DEEP SOUTH DIVERSDivers@DeepSouthDivers.org
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 Thanks for stopping by our new website! I'm Lew "SeaJay" Bayne, one of the owners of Deep South Divers. We are a group of commercial scuba divers in Beaufort, South Carolina, near Hilton Head, located right on the Intracoastal Waterway, mile 537. Whether you’re looking for a long-term or immediate solution to keeping your boat’s bottom clean and free of barnacles, need a propeller inspected or changed, or are simply looking to diagnose a problem below the waterline, there’s nobody better suited for the job than us - we are "Your Underwater Specialists!" Contact us and let us check out the issue and give you a solution. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are experienced, insured, and recommended by your neighbors. We specialize in marine growth removal and cleaning, search and recovery, zinc and prop replacement and repair, and marine salvage. Estimates are free, and we can bill your insurance company directly. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
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As a sponsor of the AGLCA, Deep South Divers cordially welcomes travelers up and down the ICW, headed to the Spring Rendezvous in Charleston April 21-24. We recently inspected a couple of AGLCA boats as they have come through Beaufort - in general, boats that are "under way" and not sitting at marinas are pretty clean and don't require cleaning. However, for the same reason the zincs tend to wear out quicker than boats that don't move. Thus, we're offering AGLCA members only a special "Just Passing Through Deal" that we don't typically offer - we can do bottom, zinc, and prop inspections with underwater photos for only $25.00 per boat based on 5 or more boats at the same marina in Beaufort. If you decide that your boat needs zincs, we'll have them available to you on-the-spot, too, and have your zincs replaced in a matter of minutes. We also have our own runabout boats, so if you decide to moor in the river and don't come into a marina, just let us know and we'll come to you. Contact us and let us know when you expect to come in, and we'll be there to help! |
Deep South Divers is proud to announce it's recent alliance with AirBerth Boat Lift Storage Systems to bring U.S. clients a high-end solution to marine growth fouling. There is no better product on the market today to protect your investment from barnacles, soft growth, thru-hull clogging, and corrosion than an AirBerth! What is this product? You've gotta see this! Click here to find out more! |
| -SeaJay | ||
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The Dataw Historic Foundation has chosen Deep South Divers to do a series of preliminary search and discovery dives for a structure built by the B.B. Sams family circa 1820. It is still unclear if the structure was a barn, a home, a plantation, or a corral of some sort, but we do know that it was destroyed during the Hurricane of 1893 and swept into the Morgan River adjacent to Dataw Island. These dates, of course, mean that this structure can be classified as "Historically Significant" by the State of South Carolina. It is of particular interest because it predates the Civil War and was likely constructed completely of tabby, similar to the ruins of the B.B. Sams plantation home and chapel currently in a state of preservation on Dataw Island. We will keep you updated on our findings. Click here for more information! |
 Sacrificial Anodes….what exactly are they, and what do they do?
Two different metals that are physically or electrically connected and are immersed in saltwater will become a battery. Some amount of current flows between the two metals. The electrons that make up that  current are supplied by one of the metals giving up bits of itself in the form of metal ions into the saltwater. This is called galvanic corrosion. If left unchecked, it will quickly destroy all metals underwater.
The corrosion most often affects the brass, bronze, or aluminum  propellers on a stainless steel shaft, but metal struts, rudders, rudder fittings, outboards, and stern drives are also at risk.
The way you can prevent galvanic corrosion is to add a third metal into the equation, one that is quicker than the other two to give up its electrons. This piece of metal is called a sacrificial  anode, most often referred to as a zinc.
It would be hard to overstate the importance of maintaining the zincs on your boat. When a zinc is gone, the metal component it was installed to protect begins to dissolve. Unfortunately there is  a misconception by many boat owners that a zinc can be mounted anywhere, even hung over the side on a string and it will still perform. This is totally untrue.
For a zinc to provide any protection at all, it must be in contact with the metal being protected. Metal-to-metal contact is needed by either mounting the zinc directly to the metal being  protected or by connecting the two with a wire. A hanging zinc or “guppy” can provide protection if it is connected by a wire to the metal needing to be protected.
When we clean your boat we will give you a full report of the condition of your boat’s bottom, the amount of growth we encounter, and what is left of your zincs. We  recommend that your zincs be replaced at the 40-50% (remaining) mark. This means that 50-60% has been “used up” or eroded. Typically, in this area,  you can expect to replace your zincs every 3 – 4 months. Our marinas are notorious for bad wiring, our extreme tides which average 8 feet, or your neighbor in the slip next to you with the wiring problem all attribute to the amount of your zincs being used.
Replacing your zincs is a minor expense, rather than having to pull your boat and replace shafts, props, or all your thru hulls. So the next time when you go to your  boat and see those used up zincs on your swim platform take a look at them and see the damage, if they weren’t on your boat that is what all your metal parts would look like.
If you have any questions or comments, or something  I may have overlooked please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. In the meantime, take care and be safe. Remember, a clean boat is a happy boat! |
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Deep South Divers is pleased to announce it's newest addition to the Rebel Dive Team - Chris Kuss! Chris' eagerness to learn and fantastic work ethic will serve him well with the team. He is strong and hardworking, a perfectionist at heart, and has an outstanding attitude. He is a welcome addition - stay tuned for Chris' bio! |
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The Beaufort Sportfish and Dive Club is gearing up for the 2008 boating season! Meeting every second Thursday at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, the BSDC is the place for local divers and fishermen to meet, coordinate trips, and share tips and secret spots. There is no better place to find knowledge of the local rivers than the BSDC! Click here for more information! |
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| -Kym | ||