Jim's Dive Shop

Many of you have dove the Tug Orange. The Tug Orange is part of the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program. A follower, Lawrence, commented on a video I had posted of the Tug Orange, and he sent these pics and backstory.

"The Orange had a storied history. Launched in 1903, she was a Lackawanna railroad tug in NY until purchased by John Leonardi and brought to Tampa where she was refitted and served as a harbor tug in Tampa from 1964 (when my dad became her captain along with John Leonardi)until 1999-ish. When I was 17, I went to work on her as a deckhand and worked my way up to captain as well. I was the last person to run her under her own power. It was hoped that she would become part of a museum, but too many EPA regs to make the happen. So she was donated to the ocean."

Thanks Lawrence for the pics and backstory!

The The Tug Orange is now part of the South County Artificial Reef and sits in 45 feet of water. She is home to a multitude of Gulf marine life and enjoyed by both divers and fishermen.

Congratulations to our new divers Grayson and Sarah!

Congratulations to our newest SCUBA divers; Mekyhl, Dan, Abby, Megan, Leah, Taylor H, Kari, Aaron, Jake, Ben, Taylor F and Jack. And a big thank you thank to Greg Updike for helping out on the dives.

Get geared up for the upcoming dive season. We have some used tanks for sale, in various sizes; 8 cuf AL, 19 cuf AL, 40 cuf AL, 63 cuf AL, 80 cuf AL, 100 cuf AL, 120 cuf steel with pro valve, 120 cuf steel DIN only and 80 cuf DIN only. All tanks have a current VIP and most were hydro tested this year. We also have the hardware to set these tanks up as pony bottles or hang bottles.

Congratulations to our newest divers; Allison, Kelli, Anna, Johanna, Eric, Julian, Ethan and Morten.

These tanks can no longer be filled, but can make great projects (tables, nautical art, wind chimes). I have 2 tables in the dive shop with old tank bases. Tanks are $10 each - no valve. I have at least 20 tanks available.

Congratulations to our newest SCUBA divers; Alex, Zeke, Eric and our tagalong Daniel.

Congratulations to our newest divers; Connor, Doug, Colin, James, Felipe, Alex, Makayla, Arrie, Molly and Sydney.

Congratulations to our newest open water divers; Tali, Isa, Joshua and Noah.