Deval Patrick’s overhaul of the Massachusetts tax code, in his attempt to solve the increasingly complex maze of problems confronting the state's aging and debt-ridden transportation system, may result in a drastic increase in the fees that SCUBA divers pay to fill their oxygen tanks.

Independent consultants who have reviewed Patrick’s proposed 19¢ per gallon gas tax increase have noted that the new levy is on all gasses, including oxygen and compressed air. Not yet resolved is an ambiguity in the law regarding whether the tax on air will be assessed at atmospheric or working pressure, which could result in an unpleasant surprise at the fill station for many local divers.

The actual internal volume of a typical scuba cylinder is a mere four-tenths of a cubic foot, but it rises to 80 cubic feet at 3,000 pounds per square inch, the optimal pressure for a freshly filled tank according to a spokesman for the Dive Equipment Manufacturer’s Association. “Since there are roughly seven and one half gallons in a cubic foot,” according to Andover High School physics teacher and avid diver David Duncan, “how we measure the fill will have a huge impact on the expense.” Duncan ran a set of calculations for the Globe showing that at “sea level” as dive enthusiasts refer to “atmospheric pressure,” the tax on an oxygen “fill” would amount to approximately 57¢, but that at “working pressure” the fee skyrocketed to an astounding $113. Scratching his head, Duncan mused, “That can’t be right.”

The Patrick administration was mum on how the law would be interpreted, but State House insiders hinted that some compromise between the high and low figures might be appropriate. Noting that Democrats were also discussing a so-called “sin tax” on beer and alcoholic beverages, one capitol hill lawmaker associated with the Massachusetts Lobsterman’s Association pointed out that “them divers get a buzz off all that nitrogen in their tanks, and they should pay for that too… and stop stealing our lobsters.”

Captain Fred Calhoun, a noted scuba instructor, lecturer and author was emphatic: “All the more reason to dry fill your tank! Wet filling is dangerous and bad for your tank and now, it can even cost you extra tax money!” Local diver Rube Welkin was quick to differ, griping that it looked like the tax would be levied on a 3,000 pound fill, but “even though we paid for 3,000, when we get to the beach it’s a lousy 2,750. Typical!”