Miscellaneous


Another entry from the Way-back machine:

NJ Scuba
George Hoffman

"Gentleman George"

by Dan Berg

Note: George Hoffman passed away January 14, 1997, about a year after this article was written. His death is a great loss to the diving community and he will be missed by us all.


Shipwreck Iberia
Iberia struck by Umbria

How do two ships in the wide ocean collide? It seems unlikely, and yet it happens all the time. Often, the ocean is not all that wide. Many collisions occur in shipping lanes and port approaches, where ships are brought together in close proximity. Here are some videos of actual collisions between ships:


Side-scan sonar is a modern method of underwater imaging that can produce remarkably detailed and realistic views of shipwrecks and other bottom features using sound rather than light.

side-scan sonar shipwreck SS Delaware
Notice all the detail in this side-scan sonar image of the Delaware.

Captain Steve Nagiewicz (above) uses a lift bag
Captain Steve Nagiewicz (above) uses a lift bag to raise the stern bits of the Emerald which had been sent to the surface and are shown connected to a lifting pole or 'gin pole.' the arrangement is ready to be hoisted aboard.

New Jersey scuba divers provide evidence of the identity of a popular New Jersey dive site


John Chatterton and the Horenberg knife
John Chatterton and the Horenberg
knife, the most tangible clue to the
identity of New Jersey's mystery U-boat.

In 1991, while checking out an obscure site known for hanging up fishing lines, I dropped down the anchor line only to find a virgin German U-boat. A wreck diver's fantasy of discovering a new shipwreck somehow had become a reality, and it was every bit as good as could be imagined. While reveling in the experience, I wondered if I would have enough skill and luck to ever make it happen again. Several discoveries later, the challenge is still irresistible.


Port & Starboard

port - the left side of a ship, when facing forward

starboard - the right side of a ship, when facing forward

running lights

The starboard side of a vessel ( or an airplane ) carries a green running light, and the port side carries a red running light. The best way to remember all this is: port, left and red are all short words, while starboard, right, and green are all long(er) words.