Additional Notes

Olympus Dive Center began in 1975 as a weekend charter business under the late Captain George Purifoy. Since that time his hobby has grown into a thriving, full-service dive center that sponsors daily charters during the peak season.

George was a native of Morehead City and is considered a pioneer in North Carolina wreck diving. He is credited with the discovery and identification of many of the wrecks we visit, most notably the U-352 and the USS Schurz.

With the development of the Loran C, the predecessor to GPS, George decided to start running weekend charters from his first boat, the 47' Atlantis II. His business expanded to include a compressor, rentals and in the 70s with the purchase of the Olympus I.

The current dive shop was built in 1982 and the 65' aluminum hulled Olympus used today was purchased in 1986. In 1990 George's hobby became his full time career and expanded his business with the introduction of a second vessel, the 48' Midnight Express.

In 2008, George Purifoy passed away and his son, Robert 'Bobby' Purifoy, assumed the business and still runs it today. Bobby currently captains the Olympus and Mike Gerken is captain on the Midnight Express.