Christmas Tree Dive Dec 4, 2004
What a Great Day! We had a goodly group of hard core divers:
Preston, Bob Hoffmeyer, Mike Beeks, Troy, Jerry Huston, Dave Yackey, Richard
Edwards and our friends from Cincinnati, Ken and Lori. We also were blessed with
excellent "deck hands" in Amy "St. Amy" Hoffmeyer, Cindy & Amanda Mizsak, and
Ryan "Multi-Task" Jeffries. Pre-dive preparation was done Friday by Bob designing and
constructing the negative buoyancy device for the tree. This was determined
over a lengthy lunch meeting at Penn Station.
After a brief interlude of kibbitzing and discussing "stuff", we
decorated the tree, which did not take long as most forgot ornaments; guys you
know! However, those of us that did bring ornaments brought extras, so the tree
was quickly decorated. We made ready to dive, while the deckhands prepared to
multitask: cook chili, warm up the hot chocolate water, tend to the fire, keep
Molly away from chocolate and chili, and generally tend to our every need. Cindy
became chief photographer, Ryan tended to the chili and tree duty, while Amy & Amanda
brought us gear as needed. A most excellent division of labor.
The Dry Tree Getting Ready Kibbitzing
Once dressed, we no faced the monumental task of getting the tree to
the dock, in the water, but keep it afloat. Ryan, Amanda, Amy, Jerry, Mike and
Preston attended to this task. It involved the use of diving tools so Bob
supervised.
We used a lift bag, cave line, air and good ole elbow grease to
muscle the tree into the water. All the while we were cognizant of the fact that
should Ryan slip and fall, he could get cold. That would be undesirable, and I
am sure Cyndy would never forgive us. (although the water was 46-50 degrees
depending on whose gauge you believed)
Ready & Waiting Ryan Dropping the Tree to Preston and Jerry
Gently Now It's In the Water!
As you can see we got it in the water. Now the trick was to get it
over the platform and then sink it. Well, sounds difficult, but being Trained
Lift Bag operators, Mike and Jerry got it down faster than I could get the lens
cap off the camera. That part of this delicate operation is not recorded for
posterity. However, the results are!
Mike, Jerry, Preston w/tree Jerry Rigging
Mike & Jerry Touchdown! Ornaments
Bell Ornament On the Platform
Room permitting below are random pictures from the day. All kidding
aside, I think all had fun. I want to thank all that showed up, and all who
offered a tree when we were panicking. We'll hafta be getting that thing out in
January! We'll keep you apprised of dates for that.
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