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- Location
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- # of dives
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Yesterday, I had the pleasure of diving with Cape Ann Charters, Gloucester, MA Cape Ann Charters, Inc.
A friend I met diving with Underwater Explorers in Boynton Beach, FL had previously invited me to dive with him if I happened to be in the Boston area. Fortunately, I had a business meeting in Boston and was able to travel a couple of days early to get in a day of diving.
Cape Ann Charters is located in Cape Ann Marina, an easy hour or so drive from Boston. The spacious boat, Daybreaker is fantastic. Though easily big enough to take more, they take only six divers. There is a large covered cabin for protection and a nice head. They serve cookies, fruit, and soda included.
The owner and captain, Fran Marcoux and his son, Matt, delivered the absolute best service I've ever had on a charter boat. They did everything to ensure a safe and successful dive. An incredibly nice feature for those of us who dive wet (all but one local dived dry) was the warm water down the wetsuit before dives (see water temps, below)
We did 2 dives in the morning and 2 dives in the afternoon. The 1st morning dive was to the wreck of the Chester Poling, the very nice 130 foot stern section of a 281 foot coastal tanker that sunk in a storm in 1977. There was brisk surface current that dissipated at depth and the visibility was about 30 feet with a bottom temp of 47 degrees at a max depth of 86 feet. Fortunately for me, that was the coldest dive of the day and the limit of my tolerance in a full 7mm and 5/3mm hooded vest. The 2nd morning dive was to Halfway Rock, a great pinnacle covered with lobster, crab, starfish, and urchins. Though this goes much deeper, we had a max depth of only 44 feet with a temp of 49 degrees and about the same visibility as above.
We returned to the dock, wolfed down a tasty pizza delivered to the boat by Domino's and headed out for the afternoon. We did the dives at Little Salvages and Dry Salvages with many lobster, crabs, and a real treat, Harbor Seals. The water was warmer at 53-56 degrees and vis was 20-25 feet at max depths of only 38-42 feet.
The day ended on a real high note as my dive buddy invited me back to his house to enjoy the spoils of his lobster hunting. The fresh caught Massachusetts lobster was the best I've ever had.
I'll certainly be back diving with Fran, Matt and Cape Ann Charters next opportunity I have to return to Boston. Maybe it's time to make the investment in that drysuit I've been thinking about for the past several years.
Good diving, Craig
A friend I met diving with Underwater Explorers in Boynton Beach, FL had previously invited me to dive with him if I happened to be in the Boston area. Fortunately, I had a business meeting in Boston and was able to travel a couple of days early to get in a day of diving.
Cape Ann Charters is located in Cape Ann Marina, an easy hour or so drive from Boston. The spacious boat, Daybreaker is fantastic. Though easily big enough to take more, they take only six divers. There is a large covered cabin for protection and a nice head. They serve cookies, fruit, and soda included.
The owner and captain, Fran Marcoux and his son, Matt, delivered the absolute best service I've ever had on a charter boat. They did everything to ensure a safe and successful dive. An incredibly nice feature for those of us who dive wet (all but one local dived dry) was the warm water down the wetsuit before dives (see water temps, below)
We did 2 dives in the morning and 2 dives in the afternoon. The 1st morning dive was to the wreck of the Chester Poling, the very nice 130 foot stern section of a 281 foot coastal tanker that sunk in a storm in 1977. There was brisk surface current that dissipated at depth and the visibility was about 30 feet with a bottom temp of 47 degrees at a max depth of 86 feet. Fortunately for me, that was the coldest dive of the day and the limit of my tolerance in a full 7mm and 5/3mm hooded vest. The 2nd morning dive was to Halfway Rock, a great pinnacle covered with lobster, crab, starfish, and urchins. Though this goes much deeper, we had a max depth of only 44 feet with a temp of 49 degrees and about the same visibility as above.
We returned to the dock, wolfed down a tasty pizza delivered to the boat by Domino's and headed out for the afternoon. We did the dives at Little Salvages and Dry Salvages with many lobster, crabs, and a real treat, Harbor Seals. The water was warmer at 53-56 degrees and vis was 20-25 feet at max depths of only 38-42 feet.
The day ended on a real high note as my dive buddy invited me back to his house to enjoy the spoils of his lobster hunting. The fresh caught Massachusetts lobster was the best I've ever had.
I'll certainly be back diving with Fran, Matt and Cape Ann Charters next opportunity I have to return to Boston. Maybe it's time to make the investment in that drysuit I've been thinking about for the past several years.
Good diving, Craig
