Trip Reports

High Times on the High Seas

2011-08-24T14:45:28Z

The John Jack was locked and loaded as we left the marina at 4AM Monday with the group of top-notch divers assembled by Mark "Sharky" Alexander. The predawn glow in the eastern sky combined with the wind tousling my hair stirred the same strong emotions that seagoing men have felt for thousands of years. The John Jack waited out the weather by tacking slowly to our first destination, the wreck of the cruise ship SS Carolina. The Carolina is a WWI casualty sunk by U-151 on June 2, 1918, known in maritime lore as Black Sunday (http://njscuba.net/sites/site_black_sunday.html#Carolina). As predicted by NOAA, the seas improved, but as we drew close to the dive site, the ocean grew angry and we were forced to retreat. Plan B, the Resor, was a long haul, but we arrived in time to put divers Dan Wright and Sherwood Probeck in the water for a dusk/night dive. A night dive on the Resor; the food virtually crawls into your goodie bag. Dan and Sherwood collected enough scallops to make a nice lunch for all on board - thanks guys. With the off-shore seas still raging, we abandoned plans to reach the wreck of the destroyer Murphy and instead headed further in-shore to the Stolt. Two nice dives, but not what we planned. As sailors, divers, and wise men know, you take what the ocean offers - and nothing more. Indeed, some of the wrecks we dive are a testament to the enthusiasm of foolish sailors. With Hurricane Irene huffing and puffing its way up the coast, we're busy checking the buoys and the NOAA forecast to determine if we can put Sharky's group on the U-869, aka Hitler's lost sub.

Captain Rich Benevento

The Sea Gypsies Enjoy Flat Seas and 40 ft Viz on the Venturo Tug.

2011-08-15T02:58:06Z

It doesn't get much better on the ocean, especially when diving an in-shore wreck like the G.A. Venturo. On Saturday, the NYC Sea Gypsies Intro to Wreck Diving trip was blessed with sunny skies, flat seas, no current, and incredible visibility. The Venturo, a 100 ft long tug sunk in 1996 as part of the NJ artificial reef program, sits upright on the sandy bottom at 75 fsw. The Venturo, running true to form, was teaming with fish and surrounded by sea stars, some of which were "cuddling" shells inhabited by hermit crabs. A dozen sea robins foraged through the sand while a lone flounder "hid" in plain view on the sand along the starboard side of the wreck. Some of the Sea Gypsies ventured out to the cluster of five armored personnel carriers (APC) that lie about 50 ft from the stern. It was a little chilly on the bottom, but with the thermocline only 10 ft above the tie-in, it was a cozy ascent back to the boat. The day ended with a leisurely lunch of ribs (generously provided by Bill Pfeiffer - LIDA), hot dogs, sauerkraut, beans, and fresh fruit - and then a quick ride back to the dock. For some of the Sea Gypsies, this was their first wreck dive in the North Altantic - what a way to start! Join us on our next adventure. We still have a boatload of open dates for wrecks at recreational depths. And for the tech crowd, we'll be headed to the Carolina (230 fsw) and Murphy (260 fsw) on August 21st.

Capt. Rich Benevento

Shipwrecks, Omelets, and Baklava

2011-07-20T03:10:14Z

Our late return from the Andrea Doria put the crew into double time to ready the John Jack for its 6AM departure to Block Island with our good friends from the NYC Sea Gypsies. Each day began with a "how would you like your omelet" prepared by Chef Jeff and, later in the day, a freshly prepared lunch. Dinner and dessert was in the Block Island marina, a refuge for wealthy boat owners and an itinerant over-21 crowd looking for a good time. Without a doubt, it was a "there goes the neighborhood" moment when The Big Red Boat pulled into the Block Island marina where every boat is white fiberglass on the outside and lacquered mahogany on the inside. As a finishing touch, the John Jack was adorned with a multi-colored assortment of drying dive duds on the upper deck rails. Many locals, including one fellow who introduced himself as "Baklava," came by to gawk and ask questions about the John Jack, scuba diving, and the local shipwrecks. In truth, the marina was a curiosity; we came to dive. Because most of the Block Island wrecks are in sheltered waters, we can usually get in two dives - and sometimes three - each day. We dove shallow wrecks like the Grecian, Black Point, Idene, and deeper wrecks like the U853 (130 fsw) and USS Bass (155 fsw). The weather and surface conditions were great and the wrecks didn't disappoint either. The Sea Gypsies Block Island trip has become an annual event that the entire John Jack family looks forward to; perhaps you can join us next year.

Captain Rich

The Ocean Giveth . . . .

2011-07-20T01:45:10Z

The John Jack arrived in Montauk on July 11th where it will spend a month diving off-shore shipwrecks like the Andrea Doria and other maritime casualties in the waters off Block Island, Rhode Island. We began our Montauk season, a 3 day expedition to the Andrea Doria, a day late due to rough seas at the dive site. But the wait was worth it. The Mount Everest of Scuba Diving greeted us with 2 ft seas and no current. Thanks to Hank Garvin of Garloo fame who left his mooring line on the wreck, we had divers in the water within an hour of our arrival. Hank's tie-in at the break in the hull enabled our divers to penetrate the wreck quickly and safely. A few bottles were recovered during two dives and plans were laid for the next day's dives. Unfortunately, we were chased off the wreck at 7AM by a roaring surface current and an approaching weather front. We left the Doria with 3 ft seas, but as the front overtook us, the seas grew to 5 ft., then 7 ft., then 9 ft. and finally for about 3 hrs, Capt. Rich was skillfully guiding the John Jack through 10-12 ft. seas. By the time we reached safe refuge, we were closer to Martha's Vineyard than Montauk and our 6 hr. return trip had become 13 hr. rodeo on the high seas. Like so many expeditions to the Andrea Doria, you take what you can get because as quickly as the ocean giveth, the ocean taketh away.

Captain Rich

Deja vu All Over Again

2011-07-12T16:05:49Z

Last week's trip to the Resor was a smashing success. Could we reprise the ocean conditions, the air temps, and bottom viz the following weekend when Bernie Chowdhury's group would be on the John Jack? It turns out we could. While the customers slept in the bunkroom, the John Jack slid through the flat seas between Manasquan and the Resor. By departing during the "wee hours" of Sunday, we had a full day on the Resor for two dives plus breakfast, lunch, naps, naps, naps - yeah, it was lazy day of diving and taking it easy. Even though the folks last week bagged every scallop and lobster anywhere near the stern, it was clear that reinforcements were sent in just in time for our return. So we cleaned out that small corner of the ocean again. The Resor never disappoints. After the head count, we pulled the hook, and headed home with the game cooler full of the day's bounty.

Unfortunately, the John Jack does not have Neptune on a retainer. Our Monday night departure from Montauk to the Andrea Doria is on hold until Tuesday evening when off-shore sea conditions are expected to improve. By Friday, the John Jack will be overnighting at Block Island while the NYC Sea Gypsies dive wrecks off the Rhode Island coast.

Captain Rich Benevento

The Resor on a Perfect Day

2011-07-05T13:53:24Z

The Resor on a Perfect Day (July 2, 2011)

Imagine waking up to a great dive site, flat seas, sunny skies, the smell of breakfast cooking, and hot coffee brewing. On Saturday, the divers on the John Jack had a chance to enjoy such a magical day.

When the John Jack plans to sail to off-shore wrecks like the Resor, (35 miles from the inlet), I like to sail early. The customers sleep on board the night before and usually wake up just as we arrive at the dive site . As a dive boat captain, I enjoy the early morning at sea. There is a certain feeling of refreshment when you leave the dock in the dark while the rest of the world sleeps and then watch from the helm as the sun slowly rises. You can do it a thousand times - each time feels new. Dive conditions on the Resor were just about as pretty as it gets. The drop was so well placed that the crew had us tied into stern gun mount within minutes. The lines were set quickly and the divers began entering the water shortly after 8 AM. With 25 foot of visibility on a majestic shipwreck, scallops in the sand, nice size lobster in the crooks, there was something for everyone. With a second captain on board, I decided to break out my dive gear and dive. Yes, I still dive and I love the chance to get in the water. The early start enabled everyone to enjoy a long and leisurely surface interval on deck, the galley, or down in the bunk room. The lunch menu was subs, fruit, drinks, and laughter. After the second dive, we called the roll, pulled the hook, and headed home. By the time we reached Pt. Pleasant, the lobsters were iced, the scallops were "scalped," and the customers were well-napped. It was a great day at sea with Randi Eisen and her group.

The John Jack returns to the Resor this Sunday, July 10 with noted author, explorer, and instructor Bernie Chowdhury. Join us. Don't just talk the talk, come walk the walk with Captain Rich and the crew of the John Jack. Your memories will last a lifetime.

Captain Rich

Scubaventure Trip to the Pinta (June 25).

2011-06-28T11:05:05Z

On Saturday, June 25th, the John Jack hosted a fun group of divers from Scubaventure (Reading, PA).

Saturday was one of those days when it was great just to be on the ocean; diving was a bonus! The wreck de jour was the Pinta, a small freighter nigh 3 years old when it was cut into two by a larger freighter, the City of Perth. Today, the Pinta lies on its port side in 90 fsw, but with relief to 55 fsw, it is a good wreck for divers of all skill levels. With 30 ft of viz and decent light, the Pinta was a gracious host, although a brisk current chased most divers off the top of the hull. We spent our dives exploring its open rooms and exposed cargo of pine planks, once rumored to be valuable African cocobolo. A few lobsters were chased, but only one made it into a cooler.

With two dives in our log books and a warm lasagna lunch in our tummies, we headed back to port. The John Jack will be diving the R.P. Resor on Saturday, July 2nd. The Resor (130 fsw) is a huge wreck, semi-intact in places, an erector set in others, and one of the best lobster and scallop producers off the NJ coast.

Spots are available on the Resor trip. If interested, contact Tom Pritchard (tcp1@psu.edu) or Captain Rich Benevento (CaptainRichB@aol.com or 201-321-6924).

Capt. Rich Benevento

John Jack's Lobster Dinner Cruise...A Night to Remember

2011-06-22T03:56:55Z

Saturday, June 18th, eleven “bug lovers” boarded the John Jack for our first Lobster Dinner Cruise. The plan was to send 3 crew down to a wreck to grab lobsters for dinner, cook them (the lobsters - not the crew), and serve them to the guests.

We departed Pt. Pleasant under sunny skies and calm seas, but after finding a fishing boat parked on our Plan A dive site, we fired up Plan B. Plan B: dive the lobster-poor Delaware and start cooking up the lobsters we bought before leaving port. Our guests, some of whom had never been on a boat in the ocean, enjoyed the spectacle of the divers gearing up with too much gear and jumping off a perfectly good boat into water too deep to stand.

After the divers reboarded, we headed back to shore - but not home. We set the John Jack’s engines on idle and for 3 hrs we cruised the local harbors, rivers, and canals. As the sun slowly set, our guests dined on crab dip and crackers, and mini-hot dogs wrapped with bacon. The headliner, fresh-cooked lobsters, was joined by a green salad, baked potato, and rolls. The dinner finale was fruit trifle and chocolate brownies. After dinner, our guests relaxed on the rear deck and upper deck and watched the luxury houses and moored boats slid by – slowly.

It was a great trip to nowhere on a beautiful summer evening with a fun group of guests. Stay tuned to the John Jack website. We'll have another Lobster Dinner Cruise after the John Jack returns from Montauk and Block Island in August.

Captain Rich

June 11th Trip to the Pinta

2011-06-14T04:15:10Z

The early AM weather report on Saturday, June 11^th heralded worsening weather, so Captain Rich made the call to stay close to home and dive the Pinta instead of the Stolt. The Pinta, like the Stolt, was cut in half by another ship, but the wreck is much smaller and offers less relief. Nevertheless, the Pinta is a great dive wreck because it is shallow (90 fsw) enough to allow long bottom times, and intact and small enough to navigate without running a reel. It was a little lumpy on the surface, but 20-25 ft viz on the wreck with a light current made for a great dive. Sadly, with the ocean turning sour, it was “one and done” and back to the dock where the crew and customers from NY Sea Gypsies scarfed down hot dogs grilled on the dock. This Saturday, June 18^th, the John Jack has an open boat to the Delaware and then in the evening, we’ll be taking 12 guests on the first Lobster Dinner Cruise. This cruise, designed for non-divers, will be a lobster feast, compliments of the crew who will splash, grab some lobsters, and then cook them on board for the guests. This trip is sold out, but plans are already afoot for a second lobster dinner cruise. Date night will never be the same! You missed this trip; make sure you’re on the next trip.

The U 869 and the Wreck of the Resor

2011-06-07T14:06:49Z

The U-869 and the Wreck of the Resor

Early Friday morning, the John Jack departed Point Pleasant for a long weekend of shipwreck exploration. The plan to spend 3 days diving the U 869 (Hitler's Lost Sub / aka U-Who) was changed when the Friday’s off-shore forecast soured. Instead, we spent Friday on the wreck of the Resor and then sailed to the sub on Saturday.

On Friday, conditions were spectacular on the Resor. The Resor is one of New Jersey’s great scallop and lobster wrecks, and it didn’t disappoint. Captain Tex collected bags of scallops and – presto – we were ready for a fresh-cooked scallop dinner. We sautéed plenty of garlic in olive oil, browned the scallops, and then served them over a bed of angel hair pasta.

Saturday morning, we made a quick move to the U-869 where the surface conditions were near perfect: 1 to 2 footers with the occasional 6 incher that snuck past. Crew member Andy geared up, splashed, and showed us how the “8 minute tie-in” is done. After the Carolina rig and our in-water O₂ line were positioned, the pool was open for diving. Andy’s tie-in near the conning tower gave our divers an ideal central point for their exploration of the battered sub.

Lunch conversations centered on the morning dive and dive plans for the afternoon dive. Dive plans are important for all dives, but diving to 225 feet takes it to a new level. At these depths, “plan your dive and dive your plan” takes on additional importance. For dinner, we prepared a freshly cooked roast with potatoes and vegetables, with sides of fresh scallops and garlic bread. After dinner and the day’s “war stories” were done, it was Movie Night – and what better movie to watch while you’re tied into a German WWII U-boat than Das Boot, in German with English subtitles. You have to believe the divers were hatching plans for the next day as they settled into their bunks for the night. The crew, still at work, divvied up watches for the night on the ocean.

Sunday morning gave everyone a chance to revisit the wreck. Once all divers were safely aboard, we retrieved our lines, and steamed back to Point Pleasant while the crew and customers ate lunch and reminisced about the great dives they had on German history.

The John Jack's ability to comfortably house its customers makes it an ideal boat for your next dive adventure. We can host everything from multi-day adventures to a simple day trip. To make your dive trip more enjoyable, we offer our out of town customers the option of sleeping aboard the night before a dive. The John Jack should be YOUR boat for diving adventures.

Check us out and discover our amazing boat. Capt. Rich