Fresh Blood In The Water

[ReefRatRick]

Hi All,

New guy on the reef here in Central Oklahoma but been at it for awhile. Started back in 58 watchin Sea Hunt on the tube when dad comes draggin home a couple old fire extinsher bottles and a Healthways double hose regulator. Back then when we bought our wetsuits they came in pieces and we hand fitted and glued em together, what a mess. Of course this was way before BC's so most dives were a real thrill gettin back topside. Dove frequently through the 60's along the Texas Gulf, mostly rigs shootin fish and some lakes but Uncle Sam had different ideas that afforded me "other" opportunities to excell in a more earthy tropical environment. Had another spurt of diving from 75 to 80 off New England and the Gulf off of a couple CG cutters but transferred to Alaska and it was just too much hassle. Got back in the water in 87 to 92 in the Puget Sound area. After 30 years with the CG I retired in 01 and decided a couple years ago to try the currents again. Of late I've dove Porta Viarita, Cozumel and I'm heading to Florida on Saturday to the Crystal / Swanee Rivers area and maybe some Gulf wrecks if things work out. Body parts still seem to work well so think I'm good for another 10 years in "warm" water. Hope to get to meet some new mates here and maybe do some dives.



Reef Rat Rick

[BSea]

Welcome RRR. It's good to see another SEA Hunt convert in our group. While I was a little small to dive in the Sea Hunt days, it did spark an interest that I never quite got over till the early 70's when I was in college.

If you don't know already, the double hose regs are alive & well. Check out VintageDoubleHose.com if you haven't already.

[Soonerwink]

Welcome, always good to see more OK divers on here.

[mselizann]

Welcome! The one group I dive with begins the weekend with a little Sea Hunt while eating breakfast! Fun stuff.......

[navyhmc]

Hey Reef rat. where aqnd when were you in AK? I spent a little time at Adak and Kodiak (army but was quareted in CG areas) in '85. Theysaid I was nuts, but I brought gear and dove both Adak and Kodiak in july '85 they said I was nuts, but I planned dives at ebb tides and stayed out of main channels. Wikked currents!!!

Eventually I saw the light and transferred to the Navy as a Corpsman (I wasn't tall enough to be in the Coast Guard... if you know what I mean )

Anyway, welcome aboard calmer waters!

[ReefRatRick]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

Hey Reef rat. where aqnd when were you in AK? I spent a little time at Adak and Kodiak (army but was quareted in CG areas) in '85. Theysaid I was nuts, but I brought gear and dove both Adak and Kodiak in july '85 they said I was nuts, but I planned dives at ebb tides and stayed out of main channels. Wikked currents!!!

Eventually I saw the light and transferred to the Navy as a Corpsman (I wasn't tall enough to be in the Coast Guard... if you know what I mean )

Anyway, welcome aboard calmer waters!

Stationed in Anchorage 80-84 but got around alot doing hazmat and enviromental stuff. Spent some time on some of the drill sites up north out over the ice north of Dead Horse and Produe Bay and of course who would pass up the opportunity for prolonged stays in the lovely Dutch Harbor area and the renown "Star Wars Bar". As with you I spent some time in the CG BEQ down in Kodiak but mostly on boondogles for hunting and fishing trips. That's some ruff water to dive in what with the 30 foot tide shift. Of course when we were young and valiant all things we lived through were a thrill. Bet ya even took a few lobsters down there. I boiled up my fair share of em and we probably used the same CG's big stainless steel kettle cookers down at the docks. Brings back some good memories.

Yea yea I know, there's something to be said for "bath tub sailors", we keep it clean all the time, and "we'll be back in port soon" cause we only carry enough fuel for a 1 week patrol.

Tough way to spend 30 years.

Rick

[ReefRatRick]

Originally Posted by Soonerwink

Welcome, always good to see more OK divers on here.

Tks for the "howdo". You get much "downtime" up there?

Rick