At Frodl's Underwater Adventure we strive to bring you all the local information about diving in the Napoleon area. These series of articles have all been published in the Northwest Signal. The voice of Napoleon , Ohio.

Article Number 1

Scuba Diving- an activity not typically associated with NW Ohio, that is unless you are a scuba diver ! Our little corner of Ohio, is home to 4 dive sites that draw thousands divers from 5 states as well as Canada every year. I am speaking of Portage Quarry, White Star Quarry, Gilboa Quarry and Lake Erie. Also many of you may remember a dive shop was located here in Napoleon for many years. This shop, over the years introduced many to the exploration of what is waiting for discovery underwater.

Please allow me to introduce my self, my name is Vince Frodl, and I am a resident of Napoleon. I am a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, working with New Wave Dive Center in Port Clinton , Ohio. I am one of many divers that learned how to Scuba Dive from that shop many years ago here in Napoleon, I received my Open Water Certification from Norman Demmel. From the first time in class, that I donned a set scuba gear, and was able to breathe underwater in the Napoleon High School swimming pool, I have enjoyed the sport of scuba diving and hope to share my enthusiasm for scuba diving here in Northwest Ohio.

Portage Quarry, just south of Bowling green, is a family oriented park with it?s swimming area and the underwater silo, White Star Quarry is a county park located just south of Gibsonburg Ohio. with it?s nice swimming beach and it?s spiral staircase in the crusher room, to Gilboa Quarry, which is just outside of Gilboa, Ohio, to it?s deep end ( 130 feet) that pushes the limits of the recreational divers maximum depths. Lake Erie, last but not least , with it?s formerly murky depths have been cleansed by the invasive species , the Zebra muscles. The muscles existence came with a ride in the ballast waters of a ship some 20 odd years ago., and now the unseen ship wrecks that are scattered within the lake waters are seeing sunlight filtering thru Lake Erie waters with it?s 30 feet visibility . NW Ohio, is a Midwest divers underwater playground. and yes even the Maumee River is ?divable.? The sport of diving, has changed much since I first learned back in 1981, with advances in equipment and training technique, it is no longer for hardy adventuress. It is now a safe and fun family sport. From ages 8 to 80 families enjoy bottom time together. Over the next several weeks, I would like to introduce you to the sport I enjoy, and the various dives sites here in Ohio and beyond. 

Published in Northwest Signal 2/14/07

Article # 2

    A wise man once said, ? Nothing stays the same ,
like change?, or maybe it was lyrics from a song done
by Van Haylan. At any rate it definitely is the case
when it comes to Scuba Diving. In this column I will
try to dispel some myths when it comes to scuba
diving, and address the changes and new developments.
I am speaking of the PADI training association. PADI
is an acronym for Professional Association of Diving
Instructors. Although there are numerous training
organizations, my professional training is with PADI.
     Back in the day, BC & I ( before computers and
internet), when I took the Open Water Course, it was a
6 week course , twice a week for 2 hours.
     This brings us to Myth # 1.. It takes a lot of
time to become a scuba diver.  Today, independent home
study and flexibility of PADI?s system, make it both
convenient and accommodating busy lifestyles.  With
the Dive Today program, you can be in the water
starting the first day. There are other programs that
are designed to fit your needs.
     Beginning mid 2007, E-Learning will enable
consumers to take the PADI Open Water knowledge
development course work online! When all knowledge
development segments are successfully completed, the
consumer will receive an eReferral. This eRefferal
will then be taken to a dive center to complete a
final assessment , confined water and open water
dives. Full details will be announced through PADI.
Please watch for this exciting new program at www.padi.com

    Myth # 2 .. It is expensive to become a scuba
diver. While there are some training costs, your first
equipment needs will be a Mask, Snorkel and Fins. As
you become a diver, equipment can be rented through a
dive center of your choice or at the dive location.
Progressively, you can purchase your equipment as you
desire until you have your full compliment of gear.
Myth # 3..Scuba diving is serious and dangerous.
Safety is an important aspect of diving. Safe diving
is taught and stressed at all training levels. This is
one of the reasons diving is safe for the entire
family. Yes, there are risks , as there are in other
sports, as there is in other aspects of every day
life. The training that you receive covers all the
safety rules and all the skills to dive safely. Couple
the state of the art training that you will receive,
with the advances in equipment, you have a safe and
fun sport for the whole family.
Myth # 4.. You have to be a young macho athlete to
scuba dive.  NO, NOT CORRECT ! There are programs for
children?s study at age 8 yrs of age. The PADI Seal
Team and Bubble Maker programs start the youngster
start the youngster diving in confined water ( the
pool ), where they learn to dive safely and have fun.
There is no upper age limit, as long as the person is
reasonably fit,  people are diving well into there
80?s. Yes there is a swimming requirement, but it is
well within the stroke of the average fitness level.
Handicapped individuals have the opportunity with
today?s equipment and training to enjoy the sport of
scuba diving.
    I hope this gives you the reader, the idea that
diving is a safe, fun sport, that can be enjoyed by
people of all ages, and dispels any myths you may
have. I will be happy to answer any questions you may
have, you may direct any questions to the editor of
this paper, or by contacting me direcly through my
email address, vfrodl@yahoo.com.  

Published 3/2/07

Article # 3

   Scuba and The Sportsman


"Hey Vince, I'm a sportsman, how might scuba diving
appeal to me?"
As a hunter and angler, this may have crossed your
mind also. This is to address how diving might relate
to hunters, trappers and anglers.
When you enter the aquatic realm, it is as if you are
in an alternate universe. You are in "their world",
the world of fish and marine mammals. You as a human
have the disadvantage. You have limited time, you have
limited mobility, and you have limited depth and
sight. You are a visitor.
What better way to see how the other half lives. The
fish you seek to catch. See how he interacts in his
world, where he lives. See what he sees. If you dive a
reef in Lake Erie, you may observe the smallmouth in
his lair. Maybe he has a nice little cubby hole in
between the riffraff he lives in. Fish are not as
skittish when a human is in their midst, you may be
able to observe them if you move slowly.
You may be able to pick up some lures. Lures that have
been snagged or lost by other anglers or maybe an
anchor that has broke free from its restraints.
A company is marketing an underwater fishing pole,
http://scubastik.com/     All fishing regulations apply
just as they would at the surface. Your license must
be on your person just as it would on the surface.
Hunters', yes diving has meaning for you also. Imagine
"hunting" for 20 # carp with a spear gun. This is
spear fishing. In Ohio, just rough fish may be hunted
this way .However, In South Dakota for example, you
can take your daily limit of walleye by spear fishing.
Check your local regulations as always.
Trappers may benefit also. In a reasonably clear
beaver or muskrat pond or lake, you may observe the
runs of muskrat or beaver to gain a better
understanding of how they live.
In conclusion, I feel there are numerous opportunities
for the angler or hunter to enjoy your outdoor sport.
You will be enjoying your sport in a new environment,
underwater.


Vincent A Frodl

Published 3/24/07

Article # 4

                            Aqua Mission Possible 
                          Children and Scuba Diving

Your Aqua Mission, if you choose to accept it, will
be to dive on the once mighty ship the S.S. Goldfish.
Determine what  sank this once proud ship, document
your findings, and recover the jewels that were in the
safe.
This  wreck diving takes place in a swimming pool! It
is one aqua mission in PADI?s Seal Team Program.
Children participate in aqua missions that take place
in a confined water environment.  (  swimming pool)
In aqua missions 1 through 5, kids learn the basics of
scuba diving safely.  After completion, they are
awarded a PADI Seal Team card, and a wall certificate
recognizing the accomplishment of the youngster. At
that time they  can go on to complete 10 more aqua
missions, to receive a Master Seal Team Member
Certification.
The wreck specialist is one of those. Also there are
environmental specialists ,safety specialist,
navigation specialist and others. The aqua missions
consist of a briefing, skills session, and a game or
activity for the youngster. Kids have a lot of fun in
this program, while learning in a structured
environment. They develop new skills while learning
about the aquatic realm.
Parents, how about a outdoor activity  that you can
introduce your child to that they can enjoy their
entire life? They can start at age 8 - 10. While
soccer, football, baseball are fun, how many adults
are still actively playing? Some are, but Scuba Diving
can be enjoyed your entire life. It?s an educational,
physical activity that helps teach responsibility and
is non competitive, and a lot of fun.


Vincent Frodl
DiveMaster

Published 4/14/07

#5

               PreSeason Dive Preparation
Just like pre season scouting is important when you
are hunting, pre season preparedness
is also very important for scuba diving. In this
column I will review the preseason preparations that
will insure you and your equipment are ready for the
upcoming season. I will categorize the areas to be
discussed into 3 groups. equipment, physical and
mental.
The first group is your equipment: Dive equipment is
generally very durable and will last for many years,
however your equipment must be properly cared for and
maintained. If you are not one of those divers that
dive year round, and there are those that dive all
winter, then part of the care and maintenance, is that
everything was rinsed in fresh water at the end of
last season, dried thoroughly and stored properly.
Regulators will need yearly service at your local dive
shop or with local dive professional. This is an
important step in diver safety. Technicians will clean
and replace the valve seats and O rings, inspect and
adjust the regulator if needed. This is the equipment
that allows the diver to breathe underwater, which is
why yearly maintenance is vital.
The BC,(buoyancy compensator) should be inspected for
any rips or tears, while making sure that the dump
valves and inflator valves are working correctly.
Buckles and straps need to be checked for cracks or
rips due to stress. Tanks will also need a visual
inspection annually so they may be filled, this can be
done at your local dive center. Masks, fins and
snorkels need to be inspected for cracks,, rips and
tears, or weak straps. Check the snorkel keeper and
replace if needed. Your wetsuit zippers may need lubed
, also inspect for rips and tears. You may even want
to clean your wetsuit, utilizing wet suit shampoo. The
key point is to have the required service done on you
critical components, regulator and tanks, making sure
you check all other equipment at this time also.
Physical conditioning is also important; while you
don?t have to be an athlete this condition will help
you enjoy diving more. Swimming at the open pool
sessions at your local facility will help you gain the
needed conditioning. Walking, jogging and some weight
training will help also. The point here is that any
preseason conditioning will help you in many ways.
Finally there is mental preparedness! If you haven?t
been diving since last Sept. or Oct. you skills may
have become rusty. Some Dive centers have access to a
swimming pool and offer a pool night to practice your
skills and brush up on what is needed .If there are no
pool sessions planned in your area, don?t worry. I
would recommend that your first day of diving be a
skill practice session. This will allow you to
practice those skills that have not been used since
last season. A refresher course is advised for those
that have not been diving in over a year. Your dive
professional can help you with the refresher course
and skill practice. I am currently trying to set up a
pool practice session in the Napoleon area, if anyone
would be interested. The key point on the skills is
keep those skills needed refreshed.
One last note: Many of you may have read about the
tragic accident that recently took place at Gilboa
Quarry. This is a sad note to be sure, and my prayers
and condolences go out to the family of those divers
we have lost. While I don?t know the facts of this
accident, please don?t let this frighten you from
scuba diving, it is still a very safe and enjoyable
sport. With the large numbers of divers and dives that
take place today, events like that which happened at
the quarry are rare within the diving community. While
accidents can and do happen, preseason preparations
will allow you to dive in a safe manner, and enjoy the
underwater world. Any questions on equipment
preparation or skill development can be directed to my
email vfrodl@yahoo.com

Vincent A Frodl  5/5/07

Article # 6

Dive Safety and D.A.N.

This column is related to my last column on
pre-season preparedness. It is also about dive safety
and an organization that was founded to provide dive
medical assistance and advice throughout the world
,this organization is, Divers Alert Network - also
known as  D.A.N.

               I wish to relate to you my first dive
of the season. The Bay Area Dive Club hosted an Early
Bird Dive at Whitestar Quarry in Gibsonburg, Ohio this
past May 5th. The day was cloudy ,windy and about 60
degrees. There were about half dozen club members
there to take part in the early bird dive, as well as
some other divers. Most divers had dry suits, ( I will
have a future column about these suits vs. wet suits)
but my dive buddy and I had wet suits. I can say it
was a good start to the dive season, despite the fact
that is was around 44 degrees  at a depth of 43 feet.
And a surface temp. of about 50 degrees. A 22 minute
cold water dive was completed, visibility was about
25-30 feet. After a 22 min dive in 42 to 50 degree
water, a person is ready to get out and dry off! Much
thanks to Bay Area Divers for having this early bird
dive. A nice lunch was provided for all after the
dive.

As a follow up to my pre-season preparedness column,
I would like to highlight D.A.N. , Divers Alert
Network, is a 501c3 non profit organization. D.A.N is
the most trusted and well known organization worldwide
in the field of emergency services for divers and
diver safety. They are leaders in dive safety research
and diver health and education. D.A.N, based in
Durham, NC, has contributed greatly to dive safety by
conducting research in all medical aspects of diving
using  a hyperbaric chamber at Duke University. D.A.N.
is  also the leading provider of dive accident
insurance for divers. This is a very  important
service that D.A.N. provides. For instance, if a diver
is involved in a dive accident, the cost  for
treatment in a recompression chamber is very high.
D.A.N. covers this cost and gives the diver peace of
mind that they will be given treatment. As a member of
DAN, you can call and ask for advice on any dive
related medical problem. DAN maintains an emergency
phone hot line that is staffed 24/7 for emergency
assistance. D.A.N. is an important part of diver
safety and I urge every diver to become a member of
DAN.  Look at www.dan.org    for more information and to
become a member.

Thank you,

Vince Frodl
5/12/07

Article # 7

Where to Dive

My last two columns have been about dive safety and pre season dive preparedness. Now that you are prepared, ?Where can I go to dive?? .My very first column I discussed where to go to blow some bubbles, and in the next few columns, I would like to feature each one. The first one is White Star Quarry. www.whitestarquarry.com This quarry is located in the town of Gibsonburg, Ohio, in Sandusky County. It is great fun for the entire family, and has fishing within the lake, Non powered boats are allowed on White Star quarry Daily rates in 2007 Are: Ages 2 years and under free, ages 3- 12 are $2.00, and ages 13 and up are $3.00 per day. With Season Passes Available. The beach house includes changing rooms and a concession stand. Bottles, cans and inflatable devices are prohibited in the beach area. Swim area depth is from 0? ? 15?. The area is roped off with protection markers. White Star Campground is across from the park?s main entrance and has 24 ?primitive? site (no hookup for water or electric) at $10 per site per night. and 24 Improved Sites (water and electric) at $20 per night. There is a dump station near the entrance at $5 per dump. You are allowed 2 vehicles and two tents per site with a maximum of 4 adults. The fee is payable by an envelope system similar to the diving side. The Campground is open April 1 ? December 31 and each site includes a table and a fire ring. In 2007 additional sites with electric and water have been made available at an additional charge. Questions may be answered by calling; (419) 637 - DIVE (3483)) At both the dive site and the campground, the facilities are primitive and kept clean. There are no showers and sinks in the area (not even in the campground) and the gas stations in the nearby town do not have public facilities as well. It is part of the Sandusky County Park system and has been a very popular dive site for many years. This year however, some exciting changes have come about at White Star. The county was on the verge of closing down the dive concession at the park, due to money constraints and operations costs, Rich Synowiec, of Divers Incorporated , Ann Arbor MI, www.diversinc.com agreed to operate the Dive Concession at the park. Diver?s Incorporated, is in their 21st. Year of operation as a PADI Dive Center As Michigan?s first PADI National Geographic Dive Center they are committed to the Adventure, Conservation and Exploration of the Underwater World. As a PADI Five-Star Instructor Development Center they teach exclusively through the PADI System of Diver Education which is quite literally "the way the world learns to dive." White Star Quarry is a 15 acre man made lake with an average depth of 40? with the center of the quarry approaching 50 Feet. There are two ?holes,? one near the wall close to the main diving entrance and the other at the bottom of a stone crusher room that are 60? and 80? respectively. There are three training platforms, a shore entry area, a deep water entry area, and numerous features for divers to explore such as a spiral staircase within the crusher room that is quite popular. Various boats, a car, motorcycle, a stoplight and phone booth are all on the bottom of the quarry. New things are being planned to be added. The cost of diving is $10 per day per diver. You need to fill out a diving form (a yellow envelope) and drop it in a special payment slot with your money for each day that you dive. You must have exact change or you can write a check. There are two pavilions that have the forms and the information about registering posted near the diving sites. On most weekends, Divers Incorporated - White Star operates a scuba concession where you can pay by check or credit card if you need to.The scuba concession is planning on offering Enriched Air Nitrox fills on site (June 2007) and they are planning on sinking a few more underwater sights and platforms. It was recently announced that permits are now available for those with the proper certification to dive the Tunnel. Permits are available for weekends. Plans for having activities for divers similar to what other quarries have done in the past are also forthcoming. They are planning on offering some weekends of winter diving and ice diving as well. So pack a picnic basket, your swim suits, and or dive gear, spend some family time at Whitstar. While you are there, wander over to the far side of the quarry, speak to the staff at the concession who will be more than happy to discuss Scuba with you. Heck who knows what your sense of adventure will bring. You might just find yourself signed up for a discover scuba class!

Vincent A. Frodl

DiveMaster

Article # 8

Where to Dive

I would like to continue my ?Where to Dive? series, with the Portage Quarry Recreation Club. In 1978, local dive instructor Jeff Rice took over a 50-acre property surrounding the lake and developed the Portage Quarry Recreation Club. For 25 years the multipurpose facility has been a favorite for scuba training and recreational diving, as well as swimming, camping and summer activities Portage was originally excavated as a limestone quarry. In this case, mining began in the 1940s to provide concrete and gravel for road building in northwestern Ohio. The quarry, was closed in 1962 because the stone wasn?t hard enough for use in constructing Interstate 75. Natural springs caused the 70-foot-deep (21-m) hole to flood, creating a 23-acre lake. The Quarry is located in Portage Ohio, just one mile south of Bowling Green in Northwest Ohio on Rt 25, on the west side of the road. Portage is the closest site for those of us in Napoleon. Portage Quarry Recreation Club is a complete recreation facility that caters to the Scuba diver enthusiast. The Scuba diver will experience some of the best recreational diving in Ohio with clear water visibility, wreck diving, and plenty of fish. The Scuba dive shop includes tank rentals, nitrox fills, equipment, and PADI instruction. Portage Quarry is a certified PADI resort. One of the unique underwater attractions at Portage is the silo, a remnant of quarry operations. Just off the north shore near the swimming area, it was once filled with concrete powder; now it rises from the quarry floor at 55 feet (17 m) to within 20 feet of the surface. Snorkelers? get a good view of the gently sloping roof, which is often used by instructors as a training platform. As with other quarries redeveloped for scuba diving, the lake at Portage Quarry Recreation Club contains a number of man-made underwater features. Several boats, a small plane, a motorcycle, a phone booth, old cars, a school bus, a semi-cab and a large tractor-trailer lie scattered at various depths around the bottom. Unlike most quarries, however, Portage is equipped with underwater navigation aids for finding features. The newest addition is a HANSA 54-foot jet The jet is in 50 feet of water with the tail assembly starting at the 30-foot level. ?We have welcomed area rescue teams to hold training at the quarry,? said Portage Quarry owner Jeff Rice. ?This will raise the bar in training and provide an artificial reef for fish and recreational divers.? In the summer, the Portage Quarry Recreation Club is home to two music traditions, a music Blowout the first weekend of July and the annual Sledge Fest. Also on the schedule is a Divers Alert Network (DAN) Barbeque, July 21 & 22, which is sponsored in part by New Wave Dive Shop in Port Clinton Ohio, Thousands of dollars worth of prizes are given away that weekend and a fun time is had by all. The Advanced Aquatics Steak Roast will be held July 28 and 29. Legends Festival, Friday, August 10,Saturday, August 11 & Sunday, August 12, is in its 2nd year at the quarry. Once again an attempt to break the world record for divers in one location will take place. The current record is held in the Maldives. In the inaugural Legends of Diving Festival, an attempt to break that record took place. Although that record was not broke, a record was attained for Ohio. 303 divers in one location for a single dive. 17 states were represented,3 providences of Canada , Mexico and Japan all participated. Set your calendar for August 11, 2007 to be a part of this record-setting dive attempt. Zale Parry, arguably the most famous scuba diver in the world today, will appear with others in the Second Annual Legends of Diving Festival August 10-12 at the Portage Quarry Recreation Club. As a complement to the appearance of Zale Parry of Sea Hunt, Alec Peirce returns with an assortment of memorabilia from the famous TV show. Sam Miller, whose take on scuba history was a crowd pleaser in 2006, will make a second appearance and speak about early equipment with the beginning of dive certifications. Divers States Represented Countries Represented For the recreation enthusiast, there are camp sites, swimming with combed sand beach, sand volleyball, and hydro bikes for rent. They are also close to the Slippery Elm Trail which provides a relaxing opportunity for leisurely walking, jogging, biking, or rollerblading. The Slippery Elm trail passes by about a mile from the club. This former railway bed has been transformed into a 13.5-mile (22-km) asphalt jogging/bicycling path that winds through the rural Ohio countryside. In conclusion, you can see there are many exciting events taking place out at Portage Quarry. I would especially like to invite everyone to attend the DAN BBQ, which as we all know D.A.N is a worthwhile organization. Proceeds that go to DAN, help them continue their invaluable work for divers and non divers alike, so please help support D.A.N. The cost of the BBQ is nominal but well worth it for a full day of fun and good food. You can view www.portagequarry.com for more info, call Jeff or one of his staff at (419) 352-9203 . Hope to see you there !!

As a side note, I, Vince Frodl have recently received my certification in the PADI Open Water Scuba Instruction. Watch for future offerings of scuba courses in the area in the near future. Interested parties may contact me at my email

Vincent Frodl

Open Water Scuba Instructor

6/14/07

Article #9

Gilboa Quarry A Muti -Level Training Facility

Next in my journey of ?Where to Dive? is Gilboa Quarry. Back in the 80?s when I was friends of the former owner, we were the first to dive this quarry when it was half full. Now it has become one of the premier deep quarries in the region, it is a great location for diving and dive training. Gilboa Quarry is located in Northwest Ohio. Purchased by local resident Dan Diller in 1990, it occupies 14 acres of a 25-acre wooded parcel bordered by a historic millstream There are wooded campgrounds encompassing over half of the quarry's perimeter. Located about two hours south of Toledo or north of Dayton, the main access is via Interstate 75. Take I-75 exit #159 (St. Rt. 224 at Findlay, Ohio.) Go west on 224 approx. 15 miles to Gilboa, Ohio. Turn left at the "COW" and go to the stop sign. Turn right on old route 224 (Main Street) and go approx. 1 mile to Gilboa Stone Quarry ( on left ) The key to Gilboa's popularity is its status as the deepest quarry in the Midwest, plus innovative improvements to facilitate everything from basic Open Water through specialty courses for recreational divers, as well as highly technical commercial and rescue training. bottoming out at 137 feet, it pushes the limits of recreational diving. To dive this area, a dive plan has to have been filed with the Gilboa's on-deck dive supervisor. A Platform has been placed below the Deep Docks. Four submerged blue barrels float the dock just out from the entry steps. The depth of the platform is approx 70 ft. Yes, it is cold and dark year round! However divers with the proper training, love to explore it?s chilly depths. the late-summer water temperature reaches into the mid-70s at the surface, but declines rapidly with depth. At the bottom the water remains around 40 degrees year-round. Visibility ranges from as low as 5 feet during the summer algae blooms to 80 feet in May and October. The shallow half of the guarry is around 65 feet. For the normal recreational diver, this is where most go. It is full of popular attractions On May 18, 2007, they sank the large Sikorsky helicopter that you've seen when you arrive into the parking area! This is one of the largest helicopters of it's kind. An unusual underwater feature is the tethered diving bell, from which a semi trailer is suspended at 80 feet. While most of the students are recreational divers, the site is frequently utilized by sheriffs' departments and firefighters for rescue training, as well as mixed-gas and other commercial applications. Eight instructional platforms range in depth from 10 to 30 feet. Artificial reef sites include five boats, a school bus, motorcycle and a Volkswagen camper (depth 10 to 55 feet)All are connected by underwater lines to assist in navigation. Stocked walleye, bass and perch rainbow bow trout abound. Even the endangered paddlefish can be glimpsed in the far reaches of the quarry. Test your buoyancy skills on the deep water tubes at 50 feet, Gilboa even has its own reef, but instead of coral it's made from PVC, a specially designed obstacle course for perfecting buoyancy control. This is both a fun and challenging way to fine-tune one of the most important skills in diving, and a great way to prepare oneself for a trip to some exotic tropical destination. There are also some other underwater features to aid in skills development. One is comprised of two chains of four large tractor tires, each suspended vertically between 10 and 30 feet. The other involves 8-foot- diameter PVC tubes stacked in grid fashion at 40 to 60 feet.. Gilboa Quarry is open for diving daily from April 1st to Nov 30th. Admission per day is $15.00/day for divers, $15.00 /day for snorkeling, and $6.00/day for non-divers. Overnight camping with tent or RV is $8.00 electrical hookup additional $10.00. The quarry also has a bunkhouse that can be rented on a nightly basis, or one can rent a cottage or apartment also. Scuba equipment may also be rented there .Cash or check only, credit or debit cards are not accepted at this time. The facility does have an air station, and offers Nitrox fills. The quarry is equipped with men's and women's heated & air conditioned changing rooms, restrooms and showers, all handicapped accessible. The entire bathhouse is under renovation right now, so watch for those upgrades also. For those of you mapping the quarry, the physical address is: 3763 Old St. Rt. 224 - Ottawa, Ohio 45875 Office Phone: (419) 456-3300 Happy Diving !

Vincent Frodl

PADI OWSI

6/30/07

                                    MAST
           Marine Archeology Survey Team

I would like to report to you about an organization
that is helping to preserve our shipwrecks located in
Lake Erie. That organization is MAST, Marine
Archeology Survey Team.
MAST was founded in 2000 . MAST, the Maritime
Archaeological Survey Team is a nonprofit vocational
group dedicated to the documentation of Ohio's
underwater historic resources.
By documenting and reporting the wreck, it allows
present day and future generations to know what the
wreck was all about. When the public and divers are
educated about Lake Erie wrecks and the laws that
pertain to them it will help to preserve the treasures
of the deep.
MAST is located in Vermillion Ohio at theGreat
Lakes  Historical Society/Inland Sea Museum, and is
made up of volunteer divers and non-divers alike.
Members volunteer their time to survey wrecks, then
archeologist, Ms Carrie Sowden, who is the
Archaeological Director at Peachman Lake Erie
Shipwreck Research Center, Great Lakes Historical
Society and advisor to MAST, takes the information
that is complied and makes a detailed report about the
wreck. Underwater slates are also produced that can be
purchased by the diver and taken to the dive site for
that particular wreck. The slates are a detailed
drawing of the wreck and other pertinent information
for the diver. The underwater slates are very helpful
as they explain what you are looking at as you dive
the wreck. Each package has three slates, one for each
vessel. Made of sturdy, plastic, and measuring 9.5" x
6.25". Each features a site map, diving information,
vessel data, and ship history. These are ordered
through Ohio Sea Grant. To date, MAST has been
instrumental in several technical reports for
underwater surveys including the shipwrecks Adventure,
the Hanna, the F.H.Prince and for Shipwrecks and Other
Underwater Features in the Vicinity of Kelleys Island.
These reports may be purchased by contacting the Great
Lakes Historical Society in Vermilion, Ohio.
I became interested in MAST after I attended a
seminar at Scuba Fest this past winter. The seminar
was a brief explanation of MAST and what they do. I
found it extremely interesting. Participation is
totally voluntary and each member brings their skills
to the team, whether it be researching, drafting,
diving, organizing, art work, or writing. One simply
needs to take the MAST workshop which is conducted
once a year.  This was a 2 day program where we
learned about the laws regarding wrecks in Ohio, we
learned how to measure wrecks using trilateration Also
covered were safety aspects of diving and working in
teams underwater and ways to communicate, the use of
tape measures and plum bobs and how to plot your
measurements on a paper drawing of the wreck.
A survey is done by attaching a baseline ( tape
measure) to the wreck. This is usually on the
centerline portion of the wreck from bow to stern.
Then, features are measured from this baseline .For
every point, 2 measurements are taken. This is what
trilateration is. It gives you an accurate reading of
where that point is in a wreck. While you are
underwater, a sketch is made and measurements are
recorded. After you are topside, you plot the
measurements on a master drawing which gives you a
sketch of the wreck as if you were looking down from
above. It is a detailed measured drawing of the wreck.
This is the survey. Survey results become part of the
technical report which also includes the geology of
the area (underwater) such as the foundation
underneath the wreckage, examination of the bottom
sediments, bathymetry, or in researching the history
of the area in which the shipwreck took place. These
reports contribute to the vessel being registered as
an official archaeological site. Photographs of the
vessel before and after sinking are also included, as
well as sidescan survey images.



The week of June 24th, we did our survey dives of the
Sara E. Sheldon, a steamer sunk in 1905. She lays
about ½ mile off Sheffield Lake in  about 20ft of
water. The wreck is broken up and scattered and lies
on a flat rock bottom. The Sara E Sheldon is a very
easy wreck to get to and dive upon. Of course watch
the weather on Lake Erie. A couple of  good books on
Lake Erie wrecks are, Erie Wrecks East and Erie Wrecks
West by Georgann and Michael Wachter. There are lots
of fish on the wreck, small mouth bass, some catfish
and the ever present round gobies. The wreck has a
good covering of zebra muscles, so watch as they are
very sharp. The main feature is the in tack keelson,
the propeller , and quite a few planks and ribs. Metal
plates are scattered here and there also.
In conclusion, MAST is doing an excellent job,
surveying our lake Erie wrecks. They have 2 reports
and slates for purchase so far, and last years wreck,
the Dundee will be out soon. MAST is an excellent
organization for anyone interested in lake Erie
wrecks. Both divers and non divers alike are welcome.
Of course they have a website, it is
shipwreck@inlandseas.org  Members are from all over
Ohio, MI, IN, PA, and even Ontario Canada.

Vincent Frodl
OWSI
vfrodl@yahoo.com
www.frodlunderwater.com

            Where to Dive:  Lake Erie

 Lake Erie? You must be joking right? Isn?t that lake
polluted with no visibility to speak of?
Since the early 70?s Lake Erie has undergone some
dramatic changes. The surrounding four states and
providence of Canada have enacted numerous pollution
control laws. Those state laws along with the Federal
Government and that of Canada have allowed
improvements over the intervening years.
There is another environmental factor that has played
a key role and that is the infiltration of the Zebra
Muscle. Zebra mussels were first discovered in 1988 in
Lake St. Clair, a small lake between Lake Erie and
Lake Huron. Their free-swimming, nearly invisible
larvae, may have been discharged from the ballast
water of one or more transoceanic ships in 1985 or
1986. Lake Erie was one of the first places infested
by zebra mussels. Adult zebra mussels were discovered
there in 1988, so they may have been present since
1986. This invasion has had both positive and negative
effects. Watch for a future column regarding this and
other invasive Species.
The zebra mussels are great filter feeders: They draw
in water, filter out the tiny bits of floating food,
like algae, and expel the cleared water. As their
numbers increased, the lakes became clearer and
warmer. These voracious filter feeders have had a
dramatic effect on the visibility and now Lake Erie
can boast 20-30 feet visibility at times.
Now, with the increased visibility, exciting  diving
opportunities abound, as I described in a preceding
article on the Sara E Sheldon. The Great Lakes region
is known for its wreck diving: there are 6000 wrecks
in the Great Lakes, and Lake Erie alone is home to
1700. Some of the Eastern Basin area?s wrecks include
the Passaic, a 196-foot steamer that sunk in 1891, and
the Tonawanda, which went down in 1870 and now rests
in 50 feet of water. Ohio's waters are shallow by
comparison to the eastern end (off New York.) This can
result in her shipwrecks being less intact due to
currents, weather and seasonal damage ( This can
result in the vessel sinking, separating and becoming
covered with silt.) Debris fields often exist around
the main area of vessel wreckage. In June of this
year, The Great Lakes Historical Society,  announced
the discovery of the shipwreck of the Anthony Wayne,
the earliest known wreck of a side-wheeler in 

The 156-foot vessel, built in 1837 and rebuilt
in 1849, was bound for Cleveland from Sandusky during
the early hours of April 27, 1850 when its boilers
exploded, killing approximately 38 passengers and
crew. The Anthony Wayne sunk in 50 feet of water,
approximately 8 miles north of Vermilion. The
Adventure, W.R. Hanna, F.H. Prince, and The Craftsman
are a few more to explore.





More Lake Erie dive charters are starting to emerge
every year. Some also specialize in fishing, but they
have found an interest in Scuba Diving. Some local
charter services include;

Hawg?n Charter Service, Port Clinton, Ohio.  Capt.
Dave Qwin ,Charter owner is also a PADI Instructor
affiliated with New Wave Scuba in Port Clinton.
www.Hawgncharters.com & www.newwavescuba.com  

Fish-N-Tales Charters also out of Port Clinton is also
recommended.
www.fish-n-tales.com

Discovery Dive Charters & Tours Inc, Cleveland Ohio ,
has a Dive schedule that can
be modified to accommodate your preference and skill
level. They are located in Wildwood State Park.
www.discoverydive.com

Osprey Charters' vessels "Southwind" and "Horizon .
Are located in Westfield, NY, and Dunkirk, NY
respectively. Offering scenic harbor front tours,
sunset cruises and wreck diving. Horizon is the only
vessel of her kind on Lake Erie. Formerly it was a 75'
whale watching boat. www.osprey-dive.com

Waruwanago Boat Charters,(where-u-wana-go) Leamington,
Ontario is the premier charter service in Pelee
Passage for scuba divers. There is an Instructor or
Dive Master onboard every charter. Morning, afternoon
and night charters are available every weekend. To
compliment the fantastic diving, they offer dock/beach
side picnics, treasure hunts, post-dive lunches on
Pelee Island and sunset cruises along the beautiful
shoreline of Point Pelee National Park. These
activities may be enjoyed by non-diving friends and
family.  www.scubaont.com/waruwanago  or contact them
at 519-562-6512

If you are lucky enough to own your own boat, GPS
coordinates , slates, along with detailed maps of Lake
Erie shipwrecks are available through Great Lakes
Historical Society. www.inlandseas.org    They are
also detailed in two books written by Georgaann and
Michael Wachter. They are, Erie Wrecks East and Erie
Wrecks West. If you like wrecks, then Lake Erie is a
great choice!

If you are interested in Learning to Scuba Dive and
exploring shipwrecks of Lake Erie, please visit the
recommended sites, contact me at vfrodl@yahoo.com and
I can assist you in scheduling a dive class to
accommodate your schedule and or booking a group dive.


Vincent A Frodl
OWSI

Where To Dive

In my preceding article of Where to Dive, I highlighted Lake Erie. In this column I would like to open your eyes and quite possibly peak your sense of adventure to some other sites within the Great Lakes region.Isle Royale National Park:

Enjoy some of the world's best shipwreck diving and some of Lake Superior's most picturesque wilderness at Isle Royale National Park. Lake Superior's cold clear waters have done a superb job of preserving Isle Royale's ten major shipwrecks. Isle Royale National Park is a wilderness island located 20 miles from the Minnesota shore of Lake Superior. The historic wooden wrecks have been surveyed by professional archeologists. Their diagrams and reports will help you interpret these less intact wrecks. On recreational trips the diving depths range from 20 feet to 140 feet and all dives must be no decompression. The water temperature around Isle Royale ranges from 39 to 60 degrees and in places will certainly be less than 45 degrees. The visibility ranges from 70 feet to 20 feet but generally averages 40 feet. Isle Royale diving is not for novices. Isle Royale?s physical isolation and primitive wilderness challenged human use for centuries; ironically today it has become the Island?s main attraction. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, visitors come to experience this island park through hiking its trails, paddling its inland waterways, exploring its rugged coast, or venturing into the depth of its shipwrecks.Did You Know?The St. Lawrence River & 1000 Islands Region:

The native peoples called this region the ?Garden of the Great Spirit.? Today, many people still remark that this gorgeous garden of woods and waters that is the 1000 Islands is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Others will tell you its friendly atmosphere, fresh outdoors and laid-back pace makes the 1000 Islands a place that inspires the spirit and renews the soul.

Brockville - the City of the 1000 islands - is the oldest incorporated municipality in Upper Canada. From here one can charter a ship through Brockville Dive Charters . They offer trips to the best dive sites of the St-Lawrence River in the heart of the Thousand Islands. Their homeport in Brockville Ontario allows access to dozens of historic and archeological underwater sites, many of them wrecks, as well as excellent wall and drift diving for every level of experience. In July, August and September water temperatures range from 68-72 degrees F without any thermoclines, thanks to the dynamics of the river's flow. Currents vary site to site, from non-existent to strong, and visibility is good at 30 to 50 feet or better.

 Michigan's Underwater Preserves:

Michigan's eleven underwater preserves include nearly 2,400 square miles of Great Lakes bottomlands and waters. Some of the finest sport diving in the Midwest can be found in Michigan's Great Lakes, preserved by the cold, fresh water.

The Alger Underwater Preserve is located on the south shore of Lake Superior near the city of Munising in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This area of Lake Superior?s shoreline includes the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island and the sheltered waters of Munising Bay. The Alger Underwater Preserve offers several unusual diving attractions including ?sea caves?, intact shipwrecks, and underwater interpretive trails.

The DeTour Passage is located at the easternmost tip of Michigan?s Upper Peninsula. The area, which includes Drummond Island, became the state?s tenth underwater preserve.The DeTour Passage Underwater Preserve features a variety of dive sites. Among the most popular are the John B. Merrill, which lies south of Drummond Island in about 65 feet of water. Although broken up, the John B. Merrill offers divers an opportunity to see many small artifacts, including tools, ship hardware, and personal effects. The vessel was wrecked in a storm in 1893 and was discovered 99 years later.
Divers can expect 10 to 20 feet of visibility and there are no unusual safety concerns at the site. The entire vessel and debris field can be found in an area approximately 100 by 200 feet.

The Keweenaw Peninsula is on the South shore of Lake Superior and has often been a ?catcher?s mitt? for wayward ships. Over the years many storm driven ships have run out of lake on the Keweenaw. As a result, the 103-square mile preserve is host to a variety of shipwrecks. Other shipwrecks are concentrated at Eagle River, Eagle Harbor, and Copper Harbor. These wrecks are both steamers and schooners, primarily of the 1800s and very early 1900s. Because they wrecked in relatively shallow water, most have been broken up by waves and ice. This process permits divers to see how ships were constructed. .the Keweenaw is a popular area for exploring underwater geologic formations. Large deposits of copper can be found in this region. Visibility throughout this preserve is generally very good and often exceeds 35 feet.

The Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve offers divers a variety of Lake Michigan attractions?from historic dock ruins to fascinating shipwrecks of two centuries. In addition to shipwrecks, divers enjoy dock ruins that can be found throughout the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Massive pilings were driven into the sandy bottom to create docks and wharves for loading lumber, fruits, grain, and other products onto schooners and steamers that transported such goods on Lake Michigan. The Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve is a great place for family attractions because it is adjacent to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City, a nationally known resort area.

Marquette Underwater Preserve The preserve offers outstanding scuba diving along Lake Superior?s shoreline in two areas of Marquette County, the Marquette Unit and the Huron Islands Unit. The Marquette Unit includes some 24 miles of shoreline around Marquette and extends out to the 200-foot depth contour. The Huron Islands Unit encompasses some of the most impressive coastline in the state. The shore ranges from sandy beaches to towering cliffs, backed by the scenic Huron Mountains. Much of the diving is done in the clear waters surrounding the Huron Islands, a group of rugged granite knobs rising out of Superior?s depths.

Some of the most exciting shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes is found in the 163 square mile

Some of the most exciting shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes is found in the 163 square mile Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve in Lake Huron. There are some 13 ships that have gone down and are resting in depths ranging from 10 feet to 170 feet.

.In addition to excellent shipwreck diving, the Sanilac Shores area offers family fun. Historic attractions, such as the Port Sanilac Lighthouse, Sanilac Petroglyphs, and Lexington?s Lake Huron Shipwreck Museum delight visitors of all ages.

The State of Michigan formally dedicated the Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve as the tenth preserve in Michigan waters. The preserve boundaries range from just north of Holland south along the shore of Lake Michigan to Bridgman, near the Indiana border on November 13,1999. The preserve extends from the shoreline to the 130 foot depth, or five miles offshore, whichever is closer. The preserve encompasses communities such as New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, South Haven, Douglas, Saugatuck and Holland. There are numerous shipwrecks in and around the preserve, as well as geological formations including clay banks, underwater rock piles and piers. Presently seventeen sites have been documented in and near the preserve. Some of the more popular sites are the Rockaway, Havana, Verano, Clay Banks, North Shore Tug and Ironsides.

The 148 square miles of the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve is located at the northern tip of two of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The five-mile long Mackinac Bridge, which links Michigan?s upper and lower peninsulas, marks the boundary between these two lakes, splitting the preserve in half. Visibility in this preserve ranges from 2 to 70 feet, depending upon currents that are sometimes found here. Generally, visibility is greater than 10 feet and divers are able to enjoy one of the finest shipwreck collections in the world comfortably. All major dive sites are buoyed.

Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve There are nineteen major shipwrecks in the 276 square miles of the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve in lower Lake Huron. Ships traveling between Buffalo and western ports such as Duluth, Milwaukee and Chicago made this area a busy place where storms, accidents and fires claimed their share of vessels. Divers can expect to find shipwrecks in a variety of conditions, from intact to very broken up. Visibility in this region is often excellent, with up to 50 feet not uncommon. This Preserve contains many shipwrecks that have yet to be located. When diving in this area, look for debris trails that could lead to important and exciting discoveries. Besides shipwrecks, divers visiting this area will enjoy caves created by eroded limestone, located near the edge of the reef near Port Austin Lighthouse.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve This area is  commonly called, ?Shipwreck Alley? Lake Huron?s weather?its fog banks and sudden gales?coupled with rocky shoals helped Thunder Bay earn the unfortunate name.

Divers with basic skills can view the double steeple compound steam engine at 40 feet. Intermediate divers will enjoy exploring other portions of the wreck.
East of the Montana lies the wreck of the Grecian, a steamer that sank in 1906. Several salvage attempts failed, leaving the wreckage, and the steam engine and boiler offer divers a fascinating experience. The deck of the Grecian lies in 75 feet of water.

The Preserve offers many shallow shipwrecks perfect for those new to Great Lakes shipwrecks diving. Many dive sites have been buoyed. Dive charter services are available. Shore diving is very limited because most of the shoreline is privately owned. The Nordmeer is one of the most popular dive sites of the Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve. It has been described as 550 feet of ?pure delight.? This German steel steamer stranded on the rocks of Thunder Bay Shoal in November 1966. Because the maximum depth at this site is only 40 feet and parts of the vessel remain above water, this is a great place for those who have little or no shipwreck diving experience.

Divers with basic skills can view the double steeple compound steam engine at 40 feet. Intermediate divers will enjoy exploring other portions of the wreck.
East of the Montana lies the wreck of the Grecian, a steamer that sank in 1906. Several salvage attempts failed, leaving the wreckage, and the steam engine and boiler offer divers a fascinating experience. The deck of the Grecian lies in 75 feet of water.

The Preserve offers many shallow shipwrecks perfect for those new to Great Lakes shipwrecks diving. Many dive sites have been buoyed. Dive charter services are available. Shore diving is very limited because most of the shoreline is privately owned. The Nordmeer is one of the most popular dive sites of the Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve. It has been described as 550 feet of ?pure delight.? This German steel steamer stranded on the rocks of Thunder Bay Shoal in November 1966. Because the maximum depth at this site is only 40 feet and parts of the vessel remain above water, this is a great place for those who have little or no shipwreck diving experience.

Last but not lease is Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve. Whitefish Point reaches into Lake Superior at the Southeast end of the Lake, providing the geographic separation between the ?Greatest Lake?, Whitefish Bay and the entrance to the Soo Locks. The locks connect Lake Superior with the Saint Mary?s River and the lower Lakes. All traffic must pass through the bay and around Whitefish Point before entering or leaving Lake Superior.

The last major shipwreck in the Great Lakes, the Edmund Fitzgerald sunk November 10,1975.All 29 officers and crew, went down with the ship, which lies broken in two sections in 530 feet of water. The ship was making for the shelter of Whitefish Bay when it foundered about 17 miles short of Whitefish Point. Divers returning from exploring the shipwrecks in this preserve can make the trip to the restored lighthouse and museum at the tip of Whitefish Point. The museum has an exhibit showing artifacts and a scale model from every wreck in the preserve. They also display the ship?s bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Divers and nondivers alike will enjoy a visit to this area because of the wilderness scenery, expansive beaches, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum located at the tip of the point. The museum offers divers an opportunity to learn about the rich maritime heritage of the region.

Gordon Lighfoot lyrics come to the mind of this writer,,

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral.
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'Gitche Gumee'.
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early!

Vincent Frodl

OWSI

www.frodlunderwater.com

#13

In this column, I would like to dive into the warm waters of the Caribbean as a warm water destination. With destinations a few hours away by plane divers may enjoy 80 degree water and 100 foot visibility during the summer and waters in the upper 70?s in the winter. There are so many dive destinations within the Caribbean, it would not be possible to cover them all in this column. We can however discuss some general information

In planning your dive vacation, I feel it is highly important and recommend signing up for Dan accident insurance .You will more than likely be doing multiple dives over several days, this increases your risk for decompression sickness. The DAN insurance covers dive related accidents, specifically decompression cambers and all associated costs. It is well worth the nominal price for your peace of mind and safety. Please see www.dan.org

Trip insurance is available also.

Most people utilize resorts that have ?bundled package deals ? and they usually are very happy to help you with your travel plans. As with all travel, proper planning will help make things run smoothly. For the most part, travel to these destinations require a passport. As you are entering a different country, you will be going through customs. If you are not used to this procedure, it is relatively painless. Make sure you have all your documentation at hand. Exceptions being the US Virgin islands and Puerto Rico, which are US territories. Most major airlines, have flights to these designations from gateway cities. Some being more direct than others. Some out of the way islands would require flights on local airlines. Most airlines allow 2 bags at 50 # for checked bags. Care should be taken while packing your dive gear. Check each individual airline for their restrictions.

Diving in the Caribbean offers a rich diversity of diving . Whatever type of diving and skill level can be found.

Nearest the East Coast of the United States are the Bahama Islands. There are some 700 islands in this area with only 300,000 people living there. On Grand Bahama Island and New Providence Island ( where the capital of Nassau is located) fine dining, shopping are a great attraction. Many of the most modern resorts and casinos are found here. A variety of underwater enticements await. From reef shark encounters to peaceful swims with dolphins. One might even come across an underwater movie set or two.

Belize is on the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. In a single day, one can go from tropical forest to the second longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere a colorful array of marine wildlife find protection in Belize's Great Barrier Reef. Shore and boat diving are available here. Try and take in the Blue Hole, the most famous seafloor feature in the world. For those who are interested in archaeological sites, Belize is blessed with an outstanding heritage of Maya temples and palaces.

Isolated in the Caribbean, in an ?X? drawn between Jamaica, the Yucatan Peninsula, Honduras and Cuba are the Cayman Islands. They are composed of Grand Cayman( home to Stingray City) and the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Blessed with sun-kissed beaches and waters teeming with fish flecked with gold, the Cayman Islands offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Jaw dropping wall diving , healthy reefs and a variety of stingrays and turtles. Are all a part of and remain little pieces of paradise. Don?t forget to take home your Tortuga rum cake, pick up two, one to enjoy on the flight home.

Cozumel, which is located just off Mexico?s Yucatan Peninsula, sits in the middle of a northbound stream and brings in any kind of life the Caribbean has to offer. The constant current is perfect for it?s lazy drift dives over the reefs. It is a perfect year round resort.

The US Virgin Islands is a vacation paradise, they are the only place left in the Leeward Islands that an American can visit without a passport. St Thomas, St Croix and St John all share stunning diving on a combination of near shore reefs and historic shipwrecks .Divers have an advantage over snorkelers in being able to descend deeper and see spectacular sunken gardens at the bottoms of dramatic drop-offs.

The Leeward Islands include the Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla. They're called the Leeward Islands because they're away from the wind ("lee").

The West Indies are composed of the islands of the Caribbean Sea and can be divided into the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The Greater Antilles are the four largest islands in the northwestern portion of the Caribbean Sea and include Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

The Windward Islands are southeastern islands of the Caribbean and include Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada. They're called the Windward Islands because they're exposed to the wind ("windward") of the northeast trade winds (northeasterlies).

As most of the Caribbean diving involves boat diving, I would like to highlight , the shore diving capital of the world, Bonaire. Bonaire is a small island with just 12,000 permanent residents. It is part of the ABC islands, being Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao which are a set of 3 islands , just off the coast of Venezuela. Bonaire has the reputation of being laid back, slower paced and very tranquil. Free shore diving maps ,clearly marked dive sites, and brightly painted yellow numbered rocks, make on your own adventuring a snap .Diving takes place on the westward side of the island, on the lee side. Bonaire's pristine reefs and diverse marine life are unique to the Caribbean. Because the waters around Bonaire have been protected by an actively managed marine park for the past 25 years, Bonaire today ranks amongst the top four best diving destinations in the world. All the waters of Bonaire and its satellite island Klein Bonaire are protected by the marine park. Every diver on Bonaire must purchase a Marine Park Tag,before diving the waters of Bonaire. valid for one calendar year. One of the Bonaire Marine Park Regulations is for all visitors to do a check-out dive as part of the briefing process before taking off on their own to shore dive or going on a dive boat. The main reasons for this are to have each diver check buoyancy so that damage to the reef is minimized or eliminated and also to check out their dive equipment,. It is surrounded by fringing reefs, which means the reefs are very close to shore. Some being within 10 yards of the shore. Many dive operators as well as resorts offer 24 hour drive through air fill stations to keep things as effortless as possible. Bonaire is known for its world class scuba diving, wind surfing, nature, snorkeling, and tranquility. It is an ideal destination for underwater photographers. Some of the reefs can offer the most diverse fish species in the world.

This writer and wife are in fact leaving for a full week of shore diving in Bonaire. A trip report will hopefully be printed here, but will be available as soon as we return on www.frodlunderwater.com including photos from our trip.

A dive trip through New Wave Scuba, www.newwavescuba.com, is coming up this October 13-20 to Cozumel, Mexico. The trip will be during Octoberfest at Reef Club. For divers the trip will cost $860.00 for Non-divers the cost is $565.00 Plus Airfare. Stop in or call for more details. Check out the resort at www.reefclubcozumel.com 

Happy Diving!

Vince Frodl

OWSI