New Jersey Scuba Diving

John Marvin

Type:: shipwreck, clam dredge, USA
Built:: 1951, RTC Shipbuilding, Camden NJ, USA, as Maidstone
Specs:: ( 120 ft ) 227 gross tons, 5 crew
Sunk:: Thursday January 16, 1992; winter storm - no casualties
Depth:: 70 ft

Shipwreck John Marvin

The John Marvin sank in the same storm as the Valerie E off Long Island. The storm was a surprise "Nor'easter" ( as the TV weathermen are so fond of calling everything nowadays ) that dumped a pile of snow on the region, caused considerable flooding, and quickly raised ten-foot-plus seas, catching the fishing fleet off-guard and scrambling for safe harbors. Not all of them made it.

The Coast Guard got the John Marvin's entire crew off safely just minutes before the vessel went down. With no casualties, no search, and no mystery, the incident scarcely even made the news - merely a footnote in a report on the Valerie E; and the vessel not even named, in the Asbury Park Press.

Shipwreck John Marvin

Shipwreck John Marvin — Close-up of the wheelhouse

Shipwreck John Marvin

Shipwreck John Marvin

Shipwreck John Marvin

John Marvin was sister to Carter's Creek

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Goody Bags

goody bag

Goody bags come in several lengths and sizes, but three feet ( yellow mesh ) is by far the handiest and most popular size. Bigger bags are too much of an encumbrance, and if filled to capacity, say with mussels, become too heavy to safely carry underwater.

Goody bags come in a variety of materials. Open nylon mesh is the most common and drains instantly when you exit the water. It is also the best for dragging mussels behind the boat. Canvas is good for spearfishing, as it keeps the fish slime off you, yet still drains reasonably well. It can also have a calming effect on your prey, resulting in less thrashing about. Of course, with a canvas bag, it is more difficult to admire your catch during your hang at the end of the dive. Nylon cloth is used for small tool bags. It is the strongest of all, but drains very poorly. A large nylon bag full of water is a very heavy load to drag up a dive boat ladder.

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