Today was Saturday and Leo would be up from Miami. As is necessary now, I got to the beach a little after 5:00 am in ensure that I had one of the few remaining parking spots on A1A. Sure am glad I bought the parking pass at the inflated rates just before this construction project decimated the parking. Luis came about 8:00 am and got a spot that just opened up. This road repair project has certainly interfered with my diving. There are now only about six parking spots available on either side of A1A North of Sunrise to 20th Street. Though the construction crew is not working on the West side of the road from Sunrise to the Park Tower building, they have blocked off all of those spots. Someone just wants to be malicious.
Our first dive was a Search & Recover dive, which was part of Leo's divemaster program. Leo, Luis and I met behind Tower 20 and discussed the search patterns we might use and the knots would likely need to tie off the lift bag. We then discussed our dive plan, which was relatively simple: we would swim on the surface out to the Ledge, descend, the swim East staying within sight of each other and looking for a tire. Leo would then tie off the tire and take it to the surface using the lift bag. Then we got in the water.
As planned, we swam out to the Eastern Ledge off Tower 20 and descended. We were, at least for a time, about 20 ft apart and headed East. I spotted a tire and signaled to Luis, who, in turn, looked for Leo, but Leo was no where to be found. I headed for the surface to see if he were looking for us, but saw him swim in from the North, which was odd since he had started out South of Luis, who was South of me. Anyway, Leo tied the tire off and I pointed out that he needed to shorten the lines or the tire wouldn't get lifted very far. He did. He then attached the lift bag with a sheet bend. Finally, he took the tire to the surface, but had some trouble because he couldn't get the air out of it near the end. Dive Time was 120 minutes and the Respiratory Minute Volume was 0.36 ft3/min.
The guys wanted to make a second dive, even though Leo and I had Cesar Souza's scuba review class scheduled at 2:30 in the afternoon. So we did. They took their cameras. We swam out to the Rock Pile to descend, then swam at 120 degrees to the Ledge, except the current set us North a bit and I spotted the comfortable rock as we swam by. From the rock, we swam SW to the Ledge of Turtles. We hung out there for a good while, then went to Shark's Rock and Sharks' Rocks East. Then back to the Ledge and back to the beach. Dive Time was 125 minutes with almost 1000 psi still in my tank. RMV was 0.35 ft3/minute.
A continuing log of dives and commentary on items of interest to students at Cordova Diving.
04 October 2014
25 September 2014
Diving the Yankee Clipper Jacks with Dmitry
Dmitry and I went diving this morning. We entered the water South of the rocks in front of Tower 2 and swam on the surface just past the swim buoys, where we descended and began slowly working our way East. We ended up at the Jacks, though I really don't understand how. We followed them about 2/3rds of the way along the Jacks, when Dmitry indicated that he had only 1100 psi left. We turned the dive and headed back. He was at 500 just as we left the reef and he shared air with me back to the sand before the beach, when we had sucked my air down to 500 psi. Seemed like a calm easy dive and I was expecting a dive time around 135 minutes, but it all changed when Dmitry got near the bottom of his tank. Water temperature was 84 degrees; Dive Time was 107 minutes. My SAC rate was altered when I shared air with Dmitry, but calculated out to 17.74 psi/minute. RMV was 0.46 ft3/minute.
22 September 2014
Diving out of Jupiter with Emerald Charters
Early this morning, Gary, Dave, Louie, Bryan, Laila and me left Fort Lauderdale and headed to Jupiter to dive with Captain Randy Jordan of Emerald Charters. Jordan hand feeds sharks as part of his dive operation and had been charged by the FWC with a misdemeanor for doing so within State waters. On February 8th, 2014, members of the Sheriff's Office dive team dove with Emerald Charters and allegedly took video of Jordan hand-feeding sharks and using a milk crate filled with fish chunks to lure sharks to his divers. The deputies used GPS devices to confirm that Jordan’s location was in state waters, which is up to 3 nautical miles from the nearest point of Florida coastline. I'd signed us up for a 3-tank trip.
Our first dive began somewhere along the Jupiter Drop Off. Jordan, who dived with only one fin as he had sanded off the front part of his left foot, took his spear gun and ppv and got in the water. We followed. I went to the bottom, but Randy and most of the others stayed at about 100 ft. I went up. We all followed Jordan and followed followed him some more. Finally, he speared a good sized Jack and zipped off on his scoter. He hoped that sharks would come for the recent kill, but none did. It was a boring dive being off the bottom, but the bottom mostly algae and rock, anyway. Dive Time was 36 minutes; SAC rate was 16.58 psi/minute; RVM as 0.43 ft3/minute.
The second dive was more of the same, except that it was not as deep. Randy wore two fins on this dive and did not ride the scoter nearly as much. I went to the bottom and watched the Rock Beauties, Ocean Surgeonfish and Grunts. I saw nothing unusual on the bottom. I went up to about 60 feet, joining the others swimming after Randy. I spotted a Nurse Shark lying in a large, sand-filled hole in the rocks, but it took me several glances to actually identify it. At first, I thought it was kelp that just looked like a Nurse shark. Then the kelp moved and it did not. But I was at about 65 ft and it was 20-25 feet below me. Dive Time was 53 minutes; SAC rate 14.66 psi/minute; RVM was 0.38 ft3/minute.
On the third dive, we descended on the Bonaire. When Jordan started feeding the sharks I and several others perched on the deck about 5 ft above the sand. As the sharks moved about, the visibility dropped to 8 ft or less and I could make out Jordan's fins and sometimes see the sharks coming. Other times they just popped out in front of me. I saw a small Goliath Grouper well above us who was apparently attracted to the commotion, but I focused on the sharks. It was all pretty controlled and Jordan seemed quite comfortable in the middle of it all. I never felt threatened, but I had also dropped to the sand and slipped under the Bonaire and was not out in the open. It was exciting. I was the first to run out of time and head up, first to the top of the Bonaire, then to the surface. I thought I was going very slowly, but the computer registered 5 separate ascent rate warmings plus a "Below Floor Deco" warning which means I was too deep and that I was not getting decompression time credit. I deployed my SMB but also dropped to 30 ft while doing so. I made a 5-minute safety stop, then surfaced. Would have been really nice to have had my camera as I'm pretty sure I'm never going to waste time and money on this dive again. Dive Time was 40 minutes at 90 feet; SAC rate was 14.76 psi/minute and RVM was 0.38 ft3/minute.
Our first dive began somewhere along the Jupiter Drop Off. Jordan, who dived with only one fin as he had sanded off the front part of his left foot, took his spear gun and ppv and got in the water. We followed. I went to the bottom, but Randy and most of the others stayed at about 100 ft. I went up. We all followed Jordan and followed followed him some more. Finally, he speared a good sized Jack and zipped off on his scoter. He hoped that sharks would come for the recent kill, but none did. It was a boring dive being off the bottom, but the bottom mostly algae and rock, anyway. Dive Time was 36 minutes; SAC rate was 16.58 psi/minute; RVM as 0.43 ft3/minute.
The second dive was more of the same, except that it was not as deep. Randy wore two fins on this dive and did not ride the scoter nearly as much. I went to the bottom and watched the Rock Beauties, Ocean Surgeonfish and Grunts. I saw nothing unusual on the bottom. I went up to about 60 feet, joining the others swimming after Randy. I spotted a Nurse Shark lying in a large, sand-filled hole in the rocks, but it took me several glances to actually identify it. At first, I thought it was kelp that just looked like a Nurse shark. Then the kelp moved and it did not. But I was at about 65 ft and it was 20-25 feet below me. Dive Time was 53 minutes; SAC rate 14.66 psi/minute; RVM was 0.38 ft3/minute.
On the third dive, we descended on the Bonaire. When Jordan started feeding the sharks I and several others perched on the deck about 5 ft above the sand. As the sharks moved about, the visibility dropped to 8 ft or less and I could make out Jordan's fins and sometimes see the sharks coming. Other times they just popped out in front of me. I saw a small Goliath Grouper well above us who was apparently attracted to the commotion, but I focused on the sharks. It was all pretty controlled and Jordan seemed quite comfortable in the middle of it all. I never felt threatened, but I had also dropped to the sand and slipped under the Bonaire and was not out in the open. It was exciting. I was the first to run out of time and head up, first to the top of the Bonaire, then to the surface. I thought I was going very slowly, but the computer registered 5 separate ascent rate warmings plus a "Below Floor Deco" warning which means I was too deep and that I was not getting decompression time credit. I deployed my SMB but also dropped to 30 ft while doing so. I made a 5-minute safety stop, then surfaced. Would have been really nice to have had my camera as I'm pretty sure I'm never going to waste time and money on this dive again. Dive Time was 40 minutes at 90 feet; SAC rate was 14.76 psi/minute and RVM was 0.38 ft3/minute.
21 September 2014
Diving on Sea Pup Diver out of Riviera Beach
For Sunday, I booked a 3-tank dive trip on Sea Pup Diver with Captain Dustin McCabe and his wife/deckhand Kristy McCabe. Darryn Timm and his friends, Leo Paez and Dmitry Titov could not make these dives, but the four Canadians and I were joined by Laila Haddad, who has previously dived with us.
Our first dive was on the Princess Anne, a 350 feet car ferry used to carry 800 people and some 200 automobiles across the Chesapeake Bay before coming to Florida. Gina, our divemaster, was not able to tie the ball to the wreck, so we had to hot drop on the wreck. Captain Dustin set us down a bit to the East. I was on the Western edge of the group and could see something to the West, but I wasn't sure if it was the wreck or not until I saw two Goliath Groupers head towards it. I tried to signal to the others, but then Gary spotted it too, so I went to the wreck, emphasis on wreck. Not much structure left standing. We saw several Goliath Grouper, but not as many as I had expected from our 2013 dive on The Caster. I got separated from the group, and was fussing with the SMB when Laila came by and showed me hers was already deployed. I put mine away, but took my eyes off the group as I did so. They were a little above me and apparently in a swifter current because when I looked back up, they were gone. I deployed mine again and shared it with Jackie, a young spearfisheress and we surfaced together. My maximum depth was 91 feet; Dive Time was 39 minutes; SAC rate was 15.24 psi/minute and the RVM was 0.39 ft3/minute.
Our second dive was on the Governor's River Walk Reef: a group of 4 vessels turned over to the Palm Beach County’s Artificial Reef Program by US Customs as part of Operation River Walk, a program to eliminate drug smuggling operations on the Miami River. Gena lead this dive carrying a large ball. We went to a large wreck, first, the ShaSha Boekanie, which was on its side but still had structure. Then a small wreck called the St. Jacques. Then past the Thozina and finally to the Gilbert Sea. Saw a Hawksbill Turtle and a Spotted Moray Eel. Went up with Gina and did not deploy my SMB. Maximum depth was 91 feet; Dive Time was 39 minutes; SAC rate was 15.24 psi/minute; and my RMV was 0.39 ft3/minute.
The third dive was on the Mizpah Corridor: The Mizpah, The PC1170, and the Amaryllis that line up to form an amazing 1700 foot drift dive. Again, Gina lead the dive and carried the ball. It was a pleasant dive in about 80-85 feet. This time, Laila and I got separated from the group and I deployed my SMB. I dropped the finger spool, however, while trying to deflate the sausage at the end of the dive and, fortunately, Laila caught it before it completely unspooled. Trickey. Dive Time was 43 minutes; SAC rate was 13.72 psi/minute and the RVM was 0.35 ft3/minute.
Our first dive was on the Princess Anne, a 350 feet car ferry used to carry 800 people and some 200 automobiles across the Chesapeake Bay before coming to Florida. Gina, our divemaster, was not able to tie the ball to the wreck, so we had to hot drop on the wreck. Captain Dustin set us down a bit to the East. I was on the Western edge of the group and could see something to the West, but I wasn't sure if it was the wreck or not until I saw two Goliath Groupers head towards it. I tried to signal to the others, but then Gary spotted it too, so I went to the wreck, emphasis on wreck. Not much structure left standing. We saw several Goliath Grouper, but not as many as I had expected from our 2013 dive on The Caster. I got separated from the group, and was fussing with the SMB when Laila came by and showed me hers was already deployed. I put mine away, but took my eyes off the group as I did so. They were a little above me and apparently in a swifter current because when I looked back up, they were gone. I deployed mine again and shared it with Jackie, a young spearfisheress and we surfaced together. My maximum depth was 91 feet; Dive Time was 39 minutes; SAC rate was 15.24 psi/minute and the RVM was 0.39 ft3/minute.
Our second dive was on the Governor's River Walk Reef: a group of 4 vessels turned over to the Palm Beach County’s Artificial Reef Program by US Customs as part of Operation River Walk, a program to eliminate drug smuggling operations on the Miami River. Gena lead this dive carrying a large ball. We went to a large wreck, first, the ShaSha Boekanie, which was on its side but still had structure. Then a small wreck called the St. Jacques. Then past the Thozina and finally to the Gilbert Sea. Saw a Hawksbill Turtle and a Spotted Moray Eel. Went up with Gina and did not deploy my SMB. Maximum depth was 91 feet; Dive Time was 39 minutes; SAC rate was 15.24 psi/minute; and my RMV was 0.39 ft3/minute.
The third dive was on the Mizpah Corridor: The Mizpah, The PC1170, and the Amaryllis that line up to form an amazing 1700 foot drift dive. Again, Gina lead the dive and carried the ball. It was a pleasant dive in about 80-85 feet. This time, Laila and I got separated from the group and I deployed my SMB. I dropped the finger spool, however, while trying to deflate the sausage at the end of the dive and, fortunately, Laila caught it before it completely unspooled. Trickey. Dive Time was 43 minutes; SAC rate was 13.72 psi/minute and the RVM was 0.35 ft3/minute.
20 September 2014
Diving on Scubatyme with the Red Devil Canadians
As anticipated, Gary Smith, the owner and operator of Red Devil Scuba in Chatham, Ontario, and his intrepid group of divers arrived yesterday morning. With him were David Ebare, Louie Jerome and Bryan Merchant, each of whom had enjoyed Fort Lauderdale in previous years. We had tentatively planned to make a shore dive, but conditions were not obliging and I really don't think any of the group truly appreciates the wonder of our first reef line in merely 25 feet of water. So they made themselves at home by the pool and generally unwound from their flight. Some of them worked on gear and Bryan Merchant set up a clever suspender system for his weight belt.
In the morning, they piled in their van and followed me up Federal Highway to Sands Harbor Marina in Pompano Beach for our first dives of this trip. I had augmented our group with five other divers: Darryn Timm, a recent student, and his friends Teri Smith and Michael Wilson; Leo Paez, a divemaster candidate and frequent dive buddy; and Dmitry Titov, a new dive buddy and possible student of mine. We were ten in all and eager to board Scubatyme and head to sea.
Doug Barkley (the videographer) was the divemaster for our trip, but had reserved the front of the boat for some divers who failed to show. The 10 of us got stuck on the stern, except I stowed my camera under the seats up front. Then I put my camera together and brought it to the stern. I put the camera in the camera bucket where I thought it would be safe and heard a gurgling sound. The dome port had come off, flooding the camera and housing. I quickly got the camera out of the bucket, dried everything off as best I could and put it in Enzo's van while we dived. Unfortunately, nothing the camera would not turn on the next day. I think I have destroyed yet another camera. Worse, I got no pictures of the dives today and will get none of the dives scheduled for Sunday or Monday.
As we geared up on our way up the Intercoastal Waterway to the inlet, Bryan discovered that he had a short fill tank with only 2,600 psi in it. I swapped tanks with him. Our first dive was on the Ancient Mariner, formerly the Coast Guard Cutter Nemisis, which sits in about 70 feet of water. The water was a pleasant 84 degrees and visibility was good. I swam around the wreck, then headed off to look for the tug, the Berry Patch off to the SE. I got out of sight of the Mariner but had not yet recognized the Berry Patch and decided to head back while I still could. Leo was to swim with and act as divemaster for Darryn, Teri, Michael and Dmitry, but mostly he swam around and took pictures. If I had a camera, I might have, too. I was the 3rd diver in the water and the last one up, but I also made a 5 minute safety stop. Cheap insurance.
On the boat, Dmitry had problems with an o-ring during his surface interval. Doug helped him out. Leo missed the whole episode. The dive was less a DM training dive and more a vacation. Dive time was only 46 minutes, but I used only 1,941 psi. My SAC rate was 15.43 psi/minute and the RMV was 0.4 ft3/minute,
Our second dive was a drift dive over Abbey Too reef, which runs parallel to the beach and not far from the Mariner. There is a 10 foot ledge on the West side of the reef and the depth was 55 feet to the sand and about 45 feet on top. Captain Oliver pushed us on our surface interval and I had too large a nitrogen load about 10 minutes into the dive, so I spent a lot of time at about 30 - 25 feet just so I could stay in the water for the whole dive. Lots of fish on the reef. Gary spotted a small baby eel about 7 inches long. Other divers spotted a Green Sea Turtle. Nice dive and a fairly strong current. Dive Time was 67 minutes; my SAC rate was 15.93 psi/minute and my RMV went up a hair to 0.41 ft3/minute.
In the morning, they piled in their van and followed me up Federal Highway to Sands Harbor Marina in Pompano Beach for our first dives of this trip. I had augmented our group with five other divers: Darryn Timm, a recent student, and his friends Teri Smith and Michael Wilson; Leo Paez, a divemaster candidate and frequent dive buddy; and Dmitry Titov, a new dive buddy and possible student of mine. We were ten in all and eager to board Scubatyme and head to sea.
Doug Barkley (the videographer) was the divemaster for our trip, but had reserved the front of the boat for some divers who failed to show. The 10 of us got stuck on the stern, except I stowed my camera under the seats up front. Then I put my camera together and brought it to the stern. I put the camera in the camera bucket where I thought it would be safe and heard a gurgling sound. The dome port had come off, flooding the camera and housing. I quickly got the camera out of the bucket, dried everything off as best I could and put it in Enzo's van while we dived. Unfortunately, nothing the camera would not turn on the next day. I think I have destroyed yet another camera. Worse, I got no pictures of the dives today and will get none of the dives scheduled for Sunday or Monday.
As we geared up on our way up the Intercoastal Waterway to the inlet, Bryan discovered that he had a short fill tank with only 2,600 psi in it. I swapped tanks with him. Our first dive was on the Ancient Mariner, formerly the Coast Guard Cutter Nemisis, which sits in about 70 feet of water. The water was a pleasant 84 degrees and visibility was good. I swam around the wreck, then headed off to look for the tug, the Berry Patch off to the SE. I got out of sight of the Mariner but had not yet recognized the Berry Patch and decided to head back while I still could. Leo was to swim with and act as divemaster for Darryn, Teri, Michael and Dmitry, but mostly he swam around and took pictures. If I had a camera, I might have, too. I was the 3rd diver in the water and the last one up, but I also made a 5 minute safety stop. Cheap insurance.
On the boat, Dmitry had problems with an o-ring during his surface interval. Doug helped him out. Leo missed the whole episode. The dive was less a DM training dive and more a vacation. Dive time was only 46 minutes, but I used only 1,941 psi. My SAC rate was 15.43 psi/minute and the RMV was 0.4 ft3/minute,
Our second dive was a drift dive over Abbey Too reef, which runs parallel to the beach and not far from the Mariner. There is a 10 foot ledge on the West side of the reef and the depth was 55 feet to the sand and about 45 feet on top. Captain Oliver pushed us on our surface interval and I had too large a nitrogen load about 10 minutes into the dive, so I spent a lot of time at about 30 - 25 feet just so I could stay in the water for the whole dive. Lots of fish on the reef. Gary spotted a small baby eel about 7 inches long. Other divers spotted a Green Sea Turtle. Nice dive and a fairly strong current. Dive Time was 67 minutes; my SAC rate was 15.93 psi/minute and my RMV went up a hair to 0.41 ft3/minute.
18 September 2014
Dimitry and I dive the Clipper Jacks
Dmitry Titov came over to dive with me this morning. He needed to borrow a regulator, but had everything else. We went to the South Beach lot, then swam on the surface out to the Jacks to descend. I took my camera and got this shot of a small school of Bar Jacks just above the Wall of Jacks.
I also got this shot of a Blue Parrotfish.
Dimitry did well in the water, but he still wants to stand vertically rather than swim horizontally. He also waives his arms a fair amount, suggesting that he has not really learned to breathe well. But he was comfortable in the water and cautious. He didn't band into the reef or the Jacks.
and this Yellow Snapper.
Dimitry went through his tank fairly rapidly, but our dive time was 92 minutes, which is good for a fellow with only 15 dives in his log. I invited Dimitry to join us on Scubatyme on Saturday.
My SAC rate was 18.54 psi/minute; and my RMV was 0.48 ft3/minute.
07 September 2014
Darryn Timm, Luis and I dive the Clipper Jacks
Chad was apparently concerned about his ears and skipped the dives today. Darryn came to the apartment a bit before 7:00 am and we headed to the beach. We geared up and swam out to the reef, but could not find the Jacks. So we make the Alternate Air Source, CESA and buddy breathing ascents from 27 feet of water. Darryn did well. We spent the balance of the dive swimming North then South looking for the Jacks, but we never found them. Dive Tme was 80 minutes; RMV was .4 ft3/minute.
Darryn was excited and ran through his air faster than usual. Dive Time was 103 minutes; RMV was 0.35 ft3/minute.
06 September 2014
Darryn Timm, Chad Scott and I dive the Algae Patch and Clipper Jacks off Tower 2
Luis was at the beach when we got there. Leo came 10 minutes later. We geared up and then Leo locked his keys in his car. Spent some time trying to contact his wife to drive up from Miami with a spare set of keys. Then we got in the water. We did not follow blonde surfer dude's rule that divers had to swim on the surface until they were outside the buoys. Luis and Leo continued to swim towards the Jacks, but Chad, Darryn and I dropped down in about 10 feet of water and went slowly out onto the algae patch. Chad had some trouble equalizing, but worked through it. Darryn had good buoyancy control except when he was performing skills and would focus on the skill instead of his breathing. Chad was not so good with his buoyancy, but he had moments when it seemed like he got it. We swam out to the second tier of the three tiered reef and turned as Chad hit 1500 psi. Darryn was at 1800 psi and I had 2300 psi. Dive Time was 68 minutes. My RMV was a sad 0.46 ft3/minute. 
During the surface interval we went over the table problems and the guys took their final exams. Pattie Conrad joined us. Leo acted as the dive leader, gave the briefing and lead us out on the surface about as far as we swam on the first dive. Pattie was getting tired and we went down a little earlier than we might have, otherwise, but we found several single Jacks then got to sand. I incorrectly decided to head South. Chad had trouble getting equalized and Leo took him back to the beach. I finally decided the Jacks were not South of where we had been and Pattie, Darryn and I headed North. 
We passed two single Jacks in a line and I was having second thoughts, but we soon came to the Jacks. We got on the South Side and headed East to the end, then came back to the Western end of the Jacks.
Along the way, we found a small school of Doctorfish on the Jack, one of whom was carrying a Cymothoid Isopod.
Got this shot of an Ocean Surgeonfish.
A Smooth Trunkfish.
After touring the Jacks, we surfaced to see if we could find Leo's flag, but we could not. In that few minutes on the surface, however, we drifted far enough North that we could no longer see the Jacks. This time, I knew they were there and we quickly found them, but it was amazing how quickly we lost them.
We swam back in to the beach and Leo and Chad were waiting for us by the truck. Leo's wife had not arrived with the spare key. Pattie needed to go and I took Darryn and Chad to fill tanks. We later met Leo at the Bridge and he worked with the guys on the snorkel skills and the regulator and mask clearing skills from the first confined water dive.
Dive Time was 96 minutes; my SAC rate was 17.66 psi/minute and my RMV was 0.46 ft3/minute.
01 September 2014
Jack, Leo and I dive the Ledge of Turtles
Although DOT has shut down most of the parking spots North of Sunrise, there are 5 spots still available behind Tower 20. Jack and I got to the beach and there was only 1 car parked near the beach entrance. We parked behind them. I texted Leo regarding to let him know where we were. We started to gear up and get in the water. Between the darkness and the poor visibility, I could not see the bottom from the surface. We descended where I thought the Rock Pile would be, but it wasn't and we didn't find it swimming North. I went up and saw that we were way North, and we went back down and swam South. This time, we found the Rock Pile. From there, we headed up the reef at 120 degrees. I spotted the large round coral head that sits SW of Turtle Rock, and we headed up to the Large Rock and the Turtle Rock, then to the coral head and then to the Ledge. No turtles. Lots of fish.
Jack and I hung out on the Ledge with the fish and I took pictures. Got this shot of a Flamefish.
This French Grunt
This Redband Parrotfish,
This Rock Hind
This shot of four Shortfin Sweepers
and this shot of a Spanish Grunt.
Jack did well on his air usage, considering this was his 5th dive. Dive time was 122 minutes; my SAC rate was 14.35 psi/minute; and my RMV was 0.37 ft3/minute.
Leo was on the beach to meet us as we got out. He was eager to make a dive. I would have been happy to stop at one, but Jack seemed interested, too, so we geared up and made a second dive. I did much better at finding the Rock Pile this time and headed up the reef to the Large Rock and the Turtle Rock. Then to the Ledge. Leo and I spent some time taking photos, then we headed over to Shark's Rock and Shark's Rocks East where we got a few pictures, including this Grouper looking fish I can't otherwise identify.
Also got this shot of a Yellowhead Wrasse,
and this shot of a Yellowline Arrow Crab.
Then we headed back to the Ledge.
I went South from the Ledge and found some Caribbean Reef Squid and got some pictures, including this shot.
Then I looked up and Leo and Jack were gone. I had the flag, so I wasn't sure how I could find them, but I headed for the Large Rock and they were there. We went down the reef together. Nice dive and I did a little better on air.
Dive time was 130 minutes; my SAC rate was 13.83 psi/minute; my RMV was 0.36 ft3/minute.
Jack did well on his air usage, considering this was his 5th dive. Dive time was 122 minutes; my SAC rate was 14.35 psi/minute; and my RMV was 0.37 ft3/minute.
Leo was on the beach to meet us as we got out. He was eager to make a dive. I would have been happy to stop at one, but Jack seemed interested, too, so we geared up and made a second dive. I did much better at finding the Rock Pile this time and headed up the reef to the Large Rock and the Turtle Rock. Then to the Ledge. Leo and I spent some time taking photos, then we headed over to Shark's Rock and Shark's Rocks East where we got a few pictures, including this Grouper looking fish I can't otherwise identify.
and this shot of a Yellowline Arrow Crab.
Then we headed back to the Ledge.I went South from the Ledge and found some Caribbean Reef Squid and got some pictures, including this shot.
Then I looked up and Leo and Jack were gone. I had the flag, so I wasn't sure how I could find them, but I headed for the Large Rock and they were there. We went down the reef together. Nice dive and I did a little better on air.
Dive time was 130 minutes; my SAC rate was 13.83 psi/minute; my RMV was 0.36 ft3/minute.
31 August 2014
Jack Holts final two open water dives on the Clipper Jacks
Luis got to the beach before Jack and I did, but we were not far behind. We all geared up and got in the water. Surf was rougher than yesterday. Visibility was terrible over the sand and early in the algae patch, but by the time we got to the 3-tiered reef, it was looking pretty good. We had trouble finding the Jacks. No single jacks in sight. We finally just went down. Jack and I swam North and Luis swam South. The Jacks were to the North, but we were well along the line of Jacks when we found them. We continued on to 25 ft section, and then Luis held the line while Jack and I did the alternate air source ascent and a CESA. We were a bit fast on the CESA. Anyway, we made the tour of the Jacks and then headed back to the beach.
Luis took his camera and got several good shots, including this shot a of a small school of Atlantic Spadefish.
This shot of a small flounder of some kind.
This shot of a Hogfish.
This shot of a Porcupinefish.
This shot of a Spotted Trunkfish.
This shot of a Trumpetfish.
and this shot of a Yellow Sand Ray.
You can see ore of Luis's work at Luis Monroy Photography.
Dive Time was 121 minutes; RMV of 0.32 ft3/minute and 795 psi still in the tank when I surfaced. Not bad for Jack's 3rd open water dive.
Luis left after the first dive and Jack and I went over the Table problems, then Jack took and passed his Final Exam during our surface interval. We geared up and got in the water for his 4th and final dive. I did not take the camera as Luis made only the one dive with us. We descended in 16 feet of water and headed out to the SE. Got into 22 feet and turned North. Bumped into the 3-tiered reef line, but did not see the Jacks. headed back to the beach. Dive Time of 94 minutes; RMV of 0.31 ft3/minute and almost 1500 psi left in the tank.
and this shot of a Yellow Sand Ray.
You can see ore of Luis's work at Luis Monroy Photography.
Dive Time was 121 minutes; RMV of 0.32 ft3/minute and 795 psi still in the tank when I surfaced. Not bad for Jack's 3rd open water dive.
Luis left after the first dive and Jack and I went over the Table problems, then Jack took and passed his Final Exam during our surface interval. We geared up and got in the water for his 4th and final dive. I did not take the camera as Luis made only the one dive with us. We descended in 16 feet of water and headed out to the SE. Got into 22 feet and turned North. Bumped into the 3-tiered reef line, but did not see the Jacks. headed back to the beach. Dive Time of 94 minutes; RMV of 0.31 ft3/minute and almost 1500 psi left in the tank.
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