Would you dive to clear the prop?

[Nostrodamus]

At one time or another it is going to happen.. your prop is going to get fouled and it is going to need clearing.

I've had it and luckily we were able to get into a marina before I had to dive.

It was bloody cold, I couldn't see a thing and having a sail drive it was towards the centre of the boat well down. The boat was bobbing around a little, I had no weights and I thought it was pretty dangerous. In the end I got a diver.

I was concerned the boat may bounce on my head (needed a cycling helmet).

Yesterday I saw a woman diving to check her boats underside using a long length of tube to breath through.

What gear do you carry in case you need to dive and should you do it what precautions should you use.

The blog of my diving experience is here

http://www.cygnus3.com/divers-on-muesday-in-le-havre-honfleur-and-trouville/

 

[auditdata]

We have bought one of these these and some dive weights. That may be the "long length of tube" you saw. We did look at the small scuba units but the bulk and the need to get refills put us off. I like the idea of using a helmet as when I tried to dive to a prop on a Turkish charter bumping my head was a problem.

 

[Skylark]

The start of my sailing experience was being asked to dive under a yacht to clear the prop of nylon monofilament netting.

On longer passages, I'll have full scuba aboard and being a UK diver this includes dry suit.

 

[cmedsailor]

Diving with simply a mask to clear the prop is something I do very often in the "Med summer", ie from May until October!!
I just hold my breath (for a minute let's say) and do it. Yes, it's many times up and down to breath but it's manageable. With a sail drive (I have shaft) is a bit more challenging.

 

[Nostrodamus]

We have bought one of these these and some dive weights. That may be the "long length of tube" you saw. We did look at the small scuba units but the bulk and the need to get refills put us off. I like the idea of using a helmet as when I tried to dive to a prop on a Turkish charter bumping my head was a problem.

Nope, she dived with a length of tube which her husband just held up in the air so she could breath.

 

[sarabande]

there's no way that a plain length of tube will enable her to dive underwater more than a couple of feet. It would need to supply air under pressure to a demand valve. The pressure from about a couple of feet downwards is more than enough to prevent even a very fit person breathing in.

Someone like Single can explain with reference to lbs/sqft.

 

[Nostrodamus]

I did try putting a length of line from one side of the boat to the other underneath but even pulling myself by hand along this was a nightmare. I was just too buoyant. Free diving with weights seem pretty dangerous.

 

[Nostrodamus]

there's no way that a plain length of tube will enable her to dive underwater more than a couple of feet. It would need to supply air under pressure to a demand valve. The pressure from about a couple of feet downwards is more than enough to prevent even a very fit person breathing in.

Someone like Single can explain with reference to lbs/sqft.

We stood there watching her. Just a mouth piece attached to a length of tube. She was German though and might have been developed as the result of genetic mutation. She did tell us she had been free diving for years.

 

[Poignard]

Last time I had a fouled prop I got into Cherbourg marina and recruited several hefty ladies and gentlemen to stand in the bow. This brought the prop near the surface and I was able to reach it from the dinghy.

Afterwards we had an impromptu pontoon party.

 

[Skylark]

We stood there watching her. Just a mouth piece attached to a length of tube. She was German though and might have been developed as the result of genetic mutation. She did tell us she had been free diving for years.

There comes a point when a "length of tube" becomes too long. If its volumes exceeds the breathing tidal volume the exhaled carbon dioxide will not clear and will be breathed in again with the next inhalation.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Last time I had a fouled prop I got into Cherbourg marina and recruited several hefty ladies and gentlemen to stand in the bow. This brought the prop near the surface and I was able to reach it from the dinghy.

Afterwards we had an impromptu pontoon party.

That brings an amazing mental picture to mind!!

 

[Nostrodamus]

There comes a point when a "length of tube" becomes too long. If its volumes exceeds the breathing tidal volume the exhaled carbon dioxide will not clear and will be breathed in again with the next inhalation.

I do not doubt you and I know nothing on the subject which is why I asked. It is just what we saw.

 

[capnsensible]

Yup, it's gonna happen. After a dip in Ceuta one Feburary I decided to go for something helpful.

Have completed a Padi course anyway and have access to a dive company. Got sorted with wetsuit, fins and mask, also a carepa and campi mini tank. Trailed it under supervision of a dive instructor, good for about 8or 9 minutes, plenty to sort out the tangle. Added advantage is that charging and maintenance for me is easy.

Of course after all that, haven't had to use it in anger.

Did find out though that jelly fish stings are horrible.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Yup, it's gonna happen. After a dip in Ceuta one Feburary I decided to go for something helpful.

Have completed a Padi course anyway and have access to a dive company. Got sorted with wetsuit, fins and mask, also a carepa and campi mini tank. Trailed it under supervision of a dive instructor, good for about 8or 9 minutes, plenty to sort out the tangle. Added advantage is that charging and maintenance for me is easy.

Of course after all that, haven't had to use it in anger.



Did find out though that jelly fish stings are horrible.

I thought you had bikini clad Swedish girls to do the diving for you?

 

[Poignard]

That brings an amazing mental picture to mind!!

Here is a true picture!

ps I did my volunteers an injustice - they were not 'hefty' at all but pretty average size!

 

[Nostrodamus]

Here is a true picture!

ps I did my volunteers an injustice - they were not 'hefty' at all but pretty average size!

I am sure she was wearing knee pads for some good reason?

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

I've had to do it a few times, fortunately always in reasonably calm and clear waters.

Once we had a blocked holding tank and the only way it could be cleared was to get in the sea and poke through with a stick. A mask and snorkel was required just to protect me from the outfall! It was horrible!

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

Nope, she dived with a length of tube which her husband just held up in the air so she could breath.

Not possible.

 

[jwilson]

Done it several times, worst was in Hong Kong, with totally fouled prop in Aberdeen harbour (water very unpleasant). Happened again in Causeway Bay typhoon shelter (sewage lightly diluted with seawater), just too horrible, so managed to exit under sail and quickly dived in in mid-harbour, in between ships and ferries.

Mask and hold breath: always a breadknife, never a plain blade....

And I am a rotten swimmer....

 

[Nostrodamus]

It seems a lot simpler with your prop aft but a sail drive being located more central is a pain.
We also came across a German boat who had a metal line he had fixed between the end of his keel and his rudder. I asked if it worked which was pretty stupid. He said he didn't know but so far he had not got anything wrapped.
It was plastic sheeting that caused our problems. We do have a rope cutter which we think helped but plastic sheeting just wrapped itself around and around.