Krazy Kiwi wrote:

*snip* several very funny stories...

> Wot funny things have you witnessed? Oh, other than watching a certain
> somebuddy swim back to the WRONG boat ;-))
> Viv

Crusty's Crew enjoys an annual trip to the BVI (British virgin Islands)
to visit friends and dive.  The Sir Francis Drake Channel, that is
defined by the islands that makeup the BVI and known for calm water and
protected conditions, is considered one of the sailing capitals of the
world and we think the diving is great.  In  any case, experienced and
neophyte sailors from all over the world visit here year round.

A friend who used to run one of the rental outfitters told a story of a
group of three guys who hired a 28' bare sail boat for a week and
brought it back two days early.  Sensing something funny was going on
from their rush to settle their bill and leave the dock, my friend
immediately walked down to the boat to check it out.  As she stepped
onto the swaying boat tied to the dock, something felt funny.  The mast
was scoring a 40 degree arc across the sky as she realized that those
guys had cleaned most of the weighted the keel off the bottom of the
boat on some coral head!

Like someone wouldn't notice, they left in a hurry, not realizing that
their contract deposit had pre-charged their credit card for replacement
cost of the boat.

OB scuba, diving in the BVI can be particularly dangerous in high
traffic areas due to the 'silent death from above'.  If you're in less
than 15' of water, (a sailboat's keel depth) you have to pay attention
all around you.  Not withstanding diver's flags or restricted areas, on
two occasions I've seen keels cutting through the water over head with a
near-silent gurgling swish.  They seem to move so fast when you are
completely helpless to move out of their way.  I've only heard of one
snorkeler (no divers) being killed underwater by a sailboat' keel.
Apparently that guy never knew what hit him as the big lead keel weight
made short work of his skull.

Best regards,
Russ