It was early December and we approached our chosen anchorage, Shark River, on the west coast of Florida on the westernmost point of the Everglades. Oceans were smooth, the weather was partly cloudy and warm throughout the day. I could not wait to enjoy a cocktail at the stern of the fishing is seeing the sunset sun. In just an hour or so would be there.

Sudden coup, a coup and the port engine died. What was that? A quick look around below me there was nothing wrong. But the watchful eyes of our First Mate saw a crab trap float, suspended from a line attached to the boat.

We had to avoid these fleet throughout the day, there were thousands of them in the Gulf set by local Crabbers. Obviously, he missed one and now had the trap line and rolled in our running gear. We are miles from civilization and we did not have a mask and fins, much less any diving equipment. There was no service cell phone out there we were not close enough to get anyone for VHF aa. Matters did not look good, not at all.

Hypothetical scenario that could happen to you? Think again! We do not think about it and rarely ever does happen. I have personally made the trip many times, hope that we could avoid such things and always did. But the possibility is there and it is best to plan and prepare for the worst.

Because only on the control of the bottom of your boat regularly? For sailors who have large vessels that remain in the water all year round, especially in salt water, inspection background of your yacht is regularly required. Of course the background paintings submarine hull maintain growth, but the undercarriage paint lost in time and attracts growth. And the ship sinks, the sacrificial metal to protect the rest position of the vessel should be checked as well, since only last 6 months or so. And, of course, there is always the silt that manages to grow at the waterline.

But finding a diver is not always easy to do. Here is Florida, Divers are sometimes not reliable and may charge exorbitant prices. And you never know exactly what they did or did not do anyone below. So What is a sailor to do?

Some time ago I decided that if I wanted my bottom trawler for you inspected as often as I liked, my best option was to do it myself. After all, most sailors learn from the beginning to be moderately self-sufficient to own a boat. Not that the cash savings was not good, but you can not trust them to help keep a ship.

I own a boat himself and had his trawler here in Florida to the time. Dennis and his team started marketing a new scuba tank unless the system that might help.

Dennis and his team began in 1996 as a effort between the boat owners and several engineers. It all felt the need to design and build the system from a scuba tank that could be less affordable for boat owners and easy to use.

The system was developed with an oil-free compressor to supply air to a dive through hoses. A regulator, air hose and belt comes with the package. you will have to provide a mask, wet suit and fins. The system will allow a decent 30 feet, but most skippers will only be about 4 feet under water.

All complete including the system, wetsuit, mask, fins and the cost was in at less than $ 1000.00.

I clean the back of my trawler when necessary, refer to the sink, and scrub the waterline. It only takes a few 30 minutes to do all that.

And If I ever see that nasty crab pot, I take care of him.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.

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Canoe trip through the Everglades shot with 8m film