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From: DLTrotter@msn.com
Category: Shipwreck Research
Date: 25 May 2007
Time: 04:21:35
Remote Name: 67.149.74.232
Why should you & I oppose this legislation with the hidden agendas by others in the "Power Grab" mode? Let me recount a session I was involved in a few years ago, with a DNR rep and others in Lansing.
It went like this: We believe items are disappearing off shipwrecks and we don't know how to stop it. So, the suggestion was made that all divers (personal dive boats) and dive charter boats must report diving schedules and be subject to periodic searches. Also, it was suggested that when leaving for one site to go to another, notification is required.
Do you like this B/S?
I was also involved in the DNR shake down routine in the late '80's. It went like this: pulled the boat out of the water (Harbor Beach, Michigan), local policeman is watching for 1/2 hour as we get the boat ready to take to the storage facility. As we began to move the boat after removing survey gear (no scuba gear on the boat), the police car pulled in front of the van and cut off the van from getting on to the road. He announced that the DNR joker would be here in about 3/4's of an hour and I was not to leave. Would not give a reason for this unwarranted stop, except the DNR joker wanted to talk to me. Needless to say, it got very nasty, fast, with guns pulled.
Divers, if you like this stuff, then you will love what is coming down the road as you come under government control via the permit system to dive shipwrecks, and pay for it.
It was obvious to me, I needed a lawyer. Here is my response to abuse, as provided by my attorney:
"I want to cooperate, but my attorney has advised me not to talk to anyone, not to answer any questions, and not to reply to accusations. Call my attorney if you want to ask questions, search me or my property, do any tests, do any lineups, or any identification procedures. I do not agree to any of these things without my attorney present and I do not want to waive any of my constitutional rights."
Feel free to protect yourself with the language shown above. Have fun!
David Trotter