Night Diving, a Solo Dive and a dive with Dennis Viasnikov off Catamaran Beach

Got to the parking lot about 4:40 am and there were two cop cars blocking the entrance. I parked, left my lights on but turned off the engine and got out to talk to the cops. Seems that there was some out-of-hand Haitian celebration last night so these two cops were there to close the park. I pointed out the the park would open in only 15 minutes and asked if I could park and gear up. They allowed me to do so, so I did.

I got in the water at about 5:00 am. There was a lot of wind this morning, but the sea was fairly calm except for the surf. I descended at the swim buoy and headed East. I spotted a Bluespotted Coronetfish and got some shots.

Shortly after that, I spotted a Purplemouth Moray Eel. My Cree light went out off and on and decided to cut out when I was lying flat on he bottom facing the on coming eel I didn't know where the eel was, so I went up a few feet and played with the light, then settled down to take some pictures once it was working again.

At 60 minutes, I came up to find that I was off the Marriott,

Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; dive time was 60 minutes and my SAC rate was 17.31 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

During the surface interval I swam South hoping to make up some of the distance the current had set me, but I didn't make up much.


I descended in 25 feet of water and began swimming and pulling myself along on a SW bearing. I spotted this young and small Scrawled Filefish swimming above me and went up to get pictures.







I then continued SW, hoping to run into the blocks just East of the buoy, but I never got that close. I ran out of air and came up well East of the swim buoy off Tower 4. I swam in on the surface.


Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 25 feet; dive time was only 34 minutes and my SAC rate was 25.20 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.





I spoke with Francois Greyling during my surface interval. He tried to interest me in rebreathers, but I think those days are in the past.

I changed gear and got back in the water about 8:00 am. Swam to the swim buoy and descended at 8:12 am and let the current carry me to the North. I swam Est and slowly picked my way through the reefs and sand to get to the Swiss Cheese Reef. I missed the staghorn coral, but it was fun to drift along the reef. Got this shot of a Threespot Damselfish.




I headed back early to spend some time searching for Tower 4 and the associated swim buoy. Spent time looking, but didn't really find what I needed. I did end up just off Tower 4, but it was happenstance. Got this shot of a Sand Diver in the shallows East of the buoy.


Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 22 feet; dive time was 141 minutes and my SAC rate was 14.97 psi/minute, a considerable improvement over the previous dive.



Dennis Vianikov had arranged to meet me on the beach and had called to say that he would be there soon. I decided to not take the camera. Figured I might have my hands full with Dennis and visibility was pretty bad, anyway.

We geared up at the truck, walked to the water and swam out to the swim buoy to descend. Then we headed East. Dennis was concerned that his alternate air source was leaking air, and it was, but there wasn't much to do about it at this point.


We followed the same basic pattern as my solo dive, East up to the Swiss Cheese Reef, then North past both coral heads and more, then East again for a short ways to the sand and then South by Southwest back to the beach. Along the way I found a medium sized Gaudy Natica. I also spotted some squid ink handing in the water. Small amounts and not well distributed. I tried to let Dennis know what it was and to be on the lookout for some baby reef squids. He did not understand.


Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 22 feet; dive time was 84 minutes and Dennis was on his reserve.  My SAC rate was 14.84 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Night Diving off Catamaran Beach

I had set up my camera for photographs of a deep wreck yesterday, but Jerry failed to show and failed to let me know he was not coming, so I did not get to dive yesterday. This morning I got the camera and changed lenses back to my macro lens and headed for the beach.

It was windy on the beach and the visibility was terrible over the sand, but farther East things were clearer. I found a Banded Tube Dwelling Anemone, but I had to turn the movie light on the anemone to focus the camera, and the light caused the anemone to curl its tentacles.




Visibility was much better up on the Swiss Cheese Reef. Lots of reef fish there, too, but nothing particularly noteworthy. I went up at 40 minutes for a short surface interval.

Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; dive time was 40 minutes and my SAC rate was 20.71 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.




When I surfaced I was just slightly North of the condo building North of Bahia Mar. I move farther East during the surface interval, then descended to 26 feet. I decided to head up the the Umbrella Stands by the Marriott and swam slowly against the current while looking for shells. Didn't find much, but I got this shot of a Lionfish.  I got to the Marriott in about 20 minutes, so I headed West a bit and then South to get back closer to Bahia Mar.  I called the dive at 40 minutes and ascended.

Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 26 feet; dive time was 40 minutes and my SAC rate was 15.59 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.



When I got to the surface I found that I was just a bit South of the Yellow Condo building. Bahia Mar was due West of me. So I just drifted during the 5-minute surface interval, then I descended to 25 feet and headed West following my compass bearing.


I went to the Swiss Cheese Reef, where I got this shot of an Intermediate French Angelfish, then onto a long flat sandy area where I searched for shells.



Then I swam over some more reef and got this shot of a Red Grouper.

I ran into a swim buoy, though I thought I might be off Tower 3 instead of Tower 4. I continued West over the white sand and surfaced in 8 feet of water just East of Tower 4.


Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 25 feet; dive time was 36 minutes and my SAC rate was 15.92 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Diving with a Reef Squid and Striped Burrfish off Catamarand Beach

I got up early, fixed coffee and shaved, then walked the dog. I still wasted time and left the apartment a little after 5:00 am instead of 4:45 am. I got to the beach and the parking on the East side of the lot was blocked off. I parked under a street light on the West side of the street but just across from the entrance where I usually park. I geared up, checked my lights and got in the water. Swam on the surface to the swim buoy and descended. Went over the blocks and then headed East.








No Anemones this morning, but lots of shots of shrimp. I also found a large Caribbean Reef Squid who was stunned by the light and let me get quite close to take pictures.

Kept going East to deep water at 25.5 feet. Hit 60 minutes and ascended for a short surface interval.

Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 26 feet; dive time was 1 hour and my SAC rate was 18.66 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


On the surface I was East of the condo or apartment building just North of Bahia Mar. Figured I had enough gas to go North and explore at least to the umbrella stands off the Marriott, but had to rethink that analysis as I was huffing against the current to get back. Followed the Swiss Cheese Reef North and then back South, so I got lots of pictures, Found a Spotted Trunkfish and got a shot.








I turned West and crossed the dark sand patch, the reef and got to white sand. Surfaced at 8 feet to secure the flagline. Had some trouble getting out, but it was all balance and waves.

Bottom temperature 78 degrees; maximum depth was 26 feet; dive time was 53 minutes and my SAC rate was 16.35 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.




I got out and was warming up when Luis got to the parking lot. He was eager to get in the water so I pushed it a little, but I had finished my coffee and was getting reasonably warm. Luis took the flag and we both took our cameras. Descended at the swim buoy and headed East. Went slowly and looked at everything. Got into the staghorn coral and then the Swiss Cheese Reef, where we turned North and went with the current.






Lots of fish, lots of swim throughs. It was very enjoyable, but I was getting cold by 60 minutes and eager to get out when we did, even though I had a good deal of gas left. Stopped to talk to the lifeguard, although I did not recognize him. He acted like we were old pals. He could have been the surfer dude who chewed us out about swimming through the swim area.


Bottom temperature 80 degrees; maximum depth was 20 feet; dive time was 108 minutes and my SAC was 16.0 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


I wanted to explore the area along the buoy line to the North, but it just wasn't a good idea today: too much sand in the water and too shallow. I did get a nice shot of this Hogfish, however.











 So we went NE up to the Swiss Cheese Reef and again turned North. Got this shot of a Smooth Trunkfish pretending to be a hummingbird.


I started worrying about fighting the current and turned the dive at 60 minutes. We we South, then Southwest. and finally just turned West  to get into the beach.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was only 23 feet; dive time was 89 minutes and my SAC rate was 15.59 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Diving with a Small Stingray and a Spanish Lobster off Catamaran Beach

Left for the beach at 5:10 am. Parked, geared up and got in the water. Swam on the surface to the swim buoy and descended. Headed East from there, but the current set me to the North some.

I took the Cree light with a new battery. The bright light attracted the little Southern Atlantic Stingray and I hope I got pictures. Got some other shots, as well. Then it was 40 minutes and I surfaced.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 24 ft; dive time was 40 minutes and my SAC rate was 19.15 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


Swam South during the surface interval, then descended to 24 feet and swam to almost 26 feet. Decided to find the Swiss Cheese Reef and get some pictures. Had to go farther West than I expected, but I got there. Floated along shooting the fish and looking for Fighting Grunts, but didn't see any.

I did see this Scrawled Cowfish, which was also attracted to the light. I got this shot.

I also got this shot of a little Sharpnose Puffer snuggled up on the reef.

I came up at about 1000 psi.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; Maximum depth was 26 feet; dive time was 35 minutes and my SAC rate was 17.50 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.




Dropped down in about 24 feet and started swimming WSW. I took some pictures but was concerned about making it inside of the swim area, so I wasn't really fussy.  I did get this shot of a Hogfish.


I swam by the Swiss Cheese Reef and then spent some time on the sand flats before crossing a small reeflet and getting to the white sand.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; dive time was 31 minutes and my SAC rate was 17.84 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Had a little challenge with my balance getting out of the water once I got to the beach. I wrung out my wetsuits and set them up to dry in the sun. I was chilled, and the wind was not helping. The sun was warm and I need about 2 hours to get ready for another dive.

I got back in the water and swam out to the swim buoy to descend. went by the blocks and let the current take me North while I swam slowly East. Took lots of pictures, including the Sand Diver to the Right and the Spanish Lobster below.

I tried to find and follow that ledge, but kept losing it. Got on the sand flat with the shells and spent some time looking for another big Gaudy Natica, but there were none to find today. Swam out to deep water and drifted back across the Swiss Cheese Reef taking pictures. Nice slow pleasant dive.

Took my time going back to the beach. Ended up South of the swim buoy off Tower 4, but not bad positioning. The undertow was strong and I had a hard time staying up between it pulling on me and the waves hitting me from behind, but I finally made it out.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 23 feet; dive time was 142 minutes and my SAC rate was 15.08 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Night Diving off Catamaran Beach

Stayed home Monday and Tuesday editing pictures and catching up this blog. Monday brought thunderstorms, but Tuesday could have been a good day to dive. I just didn't want to.

Wednesday, I was late getting to the beach, but then the tank I picked held only 2500 psi, so late was not a problem. The water was warm: 80 degrees. East wind, but not terrible and only a little current. Descended at the swim buoy. Spotted a Green Sea Turtle under the ledge. No pictures, didn't bring my camera. Would the turtle have been there if I had brought the camera? Spotted a Tube Dwelling Anemone, then a Purplemouth Moray Eel and then another anemone. Then it was 40 minutes and I went up.

Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 25 feet; dive time was 43 minutes and my SAC rate was 16 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

When I ascended, I found I was North one building. Decided to head back to Tower 4 along a WSW bearing. Missed the staghorn coral, but found several moonsail shells and a little Scotch Bonnet, which I picked up but then apparently dropped from my BCD pocket. I ended up swimming over the kind of algae patch off Tower 2 and may have been close. I finally hit white sand and started pushing North. I came up in 10 feet of water North of the pedestrian bridge and even with the basketball courts. Kicked a little harder swimming in and got to the corner so I made a straight shot to the shower.

Bottom temperature was 80 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; dive time was 44 minutes and y SAC rate was 16.1 psi/minute.

Diving with Luis off Catamaran Beach

Luis met me at the South Beach parking lot at 8:00 am. We geared up and swam to the swim buoy off Tower 4, then descended and headed East up the reef. Luis took the flag, so I followed him.

We went North into the Staghorn Coral and then to the Swiss Cheese Reef. We headed North, taking pictures and watching fish. We continued North for a bit, then turned the dive and headed back along the reef to the staghorn coral before turning West to the beach.

We ended up in front of Tower 3, however, a bit farther South than we needed to go.





Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 18 feet; dive time was 112 minutes and my SAC rate was 16.82 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


Luis wanted to make a second dive, but also wanted to be back by 1:00 pm so he could get to the shop to fill his tanks. I took the flag. We descended just past the swim buoy off Tower 4 and headed NE.


At first we were on the small reef that starts at the swim buoy. Then we went over a sand area with lots of shells. Then we came to the Swiss Cheese Reef and went one corridor East beyond that.


Got a shot of a small school of Chub.

Then it was time to head back. I went a bit South since I knew we had come NE. I expected to find the staghorn coral, but did not, so I turned West anyway. We got to the last sand corridor before the end of the reef and the white sand and I surfaced to see that we were just North of the swim buoy off Tower 4.


Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 23 feet; dive time was 102 minutes and my SAC rate was 15.78 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Recovering the Plow Anchor with Luis

Got to the beach early but managed to fritter away my time and got in the water 8 minutes earlier than yesterday. Took the camera and headed to the East looking for the plow anchor. I swam slowly, trying to spot a Banded Tube Dwelling Anemone. I haven't seen any lately and I am curious as to why. Certainly did not see any this morning. Did get this shot of a Sharpnose Puffer.

Got into a little Staghorn coral, but not the big thickets I know are out there. Kept swimming East to water 23 feet or deeper, but I never got there. I was looking for the tire and the L-shaped cable, but I didn't find them. Surfaced at 40 minutes.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 21 feet; bottom time was 40 minutes; SAC rate was 18.38 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Although I thought I had done a decent job of holding a 90 degree bearing, I was past the second building and well on my way to the Marriott when I hit the surface. I spent the surface interval swimming South then dropped into 22 feet of water. I did not recognize the area, at all. I thought I might be too far East, so I headed West looking for the Swiss Cheese Reef, but I couldn't find that, either. Just swam around until 40 minutes and surfaced to see where I was.

Got this shot of an Intermediate French Angelfish

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 23 feet; dive time was 40 minutes and my SAC rate was 18.85 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


Just drifted during this short surface interval. I was concerned that I had not seen the plow anchor and Luis expected to help haul it in this morning. Still, I was low on gas. I made one pass going North looking for the tire and the L-shaped cable, but no luck. I turned and headed back to the beach.

Got this shot of a Yellow Sand Ray.


Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; dive time was 31 minutes and my SAC rate was 18.31 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Luis met me at the South Beach parking lot. I was still warming up after my first dives. We talked about the plow anchor I had previously located and how I had failed to locate it earlier this morning. Then we geared up and got in the water. Swam on the surface out to the swim buoy and descended. Headed East.

I really focused on holding my bearing. We swam out to 24 feet of water and started looking. I first went North and South on the sand, but did not see the tire and the L-shaped cable. So I surfaced to see where I was. We were East of the buoy and off the catamaran masts. Should be the right spot. Went back down and looked. Spotted the tire. It was not alone on the sand, but set back on a bit of uncovered reef. Headed West and spotted the line then the anchor. Then the work began.

I brought a hammer and cold chisel and tried to break some of the chain links, but had no luck. Luis saw what I was trying to do and took over. He managed to break one of the links, so now we were rid of the line, but still stuck with the heavy chain. I coiled it up and tied it off and Luis hooked his lift bag onto the coiled chain. Mine was hooked to the head of the anchor and had no trouble lifting that.

Unfortunately, Luis' lift bag leaked terribly. Though it would lift the coiled chain, it only held air for a few minutes, then sank.  Luis put his SMB sausage on the coil and that helped. He had his finger spool from the  SMB and stayed on the bottom pulling the anchor and chain while I held onto the chain and pulled it along at about 12 feet. We muddled along like that and finally got to white sand near the beach. Wish I could have gotten pictures of us bobbing along pulling the anchor and chain, but I never would have been able to get out of the water if I had the camera with me.

At about 4 ft we stood up and started disconnecting bags and anchor. Then we went ashore and dropped out gear so we could go back out and bring in the anchor. The step on the beach was about 2 feet and a stretch for me, but I made it twice. We left the anchor and chain on the beach and took the gear back to the truck, which was no small distance. We came ashore in front of Tower 3 and had to walk down to Tower 4, where we parked, but I was just happy to get to the beach. I did notice that I had lost my hammer.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; dive time was 76 minutes and my SAC rate was 25.59 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Luis wanted to make a second dive and talked me into it. It wasn't a tough sell since I had lost the hammer somewhere over the white sand and since the likely spot was where we go out of the water. I wanted to go back and look for the hammer. Since I thought I would be searching for lost gear, I did not take my camera as it is often just in the way. We got in the water in front of Tower 3 and a fellow noticed Luie looking for something and asked what we'd lost. Luis told him we lost a hammer and he said it was with his stuff on the beach. His boy had stubbed his toe on it, so he had removed it from the water. I should have brought my camera. We headed out East off Tower 3, which was a new area, except we got set by the current and ended up where the anchor had been. I collected shells and just looked at things. Luis took pictures. It was a pleasant dive, but I was exhausted at the end of it. Maybe it wasn't five hours in the water that morning, but it was close at 284 minutes. I was the worse for wear.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 23 feet; dive time was 97 minutes and my SAC rate was 15.13 psi/minute (compared to 25.59 psi/minute towing the anchor).

Can't Find the Plow Anchor in the Dark, but Swam Right to the Danforth Anchor

Got up early but frittered my time away watching TV. Pathetic. Went to the beach and geared up. Got in the water and swam out to the swim buoy to descend. Swam East with just a slight adjustment for the current. Missed the Staghorn coral. I think I was North of it. Took some pictures, but seemed like everything was stark: black and white. I like it warmer with yellows and oranges. Spotted a Flame Box Crab who was so still that I thought it was dead until I reached to pick it up. At that point it became quite animated.




Got this shot of a Sand Diver waiting.


Swam into deep water: 24 ft. but did not find the anchor. Surfaced at 40 minutes and found myself off the apartment building immediately North of Tower 4. Swam South during the surface interval.



Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; maximum depth was 23.6 ft; dive time was 40 minutes and my SAC rate was 18.43 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


Dropped down to 24 ft then decided to get East of the reef and on the sand where I spotted the tire and bent cable. From there I swam West and found the anchor. I did not bring the pliers and screw driver on this dive. I wasn't certain I could find the anchor. Not sure it will make a difference, the pin is rusted solid to the shackle. Maybe a cold chisel and a hammer might work. There are some links in the chain that I could probably break with a hammer, but the links closest to the anchor are pretty solid.




Got this shot of a Sailfin Blenny greeting sunrise on the reef.

Have to coil the chain and tie it down somehow so we can use the bags to lift it. Anyway, no way I was going to move the anchor this morning. Maybe I can get Leo or Luis to help tomorrow. I headed back, taking pictures along the way.

Bottom temperature was 78 degrees; Maximum depth was 23.5 feet; Bottom time is 41 minutes and my SAC rate was 16.22 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.


Headed SW into the beach by the buoy marker off Tower 3. Wanted to look again for the Danforth anchor I dropped there a week or so ago. Along the way I crossed the staghorn coral and got this shot of a Juvenile Cocoa Damselfish.

No long afterwards, I spotted this Giant Anemone and the tiny Spotted Cleaner Shrimp that was trying to hang on as the Anemone's tentacles went back and forth in the surge.

Also spotted this Spotted Scorpionfish, which is difficult to see in the picture even though I know it is there.

I swam West and was well North of the buoy when I spotted the Danforth anchor.  The anchor must have gotten pushed to the North by the current. Doesn't speak well for it's holding ability, but there it was. I picked it up and swam/crawled along the bottom with the anchor. Got into 5 ft of water and stood up.

Secured the flagline and got my fins off. Managed to pick up the anchor and hold it, my fins and the flag in one hand while holding the camera with the other. The step was building and was steep, but I managed to dig my left foot in and step up. I could as easily have fallen over.

Bottom temperature was 75 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; Dive time was 31 minutes and my SAC rate was 20.27 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Night Diving off Catamaran Beach and Recovering a Danforth Anchor

I was late getting to the beach, but quickly geared up and got in the water. I swam out to the swim buoy to descended, Along the way, I took some pictures looking back at the beach.  Used Canon's Picture Stitch to create this shot.



Took another photograph of the Spotted Cyphoma on the Knobby Sea Rod just East of the buoy pin and West of the blocks.

Continued East looking for anemones or other photographic subjects, but the visibility was poor and there was not much life around. Went up to the swiss cheese reef and beyond to flat, deeper sand at 23 feet. Took 40 minutes, so I ascended.

Bottom temperature was 76 degrees;  maximum depth was 23 feet; dive time was 40 minutes; consumption was 27.1 psi/minute at an average depth of 18 feet and my SAC rate was 17.54 psi/minute on an aluminum 80

When I got to the surface, I found that I was well North of Bahia Mar, almost to the next building. I tried to stay in deep water, but swam a little to the South, against the current. When I dropped down, I was in 24 feet of water.

I decided to head North to the umbrella stands off the Marriott. Got this shot of two Seminole Gobys





This shot of a Seaweed Blenny,














and this shot of a Gaudy Natica shell.


Spent about 20 minutes swimming and then decided to head Southwest to get in a better position to make it to the beach. I surfaced after 40 minutes.

Bottom temperature was 76 degrees; maximum depth was 24 feet; Dive time was 40 minutes; consumption rate was 26.38 psi/minute at an average depth of 22 feet; my SAC rate was 15.82 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

 During my surface interval I swam southwest towards the swim buoy off Tower 3, to look for the Danforth anchor I dropped there on the 24th of April. I descended to 25 feet then headed off to the SW to get to the swim buoy so I could search for the anchor.

Got this shot of a Christmas Tree worm.

 I knew I was North of the buoy but I did not see the anchor and did not recognize any landmarks. I decided to head South, but I did not see anything familiar, so I went to the surface to see where I was. I was now South of the buoy, but right on the white sand.

Got this shot of a Bicolor Damselfish.








So I picked up the anchor and bounced my way into the beach. I surfaced in 4 feet of water and held the camera with one hand while I held my fins, the flag and the anchor in the other. Climbed up the step holding on to everything and then walked up to the shower.

Got this shot of a Knobby Sea Rod.


Bottom temperature was 76 degrees; maximum depth was 25 feet; dive time was 34 minutes and my SAC rate was 18.56 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.




I forgot my sweatshirt this morning, but the sun was warm and now so am I. I geared up after a 72 minute surface interval and got back in the water. Headed due East from the swim buoy. On the way over the Swiss Cheese Reef, I spotted the chain and plow anchor. Due East of the buoy and on the reef.

Got this shot of a Purplemouth Moray Eel, too.

 Got this shot of a Two Spot Cardinalfish.

I surfaced to check the bearing to the anchor: due East of the Shower. I dropped and continued swimming East out to a tire on the sand and near a bend in some cable.











I swam back to the West, looking for the anchor. I was beginning to think I had lost it again, but I continued to the West and ultimately found it on the swiss cheese reef. I again went to the surface to check the anchor's location. I've found it three times now, so maybe I'll take some tools tomorrow and try to disconnect the chain and raise the anchor with the lift bag.


Bottom temperature was 76 degrees, maximum depth was 25 .4 feet; Dive time was 121 minutes; my SAC rate was 17.05 psi/minute and the Residual minute volume was .44 ft3.

Night Diving off Catamaran Beach

Got to the beach eager to dive. Geared up and got into the water. swam on the surface to the swim buoy, then descended. Lots of sand in the water. Visibility was terrible. Saw a little Spotted Cyphoma on a sea rod near the buoy pin, but could hardly get a picture. Barry serviced my regulator and now it free flows a lot. Got to take it back and get the 1st stage pressure adjusted. I headed East, but would check the compass and find I was swimming North. Not sure where I went. Spent a lot of time on shallow sand. Did not see the staghorn coral. Did not see the Swiss Cheese reef. Finally hit 40 minutes and came up to see I was still South of the Marriott.

Bottom temperature was 76; maximum depth was 19 ft; dive time was 41 minutes and my SAC rate was 19.92 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.

Swam South during my surface interval and dropped down to 24 feet. I was in the corridor SE of the Swiss Cheese reef. Tried to get a picture of some shrimp, but just could not find them in the view finder.


Sort of looked for the plow anchor, but did not run a pattern. Just looked around where I happened to be. I did swim West to try to get on the Swiss Cheese Reef, but had overcompensated and got too far South. I missed it.



I swam back, but surfaced at about 1000 psi. I was concerned about making it to the beach. My regulator was free flowing a lot and my air usage was poor.

Bottom temperature was 76 degrees; dive time was 31 minutes; maximum depth was 24 feet; consumption was 29.10 psi/minute at an average depth of 22 feet and my SAC rate was 17.46 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.






Just tried to stay in the same spot during the surface interval. Came close. I dropped down to 24 feet of water and started swimming SW to the beach. I didn't get on the Swiss Cheese Reef, but I was on something like it. Lots of holes in the surface and some fish, but not like the reef, or at least not like the reef in the daylight. Not that it was pitch black. More like twilight. Sky was overcast and the sun was well up, but it was hidden behind the clouds.

I just plodded along. Got down to 147 but was on the white sand and kept going. Surfaced in 8 feet of water and swam in. Missed the step. Had a reasonably flat bit of sand to cross and I was out of the water. Cold, though. I tried to dry off and warm up, but it wasn't happening, so I went home.

Bottom temperature was 75 degrees; maximum depth was 24 ft; dive time was 33 minutes and my SAC rate was 18.71 psi/minute on an aluminum 80.