End of the 2016 Dive Season

This year was definitely interesting and unlike any other year in terms of diving.  I started out with an amazing dive experience of diving with Stellar Sea Lion in British Columbia.  I am so in awe of these creatures and know that I will go back to dive in the Quadra Island area again.  I enjoyed the Quadra Island and diving so much, it is somewhere I would really consider retiring to some day.

The NJ Wreck Diving season started only a few weeks after I returned from British Columbia and it started out exciting as I was seeing large numbers of nudibranchs and I became obsessed with photographing them.  Many divers have told me that there are little to no photos of nudibranchs in NJ and I was lucky to have the chance to see them let along photograph them.  I do think seeing so many nudibranchs in British Columbia opened my awareness of them enabling me to find them easily on wrecks.

Nudis on the Tolten

This year the dive season was a little odd for me, the weather caused lots and lots of dives to be blown out and when I did get out, it always seemed to be on the day that we were heading to the Resor or the Stolt Dagali.  These wrecks are among the best but, I was disappointed that I didn't get offshore once this year or that I didn't have a little more variety of wrecks that I dove.  My dive season ended on September 17th which is the earliest it has ever ended for me.  Diving is so unpredictable which is why I usually try to head out as much a possible,as some years the season is just too short.

The blown out dives did enable me some free time to demo the JJCCR and Megadalon Rebreather as I am gearing up to crossover.  I think this winter I will be making the switch so that next summer I will be diving CCR.  There are so many reasons I have wanted to do this for a long time and I am very excited for this new chapter in my dive life.  We shall see what unfolds!!

I will be updating my display at the NJ Maritime Museum next week so, stop by for a visit this winter and let me know how you enjoyed your visit.

I want to say that I was very sad to see that the Dina Dee dive boat is for sale.  I try to dive on the Dina Dee every year and always have a great time out with Capt. Roger and the crew.  The NJ Wreck Diving charter boat industry is truly dying and there are only a very few boats left.  I hope the day does not come that the industry is completely non-existent.  In addition, we all can clearly see that the number of wreck divers are dwindling too.  It is part of the reason that I share this blog with fellow divers.  Diving has enriched my life tremendously and I want nothing more than to share the excitement of wreck diving with new divers so that this amazing sport stays alive.  I do not know what the answer is, but I will continue to do my part and GO DIVING!!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas with lots of dive toys under their tree!  Don't forget to support your local dive shop through the holidays and winter...they are needed.

Enjoy my video of Wreck Diving 2016:

Megaladon Demo #2 November 5, 2016

After my demo of the JJ CCR last month, it became apparent that the JJ CCR was a lot more comfortable for me to dive especially since, I did not need a weight belt due to the steel back plates.  In discussing this issue with Becky Schott, she suggested that I come out and demo the Megaladon again using a unit that is set up the same way that she dives it.  During my prior Meg demo I used a unit that was set up for travel that required a heavy weight belt that put too much pressure on my back.  I took Becky up on her offer and tried the Meg again.  This time I had such a different experience!  While I did have some minimal weight added to the harness, it was not sitting on sitting on my lower back, making for a much more comfortable dive.  In addition, Becky had her lungs stitched so that they were not as prevalent in front of you, allowing for more maneuverability and field of vision.

I dive a Bare crushed neoprene drysuit and it tends to be a little buoyant and I did have a little trouble getting underwater and I am gracious to Becky for hanging in there until I was able to tackle it.  Once I was down to about 20', I felt great and did notice the difference between the JJ CCR and Meg in terms of breathing.  I have learned that front lungs  have a little better delivery of air and I definitely noticed it.  This was my 3rd time on a rebreather, I am starting to feel more confident although, I have so much to learn through a course.  Today, the Meg was just as comfortable as the JJ CCR which makes it harder to make a decision on which unit is best for me.  I do realize that whichever unit I decide upon, I will be spending lots of time during the course getting it set up just right for me.

I saw some friends that were diving the Revo here at Dutch Springs yesterday.  I would still like to demo a Revo too at some point.  Seems like no matter whom I speak to about different rebreathers, they all say its is a personal preference in terms of which unit you purchase.

Thanks Becky for a great demo experience and for taking such a nice picture of me on the Meg, I even look like I know what I was doing!!

JJ CCR Demo at Dutch Springs

I am still on my mission to demo several rebreathers prior to deciding which unit is best for me.  I demoed the Megladon back in May and really liked it.  Several weekends of  blown out dives enabled me to visit Dutch Springs and demo the JJ CCR with Wayne Fisch of DiveSeekers today.  I have known Wayne for quite some time and have dove some challenging dives with him.  He is a very knowledgeable in both teaching technical diving and rebreathers.  Therefore, I knew my experience demoing the JJ CCR would not only be exciting but,  I knew I would definitely learn a thing or two about rebreathers that I did not already know.

There were 3 of us today, myself, Carl and Chris with all different diving back rounds.  Wayne first went over all of the parts of the JJ.  Then he took the previously packed scrubber and showed us how to prepare the unit for diving and how to do all the pre-dive checks.  I cannot tell you how great it is to demo different rebreathers not only because each unit is unique but also because each instructor is also unique.  This demo was more or less completely different from my Meg demo back in May.  A whole different approach which lead to gaining more knowledge in general about rebreathers!

The JJ CCR is an explorer rebreather in which the unit is very streamlined with much less required pre-dive checks and is also very user friendly.  I was the first one in the water today because I had to get back home to drive my son back to college which left for a ton of driving today, 10 hours total!!  Once I had a neutral buoyancy check we were off for the platform.  It is funny how when you are so focused on operating something new that you forget basic things like adding air to your wings and drysuit as you descend.  All of a sudden I was think boy am I feeling a squeeze, yes, all my basic skills went out the window.  I had to chuckle to myself while I corrected for it.  Once comfortable we ascended to about 20' and then 15' to make sure I was comfortable with my buoyouncy.  Then we simulated a bail-out and also ascended to 20' and 15' on bailout before switching back to the JJ CCR.  Wayne then allowed for lots of time to dive and become accustomed to the operation of the unit.  I was in the water for a bout 40 minutes which really gave me a great experience.

I did like how the counter lungs are on your side and not in the front.  It kept the front of me clean like diving open circuit.  This unit also was a lot more comfortable fit on me especially since Wayne had 2 back plates for weight, requiring no weight belt at all. This was a definite back saver for me.   The JJ simply felt very comfortable on me and the electronics were Shearwater which I am already using and accustomed to.  I can't thank Wayne enough for finding time to let me demo the JJ.  I am very impressed by it!

Since my experiences on the Meg and JJ are so different I definitely want to demo the Revo prior to making my decision.  This is going to be a tough call for sure!!!

In the meantime, I sure hope this terrible weather turns around soon so that I can get back to wreck diving in my favorite time of the year.  Be Safe..

The Stolt Dagali 9-17-16

Here we go again!!! It is just so weird that I can't seem to get out on the days that the destinations are to offshore wrecks or to any wreck other than the Stolt or Resor but, at least I am out diving!!  I was actually going to take Friday off to dive on the Dina Dee but, that good ole wind was blowing pretty good so I worked instead and jumped on the Independence II dive via Diveseekers at the very last minute.  

As we broke the inlet there were some rollers but, no chop so it was a pretty smooth ride out.  This was my first time in the water since Hermine came through.  I was hoping it mixed up the water and that pea soup layer was gone.  As I splashed I had already heard that the visibility was awesome top to bottom and it seemed like I just cleared my ears at 10-20' and I could see the wreck.  It was a full moon the night before but, there was no current which also was so nice.  Once on the wreck I noted two things, I could see forever and it was warm, almost too warm like your were not even in the water.  I quickly started shooting photos and swam the entire wreck.  I was on the lookout for tropical fish and did not see any.  My computer said it was 71 degrees on the bottom, that is super warm.  I saw some larger tautog and plenty of sea bass.  

Since I have had the ability to dive this wreck so much this year I have noticed that each time I am diving it, the marine life is different.  Earlier in the season, the wreck was pretty grey and had just a few sea anemones, bergols, and spotty areas of mussels but, the wreck had those cool nudibranchs.  Then mid summer the wreck was full of sea anemones and a lot more mussels had taken over, flounder were abundant, and the nudibranchs were still there.  Now, the wreck has less sea anemones, is be taken over by those red colored hydroids, the nudibranchs are no longer on the wreck, and there are lots of sea bass, tautog and bergols.  Most of this year the water was real cold on the bottom and now that it warmed up the wreck is changing.  It is kind of neat to observe.  

I did a pretty long dive and enjoyed my hang watching the comb jellies float by.

On my second dive I went down near the break and was going to go in the engine room to shoot some photos since the other divers said it was crystal clear inside.  I also heard some of them say the water was even warmer inside the wreck.  Once I got in the engine room it was silted up a bit from some other divers so, it was not too ideal for photos.  I then swam back out and spent my dive shooting photos all over the wreck.  Towards the end of my dive the current did pick up and kind of went in circles and made it hard to swim near the top of the wreck, it also felt like the water was cooling down a bit.

Tiles..

Today I had two great dives and I am so glad I decided to go diving.  It was so awesome that I wanted to head out again on Sunday even though I had plans to go to the Valenzano Wine Fest with all of my friends.  However,  boat was full for Sunday, so I was not fortunate to have 2 days of diving this weekend but, I ended up having a lot of fun at the wine fest so...till next week as more diving adventures are sure to be had!!!

Resor 8-28-16

This summer has been so strange, lots of blow out dives and whenever I do get out it seems I end up on the Stolt or the Resor.  I am not complaining, both wrecks are fantastic and I do not get bored of them!

Today I was fortunate to join the Sea Gypsies dive club on a trip to the Resor on the Independence II.  The Sea Gypsies are a very friendly group and I enjoyed meeting them all.  Today it was very sloppy out on the ocean to say the least.  It makes you appreciate the flat calm days so much more!  When the seas are rough it is that much harder to gear up, get in the water, do your decompression and get back on the boat safely.  I was actually happy to be returning to the Resor so that I could locate more nudibranchs to photograph.  The plan was to dive with Sean Martini after all he divers were done and pull the anchor.  So, I was topside while everyone else went diving, patiently waiting for my turn to splash.  There is advantages to waiting it out...you get bottom reports for conditions from other divers and on a day like today, I could see how everyone struggled to get in the water and grab the carolina line given the seas and current.  After watching this with diver after diver, I opted to leave my camera topside and just dive.  No sense in struggling with my camera in these conditions, there will be another day for photos.

I splashed ahead of Sean and we were meeting up on the bottom.  However, that never happened, my ears wouldn't clear quickly and Sean whizzed past me on the way down yelling at me to go, go go.. We never found each other on the bottom.  That was ok by me and I am sure Sean too.  The viz was about 50', so crystal clear and cold of course.  I swam out towards the gun and then circled around the stern structure in the sand.  I then followed the debris field out and found a lobster.  I contemplated grabbing the lobster but, I was too chicken, so he was left for someone else to find.  I really enjoy going in the debris field and then looking back at the main piece of wreckage, it really is impressive, about 40'  of relief seems so large. I then went back to the stern and looked for nudibranchs.  There were hundreds of them, all over, some pieces of hydroids were literally covered in them.  I was sure missing my camera.  I just lit them up with my light and watched them, they are so small and yet so cool to see.  Truly such a privilege!

The hang was miserable, no viz, anchor line dancing all over, current...it was torturous and then the ladder smacked me good in the shins but, I got up easily.  The Indy ladder is the best!!  So is the crew, always there to lend a helping hand!

I contemplated doing a 2nd dive and taking my camera to shoot the nudibranchs but, given the sea conditions, almost everyone did not do a 2nd dive so I figured I'd skip it too.

There was lobsters, flounder and cod boated by other divers, not a bad meat day.

Resor 8-7-16

The Resor is always one of my very favorite wrecks.  Today we finally had luck on our side as we broke out of the inlet and the left over swells from the day before were following us as we headed for the Resor.    The Independence II was packed to the hilt today which was great, nothing better than full boats in the peak of the dive season.

As we arrived another dive boat was already anchored on the wreck but, the Resor is large with plenty of room for two boats.  We ended up anchored in the stern section of the wreck.  The surface water is thick as pea soup and is very disorienting but once you went through that layer, the visibility was unlimited, at least 40' and of course cold.  I could see the layout of a large portion of the wreck as I desecended with the glow of divers scattered around the wreck, it was such a cool thing to see.  Once I was on the wreck I headed down into the sand after other divers had spoken of the abundance of flounder on the bottom I wanted to find some to photograph.  I did not see any initially so I did not stay in the sand more than a minute or two and decided to head back up to the top of the wreck since there were more things for me to photograph and a little bit more light.   I shot some photos and then went over to the opposite side of the wreck and remembered the way to the gun turret.  I started to swim in the direction and just did not feel 100% so, I turned around and just stayed in a small area near the anchor line and shot more photos.  I ended up with a short dive, only 25 minutes before I went up and had a not so nice hang in the pea soup.

Once I got home and looked at the photos I again found nudibranchs within the mussels.  I sure wish I could spot these with my own eyes on the bottom and therefore zoom in on them.  I suppose they are still around on this wreck since the water is very cold.  The wreck is covered in mussels this year and leaves for less sea anemones than what you typically see on this wreck.

I can spot 3 nudibranchs in this photo..

Today was a meat day, there were 20 lobsters, huge blackfish, flounder, cod, mussels and scallops boated today.  The cooler was so full we had to scrounge for alternative coolers to fit all of the fish and lobsters.  It truly has been many years since I saw so many fish and lobsters from a dive and also such a variety.

Till my next dive adventure...be safe!

The Stolt Dagali..Again... 7-30-16

I was planning on diving the 56 Mile Wreck this weekend but the weather forced me to modify my plans and head out on the Independence II to the Stolt Dagali.  It has become very apparent that I am destined to dive this wreck a lot this year but, I am okay with that as it is a great wreck and i am growing fond of it!

The Independence II always ties into the highest part of the wreck that sits at about 60' and as I descended, I thought the visibility was quite good, 25-30' and most notably was that there was little or no particulate matter in the water column that makes for better photos.  As I settled into my dive and turned on my camera, I saw that I had an SD disk error.  I have had this happen before and carry extra SD disks so, I would have to wait until dive #2 for photos.  I started heading down to the bottom at the break and immediately felt that freezing cold water, it was 47 degrees, brrrr.  There was not an abundance of fish on the wreck, a few tautog that were quite small, I did not see a single flattie or lobster.  I swam the entire length of the wreck and back and started to feel my hands getting numb.  I decided to grab some mussels for my daughter who happened to be home for the weekend since she loves them.  As I grabbed the mussels, my hands grew colder.  I usually use the old fashioned lobster mitts but since it is the middle of summer I opted for my 74rmm gloves, such a huge difference!  I'll go back to the lobster claw gloves next dive...The thermocline was right at the top of the wreck and felt great, a balmy 61 degrees.

Mussels growing on an abandoned piece of rope

As I descended for dive #2 I saw that the visibility had changed, it was darker due to the sun being behind the clouds, and seemed more pea soupish.  So much for getting some clear photos.  I did take a few and then actually shot some video.  My dive was fun and as always helps me to feel alive!  

"Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations.  For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live." - Henry David Throreau

Baby sea anemones sprouting

 By the way, the mussels were delicious, I have a great garlic, wine and shallot recipe that results in them melting in your mouth.

Magnolia 7-1-16

The Magnolia is the stern section of the San Saba consisting of the boilers, shaft, and propeller.  The San Saba was an iron hulled freighter sunk in October 1918.  This wreck is known for artifacts such as .22 caliber bullets, jelly jars, bone toothbrushes, and brass screws.  It is also a great wreck for seafood and today there was plenty.

I first dove the San Saba on 7/6/1987 which is almost 29 years ago to the day.  It also was my very first wreck dive in NJ.  I actually came home with jelly jars on that very first wreck dive and I was hooked on wreck diving ever since.  Every summer I take off of work and sneak out to dive on a Friday aboard the Dina Dee and I always enjoy myself.  I typically only know one or two of the divers and find its a great opportunity to meet new divers.  Today was no exception, I only knew Capt Roger and Trisha and therefore, got to meet some really nice divers.

 I was the last diver to splash today and as the wreck came into view I was pleasantly surprised to find 25-30' of visibility.  As soon as I was reached the bottom my BC inflator started spewing out a ton of air and I could not fix it so I had to disconnect it.  I tried my best to disconnect it by myself but, just could not do it. Thankfully, the mate Dennis was nearby and I was able to have him disconnect it for me.  He saved my dive!!!  When I returned home it was the inflator post that became unscrewed a bit so it was an easy fix.

I am inside the boiler looking out

Comb Jelly

We were tied into the shaft close to the boilers. I swam towards the boilers and actually swam into one of the them since all of the sea bass were gathering in there to hide from the spear fishermen.  There were giant sea anemones inside the boiler and just tons of fish, great for pictures.  After quite a spending quite a bit of time there, I swam along the debris field adjacent to the shaft to the end of the wreck.  There were plenty of nice black fish and I saw a few flounder too. I was wondering if divers are still finding the jelly jars on the wreck or are those days long gone.   If I had not found a jelly jar all those years ago diving the San Saba, I wonder if I would still be diving wrecks.  It is what first inspired me to go back out and dive another wreck...

The bottom temperature was 50 degrees and there was a noticeable thermocline to where it warmed to 68 degrees at 20' or so hang.  I also saw my first red jellyfish of the year, a sign of warmer waters moving in.

There were quite a few lobsters and sea bass boated and a few flounder too.  It is so much better to spend my day out diving than working...I think I will be up for a few more Friday dives this year.  Thanks to Capt. Roger, Trisha, Mate Dennis and the best helper Tommy for a fun and safe day!

                                       
                             Happy 4th of July Everyone!