Posted by Scott Napierkowski on March 19, 19100 at 15:22:50:
In Reply to: Re: Bill 13 and wreck preservation posted by David Trotter on March 16, 19100 at 22:06:25:
:
: To: Scott Napierkowski
: Erie, PA
: I always find it fascinating when others "take pot shots" at those who accomplish something for which they paid a tremendous price (financially, emotionally and in years of effort).
(No one is denying Garry's blood, sweat & tears, David. I praised his efforts in context, if you bothered to read my post thoroughly. I am simply questioning the results of that effort and the impact it has had on the mentality of Great Lakes wreck divers to this day.)
: There are those that make it happen while others wonder what happened. Which category fits you?
(As long as we're quoting motivational office posters, here's one for you: "You're either a part of the solution or part of the problem." If you apply your question to me though, then yes, I "wonder what happened" every time I visit a wreck and see less than I did before.)
: Mr. Kozak was well within his rights to search and discover, and attempt to recover the contents of the upside down ship, the Dean Richmond.
(The "recovery" aspect is a matter of opinion.)
: Although I care about the Great Lakes shipwrecks, and their integrity for divers to enjoy, these are not particulary historically significant (with just a couple of exceptions). The real value in the shipwrecks is our unique opportunity to "swim back into history", and to able to provide that opportunity for future divers.
(Agreed, but why take things that don't belong to you just because you can? It doesn't impress anybody and sure doesn't make you a better wreck diver than the next guy.)
: Times change, and what was the "norm" 15-20 years ago is not desirable today, so we evolve. It is very INAPPROPRIATE for today's "standards" to be applied to a different era.
(That's wishful thinking. For every ten divers who've "evolved," there is at least one who makes his own rules and answers to no one.)
: On the subject of Canadian Bill 13, those rascals that are trying to control diving in Ontario are NOT be well received by the Canadian divers. It is our responsibility to assist our Canadian counterparts to protect the right of diver access. There is only one set of "Great Lakes", and one set of "Great Lakes" divers.