Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Fort Pierce - Boat Ramp

[Jon Wallace <jonw@psubs.org>]

Jim and others,

I've placed boat ramp info and potential dive sites on the 2010 
convention area under "Dive Operations".

http://www.psubs.org/convention/2010
http://www.psubs.org/convention/2010/diveloc

I've included links to charts and satellite photos of the area with the 
ramps and dive site superimposed in black/red.  I've also included links 
to a couple of web pages that provide photos of the ramp areas.  If you 
look at NOAA charts for the area you will see what we are up against in 
terms of diving in the local area, which is that the water depth 
surrounding the inlet is primarily between 3-4 feet deep at low tide 
with only a 2.5 foot average rise in water depth at high tide.  It's 
pretty hard to dive a submarine with a four foot draft in 5 feet of water.

Fortunately, there are two areas within a reasonable distance of public 
boat ramps where we can get into 21-25 feet of water (see the Dive Site 
Charts and Satellite images I've posted at the web pages above).  Ramp 
#1 looks like the best place to load/unload subs, but is the furthest 
away from the dive sites.  NOAA charts show it having 8 feet of water at 
low tide and I have confirmed this depth with a local contact.  Dive 
site #1 is about 500-600 yards from Ramp #1, with Dive site #2 another 
500 yards or so further beyond.  My assumption (sub owners please 
confirm) is that Ramp #1 will require that we tow subs to the dive spots.

Ramp #2 is close enough to Dive site #1 and #2 that we may not require a 
tow at all.  The bad news is that the NOAA chart shows the launch area 
only having 3 feet of water at low tide.  The good news is that after 
talking to a local contact who said this launch area is dredged 
regularly, we believe it may be deep enough for sub launching BUT we 
need to confirm this asap.

For reference, the SandHurst hotel which most of us will be staying at, 
is about 2 miles across the bridge (east, to the right) that is shown in 
the chart and satellite photo.  While there are some public ramps closer 
to the hotel, the water depths there appear to be only 2-3 feet and 
unsuitable for launch/recovery.

If sub towing is necessary we have a couple of options.  The first is to 
rent a couple of pontoon boats and do the towing ourselves.  The second 
is to look into a towing service.  A local contact has suggested the 
latter and is going to look at costs for us.  The advantage is plenty of 
"towing" power.  Those of us who want to observe dive operations up 
close will still need to rent boats so we can hover topside, if the tow 
vessel cannot take passengers.

We have made contact with local divers who are willing to join us and 
provide some safety services for us.

For starters, please review the links listed at the top of this message 
for specific information about the ramps and dive sites.

Jon




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