ASDA Meeting May 11, 2005
Attendees: Ron Bent, Orrin Marcano, Ken Cameron, Janet Marsden, Keith Marsden, Merritt Reed, Ron Reed, Joan MacDonald, Mac MacDonald, Diana O’Brien, Joe Walczyk, Kim Caldwell, Clay Caldwell
Minutes:
1. Introduction of guest speaker Phil Church from New York Sea Grant (invited by Janet Marsden to tell us about the dive site stewardship program.
Phil talked about the dive site stewardship program being sponsored by NY Sea Grant along the Seaway Trail. There was some interest expressed in sponsoring a site in the Finger Lakes, but that will have to be a future expansion of the program. The Seaway Trail in other states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and even Pennsylvania has a sponsorship program much farther along than ours. The plan is to start with 5 different sites along the New York Seaway Trail: beginner, intermediate, deep/historic, shore access, and natural features.
Two have been created and are being sponsored already, the Eagle Wings dive (natural feature) in the St. Lawrence and the David Mills site in Oswego. A shore access site, the Islander in Alex Bay, is close to becoming the third site.
Between Sodus and Pulteneyville in Lake Ontario there are 3 wrecks: the St Peter at 117’ (deep/historic), an unnamed tug boat at 60’ (intermediate), and a USCG LST at 75-80. Sea Grant would like to find a steward for 1 or more of these. There is also a possibility of creating a preserve including all 3. Sea Grant assists with permits and regulatory requirements.
The stewardship has 2 levels. ‘Friends’ raise funds to pay for moorings, signage, and brochures. ‘Stewards’ may apply for ‘submerged heritage preserve’ and conduct underwater archaeology, mapping, and inventory of a site, plus place and remove moorings seasonally.
There are some issues around liability for placing moorings, but this seems to be limited to moorings in channels. Also, I’ve been in touch with Barbara “Charlie” Murphy, the director of the Quality Communities program of the NYS Dept. of State and she might be able to help get the liability issue resolved.
2. A motion was made to waive review of last meeting minutes, seconded and passed. Minutes were accepted without review.
3. The treasurer’s report was reviewed
4. Diana O’Brien reported on the Whale Dive trip for August in Tadoussac Quebec. The dates have changed to August 5-8. The decision was made to reserve the minimum number of spots (16) using club funds in order to lock in the dates. There were 12 reservations made at the meeting, so only 4 more are needed to reach the minimum, but we can go up to 24. Those who are interested should reserve as soon as possible, this trip will be filled fast!
For all the detail click here.
5. The next event is the 5th annual scuba sale at the Ukrainian Club in
Auburn. The date and time is from 10-2 on June 4th. Ron Bent, our President is coordinating the sale.
6. Ron Bent, as President, on behalf of Auburn Skin Divers, announced and welcomed a new dive club in Central New York. The club is Syracuse Underwater Divers (SUDS). They formed in 2003 and have about 100 members. They meet at Aquatic World in N. Syracuse every 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm. Contact person: Mark Mazullo, scudbamarz@yahoo.com. Their website is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syracusescubaclub/
Their mission is to have fun and go diving as much as possible. Auburn Skin Divers welcomes the new club and is looking forward to more divers and dive activities in central New York.
10. Next meeting will be June 13th, at O’Brien’s camp. Dive at 6, meeting at 7:30. BYOF&B.
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