On a very sad note coming out of Morehead, George Purifoy died yesterday. I don't know how much you know about NC diving, but George was legendary and a darn fine man. He collapsed while at the helm of his boat, Olympus. Apparently he was manuvering to pick a couple of divers who were swept off the dive site. He was 63 and very fit, he actually did a dive on the U352earlier in the day. What a tragedy for his family and friends.

I knew George, but not very well. He was always very good to me. It can easily and honestly be said that George was instrumental (if not flat out the driving force) in the development of NC diving. He was one of the original team that found the German Uboat 352, sunk by the USCG Cutter Icarus in 1942. George is also credited with the discovery of several other victims of the graveyard of the atlantic.

Although George found more pleasure in harvesting artifacts than fish, he still was a merciless flounder stabber, using a 5' steel pole sharpened to a point on one end and with a stringer on the other. He affectionately referred to it as "Fang".

My condolences go out to his family and friends. There is a vacuum today in North Carolina, left by a man that touched so many people simply by taking them diving. And what a professional he was at that!! I want to express an extra heartfelt condolence to his son Bobby, who is an accomplished Captain and diver in his own right. Bobby will be left with the responsibility of continuing to fulfil the dream he shared with his father. My thoughts and prayers will be with him as he endures next couple of months without his father.

RIP George...though I never had the priveledge of meeting you, I have heard a story or two about you and your commitment to the sport.

http://www.carteretnewstimes.com/articles/2008/09/15/news-times/news/doc48ce7a44cb398999817855.txt

That is a great picture of George in the article.

George still used his retro mask and one of his trademarks was to take his stride off the boat (Olympus has about an 8' drop to the water) with his mask still on his forehead and his primary 2nd stage dangling. Somehow he got his mask down and his reg in before he hit the water negative and off he went.

He was a great guy and will be missed very much by the world dive community.

I never got to dive with him, but I've certainly been the recipient of his work, going out on many wrecks he found.

And I would love to leave this world doing what I loved. Good for him.

Condolences to his family and friends.

http://www.carteretnewstimes.com/articles/2008/09/15/news-times/news/doc48ce7a44cb398999817855.txt

That is a great picture of George in the article.

George still used his retro mask and one of his trademarks was to take his stride off the boat (Olympus has about an 8' drop to the water) with his mask still on his forehead and his primary 2nd stage dangling. Somehow he got his mask down and his reg in before he hit the water negative and off he went.

He was a great guy and will be missed very much by the world dive community.

And he had his Scuba pro fins on his arm as he hit the water.

I met him in 1998. A really great explorer.

Our prayers for George, for his family and friends.

sounds like a really nice guy.doing what he loved to do till thy end. R.I.p

This is sad news indeed. I have dove with Olympus, and George was our Captain. Top notch operation and the love for diving is evident once you walk into the shop. Lots of history for those interested.