Divetalking

Neafie & Levy Ship & Engine Building Company was one of the earliest iron shipbuilders and the chief rival to William Cramp in 19th-century Philadelphia.  Started in 1844 by Thomas Reaney, Jacob Neafie and William Smith. William Smith died in 1845 and John Levy took his place and Thomas Reaney left in 1859 to start his own shipyard in Chester. From then on it was Neafie & Levy, until it closed in 1907.  The shipyard was located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on land now occupied by a Philadelphia Electric power plant. I am looking for any photos, models, anything on the 19th century tug, Thomas Cunningham Sr. known today as TUFF-E-NUFF. I am particulary interested in any pictures of … Read entire article »

This article hits close to home. I grew up in Wappingers Falls and Poughkeepsie was my playground. Area after he was caught in a swift Delaware River current and lost consciousness Saturday afternoon as he practiced diving with his wife, authorities said. John J. Osterhoudt, 27, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., was taking scuba lessons with two instructors and his wife, Arlene, near the Dingmans Ferry Bridge when the current separated him from the group as he ascended from a depth of 14 feet, the National Park Service said Monday. Osterhoudt tried to swim to shore, but as one of the instructors swam toward him he went limp and face down in the water, the Park Service said. The instructor grabbed Osterhoudt and tried to get him breathing again as they headed for the … Read entire article »

2010 is almost over and might as well get in and claim your two free Discover Scubas. For yourself and a friend or for two friends or maybe you would like to go through the Discover Scuba twice. Which ever your preference is, stop by and claim your session now and be prepared for next year, when you’ll be ready to hit the water running. Happy and safe holidays to everyone. –Larry … Read entire article »

Saturday Dec 11, 2010 I, Larry Davis, Joe Kistel and Ed Kalakauski made it to TUFF-E-NUFF around 09:00 EST. The tide was coming in and getting higher. We liked this. As Joe and I made it across the marsh, we look west to see the profile of TUFF-E-NUFF in the background. The time we reached her, she turned 180 degrees. She is floating and we board from the port side. We tie our boat to the tug, and get a phone call from Ed. He’s at the marina waiting to be picked up. Perfect timing. Joe and I just reach the tug. So, off goes Joe to get Ed. [slideshow id=7] Putting on our new and clean environmental protection suits, and man gloves, the three of us go off to continue doing … Read entire article »

TUFF-E-NUFF still sits on St. Marys Georgia, waiting for approval to be moved south. The county has some items to address regarding the placement of artificial reefs. Just shows the amount of details one must tend to just to get a vessel placed as an artificial reef. I am confident everyone will be satisfied, it’s just a timing issue right now. So hang tight and as soon as I know more I keep you informed. So come back to divetalking looking for the date TUFF-E-NUFF will leave St. Marys Georgia and her approximate date of arrival and placement off shore as an artificial reef. Saturday December 11, 2010 Joe Kistel and I, Larry Davis head to TUFF-E-NUFF to perform some more maintenance and preparation. There’s always a little more that can be … Read entire article »

No pictures today but good news. The tug was moved to deeper waters and she floats! The US Coast Guard paid us a visit and the inspection turned out really well. There are some items of concern and we are addressing those for our next and hopefully final inspection, Wednesday Dec. 8, 2010. If all goes well, TUFF-E-NUFF should be on her way south Thursday and no later than Friday, the week of 12/9,10/2010. The estimate time for travel will be approximately 4+ days.  All travel will be within the intercoastal. That puts TUFF-E-NUFF’s placement around mid week, next week.  Keep your fingers crossed that she makes it down south, safely. Larry … Read entire article »

Commentary by Captain Paul Watson It is November 27th, and the Japanese whaling fleet has not yet left Japan. Never before have they been this late in departing from Japan to head to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to slaughter whales. The whalers have not officially said they will not be returning to the Southern Ocean, but they are acting as if they may not be returning to the coast of Antarctica this season. Are we seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for the whale wars in the Southern Ocean? What a wonderful thing that would be – 935 Minke, 50 humpback and 50 fin whales will all be spared. We can only hope, and wonder at the same time, just what kind of game the whalers are playing. Over … Read entire article »