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Jim, I did indeed receive your email and appreciate your time spent responding. As stated in my response I do not wish any ills against anyone, but I wish to address some minor details such as Jim's insinuation that my 200 lbs weight sank his 13,500 lbs submarine. Sadly, admittedly this is partly true as I will now explain... The trip was fun and I also included that I would have no issue venturing out again once the small issues with his submarine were resolved. I was unaware that he blamed me for the sinking of his submarine but As long as we all got out alive I can LIVE with this. In the course of diving his submarine the two passengers shifted large lead weights to and from somewhere aft at his request twice if I remember in attempting to aid in stabilizing this craft's trim. Being a new sub of yet a proven design I could understand these tweakings. We all (including myself) should take a small portion of blame for the sinking of this submarine on that day as each of us saw things that were slightly out of place and yet we were caught up in the excitement of the moment and hence blinded. This is why an in-depth discussion of these events is so important. During the dive I asked Jim what poundage of air he used to blow his ballast tanks as it seemed to me to take some time to blow the ballast tanks dry. Being very preoccupied with controlling this craft he stated "enough" loudly perhaps to be heard over blasting air. I misinterpreted this to mean I was bothering him and a nuisance. (this comes into play later as you will see...) I was hot but relieved that we were going to transit around the corner to the harbor and was more than satisfied to remain within the submarine for this short transit. The other passenger requested to wait in the dingy ( although as hot as it was I was inclined to join him if allowed to do so) and it was at this request that Jim thought it a good idea that both of us disembark seeing the instabilities we had thus far encountered. The passenger to my right upon Jims exit was requested to exit the craft. At this point I remembered the shifting of the large lead weights somewhere aft and now more weight was being removed. I so wanted to bring up these concerns but his response to my air pressure question earlier was still fresh in my mind. (this is where I made my bad contribution) I stood up and crouchingly leaned out over the $5,000 viewport fearing this sudden loss of weight forward. When requested to do so I climbed over the back of the seats and it was then the loss of weight (as I had rightfully feared) was suddenly felt as the sub began to sink fast from the stern. Looking back (and hind sight is indeed 20/20 which we all need to clearly see) I should have voiced my concerns as these indeed proved accurate and not worried about his reaction to my fearing the shift in weight. I made haste to exit so as to allow Jim time to enter and although he surely would had had a lap full of water (that by the way had happened once earlier in our dive) he could level the craft off once she settled on the sandy bottom again blow the tanks dry. I was amazed to see him shutting the hatch with himself on the outside and took aim at the dingy and safety. He continued to ride his boat down as a true captain would have until he could no longer do so. He should be awarded some golden dolphins or something for that one. I was never informed that this craft almost sank while still alongside the pier from whence it was placed in the water. (someone else's observation kept to themselves) I knew we all had not thought against the unthinkable when the three of us were safe in the dingy with a functional cell phone but no numbers to call. (boo boo # 128) Seeing two grown men who previously had never rowed a boat before each with a paddle going in circles (boo boo # 129) was another. This list goes on and on. No life preservers were aboard the submarine itself (these were counted for but on the support vessel that left us) when it sank. The list is long. Although this incident was costly mainly to Jim in the way of expense, we as a group still have an opportunity to learn plenty from this experience. The one thing I learned and that is permanently ingrained within me now is be it the owner or passenger boarding a submarine, everyone shoulders the risks should things go south. Diving in the presence of experienced submariners may improve your chances against disasters but is still no guarantee. The submarine ride was fun although hot (and I attempted to provide a possible solution upon my return home to this heat problem now in Vance's hands) Although not truly aware of where I was within the protective waters at Fort Pierce I never felt in grave danger. This ordeal although it could have proved catastrophic now offers this group the ideal " what could go wrong and how better to plan for it" lesson if only we talk and listen to each other. Jim your submarine is still a beautiful craft and I have no doubt that you will resolve the minor issues with it and have many years of enjoyment sailing her. And last to you Jon, I misinterpreted your delay beyond the years end as a stalling tactic in an attempt to distance yourself from this event. This I see as perhaps untrue, but look if you will from my eyes. I could not stand by and allow such an event from which we could all learn so much slip by and simply be ignored. I think it safe to say that although brought out in the open in such a way may not have been the most tactful method, it does still offer the chance for bettering the group thru discussion and debate. I like PSUBS and feel privileged to have been a part of it for so long. I would also like to feel even in parting I can contribute to the betterment of this organization. David Bartsch From: JimToddPsub@aol.com Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2011 10:41:16 -0500 Subject: Prior e-mail To: dbartsch2236@hotmail.com David, could you please confirm that you received my prior OFF LIST e-mail this morning?
Thanks,
Jim
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