Atlantic Wreck Divers
of Maryland
What kind of an organization is the Atlantic Wreck Divers, Inc.?
The Atlantic Wreck Divers is a club made up of experienced divers interested
in exploring the many sunken ships along the Atlantic coast. The
club charters boats and arranges dives on wrecks on a non-profit basis.
The club provides an open forum for the exchange of ideas and the development
of techniques concerning the exploration of sunken ships. The club
elects officers once each year and holds social events, offers programs
of interest to members and provides the opportunity to dive on many interesting
shipwrecks.
What does the club offer me?
The club offers you an opportunity to participate in ocean wreck dives
at the lowest possible cost. The cost of the boat charter is divided
among the participating divers, and no profit is made by the club for arranging
these dives. The club provides most of the needed safety equipment
needed for wreck diving. The Dive Committee arranges dives on many different
wrecks during the season and provides the resources to coordinate the activities
on the dive boats. The club offers you a newsletter, a chance to
participate in club activities by serving on any of the committees, an
opportunity to meet with other divers sharing the same interests, speaking
and voting privileges at club meetings, and a chance to develop skills
in wreck diving.
Does the club have a training program?
No. The club does not train divers. The club requires that
a prospective member be certified prior to applying for membership in the
Atlantic Wreck Divers, Inc. The club does provide the opportunity
to learn from the more experienced divers in the club through dives and
lectures on diving techniques.
Does the club have a safety program?
Yes. The Club Officers, with member participation, are in charge
of setting standards for safe diving on the wrecks. Part of the safety
program is club provided safety equipment needed for wreck diving. Rules
and regulations are binding on all members participating in club dives.
These rules have been developed by experienced wreck divers and take into
account the type of wreck, location and depth, changing sea and weather
conditions, and new developments in the field of SCUBA diving.
Does the club have any special requirement for membership?
Yes. You must be at least 16 years of age; you must have an Advanced
Open Water certification or equivalent. You must have made a minimum
of three ocean wreck dives within the past two years before applying for
membership. You must make one wreck dive with the club before your
application can be accepted (this requirement may be waived, based or experience
or referal, by the Executive Committee).
Is there an initiation fee?
Yes. The initiation fee is $10.00. This fee is refunded if
your application is not accepted by the membership committee.
What are the dues?
Club dues are $24.00 per year prorated on a monthly basis. For example
if you join in May, your dues are $14.00; on June , $12.00, etc..
Club dues cover the cost of the club newsletter, deposits sent to dive
boat captains and general operating expenses of the club.
How do I join?
Fill out the membership application form, and sign the Liability Release.
Come to the meeting or send the membership application form, the signed
Liability Release and your $10.00 initiation fee to: The Atlantic
Wreck Divers, Inc.
Make checks payable to : Atlantic Wreck Divers.
What happens next?
Your application will be voted upon at the next regular meeting of the
club after receipt. Club meetings are held the second Thursday of
the month. After acceptance into the club you can obtain your own
copy of the club constitution and by-laws, and you can also pick up a dive
schedule, sign up policy and other information concerning sign-ups for
club dives.