Last Minute Updates:1. I have attached the driving directions below. It is imperative that you follow them. While we won't need to use this alley on Thursday...we will need to on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We will not be able to park at the Dive Lodge which is next door to the Raps Pub. The address is:
707 Arendell – Located between 8th & 7th street, next to Rap’s Bar & Grill
I will have the door code pm'd or emailed to you for access. Monte please enter quietly and crash on the sofa in the common area as you will be getting in so late Thursday nite/Friday morning.
Departure time for Friday is 6:30am sharp since we are going further offshore. We need to be on the dock at 5:30am to get loaded, tanks, etc. (Note we are on the Olympus)
Departure time for Saturday and Sunday is 7am sharp and we need to be on dock by 6:15 since we are changing boats to the Midnight Express
2. The weather might hold a cloud or two which means possible rain...so bring a boatcoat or rain jacket to keep warm!
3. The water temps are 77-78 or warmer depending on the wreck
4. Please note that SingleDivers.com is handling your tanks. You will get your rental and fill tags from Kamala on the trip. Please pay me as I am paying the shop for your tanks. Several tanks are coming from OTWDiver to provide enough 100's for people. To avoid confusion we are handling the tanks. PLEASE DO NOT PAY DIRECTLY...SEE KAMALA OR OTWDIVER FOR YOUR TAGS TO GET YOUR TANKS.
5. Air temps will be in the 70's and low 80's so bring a jacket for the evening time or if windy.
Driving Directions During the Festival:Kamala-
This is the email that I sent out to the people who are only diving on Saturday and Sunday. It does not so much pertain to your group, but I sent it to you so you would know what to expect for the weekend. Also, the Seafood Festival link will be useful to your group if you want to pass it on to them.
Thanks girl- Let me know if you have any questions!
Nema
THE FOLLOWING HAS COME FROM OLYMPUS DIVING AND WHILE I CAN NOT UPLOAD THE PICTURES TO THE SITE WE ARE EMAILING THE EMAIL TO EVERYONE ON THE TRIP AND THAT WILL INCLUDE THE PICTURES! As you know, the North Carolina Seafood Festival is in Morehead City this weekend. With it comes rides, food, fireworks, some musical entertainment and a bit of a logistical issue as far as navigation goes. The below information will simplify the process for you.
First off, we want you to invite your divers to share in the festival. Here is the link for their site. http://ncseafoodfest...org/default.asp
As of 5pm on Friday, the streets from Arendell (highway 70) and the waterfront will be blocked off for the entire weekend. What this means to you is that you can not pull up directly to our dive shop to unload your equipment. We have made arrangements with the committee of the festival for you to come in an alley that leads directly across from our shop and unload your equipment and then pull back out the same way you came in and park your vehicles on a side street across Arendell Street. Below is the logistical information. I have attempted to simplify it with photos.
As you are coming in to downtown Morehead City, the street numbers will start getting smaller. You will be looking for 9th street. Below is a picture of 9th street and Arendell (hwy 70). See Pic #1You will be turning into an alley that is directly between 9th street and 8th street. You will continue past the ‘First Citizens’ bank building and there will be an empty spot with no building. Below is what the view from this area.
See Pic #2Now, you see the building with the purple sign on it? THAT is where you will turn right. This is the alley way that leads directly across from our dive shop.
Below is what this sign looks like.
See Pic #3The reason that I am giving you such detailed photos is that because when your group arrives, there will be vendors and cars and trailers and really big stuff blocking the vision of a sign that is blocked from vision in the first place.
This is the important information now. This alley way is closed to everyone EXCEPT for our divers. There will be a security guard at this alley way. All that you have to do is pull up and tell them that you are diving with Olympus and they will let you through. It is imperative that you advise your DRIVERS to drive as slow as their vehicle will allow them and still be moving. Once you pull through the alley way, you are 2 blocks from where you are going. At the end of the first block, there will be an intersection and since the streets are closed, there is a possibility that there will be people in the road. Have someone get out of the vehicle and guide the vehicle through this intersection. This intersection is pictured below.
See Pic #4You will continue through this intersection until you get to the end of the building shown at which point you will turn left. This is the view that you will be seeing then. You will be turning left into this parking lot.
See Pic #5Olympus is located directly across the street. This is what you will see.
See Pic #6You can unload your dive equipment and carry it across the street to our docks. You will then need to backtrack exactly the way that you came in and go to find parking. My best advice for you is to cross Arendell (hwy 70) and find parking on one of the side streets. As early as you will be arriving, this should not be an issue and you should not have to pay for parking this weekend.
You will need to arrive at 6:00 a.m. on the day of the charter. Our boats pull away from the dock at 7:00 and we return between 3 & 4 p.m. When you return to the dock, the town will transformed into something like the below picture.
See Pic #7In this picture, Olympus Dive Center is located in the top left corner.
You will follow the same drill to get your gear back to your vehicle. My advice is to take your time with the crowds and enjoy this unique and fun festival.
Should you have any questions or needs while you are here or before you arrive, please do feel free to contact me at 252-726-9432.
Looking forward to a really fun weekend!
Nema Triplett
Charter & Sales Manager
Olympus Dive Center
252-726-9432
nema@olympusdiving.com
www.olympusdiving.com
