Well, as we broke the inlet it was not the 2'-3' seas as predicted in the weather forecast, it was rough and we were taking large waves over the bow. Captain Dan was determined to make it to the Arundo so we continued on and it actually got calmer as we were further offshore. Captain Dan made a good call because once we were anchored up it was not bad at all. Reports of the first few divers in said the vis was decent so I was excited for my dive. I splashed ahead of Sue and Aaron and took it nice an slow going down. It got pretty cold once I was below 50' and my darn drysuit was leaking in my back zipper and also in my boots...this is not good. I quickly remembered the end of last season that I determined it is time for a new drysuit, well I am shopping for one now, for sure. Once I was on the bottom I couldn't believe how good the vis was (20' or better) and what great ambient light there was for this early in the year. This put me at ease and I actually did not travel too far from the anchor line, sticking to my plan to just check out my equipment, breathe and look at the fish. However, there were little or no fish, I saw one large taugue and that was it. I did not recognize where we were on the wreck, it appears we were at the extreme end of the wreck and there was large links of chain so I assume it was the bow but, I am not sure. There were lots of pieces that rose quite high off the bottom and also some piping that looked like a prop-shaft so, maybe we were in the stern, I don't know it remains is a mystery to me. My dive buddies went out into the sand to gather scallops and I chose to hang out in my peaceful environment. I didn't last long, after about 15 minutes in 43 degree water, I was freezing and wet so up I went. My hang was uneventful but it was warm, 54 degrees. Others reported large dogfish swimming all around them but, I did not see any.
As I surfaced Brandon, crew member extraordinaire, was there too take my bag and swing bottle as I climbed the ladder with ease. I became really cold on the surface and was soaked, I opted to skip the second dive. This is a habit on mine in the early season, do just one dive. However, I really do regret not going back in today because it is not often that you have good conditions on this wreck since it is in the mudhole.
The boat was packed full today and most of the divers came back with bags full of scallops and some of Anthony's students came back with some bottles. This wreck was carrying 5,000 cases of beer bottles so there are lots of bottles to be found and it is a great momento from your dive. This was a truly great day to be out diving. Here is a great video that Brandon McWilliams shot which shows the beautiful conditions we had out there:
Video of the Arundo 5/22/11 by Brandon McWilliams
I must, at this point talk about the Independence II, their Captain's, and crew. I have been diving on this boat over the years and there have been numerous improvements made each year and I think now, they nearly have it perfect! The carolina line system is the best I've ever used and all boats should incorporate a set up like theirs. It sure beats swimming on the surface to the anchor line in rough seas, to be able to jump in and have the line right next to your entry bringing you down 25' is wonderful. It also makes for a very pleasant decompression hang. There is always someone on this boat to help you suit up or get out of the water plus they keep very consistent and accurate track of everyone's run-time, time in and out and they check to make sure no one has exceeded their due back time. Its one thing to keep track of everyone's run-times which lots of boats do but, it is even more important that you follow each divers schedule so that if someone is over due even by a minute or two you are ready to jump in and check on the delayed diver. This can help to save lives!! I also like the safety sausage requirement where as everyone must have one and send it up only if you need help, they will then send a diver in for assistance. This boat is very roomy and clean, even the bathroom is clean which is hard to find out there on dive boats. Thanks to everyone that worked this trip today with such professionalism, Sean and Sue Martini, Brandon McWilliams (aka Purple, Pink and Lime Green dude), Aaron Snow (professional Rain-ex window cleaner), Capt. Bill Trent and of course Capt. Dan Bartone. Looking forward to many trips out this year on the Independence II.
I still cannot believe all the diving that I have done over the past 25 years and quite often wonder why I continue to dive year after year. I think the excitement that leads up to the dive and the curiosity of what I will find or see on each dive drives me to continue. Its also the people that I have met along the way that inevitably end up enriching my life which continues each year. I need intellectual stimulation in my life and I find that divers are typically on the same intellectual wavelength as I. I usually learn a lot of interesting things from simple conversing amoung divers. I hope that all of my instructors over the years realize that what they have taught me is carried through each and every dive and I will always be grateful for the things they have taught me and also their inspiration. I have lost touch with most of my instructors over the years but, perhaps they will find this blog and be proud of my accomplishments that began with them.
I have so much planned for this special year, a week of North Carolina wreck diving, diving wrecks in the St. Lawrence seaway, and also being able to spend time photographing my favorite local wrecks off of NJ such as the Northern Pacific, Varanger, Cayru, Max's Wreck, Tolten, Maurice Tracey, S-5 and many more to be added. Sooo, Let's go Wreck Diving 2011!!
Be Safe and Happy!
