I was supposed to dive on August 22, 2009 on the Dina Dee and I just found out that it was blown out due to the swells from Hurricane Bill. This was supposed to be a dive for one of my courses with my Instructor Geoff Grahamn, I'm sure it will be rescheduled. I have had good luck this year with only 1 other blow out early in the season. I tend to be really disappointed when a dive gets blown out, there is so little time to dive and I feel a loss of what could have been. I have not been on the Dina Dee in years and was looking forward to seeing George and Roger and catching up.
Well I guess I'll be spending the day on my favorite island (sand bar) in Great Bay having a few cocktails and barbqueing. At least the wind will keep the green heads away. Maybe I'll do some snorkelling if the water is clear. There will be no more dives for me for a while, I am going on vacation! I'll be backpacking and enjoying the cool mountain air. Hiking is my other love and there is nothing better than spending time in the woods. Til my next dive....
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Inshore Paddlewheeler
Got out again today, 2nd time in a week! I almost didn't go out today because I am really busy with work and have lots going on with the kids, but my daughter told me I should go so, off I went. You only live once right?
I went on the Atlantus to the Inshore Paddlewheeler and we lucked out and hooked the wreck and not the subway cars. It was a small group today, myself, Randy Moore, RichVenuti from East Coast Diving and Ken along with Brian and Andrew Larsen. On my fist dive I headed out in the sand to the remnants of the paddlewheel and looked around for some scallops. There was none to be found. So I then spent time taking photos and touring the wreck. There was a lot of plankton in the water so I knew photos wouldn't be perfect today (vis was about 30') but, since it was a shallower (about 107') wreck and it was bright on the bottom, the pictures came out much better than I expected. I took some pictures of the multiple lobster traps that had lots of bergols swimming around them and some sea anenomes too. I looked under some ribbings for lobster but did not sea any. There were a few sea bass and a few flounder. It was warmer on this wreck, I got 50 degrees on the bottom and as a result, I managed 30 minutes on the bottom before the chill set in.
Once I was on the surface the smorgasborg of fish came up with the other divers. We had sea bass, flounder, ling cod, trigger fish and even an eel pout. There was one large taug that no one could spear so they set up a plan to try and corner him and spear him on the second dive. Needless to say this did not work.
On my second dive I toured the debris field and found some areas that appear as if someone has been "digging" in. The hole was quite deep in a linear fashion and definitely was not natural. I shot some photos of this area and I also poked around looking for some artifacts. This took up the better part of my dive. I got some pictures of a toad fish that I almost missed, he was perfectly camouflaged (see the picture of him, he's hard to pick out). He didn't like the flash so he did not stick around long. I ventured out in the sand in search of scallops again but I guess someone else bagged them or they moved out to cooler water. I spent some time taking photos of the other set of paddlewheels and before I knew it I was down 28 minutes, time to head up.
I am glad my daughter gave me the push to go diving today. It was a great day and also nice to be out in the ocean away from the heat on land! Next dive is on the 22nd unless I scoot out sooner!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Southern Lilian
On Saturday, August 8th we went with Atlantus Charters to the Southern Lilian. I knew it would be a great day when we ran into an old friend on the dock. His name is Paxton Holden. He used to dive a lot with us and shared some great adventures with us in the past (including the infamous trip to Nova Scotia). Paxton was heading out on the high roller fishing boat docked next to the Atlantus. He shared a few memories with us and of course one of his "clean" jokes. As we pulled away from the dock he said "have a safe dive".
It was a long ride from Atlantic City to the Southern Lilian but the conditions were great 1'-2' seas. Today we had a great bunch of divers, Geoff Grahamn, John Priestly, Jeff Heim, Katie Ondrasik, Matt, Bill and myself, Captain Brian Larsen and first mate Shaner. Once we arrived, it was no time at all and the pool was open. I was performing some objectives for my class first and then I was free to do my own dive. I dove the Southern Lilian a few times before and as soon as I descended I vividly remembered it because of the prominent boilers and engines. The boilers stand tall on the bottom and are not in any kind of debris field so that look like someone just dropped them in the sand. I did my first dive around the boilers and engines and some of the pipes. The visibility was a good 30'-40'. The wreck was loaded with fish (even one lonely cod fish) and other bottom dwelling creatures.
On my second dive we headed off in a different direction to the debris field that has lots of metal plates and pipes. This section was really interesting to look at. It appears that these steel sheets of metal were stacked upright and now are covered in soft coral and sponges. This is a great section of the wreck for hunting for fish and lobsters. I don't like to brag but we had a banner day for lobsters!
I took some photos on these dives, there were some monster starfish and the pictures don't do them justice. I also got a picture of a flounder on the bottom. This was hard to do since they are hard to spot and always scurry away so quickly.
During the ride home we spoke about a variety of topics but, one in particular was ironic to me. We spoke about how lucky I was to have dove so many wrecks back before they were so popular, how I was able to obtain lots of artifacts and also to dive on newly found wrecks. The newer generation isn't always as fortunate and it is harder to find wrecks that aren't dove often. This newer generation was wishing they were around in the earlier days. Well the reason it was ironic that we had this conversation, is because when I was younger, I felt the same way. Seeing my old friend Paxton earlier in the day reminded me of that and also made me sad in another way because he is now retired and no longer dives. I know those retired from diving days aren't too far off for me too. It really tugs at your heart to pull away from the dock knowing that your old friend wishes he could come along and knowing what a great diver he was in his day. This is why I try to dive as much as I can now. In fact I am heading out again tomorrow to the inshore paddlewheeler.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Catamount???
Well, I had a bit of a hiatus from diving due to weather and my new addition to the family. I have wanted a new puppy for a while and now I am very busy taking care of Moose, my yellow lab pup.
I was able to scoot out yesterday for a well deserved day to myself and joined Diversion Group on the Gypsy Blood to the "Catamount". We had a full boat, 14 divers, plus 3 crew and Captain Jim. I met so many wonderful people that made me feel like part of the Diversion Group, especially Helen Bilinski.
No one really knows where the true Catamount is located but the wreck that divers typicaly call the Catamount is located at a water depth of approximately 125' with a huge engine and 50' of wreckage. One quart liquor bottles are typically found and some divers call it the Rum Runner.
The wreck we dove today sits in water depths of about 122' to 146'. Therefore, it is not the site typically known as the "Catamount". This wreck scatters along an area of a about 100' long and has parts of the hull that are still intact. The wreck is thickly covered in sea anenomes and you can make out some cargo hold areas. There were large fish in the hold areas. The visibility was not at its best yesterday, so typical for this area near the mud hole. We had about 5'-10' vis and it was dark. Actually, the surface vis was really bad then it cleared up for quite a distance and just before you hit the bottom it silted up. Therefore, it was difficult to get a full view of the wreck and for me to explore too far away from the anchor line. The bottom temp was extremely cold, it was 48 degrees. For some reason it felt even colder than that. I was diving with one of those wet/dry suits so that could have contributed to me being so cold. One of the divers I splashed with, Michael Young found two bottles, a Borden's Milk bottle and an Elixer bottle. No liquor bottles found during this trip. Since the visibility was so poor, no photos on this trip, only surface shots. However, I am entrigued as to what this wreck actually is? Artificial Reef wreck? Unknown New Wreck? Another Unknown Wreck frequented by divers? Or the missing Catamount? I'd like to go back someday with better visibility to explore further.
During the surface interval we were treated to Nathan's Hot Dogs, Kielbasa, fruit, home grown tomatoes an vegetables. It was feast, thanks to Helen. Due to the lack of visibility and a storm approaching we decided to relocate inshore to Jim's Secret Spot. A wooden barge that sits about 15' up from the sand in about 85' of water. A good lobster and hunting dive. I sat this dive out, was not feeling up to par. Other divers said the visibility was better on this dive. Everyone seemed to enjoy this dive. Just as divers were exiting the water, the storm blew in and we drove home in rain, wind and lightning. The good thing was the air conditioned cabin kept us dry and cool. When we got back to the dock the rain let up for us to unload.
I had a nice day out in the ocean and met some really nice people. Mark Hennessey, Jenn Wasko and I discussed so diving to be done in the future off of Cape May. Anne Dashevsky whom was supposed to be my dive buddy but, we ended up only passing on the anchor line (both of us had the queezy stomachs today), has a rebreather and told me all about how much she enjoys it. She trained with Dan Crowell whom my better half has been talking to also about rebreathers. I've been trying to save up money for one but with the kids the money always seems to go to them. Someday...
Helen Bilinski
Mark Henessey & JennWasko
Rich Langbein
I have a lot to do to prepare for my next dive on Saturday, Aug. 8th to the Southern Lilian. I have to dry out my wet/dry suit, fix my leaky next seal, fill my tanks and find time to play with Moose. I have 4 more dives scheduled this month if the weather cooperates. I can't wait!!
I was able to scoot out yesterday for a well deserved day to myself and joined Diversion Group on the Gypsy Blood to the "Catamount". We had a full boat, 14 divers, plus 3 crew and Captain Jim. I met so many wonderful people that made me feel like part of the Diversion Group, especially Helen Bilinski.
No one really knows where the true Catamount is located but the wreck that divers typicaly call the Catamount is located at a water depth of approximately 125' with a huge engine and 50' of wreckage. One quart liquor bottles are typically found and some divers call it the Rum Runner.
The wreck we dove today sits in water depths of about 122' to 146'. Therefore, it is not the site typically known as the "Catamount". This wreck scatters along an area of a about 100' long and has parts of the hull that are still intact. The wreck is thickly covered in sea anenomes and you can make out some cargo hold areas. There were large fish in the hold areas. The visibility was not at its best yesterday, so typical for this area near the mud hole. We had about 5'-10' vis and it was dark. Actually, the surface vis was really bad then it cleared up for quite a distance and just before you hit the bottom it silted up. Therefore, it was difficult to get a full view of the wreck and for me to explore too far away from the anchor line. The bottom temp was extremely cold, it was 48 degrees. For some reason it felt even colder than that. I was diving with one of those wet/dry suits so that could have contributed to me being so cold. One of the divers I splashed with, Michael Young found two bottles, a Borden's Milk bottle and an Elixer bottle. No liquor bottles found during this trip. Since the visibility was so poor, no photos on this trip, only surface shots. However, I am entrigued as to what this wreck actually is? Artificial Reef wreck? Unknown New Wreck? Another Unknown Wreck frequented by divers? Or the missing Catamount? I'd like to go back someday with better visibility to explore further.
During the surface interval we were treated to Nathan's Hot Dogs, Kielbasa, fruit, home grown tomatoes an vegetables. It was feast, thanks to Helen. Due to the lack of visibility and a storm approaching we decided to relocate inshore to Jim's Secret Spot. A wooden barge that sits about 15' up from the sand in about 85' of water. A good lobster and hunting dive. I sat this dive out, was not feeling up to par. Other divers said the visibility was better on this dive. Everyone seemed to enjoy this dive. Just as divers were exiting the water, the storm blew in and we drove home in rain, wind and lightning. The good thing was the air conditioned cabin kept us dry and cool. When we got back to the dock the rain let up for us to unload.
I had a nice day out in the ocean and met some really nice people. Mark Hennessey, Jenn Wasko and I discussed so diving to be done in the future off of Cape May. Anne Dashevsky whom was supposed to be my dive buddy but, we ended up only passing on the anchor line (both of us had the queezy stomachs today), has a rebreather and told me all about how much she enjoys it. She trained with Dan Crowell whom my better half has been talking to also about rebreathers. I've been trying to save up money for one but with the kids the money always seems to go to them. Someday...
Helen Bilinski
Mark Henessey & JennWasko
Rich Langbein
I have a lot to do to prepare for my next dive on Saturday, Aug. 8th to the Southern Lilian. I have to dry out my wet/dry suit, fix my leaky next seal, fill my tanks and find time to play with Moose. I have 4 more dives scheduled this month if the weather cooperates. I can't wait!!
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