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#20281
Divers stranded 8 miles off North Carolina coast when boat separated from anchor
Smithsgold - 7/21/2017 10:14 AM
Category: General
Replies: 3

Divers stranded 8 miles off North Carolina coast when boat separated from anchor

starnewsonline.com/news/20170716/divers-stranded-...eparated-from-anchor

“The ocean doesn’t care if you’re in the Coast Guard. This kind of thing can happen to anyone.”

A loud pop startled two scuba divers exploring a wreck 50 feet below the ocean’s surface eight miles off Atlantic Beach on July 6.

Divers Michael Sparks and Samuel Ragsdale heard it, but neither man recognized its significance.

It wasn’t until later that the friends and fellow Coast Guardsmen realized they were in trouble.

“As we approached our anchor, I couldn’t see any line extending to the surface,” said Sparks. “My heart sank. On the end of the anchor chain we found the footlong frayed remains of the only line keeping our boat above us.”
#114
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sdweller - 7/23/2017 2:10 PM
It’s easy to second guess, but it is avoidable. I would not have the nerve to make a dive at this location without someone in the boat at all times.
#2635
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John_giu - 7/24/2017 10:44 AM
Dumb! familiarity breeds contempt.

In Jersey diving we tie a Jon line from the anchor line end to the wreck so you don’t lose the boat.
Still I wouldn’t do it without bubble watcher, usually on a private boat two divers down two on the boat.

these clowns got what they deserved.
you cant fix stupid

the Derwin effect.