Captain Duane Clause has been Jersey wreck diving for over twenty four years now. Certified in 1978, Duane has made thousands of dives off the New Jersey and New York coasts, along with many dives in the Carolinas, Southern California and the Florida Keys. Currently certified to the "Rescue Diver" level along with certifications in Advanced Nitrox and Deep Air. Although the Porthole II is not a charter boat, "captaining" experience is kept up to date crewing and working as a 2nd captain on the Seeker and as lead diver and towboat captain for Budget Towing.
When not diving, Duane can be found at work as a career Firefighter for Edison Township and doing salvage and towing for Budget Boat Towing & Salvage Co., Inc.
Duane began crewing on dive boats in 1984, achieved his "Masters" license in 1990 (currently the 3rd issue) and purchased the original "PORTHOLE" in 1991. Ironically, the day we took possession of the new boat, the old PORTHOLE made the cover of "Shore" magazine.
The "Porthole" was a 1983 Luhrs 340SF, powered by twin 8.2L turbocharged Detroit Diesels.
This was the first large lobster caught while diving from the new boat. This "10 pounds even" bug was caught by the Captain while diving the on S.S. Mohawk. This was on a Sunday afternoon after the wreck had been "cleaned out" all weekend by numerous divers. Remember, the wrecks are never cleaned out.
