News
August 15, 2010
We've just returned from our trip to Grand Cayman
Island, where 21 of us had great time staying at Sunset House and diving
with Sunset Divers. The highlight of the week was the trip to Stingray
City where everyone had an up close and personal introduction to the
Southern Stingray. Photos can be viewed
here.
In June we travelled half way around the world to
North Sulawesi, Indonesia to dive the Lembeh Strait with KungKungan Bay
Resort. I think the weird and wonderful creatures we encountered far
exceeded everyone's expectations, I know they did mine. I was able to
cross off every one of my to see critters with the exception of the Blue
Ringed Octopus, Wonderpus and Velvet Pipefish. In case your wondering my
list was over 30 fish long. If you've looked at our Cayman photos the
KBR pics are just below them.
At the end of June I received approval from the Boy
Scouts of America, Mason Dixon Council, to be a Merit Badge Counselor
for the new Scuba Merit Badge. We've been working with Troop 33 from
Shepherdstown getting them certified and will soon complete their Scuba
Merit Badge certifications.
Even though it's mid August there is still a lot of
diving going on. There are open water classes going on right now
and more are scheduled for September and October. If you are
interested in specialty certifications we have SOLO Diver, First Aid,
CPR, Rescue Diver and Underwater Navigation, Night and Limited
Visibility classes scheduled in August and September. For specific dates
visit our
calendar page.
Plus we have a Lake Rawlings trip scheduled for the
25th and 26th September and a Cozumel, Mexico trip at the end of
October. We have also added two trips for February and June 2011.
Visit our Travel
page for more information.
APRIL 23, 2010
Nitrox
After years of having Nitrox tanks sent out to be
filled, we're finally able to do it in house with the recent addition of
a fill whip. With our "Modified Grade E" oxygen compatible air,
which is tested quarterly, tank and valve oxygen cleaning services and
the ability to blend Nitrox, in house, BMD is able to meet all of your
Nitrox needs.
APRIL 13, 2010

Blue Marble Divers is now a Pinnacle Wetsuit dealer.
Pinnacle is the only wetsuit maker to add a Merino wool lining in their
suits for additional warmth and comfort. You can learn more about
Pinnacle and their product line
here.
March 21, 2010
Yesterday evening 40 or so of our friends lured us to
the Corner Pub to celebrate Blue Marble Divers 10 year anniversary. To
say we were clueless about it would be an understatement. You completely
and utterly destroyed the, two people can keep a secret if one of them
is dead, myth. We were, and as I write this, still are thoroughly
overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and generosity. Our thanks and
gratitude to everyone who attended. A very special
thank you to Bob and Laura Gough, Ed and Cindy (I'm retiring) Calhoun and Chris
and Vicki Marschner for putting it together. Mary and I are truly
blessed to have all of you as friends. Photos of the party can be viewed
here
March 14, 2010
ERDI Surface Ice Rescue Class
On 17, 19, and 21 February, Dennis Fortney, our ERDI
Instructor, conducted an ERDI Surface Ice Rescue Operations Class for
the Frederick County Fire Rescue Service at the Frederick County
Training Center. The students were fire, rescue and police from around
the area. As an Instructor with the Frederick County Fire Rescue, Dennis
is able to provide first responders ERDI classes through BMD. Photos of
the class can be viewed here.
March 1, 2010
Celebrating 10 Years
Wow, it’s hard to believe it has
been ten years since we opened the doors for business. While I have been
planning this anniversary for months, it has only been within the past
few weeks I have taken the time reflect on our longevity and success.
To start off, there are two groups of people we need
to recognize. First we thank
every one of you, our friends. Your faith, trust and confidence in us,
validates everything we do and is the most important measurement of our
success. I purposely did not use the word customer as a descriptor.
While you may have been a customer, when you first walked into the shop,
we quickly became friends. Our friendship is based upon a common bond
and love of the underwater world which allows us to transcend the
traditional customer – merchant relationship. We have shared meals,
drinks and stories, traveled together with a common purpose in mind and
celebrated each others achievements and milestones, which is what
friends do.
Then there is our staff, past and present. I could
fill pages writing about the individual skill sets and traits each has
brought to the table.
Instead I offer this collective thank you. As an instructor I couldn’t
do what I do with out your help. Because of you our training sessions
run safely and smoothly. You
have acted as a sounding board and provided your unique insight and
ideas to problems and challenges we have faced. Your professionalism and
commitment to diving safety serves as a role model for all divers to
emulate. We are lucky and
proud to have you as a part of our team.
As I look back I can’t help but think about how lucky
we are. We get to introduce people to a part of the world that only we
as divers get the fleeting opportunity to experience firsthand.
We cannot thank you enough for
the privilege of allowing us to be the ones to start you on your
underwater journey. We look forward to the next ten years of new
friendships and adventures.
May your seas be calm and visibility unlimited,
Mary and David
Customer Appreciation Sale
In celebration of our 10 Year Anniversary we are
having a month long sale as a way to say thank you. Each week during the
month we will be offering unbelievable discounts on equipment, with a
different type featured each week.
March 2- 6
15% to 40% off on drysuits, wetsuits, skins, hoods and gloves
March 9 - 13 10% to 20% off on BCDs
March 16 - 20 10% to 40% off on dive
computers
March 23 - 27 10% to 20% off on
regulators
February 22, 2010
Cozumel Trip Report
After enduring two major snowfalls and wondering if
the cleanup efforts would allow the airports to reopen, we were able to
depart on-time for Cozumel, Mexico on the 13th. Between the diving and
Carnival we had a very active week. While the weather was not the best
for Cozumel, north winds made for choppy seas and cooler than normal
temperatures, everyone made the best of it and had a very enjoyable and
relaxing time. Even with the choppy seas the diving lived up to what
Cozumel is known for. From exhilarating rides along the walls and reefs
on ripping currents, to close encounters with eagle rays, sharks and
turtles everyone's wow factor was met or exceeded. Pictures of the trip
can be viewed here.
BMD's Newest Divemaster
Bret Penrod is BMD's newest Divemaster. Bret completed
his training before departing For Cozumel. Please join me in
congratulating and welcoming Bret aboard.
January 10, 2009

BMD is proud to announce we are a REEF Field Station, thanks to
Instructor Terry Sumpter. REEF was founded in 1990, out of growing
concern about the health of the marine environment, and the desire to
provide the SCUBA diving community a way to contribute to the
understanding and protection of marine populations. REEF achieves this
goal primarily through its volunteer fish monitoring program, the REEF
Fish Survey Project. Participants in the Project not only learn about
the environment they are diving in, but they also produce valuable
information. Scientists, marine park staff, and the general public use
the data that are collected by REEF volunteers.
Terry will be presenting a class on how to conduct a REEF survey in the
very near future.
January 5, 2009
Winter Hours
Tuesday - Friday 11 AM - 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 5PM
Closed
Sunday and Monday
January 2nd, 2010
Happy New Year!!
Yesterday, a few of us put common sense aside to make
our annual pilgrimage to Mt. Storm to get the first dive of the year in.
Photos can be viewed
here and
here.
December 30, 2009
BMD's Newest Divemaster
Bob Gough is the newest member of our SDI professional
staff having recently completed his training for Divemaster
certification. Please join with me in congratulating Bob on his
accomplishment and welcoming him aboard.
Training
We have SDI Equipment and Easy Nitrox specialty
courses scheduled for January and February. You can our training
schedule
here.
December 27, 2009
Well the weather finally cooperated and we were able
to have our open house on the 26th. Photos can be viewed
here or on the BMD
Meetup site. The prize winners and their prizes are;
Chris Funk - 2010 BMD Calendar
Kim Weiler - Cressi Regulator Bag
Richard Elliott - Sherwood Mag 4 Mask
Kelsey Mellot - Momentum Watch
December 21, 2009
Holiday Open House Rescheduled
Due to this past weekend's weather, plenty of divers
played it smart and stayed home, so we're going to try again. We've
rescheduled our annual open house for December 26th, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Stop by to wish your diving friends happy holiday's, enjoy some snacks
and drink and, register for prizes.
Magic Filters
BMD is now an authorized
Magic Filter
dealer. Despite the name there is no magic. The filters are custom
recipes that produce the best results while taking photographs
underwater. The principle is similar to a traditional red filter.
However, the Magic Filter is not just a single color, but a precise
recipe derived from extensive real world underwater photography tests
with digital cameras. The
Auto Magic Filter is just the answer for point and shoot cameras,
producing colorful photographs without the use of flash.
Mares Trade-in Program
The Mares trade-in program ends December 31st. This
offer is only good for Dacor Regulators made prior to
Mares acquiring Dacor. Parts for these older Dacor regulators are
becoming harder and harder to find and one day you will not be able to
get your Dacor regulator serviced. So why wait until it's too late?
Trade-in your old regulator and save $175.00 or more on a new Mares.
December 6, 2009
Christmas Specials
Zeagle has reintroduced their Z-30 program. From now
until December 24th all Zeagle products are 30% off.
Family members can learn to dive for half price. Sign
up for any of our 2010 Open Water classes by December 31st and a spouse
or other family member's class price is 50% off.
Holiday Open House
Our annual Holiday Open House is December 19th from 10
AM - 6PM
November 18, 2009
Open water course schedule is posted for spring 2010
for both the Hagerstown and Waynesboro YMCA's.
Our final dive of the year at Millbrook Quarry was
this past weekend. Twenty-four people joined us for what turned out to
be a beautiful, warm and sunny fall day. Photos can be viewed
here.
November 8, 2009
With the local dive season quickly winding down, Dave
found time to lead a trip to the Kent Narrows to dive for oysters.
Everyone got their limit of a bushel each and had a good time. Upon
their return to the shop there were plenty of hungry people waiting to
savor their catch. Photos of the oyster feed can be viewed
here.
Artistic diver
If you have been in the shop recently you may have
noticed greeting cards by Diana Penrod for sale. Diana, along with her
husband Bret, learned to dive with us a few years ago. She is a very
talented watercolor painter and has painted underwater scenes inspired
by photographs and her own experiences. She now has her own web site,
diana penrod's gallery of art,
where you can purchase her works directly from her.
Last Dive of the Year
On Sunday, November 15, Millbrook quarry closes to the
public for the year. We're going down to get in one last dive for the
year. There will also be a cookout and give a ways. If you would like to
join us, please call the shop by the 10, so we'll enough passes and
tanks ready.
October 27, 2009
BMD's Newest Instructor
BMD is proud to announce Mark Noble as our newest SDI
Instructor. Mark, who is our first in-house trained instructor,
completed his certification on October 17th. With a background in
education, Mark adds a new level of instructional expertise and
professionalism to our staff.
CONGRATULATIONS MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 19, 2009
Travel Report
We've just returned from a week of diving with our
friends Annabel and DJ Hiltz of Blue Island Divers in St. Thomas.
Annabel and DJ learned to dive with us five years ago. They run a great
dive operation and showed us their favorite dive sites. Between the
wrecks and reefs there was plenty to see and do. We enjoyed the diving
so much we were making plans to return on the flight home. Pictures from
the trip can be viewed
here.
Mares Lab Facility
After an intensive three days of training Blue
Marble Divers is now a Mares Lab Repair Facility. In addition to the
initial training, as a Lab Facility we are subject to periodic technical
inspections to ensure we are maintaining the standards required for the
designation. So what does this mean for you? When you bring your Mares
regulator, BC, Spear Gun or any other Mares equipment to us the level of
expertise and service will be the same as if you sent your equipment
directly to Mares.
New Training Courses
David received his instructor certification for TDI
Nitrox Blender and O2 Service Technician before departing for St.
Thomas. While there he certified DJ and one of his staff, Tony, in both
specialties. For anyone looking to blend their own Nitrox, or
to O2 clean their tanks or regulators, BMD is now the place to earn
these TDI specialties.
Reminders of How Small the World Really Is
While in St. Thomas we ran into Kayla Canfield, a
friend, customer and a former dive master with Express Scuba in Myrtle
Beach. We also crossed paths with another diver who let us know he saw
our sticker at Bequa Lagoon Resort, Fiji, when he was there this past
January. It is a small world!!
Last Dive of the Year
Millbrook Quarry closes it's gate to the public for
the diving season on November 15th. As in years past we are getting
together with our diving and non-diving friends to close out another
dive year. If you would like to join us for a finial dive and cookout,
please let us know by November 10, so we can make sure we have enough
passes on hand.
September 13, 2009
Greenbrier Cleanup
The Greenbrier cleanup was a very well attended event,
the best in all the years we've been doing it. We had over 35 divers and
non-divers attend. Several new Meet-up members attended along with
friends of our diving friends. While there was not as much trash as in
years past there were a few unusual items found. The most unusual find
was a partial upper dental plate. How someone could loose their dentures
is beyond me. Thanks to everyone who brought a covered dish and to Laura
and Joe for cooking the dogs and burgers. Photos of the event can be
viewed
here.
September 4, 2009
New Products
BMD is now a dealer for
Sherwood and
Akona
dive gear lines.
BMD Annual Greenbrier Lake Clean-up
The clean-up is scheduled for next Sunday, September
13th at 9AM. There are a good number of divers already signed up. If you
are planning on joining us, please contact the shop by next Thursday,
September 10th, so we can make sure we have enough tanks filled for
everyone.
Tank Rental $5.00
Wetsuit, BCD and Regulator $15.00
Hotdogs, Hamburgers and Beverages provided. Please
bring a covered dish to share.
Prizes will be awarded
August 21, 2009
We still have several spaces available for the October
10 - 17, St. Thomas trip. The
prices have been reduced because air fare is no longer included in the
price of the trip. The diver price is now $1525.00 and the non-diver
price is $925.00. If you are interested in going along we can make
flight arrangements or you can reserve your own.
August 16, 2009
It's almost that time of year again. Mark September
13th on your calendar for our annual cleanup at Greenbrier State Park.
Divers and non-divers alike are welcome to join us as we make a part of
the park safer and cleaner for all. There will be plenty to eat and
prizes to be won. While the park is open to all divers who wish to
conduct their own cleanup, to take part in our activities
preregistration with the shop is required.
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